Encounter the Truth

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.

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.

There is something deeply attractive to us about the faithfulness of God. Faithfulness is something we value and long for—but so often fail to see in our society and in our own lives. As fallen people, we do not behave as we ought to behave—we don't even behave as we want to behave.

There is something deeply attractive to us about the faithfulness of God. Faithfulness is something we value and long for—but so often fail to see in our society and in our own lives. As fallen people, we do not behave as we ought to behave—we don't even behave as we want to behave.

The holiness of God is supremely important to understanding who he truly is. As some have said before me, God’s holiness is his “attribute of attributes.” It gives shape to all the others. There is a real sense in which holiness summarizes who God is.

The holiness of God is supremely important to understanding who he truly is. As some have said before me, God’s holiness is his “attribute of attributes.” It gives shape to all the others. There is a real sense in which holiness summarizes who God is.

No love is more important to us than the love of God himself. Beyond the love of spouse or parent or friend is the significance of the love of God. Nothing matters more to us than to know that the God of heaven loves us—and that in his character, he is indeed a God of love.

No love is more important to us than the love of God himself. Beyond the love of spouse or parent or friend is the significance of the love of God. Nothing matters more to us than to know that the God of heaven loves us—and that in his character, he is indeed a God of love.

Our God is always good, entirely good, uncompromisingly good in every way. And for us who long to find true goodness—to know reliable goodness—that simple but profound truth comes to us as a balm to the soul.

Our God is always good, entirely good, uncompromisingly good in every way. And for us who long to find true goodness—to know reliable goodness—that simple but profound truth comes to us as a balm to the soul.

At the most fundamental level, the term “glory” speaks of the excellence of God himself: his worth and his beauty, the perfection of his character, his holiness and his power. But this language is also used to speak of the visible display of God’s worth and majesty—the visible expression of the fact that this glorious God is present.

At the most fundamental level, the term “glory” speaks of the excellence of God himself: his worth and his beauty, the perfection of his character, his holiness and his power. But this language is also used to speak of the visible display of God’s worth and majesty—the visible expression of the fact that this glorious God is present.

Essential to our humanity is our limitation when it comes to space. But not so with God. Essential to his divinity is his ability to be in all places at once—fully present everywhere there is to be. Our God is omnipresent.

Essential to our humanity is our limitation when it comes to space. But not so with God. Essential to his divinity is his ability to be in all places at once—fully present everywhere there is to be. Our God is omnipresent.

Being eternal and unchanging, God knows all things and never grows in his knowledge; he is never surprised by anything; his degree of insight and understanding never develops. In his eternity, he knows everything there is to know—he knows all that has happened, is happening, and will happen—and he knows all this fully, and at once.

Being eternal and unchanging, God knows all things and never grows in his knowledge; he is never surprised by anything; his degree of insight and understanding never develops. In his eternity, he knows everything there is to know—he knows all that has happened, is happening, and will happen—and he knows all this fully, and at once.

We can know God and, as believers, we do know God. But Christians have long used the language of “incomprehensibility” to express the truth that it is impossible for us, as finite creatures, to fully grasp the infinite God; we can’t know God as he knows himself; we can’t know and comprehend all that he is. It’s more than we could expect or manage; and it’s more than God has given us to know.

We can know God and, as believers, we do know God. But Christians have long used the language of “incomprehensibility” to express the truth that it is impossible for us, as finite creatures, to fully grasp the infinite God; we can’t know God as he knows himself; we can’t know and comprehend all that he is. It’s more than we could expect or manage; and it’s more than God has given us to know.

Everything in this world draws its strength, integrity—its very existence—from something else. Everything, that is, except God himself. He truly is independent of all other things. He needs nothing for anything; he depends upon no one and no thing. He is entirely self-sufficient.

Everything in this world draws its strength, integrity—its very existence—from something else. Everything, that is, except God himself. He truly is independent of all other things. He needs nothing for anything; he depends upon no one and no thing. He is entirely self-sufficient.

As human beings, we are changing and declining daily; our world itself is changing and will not last. But against that rather depressing backdrop, the Psalmist proclaims the glorious truth that God himself does not change. The Lord is the Unchanging One. All else will change and decay and much will disappear. But the eternal God does not.

As human beings, we are changing and declining daily; our world itself is changing and will not last. But against that rather depressing backdrop, the Psalmist proclaims the glorious truth that God himself does not change. The Lord is the Unchanging One. All else will change and decay and much will disappear. But the eternal God does not.

Who can understand the power of the Almighty God? None of us fully can. Our perception of the extent and greatness of his power is so limited—and it certainly is too small. Our aim in this message is simply to try and expand our view of the power of God and to move toward a more biblical proportion—to catch even a glimpse of his might from the pages of his Word.

Who can understand the power of the Almighty God? None of us fully can. Our perception of the extent and greatness of his power is so limited—and it certainly is too small. Our aim in this message is simply to try and expand our view of the power of God and to move toward a more biblical proportion—to catch even a glimpse of his might from the pages of his Word.

Many of our difficulties in the Christian life stem from the fact that we don’t really know God as we ought to know him. Our view of God is too small—too domesticated—too much formed by personal opinion and cultural assumption—and not nearly enough formed by the teaching of the Scriptures, through which God has made himself known. We begin this new series on the eternity of God—the truth that God in his being transcends time and is uniquely eternal. This is a vital truth for us to explore.

