Update 2024-08-01: Added Podcast on Psalm 1. Here’s a simple, interactive introduction to the first Psalm, with some thought-provoking questions to stimulate group discussion or your own meditation…| Seeking the kingdom
10 posts published by Allen Browne during August 2024| Seeking the kingdom
Two olive trees supporting the menorah? How does this relate to Jesus?| Seeking the kingdom
4 posts published by Allen Browne during July 2024| Seeking the kingdom
In the last Psalm of David, we hear the messiah’s voice declaring the restoration of God’s reign.| Seeking the kingdom
Each Psalm is set in Israel’s story, within the macro-story of God’s kingdom.| Seeking the kingdom
Understanding the Bible is all about understanding the relationships. Jesus shows us how with his puzzle about the people in Psalm 110:1.| Seeking the kingdom
Slow down! There’s a significant message in that list of names at the start of Matthew’s Gospel.| Seeking the kingdom
This post is longer than normal. It walks you through how to process the Psalms, with Psalm 3 as the example.| Seeking the kingdom
You have people in your care? See yourself as an under-shepherd.| Seeking the kingdom
After the flood, God gave humans power over the lives of other humans. Because they had not respected his governance, he authorized human government. Does that mean he’s abdicating?| Seeking the kingdom
8 posts published by Allen Browne during January 2020| Seeking the kingdom
How come the epistles talk more about church than kingdom?| Seeking the kingdom
10 posts published by Allen Browne during September 2019| Seeking the kingdom
After what we’ve been putting up with, Jesus’ yoke is truly light.| Seeking the kingdom
15 posts published by Allen Browne during January 2018| Seeking the kingdom
Genesis 6:2 (NIV) The sons of God saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. Who were the sons of God? Who were the daughters of humankind? Why did th…| Seeking the kingdom
Join is in person or by podcast for twelve sessions in the second half of Romans.| Seeking the kingdom
Is faith still relevant today? Or does it belong to a bygone era when Christendom ruled? Many who depended on the church to sustain them are seeing their faith crumble. Does faith make sense anymor…| Seeking the kingdom
In this series, we’ve talked about losing faith, changing faith, searching for faith, and finding faith. Habakkuk 2:4 underpins several NT discussions of faith: the just shall live by his faith (KJ…| Seeking the kingdom
Jesus’ whole life is testimony to Habakkuk’s message, “The righteous one will live by faith(fulness).”| Seeking the kingdom
How does God fulfil his promise that the righteous will live by faith?| Seeking the kingdom
7 posts published by Allen Browne during May 2023| Seeking the kingdom
Feeling restless? There may be a reason.| Seeking the kingdom
Calling Jesus “the Christ” is declaring him the ruler chosen by God to restore heaven’s reign to the earth.| Seeking the kingdom
How do the 10 Commandments relate to Christians? Are they foundation of our ethics? Or not applicable?| Seeking the kingdom
10 posts published by Allen Browne during February 2018| Seeking the kingdom
7 posts published by Allen Browne during February 2025| Seeking the kingdom
The Book of Acts opens with a key phrase in the mouth of Jesus, and closes with the same phrase in the mouth of Paul.| Seeking the kingdom
15 posts published by Allen Browne during August 2016| Seeking the kingdom
How do you find the meaning to life? Meet the Author.| Seeking the kingdom
Genesis 9:6 (NIV) Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind. In re-establishing his kingdom after the flood, the divine sovereign …| Seeking the kingdom
What do you see when you look at people?| Seeking the kingdom
What was Jesus’ main message? How would you describe his message in a single phrase?| Seeking the kingdom
Would you like a summary of all we’ve discovered? Let’s pause our Genesis series here. Before we begin the Abraham story, it would be good to review why we are using a kingdom perspective, and how …| Seeking the kingdom
6 posts published by Allen Browne during December 2022| Seeking the kingdom
Little voices make a world of difference.| Seeking the kingdom
In the first three psalms, we discovered the rich diversity within the Psalter: A wisdom psalm promised blessing on those who walk in the Lord’s ways (Psalm 1). A royal psalm enthroned the Lord’s a…| Seeking the kingdom
You’ll know how the story fits together if you know why it’s called Genesis.| Seeking the kingdom
Why am I constantly confronted with David’s enemies in the Psalms? What relevance does that have for us?| Seeking the kingdom
Update 2024-08-01: Added Podcast on Psalm 2. Without Psalm 2, you’ll get bogged down when the Psalms talk about “enemies.” Book 1 talks about enemies and foes fifty times in 41 Psalms. Some people …| Seeking the kingdom
What does it mean when you see “Of David” in the heading of a Psalm?| Seeking the kingdom
Do the Psalms tell us about Jesus? Are these verses about Christ? Psalm 22 1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? … 16 They have pierced my hands and feet. Psalms 118 22 The stone the builders…| Seeking the kingdom
