Encounter the Truth

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.

The risen and ascended Lord has given gifted leaders to the church to prepare all God’s people for service, so that the whole body may be mature. As this happens according to his design and plan, we are protected from error and we all grow up into maturity in Christ.

The risen and ascended Lord has given gifted leaders to the church to prepare all God’s people for service, so that the whole body may be mature. As this happens according to his design and plan, we are protected from error and we all grow up into maturity in Christ.

Just as God is united in himself, we are to live out the unity we enjoy and have through the Spirit of God. We must make every effort to do this, and so live worthy of our calling.

Just as God is united in himself, we are to live out the unity we enjoy and have through the Spirit of God. We must make every effort to do this, and so live worthy of our calling.

Paul prays that God will strengthen believers by his Spirit so that we will be established in his love and be able to comprehend the full of extent of that love. And he prays that, as God is powerfully at work in us, he will receive glory in his church. We should pray the same for ourselves and one another.

Paul prays that God will strengthen believers by his Spirit so that we will be established in his love and be able to comprehend the full of extent of that love. And he prays that, as God is powerfully at work in us, he will receive glory in his church. We should pray the same for ourselves and one another.

The preaching of the gospel reveals a truth that could hardly have been believed: that Jews and Gentiles together share in the salvation promises of God. God’s intention is that through his church, made up of both Jews and Gentiles, he should demonstrate the wisdom of his salvation plan to all the universe. Paul feels the weight and privilege of proclaiming such a gospel – and we should feel the p...

The preaching of the gospel reveals a truth that could hardly have been believed: that Jews and Gentiles together share in the salvation promises of God. God’s intention is that through his church, made up of both Jews and Gentiles, he should demonstrate the wisdom of his salvation plan to all the universe. Paul feels the weight and privilege of proclaiming such a gospel – and we should feel the p...

We have been brought together and made one people in Christ. Formerly Jews and Gentiles were separated – with Gentiles excluded from the family of God. But now in Christ and through his law-abolishing death, Gentiles have been brought near and peace and reconciliation have been achieved. We are one people, household, and temple in Christ. This moves us to gratitude, and it calls us to live out our...

We have been brought together and made one people in Christ. Formerly Jews and Gentiles were separated – with Gentiles excluded from the family of God. But now in Christ and through his law-abolishing death, Gentiles have been brought near and peace and reconciliation have been achieved. We are one people, household, and temple in Christ. This moves us to gratitude, and it calls us to live out our...

Continuing to unwrap our spiritual biography, Paul tells us that we were dead in our transgressions, doomed to judgment, and following the evil one. Out of love, God saved us by grace and even seated us with Christ in the heavenly realms, with the purpose that we should do good works. A great transfer has occurred – all of grace. This prevents us from boasting, and fills us with gratitude and prai...

Jesus’ death and resurrection achieve the ultimate victory over the grave. Because he died and rose again, we who believe in him share in his victory.

Sin bars us from God’s holy presence. But when Jesus died, the curtain of the temple was torn in two—indicating that sinners may now enter God’s presence through Jesus.

The Old Testament ceremonial system tells us that sin has a defiling effect. The blood of the animal sacrifices pointed to God’s intention to cleanse, but did not provide true cleansing themselves. But the blood of Jesus really does make defiled sinners clean.

The Old Testament ceremonial system tells us that sin has a defiling effect. The blood of the animal sacrifices pointed to God’s intention to cleanse, but did not provide true cleansing themselves. But the blood of Jesus really does make defiled sinners clean.

The cross is the place where God is able to justify sinners without violating his standards of justice—because Jesus bears the judgment of God in our place as our substitute.

The cross is the place where God is able to justify sinners without violating his standards of justice—because Jesus bears the judgment of God in our place as our substitute.

Because Jesus has died for our sins and risen again, we can be born again and receive the Spirit. The is the great open invitation and offer of Easter.

Because Jesus has died for our sins and risen again, we can be born again and receive the Spirit. The is the great open invitation and offer of Easter.

Our hope hinges on the resurrection of Jesus. If he has not been raised, then our hope is futile. But, praise God, Jesus has in fact been raised from the dead—and we are a people of hope!

Our hope hinges on the resurrection of Jesus. If he has not been raised, then our hope is futile. But, praise God, Jesus has in fact been raised from the dead—and we are a people of hope!

Jesus the Righteous One suffered for our sins on Good Friday to bring us to God. This exchange is the heart of the gospel and the core of our hope. These words capture in a nutshell what took place on Good Friday.

Jesus the Righteous One suffered for our sins on Good Friday to bring us to God. This exchange is the heart of the gospel and the core of our hope. These words capture in a nutshell what took place on Good Friday.

The problem of death traces back to the Garden—and the disastrous decision to rebel against God’s Word. We look back to the origin of death to understand this crisis, to acknowledge our responsibility—and to lay the foundation for the solution that is found in the Gospel of Easter.