Paul argues that at the very core of the purpose of God is the concept of election, of God calling out select people to bear His name (Acts 15:14). The purpose of God must needs be selective. If all were called and all were chosen none would seek to give Him glory by manifesting His character, there…
Holding On to Our Calling – Romans 9 Read More »
This exhortation, given by Brother Michael Owen (UK) at the Adelaide Combined Weekend (October 18), was enjoyed by the 1200 brethren and sisters attending. Under the weekend theme of “Learning from the Master – Building Christ-Centred Ecclesias” the exhortation highlighted the significance of …
“This is My Body, Given for You” Read More »
The lovingkindness of God
It has been said that the Psalms are the hymn book of ancient Israel and the words are the lyrics sung in worship by God’s people. Some are shouts of joy and praise, others songs of lament. This psalm tells the story of Israel and is a testimony to our God, our Redeemer….
The Four Cameos of Our Lives – Psalm 107 Read More »
As we all appreciate, the saving grace of God depends on the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (Rom 5:10). Yes, the resurrection saves us, bro…
“If one died for all then were all dead” 2 Corinthians 5 Read More »
Our hearing and obedience of the Word of God is always put to the test. For King Saul this was no different. No sooner had he been made king when along came some tough situations calling for clear decision making. How would he react? In whom would he trust? Who would he go to for advice if he was in…
Listening and Obeying – 1 Samuel 15 Read More »
We often hear the expression, “seeing is believing” but as we’ll see from a consideration of John 9, the opposite is also true, “believing is seeing!”
We read, “And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man who was blind from his birth” (v1). That blind man couldn’t have seen Jesus. He wou…
Believing is Seeing Read More »
What would you do if you had $20,000,000? Would you go on a spending spree and buy all the things that you’d thought you’d never be able to afford? Or would you perhaps splash out a bit to celebrate, but then save the rest or invest it in some form or other? If you found yourself in possession o…
A 20 Million Dollar Question! Read More »
Galatians is one of the Apostle Paul’s earliest writings. Even in those early days of the ecclesial world there was a need for him to combat some seriously wrong thinking. He admonishes them with some rather stern words, “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the t…
The gospel records all take us to an upper room in Jerusalem on the night before Christ died, and to a meal and an evening that he shared with his disciples.
Week by week and day by day
As an ecclesia, week by week we re-enact parts of that meal and evening when we gather together to remember …
In an Upper Room with Christ Read More »
“I gave my back to the smiters”
When we partake of bread and wine each week we are asked to remember the Lord’s sacrifice – as his words direct us in Luke 22:19. The Apostle Paul adds the words, “let a man examine himself” as we partake of the emblems (1 Cor 11:28). This involves, among…
The Lord’s Suffering – Psalm 22 Read More »
