Christ at the heart of Christmas

This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloth and lying in a manger.

Blessing in Suffering

We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

My dear children

My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,  how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

No Sweat

For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us

Yet so close

Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Standing

Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. 

Justification by Faith

For I know that I am not justified by works, but by faith in Jesus Christ, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Fear of man

When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.

Keep one foot in the water

Galatians is often like a good marinade, slowly transforming hard hearts to soft, gospel centred hearts. Join us as we gaze on the wonder of the gospel and trust in the life changing power of grace.

We are a gospel people

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!

The call on 3ci

With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.

Anchored to the promises of God

And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today.

Anything can happen at any time

Default

Adequate Gospel

Taking the Gospel all the way home

So that

God did this breathtaking, majestic creation, so that we would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, for he is not far from any one of us.

Open your heart

One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.

Invitation to a transformed life

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Son of Encouragement

When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.

Live Christ

We’re not lone rangers. We live Christ together, we live Christ at home and we open our homes. We don’t take the easy way out. We Live Christ through what we do every day. For to me, to Live is Christ, and to die is gain

Cut out the noise

Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, "Tabitha, get up." 

The walk of the cross

Morning by morning, I lay the pieces of my life on Your altar, waiting for the fire to fall. Here I am, your invited guest, waiting for directions to get through enemy lines.

Outside - Inside

Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."

Who are you, Lord?

‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting’... And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’...

Living in victory

So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. 

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

But the word of God continued to increase and spread.

Crushed and cut

As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”

Happy Father’s day

“Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

Born to be bold

Grant that your servants may speak your word with all boldness...

When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God boldly.

Silver and Gold have I none

Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.

The gasp of Grace

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

What do you do when the rooster crows for you?

He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

Fellowship with the Holy Spirit

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

The New Covenant

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God“

Why does this surprise you?

Jesus, the hidden manna.

Secrets of the Psalmist

Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

The Canvas

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.

Anything Anything

"Aren't all these who are speaking Galileans?  Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt, Libya near Cyrene, Rome both Jews and converts to Judaism; Cretans and Arabs--we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!"

My Spirit

In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of God is the place where Jesus rules without rival and throws open the floodgates of heaven.  A place where anything can happen.

Anything can happen

What does it look like to come face to face with the risen Christ?

Friday, bloody Friday

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Jesus teaches about Prayer

So when we say “Hallowed be your name”, we’re asking: “Cause Your name to be HOLY,” We cannot make His name Holy, it is already Holy, Cause it to be Holy over me “Cause Your name to be SANCTIFIED.” 

The Voice of the Lord in the storm

Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you!

Hallowed Be Your Name

God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.

Unequipped and willing

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Celebrating the lost

But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

Who is sitting at your table?

‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ 

Feast like the Father

The church was the only community where you would find a servant greeting his master with a holy kiss, because they lived free from prejudice arising from social distinctions, discrimination against the poor and partiality toward the well-to-do. Instead, in the church, masters and servants, young and old, sinful and saintly all stand equal at the cross.

The power of a peck of salt

God invites us to feast at His table, revelling in His faithfulness, rather than wandering on our own, making our way through valleys alone. Which table will you sit at this year.

Lessons from the life of Elijah

City Celebration with Terry Virgo

Pursuing God in prayer

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Grace and disgrace

Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Welcome to the table

The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’