'And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.'

Over nearly three years the disciples learned from Christ and came to love him, need him, and recognise him as divine. But for most, personal conversion came late in this period. Peter's vital response is a model and challenge to seekers in every age.

Paul personifies sin as an emperor who conscripts us into his army and drills us in unbelief and lust to bind us in his service. Then Paul shows how we may be 'brought out' of our bondage to walk with the Lord God.

Christ sets out life's options. Here is the meaning of the wide gate, through which one is carried by the crowd into purposelessness and spiritual disaster. In contrast - the narrow gate; and why it gets this description, when in fact it is the gate of enduring happiness.

'Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.'

'I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.'

'When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.'

A message tracking the enthusiastic pursuit of Christ by many who wanted a materialistic, earthly return to prosperity, while He proclaimed His purpose - spiritual and eternal life to all who depend on Him as divine Saviour, and His redeeming work on Calvary.

The Biblical account of the Garden of Eden and the fall of mankind is the most profound and searching record of the beginning of sin in all literature. Dismissed in ignorance, it traces the loss and the regaining of vital contact with God.

'And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.'