Paul here encourages the committed band of believers in Philippi to grow in love, truth and wisdom. This is a non-negotiable duty, at the bare minimum- but like all duties, we find joy in doing them and see benefits for ourselves, for others and for our activity for God.

New Road Church

The Necessity of Growth

In this opening greeting of Paul and Timothy's, we can draw out principles about the set-up of the local congregations- its government, its relationship with other churches, and the spiritual benefits received from God which we are then to display towards other believers.

The Local Church

In this parable of the kind Samaritan, there's an obvious message about being charitable and compassionate. At that level, it's a moral lesson for believers and unbelievers alike.--The better lesson for us is in thinking what the story reminds us of in terms of the gospel. At each stage of the story, we can see reflections of how Jesus deals with broken sinners.

Christ: our Good Samaritan

As we finish our look at the story of Jonah the prophet, we hear his confession. It's in the form of a complaint, but it's good- He says how God is gracious, patient and loving. This week, we examine these magnificent attributes of God and show their relevance both to those who have been adopted into God's family and those who think they're okay without him. We see how God dispenses salvation to whoever he wants, and he deliberately denies it to some in order to show angels and men his holy hatred for sin. Finally, there's an encouragement for Christians to remember their heavenly father sends both blessing and suffering into their lives, but that it's always done for their good.

Jonah's Great Confession

Jonah started preaching. The message was pretty much the same as that which Christians proclaim today- -You're in danger because of your sin. Surrender or die.- Today, that message is stupidly ignored. But on that day in Ninevah, the entire city repented.--Now, we tell people their surrender to God is through trusting in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. And despite the apparently poor response, God is still bringing his elect people into his holy Zion, the church of God.--We also explain the sense in which God -repents- of evil.

Repentance

The second chapter of this book is a prayer of Jonah's from within the sea creature. He acknowledges he was about to drown before God saved him. The prayer isn't a model one-Jonah doesn't confess his sin, for example-but it is thoroughly scriptural. He paraphrases lines from the Psalms. It teaches us about the usefulness of including Bible references in our prayers -although we should never imply they're required in a -proper- prayer-- The climax to the prayer is this lofty confession- salvation is of God. To that we add that salvation is ALL of God. Even the very repentance and faith by which we first seek conversion is given by him. He gets all the glory.

Lord of Salvation

We revisit the famous story of the prophet who disobeyed God but was eventually used to bring about one of the biggest acts of mass repentance in history. Jonah's rebellion resulted in him being in a severe storm at sea and his being thrown overboard. Had God not appointed a large sea creature to swallow him, he'd have drowned. He was kept alive there because God was determined he should preach to the wicked city of Ninevah. In this message, we see the greatness of God and why he should be feared by all.

A Great God

As we come to the end of Mark's account of the life of Jesus, we consider his exit from this world. Before he goes home, he both criticizes unbelief and encourages his followers to spread the gospel message.

Ascension Day

Twelve reasons for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Proto Resurrection

We all know what a veil is- it covers something.--All the fullness of the Godhead was in Jesus, but the Bible says Christ's flesh was a kind of veil because it masked his glory.--The high priest used to go through the veil of the temple into the -holy of holies- to offer up a sacrifice to God for the people's sins. Similarly, Jesus left heaven, went through the veil of his flesh and entered the real holy of holies- heaven itself. And he did that to offer himself.--At the moment Jesus died, the veil in the temple was torn. It symbolised how Christ had removed the barrier that existed, opening the way for people to have a truly intimate relationship with God. All who throw themselves on the mercy of God and accept Christ as their saviour have this special access to God.--We note secondarily how the tearing of the temple veil continued the anti-temple motif of Mark's gospel. Temple Judaism would soon be destroyed.

The Veil of Christ's Flesh

-My God, my God, why have you abandoned me-- Jesus shouts from the cross. It's a genuine cry of anguish. His father abandoned him because he cannot look on sin. Why then did he plan for his own Son to become the embodiment of sin and have to be treated this way- For this reason- to save his elect people from their sins.--Mark may have been inclined to exclude a detail which could cause difficulties, but the Holy Spirit saw to its inclusion. It's awkward theologically because it hints at a fracture within the godhead. Instead, we propose the human nature of Jesus refused the comfort of his divine natuire, and it's in that state he expresses his tormented loneliness.--We see too how, even in the midst of this darkness of sky and of soul, Jesus still has trust in God and knows he shall be delivered when the punishment is over.

The Abandonment

There were many temptations for Jesus in his experience at Calvary. The temptation to end his suffering and call on legions of angels to come and wipe out his enemies, for example.--But he chose to stay on the cross instead. And we thank God he did- Had he saved himself, there would be no atonement and no salvation for his elect people.--He came to do the will of God. And this obedience, together with his love, drove him to complete the sacrifice. He chose not to save himself so he could save others.

He Could Not Save Himself

Jesus is tortured and crucified. But the believer who has a heavenly perspective sees behind the picture a king. Not just any king, but the one who rules all the others.--Mark's gospel account presents these incredible contrasts, and none is more stark than the King of glory, the Creator of the world, hanging as a bloodied mess on a tree, the crowds insulting him.--But this was his mission-to die as a substitute for others. And having risen from the dead, he now rules the world, gathering in his people and mediating between them and God.

The Crucified King

Jesus has been brought before the Roman legate, Pontius Pilate. The Jewish leaders are accusing him of many things, hoping he'll receive the death sentence.--A tradition was in place in Jerusalem. At the Passover feast, Pilate would release a Jewish prisoner of their choosing. The choice should be easy- Barabbas is a robber and murderer- Jesus is innocent, and even Pilate can see their charges are malicious. Curiously, the crowd end up demanding the criminal is released but Jesus executed.--There's a great picture given to us here. As criminals in God's eyes, we deserve the death penalty. Yet like Barabbas, we get to go free while an innocent man dies. This subsitution is the very heart of the gospel.

The Great Substitution

The betrayal takes place, as predicted by Jesus, and he's arrested.--He remains quiet during his preliminary hearing by the Sanhedrin...until it was time to speak. He makes this shocking announcement- he is the Christ, the Son of God, and they'll soon see the fallout from his exaltation to God's right hand.--The imagery he uses-coming in the clouds in power-is a picture of heavenly exaltation of Jesus to his position as equal and as one with God Almighty. All they'd experience within a few short years is the sound of approaching Roman forces as they carry out their God-ordained mission to smash Jerusalem to bits.--Today though, the judge of all mankind is physically and verbally abused. The only truly sinless person in the room has been found guilty by everyone else---Downstairs in the coutrtyard, Peter experiences his own trial. He's accused of being a follower of -the Nazarene-. The difference with his -trial- is they were right- Peter denies it, of course, fulfilling Jesus's prediction.--There are lessons here for everyone. Sinful men and women should fear the coming judgement. Believers. though, should identify with Jesus, not observe the battle from a safe distance. They should take courage from Jesus's example and throw themselves in with all prayer.

The Messiah on Trial

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