Pursuing Peace

We live in a culture that values personal rights, and exercising personal rights, even at the expense of others. The gospel creates a different community where our responsibility toward others comes before our own rights. This is the basis for a deep unity that can exist even where there is diversity.

When Opinions Collide

The gospel brings together people from different backgrounds, cultures and traditions. Therefore, not every believer will think the same way on every matter: e.g. views on politics, health, climate change, schooling, music—to name a few. How can we maintain unity when our opinions collide? 

Love & Light

The resurrection of Jesus is the dawning of the age to come. His return will bring it in its fulness. Therefore, those who belong to him live in the present age, yet belong to the age to come. How does this shape the way we live in our society today? What obligations do we have to those around us?

The Government

In Australia it’s common to have a very cynical view of politicians and government. This can take the form of apathy and ignorance, or even out-right rebellion. But what difference does the gospel make to our relationship with governing authorities?

Genuine Love

The gospel is about God's love for us while we were his enemies. In response to receiving God's love, we are called to demonstrate 'genuine' love to others. This passage teaches us how to show genuine love toward those inside and outside the church, and even toward those who are against us.

Belonging to the Body

To belong to Christ is to belong to his body, the church. But for those who live in an individualistic, consumerist culture, this is not as intuitive as we might think. We need to let the gospel reshape our thinking about who we are, where we belong in the body, and what function we have.

Gospel-shaped Life

The gospel is the good news that Jesus is Lord and Saviour, and that by trusting in him we receive salvation as a gift of grace. What difference will believing this make to our lives? This passage gives an incredible summary of the pattern, the purpose and the power of a distinctly gospel-shaped life.

God’s Plan for Israel

Given that so many Jews rejected Jesus as the Messiah, it looked like God had given up on them and moved his focus to the Gentiles. But God still has some big plans for people from Israel. This passage presents the pattern, the picture and the puzzle of God’s plan.

The Remnant

Historically the people of Israel were God’s people. But so many from Israel have rejected the Messiah. Has God therefore rejected his people? Paul answers that question in this passage. He gives a personal answer, a biblical answer and a sobering answer.

Confessing Christ

Paul continues to explore why some people believe the gospel and others don’t. Here we see that many people wrongly assume that the way to get right with God is by keeping the demands of his law. But the good news is that righteousness is not gained by our efforts, but by God’s provision in Christ.