Contents

List of illustrations.................................................................................9

Introduction.........................................................................................11

I God and people

1 Created ...................................................................... 21

2 Loved ...................................................................... 25

3 Judged ...................................................................... 29

4 In covenant ...................................................................... 33

5 Understood ...................................................................... 37

6 Being saved ...................................................................... 41

7 Forgiven ...................................................................... 45

8 Reconciled ...................................................................... 49

9 Renewed ...................................................................... 53

10 Made eternal...........................................................................................57

II God and creation

11 Whose world is it?..................................................................................63

12 Under his command..............................................................................67

13 Glimpses of glory...................................................................................71

14 Sabbath for the land..............................................................................75

15 Impacted by the fall..............................................................................79

16 God’s covenant with all life...................................................................83

17 Jesus and creation.................................................................................87

18 Promised redemption...........................................................................90

19 Earthly hope...........................................................................................94

20 Heaven is coming here..........................................................................98

III People and people

21 A brotherhood of man........................................................................ 103

22 Forgive, forgive, forgive, repeat........................................................ 107

23 Costly love........................................................................................... 111

24 Banking on each other....................................................................... 115

25 One for all and all for one................................................................... 119

26 The mind of Christ............................................................................... 123

27 Unity and diversity.............................................................................. 127

28 Obedient love...................................................................................... 131

29 Running the race................................................................................. 134

30 Mercy mixed with fear........................................................................ 138

IV People and creation

31 The first mission.................................................................................. 145

32 Wicked living....................................................................................... 149

33 Consequences..................................................................................... 153

34 All creatures of our God...................................................................... 157

35 Learning from the lilies...................................................................... 161

36 Eyes to see ...................................................................... 164

37 Small mercies...................................................................................... 168

38 Back in our place................................................................................. 171

39 Children, wolves and cobras.............................................................. 175

40 Joined in worship............................................................................... 179

Six-week group discussion guide......................................................183

Notes...................................................................................................187