Search Results for: a higher calling

Posted: 29 Jan, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson

The church in Corinth had serious issues that Paul addressed throughout 1 Corinthians. He spoke so strongly on at times that you might think his letter to them would have ended their relationship. Yet as he concluded his letter in chapter 16, instead of writing an it-was-nice-knowing-you ending to their relationship, he penned a very ordinary […]

Posted: 22 Jan, 2017 | Author: Dove Cranson

As we near the end of 1 Corinthians, the apostle Paul reminds his audience what is of first importance: the gospel.  The gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ came and died for our sins, taking our place, and providing a way for us to have a relationship with God and to be with […]

Posted: 15 Jan, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson

If God were to give you a special supernatural gift, what would you want? Would you like to speak in tongues? Know the deep mysteries of God? Heal the sick? Any of these gifts would be amazing, but there is something even more incredible. It’s love. 1 Corinthians 12-14 is the most extensive passage on […]

Posted: 08 Jan, 2017 | Author: Dove Cranson

Love is the greatest power on Earth and the true nature of God.  In 1 Corinthians 13 we see the beauty and excellence of love.  Through Jesus we can participate in this divine life. Download Handout  

Posted: 11 Dec, 2016 | Author: Steve Nelson

We can love people who are hard for us, but to do so we must see God’s good in ourselves, in others, and in His overarching plan for His people. In this message we look at spiritual gifts and how God has shaped each of us ways in various ways so that we can each […]

Posted: 04 Dec, 2016 | Author: Dove Cranson

What comes to mind when you think of authority and the submission to authority?  Our own experience and cultural context have inevitably shaped that view.  We probably all know examples of the abuse of authority and realize the potential to be taken advantage of.  As we look deeper, we see that a loving authority is […]

Posted: 27 Nov, 2016 | Author: Steve Nelson

With a healthy understanding of grace, we can appreciate it for what it really is, and stand firm in the security of our committed relationship with Jesus. This allows us to stop being distracted with trying to measure up or trying to discern exactly what is permissible behavior and what isn’t. Instead, we can focus […]

Posted: 20 Nov, 2016 | Author: Dove Cranson

As we continue to look at the Higher Calling we have in Jesus, we see the example of Paul to work with extreme effort to bring the good news of Jesus to others, breaking down barriers and enduring difficulties in the process.  What is the source of his dedication and sacrifice?  Is he trying to […]

Posted: 13 Nov, 2016 | Author: Steve Nelson

Have you ever felt judged by Christians? You vote one way, but they think you should vote another. You trick or treat, but they don’t. You have a Christmas tree and they seem to think you are worshiping the forest god in your living room. You public school and they home school. Paul addresses these […]

Posted: 06 Nov, 2016 | Author: Dove Cranson

Each of us lives in a situation that is not always easy.  In fact life is often extremely challenging, and it is easy to think that if we were only in a different situation then we would be happy and fulfilled.  If only I had a spouse, or if I didn’t have one but could […]

Posted: 30 Oct, 2016 | Author: Steve Nelson

Marriage is intended to be a beautiful life-long relationship. Unfortunately things don’t always go as God desires in our broken world. In this message we look at what the Bible teaches on divorce and remarriage from 1 Corinthians 7 and from the teachings of Jesus. Download Main Handout / Supplemental Reference on Divorce See also: Pizza Seminar: What the […]

Posted: 23 Oct, 2016 | Author: Dove Cranson

It is the reality of life that each person gets to enjoy pleasures and happiness.   Also each human being experiences loss and sadness.   Through this adventure of learning to trust God we are called to a bigger perspective.   We can learn to be content with what we have been given and trust […]

Posted: 16 Oct, 2016 | Author: Steve Nelson

How can the church be a hospital for broken and sinful people and also hope to have a standard of behavior that reflects our higher calling? Is it possible to be loving and compassionate and yet draw a line in the sand and say that certain behaviors are not acceptable among God’s people? In this […]

Posted: 09 Oct, 2016 | Author: Dove Cranson

Are you chasing after an elusive pursuit to be somebody? What do you think others think about you? What do you think about yourself? It’s easy to think our worth is wrapped up in our own accomplishments and the praise of others, but what really counts is that you belong to Christ. In 1 Corinthians […]

Posted: 02 Oct, 2016 | Author: Steve Nelson

Have you ever seen Christians sin and wondered how they could act so unchristian? And have you wondered why Jesus hasn’t changed them more? And what about in your own life? Have you ever thought that the power of God should have transformed you more? In this message, Steve explains how the power of God […]

Posted: 25 Sep, 2016 | Author: Dove Cranson

In a culture where intellect and worldly wisdom is praised, God’s wisdom is often neglected or belittled.  Many seem to think we have become too smart for God.  In this look at 1 Corinthians chapter 2, human wisdom is contrasted with the vast mystery of God’s wisdom.  The chapter lays out how God’s wisdom is […]

Posted: 10 Apr, 2022 | Author: Steve Nelson

The key to walking in relationship with broken, sinful, and dysfunctional people, is to respond to Christ instead of to them. 

Posted: 07 Aug, 2022 | Author: Steve Nelson

Jesus doesn't merely call us to forgive, but to have an attitude of ongoing and limitless forgivenss.

Posted: 16 Oct, 2022 | Author: Dove Cranson

Jesus said that the second greatest command is to love our neighbor as ourselves. This is possible as we receive love from God.

Posted: 12 Nov, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson

To embrace God’s call to love others, we must commit ourselves to loving those who are difficult, inconvenient, and uncomfortable for us. God is not simply calling us to love those who give us the warm fuzzies, but to love the unfuzzy. Mark 12:29-31 “The most important [command],” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, […]

Posted: 31 Mar, 2019 | Author: Steve Nelson

1 Corinthians 1:25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. (NIV11) God, even at his hypothetical simplest level of thinking, is smarter than Albert Einstein at his peak. This is important to understand when it comes to our pursuit of advice. When [ ]

Posted: 14 Apr, 2019 | Author: Steve Nelson

Jesus did not intend for us to be laden by the weight of unattainable perfection. Instead, he wanted to give us rest for our souls.

Posted: 17 Sep, 2022 | Author: Steve Nelson

God give us good reason not to worry. He's got it!

Posted: 10 Sep, 2016 | Author: Kathleen Nelson

Kathleen Nelson shares her story of how the Lord led her down a personal journey, and clarified six biblical areas in her life in which God has already called her to live out a “holy ambition.” Download Handout    

Posted: 24 Nov, 2019 | Author: Steve Nelson

When we call evil good it is not loving. Rather it muddles lines—lines that God drew to bring us good.

Posted: 13 Sep, 2020 | Author: Steve Nelson

God is a God of new beginnings and calls us into radically different ways. He has an exciting future set before us!

Posted: 04 Oct, 2020 | Author: Dove Cranson

This dark and decaying world needs you, as a vessel of God, to be an influence of salt and light.

Posted: 17 Jul, 2022 | Author: Steve Nelson

"Take the log out" is a teaching of Jesus that is sure to dramatically bless your daily life!

Posted: 24 Jul, 2022 | Author: Steve Nelson

Being a disciple involves following. Jesus calls us to put into practice the things he teaches. 

Posted: 31 Jul, 2022 | Author: Dove Cranson

It might seem like the cause of anger is something outside of us, but really the cause of anger is inside of us. We need to address the inner root of anger with compassion and honesty.