Encounter the Truth

Paul writes this letter with the explicit concern that believers at Crete will have a deep knowledge of the truth that “accords with godliness.” He does not want believers just to have "head knowledge"—but to live out the truth in godliness. Doctrine that does not result in godly living is not the real deal.

Paul writes this letter with the explicit concern that believers at Crete will have a deep knowledge of the truth that “accords with godliness.” He does not want believers just to have "head knowledge"—but to live out the truth in godliness. Doctrine that does not result in godly living is not the real deal.

The opening of Jesus’ public ministry sets the tone for that ministry and shows the blessing it will bring: there is light for those in darkness, there is an invitation for ordinary people to follow, there is healing for the sick. Our response is obvious: we must joyfully follow him, too.

The opening of Jesus’ public ministry sets the tone for that ministry and shows the blessing it will bring: there is light for those in darkness, there is an invitation for ordinary people to follow, there is healing for the sick. Our response is obvious: we must joyfully follow him, too.

As Israel spent 40 years being tested in the wilderness, so Jesus spends 40 days—and is proved entirely faithful. The faithfulness of Jesus, God’s true Son, is the foundation for our salvation. His perfectly righteous life is the basis of our standing before the Father.

As Israel spent 40 years being tested in the wilderness, so Jesus spends 40 days—and is proved entirely faithful. The faithfulness of Jesus, God’s true Son, is the foundation for our salvation. His perfectly righteous life is the basis of our standing before the Father.

In entering the water of baptism alongside repentant sinners, Jesus identifies with them. Ultimately, he will fulfil all righteousness by taking their place at the cross and standing for them as the Son who truly pleases the Father.

In entering the water of baptism alongside repentant sinners, Jesus identifies with them. Ultimately, he will fulfil all righteousness by taking their place at the cross and standing for them as the Son who truly pleases the Father.

John the Baptist heralds the Lord’s arrival. Many might have expected the arrival of the Lord’s salvation to be news of pure comfort, but his arrival will actually be uncomfortable for everyone: he will refine his people and judge his enemies. The right response to the arrival of Jesus’ Kingdom is to repent—for this kingdom will be made up of those who repent and show fruit.

John the Baptist heralds the Lord’s arrival. Many might have expected the arrival of the Lord’s salvation to be news of pure comfort, but his arrival will actually be uncomfortable for everyone: he will refine his people and judge his enemies. The right response to the arrival of Jesus’ Kingdom is to repent—for this kingdom will be made up of those who repent and show fruit.

After baby Jesus is born, God makes him the fulfilment and embodiment of his plans for his ‘son’ Israel, whom he previously called out of Egypt. As the story progresses, we will see how he is faithful in that calling where Israel was not. Ultimately, Matthew will show us that the salvation of God’s people rests entirely on the faithfulness of Jesus in his calling to be God’s true ‘son’.

After baby Jesus is born, God makes him the fulfilment and embodiment of his plans for his ‘son’ Israel, whom he previously called out of Egypt. As the story progresses, we will see how he is faithful in that calling where Israel was not. Ultimately, Matthew will show us that the salvation of God’s people rests entirely on the faithfulness of Jesus in his calling to be God’s true ‘son’.

There is no escaping it: we will all be disappointed at times by politicians, teachers, bosses, and community leaders—people who hold the responsibility of directing us and promoting our best interests, but who turn out to be unable to carry it through. This psalmist admonishes us not to put our trust in human leaders. And then he draws our hearts to put our hope in the right place—in the Lord him...

There is no escaping it: we will all be disappointed at times by politicians, teachers, bosses, and community leaders—people who hold the responsibility of directing us and promoting our best interests, but who turn out to be unable to carry it through. This psalmist admonishes us not to put our trust in human leaders. And then he draws our hearts to put our hope in the right place—in the Lord him...

The Psalms of ascents speak of the journey of the people of God as they go up to Jerusalem to enjoy the Lord’s presence in his temple. You and I are not on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, of course, but you and I today know what it is to be on a journey to the place of God’s presence—we know what it is to be pilgrims and travellers, longing for our final destination—weary from the journey, anxious to a...

The Psalms of ascents speak of the journey of the people of God as they go up to Jerusalem to enjoy the Lord’s presence in his temple. You and I are not on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, of course, but you and I today know what it is to be on a journey to the place of God’s presence—we know what it is to be pilgrims and travellers, longing for our final destination—weary from the journey, anxious to a...

In many ways, the prayer of Psalm 72 was fulfilled in the life of King Solomon. But like his father, David, Solomon did not live up to all the hopes invested in him. He was not the perfect king—he was not the ultimate hope of Israel. And because no Old Testament king ever fulfilled all the hopes and promises set out in God’s Word for that perfect king, the people of Israel continued to wait and lo...

In many ways, the prayer of Psalm 72 was fulfilled in the life of King Solomon. But like his father, David, Solomon did not live up to all the hopes invested in him. He was not the perfect king—he was not the ultimate hope of Israel. And because no Old Testament king ever fulfilled all the hopes and promises set out in God’s Word for that perfect king, the people of Israel continued to wait and lo...

The psalmist who wrote Psalm 42 is far from home—he feels far from the people and the Lord he loves—and he is facing opposition in a hostile land. He is homesick in every way—socially, geographically, spiritually. If we have our sights set on our heavenly home—if we are longing for the day when we will see the Lord face-to-face—if we are a people who know the pressures of this world and the opposi...

The psalmist who wrote Psalm 42 is far from home—he feels far from the people and the Lord he loves—and he is facing opposition in a hostile land. He is homesick in every way—socially, geographically, spiritually. If we have our sights set on our heavenly home—if we are longing for the day when we will see the Lord face-to-face—if we are a people who know the pressures of this world and the opposi...

We see bad people not only getting away with doing bad things, but prospering and flourishing as they do so. And if we’re honest, it gets to us at least some of the time. This feeling is nothing new. It’s what prompted King David to write this Psalm. And he has this to say about it: "Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wi...

We see bad people not only getting away with doing bad things, but prospering and flourishing as they do so. And if we’re honest, it gets to us at least some of the time. This feeling is nothing new. It’s what prompted King David to write this Psalm. And he has this to say about it: "Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wi...

David knows that the Lord is committed to protecting those of his covenant community; he knows that God is a God of faithfulness to his people; a God of mercy to those who call on him. If we are sensible and wise people, we will want to join David and cry out to the Lord as he cries out, "Keep me safe, O God."

David knows that the Lord is committed to protecting those of his covenant community; he knows that God is a God of faithfulness to his people; a God of mercy to those who call on him. If we are sensible and wise people, we will want to join David and cry out to the Lord as he cries out, "Keep me safe, O God."

Abraham seeks to be faithful in finding a wife for Isaac from among his family (and not the surrounding nations) and in staying in the land of promise. God honours this in providing Rebekah for Isaac. Thus the family line is secured, and Abraham dies enjoying the blessing of God on every side. Despite all the ups and downs of his faith and failure, God has blessed him and his family, just as he pr...