Encounter the Truth

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.

Again, out of reverence for Christ and as his re-made people, we must be characterized by godly submission – children to parents, slaves to masters.

Again, out of reverence for Christ and as his re-made people, we must be characterized by godly submission – children to parents, slaves to masters.

As people brought from darkness to light and out of reverence to the Lord, our life together should be marked by appropriate submission and love. This radically shapes Christian marriage and, when functioning properly, causes it to reflect the relationship between Christ and the church.

As people brought from darkness to light and out of reverence to the Lord, our life together should be marked by appropriate submission and love. This radically shapes Christian marriage and, when functioning properly, causes it to reflect the relationship between Christ and the church.

Having been made “light in the Lord” we must live in the light, filled with righteousness, goodness, wisdom, encouragement and thanksgiving.

Having been made “light in the Lord” we must live in the light, filled with righteousness, goodness, wisdom, encouragement and thanksgiving.

As God’s children, we must imitate him in holiness and love. If this is not evident in our lives, we must take warning that God’s wrath comes upon the disobedient.

As God’s children, we must imitate him in holiness and love. If this is not evident in our lives, we must take warning that God’s wrath comes upon the disobedient.

Having been made new in Christ, we must put off everything that belongs to the old life and sinful nature. This is a passage where Paul gets quite specific in showing us what we need to turn away from.

Having been made new in Christ, we must put off everything that belongs to the old life and sinful nature. This is a passage where Paul gets quite specific in showing us what we need to turn away from.

As we are equipped and enabled to grow into maturity in Christ, we must live lives distinct from those around us – putting off our old self of corruption and putting on the new self of godliness.