Encounter the Truth

Paul's vision for church gatherings is Spirit-filled but not chaotic, Christ-centered but also mindful of outsiders, and expressive but orderly. The true mark of spiritual worship is the building up of believers, the conversion of the lost, and the peaceable order that reflects God's nature. This matters because public worship is the heart of church life.

Paul's vision for church gatherings is Spirit-filled but not chaotic, Christ-centered but also mindful of outsiders, and expressive but orderly. The true mark of spiritual worship is the building up of believers, the conversion of the lost, and the peaceable order that reflects God's nature. This matters because public worship is the heart of church life.

Paul underscores the centrality of love: even the most impressive spiritual gifts or sacrificial acts are meaningless without it. Love is not about performance, status, or zeal without compassion. He warns that it is possible to be outwardly effective in ministry while being spiritually empty due to a lack of love.

Paul underscores the centrality of love: even the most impressive spiritual gifts or sacrificial acts are meaningless without it. Love is not about performance, status, or zeal without compassion. He warns that it is possible to be outwardly effective in ministry while being spiritually empty due to a lack of love.

Paul teaches that all Christians are united by the Holy Spirit through their confession that “Jesus is Lord.” This unity is expressed through diverse spiritual gifts, which differ in nature but are all meant “for the common good." Every believer, no matter how prominent or hidden their role, is indispensable.

Paul teaches that all Christians are united by the Holy Spirit through their confession that “Jesus is Lord.” This unity is expressed through diverse spiritual gifts, which differ in nature but are all meant “for the common good." Every believer, no matter how prominent or hidden their role, is indispensable.

Paul addresses critical issues of unity and diversity within the church, focusing on gender distinctions and social divisions during worship gatherings. This chapter challenges believers to live counterculturally by honoring God's design for men and women, and by preserving the unity of the church community, especially in how they celebrate the Lord's Supper.

Paul addresses critical issues of unity and diversity within the church, focusing on gender distinctions and social divisions during worship gatherings. This chapter challenges believers to live counterculturally by honoring God's design for men and women, and by preserving the unity of the church community, especially in how they celebrate the Lord's Supper.

In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul continues the theme introduced in chapter 9—running the Christian life with the goal of winning the eternal prize. Drawing imagery from the athletic contests familiar to his audience in Corinth, Paul exhorts believers to pursue the Christian life with discipline, intentionality, and spiritual vigilance. The ultimate goal, he reminds us, is not participation alone, but faithful perseverance leading to the gift of salvation.

In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul continues the theme introduced in chapter 9—running the Christian life with the goal of winning the eternal prize. Drawing imagery from the athletic contests familiar to his audience in Corinth, Paul exhorts believers to pursue the Christian life with discipline, intentionality, and spiritual vigilance. The ultimate goal, he reminds us, is not participation alone, but faithful perseverance leading to the gift of salvation.

Here Paul teaches about Christian freedom and the responsibility to limit that freedom out of love for others and for the sake of the gospel. Using one's liberty without love can become a "stumbling block" to others, wounding their weaker consciences. True discipleship often means surrendering personal rights in order to build others up in faith and reflect the love of Christ.

Here Paul teaches about Christian freedom and the responsibility to limit that freedom out of love for others and for the sake of the gospel. Using one's liberty without love can become a "stumbling block" to others, wounding their weaker consciences. True discipleship often means surrendering personal rights in order to build others up in faith and reflect the love of Christ.

The time is short—the Lord could return any day. How then shall we live? Do we downplay marriage and sexuality? No. We prize our marriages. We stay as we were when called, and we serve the Lord there. And in this passage we gain a new perspective on singleness—we see its special value for believers.

The time is short—the Lord could return any day. How then shall we live? Do we downplay marriage and sexuality? No. We prize our marriages. We stay as we were when called, and we serve the Lord there. And in this passage we gain a new perspective on singleness—we see its special value for believers.

