WOW! Intense chapter.
Before we get started, let's clear something up. The "rapture" is something that we have invented as Christians, because we think it sounds more fun and enjoyable to fly up into heaven, as opposed to going through the evil and persecution that will be rampant on the earth in the "end times." You will notice in this chapter how Paul talks about the coming of the "lawless one" or anti-Christ...he says that this person will come when Christians are still around and then Jesus will come back and end it all. Think about the embarrassing dilemma the "rapture" brings with it...so Jesus comes back a second time, raptures all good Christians, leaves, and then comes back a third time to end everything? Awkward. Every time Paul talks about the "gathering" or the "taking up" to heaven, it is closely related to the second coming of Christ...basically, it all goes down at the same time. And as Paul makes very clear, we don't need to be sitting around speculating about the "end times" because we are in the END TIMES! We have been in the end times since Jesus left. We are surrounded by self-seeking people that worship themselves (sometimes we are those people). This world is full of depravity and lawlessness and atrocities and horrors and deception and I could go on and on...but we need to accept we are in the end times - always. During times of persecution and lawlessness, Christians are given a chance to show the rest of the world truth and hope...why would we be removed from such opportunity! I am now officially stepping off my soap box.
2:3ffA - The important thing is this - our interest should not be in the anti-Christ, but in Jesus Christ - period! Who cares about when the guy who is going to lose is going to show up! I want to live for Jesus, so that when he shows up I am ready!
2:3ffB - It is interesting that when the anti-Christ comes, he will deceive the world through lies and false miracles...this charade will go on for some time, but there is no real power in his rule. There is only chaos, fear, depravity and lies. When Jesus returns, it is once for all. Jesus returns in true power and ends it all. No messing about, no lies or trickery...just plain unadulterated victory. Very different forms of leadership, don't you think?
2:7 - "The mystery of lawlessness is already at work." Great line. Basically - Satan and his cronies are already doing their best to prepare the world for the anti-Christ...lawlessness is already rampant and it always has been, and it is waiting for the man of lawlessness to come. Also, this verse says, "Only who who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way." What is this thing restraining the anti-Christ from coming. Short answer - nobody knows. We can see in verse 5 that Paul has already talked in person with the Thessalonians about these things, so we have no idea who he is talking about. We can assume that it is a power of good (God, Holy Spirit, angels, people preaching the gospel, etc.), because it is holding the evil at bay, but we don't know for sure. Ask Jesus when he comes back.
2:8 - *SPOILER ALERT* In the end...Jesus wins. That's all that really matters - now go live for Him!
2:12 - Paul wants these people to quit worrying about the future and focus on the NOW. Our fate is going to be decided by how we respond to the truth of God. How we respond now...not in the future...not someday, but NOW.
There is also other good stuff in the close of the chapter, but I am theologically spent. Please leave comments about what you got out of the chapter or my commentary.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
2 Thessalonians Chapter 1 - October 16th, 2008
1:3 - Some people think that faith is a static thing - either you have it or you don't. Paul wants them to understand that true faith is an organic, ever-growing thing...you can always know God more and offer him more...love people more. He is continuing a theme he used throughout I Thessalonians.
1:5 - Paul says that their staying faith strong in the face of persecution is evidence to God's justice. Because the Thessalonians trust God no matter what comes their way, they become a piece of evidence for the rest of the world to see...that God is worthy of trust. They are able to have this peace and strength in the face of hard times, and their inhuman power to do this is evidence of God's peace and grace.
As you read through the second half of this chapter, it seems to bring up a question...if God is so just, why are His people going through this persecution? If God is just, why doesn't He judge the world now? Paul gives us a clue in Romans 2:4 (Go read it)...God is showing patience and grace with the unbelieving sinners of the world. He is offering them a chance to come into His kingdom. His patience puts Christians in the path of persecution, but it offers nonbelievers a chance at redemption. It's a fair trade. Persecution forces us to rely on God and trust in His justice...and patience gives the nonbelievers we know and love a chance at eternal life. Works for me!
1:9 - Paul lays it out for us...separation from God is eternal destruction. Hell is separation from God. God is love and life...existence outside of God's influence would result in hatred and death. I'll take door number 1 Alex!
1:11 - God may I live to be worthy of Your calling.
