I write this on Good Friday, remembering the death of our Lord. As I read the words in this chapter, I can't help but celebrate the reality that He is alive. This pretty much says it all:
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
I love the way the chapter ends. We are to realize that Christ has died and been raised to life. And that in Christ, we are alive with Him. And that we are to encourage each other with these words. I just love that.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Thursday, March 21, 2013
1 Thessalonians 3 -- Good News From Thessalonica
Paul and his friends had invested in the Thessalonians for a short while before being forced to leave. With no Facebook updates or texts to keep them in the loop they could only pray and wonder what was happening in Thessalonica since they'd moved on. So they sent Timothy to bring back a report (v. 2).
From this example we see the importance of following up with people. Paul wasn't content to share the good news and then move on; he was committed to keeping track of what happened in the lives of those he ministered to. We also see evidence of Paul's humility and/or slight lack of faith when he confesses that he was afraid that his efforts might have been thwarted and rendered useless (v. 5).
But not to worry -- Timothy returns with an encouraging report that the Thessalonians are full of faith and love (v. 6), and that they are standing firm in the Lord (v. 8).
Paul rejoices and commits to praying earnestly for the Thessalonians (v. 10), that their love might increase and overflow for each other and everyone else (v. 12), and that their hearts might be strengthened and guided toward holiness (v. 13).
From this example we see the importance of following up with people. Paul wasn't content to share the good news and then move on; he was committed to keeping track of what happened in the lives of those he ministered to. We also see evidence of Paul's humility and/or slight lack of faith when he confesses that he was afraid that his efforts might have been thwarted and rendered useless (v. 5).
But not to worry -- Timothy returns with an encouraging report that the Thessalonians are full of faith and love (v. 6), and that they are standing firm in the Lord (v. 8).
Paul rejoices and commits to praying earnestly for the Thessalonians (v. 10), that their love might increase and overflow for each other and everyone else (v. 12), and that their hearts might be strengthened and guided toward holiness (v. 13).
Friday, March 15, 2013
1 Thessalonians 2 -- Our Glory and Joy
Paul loves the Thessalonians.
"We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us." (v. 8)
"we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God,"
"brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time, out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you."
"Indeed, you are our glory and joy."
Effective ministry begin with intense, authentic, Christ-like love. Without this love, no ministry has a chance. It means nothing.
"We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us." (v. 8)
"we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God,"
"brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time, out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you."
"Indeed, you are our glory and joy."
Effective ministry begin with intense, authentic, Christ-like love. Without this love, no ministry has a chance. It means nothing.
Friday, March 8, 2013
1 Thessalonians 1 - Faith, Hope and Love
1 Thessalonians is believed to be the first letter Paul wrote, sometime around 52 AD, which would make it the first book of the New Testament to be written down.
In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul writes that the three things that remain are faith, hope and love. In 1 Thessalonians 1, Paul writes to encourage a church that he'd established while spending just a few weeks there. Paul writes after receiving a report from Timothy, his assistant who had been sent to follow up with the Thessalonians. However, there are some errors in their theology that Paul is writing to correct.
In chapter 1, we see Paul's desire to pray for Thessalonica and its church. And he commends their "work produced by faith, labor prompted by love and endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." What do faith, hope and love produce? Probably not a comprehensive list, but they produce (presumably good) work, labor and endurance. Paul is a master encourager.
In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul writes that the three things that remain are faith, hope and love. In 1 Thessalonians 1, Paul writes to encourage a church that he'd established while spending just a few weeks there. Paul writes after receiving a report from Timothy, his assistant who had been sent to follow up with the Thessalonians. However, there are some errors in their theology that Paul is writing to correct.
In chapter 1, we see Paul's desire to pray for Thessalonica and its church. And he commends their "work produced by faith, labor prompted by love and endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." What do faith, hope and love produce? Probably not a comprehensive list, but they produce (presumably good) work, labor and endurance. Paul is a master encourager.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Colossians 4 -- Wrapping it up
A couple things from this chapter:
- a high priority placed on prayer and watchfulness (v. 2) as we seek to cooperate with God's plan for us and others.
- graciousness toward others, conversations ALWAYS "seasoned with salt" and "full of grace" (v. 6). Not belligerent or condemning.
- value placed on appreciating the contributions of others: Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, Justus, Epaphras, Archippus, Luke, Demas and Nympha all mentioned by name. Each of these people has a story and we can only imagine how their contributions were used by God to build His Kingdom.
- a spirit of cooperation between churches. This letter was to be shared with the believers in Laodicea, who were instructed to share their letter as well. The body of Christ does not operate in a vacuum. We belong to each other. We affect each other. We need each other.
- a high priority placed on prayer and watchfulness (v. 2) as we seek to cooperate with God's plan for us and others.
- graciousness toward others, conversations ALWAYS "seasoned with salt" and "full of grace" (v. 6). Not belligerent or condemning.
- value placed on appreciating the contributions of others: Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, Justus, Epaphras, Archippus, Luke, Demas and Nympha all mentioned by name. Each of these people has a story and we can only imagine how their contributions were used by God to build His Kingdom.
- a spirit of cooperation between churches. This letter was to be shared with the believers in Laodicea, who were instructed to share their letter as well. The body of Christ does not operate in a vacuum. We belong to each other. We affect each other. We need each other.
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