Ray Ruppert's Blog, page 68

Doing More to Please God – 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2

Do you feel like you are living a godly life? That’s great if you do, we should all be striving for that. But look at what Paul says to the Thessalonians who are living to please the Lord.
Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more. For you remember what we taught you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. (NLT)
Even when we are already living godly lives, there is always room for improvement. 
Urged on In the Name of Jesus
At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth. (Phil 2:10 NKJV)
Calling upon the name of Jesus to urge someone to do something is a very serious. Since every knee will at sometime in the future bow or submit to Jesus’ authority, it makes Paul’s urging more than an encouragement. If we address Jesus as Lord, then we must acknowledge His sovereign rights over us. Paul taught by the authority of Jesus so his urging is the same as Jesus Himself urging us. It is confirmed by the fact that this book of the Bible has been kept as revelation from God. Had this directive not been inspired by the Holy Spirit then it would not have survived over the years and delivered along with the rest of the Bible. This urging is similar to the way Paul exhorted Timothy. Three times, he charged Timothy in the presences of God and Christ Jesus to live a godly life and to exercise his ministry (1 Tim 5:21; 6:13-14; 2 Tim 4:1-2). Think about that for a while. Imagine standing in the presences of God and Jesus Christ along with Paul. Paul then tells you to do something and while God and Jesus nod in agreement. That’s what is going on when Paul urges us to live a life that pleases God.
Live to Please God
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.(1 Cor 10:31 RSV)
Eating and drinking are two very necessary functions for us to live. The context of this verse is doing things that cause others to stumble. However, the broader application is for all aspects of life. In application, it is an extension of Matthew 22:37-38 where Jesus explained the whole Law and commandments as loving God and our neighbors. If we are living to please God, then our lives should bring glory to Him. That would be a very easy test of every aspect of our lives. All we need do is to ask ourselves is whether this would bring glory to God. When we do something, does it express or demonstrate love for God and our neighbors? 
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. (Col 3:17 NASB)
I suppose it is possible for someone to do something in the name of Jesus and rationalize it as pleasing God. I’m fairly certain that all of us have done that to one degree or another. I know I have. However, hindsight reveals that I might have done something in the name of the Lord but it was only to satisfy my own desires. It’s the same problem as praying for something and not getting it because it was really a selfish request only meant to meet my wants and passions (James 4:3). Rather than getting hung up on all the possible abuses, it’s better to simply apply these verses and try to understand what the Lord really wants. Does it glorify God and demonstrate love of God and others. If we are walking with the Lord and our hearts don’t condemn us (1 John 3:21), then were can be pretty sure that we are doing things for His glory and in His name.
Fundamental Christian Teaching
I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. (Acts 20:27 ESV)
Can you imagine having Paul as your Bible study leader? He was bold. He didn’t mince words or fear calling sin, sin. He told it like it was. However, this verse was describes a time when he talked to the elders in Ephesus. He had more than two years in Ephesus. He didn’t have that much time in Thessalonica; it was only about three weeks (Acts 17:2). Even if Paul met with believers during the week and not only on the Sabbath, this isn’t much time and they only had time to learn the fundamentals of Christianity. One of those fundamentals was how to live in a way that pleases God. 
I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.(John 5:24 NIV)
Some people think that after becoming a Christian, pleasing the Lord is automatic because they have the Holy Spirit to lead and guide them. While we do have the ability to please God because we are new creations and we have the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5:17, 21), being holy and pleasing Him is something that we must also work at. Sanctification is a process as well as a onetime event. We become holy or sanctified in the sense that we’ve crossed over the line from having a dead spirit that can’t respond to God to one that now has life (John 5:24). However, that is only the start. Paul even had to write to the Ephesians and remind them of how they were taught. Remember, he had over two years to teach them and still he had to remind them to put off their old sinful habits and to put on new ways of living in righteousness and holiness (Eph 4:21-24). 
So the fundamental teaching is that we are saved by grace through faith and that is God’s work in us. We don’t earn it and our good works don’t save us. However, once saved, it is our responsibility to work at living a godly life. That is why He saved us (Eph 2:8-10). We do that in cooperation with the Holy Spirit, not just by our own efforts (Rom 8:13).
Please God Even MoreThose who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Rom 8:8 NASU)
If we really want to please God even more, then we need to understand what it means to be in the flesh. The older NIV (1984) and the NLT versions use the terminology of “controlled by the sinful nature” instead of “in the flesh.” The latest version NIV (2011) says, “In the realm of the flesh.” Fausset’s Bible Dictionary defines flesh when used in this way:
"The flesh" is the natural man, including the unrenewed will and mind, moving in the world of self and sense only. Self imposed ordinances gratify the flesh (i.e. self) while seemingly mortifying it.[1]
Pleasing God more and more as opposed to not being able to please Him at all is tied to the concept of being in the flesh. Those who are not Christians are completely in the flesh. They have no desire or will to please God in the way He has ordained it. They may have a zeal for God, but it isn’t according to God’s will because they try to establish their righteousness on their own terms instead of God’s (Rom 10:2-4). On the other hand, Christians move on from being unable to please God at all to degrees of pleasing Him. Fausset’s definition and Scripture indicate that even when we are Christians, we can be more or less in the flesh. It depends on how much we are being renewed in our will and mind, or as some would say, how much we are being led by the Spirit.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. (Rom 8:14 NKJV). 
This verse makes it sound very black and white. We are completely doing what the Spirit wants or we are not and therefore, not even Christians. Thankfully, Paul clarifies in other places what being led by the Spirit entails, especially when understanding what it means to have our minds renewed. 
And do not be conformed [Stop doing this! Go on refusing to do this!] to this world, but be transformed [Commitment to long term way of doing something. A command to keep on doing an action as ones’ general habit or life-style. Repeat each time this situation arises!] by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove [Constantly or repeatedly, customarily; a continuous processor habit] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Rom 12:2 NASB)[2]
The Discovery Bible uses icons to indicate what the Greek grammar intended but our English grammar can’t fully reveal when translated. When using the icons to understand Romans 12:2, the meaning of being in the flesh or not comes clear. Being in the flesh is being conformed to the world, something we must stop but it is an ongoing process. We don’t just stop once, we must stop every time the world wants us to conform. Being led by the Spirit is then stopping each time a situation comes up that tries to make us conform. It doesn’t happen all at once but we must continue to refuse to do it. Obviously, we don’t always stop. Being transformed is doing the opposite. As we stop being conformed we start and continue to make being led by the Spirit a lifestyle. The implication is that we progress in this direction. It isn’t something that we suddenly are perfect at doing. The result is repeatedly pleasing God. 
If there is any doubt about this meaning, Paul also wrote, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Cor 3:18 RSV). Learning to please God more and more takes one step at a time.
Taught by Jesus’ Authority.
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God. (1 Peter 4:10-11 ESV)
Paul’s assertion in 1 Thessalonians 4:2 that his teaching came by way of the Lord Jesus would be rather audacious if it had come from someone else. Some translations insert “by the authority” into the text (NLT, NIV, NAS) to indicate the seriousness of what Paul was claiming. When we look at what Peter said about using our gifts, especially those who speak (and this includes write[3]), we are supposed to do so as if we are speaking the very words of God. The oracles of God in the Old Testament were often prophecies of future events. It was very serious for anyone to speak an oracle of the Lord. Judah had abused oracles of the Lord to excuse their sins. Therefore, God spoke through Jeremiah in a blistering reproof and condemnation of those who claimed to have an oracle of the Lord but were only speaking their own perverted words (Jer 23:33-40). 
I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. (Gal 1:11-12 NIV)
Paul made the claim that what he taught was a direct revelation from Jesus. Scholars believe he wrote it either in 48 or AD 52.[4]Peter also spoke of the wisdom of Paul’s writings and equated them with Scripture (2 Peter 3:15-16). 2 Peter was written in AD 66-67.[5]If there had been any doubts about Paul’s authority, it would have been raised after he stated that his revelation came from Jesus. Peter had more than ten years to contradict Paul. Instead he substantiated his claim to have Jesus’ authority. 
Since Paul taught with Jesus’ authority and he unequivocally states that the Thessalonians should live in a way to please God more and more, then we have no choice but to accept that instruction for our lives. If we don’t apply this Scripture to our lives then we have no business claiming any of the promises in Scripture either. God warns those who take parts only the parts of Scripture they like and ignore the others:
But to the wicked God says, "What right have you to tell of My statutes And to take My covenant in your mouth? "For you hate discipline, And you cast My words behind you. (Ps 50:16-17 NASU)
May we all strive to please God more and more as we make the effort to let the Holy Spirit lead us and transform us more and more into the image of His Son, Jesus.
[1] Andrew Robert Fausset, Fausset's Bible Dictionary, s.v. “Flesh,” (Seattle: Biblesoft, Inc., 2006), Electronic Database. [2]Notations in brackets inserted from icons in, New American Standard Version, The Discovery Bible: New Testament, Reference ed. (Chicago: Moody Press, 1987), Rom 12:2. [3] S. Grimm and S. Wilke, New Testament Lexicon, Joseph Henry Thayer, ed., (Seattle: Biblesoft 2006), s.v. “NT:2980.” [4] Merrill Frederick Unger, The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary, s.v. “Galatians, Epistle to the,” (Chicago: Moody, 1988), Biblesoft. [5]Unger, s.v. “Peter, Second Epistle of.”

