The Sheep Scatter

Conrad Hilario
Mark 14:70-72

On the night before his death Jesus takes his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Jesus is betrayed by Judas and later Peter denies knowing Jesus three times. Comparing the actions and responses to sin by these two men illustrates difference between true repentance and worldly sorrow.\r\n

Jesus Betrayed, Arrested, and Denied

Dennis McCallum
John 18:1-40

Jesus is betrayed by Judas Iscariot and handed over to the chief priests and Pharisees to be arrested. Jesus is aware of Judas' betrayal, and shortly afterwards, Peter denies Jesus three times, something Jesus had also predicted. On the surface, the failures of Judas and Peter seem identical, but their attitudes reflect a difference, what is known as metanoia (repentance or change of heart) versus metamelomai (regret or worldly sorrow). It is these heart attitudes that distinguish Peter versus Judas and why the outcome of their lives looked radically different. This attitude before God is important for Christians to consider when they encounter failure as well.

Sexual Sin and Grace

Brian Gardner
John 18:1-40

A false belief around sexual sin is that behavior modification or restrictions have the power to change people. They do not. There are four key dynamics that result in lasting heart change: knowing sin, hating sin, knowing the total forgiveness and grace of God, and being astounded at the love of God.

A Blind Man Sees

Scott Risley
John 9:1-41

Jesus heals a blind man on the Sabbath which stirs up negative attention from the Pharisees. Jesus then contrasts the response between the blind man and Pharisees. He points out the Pharisees are blinder than the man born blind because the blind man saw his need and believed in Jesus. Having the "I can see" attitude can impact others knowing Jesus and growing with Jesus. No matter who we are, we need to ask God to open our eyes.

Two Essential Lessons

Gary DeLashmutt
Galatians 6:2

Jesus washed the disciples' feet, and he tells us how we can wash one another's feet as well. We go through life and bring home with us the dust and grime of living in a spiritually hostile deadening world. This is when we need to go to God to have our feet cleaned and to be refreshed by Him. We are also tasked with doing something like this with each other. Washing each others feet by confessing our sins to one another and praying for one another, and bearing each other's burdens. This is vastly different to our culture's idea of going to church and refreshing each other.

The Intimate Gospel

Jim Leffel
John 21:1-17

John's gospel ends with a clear and crucial application of the cross: a response to failure centered around grace instead of punishment. Jesus asks Peter if he loves him not to bury Peter in shame but to guide him to the path of reconciliation. When we fail at loving people, whether or not we receive God's grace will shape our lives and ability to be used for the glory of God.

Living Water

Jim Leffel
John 4:40-41

Jesus' love drives him to pass through Samaria to interact with a woman at the well. Through their conversation Jesus offers her living water that will quench her thirst so that she will never thirst again. The living water he offers is the offer of eternal life. God is eager to begin a relationship with every person. This relationship begins when a person makes the decision to receive God's gift of forgiveness and spiritual life. This spiritual life gives true fulfillment.\r\n

Why Follow God?

Scott Risley
Ephesians 5:1-14

We follow God because our old selves died when we accepted His death as payment for our sins. There are certain things incompatible with our new selves, such as sex outside of marriage. We are called to live in the light, live our lives to please the Lord, and love because He first loved us.

Songs of Freedom

Lee Campbell
Psalms 130:1-8

It is easy for us to get an inward focus started when we are confronted with the anxieties and challenges of life. God has given more to free us than anyone else in our lives - He sent His own son to die for our sins so that we could have a relationship with Him. God's provision gives us the capacity to serve others, and we can remember this by turning to Him.