Encounter the Truth

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...

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...

Paul prays that the Ephesians will be enabled to know better all that God has given them in Christ and all that he has in store for them. In particular, he wants them to know God’s power for them – the very same power that he exerted to raise Christ to the place of supreme authority on high. The right aim for this message is for us to gain a deeper and wider grasp of these things ourselves – to ha...

Paul prays that the Ephesians will be enabled to know better all that God has given them in Christ and all that he has in store for them. In particular, he wants them to know God’s power for them – the very same power that he exerted to raise Christ to the place of supreme authority on high. The right aim for this message is for us to gain a deeper and wider grasp of these things ourselves – to ha...

The spiritual biography of every Christian humbles us and points to God’s glory: we have been chosen in Christ, included in in him through the gospel, and sealed by this Spirit. This story of our salvation comforts and assures us, and it prompts us to glorify God.

The spiritual biography of every Christian humbles us and points to God’s glory: we have been chosen in Christ, included in in him through the gospel, and sealed by this Spirit. This story of our salvation comforts and assures us, and it prompts us to glorify God.

God is worthy of all praise because he has blessed us so richly, and without our merit. He has purposed to include us in Christ – even as he plans to bring all things in the universe under the headship of Christ – all for the praise of his glorious grace.

God is worthy of all praise because he has blessed us so richly, and without our merit. He has purposed to include us in Christ – even as he plans to bring all things in the universe under the headship of Christ – all for the praise of his glorious grace.

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.