1:5 - Paul says that their staying faith strong in the face of persecution is evidence to God's justice. Because the Thessalonians trust God no matter what comes their way, they become a piece of evidence for the rest of the world to see...that God is worthy of trust. They are able to have this peace and strength in the face of hard times, and their inhuman power to do this is evidence of God's peace and grace.
As you read through the second half of this chapter, it seems to bring up a question...if God is so just, why are His people going through this persecution? If God is just, why doesn't He judge the world now? Paul gives us a clue in Romans 2:4 (Go read it)...God is showing patience and grace with the unbelieving sinners of the world. He is offering them a chance to come into His kingdom. His patience puts Christians in the path of persecution, but it offers nonbelievers a chance at redemption. It's a fair trade. Persecution forces us to rely on God and trust in His justice...and patience gives the nonbelievers we know and love a chance at eternal life. Works for me!
1:9 - Paul lays it out for us...separation from God is eternal destruction. Hell is separation from God. God is love and life...existence outside of God's influence would result in hatred and death. I'll take door number 1 Alex!
1:11 - God may I live to be worthy of Your calling.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
I Thessalonians Chapter 5 - October 15th, 2008
5:2 - We need to stop making predictions about when the Lord will return, because scripture tells us over and over again - we won't know! We have no idea. It is our job to live in the light and never give up hope for our future...the rest we leave up to God's timing. I personally hope it is soon.
5:11 - He continues with the theme of continually working and building and encouraging each other. Our job as fellow Christians is never done. There are always people to build up and encourage.
5:14 - Great list of leadership goals. Light a fire under the butts of the lazy. Give courage to those paralyzed by fear. Give strength to the weak and be patient with all of them (Because it can get really discouraging!).
5:23 - Awesome benediction! Wow. Anybody can speak this over me anytime they want!
5:11 - He continues with the theme of continually working and building and encouraging each other. Our job as fellow Christians is never done. There are always people to build up and encourage.
5:14 - Great list of leadership goals. Light a fire under the butts of the lazy. Give courage to those paralyzed by fear. Give strength to the weak and be patient with all of them (Because it can get really discouraging!).
5:23 - Awesome benediction! Wow. Anybody can speak this over me anytime they want!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
I Thessalonians Chapter 4 - October 14th, 2008
4:3 - God is not trying to be the cosmic kill-joy here by taking away all our fun sexual immorality, He is honestly showing us the best way for our lives. We have to be able to control our own bodies...because when our flesh is out of control, that is when we enter into a world of pain and joyless, meaningless experience that warp us forever. It goes way beyond sex...if you can't control your body is this department, how are you going to control it with addictions - nicotine, food, drugs, alcohol, shopping, whatever? How are you going to control your temper, your violence, your ability to rationally deal with other people. Absolutely no control over your flesh is no way to live. But Paul is saying it starts with controlling sexual sin.
4:7 - Talk about an in your face challenge to all of us...(Imagine this dripping with sarcasm) Oh, you mean God called you to a life of impurity - that's funny, I thought He called us all to a life of HOLINESS! We are called to holiness. God believes that we are worthy of such a call, and that gives me great pride - now it's time to go live it out.
4:10 - There seems to be this recurring theme throughout the letter - NEVER SETTLE. We are never going to "arrive" in any area of our faith. There is always going to be room for improvement...there is always going to be more and more that we can do...more and more that we can give. Christianity should never be boring, because there is always another mountain for us to climb - always.
4:13 - Our grieving should be completely different from the grieving of those married to this world, because we have hope. We know that an end to this earthly body is really just the beginning.
4:7 - Talk about an in your face challenge to all of us...(Imagine this dripping with sarcasm) Oh, you mean God called you to a life of impurity - that's funny, I thought He called us all to a life of HOLINESS! We are called to holiness. God believes that we are worthy of such a call, and that gives me great pride - now it's time to go live it out.
4:10 - There seems to be this recurring theme throughout the letter - NEVER SETTLE. We are never going to "arrive" in any area of our faith. There is always going to be room for improvement...there is always going to be more and more that we can do...more and more that we can give. Christianity should never be boring, because there is always another mountain for us to climb - always.
4:13 - Our grieving should be completely different from the grieving of those married to this world, because we have hope. We know that an end to this earthly body is really just the beginning.
