When Paul and Barnabas come to Antioch in Pisidia, the first place they take the gospel is the synagogue. This is in keeping with Paul’s belief that the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes; first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. This encounter in Antioch reveals several things about the gospel: It’s a fulfillment, it’s an offer of forgiveness and freedom, and it’s a fork in the road.

The gospel changes the world by changing people. In Antioch, we see the good news of Jesus transforming lives, forming communities that reflect Christ, and sending ordinary people into God’s mission.

God brings together diverse people through faith in Jesus and makes them a family.

How could the man who was the most ruthless enemy of the church become the most famous advocate for Jesus. The answer is: Jesus totally transforms him. And if Jesus can do that for Saul, he can do it for anyone.

In Israel, kings and priests were never the same person, but Psalm 110 says the Messiah is both. The king who sits on the throne is also the priest who brings you into his presence.

We may genuinely want to obey God, but wanting to obey and actually doing it are two different things. Psalm 40 shows us where to look when our obedience falls short.

We live in a turbulent, noisy, intimidating world, with people and nations clamoring for power and position. Sometimes we wonder if the world is going to be okay. But Psalm 2 gives us confidence that God has the whole world in his hands. His anointed King reigns over the nations!

Psalm 24 is a reflection on God as a King, and it points forward to Jesus as the king of glory. He ascends to the holy place and invites us to follow him. He is the way to God, the ruler over all things, and when he returns we will reign with him. 

Jesus is the man that Adam was made to be. He is the true human being. The good news about Jesus is not just that he saves us from our sins, but also that he restores our identity and purpose as humans.

We gain confidence in God by experiencing him personally. And that is possible because of the death and resurrection of Jesus. He is the holy one who did not see corruption. In Christ, we can say that God is our refuge and we will not be shaken.