Living Out Your New Identity in Christ

Conrad Hilario

Ephesians 4:17-19

Living out your new life in Christ involves not living as the world lives, in the futility of their mind, but knowing that only God gives real meaning in life to anything we do. He gives us significance and value. He ensures that suffering has a purpose. Are you living in such a way that distinguishes you from the world?

Vanishing Returns of Life Away from God

Dennis McCallum

Ephesians 4:17-24

Before one becomes a Christian, they are living for self, and have put sensuality at the center of their life. Sensuality always demands more and more to satisfy. Thus, the Law of Vanishing Returns. But as a Christian, one learns to set aside self and be renewed in the spirit of one's mind. By pursuing God and being transformed by His love, Christians become more like God and grow in their ability to love and serve others like He does.

Enemies of the Cross

Gary DeLashmutt

Philippians 3:17-4:1

Materialism defines fulfillment and security in terms of material possessions in this life. Christians in this present world are particularly vulnerable with the massive cultural pressure to engage in materialism. To resist this pressure, Christians must cultivate deep convictions about Jesus' return and His eternal kingdom, see through materialism enough that they are emotionally affected by its impact, and prioritize and treasure fellowship with committed Christians.

Our Problem and God's Solution

Conrad Hilario

Ephesians 2:1-10

Humans have a serious problem and most are unaware they are in trouble. People think evil lives in the heart of men like Adolph Eichmann, Hitler's architect of the Holocaust. But the reality is that evil resides in all of our hearts and there is nothing we can do about it. But God has a solution for our deepest need. He offers forgiveness if we will acknowledge our moral failings and our need for His forgiveness. In order to appreciate the Good News, we must hear the bad news first.

The Path to Spiritual Maturity, Part 1

Gary DeLashmutt

Colossians 3:1-4

The path to spiritual maturity lies in keeping seeking the things above or the salvation that originates from God and Jesus. This involves increasing in your understanding and appreciation of what God has given you through Christ. And setting your mind on the things above. This involves keep clinging to God's provision rather than being seduced by false though-systems, feelings, etc. Keep Seeking is proactive and Set Your Mind is reactive.

Chapter Four

Chris Hearty

Ecclesiastes 4:1-12

King Solomon considered the oppression the powerful exert over the earth and saw the meaninglessness of justice apart from God. He saw people either try excessively to achieve or the alternative, just give up trying. He saw the perils of being alone in this world. Solomon warns trying to live a life apart from God leads to oppression, discontentment or loneliness.

Believers Under Pressure

Dennis McCallum

1 Peter 2:11-24

Since believers are living as foreigners in a hostile world, we should not give in to the temptations of our flesh as the world does, but we should be different. Our good deeds should set us apart and silence those who slander us. If we bear up under unjust suffering for the sake of the gospel, this finds favor with God. We have been called to follow Jesus' example of suffering for the sake of others. By His wounds, many are healed.

Be Different

Conrad Hilario

1 Peter 1:13-22

When God calls us to be holy because he is holy, he is not asking us to be different from the culture in merely superficial ways like clothing choices or refraining from cussing. He is calling us to stand out by having higher values and a fervent love for others. If you let God transform your values and grow you in your ability to love others, you will be different in a very good way.

Two Ways to Live

Chris Hearty

Philippians 3:17-21

Paul offers that there are two ways to live. One way is the earthly mindset that invests in temporal things that are destined to perish, that is enslaved to desires, and ends in ruin. The other way to live is accept the gift of salvation that is in Jesus. This enables one to have an eternal mindset that leads to investment in things that last forever. The eternal perspective leads to the realization of unparalleled freedom in Christ, no longer to be enslaved to worthless things. This leads to the glory that comes from God who transforms us.