The thriving model church at Thessalonica has lost hope and the
Apostle Paul pens his second letter to both theologically and practically reignite
the hope they had in King Jesus.
1 Thessalonians concludes with a to do list of 15 commands for the believer and then states that God is faithful and He will do it. Seems like a contradiction but it is actually the key to growing in our faith.
The end of 1 Thessalonians is the practical boots on the ground portion of this brilliant letter. It gives the church both its marching orders and the plan to construct a community that lives into its given righteousness.
The end of 1 Thessalonians is the practical boots on the ground portion of this brilliant letter. It gives the church both its marching orders and the plan to construct a community that lives into its given righteousness.
In the hustle and bustle of the Christmas holidays we can forget the
supernaturally wondrousness of the birth of King Jesus. Re-read the Bible’s presentation and allow God to rekindle wonder.
The church at Thessalonica was freaked out about the end of days. Paul assures them of the return of Christ and then prepares them to live in the reality of His return.
The church at Thessalonica was freaked out about the end of days. They were uninformed about both the return of Jesus and what happens at death. In this short section Paul brilliantly clarifies these questions to encourage the church.
The church at Thessalonica is first encouraged about the good job they are doing demonstrating brotherly love. Next, they are encouraged to keep going by: living quietly, minding their own business, work with their hands, walk properly, and being dependent on no one.
The church at Thessalonica is told to not do sex like the people who don’t know God. Paul had previously instructed them to control their bodies in holiness and honor. We attempt to unearth the weapons that they would have used to exercise body control.
Ancient Greeks and Romans had a drastically different view of what was allowed sexually. The good news is the Gospel has redefined sex for the entire world and in its sunrise has protected the most vulnerable in a society.
Paul has to leave the new church quickly and has concerns about tough things he had said to them. Did they accept them? Reject? Were they mad at him? He sends Timothy and gets a refreshing answer to his relational doubt.
The church at Thessalonica is a model of church success. This leads to the big question: why? At the end of Chapter 2 we get the answer. It is God’s Word, Suffering, War, and the Win.
Paul leaves Thessalonica after only 3 weeks and into that vacuum of leadership comes accusations leveled against him. He uses chapter 2 to defend how he ministers and gives us a brilliant path to follow.
Everyone needs examples. The Thessalonian believers were able to look at Paul, Silas and Timothy and then through difficulty, repentance, patience and God’s word they became the models for the entire region.
The oldest written document of the New Testament is 1 Thessalonians. It gives us the oldest foundational principles of the church. 1 Thessalonians begins by turning the clock back to remember how the gospel saves and changes pagans.
Daniel lives a life of difficulty from being ripped from his home as youth, to being thrown to the lions as an old man. It would be natural to ask, “Is this worth it?” Daniel’s book concludes with God telling him this is the end and it is brilliant.
Amos is a prophet who uses his voice for the poor, used, and overlooked. He demonstrates that God cares about justice and gives us the hope of a coming King and Edenic Kingdom that will ultimately remedy the human problem.
A crisis drives Isaiah to the temple and a divine surprise. Isaiah 6 is an incredible portrait of God’s glory and human sin.
As we watch our society shift and change it can be easy to want to disengage and run. But is there a better way? Jeremiah the prophet battles this mentality when God gives him the remedy and the recipe for exiles to thrive in Babylon.
What is the Old Testament about? The repetition of sin and failure can get monotonous and confusing. What is the goal? What is the solution? How can a people be changed? Zephaniah gives us the heart of the message of the Old Testament.
Grudges, retaliation, revenge and bitterness are themes in human history. Obadiah’s short prophetic message is a warning to all of us to rid ourselves of the radioactivity of retaliation.
One of the themes in the prophets is their call of exhortation to God’s people. The call can be to get back to Torah observance, or justice or it in case of Haggai to stop procrastinating. We get to learn from how God shepherds His people during periods of “we will do it later” and gain wisdom for our own tendencies.
Scripture is an epic narrative full of characters, rules, history and miracles. It can be difficult to understand how it applies to our lives and what it means for us to live as those who believe and follow God. Micah helps by giving the most succinct summary of what God wants.
Restore: to bring back to or put back into a former or original state. There might not be a greater truth than God’s ability to restore. It goes further than forgiveness by renewing what was lost or broken. Joel 2 does a prophetic dive into the miraculous work of restoration.
Hosea the prophet’s life and marriage to Gomer the prostitute is both moving and mysterious. There is no happily ever after. Instead we are left to consider how we treat God and if we will be a faithful covenant partner to Him.
Nahum is the sequel to Jonah. The Ninevites have repented of their repentance and have become a national bully. God’s longsuffering runs out and in its place is God’s wrath. Nahum forces us to wrestle with how to respond to God’s anger.
Everyone knows the story of Jonah and the whale. However, most of our mental pictures are from Veggie Tales and distort the incredible message of this prophet. Jonah isn’t about Nineveh, whales or dying plants; it is a mirror for the reader's heart.
Ezekiel is one of the most colorful prophets. His actions, words, and visions are both mysterious and marvelous. Chapter one set the tone for the entire book. It is a shock to Ezekiel and a comfort for every person that feels exiled.
When life gets dark can Christians ask why? We looked at three of God’s prophetic voices - Habakkuk, Job and Jeremiah - to learn how to wrestle well in the dark night of the soul.
Daniel’s life is exemplary. He demonstrates how to live in the worst biblical city. He not only endures the attacks but his life changes the city of Babylon. We get wisdom on how to endure our own attacks that come at our bodies, minds, and spirits.
The final chapter of Colossians is personal and practical. Paul names his own Kingdom Team. It begins with Jesus as captain and then includes Jews, Gentiles, males, females, superstars, doctors, felons, and one quitter. The big idea is there’s room for anyone on Team Jesus.
