In difficult and challenging times we can know that God is still at work and that he still loves us.

Every member of the church is given a spiritual gift. All are included and all are needed. We can show our love for one another by using our gifts to encourage, bless and build up others.

The resurrection of Jesus is rooted in history, grounded in Scripture and confirmed in experience.

Bartimaeus lived in darkness, but when he heard that Jesus was in the crowd, he ignored the discouraging voices around him and seized the moment making a specific request. He then responded by following Jesus. We too can come to Jesus for physical and spiritual healing. Nothing is impossible for God.

God's grace has brought salvation. If we accept it, we are saved, and we will be saved when he comes again; and while we wait, his grace teaches us to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives.

We are not following after the supernatural, but following Jesus. However, when we follow Jesus we can expect the supernatural.

We can learn from a person (Abraham) who patiently persevered and believed the promise from a powerful promise maker. This promise is an anchor for our soul, and we can press on because we have a picture of Jesus our perfect priest.

The disciples cannot understand how Jesus' death could be good news and so they find it difficult to believe and think he's going to become king at once. But the cross is good news because it is life changing. Jesus' death is not primarily an example, but a ransom to set us free.

Materialism and legalism about money are two dangers to avoid. Rather than either putting too high a value on wealth or considering wealth a bad thing, the real issue is regarding whom we worship. A life worshipping money leads to greed and dissatisfaction, whereas a life worshipping Jesus leads to generosity and contentment.

Jesus says that God's kingdom is like buried treasure or a pearl of great price. What God offers us is of great value, and we need to let go of the things we value in order to obtain it. But it is only when we see how much God values us and what he paid for us that we are able to do this.