The Thessalonians had been going through times of tribulation and afflictions and Paul has sent Timothy with assurances of encouragement and to let them know that such problems were normal for the Christian church. Paul also has a real concern knowing that it is times like these that Satan will move in and tempt the people to abandon their faith and be susceptible to compromise. When Timothy returns he brings good news of their faith and love. They do remember him and long to see him and his fellow workers again. Paul also has problems and this good news comforts him greatly. Within Paul there is a joy in knowing his converts are standing and glorifying Christ. There is joy and rejoicing, he is grateful too God for these Thessalonians. He prays constantly that God will direct his way to them, he desires to see them and help in strengthening their faith in Christ. Paul prays that their love for one another grows and they will establish a need for Holy living. Christ is coming again and with his Saints.

At 77 years of age I have a tendency to look back and fondly remember the years past. For most of my generation those were the best years. The simple life of the fifties, the excitement of a new generation stepping up and the challenges of new ideas and though we did not see it then the acceptance of dissent as a mark of social and cultural growth, which has unfortunately taken the place of reasonable debate as to the value of the path to be followed. We have, my generation, seen the marginalization of Christian values and the removal of God from our schools and other public forums. Interestingly enough I have seen one constant in all this cycle of change….The Pastor And The Flock…  Thessalonians 3:1-10 gives us some insight into a Pastors heart.

This world we live in is full of evil, evil brought about by evil people. Here is the hard part. We will never be able to talk with or mingle with people unless we like them. If our contact with others is one of  conformation there will be no chance to minister to these people. If we began each day despising people or just disliking them, we will never have the chance to save them. A Pastor has a real God given ability to like all people…Pastors have a genuine affection for that which God has created. There is a pastoral anxiety, the anxious wait to see how a member of the flock turns out. The hours of prayer and time invested in the sharing of the word and teaching of the precepts of the church. The joy of a soul saved and looking to their faith to carry them through the evils of this world. Even Christ watches and follows, it is humbling for us to realize that there are those who watch out for us, pray for us and are anxious for our well being here on earth and in heaven. We must learn not to be so quick to criticize and condemn others for their actions. Our first priority should be to help save them from their faults and mistakes. Paul sent Timothy to Thessalonica not too just inspect the church but to give them the help they needed. A Pastor knows that the first duty of any Christian is to help. Ours is a faith of hope, love and never condemnation.

A Pastor is a person of joy. Paul has been told that the church is doing well and Paul finds joy in their ability to stand firm. We should understand this easily. There is the joy of a parent or even a mentor in the success of those we taught and encouraged, knowing they will stand the test of time. Prayer and a Pastor are one in all things. A Pastor at the foot of the cross pleading for the needs of his flock is a divine blessing. We will never know in this life how much temptation, sin, pain and hurt has been done away with or minimized by the prayers of Pastors and people of the faith. In our world today the curse of this virus is keeping many of us from fellowship but even then we can still pray.

Affection, anxiety, help, joy and prayer are the heart of a Pastor. We know that there are certain gifts given by the Spirit and each one of us are different in that respect. Consider this if you will. We all can’t be Pastors but how much better would this world be if we had The Heart of A Pastor.

Pray for our Nation and the community of faith the world over…

Life is Good

jk

Colossae was located 120 miles east of Ephesus in the Lycus River Valley in ancient Phrygia, part of the Roman territory of Asia Minor.  It was one of a triad of cities in the area (the other two being Laodicea and Hierapolis), resting at the foot of Mount Cadmus.  Its biblical significance lies in the fact that the book of Colossians was addressed to the church here (Col 1:2) and that Philemon lived in this city.

