Where can I find freedom? The Rolling Stones sang about freedom, singing:

I’m free, to do what I want, any old time

And this is the sort of freedom that many people desire. Follow our passions and desires; and live a life not constrained by rules, authorities or others. Freedom to do whatever I want. But…is this really freedom?

For if we just do what our passions desire, maybe we’re not free — for as secular public commentator and author Clive Hamilton observes:

“We cannot be free if we are slaves to our passions.”

So, where can true freedom be found?

Well, Jesus claims that if you follow Him, then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

Jesus offers freedom — freedom from our past and our passions, to serve the truth and to serve something bigger than ourselves. Freedom is found in Jesus.

Listen to this episode of God in 60 Seconds below.

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Article supplied with thanks to City Bible Forum.

About the author: Robert Martin oversees the work of City Bible Forum in Melbourne and is the host of the Bigger Questions radio show / podcast.

Feature image: averie woodard on Unsplash

Another week, another movie sequel… People complain about them, but still line up to see these movies.

What is it about the sequel that makes us want to see it?

Could it be love for the characters? Or do we want to know more about them?

Regardless, sequels say a lot about humans—we want to know and see more.

The sequel isn’t new.

They have existed throughout history, you could argue that the Bible even has a few: 1 and 2 Samuel, Kings and Chronicles, or many of the follow-up stories to Paul’s letters.

Yet none compare to the four Gospels.

I know they are the same story, but each gives a different perspective, speaks to a different audience and gives us a richer view of the most important story ever told.

So, sequels. Maybe they aren’t that bad. Who knows, those found in the Bible may even change your life.

Article supplied with thanks to City Bible Forum.

Feature image: Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

About the author: Russ Matthews is a film critic at City Bible Forum and Reel Dialogue. He has a passion for film and sparking spiritual conversations.

I was recently asked about how Mission Impossible‘s Ethan Hunt was a Christ-like figure.

This agent is constantly sent on impossible missions; he has his disciples who he sacrifices for, and his goal is to save the world.

I do enjoy the Mission Impossible franchise and it’s fun to consider Ethan Hunt as a saviour figure,

but… he isn’t Jesus.

Jesus may not have had the gadgets, masks and willingness to do crazy stunts, but His role in this world was so much more. Yes, He did miracles and walked on water, but the real purpose of His mission was to save the souls of this world.

Also, His method was to give His life as a sacrifice for us all.

Ethan Hunt may be a cinematic hero, but he can’t measure up to Jesus, who accomplished the mission that many would qualify as impossible:

Being the true Saviour of the world.

Article supplied with thanks to City Bible Forum.

Feature image: Canva

Do you ever feel sad or a sense of grief as you reach the end of a really good book? Or the final episode of a television series you’ve come to love?

This is commonly known as the post-book blues.

It is a state of sadness we feel because we’ve reached the ending of a world we’ve come to know and characters we’ve grown attached to.

The Bible is not a book where you’ll get the post-book blues. This is because the Bible is one big story about the world God created and His relationship with it.

What’s more—its central character is Jesus, a real-life being who is still alive today!

The deeper you go in the Bible, the more clearly you’ll see that the story does not end on the last page.

God promises eternal life through Jesus. This story does not end with death, but glorious victory!

Article supplied with thanks to City Bible Forum.

Feature image: Photo by Benigno Hoyuela on Unsplash

What’s the point of ironing a shirt?

When we iron a shirt, the shirt is crisp and clean. You put the shirt on, and it feels amazing. Aaaaaaaaaah.

But after a few minutes, the shirt is wrinkly again.

So what’s the point of ironing if the shirt is only going to stay crisp and clean for a few minutes? Yet, we still iron our shirts. Why?

Because deep down, when we iron a shirt, we image the God who made us.

God loves to bring beauty from nothing—even if it’s only for a short while.

Jesus says that God clothes the flowers in beauty, even though the flowers are here today, but gone tomorrow.

But if God cares so much about flowers, imagine how much He cares for us who are eternal.

Imagine how beautiful God’s going to make us. God’s already working on us now. But when He’s finished, we’re going to be amazing.

(Yes, but if only God could also do my ironing.)

Article supplied with thanks to City Bible Forum.

Feature image: Photo by Dee Dee on Unsplash

About the author: Sam Chan is a theologian, preacher, author, evangelist, ethicist, cultural analyst and medical doctor.

“Weren’t the Gospels of Jesus written a long time after His life?”

Well, the final form of the Gospels were most likely written around 30 to 60 years after the events they record.

This may sound like a long time, but it’s actually inconsequential.

The ancient world was predominantly an oral culture. Historical events were commonly and accurately transmitted without being written down. But details of Jesus’ life were eventually written down, 30 to 60 years later, because the eyewitnesses were dying out and the believers wanted to preserve their testimony.

But the fact is, most history is written many decades after the events – and we never think to challenge its authenticity.

Laurence Rees published a book on Auschwitz 60 years after the Holocaust, yet no one suggests that this history is invalid. Otherwise, no history could ever be written.

The Gospels were written later, but this timeframe doesn’t diminish their trustworthiness at all.

Article supplied with thanks to City Bible Forum.

Feature image: Photo by Anthony Garand on Unsplash

About the author: Robert Martin oversees the work of City Bible Forum in Melbourne and is the host of the Bigger Questions radio show / podcast.