Coming to faith in Jesus is not the end of the Christian life. It’s just the beginning. God delivered Israel out of Egypt, and that was just the start of a long process of their laying hold on the promises God had made to their forebears. To realize the fullness of all God had in store for them, Israel would have to make steady progress against considerable odds. The Christian faith is very much like this.

The book of Joshua is in many ways like the book of Acts, introducing a new era in the history of God’s covenant and showing the enormous potential for blessing to those who follow God and keep His covenant.

Here are two subjects that, at first glance, seem to have nothing to do with one another. Closer consideration, however, reveals that they are inextricably linked. Worship is about God – honoring Him, committing to Him, and serving Him in all aspects of life. Public policy is about life and the rules by which people live. God is Ruler of all things, and thus public policy is only valid to the extent that it lines up with God’s good and perfect rule.

In this series we will sample excerpts from God’s Law in an effort to show the scope, beauty, and relevance of the Law of God for Christian life.

People live toward whatever they value. When the values we cherish are Kingdom values, we’ll realize more of the full and abundant life Jesus offers.

Sin is the great tragedy afflicting the world. Its effects are universal, corrupting, and deadly. Sin is a slippery slope which, left unchecked, can bring ruin and destruction everywhere it reaches. This is no time for being silent about sin, either in our own lives or our churches.

Jesus’ resurrection launches Christianity as he shows himself to many people and then disappears into the clouds. The disciples struggle to take it all in.

The book of Hebrews emphasizes the greatness of Jesus, and calls every believer to hold fast to their confession, firm to the end.

Jesus prepares his followers for the trials to come. They need to not be confused about what just happened, and they need to understand what it all means. Jesus does this through a series of dramatic appearances, combined with specific teaching, so as to sear into their memories what they saw and what they learned. These well-prepared believers will become an unstoppable force, spreading Christianity throughout the Roman Empire – and beyond.

After telling the thief next to Him that’ll he’ll be in paradise soon, Jesus dies. Everyone witnesses this and the Centurion declares His innocence. Joseph of Arimathea buries Jesus but then Joanna and the two Marys find the tomb empty. Upon hearing this, Peter rushes to the tomb and finally connects the dots.

Pilate and Herod find Jesus innocent, but Pilate caves to the rabble and sends Jesus to the cross anyway.

Things are happening fast now. Jesus issues a final warning to His disciples. He prays, “Let this cup pass,” is betrayed and arrested, and heals the ear of the servant of the high priest. Then Peter denies Him 3 times, and a quick trial before the council determines that he’s claiming to be the son of God and so must be guilty.