Encounter the Truth

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.

There is no greater joy in the Christian life than living together in life-giving Christian community. There is no greater privilege in the Christian life than joining arms with brothers and sisters in the great work of the gospel. It is this privilege and joy that Paul models for us in his own networks of relationships – and then commends to each one of us.

There is no greater joy in the Christian life than living together in life-giving Christian community. There is no greater privilege in the Christian life than joining arms with brothers and sisters in the great work of the gospel. It is this privilege and joy that Paul models for us in his own networks of relationships – and then commends to each one of us.

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.

Jesus Christ calls us to a radically counter-cultural way of life—and to a radically counter-cultural new community. Belonging to Jesus—and representing him—has profound practical implications for relationships within the home and the workplace. The challenges of this are great, but the benefits are profound, and the beauty is unparalleled in the world around us.

Jesus Christ calls us to a radically counter-cultural way of life—and to a radically counter-cultural new community. Belonging to Jesus—and representing him—has profound practical implications for relationships within the home and the workplace. The challenges of this are great, but the benefits are profound, and the beauty is unparalleled in the world around us.

In Christ, we are brought into a new kind of community—and called into a new way of relating to the people of God. These relationships are shaped by the gospel and enabled by God Himself. In these verses, Paul sets out a framework for healthy and life-giving Christian community. In an age where we see so much dysfunction within churches, here is a model we need to learn and a message we need to hear.

In Christ, we are brought into a new kind of community—and called into a new way of relating to the people of God. These relationships are shaped by the gospel and enabled by God Himself. In these verses, Paul sets out a framework for healthy and life-giving Christian community. In an age where we see so much dysfunction within churches, here is a model we need to learn and a message we need to hear.

Christians have died with Christ and been raised with Him—and that means a clean break with our old life. Our constant challenge is to live that reality, putting to death the old patterns of life and setting our sights on things above.

Christians have died with Christ and been raised with Him—and that means a clean break with our old life. Our constant challenge is to live that reality, putting to death the old patterns of life and setting our sights on things above.

In every age, there will be those who insist that traditions, rules, and regulations are the key to pleasing God, but this is actually the heart of all worldly forms of religion. Paul sets out to remind us again that these things do not offer spiritual life—but that life is found only in Christ. Life is found not through rite and ritual, but through holding fast to Christ by faith.

In every age, there will be those who insist that traditions, rules, and regulations are the key to pleasing God, but this is actually the heart of all worldly forms of religion. Paul sets out to remind us again that these things do not offer spiritual life—but that life is found only in Christ. Life is found not through rite and ritual, but through holding fast to Christ by faith.

For every Christian in every age, the great challenge is to continue to walk in Christ, rooted and built up in him—not swayed or derailed by winds of false teaching. To help us do this very thing, Paul reminds us of the foundations of what we have in Christ. These are the truths and realities that will keep us firmly rooted and growing, whatever the challenges we may face.

For every Christian in every age, the great challenge is to continue to walk in Christ, rooted and built up in him—not swayed or derailed by winds of false teaching. To help us do this very thing, Paul reminds us of the foundations of what we have in Christ. These are the truths and realities that will keep us firmly rooted and growing, whatever the challenges we may face.

Keep walking in the faith that you received and were taught. In the cross and the resurrection, Christ has done everything that is needed for our salvation, and he has given us everything we need for full spiritual life. Don’t be taken captive by worldly thinking and false gospels that take away from the gospel by adding to it.

Keep walking in the faith that you received and were taught. In the cross and the resurrection, Christ has done everything that is needed for our salvation, and he has given us everything we need for full spiritual life. Don’t be taken captive by worldly thinking and false gospels that take away from the gospel by adding to it.

There is plenty of false teaching and inauthentic Christian ministry to be found on the marketplace today—as there was in Paul’s day. Authentic ministry of the authentic gospel will be marked by suffering and toil for the sake of the church. We need to be on the lookout for fake ministry—and we need to be ready and equipped to identify true and authentic gospel ministry.

There is plenty of false teaching and inauthentic Christian ministry to be found on the marketplace today—as there was in Paul’s day. Authentic ministry of the authentic gospel will be marked by suffering and toil for the sake of the church. We need to be on the lookout for fake ministry—and we need to be ready and equipped to identify true and authentic gospel ministry.

Jesus has taken us hostile and sinful people and reconciled us to God through his blood. Having received such a gracious rescue, we need to be careful to continue in the faith, unmoved by the winds of false teaching.

Jesus has taken us hostile and sinful people and reconciled us to God through his blood. Having received such a gracious rescue, we need to be careful to continue in the faith, unmoved by the winds of false teaching.

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?

Jesus Christ is preeminent in all the universe—above all things. With so many competing claims for truth and power in this world, we need to have a clear understanding of his supremacy—and we need to humbly recognize that all things in this universe, including us, were created for him.

Jesus Christ is preeminent in all the universe—above all things. With so many competing claims for truth and power in this world, we need to have a clear understanding of his supremacy—and we need to humbly recognize that all things in this universe, including us, were created for him.

We need to be clear: human beings begin life in the dark domain. Those who become believers have been qualified by Jesus for his kingdom and transferred there by his grace. Having received such grace, we are to walk worthy of the Lord and bear fruit for him. Paul sets out to show us what a worthy walk looks like.

We need to be clear: human beings begin life in the dark domain. Those who become believers have been qualified by Jesus for his kingdom and transferred there by his grace. Having received such grace, we are to walk worthy of the Lord and bear fruit for him. Paul sets out to show us what a worthy walk looks like.

When the gospel takes root in our lives, there will be fruit. This should be our expectation for ourselves and for others—and it is a cause for us to return praise to God. Pastor Jonathan begins a new series studying Colossians.

When the gospel takes root in our lives, there will be fruit. This should be our expectation for ourselves and for others—and it is a cause for us to return praise to God. Pastor Jonathan begins a new series studying Colossians.

Patience is vital to our understanding of who God is and what he is like. Were it not for God’s patience, you and I would not be here at all. Each one of us is the beneficiary of the extraordinary patience of God.

Patience is vital to our understanding of who God is and what he is like. Were it not for God’s patience, you and I would not be here at all. Each one of us is the beneficiary of the extraordinary patience of God.

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.

Whereas the world’s megalomaniacs grab hold of power and glory out of an ugly selfish ambition—whereas they grasp for something that is not theirs—the Bible would remind us that the God of heaven is supremely glorious in and of himself and perfectly worthy of all honour. And so, when the Bible tells us that God is a jealous God—it is simply telling us that he has an appropriate concern—a rightful zeal—for his own glory.

Whereas the world’s megalomaniacs grab hold of power and glory out of an ugly selfish ambition—whereas they grasp for something that is not theirs—the Bible would remind us that the God of heaven is supremely glorious in and of himself and perfectly worthy of all honour. And so, when the Bible tells us that God is a jealous God—it is simply telling us that he has an appropriate concern—a rightful zeal—for his own glory.

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.

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.