The Gospel comes to us as "the revelation of the mystery" (Romans 16:25). The Gospel is revelation. The Gospel is mystery. The Good News of God's love has been revealed to us. We rejoice in His love for us. The Gospel remains a mystery. It is beyond our limited understanding. We cannot take it all …
Month: October 2022
“Restore us again … Will you not revive us again … ?”
Jonah 1:1-4:11; Romans 2:1-16; Psalm 85:1-7 In Nineveh, God works in mighty power. “Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry” (Jonah 3:10-4:1). To this proud attitude, God says, “You ... have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else” (Romans 2:1). He calls for a change of attitude: “Do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness ... …
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Called by name, called by the Name of the living God
1 Chronicles 1:1-2:17; Romans 9:22-10:4; Psalm 89:14-18 So many names! We have names. We are called by name. God calls us His people, “sons of the living God” (Romans 9:25-26). He gives us His own Name. We are in Christ. We “rejoice In His Name all day long” (Psalm 89:16). 1 Chronicles 2:18-4:8; Romans 10:5-11:10; Proverbs …
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Numbers 28:1-31
The sacrifices, offered to God, were to be 'a pleasing odour' to Him (2,6,8,13,24,27). These sacrifices are no longer required. A greater Sacrifice has been offered and accepted. Jesus Christ, God's Son, has offered Himself as a Sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 9:23-26). This Sacrifice is 'a pleasing odour' to God. It is 'good news' for …
How important it is to make a covenant to be the Lord’s people
2 Kings 10:1-11:21; Acts 24:1-27; Psalm 80:8-19 How important it is to make a covenant to be the Lord’s people (2 Kings 11:17). In our faithfulness to God, we “believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets” (Acts 24:14). We do, however, move beyond this to the fulfilment of …
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Christlike in life, Christlike in death
Acts 6:8-8:3 In life and death, Stephen was Christlike. In life and death, he made a great impact. In life, we see him, 'full of grace and power', doing 'great wonders and signs among the people'. People noticed that 'his face was like the face of an angel'. Even his enemies took notice of him. …
In Jesus’ miracles, we see Him triumph over sin, death and hell.
Matthew 9.18-38 In Jesus' miracles, we see Him triumphing over sin, death and hell. As well as healing, there is forgiveness (9:5-6), the raising of the dead (18,24-25) and the casting out of demons (33). The Pharisees (Jewish religious leaders) did not like what was happening, and they came up with their own explanation - …
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You cannot live the Christian life until Christ comes to live in you.
John 14:15-15:17 Those who love the Lord are called to a life of obedience - keeping His 'commandments', keeping His 'Word' (21,23). We cannot live this life in our own strength. Christ must make His home in us (23). Once He has come to live in us, we are to abide in Him (4). Jesus …
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Words of triumph …
John 19:17-20:10 'It is finished' (30). These are not words of despair. They are words of triumph. At an early stage in His public ministry, Jesus said, 'My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me to finish His work' (4:34). Even then, He was looking ahead to the Cross, to the …