Because we belong to Christ and Christ is hated by this hostile world, we too must be prepared to face the world's hostility while continuing to walk faithfully with Christ in love.

Because deacons are called in Scripture to serve the church by assisting the work and ministry of the elders, we must understand both the importance of their calling and the qualifications of those who are called.

Because Christ has chosen to claim us as His friends, we are called to walk in His love toward one another as we bear good fruit, not under compulsion as slaves, but as those who obey out of love for our King. And Oh- what love is ours- What a privilege to be called his friends.

In 2 Thessalonians 3-1-5 we see the path ahead for the church includes prayers for God's messengers, a prayer for the Lord to direct hearts, and the Lord's faithfulness.

Because the fruit of genuine discipleship depends on abiding in Christ, we must orient our lives to Him by letting them be shaped by the word and prayer, driven by love into a life of obedience and filled with the joy of His presence daily.

On a scale of 1 to 10, this passage is a 10 with regard to what it means to be a Christian. Because Christ is the true source of eternal life, we must remain in vital connection with Him that we might bear true fruit, showing ourselves to be His disciples rather than fruitless branches that will be cast off into judgement.

Does Jesus tell us to go, but leave it to us how we make disciples once we get there- Or does he not only command us to make disciples, but also tell us what to do in obedience to Him- Because Jesus is Lord of the church, we must carry out His mission His way if we are to be faithful to His Great Commission and make disciples of all nations.

James encourages his audience to patiently persevere until Christ's retur

Because of the immeasurable greatness of God's power unleashed for the church when Christ was raised, we should never fear that anything in all creation can ever stop God's good purposes for us in our salvation. This is a message of hope for the church.

-Keeping in the Love of God- How knowing the love of Christ keeps us from apostasy by Don Currin -Jude 17-25-. The final message from this year's Grace Bible Conference.