Monday, October 13, 2008
I Thessalonians Chapter 3 - October 13th, 2008
3:4 - If you are really, truly going to walk the path of Jesus, you have to know there is going to be serious trouble. I think this is one of those things in the back of our minds that keeps us from actually doing it - fear. Life doesn't become easier as a Christian...it becomes more dangerous. Do I live a dangerous life? And I'm not talking about throwing myself in front of cars and stuff like that...I mean, is there an air of danger in my life because I so desperately try to make the will of the Father my own? Do I teach a dangerous message? How about you?
3:5 - Paul is in torment and his only concern is the faith of his friends. That is so Jesus-like (Praying forgiveness for those who are crucifying you, anyone?)! I find that more often than not, I am exclusively worrying about my own problems. I think it's time for me to take some of Batman's anti-self-centeredness pills (If he has some, but he did have shark-repellent, so I'm pretty sure he's got these!).
3:12 - This is what life should be like for us...a constant increase in our ability to love other people. Seriously, after 30 years of being a Christian I should have a pretty large capacity for loving others, and after another 30 years (God willing...although I really wouldn't mind ditching this world and chillin' with Him!) my ability to love others should have increased by leaps and bounds. Part of the process that Christian go through to prepare their hearts for God's will, is living out a love for others. Why do I show the greatest ability to love myself?
3:5 - Paul is in torment and his only concern is the faith of his friends. That is so Jesus-like (Praying forgiveness for those who are crucifying you, anyone?)! I find that more often than not, I am exclusively worrying about my own problems. I think it's time for me to take some of Batman's anti-self-centeredness pills (If he has some, but he did have shark-repellent, so I'm pretty sure he's got these!).
3:12 - This is what life should be like for us...a constant increase in our ability to love other people. Seriously, after 30 years of being a Christian I should have a pretty large capacity for loving others, and after another 30 years (God willing...although I really wouldn't mind ditching this world and chillin' with Him!) my ability to love others should have increased by leaps and bounds. Part of the process that Christian go through to prepare their hearts for God's will, is living out a love for others. Why do I show the greatest ability to love myself?
Thursday, October 9, 2008
I Thessalonians Chapter 2 - October 9th, 2008
2:4 - This is an important verse for teachers and preachers to remember - it's NOT about pleasing men...it's not about making people happy or making them feel good. We are called to speak the truth that God expects us to speak. He is the judge, not our fellow citizens of earth...His opinion is what we should be worried about.
2:11 - This is a great verse for youth ministry, because this is basically my job! Exhort, encourage and charge students to step into the glorious kingdom of God. That's what I'm supposed to do! In fact, that's what we are all supposed to be speaking into the lives of the people we come in contact with.
2:14 - Through the power of the Spirit of God and through the hard work and love of Paul and other ministers pouring their lives into the Thessalonians, they became imitators of Christ. The Thessalonians went from non-believers to suffering servants. This is a picture of the ultimate reward of ministering to people. To see them go from death to life. To see them leave the path of the world and walk in the footsteps of Jesus. That is awesome!
2:11 - This is a great verse for youth ministry, because this is basically my job! Exhort, encourage and charge students to step into the glorious kingdom of God. That's what I'm supposed to do! In fact, that's what we are all supposed to be speaking into the lives of the people we come in contact with.
2:14 - Through the power of the Spirit of God and through the hard work and love of Paul and other ministers pouring their lives into the Thessalonians, they became imitators of Christ. The Thessalonians went from non-believers to suffering servants. This is a picture of the ultimate reward of ministering to people. To see them go from death to life. To see them leave the path of the world and walk in the footsteps of Jesus. That is awesome!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
I Thessalonians Chapter 1 - October 8th, 2008
The end of Colossians and the beginning of Thessalonians are short, so I thought I'd throw two down today, to do some catching up.
1:3 - Labor of love. Is that what your personal ministry is to you? Sometimes I think we allow our own ministries (we are all ministers, so don't check out!) to become this dead weight crushing us...an obligation that we must fulfill to be "good Christians." This is how people get burned out. We must never forget to look at out ministry in this world as a labor of love. It is labor...it is hard, but it is about love. It is not about saving ourselves or being "good Christians," our labor for the Lord is about understanding how huge His love for us is and wanting other people to come in contact with that. If you lose that focus, you will lose any ability to function as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
1:8 - This reminds me of a quote from St. Francis of Assisi, "Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary use words." Great quote. Paul tells the Thessalonians their faith has gone everywhere because of their actions and applauds them because they haven't even had to say anything...they have just loved on people. Every day we should all be preaching that kind of Gospel...preaching the love of God through our actions. But don't forget - don't use St. Frannies quote as an excuse to allow you to only do "nice things" and consider your ministry finished. He said, "when necessary use words." There are times when it is definitely necessary to speak the words of God's love into people's lives. Be ready when the call to speak is placed on you.