Benediction – 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

How do you view benedictions? I started thinking more about them as I read Paul’s benediction in 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13. 
Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. (NIV)
A benediction is an interesting form of prayer. I think that we often look at them from the wrong viewpoint because of traditions. The priest, pastor, or reverend at the end of a religious service raises his hand toward the congregation and invokes a benediction. It is often a rote formulation copied out of a prayer book or some verses from the Bible. Also called a blessing, it appears as though the person offering the benediction is somehow greater than the ones receiving it, which in some cases is appropriate (Heb 7:7). This viewpoint places a greater emphasis on the one doing the blessing, for he is somehow capable of making this special kind of prayer because he has a special in with God that the recipient do not have. Therefore, he pronounces this pray speaking as if God is a bystander. I don’t think this is the way benedictions should be used nor are they the way the Bible intends them to be seen.
Context
The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.(Num 6:24-26 NASU)
This is a common blessing that is recited at the end of services. It is the way the Lord commanded Aaron to bless Israel. However, Aaron’s and Paul’s benedictions are in contrast with most benedictions spoken at the end of a service. While there is nothing wrong in quoting Aaron’s benediction, the context leading up to the benediction is missing. Aaron’s was at the end of a long list of rules and regulations. The meaning is clear because the Lord also said, “You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them: I amthe Lord” (Lev 18:5 NKJV). The application is the blessing of that the Lord supplies when the people are obedient to the Law. The result is peace. Paul’s benediction relates back to the concerns he had for the Thessalonians. Viewed in context, the benediction then becomes a reinforcement of the message. It is telling the recipients that God would accomplish in the heart of the believers the application of the message just preached. 
As an example, if the message has been on the Ten Commandments and the minister ends the message with Aaron’s blessing. There is no connection with the message. Shouldn’t the blessing be something like, “May the Lord convict you of idolatry and using His name wrongly in your swearing and cursing.” Or, “May the Lord strengthen you to honor Him before all other things and glorify His name in all you say and then may the Lord bless and keep you …” 
One other thing, why is the benediction only at the end of the service? Paul still had two more chapters to write when he gave this benediction. Maybe there should be a benediction after each point of a sermon.So now, let’s look at the way Paul’s benediction applied to his previous message.
Clear the Way
What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:15 NLT)
Seldom do we see benedictions that include the person who is praying. Paul included himself in his benediction. He is acknowledging, as James instructed, to make sure that the Lord’s will is in mind. He asked that the Lord clear the way not just for his sake, but also so that the Thessalonians would be blessed when they were able to see each other again. A significant portion of the previous passages starting in 1 Thessalonians 2:17, was devoted to the eagerness in which he wanted to see them and after learning that they had the same desire, it was appropriate to pray in the benediction for the Lord to make that possible.
Increased Love
Therefore, however you want people to treat you, so treat them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matt 7:12 NASB)
Paul’s second point in his benediction was for an increase in love toward everyone. Who wouldn’t want this to happen? Jesus said the greatest commandments is to love God and the second is to love others (Matt 22:37-40). In His Sermon on the Mount, He explained that this is demonstrated in treating other the way we want to be treated (Matt 7:12). Of course, this is predicated on the concept that you are a person that wants to love God in the first place. John wrote much about love in 1 John and that it is first predicated on knowing God (1 John 4:8). The person who claims to love God but is not showing love to others is a liar (1 John 4:20). What better benediction would there be for those whom Paul loved and who loved him? His longing to see them and their desire to see him was rooted in love.
Strength to Be Holy  and Blameless
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to  the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord,  be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24 ESV)
Paul’s benediction also was calling upon God to give the Thessalonians the strength to be holy and blameless. Much of his concern for them was that they had fallen away because of persecution. I’ve written about our need to be solid in our faith before persecution comes, but we still need the Lord to strength us for persecution. However, surviving persecution, the testing of the genuineness of our faith (1 Peter 1:7), like loving others, assumes that we have faith. If we have faith we also have the promises of Jesus that we won’t fall away (John 10:27-30). Jude’s benediction is worded differently than Paul’s, but take another look at it. God, through Jesus Christ receives glory because He is the one who gives the strength not to stumble and sin. We are blameless because, through Jesus, all our sins, past present and future have been wiped out, “because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy” (Heb 10:14 NIV). 
Other Benedictions
Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem and said to the reapers, “May the Lord be with you.” And they said to him, “May the Lord bless you.” (Ruth 2:4 NASU)
Benedictions should fit the message preached. However, there are other benedictions that are appropriate. In the book of Ruth, Boaz the landowner blessed his hired hands. But look at the response. They turned around and asked for a blessing on their boss. This establishes the fact that we don’t need to be the one in authority, as patriarchs blessed their families before dying (Gen 27:26-29, 49:1-27), or as priests (Num 6:22-27), apostles, or pastors. We can and should bless around those us (1 Peter 3:9).
With this in mind, how do we apply it? One way is to establish a tradition to bless our families when we pray. We can send our family members off to work (at home or outside of home) or school. 
May the Lord renew the use of benedictions in your home, in your church, and even in your work. May the traditions be full of meaning and not rote renditions of formula prayers.

