As we draw near to Christmas, we are reminded of the peace and light that was promised to us in the coming of Jesus. While at times in this world there is struggle and darkness, the promised coming of Jesus tells us that those who are joined to Jesus by faith have peace with God and will one day live without struggle. Peter explains.

As humans we are so prone to try to justify ourselves, to earn our place. But the bible teaches us that actually, no-one can be made acceptable in God's sight by doing good things. It is made especially clear in Romans 3, as John explains.

At the start of the book of Romans, Paul is making it very clear for his readers that righteousness that depends on human effort cannot make us right with God. Before we can take hold of the gospel, we need to let go of self righteousness. Peter explains.

Earlier in Romans, Paul showed the way that those who reject God and his laws are given over to their own sin. In chapter two Paul makes it clear that those who trust in themselves and their own goodness don't please God either. Everyone, the religious and irreligious, the Jew and the Greek, need the gospel of grace. Peter explains.

While it is not popular or always received enthusiastically today, Paul's explanation of the gospel starts with bad news. Like a doctor giving a diagnosis, Paul explains the need we all have for Christ. Peter Explains.

We took a brief break from our series in Romans to consider what love really looks like. Paul describes love in 1 Corinthians 13, and we used this lense to consider the love of God in Christ.

There are aspects of the gospel that are looked down upon today, just as in first century. In Romans 1:16-17 Paul gives a clear summary of why he is not ashamed of the gospel, and the reasons are still true for us today. John explains.

Individualism is the default mode of thinking in the west today. We have a tendency to see ourselves more as individuals than as members of a group. While the gospel is personal, it is not individualistic. We see in Romans 1 that the Gospel works in community. John explains.

This week Peter delved into 1 John 4, where we are reminded of what God's love is really like.

This morning Sam Duthie preached for us. Sam is the pastor of the grace church in Gore. Leviticus can often be skipped over as a book that is difficult to understand or irrelevant. But Leviticus is a part of the word of God, and is helpful for us today. It answers the question: How can a holy God dwell with his people? Sam explains from Leviticus 1.