What is the price of Christianity? What is expected of those who chose to follow Christ? What are the responsibilities of the Church? The towns of the Lycus Vally numbered three and at one time all were of equal importance, Laodicea, Hierapolis, and Colosse. At the time of this writing of Paul they were part of the Roman province of Asia. I add this to aid in painting a picture of  time, place and circumstance. As people of the faith we must acknowledge that things change and we will face things in our day that continue to challenge the church, it’s teachings and the authority of God’s word. We know a great deal of history about this area and in Revelation 3:17, John wrote that Laodicea was rich and in need of nothing. It is important to note that these lands between the River Lycus, for all the natural problems of nature, were capable of supporting three very thriving industries. The area was recognized as the greatest center of the woolen industry in the world. Laodicea was famous for its production of garments of the finest quality, as well as dyeing of cloth, the town of Colossae was famous for this type of industry.  Hierapolis became a trade center and was famous for its spa. You could say that Laodicea was like a county seat of the area, the political center of the area. Colosse in its day was as great as the others, it controlled the roads to the mountain passes. As great as these cities were in time they passed away and even though there are still discernible ruins of the once great buildings of two of these great cities not even a stone remains to mark the possible location of Colossae. It holds a dubious place in biblical history as being the most unimportant town Paul ever wrote a letter to. Our reason of interest in this chapter in Colossians and this town of Colosse is the dispute that rose there about this developing heresy, which left unchecked could be the ruination of the Christian faith.

This is a church that Paul had not himself founded and he had never visited it. While history shows that this is true, there is no doubt that the founding of the church was his doing and on his instructions. While Paul was in Ephesus for three years the whole province of Asia was evangelized, both Greek and Jew had heard the word. Our focus today, Colosse was only 100 miles from Ephesus and thus during that campaign of expansion the Colossian church was founded. I have decided to cover as much of this book as possible and in no particular order, there being only four chapters. To start with I share with you from the Concise Commentary written by Matthew Henry, the book overview.

This epistle was sent because of some difficulties which arose among the Colossians, probably from false teachers, in consequence of which they sent to the apostle. The scope of the epistle is to show, that all hope of man’s redemption is founded on Christ, in whom alone are all complete fulness, perfections, and sufficiency. The Colossians are cautioned against the devices of judaizing teachers, and also against the notions of carnal wisdom, and human inventions and traditions, as not consistent with full reliance on Christ. In the first two chapters the apostle tells them what they must believe, and in the two last what they must do; the doctrine of faith, and the precepts of life for salvation.

Our study today focuses on the situation that is developing at the church in Colossae. There seems to be an influx of false teachers and teaching which has prompted the church to reach out to the apostle. The result being this epistle we study here in Colossians. The serious nature of the situation at this church is evident in the letter Paul has written to them. In the first four verses of chapter 3, Paul exhorts the Colossians to be heavenly minded. As Christians they are free from the ceremonial law, they have the freedom to be closer to God in their obedience to the word. Earthly things are contrary to heavenly will, an undue affection for earthly things will weaken our will to live a holy life. You who are born again are dead to sin, its power over you is broken. It is through the power and grace of God that it has been subdued in your life.  Those of you who have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you know the shame of  the lusts of the flesh and are able to despise these earthly things. The living water Christ promised us flows into our souls and strengthens us, gives us hope. Should we not look forward to that happy day of redemption and the coming of our Lord? This shall be ours when we set aside the affections of this world and live for Christ.

In verses 5-11 the instructions are blunt and strong. Paul says those members who are inclined to the things of this world should be shamed. They are to be suppressed because they are like weeds in a garden and if not destroyed they will destroy everything around them. We must be continuous in our opposition to all corrupt things and carnal indulgences. Paul addresses the need to avoid all instances of sin, lusts of the flesh, coveting the things of this world to the point they become a form of idolatry. Paul makes it clear that if we do not kill these things in us, they will kill us. Consider that the gospel brings to us the rule of right reason and conscience and stills our appetite and passion for things of this world. To be strong in the faith requires that Christ be our only Lord and Savior, he is our all and our hope and happiness.  We read in verses 12-14, chapter 1 of Paul speaking of his gratitude for the blessings which Christians receive in Christ. Two points to be made here. One being that God has given to the Colossians a share  of the inheritance granted to God’s people, those that love Him and do his will. There is a comparison to be made with the words Paul spoke to Agrippa in Acts.