1:3 - Labor of love. Is that what your personal ministry is to you? Sometimes I think we allow our own ministries (we are all ministers, so don't check out!) to become this dead weight crushing us...an obligation that we must fulfill to be "good Christians." This is how people get burned out. We must never forget to look at out ministry in this world as a labor of love. It is labor...it is hard, but it is about love. It is not about saving ourselves or being "good Christians," our labor for the Lord is about understanding how huge His love for us is and wanting other people to come in contact with that. If you lose that focus, you will lose any ability to function as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
1:8 - This reminds me of a quote from St. Francis of Assisi, "Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary use words." Great quote. Paul tells the Thessalonians their faith has gone everywhere because of their actions and applauds them because they haven't even had to say anything...they have just loved on people. Every day we should all be preaching that kind of Gospel...preaching the love of God through our actions. But don't forget - don't use St. Frannies quote as an excuse to allow you to only do "nice things" and consider your ministry finished. He said, "when necessary use words." There are times when it is definitely necessary to speak the words of God's love into people's lives. Be ready when the call to speak is placed on you.
Colossians Chapter 4 - October 8th, 2008
4:2 - Pray at all times, but don't just pray mechanically...watch your prayers, look at what you are saying and make sure they are not selfish but full of thanks for all that God has given you. I have a bad habit of resorting to businesslike prayers where I pray only for what I want and need (Even if the stuff is honorable like wisdom for youth leadership or something like that). I must watch myself and make sure I am honoring God for who He is and what He has done for me.
4:3 - Notice Paul does not say, "Please pray for me, so I can get out of prison."? He says, "Pray that God will open up doors so I can share the Gospel." What an incredible, unselfish attitude. I love that! I want to be like that - in the midst of terrible circumstances, I want my thoughts to be only for God and His kingdom. Wow.
4:12 - Paul says that Epaphras is, "always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God." Could this description be given to me? I want to pray like this...I want to struggle on behalf of my family and my youth ministry praying that they will stand mature and assured in the will of God. This cuts to the heart, because I am frequently a man of selfish prayer.
4:3 - Notice Paul does not say, "Please pray for me, so I can get out of prison."? He says, "Pray that God will open up doors so I can share the Gospel." What an incredible, unselfish attitude. I love that! I want to be like that - in the midst of terrible circumstances, I want my thoughts to be only for God and His kingdom. Wow.
4:12 - Paul says that Epaphras is, "always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God." Could this description be given to me? I want to pray like this...I want to struggle on behalf of my family and my youth ministry praying that they will stand mature and assured in the will of God. This cuts to the heart, because I am frequently a man of selfish prayer.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Colossians Chapter 3 - October 7th, 2008
3:1 - If you are a Christ follower you focus on things above...on heavenly things. This is so different from what most Christian, myself included, live out on a day to day basis. We spend so much time talking about politics or sports or movies (that are probably spiritually bankrupt anyway) or money, and then we wonder how we always run out of time for God. One of the marks of a true believer is a "big picture," God-centered focus.
3:5-10 - In case you were confused, Paul gives us all a little list of things that need to be left behind if you plan on living focused on what is above. Verse 7 jumps out at me, where he says, "in these things you once walked" (which I definitely have and sometimes do)...what challenges me about that phrase is the past tense. These are the things we leave behind as God's people. I want to be known as a man who "once" struggled with those things...because that implies that I no longer do. How beautiful would that be - how freeing!
3:11 - There is no place for bigotry, racism and stereotyped hatred...Jesus Christ has created all, is in all and through ALL! We when all ourselves to judge others on their culture or appearance...we pass judgement on Jesus Christ who made them.
3:14 - If anybody is reading this, how does love bind everything together? Why is love the ultimate relational glue?
3:18 - Wives, submit to your husbands as it fitting to the Lord. As is fitting to the Lord? This means wives aren't personal slaves to their husbands - that is not fitting to a daughter of the king. This means wives aren't lesser people than their husbands...that flies directly in the face of Colossians 3:11! It means that wives honor God and their husbands by offering respect and love...the same things that the husband should be sending back to the wife.
