God unveils the details of the who, what, how and when of his promised rescue plan. In the process, we see a model response from Mary - one who takes God at his word, and responds in praise.
By flagging that the end of all things is near, Peter gives a glimpse of what life can look like in the meantime while we wait. First he outlines how our relationships are to be other-person centred. Then, he describes how Jesus still cares for his church.
Deep down, we’re all afraid of something. But Peter writes to assure us that in Jesus, we’ve got nothing to fear - even if we get harmed for doing good.
The call of 1 Peter is to live such good lives to a watching world. This can be displayed in our relationship with authorities, between slaves and masters and with an unbelieving spouse.
Peter challenges us that because we are different thanks to Jesus, we’re to live differently. Specifically, how we hope is different, how we live is different and how we love is different.
Putting God first part is a non-negotiable for a follower of Jesus. But we all know it's easier said than done. Haggai helps us hear the importance of this again with clarity and urgency - that God is to be loved first and He’s to be loved best!
Loving others well is difficult. Every day we either fall into old unloving behaviours or we make completely new mistakes in how we treat others. 3 John is God’s call for us to have a love for others that is grounded in the truth, is consistent and is incredibly practical.
For any church the challenge is to love the truth and love others. 2 John wants to say that we can love others by guarding the truth
Throughout the book of Revelation we have been reminded that history is moving to God’s grand purpose. In Rev 21–22 we get the final chapters in God’s big story and it culminates with God ushering in his new creation, heaven. But what is heaven like? Why is it something that should give up hope now? In this passage we will explore what God’s coming kingdom entails and why it is good news.
Revelation 20 contains a warning, an encouragement and a confronting reality. Which book will your name be found in?
With another picture of God’s final judgment, there’s another sobering reality. The call in this picture is to repent!
We are in the midst of a cosmic spiritual battle. Rev 12-14 not only names our enemy, but also prepares us for his tactics. In the end, by knowing our enemy, and being aware of his schemes, there’s a call for patient endurance and being loyal to the Lamb.
God’s sobering end for this world will be no match for God’s seal and security for his people.
There are two songs that appear in Revelation 4 and 5. One is the hymn of creation, the other the anthem of salvation. Both underline that God is in control.
In Revelation 3, we meet three churches for whom the challenge isn’t so much external, but internal. A challenge to look less and less like the world, and more and more like Jesus.
Jesus could have written to seven nations, seven companies, seven schools. But instead, he chose to address seven churches. In pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of each church, it’s a clear statement: No one loves the church more than Jesus!
Revelation 1 presents an awesome Jesus. He is the who we can respond to in awe, in worship and with great comfort.