At first glance, this passage seems like a travel log. But beneath it lies a picture of faithful, persevering ministry of encouragement. As Paul meets believers possibly for the last time, he strengthens them, raises the weary, and presses on with urgency toward the next step in God’s mission. This is what gospel work often looks like: steady, sacrificial, purposeful, encouraging. Will we encourage others and keep going?
When the gospel goes out, it does not leave lives unchanged. It calls people to turn from their old lives and worship Jesus alone. In Acts 19, the preaching of Jesus turns a city upside down. Idols are exposed, profits are threatened, and the whole city erupts in chaos. When the gospel challenges what people worship, opposition is inevitable. The question is: Will we stand firm in proclaiming Jesus when it puts us at odds with the world?
When the disciples first heard that Jesus had risen from the dead, they struggled to believe it. Even Thomas insisted that he needed to see the evidence for himself. But when the risen Jesus appeared, doubt gave way to faith. Join us as we reflect on these events written by Jesus' own disciple John so that we too might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing we might have life in his name.
Have you ever felt that you failed Jesus? Have you ever felt that by what you said or did, you really let him down? Could Jesus really love someone like me? If that is you, then this passage ought to be of enormous relief. Here, John puts side-by-side the failure of Peter and the faithfulness of Jesus. Through that, we’re invited to a greater understanding of the cross, where Jesus suffered in our place.
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds celebrated him as king. But they did not fully understand the kind of king he was. In this passage, Jesus reveals that the path to glory is the path of the cross. Like a seed that must die in order to produce life, Jesus must lay down his life to bring salvation to the world. And those who follow him must be willing to lose their lives for his sake.
Has God rejected his people, Israel? Or will God be faithful to his promises? In Romans 11, Paul shows us how Israel and the nations fit into God’s unfolding plan for the world. We are assured that God is utterly faithful and always keeps his promises. He can truly be trusted to save, and we can worship him in awe of his sovereignty and wisdom. Join us as we consider the future of Israel and what that means for us today.
Must people believe in Jesus to be saved? What about people who have never heard about Jesus? What about people who are sincere in their religion and striving to live good lives? Do all paths lead to God, or does truth matter more than sincerity? Romans 9:30–10:21 shows us why faith in Jesus really matters and why sharing the message about him is so important. Join us as we explore these important questions and what they mean for our faith and witness.
Romans 9 begins with anguish, not abstraction. Paul grieves deeply over Israel’s unbelief, yet insists that God’s word has not failed. In this passage, we are confronted with the sovereign freedom of God in salvation. God’s mercy is not earned by effort, lineage, or works, but flows from his gracious will alone. These truths humble us and lead us to deep thankfulness for God’s unfailing mercy and purpose.
For most of us, our family is our most treasured relationship. We honour our parents and cherish our children above everything else. But what happens when loyalty to Jesus collides with loyalty to family? In Matthew 10:34–42, Jesus challenges us to reconsider our priorities. He demands our highest love and allegiance, even above our family. He calls us to put him first, even when it is costly. Join us this Sunday, as we consider Jesus’ challenging call and why he is worthy of all our love.
More often than not, Jesus sends us as witnesses to those who are uninterested or resistant to the gospel. Facing such an audience is sometimes scary, other times dangerous. But in Matthew 10:16-33, Jesus knows what it will be like and he equips us to be wise and fearless in mission, trusting the Father’s authority and care.
