Does this closing verse of the letter to Ephesus (Rev. 2:7) teach that people have access to the tree of life because they overcome, or do they overcome because they have already eaten its fruit? We show that the fruit in question symbolises the eternal life that believers have in Christ and that those who have received that gift from Christ must necessarily overcome whatever problems and difficulties life might bring. We also recognise here a warning to those who do not trust in Christ for salvation and who are only nominal Christians, that they will not overcome. The episode thus clarifies that "overcomers" are true believers who possess eternal life in Christ while offering assurance that the promises to the overcomers apply to all who truly trust Jesus.

Does this closing verse of the letter to Ephesus (Rev. 2:7) teach that people have access to the tree of life because they overcome, or do they overcome because they have already eaten its fruit? We show that the fruit in question symbolises the eternal life that believers have in Christ and that those who have received that gift from Christ must necessarily overcome whatever problems and difficulties life might bring. We also recognise here a warning to those who do not trust in Christ for salvation and who are only nominal Christians, that they will not overcome. The episode thus clarifies that "overcomers" are true believers who possess eternal life in Christ while offering assurance that the promises to the overcomers apply to all who truly trust Jesus.

This episode links John 14’s promise “Let not your heart be troubled” with the parable of the prodigal son and the fall in Genesis, showing how Christ is the way back to truth, to life and to the Father. It traces the consequences of Eden’s loss, the cherubim blocking the way home, the tabernacle’s mercy seat, and how Jesus restores truth, and gives eternal life through his death and resurrection. Here is pastoral reassurance in troubled times! 

This episode links John 14’s promise “Let not your heart be troubled” with the parable of the prodigal son and the fall in Genesis, showing how Christ is the way back to truth, to life and to the Father. It traces the consequences of Eden’s loss, the cherubim blocking the way home, the tabernacle’s mercy seat, and how Jesus restores truth, and gives eternal life through his death and resurrection. Here is pastoral reassurance in troubled times! 

A clear, pastoral exposition of Revelation 2:8–11 focusing on the church at Smyrna: the coming persecution, imprisonment, and possible martyrdom they face, and the command to be faithful until death. The episode contrasts the "bad news" of trials and Satan's attacks with the "good news" that Christ is sovereign, present with us in suffering, and uses trials to test and refine our faith, The end result is the crown of eternal life for every believer, and the glory of our God and Saviour. 

A clear, pastoral exposition of Revelation 2:8–11 focusing on the church at Smyrna: the coming persecution, imprisonment, and possible martyrdom they face, and the command to be faithful until death. The episode contrasts the "bad news" of trials and Satan's attacks with the "good news" that Christ is sovereign, present with us in suffering, and uses trials to test and refine our faith, The end result is the crown of eternal life for every believer, and the glory of our God and Saviour. The errors in the AI transcript, "leaf"should be "lead", "heaven should be "heaviness" and "far-runner" should be "fore-runner" can only be corrected after publication.

The letter to Smyrna (Revelation 2:8–11) is the shortest of the seven letters to the churches of Asia Minor but is so packed with spiritual truth and practical lessons that it will take three episodes to complete its study, of which this is the first. We have great need today of these same lessons, which include the sovereignty of Christ, the blessings that flow to believers from His resurrection, and the grace of God that meets our every need. We consider in particular how the grace of God turns weakness into strength and poverty into spiritual wealth.Apologies for sound track breaks at the beginning of the recording due to technical problems.

The letter to Smyrna (Revelation 2:8–11) is the shortest of the seven letters to the churches of Asia Minor but is so packed with spiritual truth and practical lessons that it will take three episodes to complete its study, of which this is the first. We have great need today of these same lessons, which include the sovereignty of Christ, the blessings that flow to believers from His resurrection, and the grace of God that meets our every need. We consider in particular how the grace of God turns weakness into strength and poverty into spiritual wealth.Apologies for sound track breaks at the beginning of the recording due to technical problems.

The Christian doctrine of the Trinity is for some a mystery, for others incomprehensible, and for yet others a logical impossibility. But if we could fully understand the nature of God, He would not be the glorious transcendent Being presented to us in the Bible. In this episode we examine a difficult but definitive passage,1 Corinthians 15:24-28, clarifying the distinct roles of the three Persons of the Godhead. The Father wills, the Son implements the will of the Father, and the Spirit empowers the Son to do so, culminating in the triune God being "all in all." We also see how the parable of the wheat and the tares explains why a sovereign God patiently allows His enemies to remain until the full number of the elect has been gathered in. 

