Encounter the Truth

King Solomon loved the Lord, and the Lord's blessing rested on him in the gifts of wisdom and material abundance. The blessing of the king resulted in the blessing of the people. This truly was a golden age in the life of Israel—and a great picture of a day to come when the Lord's people will live under the rule of his greater King in his greater kingdom.

King Solomon loved the Lord, and the Lord's blessing rested on him in the gifts of wisdom and material abundance. The blessing of the king resulted in the blessing of the people. This truly was a golden age in the life of Israel—and a great picture of a day to come when the Lord's people will live under the rule of his greater King in his greater kingdom.

Despite the frailty of human leaders and the sin of human opponents, God’s king, Solomon, is enthroned and his plan for his people is moving forward, all in accordance with the promises of his word.

Despite the frailty of human leaders and the sin of human opponents, God’s king, Solomon, is enthroned and his plan for his people is moving forward, all in accordance with the promises of his word.

The birth of Christ the Saviour is a stunningly simple event, but calls for all creatures—the angels included—to give glory to God. We should join in this chorus of praise.

The Lord has acted in faithfulness to keep his covenant promises to bring redemption to his people. We must be moved by the tender mercy and faithfulness of God in keeping these promises.

The Lord has acted in faithfulness to keep his covenant promises to bring redemption to his people. We must be moved by the tender mercy and faithfulness of God in keeping these promises.

The Lord is merciful to those who call on him in humility, and he remembers his covenant promises. Like Mary, we must call on the Lord in humility and fear him rightly.

The Lord is merciful to those who call on him in humility, and he remembers his covenant promises. Like Mary, we must call on the Lord in humility and fear him rightly.

Through the surprising miracle of the virgin birth, God will bring his great and promised King into the world. We must believe the miracle, joining Mary in trusting the Lord’s word.

Through the surprising miracle of the virgin birth, God will bring his great and promised King into the world. We must believe the miracle, joining Mary in trusting the Lord’s word.

The Kingdom is the greatest treasure we could ever find. True Kingdom people are single-minded and passionate about taking hold of the treasure. The Kingdom may look mixed and messy at the present time, but at the judgment, the evil will be separated from the righteous, and only the good will be admitted. Treasure the Kingdom—and make sure you truly belong by faith!

The Kingdom is the greatest treasure we could ever find. True Kingdom people are single-minded and passionate about taking hold of the treasure. The Kingdom may look mixed and messy at the present time, but at the judgment, the evil will be separated from the righteous, and only the good will be admitted. Treasure the Kingdom—and make sure you truly belong by faith!

The Kingdom will grow in ways that will surprise us. On the one hand, ungodly people will be mixed in among the godly. The fact that the Lord allows this may surprise us, but he will bring a clear division at the judgment. Despite the messiness of this, Kingdom growth will be unstoppable and dramatic. All this should encourage us to see and believe that the Kingdom will indeed grow, despite all th...

The Kingdom will grow in ways that will surprise us. On the one hand, ungodly people will be mixed in among the godly. The fact that the Lord allows this may surprise us, but he will bring a clear division at the judgment. Despite the messiness of this, Kingdom growth will be unstoppable and dramatic. All this should encourage us to see and believe that the Kingdom will indeed grow, despite all th...

Jesus sets out for us realistic expectations for his Word and the response it will receive. The four types of soil illustrate a very mixed response: three-quarters will be disappointing, but the good soil will produce a wonderful crop. We need to examine our own hearts as listeners—and we need to take encouragement as we sow the seed of God’s Word. The results will be mixed, but a great harvest wi...

Jesus sets out for us realistic expectations for his Word and the response it will receive. The four types of soil illustrate a very mixed response: three-quarters will be disappointing, but the good soil will produce a wonderful crop. We need to examine our own hearts as listeners—and we need to take encouragement as we sow the seed of God’s Word. The results will be mixed, but a great harvest wi...

There are two ways to respond to Jesus: cynical questioning or willing obedience. This evil generation refuses to repent and believe, and faces a fearful future. Those who do the will of the Father, by contrast, are welcomed into the family. How will you respond? Do you recognize the blessing and privilege of being part of the family of God?

There are two ways to respond to Jesus: cynical questioning or willing obedience. This evil generation refuses to repent and believe, and faces a fearful future. Those who do the will of the Father, by contrast, are welcomed into the family. How will you respond? Do you recognize the blessing and privilege of being part of the family of God?

How much does Jesus matter—and how much does my response to him matter? What is at stake when it comes to what we think of him and what we say of him? And, more fundamentally, what is at stake in the ministry of Jesus Christ itself? The stakes are higher than we might imagine because Jesus is engaged in a clash of kingdoms.

How much does Jesus matter—and how much does my response to him matter? What is at stake when it comes to what we think of him and what we say of him? And, more fundamentally, what is at stake in the ministry of Jesus Christ itself? The stakes are higher than we might imagine because Jesus is engaged in a clash of kingdoms.

Matthew highlights for us the fact that Jesus brings true rest in utter contrast to what the religious leaders offered. Having told us that his yoke is easy and his burden is light, Jesus now confronts religious legalism and shows us that his Lordship overrules such pettiness and brings true healing and gospel freedom.

Matthew highlights for us the fact that Jesus brings true rest in utter contrast to what the religious leaders offered. Having told us that his yoke is easy and his burden is light, Jesus now confronts religious legalism and shows us that his Lordship overrules such pettiness and brings true healing and gospel freedom.

Reactions to Jesus were mixed in the days of his earthly ministry—and they remain so today. And to get to grips with the dynamics of people's responses, we need to know and understand two aspects of Jesus' character and identity that might almost seem contradictory, but which hold together perfectly in him: Jesus Christ has all authority—while at the same time, he is gentle and lowly.

Reactions to Jesus were mixed in the days of his earthly ministry—and they remain so today. And to get to grips with the dynamics of people's responses, we need to know and understand two aspects of Jesus' character and identity that might almost seem contradictory, but which hold together perfectly in him: Jesus Christ has all authority—while at the same time, he is gentle and lowly.