We live in a broken world, so suffering and groaning is unavoidable. But the Lord gives us resources to face our hardest times and to patiently endure. We groan with the hope of the glory to come; we groan with the help of the Holy Spirit; and we groan with confidence, knowing that God will complete his work in us, and even use our hardest times for our ultimate good.
Read MoreWhen we put our trust in Christ, we receive a bunch of new things:
a new verdict before God (righteous, not condemned);
a new mind-set (lead by the Spirit, not the flesh) and
a new identity (sons of God, not slaves to sin and fear).
These blessings are the key to spiritual confidence, direction, intimacy with God and hope for the future.
Read MoreAs we follow Jesus, life can feel like a hard slog when temptation comes knocking. As we look at the last part of Romans 7, Paul's frustration is evident as he knows his 'flesh' is captivated by sin. Join us as we look at the things he holds onto during the struggle of sinful desire.
Read MoreWhat should our lives look like now that we've received God's grace and been declared righteous in his sight? We should walk in newness of life. We should live righteously because our old self has died, our future self will be glorious and our new self has been set free from slavery to sin.
Read MoreWhat should our lives look like now that we've received God's grace and been declared righteous in his sight? We should walk in newness of life. We should live righteously because our old self has died, our future self will be glorious and our new self has been set free from slavery to sin.
Read MoreWe are all born on Team Adam: sinners by nature and choice, and facing death.
But by faith, we can be born again onto Team Jesus: justified by grace, and reigning in life
Which team are you on?
Read MoreFrom our 'right standing with a holy God' so many good things flow! Paul begins fleshing out what it means to have peace with God and he kicks off with a whole lot of joy!
Read MoreJoin us as we check out what God's good gift of grace looks like through the life of Abraham. The Apostle Paul takes a look at the Old Testament hero and the faith he had in God's promise of righteousness.
Read MoreThe Gospel is like a Diamond on a black cloth of sin. The first couple of chapters of Romans, Paul has been laying out the black cloth, so that the Gospel can shine. In this passage we finally get to the diamond and spend some time exploring the goodness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Read MoreThinking you're right with God because you're a good person, or a religious person is very dangerous.
The problem with being a "good" person is you can never be good enough.
The problem with being a "religious" person is you can never be religious enough.
Hope is only found in the only One who was Truly Good, and who gave Himself for us.
When we suppress the truth about God and exchange it for lies and idolatry, God in his wrath delivers us over to our ungodly passions and corrupt thinking. This devastating critique of sinful human nature is the dark background that makes the good news of the gospel shine even brighter.
Read MoreAs Paul launches into his letter to the church in Rome he encourages the believers by reminding them that God is a God of power! A power that is displayed in and through His people, His sovereignty, and most especially through the saving work of the Gospel.
Read MoreThe gospel is good news about Jesus Christ and what He has done. It has the power to transform our identities, our relationship and our priorities. Have you understood the transforming power of the power?
Read MoreJesus' last meal was the Passover. This was a shadow of his saving work on the cross. Jesus is the true passover lamb, whose body was broken and blood was poured out for us. Christians now celebrate the The Lord's Supper (or Communion) to remind us that Jesus has dealt with our past, made a new way for us in the present, and has secured our future. This is such comfort food for hungry, thirsty and anxious souls!
Read MoreAs we wrap up our time in Matthew's Gospel we see Jesus commissioning his disciples to go out into the world to make disciples. What does that mean for you and me?
Read MoreWe love good news stories. The cure comes for the terminal; the underdog wins the gold; the person in drowning gets saved, the orphan gets adopted. Well here, on Resurrection Day, we see it all in one go!
Read MoreAmidst all the bad stuff, God was working out His good plan. The strange events that accompanied Jesus' crucifixion help us understand what it accomplished.There are some hugely deep, profound and life-giving things to be gained here.
Read MoreJoin us as we check out how Matthew gives us real examples of biblical sheep and goats. We witness a sweet moment in history where extravagant love is shown to Jesus just before he heads to the Cross in the biggest act of love recorded.
Read MoreIn this passage Jesus wraps up a long sermon by telling His people what it looks like for them to be prepared. Jesus says that His people will be serving out of a love fo Him
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