Metropolitan Tabernacle

The apostle now makes two pleas, one to the well-off, showing the sins that may overtake them, and the other to God's servants. Here is our need to guard the faith at a time when decadence and error has engulfed most of the evangelical world.

These famous verses of worship provide an example of how all Scripture is utillised for New Testament praise, not only the Psalms. Here we attempt to draw on the depths of the magnificent statements about Almighty God, lifting us up to the heavenlies.

'Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.'

'Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.'

King David tells of a time in his life when riches, fame and moral liberty to do as he liked seemed superior to walking with God and eternal life. But suddenly, overcome by shame he saw the hollowness of the godless life and prayed for pardon and a new life.

The 'good fight' is for the Gospel and for personal holiness. For the latter, here is the vital biblical doctrine of concupiscence, teaching that the motions of temptation are sinful, contrary to the Catholic and increasingly the evangelical view. Here is the battle for a pure heart.

'Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.'

In what sense is Christ the Saviour of all, even the unsaved? Here are answers, and the debt that is owed him. Here also are the four 'departments' of a true preaching agenda, and what is meant by the 'gift' given to Timothy.

Over forty days following His resurrection, the Lord appeared ten times. Although He had repeatedly spoken of His resurrection, it was not expected. Here we see the appearances, and what each one gave to His followers then, and to us today.

The apostle begin by spotlighting reverence as the leading element of our testimony. Touching on the limitation and spiritual dangers of bodily exercise, we show how Christ in several ways is the saviour of all. Finally, Paul identifies the six main elements of holiness that 'preach' to the lost.

Here are answers to questions from Christ's parable of the lost sheep. Why did God have to become man in order to save us? Why do people think they do not need to repent? What happens in repentance and what are the common mistakes?

Said the Lord – Whosoever drinks of material water shall thirst again. Life is a continual hunt for satisfaction and meaning, but the void within remains, until spiritual life is received from Christ. Here is how this life remains within, an ever-growing experience of walking with the Lord.

The apostle shows how in the last days antagonism will be aimed at the work of Christ. He answers – what are doctrines of devils? Are fake teachers aware they are lying? – along with other key questions.

'I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.' Psalm 142.4

Our way of conducting church life is entirely given by the Word, and not for us to devise. Each congregation is to proclaim, guard and defend the Word as the only explanation of existence and the only way, through Christ, of reconciliation with God.

Paul's list of graces that should be evident in officer-bearers is chiefly composed of qualities that should form and grow in all believers, if they truly hold the mystery of the faith. Here is that priceless 'secret' (verse 16) and how we benefit.

So much hangs on vigilance in the Christian life. There can be no stand, no defense of truth, and no progress in holiness, without constant watchfulness. Here, not only for overseers but for all, are the principles of vigilance from key exhortations of Christ and of Paul.

One of Paul's five utterly trustworthy sayings in the excellency of a longing to be a preacher of the Gospel. Here is the office of 'over-watcher' or elder, and we look particularly at the elder who labours in the Word, also called a pastor.

Here are God's reasons why women may not be teachers in the church. Here also is how saved women are to be mightily blessed in saving a new generation, and in similarly supportive roles. The key is faith, love, holiness and sobriety (or self restraint).

As salvation is a free gift of God, in what way must we strive for it? What makes it a narrow gate? Why do many seek to enter, and fail? Here are the hindrances, the way to enter, and the experience that awaits us.

It is often assumed that Paul is speaking here of the conduct of public gatherings, but this topic does not truly begin until verse 11. Before then we have pastorally precious and profound exhortations to all believers praying wherever they are.

'There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.' John 3.1-2

'For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.' Isaiah 9.6

We see in this study how beautiful pervasive perfume depicts the sensed presence of Christ, and how his biblical names (Shepherd, Husband, Friend, Prophet, Priest, King and Lord) lift the soul in all circumstances. There is no more moving theme for reflection.

Don't be misled by the so-called sinner's prayer so often quoted today. It generates mainly deluded and nominal 'Christians'. The real thing is the prayer provided by Christ. If this is sincerely prayed, the seeker will surely find the Lord.

The apostle urges four forms of prayer for all groups and classes of unbelievers as the vital foundation of all Gospel witness. Here also is the purpose of prayer for rulers, and the degrees of sympathy and desire that undergirds all intercessory prayer.

Paul's directions to Timothy are not only a tremendous challenge to preachers, but they apply to all believers, conveying the seriousness of our mission and the promises of God that sustain us. Here are the measures to keep alive faith and a good conscience.