We see the people's collective brokenness over their sin of intermarrying with unbelievers, leading to genuine repentance and decisive actions to address their wrongdoing. And the hope in God's forgiveness serves as a reality check that the consequences of sin often remain, urging us to turn from sin before it takes root.

We see the people's collective brokenness over their sin of intermarrying with unbelievers, leading to genuine repentance and decisive actions to address their wrongdoing. And the hope in God's forgiveness serves as a reality check that the consequences of sin often remain, urging us to turn from sin before it takes root.

Ezra grieves as the returning exiles sin by intermarrying with non-Israelite peoples, leading to spiritual compromise. Here we find the ongoing need for repentance and reliance on God's abundant grace, pointing forward to the ultimate redemption found in Jesus Christ.

Ezra grieves as the returning exiles sin by intermarrying with non-Israelite peoples, leading to spiritual compromise. Here we find the ongoing need for repentance and reliance on God's abundant grace, pointing forward to the ultimate redemption found in Jesus Christ.

God's provision, guidance, and protection for His people is shown as Ezra leads a group of exiles on a perilous journey back to Jerusalem. Ezra models dependence on God through prayer and fasting, emphasizing the Lord's hand in ensuring their safe arrival.

God's provision, guidance, and protection for His people is shown as Ezra leads a group of exiles on a perilous journey back to Jerusalem. Ezra models dependence on God through prayer and fasting, emphasizing the Lord's hand in ensuring their safe arrival.

Ezra is described as one who studied, obeyed, and taught the Law of the Lord, demonstrating the qualities God uses to inspire transformation among His people. We see the importance of leaders with a heart for God's Word and a reliance on His divine provision to bring renewal and growth to His people.

Ezra is described as one who studied, obeyed, and taught the Law of the Lord, demonstrating the qualities God uses to inspire transformation among His people. We see the importance of leaders with a heart for God's Word and a reliance on His divine provision to bring renewal and growth to His people.

The faithfulness of God is shown as the temple rebuilding is completed after years of opposition. We see the people worshipping and joyfully celebrating, reminding us that God's purposes prevail not only for the accomplishment of tasks but ultimately for His people's worship and His glory.

The faithfulness of God is shown as the temple rebuilding is completed after years of opposition. We see the people worshipping and joyfully celebrating, reminding us that God's purposes prevail not only for the accomplishment of tasks but ultimately for His people's worship and His glory.

The deception, discouragement, and accusations from adversaries that the returned exiles faced while rebuilding the temple reminds us to expect challenges when serving God. Despite setbacks, God's purposes will ultimately prevail.

The deception, discouragement, and accusations from adversaries that the returned exiles faced while rebuilding the temple reminds us to expect challenges when serving God. Despite setbacks, God's purposes will ultimately prevail.

In Ezra 3, we see the rebuilding of the altar and the laying of the temple's foundation after the exiles returned to Jerusalem. The people, unified and humbled by their experiences, prioritized worship over construction, reestablishing sacrifices to address sin and draw near to God.

In Ezra 3, we see the rebuilding of the altar and the laying of the temple's foundation after the exiles returned to Jerusalem. The people, unified and humbled by their experiences, prioritized worship over construction, reestablishing sacrifices to address sin and draw near to God.

In the beginning of Ezra, God's sovereignty is demonstrated in fulfilling His promises. Despite Judah's long exile, God stirred King Cyrus of Persia to issue a decree allowing the Israelites to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple.

In the beginning of Ezra, God's sovereignty is demonstrated in fulfilling His promises. Despite Judah's long exile, God stirred King Cyrus of Persia to issue a decree allowing the Israelites to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple.

The final chapter of 2 Chronicles sets the stage for our study in Ezra. Despite repeated warnings from prophets, the people mocked God's messengers, leading to judgment. However, God's faithfulness shines as He fulfills His promises of restoration, reminding us of the hope found in God's relentless grace.

The final chapter of 2 Chronicles sets the stage for our study in Ezra. Despite repeated warnings from prophets, the people mocked God's messengers, leading to judgment. However, God's faithfulness shines as He fulfills His promises of restoration, reminding us of the hope found in God's relentless grace.