The Christian doctrine of the Trinity is for some a mystery, for others incomprehensible, and for yet others a logical impossibility. But if we could fully understand the nature of God, He would not be the glorious transcendent Being presented to us in the Bible. In this episode we examine a difficult but definitive passage,1 Corinthians 15:24-28, clarifying the distinct roles of the three Persons of the Godhead. The Father wills, the Son implements the will of the Father, and the Spirit empowers the Son to do so, culminating in the triune God being "all in all." We also see how the parable of the wheat and the tares explains why a sovereign God patiently allows His enemies to remain until the full number of the elect has been gathered in. 

In Acts 17:14–34 Paul debates with Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, and preaches on Mars Hill about the true Creator — the God they called "unknown." He exposes the emptiness of idols, calls people to repentance, and proclaims Jesus’ resurrection as the basis for judgment and hope. The passage shows how God’s truth can be proclaimed in an idol worshipping and immoral culture and how the gospel meets people where they are. Helpful lessons here for us in modern godless cultures, where we wll find that God has left clues providing a point of entry for the gospel.

In Acts 17:14–34 Paul debates with Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, and preaches on Mars Hill about the true Creator — the God they called "unknown." He exposes the emptiness of idols, calls people to repentance, and proclaims Jesus’ resurrection as the basis for judgment and hope. The passage shows how God’s truth can be proclaimed in an idol worshipping and immoral culture and how the gospel meets people where they are. Helpful lessons here for us in modern godless cultures, where we wll find that God has left clues providing a point of entry for the gospel.

ESTHER 6:1-11 demonstrates the dramatic cosequences of God's sovereign control over the lives of two men, King Ahasuerus and his 'Prime Minister' Haman. We see he hand of God at work in the sleeplessness of the King, the page chosen randomly from the state records to read to the wakeful monarch, the King's request for advice about rewarding the Jew Mordecai for saving his life, the time when an equally sleepless Haman arrived at the palace, Haman's misunderstanding of the King's request ... all leading to Haman's humiliation and Mordecai's honour.  

ESTHER 6:1-11 demonstrates the dramatic cosequences of God's sovereign control over the lives of two men, King Ahasuerus and his 'Prime Minister' Haman. We see he hand of God at work in the sleeplessness of the King, the page chosen randomly from the state records to read to the wakeful monarch, the King's request for advice about rewarding the Jew Mordecai for saving his life, the time when an equally sleepless Haman arrived at the palace, Haman's misunderstanding of the King's request ... all leading to Haman's humiliation and Mordecai's honour.  

In the previous episode we began to examine Paul's lecture to the Athenian philosophers in Acts 17, focusing on basic psychology, basic creationism and basic theism. We now complete that study by considering 'basic evangelism' finding that Paul’s central message was Jesus Christ with special stress on his resurrection and its implications. These include Christ’s deity, our human accountability, the believers’ justification, and the guarantee of eternal security.

In the previous episode we began to examine Paul's lecture to the Athenian philosophers in Acts 17, focusing on basic psychology, basic creationism and basic theism. We now complete that study by considering 'basic evangelism' finding that Paul’s central message was Jesus Christ with special stress on his resurrection and its implications. These include Christ’s deity, our human accountability, the believers’ justification, and the guarantee of eternal security.

Paul and his companions travel to Thessalonica, where he reasons from the Scriptures for three Sabbaths. Some are persuaded but others, provoked to jealousy, erupt in riot, hurling false accusations against the evangelists. Those who received Paul's words, fearing for his safety, send him to Berea, where he receives a nobler reception as many eagerly examine the Scriptures and believe. We learn that to honour God’s Word and save the lost we must endure hostility from others.

Paul and his companions travel to Thessalonica, where he reasons from the Scriptures for three Sabbaths. Some are persuaded but others, provoked to jealousy, erupt in riot, hurling false accusations against the evangelists. Those who received Paul's words, fearing for his safety, send him to Berea, where he receives a nobler reception as many eagerly examine the Scriptures and believe. We learn that to honour God’s Word and save the lost we must endure hostility from others.

Paul’s Mars Hill sermon calls us "back to basics" in proclaiming the gospel. We examine how the Apostle applies basic psychology (seeking shared ground with the hearers), basic creationism (God as Creator), and basic theism (Christ as the sustaining Word, and God’s active presence and involvement in the world by his Spirit). He uses understanding and reasoning to engage idol-worshipping thinkers rather than confronting and attacking them.

Paul’s Mars Hill sermon calls us "back to basics" in proclaiming the gospel. We examine how the Apostle applies basic psychology (seeking shared ground with the hearers), basic creationism (God as Creator), and basic theism (Christ as the sustaining Word, and God’s active presence and involvement in the world by his Spirit). He uses understanding and reasoning to engage idol-worshipping thinkers rather than confronting and attacking them.