Jeff Stevens

Jude relates the judgment of those who creep into the church to 3 specific judgment accounts in the Old Testament. God takes justice very seriously. For those who try to hurt His church, or deny His name, destruction is what is to come. In light of this, contending for the faith becomes a topic we should all pay attention to.

Judes poetic letter to the church comes with exhortation. He really just wants to bring the Gospel message, but there is trouble brewing inside of the church that needs addressing. This is a relevant message for the church today, where believers should be taught to Contend for the Faith! Jude 1: 1-4

John writes a description of a self-centered leader within the church. This is a juxtaposition to the love and service shown by Gaius in our previous study. After examining both figures, John encourages the church to imitate that which is good, not that which is evil. Who do you imitate? 3 John 1: 9-15

John finds no greater joy than to find that those who are in the church of Gaius are walking in the truth. What an encouraging letter from John to his friend. They are truly living out the Gospel and John, who has definitely seen some amazing miracles of faith in his life, finds no greater joy than this. Would your church get a letter like this? 3 John 1-7

John is standing against first-century heresy by telling the church not to let false teaching into the church. But there is a very practical application here for our modern church and for our homes as well. It is imperative that we have discernment and ensure that we are not leading people astray. Who is in your house?

John writes this letter to the elect lady. And whether you believe he is writing to a specific person or to a church in Asia Minor, the response is to rejoice! John rejoices in finding that he children are walking in the truth. This lady is leaving a legacy! 2 John 1:1-6

Because of our confidence in the Lord we can pray in faith, without losing heart and in obedience and submission. We pray to a faithful God, who loves and hears our prayers!

Our testimony is an important way in which we are able to communicate the saving work that Jesus has done in us. But we have to realize that it is the Holy Spirit who initiates this work by testifying of the truth of the Gospel in us. When we share, lets remember to start with the Gospel, then tell people what amazing and merciful works Jesus has done in us!

This is such a great message for us, as believers! This is a message that reminds us of the love that God has for us. That in Him, as our victorious Lord, we too are victorious! We are more overcomers!

This message from John is very important in understanding the confidence that we can have in the Lord. God's love is perfected in us and we have no reason to have fear, because He loved us first. This is an amazing message of hope! 1 John 4:11-21

Tony shares a very important message with us from 2 Timothy 3. As believers we should recognize that all of the Bible is useful for us. Although it was not written TO us, it was written FOR us. And we can learn to understand who God is and how He deals with us and loves us through the Word of God.

Many in the veteran community deal with the problem of forgiveness; and counsel will often say to forgive yourself. But Jesus teaches us something different. While sharing hope with the veterans and supporters of Big Country Veterans, we explore the forgiveness found only in Jesus Christ by looking at Psalm 103.

Chad takes our current study in 1 John and how he is encouraging us to "Abide in Christ," and relates it to a passage in John 15. This is a really important message about how we are connected to Christ as our source of life and how we produce good fruit.

God is love... This means so much more that one can imagine. God defines love and then we can see through His attributes that He is the fulfillment of real love. This study help us to see and understand the measure of God's love. 1 John 4:7-10

It is not a common message on Easter to consider that we too are resurrected. Paul's message to us in Ephesians 2 helps us understand that through the power of Jesus Christ, we are risen with Jesus, seated in the heavenly places, and created for good works. So, what will knowing that you are already risen in Christ do for your walk tomorrow? Ask yourself: Resurrection...Then what?

John appeals to those whom he loves in the church, his beloved. This is such an important message for the church. In John's time, many antichrists were working to create division and lead people away from Jesus. This is still a problem today. We are called to test every sprit, to see if they are from God! 1 John 4:1-6

We glaze over the importance of this command from Christ. The Church will focus on many other things about grace and mercy and all of the things that are wonderful about God, and leave this important point aside. This is a non-negotiable! We must love our brothers and sisters in Christ! 1 John 3:11-24                

The dilemma that is faced in this passage has to do with being a believer and still dealing with the trouble of sin! Sin should burden us, as God's children! Are you a child of God? Or, are you a child of the Devil?

This is a message of good news. That God the Father has chosen us to be his children. And as His children, we have hope. Hope that we are conforming into the image of Jesus Christ! 1 John 3: 1-3

We have an anointing when we abide in Jesus Christ. And because of that anointing, we can have the confidence to stand in righteousness and not shrink away, when our Lord Jesus returns! This is such good news!

John has prepared us for this message by teaching us about spiritual maturity. The world is full of lusts of flesh, eyes and pride. Antichrists make their way into the church who desire division. Christ gave us to church to be able to discern and protect children the faith from them. God is good and He does not fail!

John gives a description of spiritual maturity in the Body of Christ. This is an important message because he is preparing believers for a message about the dangers of the world. The good news is that God has given us the church to prepare, love and care for each other!

It seems confusing at first. John says there this is not a new commandment, but then it is a new commandment. But what is really happening is that John is accentuating what Christ has already renewed, our love for one another. The Law and the Prophets hangs on 2 commandments; our love for the Lord and our love for each other. We are not just called to love, but to love as Jesus loves!

John's call to the church in this message is to stop sinning. Perspective is key here. We do not stop sinning to gain favor with God. Conversely, we stop sinning because we know who we are in HIM and recognize that Jesus is our Advocate with the Father! This is good news!

This is a great study about the struggle of being a believer who is living in a fallen world. We are called to walk in the light, yet there is still the struggle with our sinful nature. It is good news that God is Light! He has given us the fellowship of believers and fellowship with Jesus Christ, who washes away our sin!