Revelation 2:1-11  (HCSB)The Letter to Ephesus2 “Write to the angel of the church in Ephesus: “The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand and who walks among the seven gold lampstands says: 2 I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil. You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars. 3 You also p...  Read More

WHAT REAL LOVE LOOKS LIKEWe find examples of God's perfect love all through the Bible.Study the Word: God's very nature is love, and His actions demonstrate what love is like.Key Truth: God is perfect love (1 John 4:7-19).  God does not decide to love.  He is love.  He defines love by His nature.  We only know love as a concept because God has made Himself known to us.Key Truth: God loves all peop...  Read More

John 3:16 is one of the most well-known verses in all the Bible but the verses around it give it life. How is Jesus’ death a result of God’s love? What does it mean to be “condemned”? If you didn’t/don’t know Jesus, how would that condemnation change your life right now? How has Jesus’ sacrifice changed your life on this side of eternity?In Romans 5:6-11, we are told that Jesus brings us reconcili...  Read More

John 15:9-17 (HCSB)Christlike Love9 “As the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you. Remain in My love.10 If you keep My commands you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commands and remain in His love. 11 “I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. 12 This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has gr...  Read More

Ephesians 2:1-10 (HCSB)From Death to Life2 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins 2 in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler who exercises authority over the lower heavens, the spirit now working in the disobedient. 3 We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and w...  Read More

Romans 5:6-11 (HCSB)Those Declared Righteous Are Reconciled6 For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. 8 But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! 9 Much more then, since we have now been dec...  Read More

John 3:16-21 (HCSB)16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, becaus...  Read More

Psalms 40:1-17 (HCSB)Thanksgiving and a Cry for HelpFor the choir director. A Davidic psalm. 1 I waited patiently for the Lord, and He turned to me and heard my cry for help. 2 He brought me up from a desolate pit, out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure.  3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in th...  Read More

WALKING JESUS' WAYJohn wrote 1 John around the late 80s or early 90s AD.Study the Word:  In the apostle John's letters, we discover authoritative truth about Jesus Christ.  As one who walked with the Savior and witnessed firsthand His teaching and example.  John's inspired words carry special weight in proclaiming and protecting the gospel's message.Key Truth: Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the ...  Read More

1.  We live in a culture that has serious disagreements with God’s laws. In fact, they are often called “oppressive.” How can you explain that godly obedience is not oppressive? What is the connection between obedience and assurance for the believer (1 Jn. 2:3-11)? How does knowing God lead to obedience?2.  Love involves deep affection for someone. How is the supernatural love of God different tha...  Read More

3 John 1 (HCSB)GreetingThe Elder: To my dear friend Gaius: I love you in the truth. 2 Dear friend, I pray that you may prosper in every way and be in good health physically just as you are spiritually. 3 For I was very glad when some brothers came and testified to your faithfulness to the truth—how you are walking in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walkin...  Read More

2 John 1 (HCSB)GreetingThe Elder: To the elect lady and her children: I love all of you in the truth—and not only I, but also all who have come to know the truth— 2 because of the truth that remains in us and will be with us forever. 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.Truth and Deception4 I was very glad to ...  Read More