It is plain even from these few recent examples that for a moral code to be effective, the code must be attributed to, and vested in, a non-human source. It must be beyond the power of humanity to change it to suit itself. If that non-human source can be shown to be false, then the moral code that it endorses cannot be absolute. It will become a matter of choice, or have to be kept in place by the threat of force, or a mixture of both, like any other code of human invention. Peter Hitchens
Soviet power was—as it was intended to be—the opposite of faith in God. It was faith in the greatness of humanity and in the perfectibility of human society. Peter Hitchens
Scripture
Please give my greetings to our brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nymphas and the church that meets in her house.
Observation
This section consists of Paul’s final instructions and greetings.
Tychicus is a beloved brother and faithful servant. He will give the Colossians a full report about the ministry. Paul is sending Onesimus, the former runaway slave, with him.
He sends greetings from his fellow workers who, are working for the kingdom of God, Epaphrus is a great prayer warrior who prays earnestly for the Colossians.
Paul sends greetings to the believers in Laodicea, and to Nymphas and the church that meets in her house.
Application
After preparing a sermon this morning about cell groups and their importance in the early church, it is interesting to come across this passage in my devotions. Often Paul’s letters end with a pile of personal greetings of this form: give my greetings to So- and- so and to the church that meets in their home.
The early church was essentially a house church movement. They had their large meetings from time to time, but they were generally small groups meeting in homes. These groups networked and had an over-arching leadership structure.
When we see the word “church” in the New Testament, we should think home groups rather than mega church. Over the centuries we’ve become used to the Sunday morning gathering with optional Bible study or fellowship meetings.
It’s very hard to shake off this multi-generational pattern, but if the church is to thrive in the next decade, we must recover the biblical pattern.
Journal.
Lord, what do you want to say to me about this template for the church?
Keith, it is true that my preferred model for the church is some kind of small group together with large group meetings or celebrations. This is the pattern I established in Acts.
This is not always a viable pattern when governments or local authorities oppose my bride, the Church. Wherever christians meet for intentional fellowship in my name, I am with them.
The sermon for October 19th 2025 is now available on the New Life web site.
In this sermon, which is based on 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5, I talk about the Inspired Word of God.
Click here to listen in your browser or to download the mp3
It’s as if people no longer see life as something that should be organized around a specific vocation, a calling that is their own way of doing good in the world. Everything feels personalized and miniaturized. The upper registers of moral life—fighting for freedom, struggling to end poverty—have been amputated for many. The awfulness of the larger society is a given. The best you can do is find a small haven in a heartless world. Melanie Phillips
The Palestinian attempt at the genocide of the Jews was labelled “resistance,” while Israel’s resistance to being annihilated was labelled “genocide.” Melanie Phillips
Scripture
“These four beasts represent four kingdoms that will rise from the earth. But in the end the holy people of the Most High will be given the kingdom, and they will rule forever and ever.”
Observation
Daniel is troubled by his vision and asks one of the people standing next to the throne what is means.
The four beasts represent four kingdoms or empires that arise from the earth. In the end, God’s holy people will be given the kingdom, and they will reign forever.
The fourth beast is a kingdom unlike the others. It seems to represent the Roman Empire. There are 10 horns, representing 10 kings. The tenth horn wages war against God’s people until God comes and judges in favour of the people.
The sovereignty and greatness of the fourth kingdom will be handed over to God’s people. His kingdom will last forever and all rulers will serve and obey him.
Application
Hundreds of years before these things took place, God gave Daniel a vision of what was to come. The vision left Daniel fearful and shaken, because of the intensity of the experience, but the message that comes through is a powerful affirmation that God is in control.
Daniel’s vision foresaw the powerful Roman Empire that seemed to conquer the whole earth. As we know, Jesus, the Messiah, came into the world to set God’s people free.
Although christians were greatly oppressed at times, within a few generations christians were recognised as a legitimate religion by the Empire, and a few aberrations after that, Christianity was the official religion of the Empire. Of course, the Empire passed away but God’s kingdom has endured for ever.
God is in control of the big picture, the politics of empires and kingdoms. He is also in control of the little picture of our individual lives.
God know it all and He loves us all.
Prayer
Lord you reign over world affairs and international politics. Please help me to trust you in my own life. Amen.
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