Encounter the Truth

One of the great surprises of the ministry of Jesus is the way in which people took offense at his gracious teaching. Here in these verses we see Jesus rejected, and John the Baptist beheaded. So we should not be surprised if the world around us rejects the good news of Jesus Christ.

One of the great surprises of the ministry of Jesus is the way in which people took offense at his gracious teaching. Here in these verses we see Jesus rejected, and John the Baptist beheaded. So we should not be surprised if the world around us rejects the good news of Jesus Christ.

There is no greater joy in the Christian life than living together in life-giving Christian community. There is no greater privilege in the Christian life than joining arms with brothers and sisters in the great work of the gospel. It is this privilege and joy that Paul models for us in his own networks of relationships – and then commends to each one of us.

There is no greater joy in the Christian life than living together in life-giving Christian community. There is no greater privilege in the Christian life than joining arms with brothers and sisters in the great work of the gospel. It is this privilege and joy that Paul models for us in his own networks of relationships – and then commends to each one of us.

What does it look like to live as those who represent Jesus Christ in the world? If we are his people, then we must learn to pray and walk and speak faithfully in his name, commending him and his gospel to the world in our everyday interactions.

What does it look like to live as those who represent Jesus Christ in the world? If we are his people, then we must learn to pray and walk and speak faithfully in his name, commending him and his gospel to the world in our everyday interactions.

Jesus Christ calls us to a radically counter-cultural way of life—and to a radically counter-cultural new community. Belonging to Jesus—and representing him—has profound practical implications for relationships within the home and the workplace. The challenges of this are great, but the benefits are profound, and the beauty is unparalleled in the world around us.

Jesus Christ calls us to a radically counter-cultural way of life—and to a radically counter-cultural new community. Belonging to Jesus—and representing him—has profound practical implications for relationships within the home and the workplace. The challenges of this are great, but the benefits are profound, and the beauty is unparalleled in the world around us.

In Christ, we are brought into a new kind of community—and called into a new way of relating to the people of God. These relationships are shaped by the gospel and enabled by God Himself. In these verses, Paul sets out a framework for healthy and life-giving Christian community. In an age where we see so much dysfunction within churches, here is a model we need to learn and a message we need to hear.

In Christ, we are brought into a new kind of community—and called into a new way of relating to the people of God. These relationships are shaped by the gospel and enabled by God Himself. In these verses, Paul sets out a framework for healthy and life-giving Christian community. In an age where we see so much dysfunction within churches, here is a model we need to learn and a message we need to hear.