Death could not hold this King. He is risen to reign. John tells us that he has given us this written record of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection for a specific purpose: that we may believe and have life in his name. Will you accept this offer of life in Jesus' name?

Death could not hold this King. He is risen to reign. John tells us that he has given us this written record of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection for a specific purpose: that we may believe and have life in his name. Will you accept this offer of life in Jesus' name?

Jesus is crucified under the charge that he is King of the Jews. In deepest irony, this charge is proved true. Jesus fulfills the words of Psalm 22—and dies as the Messiah of Israel and Saviour of the world. Do you recognize who he is and what he has done for you? Does it move you to know that this King willingly suffered in your place?

Jesus is crucified under the charge that he is King of the Jews. In deepest irony, this charge is proved true. Jesus fulfills the words of Psalm 22—and dies as the Messiah of Israel and Saviour of the world. Do you recognize who he is and what he has done for you? Does it move you to know that this King willingly suffered in your place?

Pilate views himself as the king as he tries Jesus, but we see that Jesus is the real King, whose kingdom is not of this world. Jesus proves by his words and deeds that he speaks the truth and is indeed, the way, the truth and the life. Do you recognize the truth of who Jesus is? Will you submit to the authority of this King?

Pilate views himself as the king as he tries Jesus, but we see that Jesus is the real King, whose kingdom is not of this world. Jesus proves by his words and deeds that he speaks the truth and is indeed, the way, the truth and the life. Do you recognize the truth of who Jesus is? Will you submit to the authority of this King?

Because Jesus has died for our sins and risen again, we can be born again and receive the Spirit. The is the great open invitation and offer of Easter.

Because Jesus has died for our sins and risen again, we can be born again and receive the Spirit. The is the great open invitation and offer of Easter.

Our hope hinges on the resurrection of Jesus. If he has not been raised, then our hope is futile. But, praise God, Jesus has in fact been raised from the dead—and we are a people of hope!

Our hope hinges on the resurrection of Jesus. If he has not been raised, then our hope is futile. But, praise God, Jesus has in fact been raised from the dead—and we are a people of hope!

Jesus the Righteous One suffered for our sins on Good Friday to bring us to God. This exchange is the heart of the gospel and the core of our hope. These words capture in a nutshell what took place on Good Friday.

Jesus the Righteous One suffered for our sins on Good Friday to bring us to God. This exchange is the heart of the gospel and the core of our hope. These words capture in a nutshell what took place on Good Friday.

The problem of death traces back to the Garden—and the disastrous decision to rebel against God's Word. We look back to the origin of death to understand this crisis, to acknowledge our responsibility—and to lay the foundation for the solution that is found in the Gospel of Easter.

The problem of death traces back to the Garden—and the disastrous decision to rebel against God's Word. We look back to the origin of death to understand this crisis, to acknowledge our responsibility—and to lay the foundation for the solution that is found in the Gospel of Easter.

Our God is fundamentally and in his character a generous God. His inclination is not in the direction of miserliness—but in the direction of bounty. That's an outworking of both his goodness and his love. I hope that we will learn to trust God in his generosity—and then delight in him more as we see his abundant goodness in his lavish generosity.

Our God is fundamentally and in his character a generous God. His inclination is not in the direction of miserliness—but in the direction of bounty. That's an outworking of both his goodness and his love. I hope that we will learn to trust God in his generosity—and then delight in him more as we see his abundant goodness in his lavish generosity.

Prayer is more powerful than we believe. It can lead to the restoration of people and the transformation of situations. So often we doubt that prayer achieves anything, but James calls us to pray with faith.

Prayer is more powerful than we believe. It can lead to the restoration of people and the transformation of situations. So often we doubt that prayer achieves anything, but James calls us to pray with faith.

The coming of the Lord should drive us to godliness. For the rich who live indulgently and oppress the poor, James calls for repentance. For the believers who are suffering, he calls for steadfast endurance. Are we living in the light of the Lord's return—and is that prospect driving us to repentance and godly living?