Question What are the 'weightier provisions of the law'? Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.​​ Matthew 23:23 Context Matthew 23 is one of the toughest speeches Jesus ever gave. His stern rebukes towards some of the religious leaders of His time remind us of th

Question Why is the fear of the L ORD the beginning of knowledge and wisdom?  The fear of the L ORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.​ Proverbs 9:10 Context The biblical Book of Proverbs is about God's wisdom and how to acquire knowledge for life based on God's Word or Law (Torah). The beginning of knowledge (1:7) and wisdom (9:10; cf., Psalm 111:10) is the fear of the L ORD . What has gaining knowledge and wisdom to do with the

Question Why was Jesus so merciful to repenting sinners yet so tough on the religious people? He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the L ORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?​ Micah 6:8 Context Jesus was known as a 'friend of sinners' due to His association with sinners and His merciful attitude in forgiving them when they repented before God. The term was, at the time, a form of slander, not a compliment. He

Question What is greatness in the Kingdom of God?  Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4 Context It's a well-known story. Jesus was asked by His disciples, 'Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' (Matthew 18:1). To answer the question, Jesus used a small child to illustrated that greatness in the kingdom of God is of a different nature than greatness according to the world's standards, just as He emphasi

Question Why did Jesus say to seek first the Kingdom of God?  But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 Context Jesus said, 'But seek first His [God's] kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you' (Matthew 6:33). This statement came at the end of a discourse on having a right attitude towards money and trusting God for His provision so that a worry-free life becomes possible (Matthew

Question What does it mean to be heavenly-minded? Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. ​ Colossians 3:1-2 Context Paul wrote to the Colossians to 'keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God,' and to 'set your mind on the things above' (Colossians 3:1, 2). What did the apostle

Question What are 'the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven' and why was it given to some and not to others? Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. Matthew 13:11 Context Jesus often spoke in parables, especially about the kingdom of God/heaven (e.g., Matthew 13; Mark 4). His disciples asked Him why He spoke to 'them,' i.e., the crowds (v 2), in parables (v 10), to which He responded that it was given/g

Question What is 'the mystery of Christ' and 'the mysteries of God' according to Paul?  By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the same body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ through the gospel. E

Sometimes life hits us hard. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. Sometimes we cannot make sense of what is happening and we feel hopeless in the face of destruction. Life's circumstances can be bitter, but we don't have to become bitter. The beautiful story of Ruth and Naomi is a story of hope that shows how God can bring us from destruction to destiny. The God who gives beauty for ashes and the garments of praise for a spirit of heaviness, can work together all thing

Leaders matter because they have influence over people, impact their lives and can shape their future. Scripture has a high standard for leaders, from exemplary maturity (character) to competent service (charisma) to impartial administration and people management (conduct). Leaders will have a stricter judgement, especially the teachers, because of the great responsibility over people they have been entrusted with. In the midst of false shepherds and the modern CEO-type leade

Jude instructed the believers to 'contend earnestly' for their 'common salvation,' the faith once and for all handed down to the believers (Jude 3). Why did that matter then, and why does it matter today? The main issue for Jude at the time was to guard against heresy and false teaching. His concern was to contend for the purity of doctrine passed on by the apostles in order to protect the church and to empower believers to be able to persevere in their faith without getting

Sound doctrine matters because it is the only way to have healthy teaching that nourishes healthy believers. Sound doctrine with the Apostolic Gospel as its framework will serve to bring clarity, establish consistency and empower the faith community. Clarity is vital in a time of confusion, consistency is crucial in a time of apostasy, and sound doctrine is essential for the faith community. Here is why these issues matter. Introduction In the time of Samuel's youth, revela

The centrality of the Apostolic Gospel matters because it is the foundation and framework for all doctrine and must remain our main focus since it is the main message of the Bible and the central message of the apostles. Paul preached the gospel as the word of God and it must therefore be central. Shifting the Gospel away from the centre of our teaching and mission will jeapordise all doctrine and activity. The Gospel must be central because it is main message we are to prea

Paul preached Christ as Lord (2 Corinthians 4:5). We explained why that matters . Before the birth of Jesus, the angel announced that He is the promised Saviour; He is Messiah and Lord (Luke 2:11). Peter proclaimed that the crucified Jesus is 'Lord and Christ' (Acts 2:36), being a witness of His resurrection, ascension and exaltation (vv 32-35). The letter to the Hebrews shows the divine identity of the Son and the divine atonement of Him as Saviour. Preaching Christ as Lord

Preaching Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23; 2:2) is the heart of the gospel. 'The word of the cross' is 'the power of God' for salvation (v 18). Preaching Christ matters because it reveals the central message of the salvation God offers the world and awakens faith in the hearers which leads to salvation. Preaching Christ matters for three main reasons: blindness, belief and blessing. It breaks spiritual blindness, shapes belief in accordance with divine truth and

The Apostolic Gospel matters because it is the definition and foundation of the Christian faith. It matters regarding five main aspects of belief and doctrine: authenticity, authority, accuracy, affirmation and accountability. The gospel and the other New Testament documents are the eyewitness testimony to the words and deeds of Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God and Saviour of the world. Here is why the Apostolic Gospel matters. Introduction We all have things that matter t