Missionary Support – 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10

 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord. For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith? (NASU)
We often think of supporting our missionaries by prayer and monetary provision. Certainly, we see examples of that in Paul’s writing. When he wrote to the Philippians in 4:15-17, he spoke of their support in the beginning when no other church was supporting him. They were a great support for his physical needs even when he was in Thessalonica. He rejoiced when they renewed their concern for him, most likely while he was imprisoned. Yet, the support for missionaries he expressed when writing to the Thessalonians is of a different nature.
It is possible to be vitally concerned for missionaries but not have the personal connection that Paul had with the Thessalonians. To be fair, this isn’t the same as when we send missionaries off because Paul had been sent to them. He saw their faith come to life as they were saved. He poured himself into them and they responded. Yet, their longing to see him is the kind of support we can also show to our missionaries. It can’t happen in isolation or by reading their newsletters without responding in some way. 
Longing to See Each Other
For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. (Phil 1:8 NKJV)
If we are ever going to get to know missionaries enough to have this kind of longing to see each other, it can only happen in two ways. The first is the example of the Thessalonians. They were converted by Paul’s work. They spent time with him and learned from him. In supporting our missionaries, the way to do that would be to work with them while they are with us. In mutual ministry, we can get to know each other and form the bonds of friendship that the hands-off impersonal support doesn’t achieve. When they are sent out to the field, the bond will still be there. 
The other way is to go to where they are. We often question the effectiveness of short-term mission trips. What can a group of people do that really makes a difference in another culture? Can they effectively evangelize? If the goal is to win people to Christ, they may have some effect. If their goal is to make disciples, they are most likely less effective. But if their goal is to support and encourage the missionaries they are working with, then they may be more effective than we will ever understand. The desire to see each other again will be strong and the encouragement will be greater.  Standing Firm
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.” (John 8:31 NLT)
Jesus made it clear that remaining faithful to His teaching was a mark of a true disciple. I believe most missionaries have a goal of making disciples and not just converts. Hopefully, they all share Paul’s attitude that their life purpose is accomplished when they see their disciples standing firm in the faith. I’m not sure that this is the attitude of many people in our churches. I’ve seen some people latch on to a great ministry concept, one in which a certain segment of the church is encouraged, is evangelistic, and disciple building. Once they have the project up and running, they depart to start up another project that “the Lord has laid on their hearts.” While they work diligently on the new project, the old one falls apart and eventually is left by the wayside. 
What’s the problem? If Paul is setting an example, then there are two problems. The first is that they didn’t develop true disciples dedicated to the ministry who would stand firm and carry on when they moved on. The second is that they didn’t show concern for the ministry after they left. They didn’t follow up by sending a Timothy (or themselves) back to make sure the problems the ministry faced were being handled appropriately. They have a great ability to look forward, establish goals, and start ministry but they don’t apparently have the ability to look back and get the joy of living in the fact that their disciples are standing firm. Let’s encourage our missionaries not to move on too quickly until their disciples can stand firm.
Praying
For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. (Rom 1:9-10 RSV)
Prayer support for missionaries is absolutely vital. Without prayer, there would never be any effective missionaries. They would be like King Asa, “And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa became diseased in his feet. His disease was severe, yet even in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians” (2 Chron 16:12 NASB). Asa had two years of misery then died. Their ministry, done in their own efforts instead of seeking the Lord, will die.
However, there is an overlooked aspect of prayer support for missionaries that Paul expressed when writing to the Romans and the Thessalonians. The prayer is to see each other again. Have you ever prayed that you could go to some missionaries and see them face to face? In John Ortberg’s book, he tells of a man, Bob, who was challenged by Doug Coe to pray for Kenya every day for six months. If nothing extraordinary happened, Doug would pay Bob six hundred dollars. He didn’t know anyone there and after a while, he met a woman who helped an orphanage in Kenya. He went to Kenya and extraordinary things happened.[1]After reading that, I began to pray more earnestly for Pakistan, knowing I would never go there. I was wrong. After nearly a year of prayer, in 2011, I was able to visit Saul, a young man who had established a Christian school in his hometown along with other ministries. They are still going strong and it would be great to see them again. Be careful how you pray. God may answer in extraordinary ways.
Lacking in Faith
Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. (Col 1:28 ESV)
Missionary support works in many ways. Missionaries are working to “complete what is lacking” (1 Thess 3:10) in the lives of those whom they serve. Their goal is to “present everyone mature in Christ.” However, is it possible that all missionaries have the same amount of faith or maturity? Of course not. If that were so, we wouldn’t see failures on the field due to immorality or other sinful misbehavior. We often expect them to be the epitome of spiritual fortitude. Some of them are. They have insight into God’s Word and have applied it to their own lives. However, there is always room for growth. None of us will be completely mature until we reach heaven, but we continue to press on to know what it means to be mature in Christ as even Paul did (Phil 3:12-16). This is what we must all do and we must encourage and help missionaries grow in their faith as well. Paul’s admonition in Colossians 1:28 is for us to warn everyone, teach everyone so everyonewill be mature in Christ. That includes our missionaries, people we disciple, and ourselves.
[1]John Ortberg, If You Want to Walk On Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001), 91-93.

Avoid Apostolic Anxiety – 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

It’s been one and half months since I’ve posted any blogs or done much on facebook. Teaching my theology class was the top priority. I only have one class left and looking forward to it even though I may step on theological toes, especially those who believe most of the gifts of the Holy Spirit ceased with the last Apostle. But my post for the day is not about that, it is about Paul’s anxiety and what we can learn for him.


So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless. (NIV® 1984)
Apostolic Anxiety 
Doesn’t it seem odd to you that the Apostle Paul would have such concern for the church in Thessalonica that he twice expressed such strong emotional stress as, “I could stand it no longer”? We often quote Philippians 4:6 where Paul said, “Be anxious for nothing” (NKJV). This gives the impression that Paul went around with a transcendent smile on his face being in perfect peace. Though he faced many physical hardships, his concern for the churches may have been just as taxing as he explained to the Corinthians, “Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches” (2 Cor 11:28 NASU).
Why would someone have such concern for people, some of whom he had never met? He wrote to the Colossians that his concern extended to those who had not seen him face to face (Col 2:1). His goal for all the churches was expressed in Colossians 2:2, “I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God's mysterious plan, which is Christ himself” (NLT). Regardless of what kinds of trials they were facing, Paul’s concern was just these two things, love of each other and knowing Jesus. 
If we have strong ties of love for each other and we really understand God’s plan in Jesus, we will be able to weather the storms of life. We need each other for support and encouragement. A loving Christian community can provide that better than any other social connection. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen and the reason is probably that we don’t understand God’s mysterious plan, that is, we don’t really understand Christ. Sure, we think we do. We can quote all sorts of verses and even explain the hypostatic union in the incarnation. But when we don’t have a strong loving Christian community, it exposes the fact that we are still infants in our Christian walk. This was one of the biggest concerns Paul had for the Corinthian church as he wrote to them about the jealousy and strife in their midst, “But I, brethren, could not address you as spiritual men, but as men of the flesh, as babes in Christ” (1 Cor 3:1 RSV).
Get the Facts
And the word pleased the sons of Israel, and the sons of Israel blessed God; and they did not speak of going up against them in war, to destroy the land in which the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad were living. (Josh 22:33 NASB)
Have you ever been anxious about a situation? You stew about it, thinking about all the different scenarios of what might be happening. That happened to the nation of Israel on the West bank of the Jordon. They thought the Israelites on the East bank had violated their covenant with God by building another altar. They were ready to go to war with them. After getting the facts, they found it was not so. The same can happen with us. We have enough information to know that there could be some trouble. There are a couple of different reasons for anxiety. One of them is the inability to trust God. we don’t think God is in control and that type of anxiety is a sinful reaction to the world. The other cause is a lack of information when we know God is in control but you have been given the responsibility to take care of things. This is Paul’s situation. He is the shepherd over these churches and he doesn’t know what’s happening. He isn’t taking on a responsibility that doesn’t belong to him. He has to weigh his own situation, what he needs to do in Athens, and the circumstances of his last visit to Thessalonica. So he sends Timothy to find out how the Thessalonians are coping and to bolster them if needed. He knew that sending Timothy would be a hardship for his ministry in Athens, but getting the facts was more important. Paul sets the example for us when we are anxious – get the facts. Don’t let speculations distract you from your work for the Lord.
Delegation 
I will take of the Spirit who is upon you, and will put Him upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you will not bear it all alone. (Num 11:17 NASU)
Moses had too much work to do. His father-in-law provided a resolution to delegate his responsibilities (Ex 18:13-26). This was confirmed by God when He told Moses to select seventy elders and put His Spirit on them. We all face distractions of one kind or another. Sometimes, being informed is a distraction. Instead of doing my job, I read the newspaper so I can be informed. Usually that just adds to frustration or anxiety and keeps me from my work. In Paul’s case, his concern could have distracted him from his work. Some distractions are important as previously mentioned; Paul had responsibilities on two fronts, the work in Athens and the church in Thessalonica. He resolved the issue by delegating to Timothy. He couldn’t go himself, so he did the next best thing, sending his personal representative. He didn’t delegate to just anyone but one who was a fellow worker. Timothy had the same zeal for the Gospel, as did Paul. He knew the situation and the people. When we delegate, it shouldn’t be to the most convenient person unless that person is qualified. My track record in delegating is not very good, but I’ve learned to make sure the people asked to do a job have the ability. While a person may love the Lord and have a desire to spread the Gospel, they may not have the ability or gift to teach or encourager those already in the faith. Timothy had the skill set needed.
Encouragement in Persecution
“These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.” (John 16:1-2 NKJV)
It is interesting that Paul seeks to encourage the believers in Thessalonica in persecution by telling them they were destined for it (1 Thess 3:3). We don’t normally tell people they are destined for trouble as a way of comfort. But that is exactly what Jesus said to the disciples. Read again John 16:1-2. Jesus is quite clear that this advanced warning is to make sure that we don’t stumble. The stakes are high, the highest that anyone on earth can ever risk, their very souls. We are talking about eternal consequences. The earthly consequences are saving our lives to avoid persecution but the eternal consequences are saving our eternal souls (Matt 10:28). 
These warnings and encouragements of persecution are not new. Daniel 12 tells us that there will be trouble in the future. The trouble may still be in our future or we may be experiencing it right now. The end result is still in our future when the resurrection comes and “Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace” (Dan 12:2 NLT). The proof is in the end results. Those who crumble under persecution and deny their faith are those who prove they were not saved in the first place. Trials come to prove that our faith is genuine (1 Peter 1:7). No wonder Paul was concerned for those in Thessalonica. Many can hear the message of salvation and embrace it but not have anything in themselves that is a result of true faith. When persecution comes, they fall away (Mark 4:17). 
If the church today made it clear that persecution was to be expected when we are saved, there would be fewer people making professions of faith and then falling away later. People should be told the true cost of becoming a disciple of Christ. We don’t want people spending their entire lives thinking they are saved because they said some words without understanding the implication. “And he said to all, ‘If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me’” (Luke 9:23 RSV ). Taking up that cross implies that there will be persecutions, trials, and troubles of all kinds because we belong to Jesus. Our future has changed and the world doesn’t like the transformation that should have occurred in our hearts, our minds – the way we think and act. 
Useless Efforts
So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. (Isa 55:11 NASB)
When Paul was concerned that the salvation of the Thessalonians had endured temptation to desert, did it show a lack in his faith? After all, God’s promise in Isaiah that His Word would always be successful was in the middle of a salvation passage. How can God’s effectual Word ever not accomplish His plan? The answer is most likely in Isaiah 55:8, “’For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord” (NASB). When we start thinking we have all the answers and know what God’s will is, we are treading on dangerous theological ground. Yes, God’s Word will accomplish what He wants, but we don’t’ always know what that is. Paul knew that. As mentioned before, his concern was that the seed he had sown fell on rocky ground (Mark 4:17). 
For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. (2 Tim 4:10 ESV) They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. (1 John 2:19 ESV)
There is possibly nothing more disappointing in Christian ministry than to see someone with whom you’ve worked and saw what appeared to be genuine faith abandon the faith. Even Jesus experienced this with Judas even though He knew that Judas would betray Him. Demas loved the world. People are pulled away by worries, the deceitfulness of riches and the desire to be like the world around them instead of to follow Jesus (Mark 4:18). It’s a temptation that each of us must face. We don’t know if people who profess Christianity are really Christians because we don’t know their hearts. We know for sure when we see a person finish life strong, glorifying God. Those that abandon the faith sometimes come back. When they don’t, we can be sure that they were not really Christians in the first place.
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you — unless, of course, you fail the test?(2 Cor 13:5 NIV)
That only leaves what we know about ourselves. We don’t know others but we do know ourselves and can be sure of our salvation. I hear too many people say that they don’t know what they would do in the face of true persecution – the threat of death if they continue to confess Jesus. They sound pious by saying that they would only know at that time. They would be given grace only when needed but they couldn’t say beforehand. I say that is not an expression of faith in Jesus. It is hedging one’s bet. We had better make up our minds that eternity with Jesus is better than choosing to live a few days longer on this earth or we may have already failed the test because Christ is not in us. There is no need to be anxious about our own faith. One test is to have the confidence that in the face of persecution you will not surrender. I pray that all who read this will know that Jesus is living in them and therefore will finish strong.

