Bart Byl on Ruth 1. Series: Christ in the Old Testament The charming book of Ruth could almost be described as a romantic comedy. As Naomi and her Moabite daughter-in-law Ruth move back to Bethlehem, and Ruth encounter the godly landowner Boaz, the story moves from famine to fullness, from death to life, and from despair to joy. The book is thus the gospel in miniature, for Christ himself is our kinsman redeemer, bound to us by blood and covenant, who in his kindness rescues us from slavery, ruin, and hopelessness. --- Tbilisi International Christian Fellowship is a Christ-centred family of believers in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Conrad Henney on 1 John 2:3-11. Series: 1 John—Life in God’s Love According to an old tradition, when the elderly Apostle John was carried into the church of Ephesus, he would say nothing but, “Little children, love one another.” It bears repeating, because love is at the very centre of the Christian life. We’re all called to love God and each other with a persistent, devoted, open-hearted love. --- Tbilisi International Christian Fellowship is a Christ-centred family of believers in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Bart Byl on Judges 16. Series: Christ in the Old Testament The book of Judges is set in some of the darkest times in Israel, a time of devastation and anarchy. Everyone did what was right in their own eyes, and the judges God sent to deliver Israel from their enemies weren’t much better than the people they were sent to save. The last and most disappointing of the judges was Samson, a man of incredible promise and gifting who wasted his gifts on his selfish impulses. The whole book looks forward in longing to a good, strong king who would save the whole nation. --- Tbilisi International Christian Fellowship is a Christ-centred family of believers in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Bart Byl on Joshua 5:10-6:5. Series: Christ in the Old Testament Home. We all want to put deep roots down somewhere, and feel like we fit into the landscape. To be “implaced” is to enjoy one of the highest creaturely blessings God can give us. That was the gift God gave Israel when he gave them the Promised Land. In Joshua the twelve tribes conquer and distribute the land—but are also warned that holding on to it depends on remaining faithful to God. No one should make the easy assumption that God is always on our side. The real question is, are we on his? --- Tbilisi International Christian Fellowship is a Christ-centred family of believers in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Tony Hanmer on Genesis 1:1-2:3. Series: Art and the Story of God Our world is an amazing place, and its beauty and wonder point us to God. He created everything, and in his delight declared it “very good”. As his image-bearers, we human beings have the privilege of being sub-creators. We take the stuff of creation and rework it to bring forth its latent possibilities. --- Tbilisi International Christian Fellowship is a Christ-centred family of believers in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Bart Byl on Deuteronomy 6:4-25. Series: Christ in the Old Testament This is Moses’ last sermon to Israel before he dies and they cross over into the Promised Land. He exhorts them to love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, and strength, and to demonstrate their commitment with a life of extensive obedience. There will be dangers: they might forget God because of affluence, or abandon God because of idolatry, or doubt God because of hardship. God’s people are prone to wander … but that God always remains faithful. --- Tbilisi International Christian Fellowship is a Christ-centred family of believers in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Bart Byl on Numbers 20:1-13. Series: Christ in the Old Testament Trapped in the wilderness for 40 years, the nation of Israel can’t stop complaining. When they attack Moses because they don’t have water, he finally loses it. But he not only ignored God’s instructions, he failed to represent the grace and patient of Israel’s LORD. Because his people’s determination to rebel is outmatched only by God’s determination to bless. And the rock that Moses strikes pours forth water to quench the people’s thirst. --- Tbilisi International Christian Fellowship is a Christ-centred family of believers in Tbilisi, Georgia.;podcast

Eli Moyer on 1 John 1:5-2:2. Series: 1 John—Life in God’s Love God wants all his children to live in the assurance of his love. But when we walk in the darkness and refuse to confess our sins, we’re cutting ourselves off from the life of God. Our Father invites us to confess our sins, promising that he will always forgive us through the atoning death of Christ for our sins—and the sins of the whole world. --- Tbilisi International Christian Fellowship is a Christ-centred family of believers in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Bart Byl on Leviticus 16. Series: Christ in the Old Testament Nocturnal emissions and menstrual cycles. Hair loss and skin discoloration. Mold in your walls and mildew in your clothing. Lists of clean and unclean foods. It’s hard to see the relevance of the regulations and rituals described in Leviticus. But this third book of Moses is really describing God’s deep desire to dwell with a people made holy by the sacrificial work of his appointed priest. And that’s what the Day of Atonement, at the very heart of the very centre of the Penateuch, is all about. --- Tbilisi International Christian Fellowship is a Christ-centred family of believers in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Bart Byl on Exodus 2:23-3:14. Series: Christ in the Old Testament From first to last, Exodus is the story of the mighty acts of God, who delivers his people “with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm”. Unlike all the other gods, this God sees the misery of the oppressed and he hears their groans. He rides to their rescue, he sweeps away the most powerful army on earth, clearing a path for the twelve tribes who can only watch in awe as God moves on their behalf. This God is not a much bigger Pharaoh, who is going to feed on the Israelite nation to keep himself alive. Because God does not need anything, the giving only goes one way: from God down to his creation. Exodus provides the paradigm for salvation and redemption for Israel, and when Jesus shows up, he comes to lead Israel in a new and greater Exodus — not from Egypt this time, but from the far greater enemies of Satan, sin and death. --- Tbilisi International Christian Fellowship is a Christ-centred family of believers in Tbilisi, Georgia.