What if we give no thought to spiritual matters and turn away from God? What difference will it make to our life? Here are the advantages of rejecting God and the soul, and here also are the disadvantages – all that will be lost.

A sudden burst of praise breaks into Paul's epistle, showing that praise punctuated his life constantly. And such praise! Here he provides our worship agenda for us, virtually defining true worship, and challenging us to bring worthy homage to our King eternal.

'There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.'

The supreme, sure statement that says everything that is important about life, its purpose, its chief problem and its highest experience and goal – knowing and walking with God. Nothing in life except this is certain and trustworthy. Here are nine words that transform lives.

What Paul meant in calling himself the chief of sinners, and why the Lord showed such mercy to him. His testimony is set as the first of millions that would give gospel light and guard faithful churches from nominalism (or believing without experiencing true conversion).

Here are astonishing and unexpected words. A dying Saviour in extreme agony looks upon a vast crowd, screaming out insults, hatred and abuse, and prays, 'Father, forgive them!' Here is Christ's mighty love, the definition of forgiveness, and how the prayer is answered.

The moral law was intended to show our need of forgiveness. Believers are not under its power to condemn, but salvation has inscribed its positive virtues in our hearts to be our 'voluntary' aim and longing – the highest mark of grace.

Justification by faith! What does it mean? It is the simplest yet the most profound teaching in the world. It is the most important thing anyone can know; the most surprising, the kindest, the most powerful, and the most costly (for God). It gives eternal life.

Our aim is the building up of the church by Gospel and teaching. Paul provides this great summary of all Bible teaching, the servicing of the three pillars that support love: a pure heart, a good conscience and faith unfeigned. Here is how.

The great challenging question of the inspired Bible-writings of old – why? What are the motives that drive us away from God and the eternal plan of all who trust in Him? Here is why we recoil from Him, and all that we miss as a result.

Why does Paul here use terms that refer to conversion to also describe what God imparts to converted people? The same benefits advance holiness, happiness, instrumentality and assurance, and here is how they may be hindered or helped as they flow to us.

When people become Christians, they are ingrafted into Christ so that His holiness and perfection become theirs in the sight of God the Father. Here is the meaning of the words: 'Christ Jesus… is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.'

Faith, says the Bible, is essential to finding the Lord, even though faith itself can accomplish nothing. So why is it the only way to approach God? Here is the Bible's own explanation, showing the precise nature of Faith, and how it draws us to God.

The famous 'armour of God' passage, drawn from the Roman soldier's equipment, shows the approach to the spiritual life for holiness and fruitfulness. Each item, and the order in which each must be put on, provides safety and advance in the spiritual warfare.

Using an earthly object to portray something in the infinite mind of God, the Bible speaks of a book or record containing every experience of life on the way to heaven had by those who know Him. Here is scriptural information on the book of life.

The seven great benefits that flow from justification are revealed by the apostle. Here are the incomparable riches of Christian life and experience that lift believers over tribulations and make communion with Christ a daily reality. A ministerial compendium of blessing

A simple study on love shows that it is the chief mark of grace or evidence of conversion. It is communicated at conversion, uniquely unites us to Christ, and assures of eternal life. Here is how it may fade, and how it should be revived.

The Bible speaks internationally when it says there is one mediator between God and man. No other religion presents a mediator. All say that humans can achieve acceptance with God. Why is a mediator so vital? How did Christ carry out His role?

The Three Persons of the Godhead are named in this verse, leading us to marvel at the glory of God and His electing love, secondly to see the work of the Spirit in saving and sanctifying, and thirdly how Christ accomplished redemption.

Paul, walking alone through the streets of Athens, is moved by the spiritual confusion around him. Summoned to speak to philosophers and the public at Mars Hill, he gives his earnest demolition of the outlook that people still cling to — in modern atheism.

In closing this most practical epistle the apostle lists tendencies that ruin the vital objective of a church, and those that ruin fellowship. He then urges every working believer to support the work of God. Here also is the meaning of 'grace' being with us.

The lifestyle that adorns and commends the Gospel induces here obedience to the civil authorities, the only exception being if God's laws are contravened. Here also are the standards of conduct towards unbelievers generally, and the Gospel doctrines such conduct authenticates and commends.

The Holy Spirit works in the mind and conscience to show us a) The disaster of ignoring Christ, b) The gift of righteousness secured for us by Christ, and c) The failed and condemned condition of this present world order.