1 Thessalonians 1: 1-10 Summary: The Thessalonians were a church over which Paul had felt great concern. Persecution drove him from the city much sooner than he’d have liked (see Acts 17) forcing him to leave these brand-new believers. Paul writes this letter in response to a report he’d just received from Timothy encouraging him […]

Isaiah 9: 1-7 Summary: Isaiah here famously describes Israel (and by extension, the whole world) as a land of deep darkness. As we think about the realities of 2020, it may be a description to which we can relate. The surprise light Isaiah offers is a coming child of unparalleled significance–Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting […]

Revelation 22: 1-7 Advent Series: Advent (which comes from the Latin word for “coming”) is a season for paying particularly close attention to our longing for Christ’s second coming. In order to foster that longing this season, we’ll be looking at some of the remarkable things the Bible tells us about eternal life and some […]

John 14:1-7 Advent Series: Advent (which comes from the Latin word for “coming”) is a season for paying particularly close attention to our longing for Christ’s second coming. In order to foster that longing this season, we’ll be looking at some of the remarkable things the Bible tells us about eternal life and some of […]

Isaiah 11:1-9 Advent Series: Advent (which comes from the Latin word for “coming”) is a season for paying particularly close attention to our longing for Christ’s second coming. In order to foster that longing this season, we’ll be looking at some of the remarkable things the Bible tells us about eternal life and some of […]

Psalm 16 Summary: Even many of us as Christians have a sneaking suspicion that eternity might not be quite as pleasurable as the life we have now–perhaps the endless boredom of an eternal church service! In this Psalm, David reveals himself to be as much of a pleasure-seeker as any of us, but what’s critical […]

1 Peter 4:12-19   Summary: Peter was someone who had shied away from suffering for the sake of Christ (e.g. his denial of Jesus; Paul’s rebuke in Gal. 2:11ff). But now a much older and wiser Peter expounds a view of suffering in keeping with what his Saviour taught him. In short, Christians should expect […]

Romans 1:8-17 Summary: Of all the attributes Paul could have said are revealed in the gospel (e.g. God’s love, grace, forgiveness, etc.), Paul says it is the attribute of God’s righteousness. For years this text frustrated and even terrified Martin Luther who understood that the righteousness of God could only mean condemnation for sinners such […]

Philippians 1:3-11 Summary: There’s an ancient Chinese military proverb that says armies must know themselves and their enemy if they’re to be successful in battle. The Catechism interprets the 6th petition of the Lord’s prayer according to a similar logic. Our spiritual battles require that we know ourselves and our enemies, namely: the devil, the […]