The work given to me is to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they might receive forgiveness of sin and a place among those who are sanctified by their faith in God. (Acts 26:18) 

The Jews had always been God’s chosen people but now the door has been open to all people of all races. Those of us as Christians, have been brought into the Kingdom of Christ. In Greek the verb is methiste ̄mi. This was a much more than just a transference it was a rescue. It meant moving from darkness to light, from slavery to freedom, from condemnation to forgiveness and set free from the power of Satan to the power of God.

Verses 15-23 in chapter 1 are a testimonial to the adequacy of Jesus Christ. They are simply the reason for being, the Alpha and the Omega, the completeness of all things.

-He is the head of the Church

-He is the beginning… the first born from the dead

-He is supreme in all things

-We are reconciled to Him because of the blood shed on the cross.

Paul tells them they must remain grounded and strong in the faith, not forgetting the hope of the gospel which you have heard and is being proclaimed to every creature under the heaven. It is a sure fact that Christians are a rather lazy lot in defense of the faith. It might be a bit more kinder to simply say that most of our minds only think as much as they have to. Whatever was happening there had a big enough footprint to get their attention and it could well be as in other situations that this opposition to the faith, the false teachings and such were doing damage to the spiritual health of the Church. All of us have a habit of not appreciating what we have till we see it slipping away. So it is with the Colossians at this Church. They are being confronted with some dangerous heresy, which has led them to realize the riches of orthodoxy. One of the wonderful things about Christianity is that with and through the Holy Spirit it can produce new riches to meet a new situation. One of the players in these cases of false teachings were the Gnostics. We have a similar problem in the church today, granted there are some differences between now and then but they are intended to weaken the word. These Gnostics which means the intellectual ones, were not happy with the simplicity of Christianity. They would much more prefer it to be a philosophy. It is important to understand that in that day other philosophies were very popular at that time. See the picture?…Are we not as the Church constantly seeking other ways that weaken the authority of God’s will and doing so by accepting certain heresies? Returning to chapter 3, the balance of which Paul gives instructions or rules if you wish for Christian households. To close out this weeks time in the pew I go to chapter 4, verses 5-6.

Behave yourselves wisely to those who are outside the Church.

Buy up every possible opportunity.

Let your speech always be with gracious charm, seasoned with the salt of wit, so that you will know the right answer to give in every case.

Chapter 4 is a set of final instructions in which verses 5-6 caught my attention. We are, most of us aware of how to behave in church and our home. Paul sets about to instruct the people of the church at Colosse three brief instructions for the lives of Christians in the world.

• Christians should behave themselves with wisdom and tact when interacting with those outside the church. We must learn when to or not to speak to others about their behavior or beliefs, never assuming an attitude of superiority or severely criticizing them. People will not be bullied or argued into Christianity. A much more effective approach is so very simple. We must let our lives be an example, we must show Christ to others in our daily lives and treatment of all people, to the point they too would desire to be such an example.
• This next one is short and to the point, an action verb if you will…seize…every opportunity to work for Christ and serve others daily. Every day life presents the opportunity to witness for Christ but the truth is many do not seize the time and the natural occurrences that everyday life offers. God’s people should always be on the lookout for these opportunities to serve and witness.
• The last point is one that is assigned as a common trait of Christianity. There is a lack of charm and wit if you will in the way Christians come across to other people. There is a dullness and lack of laughter, a kind of sanctimonious outlook on life and other people. We spend a lot of time talking about what you should not be doing and not enough about the blessings and joy of a Christian life. There are many little sparklers in living a life of service to Christ and to the people of God. There is laughter, joy and assurance of better things to come.

Thank you for being in the Pew this week and hope you will come back.

