Songs have a way of expressing important truths about what we think or feel. In the Gospel of Luke we have a series of songs that communicate important truths about God and give words to how our hearts ought to respond to him. In Mary’s song, we have a song of praise about God. His care for the lowly, his judgment of the proud, and his faithfulness to keep his words.

God keeps His people to the end through the very things we would never choose, using suffering and the care of His church to refine, strengthen, and preserve us. In every season His grace is the power that helps us endure.

Living as God’s chosen people in a world that has different values than his often feels difficult. How do we live godly lives that demonstrate God’s way, when we live in a world that chooses its own way. In 1 Peter 2:11–3:7 Peter provides clarity as to how to live counter-culturally in such a way as to point people to Jesus, not through words, but actions.

As Peter continues his message to Christians who are facing persecution for their faith, he remind them who they are in Jesus. Peter encourages them to Live with hopeful minds as they remember their new identity in Christ.

One of the great tensions of the Christian life is living between two kingdoms, the kingdom of this world, and the kingdom that is yet to come. 1 Peter was written to exhort Christians to remain faithful to their heavenly kingdom as they lived in a world where they didn’t fit. As 1 Peter starts, the author begins by providing a foundation for believers to place their trust, the character of God. As we build our foundation on who God is, that will enable us to live with meaning in a world where it doesn’t seem we fit.

Life is full of decisions that we need to make. With the busyness of life we are forced to prioritize and juggle many areas. With the frenetic pace of life we make choices concerning work, family, finances, and friendships. In the midst of all those choices it is easy to drift away from what ought to be our main priority, God and his glory. In Haggai 1 God’s people are confronted with the importance of priorities and exhorted to ‘think carefully’ about what drives them. This passage has a contemporary message for all of us who experience the same tensions of priority.

Revelation 21-22 gives us a vision that will not fade, a picture of God making all things new, wiping away every tear, and dwelling with His people forever. In this sermon we see the glory of the new creation, the beauty of Christ’s bride, and the call to keep faithful, keep longing, and keep inviting until Jesus returns. This is the hope that holds when everything else is shaking.

From the earliest pages of Scripture the great story of the Bible is God’s unfolding plan to move things from despair to hope, brokenness to wholeness, death to life. As Revelation moves to and end we see the culmination of God’s redeeming plan as wickedness and rebellion against God is quashed and God establishes his glorious kingdom in fullness. In Revelation 17–19 we see a contrast between two women, two cities, and two outcomes, that leave us with one question we must answer.

God’s justice, though confronting, is given not to leave us fearful but to assure us with hope that evil will one day come to an end.

Revelation 12-14 pulls back the curtain on the cosmic battle behind history. The dragon rages, the beasts deceive, but the Lamb stands victorious with His people. These chapters call Christians to see through the lies, stay faithful to Christ (because we’re victorious), and follow Him wherever He goes.

During his earthly ministry Jesus experienced regular and difficult opposition. Rather than presenting an easy life, Jesus spoke of discipleship being difficult. Rejection and opposition was something that his followers should expect. But being rejected and opposed is difficult and often taxing. Nobody likes to be on the outer. While experiencing opposition it is easy to feel discouraged and confused. In Revelation 11 we have words of encouragement and direction given to us on how we might respond when met with serious gospel opposition.

When it comes to Revelation there are many questions we have about where we are in the context of God’s plan for history. In Revelation 6–7 we are presented with the reality of history as that which is under God’s sovereign control. In the midst of every generation God is working his plans in both the execution of punishment upon the wicked as well as protection of his people. In the midst of judgment, God reveals his love and vindication of his people.

In the busyness and chaos of our world it is easy to get distracted and discouraged. We get disappointed with ourselves, our surroundings, and it is easy to lose hope. In Revelation 4–5 John records a vision of heaven that gives us an insight into an unseen reality. God rules and reigns in victory. It is it this kingdom that is yet to come that we are to remember in our world of hopelessness. We don’t look inward for hope, we look upward.

One of the main visions presented to us growing us is the dream of being successful. Success, we are told, lies in financial stability, career progress, looking attractive, and looking younger than our age. While there might be elements of good within this vision, there are very big dangers that come with success. In Rev 3:14–21 Jesus confronts the danger of worldly success and offers something far more valuable and lasting. In a world of fleeting treasure, Jesus offers something that lasts forever.

In our chaotic world it is easy to become distracted from keeping the main thing the main thing. Work, leisure, family commitments, sport, can all pull our hearts and minds away from those things which are most important. In Revelation 2:1–7 we see a church in danger of spiritual drift. With the impact of their surroundings the Ephesians were in danger of losing their first love. In this letter, Jesus provides both encouragement and challenge to those, like the church at Ephesus, who are in danger of spiritual drift.