Social Media Is no Substituent for Fellowship – 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy. (ESV)
Social Media
As I look at the way Paul interacted with the people in Thessalonica, I wonder how this would work out today. I don’t think younger readers wonder what life would be like without all the methods of instant communications that are available. Can they read 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 and really understand the emotional struggle Paul faced after leaving Thessalonica and being prevented from returning to visit the people he loved there? In Paul’s day, it would probably take weeks for a letter to arrive from them or to be sent to them. They had to trust other people traveling in the same direction to carry their correspondence. With social media, communication is often instantaneous. We can see each other face to face or we can instant message in a conversational manner. Some expect a response right away and can be upset if you don’t respond in the same way. Social media may be getting in the way of establishing relationships the way Paul did when he was in Thessalonica. 
On the other hand, relationships are forged or maintained with others when they move even half way around the world. A couple of days ago I saw a young woman in Washington State talking to her mother in England and got to say hello also. The potential for spreading the Gospel and keeping in touch may take some of the heartache out when persecution or other events separate Christians from each other. 
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. (Ps 63:1 NIV)
Does all this instant communication affect our relationship with God? We can connect to others instantaneously and even see each other in video or pictures. Is it possible to get so accustomed to that kind of communication that we somehow ignore God? It certainly seems to be a big distraction keeping up with texts, facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and whatever else is out there. These all promise things like, “every photo and video you share helps bring people closer to friends and interests, broadens perspectives and inspires a sense of wonder.”If we really want to know God, we have to seek Him earnestly. It is too easy to ignore Him when we are thirsting for entertainment or finding out what our friends are up to rather than taking some time to seek Him. Just reread what David said and check yourself. Ask these questions along with me. Does my soul thirst for God, for Jesus? If so, He will satisfy me (Matt 5:6). Does my body long for God? If so then am I yielding it to righteousness instead of ever-increasing wickedness (Rom 6:19). Do I feel I am in a dry and weary land? I should, because this is not our home (2 Cor 5:1; Phil 3:20). Social media would tell us all we need to do is get connected with other people and their posts leaving no time to seek God. 
Satan’s Schemes
Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. (Eph 6:11 NASU)
There are some groups within social media whose posts endeavor to encourage others to seek God. All social media isn’t bad. However, we need to be wary because some of these are misleading with great sounding quotes that are not Biblical. They are part of Satan’s schemes. One of Satan’s biggest schemes is to provide people with the allusion of community. Paul wanted that face to face contact. He wanted time with people to see if they were actually living the way they said instead of just talking. It’s easy for me to sit here and write about connecting with people and how that should look. It is quite another thing to demonstrate godly behavior and attitude while rubbing shoulders with other people. 
Online dating must be one of Satan’s schemes. Yes, there have been some great marriages and relationships established online. However, it is easy for people to fake it in their correspondence. They have time to consider the right words to say in each situation. They can flatter because the other person can’t see their facial expressions (except on video connections) or body language. Online dating is not a good substitute for personal interactions and observing how a person treats other people. Many convicts have convinced people on the outside that they are “soul mates,” but when they get out, their true colors come out. Satan will hinder people from getting together while developing online relationships until the hook is set and the “fish” is caught. Too often, the victims are women or even young girls, though men and boys have also been trapped. 
Our Joy
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. (Phil 2:1-2 NKJV)
Paul said that the Thessalonians would be his joy when Jesus comes back. An important part of having joy with people you’ve discipled is when they are able to continue the ministry and live godly lives. When writing to the Philippians, Paul emphasize that joy came from being like-minded. That includes the same understanding of how to love one another. It also includes being united and having the same goals. When I think about the direction some churches take, bending to the current social trends and morals, I get no joy. They are not like-minded with the Bible. 
The same principle applies to families, especially to watching children follow Jesus instead of the world. Proverbs 23:15-16 states it well, “My child, if your heart is wise, my own heart will rejoice! Everything in me will celebrate when you speak what is right” (NLT).  On the other hand many of us have experienced the opposite, “but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother” (Prov 10:1 RSV). 
Application
What is the application? Personally, it would be to develop the like-minded qualities that Paul sought, love and being of one accord. That would mean personal interaction with other instead of depending on social media. It would recognize that taking care of others is hard work, work that Satan doesn’t want us to do. It means being of like-mind with other Christians who are studying and living God’s Word in their lives. It means that putting self ahead of other is just another of Satan’s schemes. 
Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. … Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. (Heb 13:7, 17 NASB)
It means that we need to imitate godly leaders of our churches. We need to be supportive of them and help them shepherd their flock without grumbling. It doesn’t mean that they are perfect, or that every aspect of the church is doing everything we think it should. But I am assuming that these leaders are in a solid Bible-believing church. It means being obedient to them and to what the Word of God says. It means being wary of leaders who are really wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matt 7:15). That’s why the author of Hebrews said we need to consider the result of their conduct. 
Quite frankly, it is really hard to do any of this when your only contact with your “church” is through a TV screen. All you see is their stage performance. You don’t see them in real life being part of the body of Christ. Certainly, there are many who have thriving, Christ-centered churches and provide good teaching. But there are others that are just like the fakes of social media who will bait you with promises and reel you in, or maybe just your money. Unless you are physically isolated with no means of attending a local church, TV church is a pale substitute for attending and being a part of a vibrant Christian fellowship.
[1] “Instagram Today: 500 Million Windows to the World”, accessed September 6, 2016, http://blog.instagram.com/post/146255204757/160621-news

