We continue through the rest of 2 Corinthians 3 this week where Paul highlights the surpassing glory and the permanence of the new covenant, of which he has been called and commissioned to be a minister. It is the sure hope of the new covenant in Christ that gives Paul confidence and boldness in proclaiming the gospel, even in his own weakness and with much opposition. Paul beheld the glory of the Lord on one occasion, on the Damascus Road, and was blinded! Now, by faith, he beholds the glory of the Lord, and sees, more clearly than ever before, […]

Having spoken much of ‘comfort’ early in his letter, and then defending his change of plans to visit them on his way to Macedonia, Paul now writes much of ‘pain’ as he explains the main reason why Paul chose not to visit the Corinthian believers. He did not want to cause the Corinthians any further pain. Even though his letter may cause them some pain, a visit in the current circumstances would cause much more. And so, he writes to them, out of his own pain – ‘out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears’. The […]

The Scriptures make it very clear that the promised Messiah would be king, and that his throne would be established forever. There was great hope and expectation regarding this king to come, as we see in the gospel accounts of Jesus’ birth. However, the coming of the Christ was a fearful and troubling event for many. He was a threat to those, such as Herod, who did not want to lose their own position of authority and so they plotted to be rid of him. Today there are many who rejoice in and worship Jesus Christ as King of kings. […]

In declaring that Jesus is our great high priest the writer of Hebrews is confirming the absolute necessity and adequacy of His role as our mediator before God. As Son of God who has fully entered our humanity and has suffered under temptation He can sympathize with our weaknesses, giving us great confidence to approach the throne of grace with all our need. More than that he has fully and finally ‘appeared at the end of the age to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.’ Only through this high priest can we have free and unrestricted access […]

This week Geoff Cottrell continues in our Advent series on ‘Jesus Christ: Prophet, Priest and King’ by looking more closely at ‘Jesus Christ: the Prophet’. He writes, “God speaks, and God’s words were spoken through the prophets throughout history. At the time of John the Baptist the prophets had been silent for over 400 years and yet there were some expectantly watching and waiting. In Acts 3:18 Peter said that all the prophets ‘spoke of these days’ and he preaches Jesus Christ the great prophet like unto Moses who holds this office for the restoration of all things. As we […]

      As Christmas draws near this year, we begin an Advent series titled, ‘Jesus Christ: Prophet, Priest and King’. ‘Christ’ is not Jesus’ surname, it is a title or office which means ‘Messiah’ or ‘Anointed One’. When the shepherds heard the angel announce,’to you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour who is Christ the Lord!’ they knew something about this ‘Christ’. They had heard of this one to come. They had been waiting for him. There was great expectations about this promised one to come – this Messiah… this Christ. And now the […]

As we conclude our series through Paul’s letter to the Galatians, ‘True Gospel:True Freedom’, Paul makes it crystal clear that there is only one thing that counts – a new creation. No deed of the flesh, or work of the law can ever contribute to our salvation. God’s welcoming acceptance of us into his family, as his holy and beloved children, is only ever on the basis of our being crucified with Christ. Through the cross, Paul says, “the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” To place our trust and hope in our own flesh […]

Paul declares in Galatians 5 that it is “for freedom Christ has set us free.” I wonder if any of us really know the true extent of this freedom? We need to hear this gospel truth today, as much as the Galatians did in their day. Paul goes on to exhort us not to lose our freedom, but to protect it, by standing firm in the grace of God and not submitting to the demands of the law in regards to our righteousness. He also instructs us not to abuse our freedom, by willfully and presumptuously succumbing to the desires […]

John Calvert continues our ‘True Gospel : True Freedom’ series through Galatains this week, looking at Galatians 4:8-20. He writes, “Paul’s initial message of Christ and His salvation to the Galatians was without any Jewish ceremonial or legal requirements. The Galatians were pagan Gentiles and slavishly worshipped false gods. In knowing the one true God through Jesus Christ His only Son they had come into the delight of love and grace. But now, as in 1:6 & 7, they are captivated by the false words of legalism and returning to the worthless demands of religious imprisonment. Paul pleads with them, […]

Last week we heard that it is those of faith who are sons of Abraham, and these are blessed and justified along with Abraham by faith. This week we hear Paul present the ‘other side’ of the coin – if it is by faith we are blessed, to rely on works of the law only serves to place us under a curse. In fact, Paul tells us no one is justified before God by the law, for ‘the righteous shall live by faith.’ Addressing the Galatians, Paul is still responding to his earlier question – a question still relevant for […]