Let's look at the format of Paul's First Letter to the Thessalonians. The senders of the Letter are Paul, Silvanus (also known as Silas) and Timothy. If we look back at the book of Acts beginning with chapter 13, we see that Paul and Barnabas have been sent out in mission from the church at Antioch. During worship and while fasting, the Holy Spirit directed that Paul and Barnabas be set apart for a particular work. They fasted and prayed about this and then laid hands on them, commissioning them for the work to which they were called. In chapter 15:36 we see that Paul and Barnabas split up over a disagreement over the recruiting of John Mark. Paul chose Silas (Silvanus) to accompany him on the mission. At the beginning of chapter 16 Timothy is introduced. Now go to chapter 17 to read about their experience at Thessalonica.
What does Paul's thankgiving in chapter 1 say about his feelings for the Thessalonians? What words or phrases stand out for you?
September 17, 2012
September 04, 2012
Intro to New Testment Letters
Did you know that the First Letter to the Thessalonians is believed to be the oldest preserved Christian writing, written before the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John?
Mark is the oldest gospel, believed to be written in late 60's to early 70's AD. Matthew and Luke between 80 and 90 AD. John's gospel is believed to be written for the same community addressed in the Letters of John that existed in the early part of the second century, 100-110 AD.
First Thessalonians is believed to be written in 50-51AD by Paul while he was in Corinth, having to flee from Thessalonica. Read Acts 17:1-15.
This week read through the Letter. Note the format which Paul's Letters follow: Greeting: Who is Paul greeting? Thanksgiving: Who and/or what is Paul giving thanks for? Body: What issues is Paul addressing? Farewell: Blessings and/or warnings?
Please email or post on this blog your responses. Grace and peace to you!
Did you know that the First Letter to the Thessalonians is believed to be the oldest preserved Christian writing, written before the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John?
Mark is the oldest gospel, believed to be written in late 60's to early 70's AD. Matthew and Luke between 80 and 90 AD. John's gospel is believed to be written for the same community addressed in the Letters of John that existed in the early part of the second century, 100-110 AD.
First Thessalonians is believed to be written in 50-51AD by Paul while he was in Corinth, having to flee from Thessalonica. Read Acts 17:1-15.
This week read through the Letter. Note the format which Paul's Letters follow: Greeting: Who is Paul greeting? Thanksgiving: Who and/or what is Paul giving thanks for? Body: What issues is Paul addressing? Farewell: Blessings and/or warnings?
Please email or post on this blog your responses. Grace and peace to you!
August 08, 2012
In the Lord's Prayer, it says, "Lead me not into temptation." Are we really asking God not to tempt us? Does God tempt us? In the Letter of James it says, "Never, when you are being put to the test, say 'God is tempting me.' God cannot be tempted by evil and does not put anybody to the test. "Everyone is put to the test by being attracted and seduced by that person's own wrong desire. Then the desire conceives and gives birth to sin, and when sin reaches full growth, it gives birth to death."
When we accept the grace of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins we become a new person, pure and holy before God. This is only the beginning. We must then proclaim Christ as Lord and Savior of our life in our thoughts, words, actions, behaviors.
Following Jesus is an active and not a passive journey. Each day we must choose which path we will take. Some days we are tempted to take our own path, an old familiar, well-worn path--even though it leads us in circles.
We need to be intentional in our discipleship by keeping the lines of communication open between ourselves and God. Prayer and Scripture. We choose between our old way of reacting to the stresses, challenges and hurtfulness of the world or Jesus' way of responding to a wounded and broken world so badly in need of grace, love, mercy, and justice.
Enlighten me, Lord Jesus, with the clarity of everlasting light and drive out of my heart all manner of darkness and all vain imaginations and violent temptation. Fight strongly for me and drive away the evil beasts, that is, all my evil and wicked concupiscences, so that peace of conscience may enter and fully rule within me, and that an abundance of glory and prasie of your name may sound continually in the chamber of my soul in a pure and clean conscience. Thomas a Kempis
When we accept the grace of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins we become a new person, pure and holy before God. This is only the beginning. We must then proclaim Christ as Lord and Savior of our life in our thoughts, words, actions, behaviors.
Following Jesus is an active and not a passive journey. Each day we must choose which path we will take. Some days we are tempted to take our own path, an old familiar, well-worn path--even though it leads us in circles.
We need to be intentional in our discipleship by keeping the lines of communication open between ourselves and God. Prayer and Scripture. We choose between our old way of reacting to the stresses, challenges and hurtfulness of the world or Jesus' way of responding to a wounded and broken world so badly in need of grace, love, mercy, and justice.
Enlighten me, Lord Jesus, with the clarity of everlasting light and drive out of my heart all manner of darkness and all vain imaginations and violent temptation. Fight strongly for me and drive away the evil beasts, that is, all my evil and wicked concupiscences, so that peace of conscience may enter and fully rule within me, and that an abundance of glory and prasie of your name may sound continually in the chamber of my soul in a pure and clean conscience. Thomas a Kempis
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