God’s People Often Displease Him – 1 Thessalonians 2:15-16

[The Jews (1 Thess 2:14),] who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to all men in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last. (NIV)
The Jews are God’s chosen people. There can be no doubt that they exist today because God has chosen them and He is still going to do a great work among them. Deuteronomy 7:6-11 is His affirmation that He not only chose them but told them why He chose them. It wasn’t because they were a great nation but because He loves them. He promised His love would be steadfast for a thousand generations if they loved Him and obeyed Him. That is essentially forever. However, in explaining His love for them He also warned them that He would destroy those who hate Him. He called them His treasured possession (Deut 14:1). 
Israel didn’t do very well in keeping God’s commands. As a result, the country was divided into Israel and Judah. Israel was taken into captivity by Assyria and God told Judah that He was going to destroy Judah because of their sins (Isa 43:28). At this point it would seem that God had un-chosen His people. However, on the heels of His prophecy, God speaks tp all His chosen people, “But now listen, O Jacob, My servant, and Israel, whom I have chosen” (Isa 44:1 NASU). He then extends His promise to the future after their captivity and ultimately to the millennial reign of Jesus after His return. God’s promise of punishment for Israel’s disobedience has been fulfilled over and over, yet through all these failures, God reiterates His promise to them for a future with Him.
“They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him.” (Mal 3:17 NKJV)
Israel was partially restored after the Babylonian captivity but their struggles with being obedient to God continued. The last book of the Old Testament is Malachi. It was written about 400 years BC and there was no other prophetic word from God until the arrival of Jesus. Near the end of the book, the Lord assured those in Israel who feared the Lord and meditated on His name (Mal 3:16) that they are His. This promise extends to the “Day of the Lord” when God’s judgment will devour all the wicked (Mal 4:1). Nothing has changed in God’s promise for Jews from Deuteronomy through Malachi. They don’t have a blank check to do evil and the promise hinges on their relationship with God. He promised them that when He punished them and scattered them to the nations, “from there you will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him” (Deut 4:29 NLT).
Jesus’ Displeasure
But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you shut the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither enter yourselves, nor allow those who would enter to go in. (Matt 23:13 RSV)
Between the time of Malachi and Jesus’ arrival, the Jewish religious system developed into a legalistic system that was a far cry from what Jesus preached. He condemned those who would immerse people in that system so that they believed all they had to do to please God was follow all the Mitzvot or Commandments. This list of 613 Commandments was later compiled by Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, one of the greatest medieval Jewish scholars.Reading through the Sermon on the Mount, you can see how Jesus changed the way we should look at obedience to God from external behavior to an inward change of heart. He repeated the phrase, “You have heard that it was said” (ESV) citing the Law and following it by saying, “But I say to you” (ESV) with an explanation of what our heart attitude should be. He did this for anger (Matt 5:21-26), lust (Matt 5:27-30, divorce (Matt 5:31-32), oaths (Matt 5:33-37), retaliation (Matt 5:38-42), and loving our enemies (Matt 5:38-47). Jesus wasn’t displeased only with His own countrymen but His displeasure will also be against all who have substituted devotion to God for other things. At the judgment those who thought they were doing all the right stuff but neglected Jesus will suffer (Matt 25:31-46).
God’s Wrath on Them
Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. Even so. Amen. (Rev 1:7 NASB)
Paul affirms that there will be wrath upon those Jews who fail to recognize Jesus, just as it will fall on any others who reject Jesus. When He comes again, all who have “pierced” Him will mourn because they have not embraced the Savior. Rather, because of our sins, we have caused Him to be crucified. Even though it was God’s  plan to come to the earth in the person of Jesus and die on the cross in atonement for our sins (Acts 2:23), He does not hold us free from guilt if we don’t turn to Him in repentance and ask for forgiveness. 
But what is this wrath of God that will come upon Jews? To discover what that is all about we need to go back to the Old Testament. God describes the return of Jesus in Zechariah 13 – 14. It isn’t going to be a pleasant time for much of the world or for Israel. At that time Israel will be a nation, perhaps just as we see today. It will be a people that still have not embraced Jesus as Messiah. When Jesus comes back again, He will completely clean up the nation. He will get rid of all idol worship and false prophets. In this process He says, “’Two-thirds of the people in the land will be cut off and die,’ says the Lord. ‘But one-third will be left in the land’” (Zech 13:8 NLT). He will use the nations of the world to march against and destroy Jerusalem leaving only one half in the city (Zech 14:1).
On that day his feet shall stand  on  the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and  the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west. (Zech 14:4 ESV)
When Jesus comes back, He comes to the defense of those left in the land. He destroys all who have tried to wipe out His people. Jesus saves Jews from every tribe (Zech 12:7-14), but the sad part is that only a third are left alive to worship Jesus  and that is what they will do year after year (Zech 14:16). 
Don’t Be Conceited
I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved. (Rom 11:25-26 NIV)
Conceited Gentiles believe they are now the only ones that are God’s chosen people. This leads to anti-Semitism and open season to persecute Jews. They don’t realize that it is only because of the Jews that we are saved. Jesus came as a Jew. It is through the Jews that we have the foundation for our belief, the Old Testament. Without the heritage that we have gained through Jews, we would still be lost. We tend to think we are better than Jews since God partially hardened them to allow us to come into His kingdom; we should be eternally grateful that God has included us. We should have the same attitude towards Jews as did Paul when he says, “My heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation (Rom 10:1 NASU). If you have any doubts about what our attitude should be toward Jews, then read Romans 10 – 11. If we don’t have the right attitude toward them, then we will displease God as well.
God Ensures Jewish Existence
I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. (Gen 12:3 NKJV)
When God called Abram, He gave him a promise. That promise has been kept throughout history. It has been repeated in several ways at various times. Even before God punished Judah for their idolatry, He promised that those who opposed them in anger or without cause would be disgraced, ashamed, and perish (Isa 41:11). After their return from captivity the promise was renewed when He said the nations that attack Jerusalem will stagger and hurt themselves trying to attack it (Zech 12:2-3). Certainly, God has brought His wrath upon Jews many times and He used other nations to do it.
A period of seventy sets of seven has been decreed for your people and your holy city to finish their rebellion, to put an end to their sin, to atone for their guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to confirm the prophetic vision, and to anoint the Most Holy Place. (Dan 9:24 NLT)
God sent the angel Gabriel to Daniel with an outline of the future. That future provided a timeline for the Jews to usher in the kingdom of God. While being cryptic, it conveyed the idea that there would be a specific amount of time allotted to Israel to accomplish this. Because we can look back on history, it is possible for us to decipher the code of “seventy sets of seven” or seventy “weeks” as other translations say. From the time that Jerusalem would be allowed to be rebuilt until the appearance of the Messiah, would be sixty-nine sets of years (Dan 9:25). We know when the decree was issued and we know when Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. It is no coincidence that this is 434 years, or sixty-two sets of seven years.That leaves just seven years for Jews to complete their God-assigned task. Of course, we know that Jesus made the atonement for guilt and has brought us everlasting righteousness, but Israel is still in a state of rebellion against God and will be until they embrace Jesus. The nation is almost completely secular even though they enforce the Sabbath. It appears that there is a huge gap in time from Jesus’ appearance until now and the gap will continue until the events of this last “week.” I believe this last week is the time God has given to Gentiles to be saved (Rom 11:25). Some call this the church age. This last week is still in our future. It is the time that God will restore the nation of Israel and it will live in peace because of a treaty with “the prince who is to come” (Dan 9:26 ESV). It is during this last seven years that God will work a miracle in the hearts of Jews and the third who are left will be saved both physically and spiritually (Zech 13:8-9). 
Christians Also Displease God
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Eph 4:30 RSV)
Jews don’t have a corner on displeasing God. Often, we are warned about displeasing God. Every time God rebuked Israel, it was an example that we can apply to our own lives. Every time God warned he scribes and the Pharisees, He was warning us as well. We grieve the Holy Spirit every time we sin. However, the Church has a long history of doing the same abominable things that the Jews did to Paul, and worse! Different sects of Christianity have slaughtered countless people of different sects since Christians started confusing politics with righteousness The point of this is simply that we must not look back at history to condemn Jews for displeasing God. Christians have done the same thing in the past and we do it individually all the time. Rather than finding someone to blame we need to pay attention to what Peter said, “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17 NASB). We first need to clean up our act. We need to see what displeases God and that is done by applying what Jesus said to our own lives instead of pointing fingers at those Jesus chastised (Jews or religious establishments). Secondly, we need to have compassion on those who are outside of the Christian faith. They need the Gospel and not our legalist interpretation of it. The ultimate of God’s displeasure is when we prevent others from hearing and responding to the Gospel.
[1]Tracey R. Rich, “A List Of the 613 Mitzvot (Commandments),” Judaism 101, 2011, accessed August 24, 2016, http://www.jewfaq.org/613.htm. [2]Note that to arrive at the correct date requires converting Israel’s 360-day years to 365-day years that we use. [3] J.A. Sheppard, Christendom at the Crossroads: the Medieval Era(Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2005), Kindle 194-198, Kindle. [4] Mark A. Noll, Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity, 3rd ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2012), 184. [5]Ibid.

