Jesus, after rising from the dead, said to his disciples “as the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you” (John 20:21). The book of Acts looks at these ‘sent ones’ and how the risen and ascended Lord Jesus continued to work and teach through them. We, too, are sent ones who are taking the good news of Jesus to the ends of the earth with the same risen Jesus working through us. May we learn much from the acts of the risen Lord Jesus through his new people as we are sent out as his witnesses.

This series is all about key truths you find in God’s word that we believe if they land for us they will transform us. That is, if we not only know these truths intellectually but trust them with all our heart it will transform us existentially. These truths, we hope and pray will transform our experience of God and transform the way we live for him each day.

Here in Australia we have a company called BCF, an acronym for Boating, Camping and Fishing. Their slogan is ‘This is living’. For them boating, camping and fishing is living. What would you say is living? How would you finish this sentence: To live is…? For the Apostle Paul “to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). We believe this should be the slogan of every Christian. We believe this is God’s will too as we hope you will see as we go through the book of Philippians.

The book of Ruth starts with tremendous tragedy but finishes with glorious triumph. It has many more contrasts: bitterness/joy, emptiness/fullness, death/life, fertility/family and famine/fruitfulness. Ultimately, it's not about Ruth but about her loyal and loving God that sustains his people and provides for them in all circumstances. Join us as we look at this often neglected book in our series 'From Ruin to Redemption' to see the providence of God who never neglects his people.