Month: October 2014

What Is The Purpose Of Christian Teaching? – 1 Timothy 1

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From my reading in 1 Timothy 1 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

What is the purpose of Christian teaching?

Paul shares his purpose for teaching with his disciple Timothy.

“The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.” 1 Timothy 1:5

In other words, Paul’s desire is that people would become more like Jesus.

To live like Jesus is the live a life of love. In order to be filled with God’s love we must have a clear relationship with God. That is why Paul says that a heart full of love comes from a pure heart before God, a clear conscience with God, and genuine faith in God.

If you don’t have genuine faith then you won’t be filled with God’s love.

If you are hiding things from God or lying or cheating then you won’t be filled with God’s love. Confess your sin to Him and allow Him to forgive you and fill you with this love. Not having a clear relationship with God will shipwreck your faith.

“Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.” 1 Timothy 1:19

Cling to your faith and don’t intentionally do something you know is wrong.

If you make having a pure relationship with God a priority you will be filled with God’s love and be able to offer that to others!

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Stand Firm In Hard Times – 2 Thessalonians 3

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From my reading in 2 Thessalonians 3 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

Struggles happen.

Following Jesus is hard. It is a struggle to do what God has called us to do. Paul was concerned for the Thessalonians that they would stay strong in the middle of struggles. He sent Timothy to strengthen and encourage them…

“and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles.” 1 Thessalonians 3:3

Troubles are a part of the believers lot in life. We need encouragement in order to not be shaken.  Knowing that hard times are a part of our calling can help us not wonder where God is in those moments. Paul continued.

“Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come—and they did, as you well know.” 1 Thessalonians 3:4

It is helpful to be warned about hard times in advance so that you can be ready.

A hurricane warning is very helpful, because it gives people time to brace for the storm. As Christians we should brace for the storms of life realizing that even though hard times come in this life we can look forward to the Heaven where there will be no more crying or pain!

Paul was concerned that the devil would not get the best of them in the hard times. His life was connected to how well the Thessalonians were doing.

“It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 3:8

Are you standing firm in hard times?

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Get A Grip On God’s Word – 2 Thessalonians 2

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From my reading in 2 Thessalonians 2 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

Get a grip!

Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to do two things in order to stay strong.

“With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter.”  2 Thess 2:15

Stand firm.

When we encounter problems in life we are to stand firm. Don’t let any thing keep you from standing on the truth and standing for God.

Keep a strong grip on the teaching.

In his letter to the Ephesians Paul likened God’s word to the sword of the Spirit. In order for a sword to be effective the person handling it must grip it well.

We should keep a strong grip on what God tells us through his Word. Don’t let it slip through your fingers. Hold on to the Word and you will have what you need to get through life.

Do you have a firm grip on God’s Word?

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What God prompts you to do He will give you the power to do. 2 Thessalonians 1

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From my reading in 2 Thessalonians 1 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

What God prompts you to do He will give you the power to do.

Here is Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians.

“So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.” 2 Thess 1:11

Paul prayed that they would live worthy of the call of Jesus. If you are a Christian then God has called to to be a part of his mission on this earth. Paul also prayed that whatever we are prompted to do by faith that God would empower us to accomplish it.

Often God prompts people to do things that risky and difficult.

You will always need God’s power to do God’s work. He is the one that makes our efforts for him successful. If you are being prompted to do something than I encourage you to try it and trust God’s power to come through for you!

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There Is No “One Size Fits All” Approach To Ministry – 1 Thessalonians 5

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From my reading in 1 Thessalonians 5 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

There is no “one size fits all” approach to ministry.

Each person must be helped in a different way. That is why the more personal touches that people can get the better. That doesn’t mean that the leader has to be the one who is helping. We all should be helping each other. Paul gives us some valuable instructions for dealing with different people.

“Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.” 1 Thess 5:14 

Warn those who are lazy.

Lazy people need to be woken up! Laziness is not something to be laughed off but it is stealing.

When you are lazy you stealing from what you should be doing.  You are stealing from your family by not fully engaging in loving them. You are stealing from employer by not giving your best job. You are stealing from God by not serving him with your whole heart. A verse that inspires me not to be lazy is…

“A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.” Pro 19:9

We must warn people that being lazy is not cute, but it actually destroys people’s lives.

Encourage those who are timid.

People need a kick in the pants sometimes. If someone is too timid to do what God has called them to do some well timed encouragement can go a long way. Sometimes when I go out to share my faith I really don’t feel like it, but the encouragement of another person can really give me the faith I need to go out and do the work.

Take tender care of those who are weak.

Tough love does not work with people who are weak. Instead they should be taken care of with tenderness. Weak people need to be cared for tenderly until they can take care of themselves. Don’t push people too hard and wear them out. Take care of them as their needs dictate.

Be patient with everyone.

Everyone needs you to be patient with them sometimes. Even the easiest and most compatible people to you will let you down eventually. My wife and I are very compatible but even then we have to give each other grace almost daily!

If you want to work with people you have to learn patience. People will let you down, and if you are prepared to respond with patience you will keep the loyalty of those you are leading and your relationships will be strong.

Is there anyone in your life or ministry that needs you to do one of these things with them?

Love is a Natural Result of Salvation – 1 Thessalonians 4

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From my reading in 1 Thessalonians 4 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

When you are truly saved you will naturally develop a love for your fellow believers.

“But we don’t need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another. Indeed, you already show your love for all the believers throughout Macedonia. Even so, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you to love them even more.” 1 Thess 4:9-10

God himself taught them to love one another.

