Encounter the Truth

Instead of starting our Christmas season with a study of one of the gospels, we thought we'd look back to the promises of God in the Old Testament. God promised David a Son who would sit on an eternal throne, and this Son of David would also be God’s own Son, Jesus.

Instead of starting our Christmas season with a study of one of the gospels, we thought we'd look back to the promises of God in the Old Testament. God promised David a Son who would sit on an eternal throne, and this Son of David would also be God’s own Son, Jesus.

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 travelers, longing for our final destination—weary from the journey, anxious to ar...

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 travelers, longing for our final destination—weary from the journey, anxious to ar...

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.

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 the 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 the 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...