Life is Good

jk

Chapter 8 is interesting as it gives us what we can expect in a relationship with God. Obedience continues in our study, with the reminder that all of God’s commandments are to be observed and followed. The basis bringing enforced by the Lord’s former dealings with Israel and his promises to them. It reminds of a need for the holy fear of God that encourages our obedience. It is better said in this way. The holy and reverent fear of the Lord motivates God’s people to worship him with their whole being. People who truly fear God will praise and honor him. They are reminded to look back on the providence and grace of God as He led them through the wilderness. The hard times which in some cases were an embarrassment that brought attention to their actions that were a deliberate rejection of God’s law. They should be mindful of the fact they had done nothing that would recommend them to this position of favor. They are reminded that they were given food and clothing even in their time of disobedience. They were not to look to dishonest means to supply their needs. Moses encourages them to trust the Lord for He is faithful to provide their needs. Again he stresses the rebukes they had been under and even then they did not go without. They must put the past behind them, look to Canaan which the spirit has filled with His gifts and graces. This is the good land, a land in which nothing is wanting and where there is the fullness of joy.

Moses calls to their attention the prosperous condition of the land, reminding them to give thanks in all things and to remember their benefactor. He then warns them that there is always the danger that  prosperity will give way to pride, forgetting God and having a strong sense of well being which can lead to carnal actions and thoughts. To embrace the world brings with it the anxiousness and troubled thoughts about the many things that are prevalent in today’s world. There is point to be made here. In many ways the poor recognize where the supplying of their needs come from. They seem to know that these things come from the Lord in answer to a prayer of faith. They have no difficulty in trusting him for their needs. Consider this…We all will experience changes and trials in our lives. Was it  Divine Providence, that placed Israel in the place they were now? Consider this…they will be better off as a nation and people who have been humbled and tried by their God. All of us have times that expose our weaknesses and folly and even for some, our depravity. Giving and receiving is a measure of our spiritual health. All of God’s gifts are the result of his plans for his people. Moses repeats the warning he has often given to the people, there are fatal consequences for forsaking God. Those who follow others in sin, will follow them to destruction. If we do as sinners do, we should expect to fare as sinners fare.

Join us in The Pew next week as we continue to study the things we as people of the faith should know and practice. We will be working in Colossians chapter three.

Life is Good

jk

Some say the church today has lost its discipline and at times its’ reverence for God. Today we continue to look at the need for discipline and the importance of respect and reverence to the One True God. In the last two verses of chapter five…

32 So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. 33 Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.

The only way to be happy is to be Holy. For those who are righteous their days will be happy. The believer should delight in study of and keeping the commandments of the Lord God. Now we will move onto chapter six. There is a persuasive to obedience, exhortation to obedience, obedience taught and the sharing of the precepts, along with instructions to be given to their children. We will break this chapter down into four sections.

Verses 1-3

The “commandments” denote the moral law, the “statues” the ceremonial law and the “judgements” the law as decided by judges. Moses taught only that which God commanded him to teach. We are reminded of that principle in

Matthew 28:20 – teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

It is a good thing that there is a fear of the Lord in us and even in our children. Because religious faith and righteousness advance and secure the prosperity of any people. The great commandment is found in these next verses.

Verses 4-5

Deuteronomy

4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.

You might say these are the first principles of faith and obedience. Jehovah, the true and living God, the only God, He is the one God.  There is the unity of the Godhead. Happy are we to have this one God, we desire no other. We all know this is the first and great commandment, we are to love Him, and all things we do as our duty to him are to be done in love. To love God with all our heart, soul and might means we do so not just by word and tongue but inwardly with truth and strength of heart. He is to be loved above all things. To love Him with intelligence and the understanding of why it is we have such good cause to love Him.

Verses 6-16

These verses will give us the things we must do to maintain our religion within our hearts and houses.

1. Meditation…the word of God must be in our hearts in a way that our thoughts and actions reflect the power of God’s word.
2. The religious education of children, being careful and exact in teaching them. Repeat things to them, taking care to teach these truths to them and to all under your care.
3. When talking of these things you must be pious, reverent and serious. Do this for the benefit of your children, friends and companions, taking all opportunities to share the plain truths and laws of God and things that bring you peace.
4. Reading and studying of the word on a regular basis, telling them to write the words of the law on their walls, in scrolls of parchment worn on their wrists and head. The intent being that the word was always available to them, it was familiar to them, thus keeping us from sin and directing us in our duties. A warning to not forget God in times of plenty, not allowing ourselves to become complacent and unmindful of the Giver. There is always the danger that good times will tempt us to neglect our Christian duties, we must guard against this. We should never be ashamed of our religion nor seek to remove ourselves from its duties.