If you ever struggle to grasp the Bible narrative as a whole, do yourself a favour and check out the free animated videos from The Bible Project. Today they released a doozy on the Book of Psalms. …| Seeking the kingdom
Ekklēsia is a strange word for early Christians to choose for church. It was used for political gatherings, not religious ones. They had words for religious meetings (synagōgē) or general gathering…| Seeking the kingdom
Don’t let your bad experiences stop you trusting Jesus. He’s a different kind of king.| Seeking the kingdom
You might move continents if you received the right opportunity. God is calling you to live in his God-breathed story, to participate in something far bigger than you own brief lifetime. This podca…| Seeking the kingdom
Enoch walked into God’s presence without dying. That’s inspiring. He’s the second example of faith in Hebrews 11. Enoch’s relocation into the heavenly realm is intriguing. What did he see when he g…| Seeking the kingdom
We felt the despair of Cain’s version of humanity—away from YHWH’s presence, run by human power, offering greater violence as the answer to violence. We felt the contrast when Seth’s renewed humani…| Seeking the kingdom
For too long we have read Genesis 3 as a story about individuals, and Genesis 4 as a story about some other individuals. Genesis 3–4 is a communal story. It describes how human society sinks to som…| Seeking the kingdom
Fourteen years ago, I set out to seek the kingdom of God, the centre of Jesus’ teaching and mission. Nine years ago, I launched this blog to share the results. Now I’m ready to apply this research to the book of Romans. The kingdom perspective brings freshness and depth to familiar words like gospel, faith, … Continue reading "Invitation to Romans"| Seeking the kingdom
This podcast (22 min) covers the topics blogged on Genesis 12: Included posts: Kingdom: partnership with God (Gen. 12:1-9) Abram and this world’s rulers (Gen. 12:10-20) You can download the notes on Genesis 11–12, or the full notes for the series (75-page PDF). This is the final podcast from the series Formed in God’s Story: … Continue reading "Podcast – Genesis 12"| Seeking the kingdom
What happens to God’s plans to save the world if we’re unfaithful? Abram’s encounter with Pharaoh has the answers.| Seeking the kingdom
In calling Abraham, God begins the mission of restoring heaven’s reign to the nations of the earth.| Seeking the kingdom
This podcast (38 min) covers the blog on Genesis 11:| Seeking the kingdom
A fresh take on Abel’s faith.| Seeking the kingdom
When humans attempted to oust God and decide good and evil for themselves, they could not have imagined the chain of conflict their rebellion would unleash. Genesis 3:9-19 is the transcript of the …| Seeking the kingdom
Genesis 3 is strange to our ears. Why is there a talking snake? Why is the creature called crafty? Why is the snake craftier than the other animals? Ultimately the story is all about who rules, but…| Seeking the kingdom
Have you ever wondered if Christians should observe the Sabbath?| Seeking the kingdom
You know the Tower of Babel? Everywhere else in the Old Testament, Bā·ḇěl is translated “Babylon.” Babylon (Babel) was not a tower; it was a city. And the city had a tower: Genesis 11:1-4 (NIV) 1 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2 As people moved eastward, they found a … Continue reading "A kingdom trying to take God’s world (Genesis 11)"| Seeking the kingdom
This podcast (32 min) covers the end of Genesis 9 and Genesis 10. Included posts: The drunken leader (Gen 9:18-29) The nations (Genesis 10) Previous podcasts: Podcast: Genesis 1 Podcast: Genesis 2 Podcast: Genesis 3 Podcast: Genesis 4 Podcast: Genesis 5 Podcast: Genesis 6 Podcast: Genesis 7 Podcast: Genesis 8 Podcast: Genesis 9 The series … Continue reading "Podcast – Genesis 10"| Seeking the kingdom
What’s the point of listing the nations in Genesis 10? It’s a big deal in the big story.| Seeking the kingdom
What should we make of Noah’s indiscretion?| Seeking the kingdom
This podcast (36 min) covers the topics blogged from Genesis 9. Included posts: God reconfigures the world (Gen 9:1-7) God’s covenant with earth (Gen 9:8-17) Note that we’ve included the final part of Genesis 9 (on Noah’s drunkenness) in out next podcast on Genesis 10. Previous podcasts: Podcast: Genesis 1 Podcast: Genesis 2 Podcast: Genesis … Continue reading "Podcast – Genesis 9"| Seeking the kingdom
What’s the significance of the Noah covenant?| Seeking the kingdom
Genesis 9 is effectively a new creation. As Noah emerges from his little preservation box after a year, he offers gifts in recognition of the Lord’s authority, and God affirms the order of creation (8:22). So, what’s the same in this new creation, and what’s different? That’s what Genesis 9 is all about. Will God … Continue reading "God reconfigures the world (Genesis 9:1-7)"| Seeking the kingdom
This podcast (35 min) covers the blog post on Genesis 8: Rescued. Previous podcasts: Podcast: Genesis 1 Podcast: Genesis 2 Podcast: Genesis 3 Podcast: Genesis 4 Podcast: Genesis 5 Podcast: Genesis 6 Podcast: Genesis 7 The series is Formed in God’s Story: Genesis 1–12, and you can download the notes on Genesis 7–8.| Seeking the kingdom
