Bart Byl on Luke 24:13-35.

After rising from the dead, Jesus explains to two discouraged disciples that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer before glory; then he reveals himself in the breaking of the bread. This revelation is a gift given to all disciples by our risen Master.. Only in personal and collective communion with Christ himself will our hearts burn within us.

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Tbilisi International Christian Fellowship is a Christ-centred family of believers in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Bart Byl on Luke 7:11–17.

Jesus arrives in Nain just as a shattered widow leads a funeral procession to the cemetery. With a touch and a word, he restores her son back to life. Like her, we're powerless against death. Our only hope is the Saviour who stands in its path to make it stop.

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Tbilisi International Christian Fellowship is a Christ-centred family of believers in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Bart Byl on 1 Samuel 17.

In one of the most famous stories in the Bible, David brings down the Philistine champion Goliath in single combat. Christ is our champion, the ‘man between’ who triumphs over the Enemy through the weakness of the cross. We are the fearful Israelites who rise with a shout to finish off the fleeing foe when we realize Christ has conquered.

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Tbilisi International Christian Fellowship is a Christ-centred family of believers in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Bart Byl on 1 Samuel 16.

God choose, anoints and grants the Spirit to the shepherd-boy David, whom Saul invites to court to soothe his tormented mind. David, of course, is the prototype of Christ: God’s chosen Messiah, who has received the Spirit without measure, drives out evil spirits, and blesses his enemies. His future is ours.

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Tbilisi International Christian Fellowship is a Christ-centred family of believers in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Bart Byl on Galatians 2:20.

The Apostle Paul went further in mission, deeper in theology, and higher in spiritual experience than any other follower of Christ ever has. Yet what he gloried in was that the Son of God loved him and gave himself for him. This is the secret of everyone who has grown strong in God: joyful faith in the self-giving love of Jesus.

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Tbilisi International Christian Fellowship is a Christ-centred family of believers in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Bart Byl on 1 Samuel 14.

King Saul was concerned about ritual correctness but lacked a true heart of devotion to God. But his son Jonathan was a worshipper whose vision of the greatness of God inspired him to risk his life to save Israel from the Philistines.

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Tbilisi International Christian Fellowship is a Christ-centred family of believers in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Bart Byl on 1 Samuel 13.

Saul forfeits his dynasty because he is more concerned about immediate military necessity than obeying God’s command to wait for Samuel. 

Outward religious obedience is not enough: God cares about inner hearts submitted and waiting on him.

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Tbilisi International Christian Fellowship is a Christ-centred family of believers in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Bart Byl on 1 Samuel 12.

Old Samuel exhorts the Israelites to remain faithful to their covenant God as they transition to the kingship. Down the centuries, each generation must choose to be faithful to God or to wander away. But only Christ can empower faithless people to truly live for God.

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Tbilisi International Christian Fellowship is a Christ-centred family of believers in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Bart Byl on 1 Samuel 10:17-11:15.

Saul may have been privately anointed by Samuel, but to be crowned he must save Jabesh Gilead from Nahash, the snake-king of the Ammonites. Jesus, too, will earn his crown by saving his people from the Serpent. He exercises his triumph in magnanimous mercy as his people celebrate and feast before the LORD.

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Tbilisi International Christian Fellowship is a Christ-centred family of believers in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Bart Byl on 1 Samuel 8.

Israel demands Samuel appoint them a king, because deep down they don't trust God to keep them safe. But sometimes sinful projects actually advance God’s purposes—in this case, God's long-term plan to give his people a servant king who will give them true security.

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Tbilisi International Christian Fellowship is a Christ-centred family of believers in Tbilisi, Georgia.