James and John approach Jesus with the request to be given the place of honour in His kingdom. The disciples display the old mark we're born with - the mark of self first; a desire to be served. Jesus, however, teaches His disciples that what identifies a person as His follower is the new mark of a desire to serve. This new mark is given to us because Christ Himself came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. As Christ supremely served us, it is our great joy to identify with Him through putting others before ourselves.

We are often confronted with error in the church. False teachers and their teaching is not something unique to the modern church. Jude wrote to a church to not only warn them about false teaching, but help them to rescue those who are trapped in error. He tells us in Jude 17-25 to not be surprised, passive or afraid when we encounter false teaching in the church.

As Christ will return like a thief in the night, we're called to live knowing that He could come at any moment. Paul explains that being prepared is to daily remind ourselves of and live out the gospel.

In 2 Timothy 3:14-17, Paul gives us the key to understanding and applying the Bible to our lives. We're reminded that the Scriptures point us to salvation in Christ Jesus. On every page, Jesus' Person and Work is displayed. Paul also reminds us that every passage of the Bible is for teaching, reproving, correcting and training. Every word God has given us in His Bible is useful, profitable and equips us to glorify and serve Him.

Paul explains the significance of the resurrection by exposing the fact that no resurrection means no hope. Then, Paul shows how the fact that Christ gives hope for the future and meaning for the present. The death nail hammered into death itself provides us with assurance in suffering and reorients our priorities in life.

Jesus is crucified during the Passover feast. The Passover reminded the people of God's deliverance from Egypt. The second last plague was the plague of darkness. Ominously, darkness descends on Jesus at the cross. Yet, instead of God bringing judgement on the world, He brings it on His Son. The temple curtain was torn in two, symbolising that the way was open for people to be reconciled to God.

In this passage, Jesus explains that all of our actions spring from our hearts. We are in desperate need of a Saviour who can rescue us from our sin and give us hearts that desire to please God.

Facing death by faith

What is repentance?

Lessons from Jesus’ Early Years

New Year = New Growth

Soli Deo Gloria - Reformation Sunday

Investing in God's kingdom

Who’s got the power?

Preparing for Inescapable Judgement

God with us

Spiritual Gifts