Central to Christianity is the resurrection of Jesus. Without the resurrection of Jesus there is no ‘Gospel’ (good news) message. In this section of John, Jesus reveals his power, as well as his love, as he raises Lazarus back to life. His actions are not simply for Lazarus, however, they point to a future resurrection that all of God’s people will participate in.
Many people perceive that if there is a God that he must be indifferent or impotent to help us in the midst of our need. In this account in Mark 5, however, we get a picture of a God who deeply cares for us in the midst of our grief and loss. Jesus shows his authority over death and disease while at the same time demonstrating a tenderness for those struggling with the brokenness of the world.
In his parables Jesus calls upon the listeners to weigh up their response to him. Will we respond to Jesus in genuine faith, or trust in ourselves. In this section of Mark, we get another glimpse into the power and authority of Jesus as he demonstrates his power over creation. The disciples’ faith is tested, and found weak. In this miracle, Jesus reminds us why we can trust him. Because is powerful, wise, and kind.
In the early ministry of Jesus many people responded to his miracles, teaching, and demonstrations of power. Not all people, however, were embracing Jesus’s message of repentance, in fact many were now turning on Jesus. In Mark 4, Jesus teaches by way of parable, how different hearts respond to his truth.
In life there are many different associations, groups, clubs that we might identify with. Entrance into such societies is often based on status, who you know, or skill in ability. But how does one enter God’s community, his family? In this account in Mark 3, Jesus gives insight into who it is that is welcomed into God’s family, and how their entrance is achieved.
One of the most confronting yet compelling character traits of Jesus is his grace toward broken people. In Mark 2:13–17, Jesus extends grace to the most unlikely of people and in doing so reveals his surprising mission to the world. Jesus comes seeking imperfect, broken, and those traditionally viewed as outsider to be part of his family.
If you’ve ever been in a dire situation you know the feel of desperation. In our moments of deep need and uncertainty we often appropriately find consolation in running to Jesus. In this account in Mark 2:1–12 some individuals bring their desperate friend to meet Jesus. While they come with the hope of seeing their friend healed, their friend receives something far greater, he receives the forgiveness of God. In this account we are again reminded of the authority of Jesus, his purpose in coming, and are reminded of our need to respond to him in faith.
Jesus of Nazareth is the most compelling person in all of history. His influence continues to shape the world as over a billion people in the world identify with him in some form or another. But who was this man? What did he do? Why does he continue to exercise influence on the world 2,000 years after his birth? In Mark 1:1–13, we get an insight into who Jesus is from God’s angle. In this introduction the curtains are pulled back, and we are given a divine assessment of both Jesus’s character, as well as a hint toward his mission on earth.
Many people go through life with little or no direction. For many it feels like they are navigating the world in the dark. No knowing where they are going, or what direction to take. In John 9, Jesus heals a man who literally was going through life blind. Lacking physical vision, this man had a difficult life. In this context, however, Jesus brings light and clarity to this man and ultimately helps him not only see physically, but Jesus reveals himself so the blind man can see God. This chapter also warns of the reality that one can physically see Jesus, yet be blind spiritually.
We live in a world full of people who are unseen and injured by the brokenness of the world. People are lonely, hurting, feeling forgotten, and the natural question is, ‘does anyone care?’ We might even ask, ‘Does God care?’ In John 4 we have Jesus’ encounter with a vulnerable woman and we get a glimpse into God’s heart for the marginalised.
One of the great mysteries of life for many of us is discerning God’s plans for our lives. What should I do for work? Should I get married? Where should I live? In all of these decisions, how do we know what God wants? In this message we explore practical ways in which we can know and discern God’s will for our lives.
Christmas gifts are sometimes good, sometimes bad, but rarely long-lasting. God’s gift at Christmas is that which truly satisfies.
A large part of life involves waiting. We wait for appointments. We wait for public transport. We wait for text messages and emails. Some of us wait well, for others of us, however, waiting produces anxiety and concern. As God’s people, we wait patiently for the day of the Lord when he will with finality makes all things news as he returns to bring both judgment as well as salvation. But that time hasn’t come yet. We still wait. But how do we wait well? How do we live in light of the future certain coming day of the Lord? 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 helps us to think through how we live now, in light of the not yet.
Death is something that everyone of us will face head on. Since Adam’s fall from grace in the garden of Eden, every person since have felt the pang of death. Even as followers of Jesus we still face the reality that death has sting. Death is an intrusion, a robber, a dark cloud that hovers over life. As followers of Jesus, however, there is hope beyond the grave. In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul reveals truth about life beyond the grave. Paul looks forward in history to the return of Jesus and reveals truth that gives us hope, even in the midst of death.
For many people the local church has often been perceived as a place of either irrelevance, suspicion, or hypocrisy. Full of imperfect people, the church has always had, and will continue to be a community where people struggle through life together, imperfectly. But under God, the church can actually thrive as it submits to Jesus’s Lordship. But what does a healthy church actually look like? When a church is doing and being what God has called it to do and be, what does it look like? In 1 Thessalonians 1 we get a snapshot of a young yet healthy church that challenges us to think about our own spiritual health.
When it comes to life there are many worries we all face. Not the least of these worries is financial security. Money now, just as in Jesus’s day, can cause us significant stress while at the same time providing great opportunity to see God at work. In his teaching in Luke 12 Jesus offers us a way forward beyond the grip of worry as he reminds us of our heavenly Father’s generosity.
We live in a world that is increasingly busy. Screen time, work, study, and a thousand other things keep us moving from morning to night. In the busyness of everyday life we can forget about our God given purposes and responsibility. Yet with the appearing of Jesus we will all give an account for the use of our time, talents, and treasure. In Matthew 25:14–30 we have a parable challenging us on how to maximize our opportunities and God-given responsibilities.
Money is one of those subjects that many Christians feel awkward talking about. Some traditions seem to make too much of money so other traditions respond by saying nothing at all. With this in mind, how should we think about money? In 2 Corinthians 9 Paul addresses the issue of wealth head on by addressing how the disciple of Jesus should think and act in regard to money.
Central to the Christian faith is the death and resurrection of Jesus. Knowing the centrality of his work on the cross, Jesus established the practice of the Lord’s supper as a perpetual reminder of God’s love for us. In the Lord’s supper we celebrate, remember, affirm, and reflect on God’s kindness to us. In 1 Cor 11 the apostle Paul helps us focus on the significance of this sacred meal in the life of the Christian life.
