Encounter the Truth

John the Baptist heralds the Lord's arrival. Many might have expected the arrival of the Lord's salvation to be news of pure comfort, but his arrival will actually be uncomfortable for everyone: he will refine his people and judge his enemies. The right response to the arrival of Jesus' Kingdom is to repent—for this kingdom will be made up of those who repent and show fruit.

John the Baptist heralds the Lord's arrival. Many might have expected the arrival of the Lord's salvation to be news of pure comfort, but his arrival will actually be uncomfortable for everyone: he will refine his people and judge his enemies. The right response to the arrival of Jesus' Kingdom is to repent—for this kingdom will be made up of those who repent and show fruit.

After baby Jesus is born, God makes him the fulfilment and embodiment of his plans for his ‘son' Israel, whom he previously called out of Egypt. As the story progresses, we will see how he is faithful in that calling where Israel was not. Ultimately, Matthew will show us that the salvation of God's people rests entirely on the faithfulness of Jesus in his calling to be God's true ‘son'.

After baby Jesus is born, God makes him the fulfilment and embodiment of his plans for his ‘son' Israel, whom he previously called out of Egypt. As the story progresses, we will see how he is faithful in that calling where Israel was not. Ultimately, Matthew will show us that the salvation of God's people rests entirely on the faithfulness of Jesus in his calling to be God's true ‘son'.

God's “righteousness” is his character of total rightness, integrity, goodness and truth—and his “justice” is his expression of that character in his governance of the universe. And the two ideas, although distinct, belong together in the Bible's portrait of God.

God's “righteousness” is his character of total rightness, integrity, goodness and truth—and his “justice” is his expression of that character in his governance of the universe. And the two ideas, although distinct, belong together in the Bible's portrait of God.

In an apparently shocking contrast, Jesus calls out the religious insiders for hypocrisy and exposes their sin, while ultimately welcoming an outsider who comes to him in humble faith. He makes it clear that religious ritual is worthless as a means to cleanse from sin. Only humble faith in the Son of David has any power. Where have religion and ritual become a mask for sin in our lives? Are we casting ourselves solely upon the mercy of Jesus for our cleansing and acceptance before God?

In an apparently shocking contrast, Jesus calls out the religious insiders for hypocrisy and exposes their sin, while ultimately welcoming an outsider who comes to him in humble faith. He makes it clear that religious ritual is worthless as a means to cleanse from sin. Only humble faith in the Son of David has any power. Where have religion and ritual become a mask for sin in our lives? Are we casting ourselves solely upon the mercy of Jesus for our cleansing and acceptance before God?

What does it look like to live as those who represent Jesus Christ in the world? If we are his people, then we must learn to pray and walk and speak faithfully in his name, commending him and his gospel to the world in our everyday interactions.

What does it look like to live as those who represent Jesus Christ in the world? If we are his people, then we must learn to pray and walk and speak faithfully in his name, commending him and his gospel to the world in our everyday interactions.

God is worthy of all praise because he has blessed us so richly, and without our merit. He has purposed to include us in Christ—even as he plans to bring all things in the universe under the headship of Christ—all for the praise of his glorious grace.

God is worthy of all praise because he has blessed us so richly, and without our merit. He has purposed to include us in Christ—even as he plans to bring all things in the universe under the headship of Christ—all for the praise of his glorious grace.

The Lord causes us to become steadfast and complete when he brings us through trial—and he makes us wise as we come to him in faith. Trust him in times of trial—call out to him for the wisdom you will need to navigate those times of trial with a godly perspective.

The Lord causes us to become steadfast and complete when he brings us through trial—and he makes us wise as we come to him in faith. Trust him in times of trial—call out to him for the wisdom you will need to navigate those times of trial with a godly perspective.

Here is a rebuke for the believer who has not made appropriate progress in the faith. And here is a warning that is designed to keep us close to Jesus—and to unsettle any who may not be truly converted. But the comfort is that true believers are safe in Christ because God's promise and saving action in Jesus is our sure hope, an anchor for the soul.

Here is a rebuke for the believer who has not made appropriate progress in the faith. And here is a warning that is designed to keep us close to Jesus—and to unsettle any who may not be truly converted. But the comfort is that true believers are safe in Christ because God's promise and saving action in Jesus is our sure hope, an anchor for the soul.