Can a ruined creation be rescued? Genesis 8 says it can. The story began with God’s decrees bringing order to the world, putting everything in its right place, with humans representing God’s management (Genesis 1). But partnership with God in a world of astounding provision wasn’t enough (Genesis 2). We transgressed the boundaries God set … Continue reading "Rescued (Genesis 8)"| Seeking the kingdom
This podcast (32 min) covers the blog post on Genesis 7: Ruined.| Seeking the kingdom
The Bible is, first and foremost, the revelation of God. With this post, we’re starting at the beginning to hear its message about the kingdom of God. It begins with the God of the kingdom. God is …| Seeking the kingdom
God’s partnership with humans broke down. Cain went out from God’s presence (4:16) to build a city that trusted violence for justice (4:23). The rest of Adam’s family (Genesis 5) exchanged God’s values for what seemed “good” to them (6:2), lauding the strong fighters, the heroes of old, the men of renown (6:4). They only thought … Continue reading "Ruined (Genesis 7)"| Seeking the kingdom
This podcast (43 min) covers the topics blogged from Genesis 6: Included posts: Losing our identity (Gen 6:1-8) Judging and saving a corrupted creation (Gen 6:9-22) Previous podcasts: Podcast: Genesis 1 Podcast: Genesis 2 Podcast: Genesis 3 Podcast: Genesis 4 Podcast: Genesis 5 The series is Formed in God’s Story: Genesis 1–12, and you can … Continue reading "Podcast – Genesis 6"| Seeking the kingdom
Here’s the start of a new family story: Genesis 6:9-10 (NIV) 9 This is the account [tôlēḏôṯ] of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God. 10 Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth. Christian readers have problems here. How … Continue reading "Judging and saving a corrupted creation (Genesis 6:9-22)"| Seeking the kingdom
The same phrase is the climax of the opening and closing sentences of the Book of Romans. Do you know what it is?| Seeking the kingdom
It’s a shame we have chapter divisions. Genesis 4 belongs with Genesis 3. We saw how the wise sovereign spelled out the conflict his subjects would experience as a result of grasping his power. Tha…| Seeking the kingdom
Genesis 4:8 (NIV) Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Death is the ultimate destruction of o…| Seeking the kingdom
Why do we start with “original sin” when the Bible starts with “original good”?| Seeking the kingdom
We’re no longer in God’s royal garden, but we’re still under God’s governance. Despite the unsuccessful coup, God’s providence remains:| Seeking the kingdom
The Tree of Life was God’s sustaining life that kept them alive. They no longer have access to that privilege, having declared themselves gods in their own right, deciding good and evil for themsel…| Seeking the kingdom
The agents God trusted with caring for creation attempted a coup, to become gods, to define good and evil for themselves. How does God respond? God takes responsibility, but how God handles justice…| Seeking the kingdom
For your reference, here’s an overview of the Psalms, noting where they’re quoted in the New Testament.| Seeking the kingdom
The knowledge of good and evil stays with God. God’s first instruction tell us what is not good:| Seeking the kingdom
Update 2024-08-09: Added podcast on Psalm 22. We saw in Psalm 3 that “of David” refers to the Davidic kings who were God’s anointed throughout the generations (not just the individual from the tent…| Seeking the kingdom
Do you know the story that spans the five books of the Psalms?| Seeking the kingdom
Twelve Psalms in six weeks.| Seeking the kingdom
Genesis 2 introduces such an intimate picture of the one who structured heaven and earth according to his command. We receive our identity from him. He sculpts the human from clay, and breathes his…| Seeking the kingdom
Genesis 1 revealed who God is and who we are. Genesis 2 reveals how we were intended to live in his presence. There was a place known as Eden. From the perspective of the people telling the story (…| Seeking the kingdom
The all-powerful God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1). God breathes his existence into us: Genesis 2:7 (NIV) Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed int…| Seeking the kingdom
Seeking to understand Jesus in the terms he chose to describe himself: son of man (his identity), and kingdom of God (his mission). Riverview Church, Perth, Western Australia| Seeking the kingdom
This verse shows us how to recognize the family stories in Genesis, framing our identity in relation to God and to each other.| Seeking the kingdom
The seventh day crowns it all.| Seeking the kingdom
Prefer podcasts? This one covers our three previous posts on Genesis 1, the first chapter of the series Formed in God’s Story: Genesis 1–12.| Seeking the kingdom
We discover our identity in relation to God.| Seeking the kingdom
God is the subject of almost every sentence in Genesis 1. His decrees give earth its shape and significance.| Seeking the kingdom
Why do people disagree over how to read Genesis 1?| Seeking the kingdom
Free course with notes and podcasts on Genesis 1–12.| Seeking the kingdom
The enfleshed reality of God among us transforms the world into what God said it would be.| Seeking the kingdom
How does John’s Gospel introduce the Christ? Anything relevant to Christmas?| Seeking the kingdom
Questions to deepen our praise.| Seeking the kingdom
God saves those who trust him.| Seeking the kingdom
