30 September 2026 It is easy to obey when someone is watching. The real test comes when nobody is looking. Paul challenged the Philippians to obey “not only as in my presence, but much more in my absence.” Mike pressed the point home: “Your obedience should not stem from wanting to please me.” Christian obedience
Live Before the Face of God Read Post »
Open in prayer Open with each member of the group sharing a prayer request, and then pray for one another. Scripture reading Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For it
Community life groups: Work Out What God is Working In Read Post »
29 September 2026 Paul’s command in Philippians 2:12 can sound frightening if we misunderstand it. Mike explained, “Paul does not say that we must work for our salvation. That would contradict the entire teaching of the Bible.” We do not earn salvation through our effort. We receive salvation by grace through faith in Christ. Justification
Work Out Your Salvation Read Post »
28 September 2026 The Christian life does not end at conversion. God saves us by grace, but He does not save us so that we can remain unchanged. He calls us to grow. Philippians 2:12–13 gives us a clear picture of sanctification. God works in us, and we work out what He is working in.
Sanctification Is a Lifelong Work Read Post »
26 September 2026 Titus 3 brings us back to grace. Paul says, “This saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works.” The Christian life begins with what God has done. It then produces a different
Grace Gives Us a Life That Bears Fruit Read Post »
Friday, October 2, 2026. That is the day we begin. Together. Matthew to Revelation. The whole New Testament. By December 31, finished. Do you remember the last time you read the Gospels from start to finish? Not a verse here or a chapter there, but the whole account. The birth, the ministry, the cross, the
Read the New Testament by the End of 2026 Read Post »
25 September 2026 Paul brings Titus 3 down to earth. The gospel does not stay in our heads. It moves into our hands. Paul writes, “Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey, so that they will lack nothing.” Mark Penrith points out the ordinary nature of this instruction. “Not theological argument. Friendship.
Grace Serves Pressing Needs Read Post »
24 September 2026 Mark Penrith reminds us that grace changes not only what we believe, but also what we choose to fight about. Paul writes, “But avoid foolish debates, and genealogies, and quarrels, and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and worthless.” That does not mean truth no longer matters. It means not
Grace Teaches Us What Not to Fight About Read Post »
The annual general meeting of Benoni Baptist Church happened on Sunday. Of our 201 members, 121 where present. The room was full. And there was a sense of joy and excitement in the room. Usual business, like acceptance of previous minutes, and adoption of the agenda, went without hitch. The secretary reported 2 deceased members
A digest of our annual general meeting, 20 September 2026 Read Post »
23 September 2026 Mark Penrith reminds us that grace never leaves us unchanged. Paul writes, “This saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works.” Good works do not save us. They flow from salvation. Mark
Grace Makes Us Devoted to Good Works Read Post »