The church at Crete faces challenges on every side. Crete is a toxic culture, and there is false teaching threatening the church. This is why a godly eldership is needed to protect the church from error. And this is why Paul is so concerned that the believers will live out their faith in integrity. The culture will call them to compromise at every turn. How very contemporary all of this sounds!

The church at Crete faces challenges on every side. Crete is a toxic culture, and there is false teaching threatening the church. This is why a godly eldership is needed to protect the church from error. And this is why Paul is so concerned that the believers will live out their faith in integrity. The culture will call them to compromise at every turn. How very contemporary all of this sounds!

Abram and Sarai knew the promise of God, but grew impatient with God's timeline, not seeing how the promise could be fulfilled. They took matters into their own hands to further God's agenda—and the results were disastrous. In this messy incident, we see the cost of sinful self-reliance and the abundant grace of God.

Abram and Sarai knew the promise of God, but grew impatient with God's timeline, not seeing how the promise could be fulfilled. They took matters into their own hands to further God's agenda—and the results were disastrous. In this messy incident, we see the cost of sinful self-reliance and the abundant grace of God.

David knows that the Lord is committed to protecting those of his covenant community; he knows that God is a God of faithfulness to his people; a God of mercy to those who call on him. If we are sensible and wise people, we will want to join David and cry out to the Lord as he cries out, "Keep me safe, O God."

David knows that the Lord is committed to protecting those of his covenant community; he knows that God is a God of faithfulness to his people; a God of mercy to those who call on him. If we are sensible and wise people, we will want to join David and cry out to the Lord as he cries out, "Keep me safe, O God."

Life in this world is hard, and opposition is real. But the Christian believer has a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. These trials may test our faith, but real faith will be proved genuine in trial. We who love Jesus have joy in the prospect of his coming. And this joy and this hope have power to sustain us in days of darkness.

Life in this world is hard, and opposition is real. But the Christian believer has a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. These trials may test our faith, but real faith will be proved genuine in trial. We who love Jesus have joy in the prospect of his coming. And this joy and this hope have power to sustain us in days of darkness.

Moses—and other heroes of the faith—were willing to endure hardship because they trusted the unseen God. Does our faith equip us to do the same? Hebrews says that the world was not worthy of these men and women. Could the same be said of us as we live by faith today?

Moses—and other heroes of the faith—were willing to endure hardship because they trusted the unseen God. Does our faith equip us to do the same? Hebrews says that the world was not worthy of these men and women. Could the same be said of us as we live by faith today?

If there is a distinction between grace and mercy—it is that God's mercy speaks of his goodness to us in our misery and distress when we cannot save ourselves, while his grace speaks of his goodness to us in our guilt when we deserve only his punishment. In mercy God spares us destruction—and in grace he forgives us and makes his children, lavishing his kindness upon us.

If there is a distinction between grace and mercy—it is that God's mercy speaks of his goodness to us in our misery and distress when we cannot save ourselves, while his grace speaks of his goodness to us in our guilt when we deserve only his punishment. In mercy God spares us destruction—and in grace he forgives us and makes his children, lavishing his kindness upon us.

Here Jesus focuses on our response to his Word—and the eternal implications of that response. We need to avoid false teachers as being very dangerous, we need to bear fruit as a sign of our response to the Word, and we need to be careful to build our lives on the solid and secure foundation of his Word.

Here Jesus focuses on our response to his Word—and the eternal implications of that response. We need to avoid false teachers as being very dangerous, we need to bear fruit as a sign of our response to the Word, and we need to be careful to build our lives on the solid and secure foundation of his Word.

As our heavenly Father treats us with grace and kindness, Jesus calls us to treat others with grace and kindness (and not judgmentalism). This sums up the requirements of the Old Testament Law—and it acts as an indicator of our spiritual state. Living as Jesus calls us to live is an indicator that we are entering life by the narrow gate; hypocrisy in this area is a sign that a person may be heading to destruction.

As our heavenly Father treats us with grace and kindness, Jesus calls us to treat others with grace and kindness (and not judgmentalism). This sums up the requirements of the Old Testament Law—and it acts as an indicator of our spiritual state. Living as Jesus calls us to live is an indicator that we are entering life by the narrow gate; hypocrisy in this area is a sign that a person may be heading to destruction.