Colossians 3 is all about getting the Kingdom into our lives while
pushing out the corrupt culture. The longest practical application is not to
marriage or parenting but to our jobs as bosses or bondservants. How we work is
one of the greatest ways we demonstrate that our lives are lived for a different
kingdom and our priorities are set by a better King.
Colossians 3 is all about getting the Kingdom into our lives while pushing out the corrupt culture. Paul has what appears to be minimal help for parents but it is…
Colossians 3 is all about heaven in and culture out, beginning with our minds and moving to marriage. We, believers, want marriages that are not based on culture’s roller coaster…
Colossians 3 is all about heaven in and culture out, beginning with our minds and moving to marriage. We, believers, want marriages that are not based on culture's roller coaster…
Colossians 3 contrasts the old way of living with its vices and sins and a Kingdom way. It commands the believer to put off that way of living and gives…
Believers are called to be morticians. We are to put to death that which destroys to give place and opportunity for virtue to grow. Colossians three uses the metaphor of…
Chapter 2 leaves us dead to the kingdom of darkness. Too often, believers stay in this state, missing out on the feasts of kingdom life. Chapter 3 resurrects us and…
The warning and guarding section of Colossians concludes with three religious traps: legalism, mysticism, and asceticism. Each trap is concluded with a truth to prevent a Christian from these three…
Pastors have two primary jobs: guarding and gardening. They are to heap on the fertilizer of God’s Word and guard against bad doctrine. In this section of Colossians, Pastor Paul…
Pastors have two primary jobs: guarding and gardening. They are to heap on the fertilizer of God’s Word and guard against bad doctrine. In this chapter of Colossians, Pastor Paul…
Colossians began with God the Father, focused on Jesus the King and now introduces ministry in the church. While Paul uses himself as the example, all who name Christ as…
For two millennia, people have questioned: Who is Jesus? Was He a prophet, teacher, sage, or the Son of God? Colossians dives deep into the nature and personhood of Jesus…
In a culture of shortcuts and life hacks, Scripture confronts us with a time tested slow path to maturity that offers no shortcuts but promises transformation. Colossians begins with two…
In a culture of shortcuts and life hacks, Scripture confronts us with a time tested slow path to maturity that offers no shortcuts but promises transformation. Colossians begins with two…
A City that was once prospering is in a slow decline because of a decision made by the far-off city of Rome. Into this desperation comes cults, spiritualism, syncretism, and…
After Jesus’ teaching on the Kingdom, He then demonstrates He is both the King and the example of a citizen of the Kingdom. Chapter eight presents portraits to instruct and…
Jesus concludes His masterful sermon with a blue collar analogy. Two builders with similar blueprints, materials, methods and effort have drastically different endings because of their choice in foundation. Jesus’…
Jesus finishes the Sermon on the Mount with some twos: two paths: two types of leaders, two trees, two types of followers, and two builders. Each of them targets a…
Jesus begins the greatest sermon with the Beatitudes or blessings. Jesus ends with the bewares. We need both or we will simply be plump snacks for the wolves. Jesus has…
Jesus is concluding His sermon by summarizing and applying His message. He makes it clear that the Golden Rule, verse 12, takes care of all the Old Testament Law and…
Jesus tells his disciples to ask, seek, and knock; they will receive, find, and open doors. The statement is unconditional and extends to everyone. Does this mean we can demand…
Christians are often accused of being judgmental. A favorite retort is to quote Matthew 7:1, saying, “Don’t Judge me!” While there is a partial truth to this response, it must…
Scripture is full of wisdom and practical tools you could call anxiety's enemies. Even more than being the antidote to anxiety, these seven tools help all of us live out…
Jesus’ sermon is pointing believers toward a way of living that prioritizes being rather than looking and the beatitudes over being comfortable. His perspective produces a kind of life that…
Jesus’ sermon is pointing believers toward a way of living that prioritizes being over looking and the beatitudes over being comfortable. His perspective produces a kind of life that culminates…
Matthew 6 probes the motives of the human heart. Are its actions staged to be seen, or do they come from a genuine inner source? Jesus uses prayer, giving, and…
Prayer – what subject has more intrigue and difficulty? Jesus in Matthew 6 gives a model of prayer that a child understands and scholars can study. Before His model prayer,…
Jesus has taught there are six evils that interfere with the kingdom (anger, lust, divorce, lying, vengeance, and hatred). Now, Jesus goes inside the believer to demonstrate that good works…
In Matthew 5, Jesus makes six statements clarifying the Kingdom. In this week's teaching, He makes the hardest of all requests; He tells His followers to love their neighbors and their…
Basic human nature responds to aggression by fight or flight. Neither of these responses build community or have positive results. Jesus gives a third way to respond to aggressive behavior…
Words in Scripture have power to create. Truthful words create reality and trust. Lies create ruin and broken relationships and are from the evil one himself. Jesus’ mandate for believers…
First, it was anger, then lust, and now Jesus talks about divorce. We probably wouldn't have divorced if we had dealt with anger and lust. Divorce, however, is a reality…
Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father. Humanity has taken these good gifts; instead of enjoying them, we have abused them. Sex is one such gift that we…
Jesus begins one of the longest sections in His sermon. He looks at the Law and gives us our Creator’s intention for that law. Jesus begins with murder and dissects…
What is this book we call the Bible? The average person may view the Bible as “the good book”, professors see it as a myth, critics see it as a…
In the context of the Beatitudes, Jesus tells us what we are and what we should be doing. We are salt and light. We don’t try to be these two;…
Jesus opens His first recorded sermon with an attention getter. He declares to all who would listen that the path to blessedness is a road less traveled. In stark contrast…