Crossing the Sea of Galilee at night against the storm, the disciples are 'seen' by Christ from miles away. He comes to them walking on the water. Why does He demonstrate His divinity this way? Here are six lessons for all believers and for seekers.

Miracles authenticated Christ and illustrate the way He heals and gives life to the soul. We learn of His compassion, and of His test of faith for the disciples. Then the eight purposes of the miracle, all showing Christ and how He should be proclaimed.

This history of Herod Antipas and his imprisonment and execution of John the Baptist tells of the conscience, both its power and weaknesses. Here are lessons for believers and seekers from Herod, Herodias and 'Salome', far richer than the dramas from successful Hollywood screenwriters.

Early in their training by the Lord the disciples are sent on their first preaching mission. They were 'apostles', a special office for the first phase of the church, but their terms of service apply in principle to all believers, and especially preachers.

We trace, via the raising of a girl to life, stages in receiving the gift of salvation. First, recognition of Christ; second, the birth of faith; third, surmounting setbacks; fourth, sincerity; fifth, the vital filter of faith; sixth, how Christ acts; seventh, immediate life.

A woman’s struggle for healing illustrates our quest for spiritual life. Do we search? Her ‘touch’ expresses faith, of itself powerless, yet seeking life. Her faith made her ‘whole’, but the Greek says it ‘saved’ her. Here also is the message of the miracle to believers.

The unique casting out of demons miracle once debated publicly over months by Gladstone (Prime Minister) and Huxley ('Darwin's bulldog'). First: the event reviewed; secondly: the Gospel it portrays, especially the three pleas of mankind; and thirdly: its counsel for believers on avoiding backsliding.

Christ begins with an evangelistic commission for all believers. Why do we fail in this? Rewards are promised in this life. Then a parable shows our part and God's, in witness. Finally comes the quelling of the tempest, the encouragement of faith for the work.

'Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.'

A new beginning for a new year from the parable of the sower. Why the Lord used parables. The universal tender of salvation vital. The various states of heart of hearers, with counsel to the unsaved and to believers.