Metropolitan Tabernacle

(2) The Conduct of Spiritual Warfare in this Age The central figures of the beast out of the sea, and the beast out of the dry land, so pivotal to the understanding of all Gospel-age attacks on the true church of God, together with the manner of response.

In the Lord's first resurrection appearance to the gathered disciples we see the significance of His standing in the centre of that small group. Here are the seven hugely significant lessons and the encouragements; why, for example, did the Lord ask them to give Him food?

The only source of knowledge about God and how to know Him comes from the Bible. Here is proof that it is God's infallible truth. And here is what we must believe about Christ to find Him, and to avoid the shame of a lost soul.

We learn that apparent believers enter churches bringing unbiblical activities. Some may be reformable, but their ideas must be refuted, or Christians will be damaged. Here is the authority of Scripture. Here also is the shamefulness of those who make money out of the faith.

By peace, the Bible refers to cessation of war and the close union that replaces it. Whether we are aware of it or not, all are at war with God. Here is how, and here also is the amnesty that transforms life and eternity.

Paul unfolds the assignment of Titus in Crete, the ordering of churches with a non-hierarchical leadership, each one having its own elders. Here are their qualifications, some relating to the preaching of the Word, and some intended also for all believers.

Titus, a Gentile convert of Paul, and over the years a trusted and effective prototype pastor in different postings, receives in Crete a letter for churches throughout time on the conduct of personal and church life. A truly pastoral epistle to lift and advance the spiritual life.

One of the most common impediments to believing in Christ is that of self-righteousness. It is a powerful 'enemy within' each one of us. Here are its forms, and the only way to shed it and know true conversion to God.

'And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.'

Endowments, seen supremely in our Saviour, are hopefully growing continuously in believers by the power of the Spirit as they mortify the deeds of the flesh. Here is the key to our happiness in the Lord and our usefulness for Him.

On the last evening before His crucifixion, the Lord walked with His disciples from the upper room to the Garden of Gethsemane. At that time He exclaimed, 'I am the True Vine.' Here is the necessity of gaining life from Him, and what it accomplishes.

From defining the command, ' Walk in the Spirit', Paul turns to how the Spirit works, because after conversion the desires of our fallen natures are still within us. Here is the progressive conquest of the old nature by the new, through the work of the Spirit.

Christ the Saviour does not merely guide us to eternal life, He is personally the road that leads there. Here is what He did to be the only true and certain way, and why only He can impart life to our souls.

It is a magnificent promise, that if we walk in the Spirit we will not succumb to the lusts of fallen nature. Here is the Bible's definition of walking in the Spirit, with the five points of special attention required by the Spirit.

In His fifth great 'I AM' statement, the Lord uses the future bodily resurrection as an illustration of the spiritual resurrection which must take place in one's life in order to know Him, and have eternal life.

The Gospel of eternal life through the atonement of Christ is the most precious treasure, and believers are called to proclaim and guard it. Here are Satan's methods of hindering and obscuring the Gospel, and the duty of opposing them and those who promote them.

Each of Christ's 'I am' sayings shows an element of His saving work. 'I am the Good Shepherd' points to the love and mercy of Christ as He reaches out to and calls individuals. Here are the feelings and actions of the 'lover of souls'.

This message considers: 1) what Christian Liberty does and does not mean; 2) activities and objectives that entangle and ensnare us; 3) that Christ's church has only two symbolic actions (ordinances); and 4) The visible evidence of true faith (love) and its forms.

The door to God and heaven is for ever closed to all who never want or seek Him. But to all who want to find Him the door stands open. Christ is Himself the door, and this is how He enables us to enter.