Metropolitan Tabernacle

So much hangs on vigilance in the Christian life. There can be no stand, no defense of truth, and no progress in holiness, without constant watchfulness. Here, not only for overseers but for all, are the principles of vigilance from key exhortations of Christ and of Paul.

One of Paul's five utterly trustworthy sayings in the excellency of a longing to be a preacher of the Gospel. Here is the office of 'over-watcher' or elder, and we look particularly at the elder who labours in the Word, also called a pastor.

Here are God's reasons why women may not be teachers in the church. Here also is how saved women are to be mightily blessed in saving a new generation, and in similarly supportive roles. The key is faith, love, holiness and sobriety (or self restraint).

It is often assumed that Paul is speaking here of the conduct of public gatherings, but this topic does not truly begin until verse 11. Before then we have pastorally precious and profound exhortations to all believers praying wherever they are.

As salvation is a free gift of God, in what way must we strive for it? What makes it a narrow gate? Why do many seek to enter, and fail? Here are the hindrances, the way to enter, and the experience that awaits us.

'There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.' John 3.1-2

'For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.' Isaiah 9.6

We see in this study how beautiful pervasive perfume depicts the sensed presence of Christ, and how his biblical names (Shepherd, Husband, Friend, Prophet, Priest, King and Lord) lift the soul in all circumstances. There is no more moving theme for reflection.

The apostle urges four forms of prayer for all groups and classes of unbelievers as the vital foundation of all Gospel witness. Here also is the purpose of prayer for rulers, and the degrees of sympathy and desire that undergirds all intercessory prayer.

Don't be misled by the so-called sinner's prayer so often quoted today. It generates mainly deluded and nominal 'Christians'. The real thing is the prayer provided by Christ. If this is sincerely prayed, the seeker will surely find the Lord.

What if we give no thought to spiritual matters and turn away from God? What difference will it make to our life? Here are the advantages of rejecting God and the soul, and here also are the disadvantages – all that will be lost.

Paul's directions to Timothy are not only a tremendous challenge to preachers, but they apply to all believers, conveying the seriousness of our mission and the promises of God that sustain us. Here are the measures to keep alive faith and a good conscience.

A sudden burst of praise breaks into Paul's epistle, showing that praise punctuated his life constantly. And such praise! Here he provides our worship agenda for us, virtually defining true worship, and challenging us to bring worthy homage to our King eternal.

'There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.'

What Paul meant in calling himself the chief of sinners, and why the Lord showed such mercy to him. His testimony is set as the first of millions that would give gospel light and guard faithful churches from nominalism (or believing without experiencing true conversion).

The supreme, sure statement that says everything that is important about life, its purpose, its chief problem and its highest experience and goal – knowing and walking with God. Nothing in life except this is certain and trustworthy. Here are nine words that transform lives.

The moral law was intended to show our need of forgiveness. Believers are not under its power to condemn, but salvation has inscribed its positive virtues in our hearts to be our 'voluntary' aim and longing – the highest mark of grace.

Here are astonishing and unexpected words. A dying Saviour in extreme agony looks upon a vast crowd, screaming out insults, hatred and abuse, and prays, 'Father, forgive them!' Here is Christ's mighty love, the definition of forgiveness, and how the prayer is answered.

Our aim is the building up of the church by Gospel and teaching. Paul provides this great summary of all Bible teaching, the servicing of the three pillars that support love: a pure heart, a good conscience and faith unfeigned. Here is how.

Justification by faith! What does it mean? It is the simplest yet the most profound teaching in the world. It is the most important thing anyone can know; the most surprising, the kindest, the most powerful, and the most costly (for God). It gives eternal life.

Why does Paul here use terms that refer to conversion to also describe what God imparts to converted people? The same benefits advance holiness, happiness, instrumentality and assurance, and here is how they may be hindered or helped as they flow to us.

The great challenging question of the inspired Bible-writings of old – why? What are the motives that drive us away from God and the eternal plan of all who trust in Him? Here is why we recoil from Him, and all that we miss as a result.

When people become Christians, they are ingrafted into Christ so that His holiness and perfection become theirs in the sight of God the Father. Here is the meaning of the words: 'Christ Jesus… is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.'

The famous 'armour of God' passage, drawn from the Roman soldier's equipment, shows the approach to the spiritual life for holiness and fruitfulness. Each item, and the order in which each must be put on, provides safety and advance in the spiritual warfare.

Faith, says the Bible, is essential to finding the Lord, even though faith itself can accomplish nothing. So why is it the only way to approach God? Here is the Bible's own explanation, showing the precise nature of Faith, and how it draws us to God.