Sound Teaching

These two verses constitute a prayer, a petition made to God by Paul on behalf of the Thessalonians.  The first verse of the prayer is an identification of God.  The second verse of the prayer is the petition made.

Regarding the identification made, it is interesting that Jesus Christ is first mentioned, then the Father.  Nothing else should be ascertained about this, other than the fact that the Father and the Son are so unified in their work and desires (cf. John 17) that there is no great significance in their order or appearance.

Regardless, God loves us, and by His Son He saved us, giving us consolation and hope by the extension of His grace.

Now about the petition.  It was Paul’s desire that God comfort them. In other words, that the same consolation and hope would continue, and work in them. Paul desired that God would establish them (in every good word and work, cf. Ephesians 2:10). They would be persecuted and harmed from without and within. With God’s help their faith would not waver.

Do you have anything that is dear to you? Something that would be hard for you to give up for the Lord?  Paul certainly did. He told the Philippians in chapter 3 of the text that his position as a zealous Jew — circumcised, from Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, a zealous Pharisee, blameless in his attempts to keep the law of Moses — was reason for him to have confidence in the flesh. And yet upon his witness of the resurrected Christ, leading to his conversion, he wrote, “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:7-8).

Why did he make such a sacrifice? For the same reason we will, if we have his wisdom! That he might “know Him [Christ] and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings… if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead” (3:10-11).

Do you want access to the power of Christ, and the hope of the resurrection? Then it is simple. Just like Paul you must be ready to give up all that is precious in your life and give yourself totally in service to the Master. There is absolutely nothing that this world offers you that is worth sacrificing your soul! (cf. Matthew 16:26). Something sobering to think about, isn’t it?!

Gossip is one of the most damaging and insidious sins that can be committed. The tongue is a dangerous weapon that needs constant surveillance!

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A discussion of Genesis 50, showing what kind of man Joseph was in his response to his brothers’ petitions.

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There are many examples of love shown in the scripture that help to teach us the proper response to others.

For example, we see numerous examples of a mother’s love for her child. Sarah’s love for Isaac, the son of promise, is found in Genesis 21:6-7,10. Rebekah loved Jacob, Genesis 25:28. Moses’ mother loved him, Exodus 2:1-11, as did the daughter of Pharoah. Many other Old Testament examples could be cited, such as the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31, and Hannah’s love for Samuel in 1 Samuel 1 and 2. The New Testament teaches the same in Mary’s love for Jesus, chronicled on many occasions, and the directions that Paul gave to Titus in Titus 2:4. Continue reading “Demonstrations of Love” →

The following points can be instructive to all of us, regardless of our ages, but were written by a wise man to his son, and is especially beneficial to the young.

1. “My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you” (Proverbs 3:1-2). Listening and obeying the rules of your parents is always a good idea. They have lived longer, are aware of pitfalls, and have your best interests at heart. (This is especially true of Christian parents). This is sometimes hard for a young person to understand, as no one likes a limit on their liberty. But as the wise man writes, keeping your parent’s law will help you to live a long and peaceful life.
2. “Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man” (Proverbs 3:3-4). Mercy and truth, two of the most godly characteristics that men can have. A close familiarity with both will bring favor from men. Everyone likes you if you are honest and kind. And, since it is God’s desire for you, it pleases Him as well!
3. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Trust God. If your parents have more experience and knowledge than you, how much more so the omniscient, eternal Being that made you! It is our responsibility to know who we are, and who God is. He is our maker, He is our Lord, He is our guide. If we let Him, He will direct our paths. He will show us the best way to go — the way that will eventually aware us with eternity in His presence!
4. “Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine” (Proverbs 3:9-10 ). Materialism and covetousness are worldly, sinful and will lead you down the wrong path. But if you put God first He promises you that you will have enough (cf. Matthew 6:33), and you will have riches beyond this world! (cf. Matthew 16:26).
5. “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor detest His correction; for whom the LORD loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights” (Proverbs 3:11-12). When admonished or corrected consider the words, and make the change. Don’t pout because of hurt feelings. Admonitions happen, (whether your parents, others, or God Himself), out of love for your soul!

A few good words of advice for all! Please consider!

Paul wrote the Christians in Thessalonica to exhort them with the gospel of Christ. His initial visit in Thessalonica came in spite of the danger which his ministry left him in, a danger which led to their mistreatment and imprisonment in Philippi (cf. Acts 16). They would have been aware of that, as the beating of Paul and Silas would have been very recent.

So, it was evident that Paul had love for the faithful in Thessalonica.

How did Paul characterize his exhortation to them? It was not from error, uncleanness, or deceit. It was in response to the stewardship given him by God. It was not an attempt to flatter, or to gain an advantage. It was not to gain glory from men, not even from the Thessalonians themselves. It was not a usurpation of his authority as an apostle, a means of gaining any advantage. It was a gentle exhortation, the type a mother would have for a small child.

Paul’s motivation and actions were always pure as an apostle. His concern was the spiritual welfare of his brethren.

Saul of Tarsus was chosen by God. Ananias told him, “The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard” (Acts 22:14-15). This choosing was for Saul’s apostleship. This was a point of emphasis for Saul throughout his life and ministry as an apostle of Jesus Christ. It headed almost every letter he wrote. For example, “Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead)…” (Galatians 1:1).

In truth, God has chosen all who are Christians. Before the world began, God determined to select all and only those who answered the call of the gospel of Jesus Christ. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16). Paul wrote of this to the Thessalonians, giving thanks to God for the them, “…because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14).

Do you want to be one of the chosen?  The group has an open membership. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).

The Bible indeed teaches that we must receive the gift of God’s grace to be saved. How do we receive it? Scripture reveals that it IS NOT by saying a “Sinner’s Prayer.”

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A discussion of the example of Barnabas, the companion of Paul and a great minister of God in his own right. There is much to emulate from his example.

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(Adapted from a sermon outline “starter” that appeared on Facebook by Mark Posey on 1/19/24)

Anyone who is familiar with the teaching of Jesus Christ will know what is called the “golden rule.”  “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).

The rule encompasses the most important truth for the Christian, and that is the imperative of love. “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails…” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). It is not inappropriate to call it the golden rule, though that is a name given it by man, not found in scripture. Continue reading “Five “Golden” Rules” →

This is a hard thing for children. It might be because a child thinks that if he admits he has done wrong, there will be consequences. In fact, some children will continue to proclaim “I didn’t do it” or “It wasn’t me” even if they were caught red handed!

It can be the same for Christians as well. Why would a Christian who has sinned deny, or rationalize,  or excuse their actions? Well, it may be that they fear what others may think if they admit to not being perfect! But, no one is perfect, and that shows too much concern for what others think, rather than what God thinks! “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” (Isaiah 64:6). Continue reading “Acknowledging Responsibility for Wrong” →