Metropolitan Tabernacle

King David imparts his experience of prayer and lays out the key conditions for prayer to be heard and answered. So much prayer, we learn, is distasteful to God and disregarded. May the fundamental human instinct to pray lead to life and peace with God.

We are, with Peter, born again into an ever-active anticipation -expectation- of a heavenly inheritance. Our duty is to reflect on this, resulting in security and loyalty to Christ. Here also is the testing and refining of faith.

Introducing 1 Peter with the opening themes, including - why we should love and worship the whole Godhead, the significance of the 'sprinkling' of the blood of Jesus Christ, and the fruit of constantly keeping active and alive our anticipation of eternal glory.

We see that faith is 'receiving' Christ, our taking hold of Him for rescue, pardon and life, because we have become convinced that He is the Saviour who has paid in suffering to secure our forgiveness, and we are lost and condemned without Him.

After the great Commission -Mark and Matthew- and the personal, pastoral Great Commission -of John- we turn to the commission in Luke and Acts, noting the accelerated education of the apostles, their reliance on the Holy Spirit, and primary work of evangelism.

Even if surrounded by the might and superiority of imperial Rome, Paul cannot be intimidated, for he proclaims a message of over-towering power, that illuminates minds, transforms hearts, unites people to God and grants eternal life - this is the only message of spiritual rescue.

From study of the great commission we turn to Christ's personal word to Peter and other disciples. Here is the searching question to all who are saved, and its implications for bearing fruit. Our answer determines the kind of service we will render to Him.

To Mark's Gospel we add the promise of the great commission in Matthew, viewing the scope of the Lord's words to all who uphold His name and message to this hostile world. Here is the essence of the nearness and power of the risen Lord.

An idol is any object or idea that substitutes for the true God. The Bible shows that idolatry is rampant in every life. Today the worship of self claims that individuals have the right to be themselves and have their desires- we become 'God'.

The risen Lord's command and commission to the disciples -and their successors- refers to their hearers who 'believe'. Here we show that belief in Christ means dependence upon Him as a Saviour from sin, faith and repentance being inseparable graces. We define true repentance.

Nothing can compare with the call of Christ, made uniquely to mind, heart and will' a summons, yet an appeal, even a pleading call- inaudible and yet penetrating and drawing. Here is a call to radical change, yet requiring a response made so easy.

What provision was made for the Lord at death-- Where did His soul go-- Are there two departments of Sheol-- Did the Lord literally descend into hell-- First, we see how Calvary galvanised Joseph of Arimathea, then provide answers -with application- to these questions.

The apostle Paul names three overwhelming experiences that come to all who seek and find the Lord. These are the chief marks of conversion. Named as power, love and a sound mind, here is the form in which they come to believers in Christ.

The scene at Christ's crucifixion, especially the words of onlookers, who showed their guilty rejection of His mighty miracles, their blindness to what was really taking place, and who unwittingly -in their jeers- affirmed the necessity of His atoning work. Also - the dark hours

Here is a remarkable appeal by Moses to the people of his time about their souls being lifeless and non-operational. Are his famous signs of an inactive soul true of us-- Here is how Moses unfolds the way to connect with God.

The events of Christ's three hearings before Pilate, the monumental choice of Barabbas over the Lord, and the Saviour's humiliation by the imperial guard all show the full depravity of unbelief, and the immeasurable love of God in redemption.

God calls us to think, setting before us the unreasonableness of turning our backs on Him. He shows us what we are rejecting - namely, His forgiving love, the rebuilding of our character, the imparting of life to the soul, and everlasting joy and peace.

What a scene of dishonesty, hostility and brutality- Christ, the creator of all, the Holy One, put on trial by corrupt sinful people- How far He would go for our redemption- Here also is His proof that Scripture had promised a divine Saviour.

Peter's collapse from bravado to denial was rapid and humiliating. How did fear so quickly overpower him-- Here are the five failings that led to his fall, including the failing of love. Here also are the means to keep us from failing today.