Journey through the Bible: James

We will be sharing in communion this Sunday as well as a meal & fellowship after service. This Sunday we are also starting a new book in our journey through the New Testament.

The letter of James may be short, at only five chapters, but what it lacks in length it makes up for in potency. James, the brother of our Lord Jesus, was not one to soft-pedal anything. His letter is very direct, and we would be wise to allow God's razor-sharp word of life to pierce our hearts and do its perfect work!

Hebrews 13

This Sunday we are going to be finishing our journey in the book of Hebrews with the thirteenth and final chapter. Like many New Testament epistles, the closing of this letter is filled with short, practical exhortations and reminders, as well as a blessing and greeting. There is much here in these verses to teach, encourage and remind us, but as always in the book of Hebrews, Jesus is right there in the middle, the centre of it all!

Hebrews 12, part 3

This Sunday we are finishing chapter 12 of Hebrews. Looking back at all that the author has already covered, it is plain to see that, for its major doctrinal significance, Hebrews is rather a cautionary book. And in the final part of this chapter we have yet another warning and exhortation. There are so many pitfalls and detours and side-tracks that are on the path of the Christian. Thankfully, the word of God clearly points them out to us, so that we may safely journey to our destination; heaven is our home!

Hebrews 12, part 2

The author of Hebrews has taken great care to build his statements about how much better Jesus is than anyone or anything else in the old covenant. We have been encouraged to live in faith, according to the examples of the many men and women of old who walked with God. 

Now we have seen that Jesus Himself is the one who has begun our story of faith and will complete it. So, how should that cause us to live?  This section of Hebrews is intensely personal for us, as well as practical. 

Hebrews 12, part 1

This Sunday we are covering another famous portion of Scripture, in the opening verses of Hebrews 12. It is really the culmination of Hebrews 11, and gives us the reason for paying attention to all the examples of faith listed in that chapter. There are so many who have gone before us and finished their lives with firm trust in the Lord Jesus; surely we can be encouraged by them to live our lives in the same way!

Also this Sunday, after service we are celebrating baptism and sharing fellowship in a meal afterwards. May the example of those being baptized be an encouragement, just as your presence will be an encouragement for them!