Verses 17-25

It is important to be religious, without diligence we will miss our salvation. Living a Holy Life is wise, it must be our way of life. Godliness is the way to comfort in the life we now live, we must live our life for God’s glory. Having a spiritual mind helps us to understand the goodness of the holy law of God and shows the sinfulness of man requires a relationship with a Savior to prepare his heart for salvation. There is a plan here and it is simple in its direction. We must honor the law and be in perfect obedience to His Son, Jesus Christ. There is also the need to bring back those who have fallen away, offering them repentance, faith, forgiveness and the renewing love and grace of God.

I have enjoyed these chapters in Deuteronomy and plan to continue them. I am leaving next week’s blog open for now to explore some other areas of scripture. I get few comments or feedback and would appreciate your opinion as to what you would like to explore. You can comment at the bottom of this blog or send me an email  kcarp4211@gmail.com

Life is Good

jk

We will also break this chapter down into three segments. In verses 1-7 the Edomites are to be spared and as we move into verses 8-23 two more the Moabites and the Ammonites are to be spared. To close out this chapter verses 24-37 specifically instruct that the Amorites are to be destroyed. We will start by having a closer look at …..

Verses 1-7.

We found that only a short account of Israel in the wilderness is given. God deals with them by pointing out their murmuring and unbelief but works to prepare them for Canaan. He does so by humbling them for their sin, embarrassing them for their lack of enthusiastically following God’s directives and seeking comfort in him. Although Israel has been long in waiting for deliverance and growth, it is coming at last. But God had another lesson for them to learn and understand. They must forgive their enemies in Edom. They must not use the covenant as an excuse to seize all they could lay their hands on. Religion must never be used as a cloak to hide injustice, they must not take from the Edomites because the people of Israel have a God they can depend on. We should never use questionable means to obtain what God has provided and to do so with great joy, for it is by divine providence that God gives us what we need.

Verses 8-23

We read in these first verses the origin of the Moabites, Edomites, and Ammonites. Moses also speaks to something older than these. He tells of the Caphtorims and how they drove the Avims out of their country proving what uncertain things worldly possessions are. The world and its people change, there will be decrease and there will be increase, there is no earthly guarantee of continuance of things as they are. Then an unusual turn. They are cautioned not to meddle with the Moabites or the Ammonites. This is a good example for us to ponder over. God gives and preserves outward blessings to wicked men; these are not the best things, he has better in store for his own children. (Matthew Henry)  Sometimes we are concerned with other people, are resentful of their life when we should be celebrating the fact that God has much better things for his people. Leave judgement and justice to God.

Verses 24-37

God forbids the people to mess with the rich countries of Moab and Ammon. He gives them the possession of the country of the Amorites. It is plain that by not doing what God forbids, we will retain our obedience. One basic truth we sometimes overlook is that the earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof. He can do what he pleases, with it and give whatever part of it to whom he pleases. God has assured the Israelites that the land should be theirs but they must contend with the enemy therein. What God gives we must endeavor to get. There is a whole new world waiting for Israel, a land that will bring much joy. To better understand this we must consider that we, today, are wandering in a wilderness of sin and carrying our transgressions as we travel on this earth. Just like the Israelites we too will leave this wilderness to a better place, we also have a covenant, the cross and our Savior’s resurrection. We must be earnest in keeping the Spirit within our hearts for we will be spared the wrath to come. This inheritance cannot and will not be affected by revolutions of this world or our world of earthly possessions.

Thank you for joining us this week. I want to express my thanks  to the folks in Germany and other countries for joining us in The Pew each week.  Stay strong in the faith and stay safe.

Life is Good

Jk

Study Materials: Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible