Paul is defending the physical bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead by drawing from the promises and prophesies of the Old Testament Scriptures and convincing circumstantial evidence from recorded history. He also teaches that the Gospel is mediated on the basis of God’s grace alone as even a person like him who persecuted the church is saved by it. The Gospel once received through grace should permeate all areas of the believer’s life.

Today, as we seek to answer the question, "Does prayer change things?", we are going to do that by asking and answering three further questions:

As we look to a new year, with the opportunities to get ahead and make this year better than the last, there will be no moving forward unless we build our lives upon the solid foundation of God, which the Lord’s Supper helps us do.

The birth of a King, as you have never seen or heard before...

Have you had an experience so transcendent that it leaves you profoundly content that there is nothing more in this world you could possibly want? Simeon had this experience when he laid eyes on the baby Jesus. We can also have this experience as we behold Jesus, our salvation.

Zachariah had faith in God's promise, and this brought joy to his community. In Luke chapter 1, we also see Mary's apprehension and fear eased by Elizabeth, who shares her joy in God's faithfulness and love.

Mary shows us what it looks like to wait on God well, trusting His promises.

The Christian life is patterned on Jesus’ own suffering before glory. Just as Jesus was persecuted, his followers will be too. But God has given us helps to persevere in the face of opposition.

Christ’s suffering causes us to live for God’s will, not our own.

God calls us to submit to authorities as citizens, servants and spouses, to display his glory.