Many of our difficulties in the Christian life stem from the fact that we don’t really know God as we ought to know him. Our view of God is too small—too domesticated—too much formed by personal opinion and cultural assumption—and not nearly enough formed by the teaching of the Scriptures, through which God has made himself known. We begin this new series on the eternity of God—the truth that God in his being transcends time and is uniquely eternal. This is a vital truth for us to explore.

Jesus’ death and resurrection achieve the ultimate victory over the grave. Because he died and rose again, we who believe in him share in his victory.

Sin bars us from God’s holy presence. But when Jesus died, the curtain of the temple was torn in two—indicating that sinners may now enter God’s presence through Jesus.

The Old Testament ceremonial system tells us that sin has a defiling effect. The blood of the animal sacrifices pointed to God’s intention to cleanse, but did not provide true cleansing themselves. But the blood of Jesus really does make defiled sinners clean.

The Old Testament ceremonial system tells us that sin has a defiling effect. The blood of the animal sacrifices pointed to God’s intention to cleanse, but did not provide true cleansing themselves. But the blood of Jesus really does make defiled sinners clean.

The cross is the place where God is able to justify sinners without violating his standards of justice—because Jesus bears the judgment of God in our place as our substitute.

The cross is the place where God is able to justify sinners without violating his standards of justice—because Jesus bears the judgment of God in our place as our substitute.

Jesus now appears to the Eleven, shows the truth of the resurrection, and opens their minds to see the whole sweep of God's salvation plan. He then returns to heaven to complete his journey. So we see the completion of Jesus’ return to paradise, as well as the completion of the journey of the disciples in understanding who Jesus is and what he came to do.

Jesus now appears to the Eleven, shows the truth of the resurrection, and opens their minds to see the whole sweep of God's salvation plan. He then returns to heaven to complete his journey. So we see the completion of Jesus’ return to paradise, as well as the completion of the journey of the disciples in understanding who Jesus is and what he came to do.

The followers of Jesus do not yet understand all that has taken place, but the risen Jesus shows them from the Scriptures the greater plan of God concerning himself. Their hearts burn as he opens the Scriptures, but only through the miraculous work of Jesus are their eyes opened to recognize him.

The followers of Jesus do not yet understand all that has taken place, but the risen Jesus shows them from the Scriptures the greater plan of God concerning himself. Their hearts burn as he opens the Scriptures, but only through the miraculous work of Jesus are their eyes opened to recognize him.

Just as he promised, Jesus has died and risen again. And because his word has been fulfilled, his invitation to paradise has been validated as true. And now we trust and serve a risen Lord. Our challenge is not to write off this miracle (as the apostles did initially), but simply to believe that it is true.

Jesus bears the judgment of God (symbolised by darkness) to open the way to his presence (symbolized by the tearing of the curtain). We look on in quietness and wonder (as the women did)—and we respond with grateful and costly devotion (as Joseph did).

Here we finally begin to see more appropriate responses to Jesus, mixed with continued mocking. Women mourn for him, and the criminal asks to be remembered by him. Ultimately, we must approach Jesus as he did—with nothing to offer, only humbly asking for his kindness toward us—that we too may have his welcome in paradise.

Here we finally begin to see more appropriate responses to Jesus, mixed with continued mocking. Women mourn for him, and the criminal asks to be remembered by him. Ultimately, we must approach Jesus as he did—with nothing to offer, only humbly asking for his kindness toward us—that we too may have his welcome in paradise.

The whole process of the trial is shown to be an act of great injustice as the Righteous Lord submits himself to the judgment of unrighteous men. Again, we are to marvel at what Jesus endured for us, the guilty. And we are to take warning from the crowds who called for his death rather than falling before him in worship.

The whole process of the trial is shown to be an act of great injustice as the Righteous Lord submits himself to the judgment of unrighteous men. Again, we are to marvel at what Jesus endured for us, the guilty. And we are to take warning from the crowds who called for his death rather than falling before him in worship.

On his way to the cross, Jesus faces abandonment by his closest allies. He alone can atone for sin—and he faces the cross alone. Our response is to marvel at what he underwent for us—and then to learn from the failings of his disciples and never desert our Saviour.

On his way to the cross, Jesus faces abandonment by his closest allies. He alone can atone for sin—and he faces the cross alone. Our response is to marvel at what he underwent for us—and then to learn from the failings of his disciples and never desert our Saviour.

Solomon’s glorious reign ended in tragedy. He turned to foreign wives and foreign gods. This is a cautionary tale for us; starting well is not the same as ending well. This also teaches us that Solomon is not the ultimate King to whom the promises of God point. There is indeed a greater King to come!

Solomon’s glorious reign ended in tragedy. He turned to foreign wives and foreign gods. This is a cautionary tale for us; starting well is not the same as ending well. This also teaches us that Solomon is not the ultimate King to whom the promises of God point. There is indeed a greater King to come!

Solomon’s wealth and wisdom were a wonder to behold. As the Lord’s representative and ruler, he showed something of the Lord’s greatness to the nations. In this sense, he points us to glory of the Lord Jesus Christ and the majesty of His Kingdom.

Solomon’s wealth and wisdom were a wonder to behold. As the Lord’s representative and ruler, he showed something of the Lord’s greatness to the nations. In this sense, he points us to glory of the Lord Jesus Christ and the majesty of His Kingdom.