All the Difference

Jesus makes very clear the goal of the Christian life and of all His Kingdom work: faithful development into Christlikeness.

When all seems wretched, we persevere by trusting the Trustworthy One.

When all seems wretched, we persevere by trusting the Trustworthy One.

Jesus builds His kingdom piece by piece using brokenness expressed in humble faithfulness. Those who trust in Him, who fall on Him in their need, are built into the kingdom. The kingdom is thus built by faith.

Jesus builds His kingdom piece by piece using brokenness expressed in humble faithfulness. Those who trust in Him, who fall on Him in their need, are built into the kingdom. The kingdom is thus built by faith.

The kingdom is comprised of Jews – and Gentiles – who accept Christ's invitation & covering. This is accomplished via both election and human response. In the present form of the kingdom, it involves all peoples who will trust Jesus. Those who will not are judged.

The kingdom is comprised of Jews – and Gentiles – who accept Christ's invitation & covering. This is accomplished via both election and human response. In the present form of the kingdom, it involves all peoples who will trust Jesus. Those who will not are judged.

Jesus, who chooses to call His followers "friends," teaches us to love as we are loved. In fact, His entire point is that we can't do so apart from His grace. Our righteousness is filthy rags. We cannot enter the righteous kingdom, much less lives as good neighbors in it, without the empowering help of God.

Jesus, who chooses to call His followers "friends," teaches us to love as we are loved. In fact, His entire point is that we can't do so apart from His grace. Our righteousness is filthy rags. We cannot enter the righteous kingdom, much less lives as good neighbors in it, without the empowering help of God.

Jesus shows that wealth is to be used in building for eternity.

Jesus shows that wealth is to be used in building for eternity.

Jesus shows us unequivocally that we who trust in Him are worthy of everything to God. We cannot fathom the love God has for us or the value He places on us.

Jesus shows us unequivocally that we who trust in Him are worthy of everything to God. We cannot fathom the love God has for us or the value He places on us.

Jesus teaches us to approach the Lord humbly and directly.

The Pharisees have an understandable concern about Jesus' dealings with sinner: since god hates sin and punishes sinners (both biblical facts), how could Jesus be true Deity if He consorts with the lost? The problem is that they added to and warped the OT to develop a God who hated sinners and loved only the righteous. These parables The Triune God – Jesus, the Spirit & the Father – loves us with...

The Pharisees have an understandable concern about Jesus' dealings with sinner: since god hates sin and punishes sinners (both biblical facts), how could Jesus be true Deity if He consorts with the lost? The problem is that they added to and warped the OT to develop a God who hated sinners and loved only the righteous. These parables The Triune God – Jesus, the Spirit & the Father – loves us with...

The Pharisees, like all hijackers of human freedom, are overreacting to the licenses that they know kill freedom. Yet, in the end, they end up destroying freedom under a mountain of regulation. Jesus calls His followers to instead walk in newness of life. Their means of growth and building the kingdom is neither license nor legalism, but rather an abandonment to the trustworthy King who changes pe...

The Pharisees, like all hijackers of human freedom, are overreacting to the licenses that they know kill freedom. Yet, in the end, they end up destroying freedom under a mountain of regulation. Jesus calls His followers to instead walk in newness of life. Their means of growth and building the kingdom is neither license nor legalism, but rather an abandonment to the trustworthy King who changes pe...

Jesus explains to His followers then and now what life is to be like in this new form of God's kingdom. Accepting the rejection of Israel, the Lord turns to the mystery form of the kingdom – there in the Old Testament but not completely understood until now. During this age between His advents, Jesus establishes His people in kingdom living that changes today and lasts through tomorrow. Specifical...

Jesus explains to His followers then and now what life is to be like in this new form of God's kingdom. Accepting the rejection of Israel, the Lord turns to the mystery form of the kingdom – there in the Old Testament but not completely understood until now. During this age between His advents, Jesus establishes His people in kingdom living that changes today and lasts through tomorrow. Specifical...

Paul uses garden imagery to depict our calling to love and our progress in the "fullness of God." This beautiful prayer is powerfully Trinitarian and convicting in its revelation of our unloving lives. His benediction comforts us, reminding us that the pressure's off as we rest in the soil wherein our Gardener has planted us.

Paul uses garden imagery to depict our calling to love and our progress in the "fullness of God." This beautiful prayer is powerfully Trinitarian and convicting in its revelation of our unloving lives. His benediction comforts us, reminding us that the pressure's off as we rest in the soil wherein our Gardener has planted us.

Paul describes his ministry, comforting and encouraging friends who care about him, protected him during the great riot, and who are no doubt dismayed at his imprisonment. Verses 7-9 are beautiful summations of what has been taught so far. Verses 10-13 contain some deeply comforting conclusions drawn from those previous truths – that we have the inside track, even past what angels (& demons) know...

Paul describes his ministry, comforting and encouraging friends who care about him, protected him during the great riot, and who are no doubt dismayed at his imprisonment. Verses 7-9 are beautiful summations of what has been taught so far. Verses 10-13 contain some deeply comforting conclusions drawn from those previous truths – that we have the inside track, even past what angels (& demons) know...

Paul builds on his earlier references to unity, laying out one of the great mysterion of the New Testament – that Jews & Gentiles are in one body in Jesus. Revelation and new dispensation (oikonomos) are again connected, as this unity is a new thing revealed by the Lord.