Encounter the Truth

Ministers of the gospel and servants of Jesus Christ are fragile vessels for the gospel. The vessel is unimpressive, but the treasure within is wonderful. This frailty of the body—and the weakness of the servant—reflects ultimately the death of Jesus—and allows the life of Jesus to shine through.

Ministers of the gospel and servants of Jesus Christ are fragile vessels for the gospel. The vessel is unimpressive, but the treasure within is wonderful. This frailty of the body—and the weakness of the servant—reflects ultimately the death of Jesus—and allows the life of Jesus to shine through.

The light of the gospel shines into our hearts to bring salvation—and the light of the truth characterizes authentic gospel ministry. It is the open and truthful proclamation of Jesus Christ, marked by clarity and integrity.

The light of the gospel shines into our hearts to bring salvation—and the light of the truth characterizes authentic gospel ministry. It is the open and truthful proclamation of Jesus Christ, marked by clarity and integrity.

Gospel ministry is marked by the power of the Spirit, by freedom, and by glorious transformation of people into the image of Christ. There is nothing more wonderful in all the world.

Gospel ministry is marked by the power of the Spirit, by freedom, and by glorious transformation of people into the image of Christ. There is nothing more wonderful in all the world.

The servant of Christ is to live out the gospel and be the fragrance of Christ everywhere—in showing grace to other believers, in speaking the truth with boldness, and in witnessing with integrity.

The servant of Christ is to live out the gospel and be the fragrance of Christ everywhere—in showing grace to other believers, in speaking the truth with boldness, and in witnessing with integrity.

Paul models for us a godly sincerity in his dealings with the Corinthians. But his model is grounded in gospel reality: all God’s promises find their “yes” and their fulfilment in Jesus Christ. God keeps his word, and so should his servants.

Paul models for us a godly sincerity in his dealings with the Corinthians. But his model is grounded in gospel reality: all God’s promises find their “yes” and their fulfilment in Jesus Christ. God keeps his word, and so should his servants.

Paul has experienced comfort from God himself in the midst of affliction—and he knows that this has happened so that he might be a comfort to others. God’s servants will face difficulty, but we know that God will minister His grace to us that we might be a blessing to others.

Paul has experienced comfort from God himself in the midst of affliction—and he knows that this has happened so that he might be a comfort to others. God’s servants will face difficulty, but we know that God will minister His grace to us that we might be a blessing to others.

It would be nice to imagine that being a Christian would mean we never encountered conflict any more—conflict with one another, conflict within the church. But sadly, the sinful nature within each one of us is such that we fail relationally and need to deal with the fallout. What do we do when others sin against us? Jesus says to pursue reconciliation and extend forgiveness. These are vital lesson...

It would be nice to imagine that being a Christian would mean we never encountered conflict any more—conflict with one another, conflict within the church. But sadly, the sinful nature within each one of us is such that we fail relationally and need to deal with the fallout. What do we do when others sin against us? Jesus says to pursue reconciliation and extend forgiveness. These are vital lesson...

The values of the kingdom of Jesus Christ are upside down and backwards when compared to the values of this world. Against the backdrop of a world where might is right—where we press our cause and make our case—Jesus commends to us the value of childlike humility. He calls each of us to have that childlike humility as we approach him, as we approach the ugly reality of temptation and sin, and as w...

The values of the kingdom of Jesus Christ are upside down and backwards when compared to the values of this world. Against the backdrop of a world where might is right—where we press our cause and make our case—Jesus commends to us the value of childlike humility. He calls each of us to have that childlike humility as we approach him, as we approach the ugly reality of temptation and sin, and as w...

Jesus is the Son of God—the divine prince of heaven. Matthew makes that so clear to us on the Mount of Transfiguration. As we read on in Matthew, what is so very striking is the way in which Jesus exercises his heavenly authority and power. We see him showing mercy to the suffering, submitting himself to the cross as he prepares to go to Jerusalem, and in his interactions, taking care to avoid off...

Jesus is the Son of God—the divine prince of heaven. Matthew makes that so clear to us on the Mount of Transfiguration. As we read on in Matthew, what is so very striking is the way in which Jesus exercises his heavenly authority and power. We see him showing mercy to the suffering, submitting himself to the cross as he prepares to go to Jerusalem, and in his interactions, taking care to avoid off...

It’s always exciting to take a backstage tour in a grand venue—to see where the stars prepare—perhaps to see them behind the scenes and to know them as they really are. On the Mount of Transfiguration, we are given a backstage pass to see a glimpse of Jesus in his heavenly splendour and to hear the voice of the Father above. Seeing Jesus in this light, we learn to listen all the more closely to hi...

It’s always exciting to take a backstage tour in a grand venue—to see where the stars prepare—perhaps to see them behind the scenes and to know them as they really are. On the Mount of Transfiguration, we are given a backstage pass to see a glimpse of Jesus in his heavenly splendour and to hear the voice of the Father above. Seeing Jesus in this light, we learn to listen all the more closely to hi...

We are so naturally worldly in our thinking, both about Jesus and his mission, and about ourselves and our discipleship. While we would like to imagine that being a Christian will lead to worldly glory and comfort, Jesus calls us to see the centrality of the cross to his mission – and to understand the call of discipleship, to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow him.

We are so naturally worldly in our thinking, both about Jesus and his mission, and about ourselves and our discipleship. While we would like to imagine that being a Christian will lead to worldly glory and comfort, Jesus calls us to see the centrality of the cross to his mission – and to understand the call of discipleship, to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow him.

It is not possible to engage with Jesus Christ and to make no response to him. Some will respond with skepticism; some will respond with questions, but a desire to know more; others will see him for who he is, and confess that he is the Christ, the Son of the living God. How will you respond to him?

It is not possible to engage with Jesus Christ and to make no response to him. Some will respond with skepticism; some will respond with questions, but a desire to know more; others will see him for who he is, and confess that he is the Christ, the Son of the living God. How will you respond to him?

In the ministry of Jesus in the gospels, we see the new creation breaking into the old in a moment of miraculous wonder. The individual healings and the great feeding miracles point us to the ultimate outworking of the redeeming work of Jesus at the cross: all things will be made new. The sick will be restored in resurrection bodies; the hungry will feast at the marriage supper of the Lamb. Have w...