Persecuted Christians – 1 Thessalonians 2:14

For you, brothers, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews. (NIV)
Christians don’t usually go around looking for someone to persecute them. Certainly whole churches don’t usually do that. However, persecution is at the very heart of following Christ. Jesus made it clear that people who follow Him will not necessarily have a glorious stress-free life. He said that His followers must deny themselves and take up their crosses daily (Luke 9:23). We hear a lot about God wanting the very best for us, and that is true. However, God’s best for us is not necessarily glamour, riches, fame, popularity, or power. 
The first part of following Jesus is denial of what we want and seeking His kingdom before our own (Matt 6:33). The second part is taking up our crosses. When Jesus said this, it must have been a total shock to His listeners. They lived at a time when the Romans used the cross as the most torturous means of execution possible. Some people would survive several days before dying. Every day, we must have the attitude that we are on the same path as a condemned criminal. We should have nothing in this world that keeps us from giving our lives to follow Jesus. 
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matt 5:10 NASU)
While Jesus explained the cost of discipleship, He also explained the results of self-denial. There is stress and seemingly, inglorious lives when denying self, but Jesus called it a blessing. The blessing is being part of the kingdom of heaven. Being part of the kingdom of heaven is so important that it is worth the troubles brought on by persecution. We Westerners don’t really understand what persecution really is so we must rely on what the Bible says about it, what history has shown us, and what our brothers and sisters in other countries are undergoing. We trust that Peter provided reliable information about persecution when he said the scattered church rejoiced in their trials because they knew that it would bring glory to God when His kingdom would be revealed in Jesus (1 Peter 1:6-7). James urges us to consider these trials as pure joy (James 1:2). Persecution may come, but we are blessed when we understand the bigger picture that this life isn’t all there is and eternity will make the troubles worth it (2 Cor 4:16-18).
Suffering from Countrymen
We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was righteous. (1 John 3:12 NLT)
Why do people persecute Christians within their own cultures? It started with Cain and Abel. Paul said that the events in the Old Testament are an example to be used for our instruction (1 Cor 10:6). Cain and Abel serve as a vivid example of why Christians are persecuted. The principle that they demonstrate is that when people live righteous lives, those who do not get really upset. “For we are to God the fragrance of Christ … among those who are perishing. … we are the aroma of death leading to death” (2 Cor 2:15-16 NKJV). They don’t want to have the constant reminder (aroma) that their lives are filled with evil and that their ultimate destination in eternity is hell, so they do what they can to eliminate the source of their irritation. For Cain it was simple, he killed his brother. For other people in our lives, it is more complex. We have laws and cultures that make it more difficult. So they work hard to change the laws. Like Hitler, they eventually get to the point where they can declare those who are living righteously enemies of the state. 
More recently, Russian passed a new anti-terrorism law that prevents Christians from evangelizing in any location other than in an authorized church or religious site. “The amendments, including laws against sharing faith in homes, online, or anywhere but recognized church buildings, go into effect July 20 [2016].”Anti-Semitism 
When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul. (Acts 9:23-24 RSV)
Paul is often call anti-Semitic because he often refers to “the Jews” who tried to kill him, persecuted the church in Judea (1 thess 2:14), and opposed the Gospel during much of Paul’s ministry (Acts 13:50, 17:5, 18:12, 20:3). Many gentiles who call themselves Christians since then have mounted persecution against anyone of Jewish heritage based on a few verses like this and verses like John 19:12 where “the Jews” intimidated Pilate into having Jesus crucified. They also use Peter’s first sermon to his fellow Jews as he blamed them for killing “the Prince of life” (Acts 3:15 ), Jesus. These fanatics call Jews “Christ killers.” Regardless of how Paul was treated, whenever he went to a city, his first stop was at a Jewish Synagogue (Acts 17:1-2). While he recognized the persecution from the Jews, his heart’s desire was for them to turn to Jesus for salvation (Rom 10:1-4). He said, “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers” (Rom 9:2-3 ESV). Rather than blaming them, he wants them to embrace Jesus. 
When Paul speaks of being persecuted by Jews and the churches being imitators of the churches in Judea, he is not inciting revenge, instead, he wants us to have a heart that yearns to see our persecutors saved. Anyone who calls himself a Christian and participates in any kind of persecution, whether it is anti-Semitism or homophobia, is in direct disobedience to God’s Word. Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (Matt 5:44-45 NIV). A clear implication of His command is that those who become persecutors are not sons of God and their salvation is in question.
[1]Kate Shellnutt, Gleanings, “Russia's Newest Law: No Evangelizing Outside of Church”, Christianity Today, July 8, 2016, 1, accessed August 16, 2016, http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2016/june/no-evangelizing-outside-of-church-russia-proposes.html [2]Ibid.

