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.

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 headin...

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 headin...

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 h...

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 h...

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. Thi...

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. Thi...

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 thi...

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 thi...

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—r...

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—r...

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.

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.