"In the Lord" are three very important words, as far as Paul is concerned. He begins to draw his letter to a close with a series of "rapid-fire challenges" for his readers - but each of them are challenges we can meet "in the Lord": 1. Stand Firm in the Lord 2. Agree in the Lord 3. Rejoice in the Lord 4. Peace in the Lord

The story of Sodom and Gomorrah's destruction is also the sad story of a believer's failures. Lot's legacy warns us against foolish decisions and worldly compromise. The destruction of his city reminds us that God is patient with, not absent from, our wicked world.

Paul was writing to believers in a proudly Roman city. To be a Roman citizen was a badge of honour. But here Paul reminds his readers that they have an even more wonderful citizenship - and what that citizenship should mean for their daily lives.

As God reveals his plans for Sodom to Abraham, we learn something of our role in a wicked world, and the need to persevere in prayer.

What does it mean to "press on" in the Christian faith? Paul says it takes maturity to think about this (3:15). Here we consider the evidence for a Christian growing in their faith.

The apostle Paul had more reasons than most to think that he could earn his own salvation: religious, zealous, a keeper of God's Law. But when he met the risen Jesus he realised that none of us can point to anything we have achieved to earn God's love. It is a gift to receive by faith. Here Paul outlines some of the great blessings that are ours if we trust in the righteousness of Jesus to save us.

Jesus once said that "Abraham rejoiced to see my day". There is a direct connection between the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and the covenant God made with Abraham here in Genesis 17. Here, we explore that connection.

Paul has described the humility and unity that he wants to see in the Philippian church. He has given them the supreme example of this in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ; now he gives them some examples of believers serving in the church in an exemplary way: Timothy and Epaphroditus.

After a spiritual highpoint in his walk with the Lord, Abram is back down to earth with a bump. Here, he and Sarai try to shortcut God's plan for their lives - and the results are almost disastrous. Thankfully, in our mess, God gives grace.