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Pentecost was the beginning of the church after Christ had ascended into heaven. Jesus had promised, during his earthly ministry, that he would leave, but that he would send the Comforter. He would send the Holy Spirit. And it was at that moment during Pentecost where the Holy... Read More →

If Paul is famous for his contrast of flesh and spirit, he is also famous for the key words he uses that go with them both. He speaks of the works of the flesh, but the fruit of the Spirit. Compare artificial Christmas trees with ordinary but real fruit trees in an orchard. The... Read More →

For Paul the Galatian controversy isn’t a matter of people choosing one religious option or another, finding a way forward on a spiritual journey; it’s a matter of truth. If it is true that the Messiah has died and been raised, then this in turn establishes a network of truth... Read More →

The Galatian Christians have come out of the “Egypt” of idolatry, of worshiping false gods. They have been set free, redeemed by the personal action of the one true God in his Son and his Spirit (Galatians 4:4-7). Now it seems they have had a look at the wide and worrying world... Read More →

Paul pictures the Mosaic Law in the role of a babysitter until Israel should grow up. So Paul now asks the Galatians, do you want to go back to being a child, when you could be grown up? Do you want to go back to being a slave, when you could be free? Read More →

Beginning again from scratch to learn who you are is a strange idea for most of us. It is precisely what people who have suffered severe memory loss need to do. It is what people who have suffered other kinds of loss also need to do: the refugee without home, country or family is... Read More →

Imagine that you are in central south Turkey during the reign of the Roman emperor Claudius. Most in the tow n worship one or other of the local gods or goddesses.And into this town has come a funny little Jew called Paul. According to Paul, there is one God, the world’s creator,... Read More →

Jesus is risen! He is risen indeed! We celebrate Easter because it is a part of the redemptive plan of mankind. It is cause for celebration because the rising of Jesus proves that He is the Son of God. So, we take confidence, if we are believers, because we have the same power... Read More →

Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem signaled the start of the last week of His earthly ministry. In a few days’ time He would be betrayed, scourged, mocked, and nailed to the cross to die — only to rise again on the third day after His death. This week is... Read More →

Jesus is the great Teacher and He teaches us about God’s heart for the lost.  In Rembrandt’s famous painting “The Return of the Prodigal Son” he focuses on the father’s younger son in Jesus’ parable. But by composition and lighting, the artist causes us rightfully to focus on the... Read More →