In a culture obsessed by material gain and material security, Jesus calls us to use our money to store up treasures in heaven—and as we do so, to train our hearts to love the things of heaven. And he calls us to turn away from worry and to trust our Heavenly Father to provide for us.

In a culture obsessed by material gain and material security, Jesus calls us to use our money to store up treasures in heaven—and as we do so, to train our hearts to love the things of heaven. And he calls us to turn away from worry and to trust our Heavenly Father to provide for us.

Jesus addresses a group of people who are very concerned that their religious acts should be seen and observed by others. He insists that their religious acts are worthless if they are done for show—and he calls us instead to seek the approval of the Father and not of men.

Jesus addresses a group of people who are very concerned that their religious acts should be seen and observed by others. He insists that their religious acts are worthless if they are done for show—and he calls us instead to seek the approval of the Father and not of men.

This section of chapter 5 is showing us that we need a Saviour who can deal with our guilt. As he outlines this kingdom ethic, Jesus is actually telling us how he wants us, his saved people, to live. Jesus really does mean that his saved people are to live out a righteousness that will be greater than even the righteousness of the Pharisees. Living out that righteousness will be evidence that we have been forgiven, that we have experienced his grace, and have been filled with his Spirit.

This section of chapter 5 is showing us that we need a Saviour who can deal with our guilt. As he outlines this kingdom ethic, Jesus is actually telling us how he wants us, his saved people, to live. Jesus really does mean that his saved people are to live out a righteousness that will be greater than even the righteousness of the Pharisees. Living out that righteousness will be evidence that we have been forgiven, that we have experienced his grace, and have been filled with his Spirit.

Although some thought Jesus overturned the Law of Moses, he insists that he has come to fulfil it. His teaching on the Law's requirements sets a standard of righteousness that we fail to meet on our own—and so it shows us that we need to rely on him and his righteousness to be acceptable to the Father. At the same time, Jesus does mean to call us to live according to a radically high standard. This is only possible through the gracious work of his Spirit in us.

Although some thought Jesus overturned the Law of Moses, he insists that he has come to fulfil it. His teaching on the Law's requirements sets a standard of righteousness that we fail to meet on our own—and so it shows us that we need to rely on him and his righteousness to be acceptable to the Father. At the same time, Jesus does mean to call us to live according to a radically high standard. This is only possible through the gracious work of his Spirit in us.

While the world thinks blessing is found in aggressive self-advancement and self-preservation, Jesus teaches the surprising and counter-cultural message that blessing is found in an attitude of meekness and humility—because that is the disposition that is required for entering the kingdom of heaven through faith in him. Those who enjoy true blessing will live distinctively as salt and light in this world.

While the world thinks blessing is found in aggressive self-advancement and self-preservation, Jesus teaches the surprising and counter-cultural message that blessing is found in an attitude of meekness and humility—because that is the disposition that is required for entering the kingdom of heaven through faith in him. Those who enjoy true blessing will live distinctively as salt and light in this world.

One commentator has described the Corinthian church as a dumpster fire: sexual immorality, cliques, snobbery, spiritual arrogance, lawsuits among believers—they were doing it all. And Paul hasn't held back his rebuke. But his final words in 1 Corinthians reflect not rejection but redemptive love, showing that even a deeply flawed church has a future. Christians are called to move forward in love—restored by grace, modeling forgiveness, honoring one another, giving generously, and striving for unity.

One commentator has described the Corinthian church as a dumpster fire: sexual immorality, cliques, snobbery, spiritual arrogance, lawsuits among believers—they were doing it all. And Paul hasn't held back his rebuke. But his final words in 1 Corinthians reflect not rejection but redemptive love, showing that even a deeply flawed church has a future. Christians are called to move forward in love—restored by grace, modeling forgiveness, honoring one another, giving generously, and striving for unity.

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.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul has addressed numerous issues in the church—division, immorality, pride—but he "lands the plane" on the doctrine of resurrection because it holds the key to understanding the gospel, Christian hope, and faithful living. This doctrine should reshape how we live, fight sin, endure hardship, and serve with joy—because the victory over death is already won in Christ.

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.