Word of God – 1 Thessalonians 2:13

And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. (RSV)
This is a marvelous passage on the Word of God. What does it take to be a believer? We must receivethe Word, which we hear from other; we must accept the reality of it as God’s Word and not men’s; we must let it work in us.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God … And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. (John 1:1, 14 NASB)
The Bible uses the Greek word logos to identify Jesus as God (John 1:1, 14). It also uses logos when it refers to Scripture (Matt 15:6) or preaching the Word of God (Luke 5:1; Acts 13:46). Jesus said the disciples would be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the world (Acts 1:8). What happened is described in Acts, as it refers to the Word of God as a dynamic moving of God throughout Jerusalem (Acts 6:7), Samaria (Acts 8:14), Judea (Acts 11:1), and then beyond (Acts 13:46). The results were, “the word of God increased and multiplied” (Acts 12:24 ESV). It is obvious from these verses that the Word of God is more than just words written in a book or the speech of some great orator. The Bible clarifies that “the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Heb 4:12 NIV). It is the power and person of Jesus to accomplish His will in the lives of people. It will accomplish His desire and achieve the purpose for which He sent it (Isa 55:11). 
Received  But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. (NASU)
When we talk about receiving the Word of God, we should understand that we are doing more than picking up a book and reading it. We are doing more than listening to a sermon based on the Bible. We are letting the very Son of God into our lives. Sure, many people have Bibles and go to church every Sunday but never receive the Word of God. The concept of receiving a person in the times of Jesus is probably different from what we think today. John wrote in 2 John 10-11 not to receive deceivers. He said, “Do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds” (NKJV). In 3 John 5-8 he encouraged help for itinerant Christian workers by receiving (NKJV) them or supporting them (ESV) and aiding them in their journey. John says that doing so makes them fellow workers. In the Old Testament, an old man took a traveling Levite and his concubine into his house rather than let them camp out in the town square (Judg 19:20-22). Verses 21-22 says that they ate and drank and made their hearts merry. Receiving even strangers turned into fellowship. Jesus said to the church in Laodicea, “If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends” (Rev 3:20 NLT). 
When we receive the Word of God, we are also receiving Jesus Christ. As these verses indicate, receiving Jesus, who is the Word of God, we must do more than just pack Him or it away someplace and forget about it. We must support Him in the sense that means we need to agree with His purpose, mission, life, ways, and be obedient to what He says, which is the Word of God. We must be helping those who spread it. Since Jesus is also the Word of God, we should be able to have fellowship with Him through the written Word. If you don’t believe it, you certainly can’t receive it.
Heard
But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? And how can men preach unless they are sent? (Rom 10:14-15 RSV)
Hearing the Word of God is a lot more than physically receiving the sound waves on our eardrums, converting that to electrical stimulations that our brains then decipher and register as words. Hearing God’s Word can come through sight by reading God’s Word (John 20:31) or by sign language. It can come through the sensation of touch as a blind person reads by using brail. Who knows if the future use of computer technology may be able to convey the Word of God directly to our minds? While the first understanding of hearing God’s Word is listening, hearing goes beyond simply hearing. 
However God’s Word reaches us, it takes people to deliver it. People preach the Gospel in many ways just as we hear it through many ways. Some are traditional evangelist or preachers, but Paul wasn’t limiting being sent to them. Since the beginning of the Christian Church, people have been using various means to tell others of salvation leading to godly living by preaching, writing, and lately through movies, radio, television, websites, blogs, and vlogs. He has sent all of us to reach others because a disciple isn’t a disciple until he makes other disciple by teaching them and therefore, Jesus command applies to all of us (Matt 28:19-20).
But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. (James 1:22 NASB)
The concept of hearing when it comes to the Word of God and salvation is better understood by the word, heed. While heed is a synonym of hear, it conveys the need to take action or apply what we have heard. Proverbs 10:17 says, “Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life” (ESV). 
There are two very vivid examples in the Old Testament that are examples of the polar opposites of people hearing the Word of God. The negative example is of King Jehoiakim in Jeremiah 36:23-26. God told Jeremiah to write a blistering condemnation and judgment of Judah and Israel unless they would repent (Jer 36:1-3). The scroll eventually was read to the king who cut off columns from the scroll and burned it as it was read (Jer 36:23). What was their reaction? “The king and all his attendants who heard all these words showed no fear, nor did they tear their clothes” (Jer 36:24 NIV ). Tearing their clothes would have been a sign of repentance leading to God’s forgiveness. Instead, God pronounced a judgment on the king and his attendance. He had Jeremiah rewrite everything and added even more to the condemnation (Jer 36:29-32).
There are several examples of kings responding in positive ways when they heard God’s Word. One that is a great example is Josiah. He became king when he was only eight. At twenty-six, he had the priest repair the temple and clean out the abominations that were left there by his father and grandfather. The high priest found the Book of the Law in the temple and had it read to Josiah (2 Kings 22:1-10). “When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes” (2 Kings 22:11 NASU). The king inquired of God about what he had heard. The calamities for Judah’s abandoning God were still going to come, but not in Josiah’s time because he humbled himself before the Lord. Josiah then tore down the altars and idols in both Judah and Israel and reinstituted the Passover celebration (2 Kings 23:1-25). “Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him” (2 Kings 23:25 NKJV). 
These two examples apply to us. They tell what we can do when we chose to hear the Word of God. We can obey or disobey. There is no middle ground. If we don’t obey fully by turning to Jesus in faith and repentance as Josiah did, eternal calamity will come upon us. If we do, we have the assurance of eternal life. “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life” (John 5:24 NLT).
Accepted
There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. (John 12:48 NIV)
A lot of people misunderstand what it means to accept the Gospel or to accept Jesus as their Savior. They think that all they need to do is believe, recite a prayer, and then go back to business as usual. As Jesus indicated in John 12:48, there is a direct relationship to accepting His Words and accepting Him. If you do not accept His Words then you are rejecting Him, just the opposite of accepting. 
Accept means “to take something that is offered, e.g. a gift or payment” (Encarta Dictionary). This is clearly shown in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (NKJV). In this case, the wages have already been earned by sin and that is death. We don’t have an opportunity to accept or reject the payment; it is forced upon us. However, the gift is something that we have to accept. Since it is a gift, we must take that which is offered or it doesn’t belong to us. It isn’t like the wages of sin. The gift is eternal life, but it is wrapped up in Jesus Christ. To accept the gift, we must accept the Giver who took the payment of death for us and implies all that is necessary to receive Him as stated above. 
Every one then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man … And every one who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man … (Matt 7:24, 26 RSV)
Accepting Jesus also means accepting what He has said and that means living them out. Jesus compared those who follow His Word to a wise man who built his house on “the rock.” It survived the storms just as we survive the storms of life because we have built our lives on Jesus who is “The Rock.” The foolish people are those who ignore Jesus’ Word. They may have prayed “the prayer,” served in their church, followed all the rituals, and think they are saved but their lives have no foundation and the storms of life destroy them. Their last challenge, death, will not take them into the kingdom of heaven because they have not known Jesus as demonstrated by not obeying Jesus (Matt 7:21-23). 
Reality
We know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.”(1 Cor 8:4 ESV)
The Word of God is the basis for all reality because there is no other God. Science is not a god even though many people have made it their god. While an idol has no real existence, science is a bit different in that it does help describe our physical world. However, when science declares there is no God, it becomes an idol for those who believe that. God’s Word clearly described the idols of the past as the creation of craftsmen. They couldn’t speak, feel, or hear. They couldn’t even move unless someone moved them (Ps 115:4-7). They had to be nailed down otherwise they would fall over (Jer 10:4). 
Does science or any other philosophy teach us about reality? What is real goes way beyond the physical world. Science pretends that the only things that matters are the things that we can see, hear, smell, touch, and taste. Yet God’s Word tells us that there is a realm beyond these. The world speaks of those who perceive this realm as having a sixth sense. Anyone who has the Holy Spirit living in them by faith in Jesus Christ should be able to perceive this spiritual world through God’s Word and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Furthermore,  we should understand the reality that there is a battle going on trying to keep us from understanding this realm, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph 6:12 NIV). What science perceives as reality is temporary and when we place more importance on that than the eternal reality of God and His kingdom, we are the poorer for it. Rather, we should fix our eyes on the eternal because, “the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor 4:18 NKJV).
“BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER.” And this is the word which was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:25 NASU)
Reality is wrapped around the Word of God. Jesus is the Word so what He says never goes away. The Gospel will never go away and Jesus said that the only way to enter this reality (the kingdom of God) beyond our five senses is to know Him. We have to come to the Father through Jesus (John 14:6). When we do, we will eventually be part of a new reality where the current physical universe will disappear (2 Peter 3:10) and be replaced by a new universe (Rev 21:1). In that universe, God will live with us and the physical and spiritual realities will be combined; there will no longer be death or sorrow but God will be present with us and wipe away every tear from our eyes (Rev 21:3-4). 
Unfortunately, there is also another part of that future reality that is called the lake of burning sulfur. It is where those who have rejected Jesus will end up for eternity (Rev 20:15; 21:8). This is the reality that will happen regardless of what people think (philosophies) or perceive by their five senses (science). However, the decision we must all make before we die is whether we want to be a part of that future reality in harmony with God or in the lake of fire. It only comes by knowing Jesus.
Work
So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it. (Isa 55:11 RSV)
The work of the Word of God, meaning both the Bible and Jesus, accomplish everything that God the Trinity desires. Working through the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Word gave Himself up for us to pay the penalty for our sins by making atonement and taking that penalty on Himself. That is the physical manifestation of the Word accomplishing the purpose of the Triune God. God’s spoken and written Words provide us with eternal life when we accept them and believe in Jesus (John 5:24). Working though the Holy Spirit, His Word sanctifies us because His Word is the truth (John 17:17).
The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge;  the word that I have spoken will judge him  on the last day. (John 12:48 ESV)
Since God’s Word accomplishes everything according to His purpose, we can’t ignore the clear teaching that another work of His Word is judgment. Think about this. God came in the person of Jesus Christ and verbally, face to face with His disciples, spoke about eternal life and judgment. Rejecting all that Jesus said by rejecting Him will accomplish one thing at the end of a person’s life. God will bring up Jesus’ words and use them to condemn those who rejected Jesus. He made it clear that eternal life is in what we do with Jesus. If we do not honor Jesus, we do not honor God the Father (John 5:23). Will God justify and call guiltless a person who does not honor Him? If we honor Jesus by letting His Word work in us to save us and mold us into the people He wants us to be, we can be assured we will be saved.

