After the lights go out in Ephesians 2:1-3, exposing the three big
problems in the universe, we find two glorious words – but God. In verse four the
lights are back on and we see God’s ways and God’s work to rescue the broken
world.
Paul declares to this church that they are doing great and so now he
prays for more. They are ready for all that God has to give to them theologically
and practically. Paul concludes by pointing to Jesus as the example of how all
these graces from God the Father are lived out.
We have a lens that interprets all that we hear and read. Scripture has
a lens over it from 400 years of theological battles and 200 years of American
culture. These two can distort what Scripture actually says. In this text we look at
the Bible’s Greatest Hit and if we hear this song Scripture sounds amazing.
In a book about hope, why would the first subject be God’s judgment
in sending people to hell? In this text we learn about evidence of God’s righteous
judgments that will bring hope to every believer.
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.