Concordia Adult Bible Class

New Years’ resolutions often revolve around caring for our bodies. But though we can start strong, we can regularly quickly lapse into old, unhealthy habits. Paul speaks of the taking care of our bodies not just of the sake of our physical health, but for the sake of our witness. If we can keep our bodies in check, then we can keep our spirits in check. If we can reshape our bodies, then we can reshape our very selves as we seek to share our faith (see 1 Corinthians 9:19-23).

When life gets busy, often one of the first things we neglect is the life of our minds. When Solomon felt overwhelmed, however, he devoted himself to wisdom rather than simply trying to make it through by his own grit. In this message, we’ll discuss strategies for doing the same.

A crackling fire is often part of a picturesque Christmas gathering. But, as we know, fire can be dangerous. It certainly was for Peter. It was around a fire where Peter denied his Lord. But Peter’s toughest moment eventually proved to be a turning point in his faith. Our toughest moments can be turning points in our faith, too.

Would you like to become a member of Concordia? https://concordia.churchcenter.com/registrations Enjoy hearing the origin story of some of your favorite Christmas songs and carols, along with with a devotion from Pastor Tucker!

Hannah’s deepest desire was to have a child. When the Lord blesses her with a son, she is so thankful that she dedicates him to Him. When we live thankfully, we also live generously, for we want to share our bounty and blessings with others, honoring the Lord who has given everything to us.

Paul is clear that we should “give thanks in all circumstances” (verse 18). There is not a moment in our lives when we have nothing to be thankful for. When we do not live thankfully, we are outside of God’s will and are, as Paul says in verse 19, of quenching of the Spirit.

Sometimes, we get so caught up worrying about what we have stored up, we forget that, no matter how much or how little we may have on this earth, God has something fantastic in store for us – nothing less than a crown of righteousness. In a world that test and try our faith, we can be confident that our faith will be vindicated when Christ returns.

The first principle of stewardship is this: no matter what we may store, it ultimately belongs to God. Any store house is finally God’s house. To help us understand this, God has given us a tithe. In the tithe, we not only give to God, we give back to God, since everything we have comes from Him in the first place. When we give back to God, we learn that God continues to give us what we need and even beyond what we need.

It feels like we’re becoming more obsessed with politics and elections. And even if we don’t care about politics much, we know someone who does! And their obsession can become our frustration. In a nation that is so divided, so scared, and so angry, how can the Church be different?

Grace is when God gives us what we do not deserve. In a culture that works on merit, that can be difficult for us to accept! Yet, even if grace goes against our cultural senses, it is a deep spiritual need – for each and every one of us.

Dr. Jeff Kloha continues in our study of Philippians.

Part 5 of this study of Philippians focuses on the message of hope, centered in the resurrection of Jesus and God’s “call from above.” This resurrection hope shows us how to forget the past and to look constantly to the future glory that we have in Christ

Christ humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death on a cross. He gave all. Paul says we are to have this same mindset. Before we can challenge others, we must give to them. What are we willing to sacrifice for the sake of others?

This week, Dr. Kloha continues his study of Philippians in chapter 2, looking at who Jesus is the and model He provides for us.

In Philippians 1, We learn how hardships even as severe as persecution and imprisonment can be evidence of God at work for the Gospel. A key theme is to recognize our calling as “citizens of heaven” who live each day, no matter the circumstance, by the power of the Gospel.

Philippians begins with encouragement to the church to live in hope in Christ in the midst of social and political challenges. The long and warm relationship between Paul and this church is emphasized. A key theme in the opening of the letter is that to live with Jesus Christ as “Lord” has both personal and political implications: How do Christians live with Jesus as Lord in a world with many “gods” and many “lords”? These teachings introduced in chapter 1 will be woven through the rest of Philippians.

Would you like to become a member of Concordia? https://concordia.churchcenter.com/registrations As Moses enters into the twilight of his ministry, God picks Joshua to be the next leader of Israel. Do we pour into the next generation so they can lead the Church forward?

Interested in becoming a member of Concordia? https://concordia.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/508993 When we do not listen, God can reach us in many ways – even through a donkey. God’s preferred way to speak to us, however, is through His Word. Do we listen, or do we, like Balaam, refuse to hear God’s guidance for our lives?

Would you like to become a member of Concordia? https://concordia.churchcenter.com/registrations Once again, the Israelites are grumbling. This time, God disciplines them with death by sending snakes on them. We, too, are disciplined for our sins with death. But, as Moses held up a snake on a pole to rescue the Israelites from their sentence, we have Savior held up on a cross to rescue us from our condemnation.

The Israelites grumble again against God. Moses responds to their grumbling with anger and loses the privilege of entering the Promised Land. Responding to the grumbling of others with anger of our own does not solve anything. Our call is to respond with patience and love.