Encounter the Truth

Paul’s personal testimony demonstrates the power of the gospel to transform lives. It also demonstrates that his gospel comes from God—and so is the true and authentic gospel that must be accepted and believed.

There will always be false teachers around—and there will always be alternative gospels on the marketplace. But a modified gospel is no gospel at all, and Paul warns us against fakes and calls us to accept only the genuine article.

There will always be false teachers around—and there will always be alternative gospels on the marketplace. But a modified gospel is no gospel at all, and Paul warns us against fakes and calls us to accept only the genuine article.

Just as Jesus called the apostles to be shrewd in their day, he calls us to be shrewd in ours—careful with our words, sensitive to our context. But at the same time, we don’t manipulate or compromise the message. By his help, we are to go out as his agents, innocent as doves, trusting his Word, trusting his power, trusting his provision, and leaving the work of judgment to him for the final day.

Just as Jesus called the apostles to be shrewd in their day, he calls us to be shrewd in ours—careful with our words, sensitive to our context. But at the same time, we don’t manipulate or compromise the message. By his help, we are to go out as his agents, innocent as doves, trusting his Word, trusting his power, trusting his provision, and leaving the work of judgment to him for the final day.

Jesus has shown that the Kingdom message is life-transforming and thoroughly wonderful. He sees that the world is ready for the message and, out of compassion, he wants them to receive it. But the need is simply this: workers to spread the good news.

Jesus has shown that the Kingdom message is life-transforming and thoroughly wonderful. He sees that the world is ready for the message and, out of compassion, he wants them to receive it. But the need is simply this: workers to spread the good news.

We see a new series of powerful miracles that show Jesus’ authenticity and power, but the more clearly Jesus demonstrates these things, the more forcefully the religious leaders oppose him and blaspheme against him.

We see a new series of powerful miracles that show Jesus’ authenticity and power, but the more clearly Jesus demonstrates these things, the more forcefully the religious leaders oppose him and blaspheme against him.

Jesus is radically different from the religious leaders of his day. He does not spend his time with those who view themselves as righteous or religious—he calls sinners to follow him. Jesus is not trying to update or tweak traditional Judaism—what he brings is radically different.

Jesus is radically different from the religious leaders of his day. He does not spend his time with those who view themselves as righteous or religious—he calls sinners to follow him. Jesus is not trying to update or tweak traditional Judaism—what he brings is radically different.

Jesus heals the paralytic, but he makes it clear that this physical healing is designed to prove his power to perform a greater healing—the healing of our hearts through the forgiveness of sin.

Jesus heals the paralytic, but he makes it clear that this physical healing is designed to prove his power to perform a greater healing—the healing of our hearts through the forgiveness of sin.

Jesus confronts the demons living inside two tomb-dwellers, and he sends them to destruction in a herd of pigs. The demons know who Jesus is and are frightened, but the people who witness his power foolishly want nothing to do with him. Would we have reacted differently?

Jesus confronts the demons living inside two tomb-dwellers, and he sends them to destruction in a herd of pigs. The demons know who Jesus is and are frightened, but the people who witness his power foolishly want nothing to do with him. Would we have reacted differently?

As Jesus brings in God’s Kingdom, he calls people to follow him. This will be costly, and it won’t be comfortable. But Jesus calls us to bear the cost and to trust him.

As Jesus brings in God’s Kingdom, he calls people to follow him. This will be costly, and it won’t be comfortable. But Jesus calls us to bear the cost and to trust him.

Jesus comes to show the power of the Kingdom as he defeats disease and casts out demons. And the faith of the Roman centurion shows up the Israelites—and reminds us that true faith, not heredity nor simple familiarity with the things of God, is ultimately what brings salvation.

Jesus comes to show the power of the Kingdom as he defeats disease and casts out demons. And the faith of the Roman centurion shows up the Israelites—and reminds us that true faith, not heredity nor simple familiarity with the things of God, is ultimately what brings salvation.

Our God is a God of undeserved second chances, of unexpected revival, of unmatched compassion for the lost. Are we concerned for them as God is concerned? Or is our heart more like Jonah’s than we care to admit? And if we do share something of the compassion of God, how will we respond to the need all around us?

Our God is a God of undeserved second chances, of unexpected revival, of unmatched compassion for the lost. Are we concerned for them as God is concerned? Or is our heart more like Jonah’s than we care to admit? And if we do share something of the compassion of God, how will we respond to the need all around us?

How big is the heart of God? How wide is the grace of God? How deep is the mercy of God? These are the big questions at the very heart of the book of Jonah. Even after his rebellion, Jonah’s life wasn’t over— even though he must have felt it should have been at points. And the Lord does not give up on us his people—even in our waywardness and reluctance and sin, he mercifully and sovereignly pursu...

How big is the heart of God? How wide is the grace of God? How deep is the mercy of God? These are the big questions at the very heart of the book of Jonah. Even after his rebellion, Jonah’s life wasn’t over— even though he must have felt it should have been at points. And the Lord does not give up on us his people—even in our waywardness and reluctance and sin, he mercifully and sovereignly pursu...

The Christian lives in the midst of a battle against the devil and his agents. We need to put on and use the full armour that God has given us if we are to stand.

The Christian lives in the midst of a battle against the devil and his agents. We need to put on and use the full armour that God has given us if we are to stand.