If you are going to have anyone teach you how to love God is the best teacher there is! A love for your fellow man, and especially the body of Christ is a natural overflow of being saved.

God gives us love. Even so, sometimes we need to be encouraged to love people.  It is not always easy, but should be something that we desire to do as Chrsitians.

Do you have a God-given love for other believers?

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Passion For People Is The Heart Of Ministry – 1 Thessalonians 3

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From my reading in 1 Thessalonians 3 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

In this chapter you can see Paul’s heart for the Thessalonians. Here are some examples of the things that show his love.

  • He sent Timothy to strengthen and encourage them. 1-5
  • He encourages them for staying strong. 7
  • He share how he get’s new life because they are standing firm. 8
  • He thanks God for them. 9
  • He prays earnestly for their growth. 10
  • He prays that they would be united soon. 11
  • He prays that God would make their love overflow as his love overflows toward them. 12
  • He prays that their hearts would be strong, blameless, and holy. 13

Paul’s life was connected to these people.

“For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 3:8

He was passionate about their growth and longed for them to stay strong in their faith. If you are ministering to people it is okay to give them your heart. Paul did. Jesus did.

Are you deeply connected to the people that you are ministering to? 

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Minister Like Paul… Share The Gospel And Your Life! – 1 Thessalonians 2

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From my reading in 1 Thessalonians 2 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

The love Paul had for the Thessalonians oozes off the pages of this chapter. One verse in particular gives us a great model for how we are to do ministry.

“We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.” 1 Thessalonians 2:8

We to share the gospel AND we are to share our lives.

 If you really love the people you are ministering to then it will be a joy to spend your life with them. As you share your life people will “catch the disease” of loving God and others. It has been said…

“You can impress people from a distance, but you can only impact people from up close.”

When we share our lives we can set an example for people. People learn best from models. Paul was able to explain the good news and show them how it is to be lived out in daily life.

Are you really sharing your life with those you are ministering to?

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4 Ministry Principles Of Paul – 1 Thessalonians 1

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From my reading in 1 Thessalonians 1 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

Paul sets a great example of four practices for those of us in ministry.

1. Pray constantly for those you serve.

“We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly.” 1 Thessalonians 1:2

Paul was constantly praying for the people he had ministered to. Most of us don’t pray for our people enough. Often we are too busy doing public ministry that we fail to fulfill the private ministry of prayer. I am challenged to pray more intentionally for those in my flock.

2. Preach with the power of the Holy Spirit.

“For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true.” 1 Thessalonians 1:5a

The Holy Spirit is the one who empowers the preacher. Preaching should be done in reliance on the Holy Spirit. He is the one who will speak to people through you and will facilitate change in people’s lives.

As preachers, it is important for us to stay in step with the Spirit so that we can speak his words instead of relying on our own intellect and human wisdom.

3. Show your love through your life.

“And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you.” 1 Thessalonians 1:5b

It has been said, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Leaders should make it obvious to those they are leading that they genuinely love them. If you are using your followers then people will see through that. If you sincerely love them then people will follow you with joy.

4. Set an example by suffering well.

“So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 1:6

Suffering with joy sets a powerful example for your flock. Paul set an example for them in how to deal with hard times. He endured. He never gave up. Paul imitated Jesus as well. Jesus suffered the ultimate price for the sake of the gospel and did it with joy looking forward to his reward.

It has been said, “people would rather see a sermon that hear one any day.” I pray that I can be a good example to my people especially in times of suffering.

Which of these ministry principles is relevant to your life right now?

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4 Ways To Be A Wise And Winsome Witness- Colossians 4

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From my reading in Colossians 4 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

Paul gives us 4 great ways to be a winsome witness to people who are not yet followers of Jesus.

“Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.” Colossians 4:5–6

1. Live wisely among non Christians.

Live wisely among those who are not believers…

Wisdom is knowing how to do the right thing, at the right time in the right way. Living wisely around non Christians means that we should be aware of their needs and smart with how we treat them. The way that we live will be attractive if we are living in a wise way.

2. Seize divine opportunities to share.

…and make the most of every opportunity…

This phrase literally means “buy up the time.”  The opportunity to share only come up rarely, so we must be careful to make the most of them. At the same time we must use wisdom.

There is a tension that we must embrace if we want to share our faith. We must be urgent about making the most of opportunities to share and at the same time use wisdom to know when to stop.

3. Always share in gracious way.

…Let your conversation be gracious…

One of the things that many of the street preachers don’t do is be gracious. I actually admire the courage of many of the street preachers, but too often they do not preaching in a loving and grace giving way.

Whenever we share about Jesus we must be sure to speak in a gracious and respectful way. This will help people trust you.  You don’t have to pressure people because God is the one who saves anyway.

4. Always share in an attractive way.

…and attractive…

Other translations says that our conversation should always be “seasoned with salt.” Salt makes things taste good. Salt has an addictive quality. Like a potato chip, you can’t eat just one.

When we have spiritual conversations we should seek to make it a pleasant experience so that the person will want to talk more about it later. Too much salt is makes eggs taste nasty. Too much pressure or unsolicited sharing can turn people off as well.

These four practices are done for this purpose….

…so that you will have the right response for everyone.

It takes wisdom to know how to respond in the right way to everyone who is interested in Christianity. One size does not fit all.
I pray that God would use us as we seek to be wise, intentional, gracious and winsome in how we share our faith.

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