We Are Called to a Better Country – 1 Thessalonians 2:12

God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. (ESV)
His Kingdom and Glory
His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation. (Dan 4:3 NIV)
When we trust in Jesus for our salvation, we are brought into God’s kingdom. This is not some temporary visa or even a green card. We become citizens by adoption into the family of God, the King of the kingdom. Since we are adopted, we can come to the Lord God, the King, and call Him “Abba! Father” (Rom 8:15). At any time, we can walk into His presence and with full assurance know that He will never reject us. In fact when we are in trouble, we can come boldly before His throne and receive help (Heb 4:16). Because we are His children, He leads us by His Spirit (Rom 8:13). Lest we forget, all this is for His Glory, not because we somehow earn it or deserve it. He leads us in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake (Ps 23:3). How blessed we are when we are walking in those paths with our Father who never leaves us or forsakes us (Ps 37:28). 
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. (Eph 1:3 NASU)
We have all the privileges of heirs to the kingdom because He has provided us with every blessing in the heavenly realms. Think about that for a while. Kingdoms of this earth provide wealth, comfort, leisure, luxury, and many other material blessings for the family of the king (dictator, president, or other leaders). But we are not in that kind of kingdom. We are in an eternal kingdom. Our blessings are spiritual. They are things that will endure through eternity where the material things only last a lifetime and are no guarantee that such things as comfort or leisure will extend beyond death. But the spiritual blessings, the fruit of the Spirit, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Gal 5:22-23 NIV) will be with us forever. If we have these, we don’t need all the luxuries that earthly kingdoms provide. We will be content with what we have because godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Tim 6:6-8). On top of that, we know that when we pass from this life into the eternal kingdom, we will have blessings that are unimaginable to us in this life (Ps 16:11).
When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.(Col 3:4 NKJV)
When Jesus comes back in glory, we are going to be with Him. The Glory of the eternal kingdom is something that I can’t really imagine. What will it be like to be seated with God in Christ and ruling over a kingdom (Rev 3:21) that we can’t even begin to fathom in this life? One thing is certain and that is our life in eternity will not be boring. We will have duties and be in the presence of God and Jesus; we will serve as priests and reign with Him for a thousand years (Rev 20:6). But that’s not all. After the thousand years, the New Jerusalem will come down out of heaven and sit on a new earth, one that is similar but unlike this earth (Rev 21:1-2). This will be eternity when God will be in the very midst of everyone, “God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever” (Rev 21:3-4 NLT).
Just think – when we apply 1 Thessalonians 2:9-12 to our lives, we can work night and day so that we can proclaim the Gospel in the way we should. People will testify to the way we conduct ourselves toward them before they accept the Lord and afterwards. We will demonstrate the qualities of a good father as we emulate our heavenly Father and live the way He wants us. We will have the assurance that we are called into His kingdom and glory.

Holy and Blameless, Like a Father with His Children – 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12

You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. (ESV)
Witnesses
Here I am. Witness against me before the Lord and before His anointed: Whose ox have I taken, or whose donkey have I taken, or whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed, or from whose hand have I received any bribe with which to blind my eyes? I will restore it to you. (1 Sam 12:3 NKJV)
Paul called the Thessalonians to be witnesses to his behavior toward them. Samuel asked the same type of question of the nation of Israel. He focused on four things that we all need to apply to our lives when dealing with others, whether they are in the Christian family or not. Stealing was the first issue but we don’t have to worry about that because we’ve never taken a pen from work, checked our facebook status, or played Pokémon Go at work, have we? I’m sure none of us has ever cheated anyone else either. Any time we don’t pay taxes when we should, like buying on the internet to avoid sales tax, is cheating on your neighbors. Giving copies of the music you ripped from an album to others is cheating the songwriters and performers. Oppression comes in many forms and verbal abuse may be the worse. Do we ever try to gain the favor of others by buying them gifts? I’ve seen enough of that with parents and grandparents who then expect to have their progenies “owe” them. What would happen if, at the end of our life, we stood up and asked everyone we have ever met to come and witness either good or bad how we lived our lives. Will people say we behaved in the same way as a good father does toward his children? God isn’t grading on the curve where the good balances out the bad because He wants us to be like Jesus and He had no sin in Him. He wants us to be like Him because He is a good Father.
Parents and Children
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. (Eph 6:4 NLT)
Paul exhorted and encouraged the Thessalonians to walk in a manner worth of the Lord. The way he treated others is the way he instructed the Ephesians fathers to work with their children. When trying to help people get out of a sinful life style or to develop a godly lifestyle, it is really easy to alienate them. The same goes for our kids. The NIV says we should not exasperate or kids. I really like that word. The Encarta dictionary gives the meaning as, “to make somebody very angry or frustrated, often by repeatedly doing something annoying.” 
Inconsistency 
Perhaps one of the best ways to frustrate another is to be inconsistent. That can take many forms. David was inconsistent in his actions. His sin with Bathsheba and murder of her husband was inconsistent with his previous walk with the Lord. Paul was able to exhort the Thessalonians because his conduct was like a good father and conformed to his exhortation and encouragement. 
Favoritism
My brethren, show no partiality as you hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. (James 2:1 RSV)
Another way of being inconsistent is by showing favoritism. When dealing with children, this is really hard to do, especially when one kid is an obedient pleaser and another is a rebel. We have examples from the Bible with Jacob and Esau, David showed favoritism to his sons and got poor results. But the best example is the prodigal son, his brother and their father. Yet even in that situation, with a loving, patient father, the older brother still turned out to be angry and bitter. All we can do is be consistent in our walk with the Lord and following His instructions. Each person must be willing to submit to the Lord. 
Changing the Rules
These twenty years I have been in your house; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you changed my wages ten times. (Gen 31:41 NASB)
Another way to provoke or exasperate children or other people is by constantly changing the rules. While Jacob wasn’t the most honest person in the Bible, his father-in-law, Laban, didn’t do any better. It was apparent that their culture promoted telling half-truths and manipulating others to get what they wanted. When we treat others, especially out kids or disciples in this way, they learn from our examples. Paul could tell his disciples that he treated them in the same way a good father does his children. This should be the way we treat others, whether they are our children, people at work, in our churches, or people to whom we hope to impart the Gospel of eternal life. This is a principle that Jesus taught when He said, “Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil” (Matt 5:37 ESV). Think how confusing many cults are because they change the rules for salvation to suit the leaders.
The only way to keep from this kind of inconsistency is to be thoroughly grounded in the Word of God. Because He does not change (Mal 3:6), we can offer the message of salvation that isn’t based on a bunch of rules and regulations that change over time. It isn’t based on changing cultural demands or political correctness. The message of salvation is through Jesus Christ and no other (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). We are sinners and we can’t save ourselves (Rom 3:23). We can only be saved by faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice for our sins (Rom 10:9; 1 John 2:1-2). We demonstrate our faith by our obedience to His word (John 14:23).