3:23 - Wherever you are....whatever you are doing...work hard because you aren't working for yourself or somebody else...you are working for the Lord. Every day is a gift. Every ability you have is a gift. These should be offered up to God daily as a sacrifice of love.
3:5-10 - In case you were confused, Paul gives us all a little list of things that need to be left behind if you plan on living focused on what is above. Verse 7 jumps out at me, where he says, "in these things you once walked" (which I definitely have and sometimes do)...what challenges me about that phrase is the past tense. These are the things we leave behind as God's people. I want to be known as a man who "once" struggled with those things...because that implies that I no longer do. How beautiful would that be - how freeing!
3:11 - There is no place for bigotry, racism and stereotyped hatred...Jesus Christ has created all, is in all and through ALL! We when all ourselves to judge others on their culture or appearance...we pass judgement on Jesus Christ who made them.
3:14 - If anybody is reading this, how does love bind everything together? Why is love the ultimate relational glue?
3:18 - Wives, submit to your husbands as it fitting to the Lord. As is fitting to the Lord? This means wives aren't personal slaves to their husbands - that is not fitting to a daughter of the king. This means wives aren't lesser people than their husbands...that flies directly in the face of Colossians 3:11! It means that wives honor God and their husbands by offering respect and love...the same things that the husband should be sending back to the wife.
3:23 - Wherever you are....whatever you are doing...work hard because you aren't working for yourself or somebody else...you are working for the Lord. Every day is a gift. Every ability you have is a gift. These should be offered up to God daily as a sacrifice of love.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Colossians Chapter 1 - October 6, 2008
Sorry about last week...I was rarely near a computer for a reasonable amount of time. I thought about doing to chapters throughout this week, but these chapters are too intense. I'll try to catch up later.
2:2-3 - Talk about a ministry mission statement! Wow! It's a little harder to remember then always growing, but this is intense. What does Paul long for in his people - unity (so close it is like they are knit together) - wisdom (being able to discern the mysteries of God) - hope (having full assurance that God is in control) - knowing God...literally knowing God, like they know themselves. This is what Paul longed for in the lives of his fellow Christians. Is that what we long for in our lives? Is this what we are striving towards? I hope so.
2:9-10 - The fullness of God dwells within Jesus and in turn Jesus fill us. We have the Spirit and power of God to call upon in our lives - why are we scared so often?
2:12 - I think that some people believe Christianity is this morbid religion calling everyone to die...to crucify themselves...kinda depressing. But it is about so much more. It is a call to die with Christ, so that we can be raised with Him. A call to a new and better life, not a call to morbidly live in a state of death. Jesus bids us to come and put to death the life that is strangling us anyway and experiencing life at his side. Call me crazy, but that sounds pretty incredible to me.
2:16-19 - Why do we argue over the meaningless and not pour our energy into focusing on the meaning of everything - God?
2:23 - Religiously following rules does not overcome the sinful human nature for us. Sorry if that is news to you. Jesus overcame the flesh and we can only do that through him. Stop focusing on the rules and who is holier than who and start to chasing after Christ and Christ-like living.
2:2-3 - Talk about a ministry mission statement! Wow! It's a little harder to remember then always growing, but this is intense. What does Paul long for in his people - unity (so close it is like they are knit together) - wisdom (being able to discern the mysteries of God) - hope (having full assurance that God is in control) - knowing God...literally knowing God, like they know themselves. This is what Paul longed for in the lives of his fellow Christians. Is that what we long for in our lives? Is this what we are striving towards? I hope so.
2:9-10 - The fullness of God dwells within Jesus and in turn Jesus fill us. We have the Spirit and power of God to call upon in our lives - why are we scared so often?
2:12 - I think that some people believe Christianity is this morbid religion calling everyone to die...to crucify themselves...kinda depressing. But it is about so much more. It is a call to die with Christ, so that we can be raised with Him. A call to a new and better life, not a call to morbidly live in a state of death. Jesus bids us to come and put to death the life that is strangling us anyway and experiencing life at his side. Call me crazy, but that sounds pretty incredible to me.
2:16-19 - Why do we argue over the meaningless and not pour our energy into focusing on the meaning of everything - God?
2:23 - Religiously following rules does not overcome the sinful human nature for us. Sorry if that is news to you. Jesus overcame the flesh and we can only do that through him. Stop focusing on the rules and who is holier than who and start to chasing after Christ and Christ-like living.
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