Category Archives: witness
when Christ comes: three questions answered
1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11. Paul had been instructing the Thessalonians about making Christ come into their city by sharing the gospel and thus building the kingdom. He now answers three questions about the hope of Christ coming again physically and setting … Continue reading
Posted in faith, hope, love, self-control, sleep of death, witness
Tagged 1 Thessalonians 4, 1 Thessalonians 5
Leave a comment
When Christ comes: more and more
1 Thessalonians 4:1-12. Paul knew that the believers in Thessalonica were living the Christian life, and that because of that witness many others were coming to Christ. Or, to put it another way, Christ was coming to the city and … Continue reading
Posted in church, holiness, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, second coming, witness
Tagged 1 Thessalonians 4
Leave a comment
when Christ comes, a crown of boasting
1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13. Satan had hindered Paul from personally visiting the Thessalonians by means of some affliction (2:18; 3:3, 7). So, Paul sent another member of his team – Timothy – to find out if the gospel was taking root … Continue reading
Posted in church, gospel, Jesus Christ, ministry, missions, second coming, witness
Tagged 1 Thessalonians 2, 1 Thessalonians 3
Leave a comment
when Christ comes through sharing the gospel
1 Thessalonians 2:1-16. When Christ comes into the lives of people in a community he comes through sharing the gospel. Believers who are called to spread the gospel are willing to suffer whatever it takes to share the truth of … Continue reading
Posted in church, courage, gospel, ministry, missions, witness
Tagged 1 Thessalonians 2
Leave a comment
when Christ comes: faith , love, and hope
1 Thessalonians 1. Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians is a celebration of what happens when the Lord Jesus Christ comes. When he first comes into the lives of people in a community… they become people of faith – repenting … Continue reading
Christ, our life
Colossians 3:1-17. The words “if then” which begin this section signify that there are logical consequences to being a Christian. We who have been raised with Christ demonstrate it by… … setting our minds on the ascended Christ who is … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, forgiveness, Jesus Christ, love, peace, self-control, witness
Tagged Colossians 3
Leave a comment
joy from others
Philippians 2:12-30. Paul was no lone ranger. He was blessed by those who ministered the gospel because of him, those who served alongside him in his team, and those who were sent to support him and provide for his needs. … Continue reading
Posted in church, dependence upon God, grace, mercy, ministry, prayer, witness, works
Tagged Philippians 2
1 Comment
relationships that reflect grace
Ephesians 5:22-6:9. The grace walk requires voluntary submission in all relationships. This is a means of obeying the command in 5:18, being filled with the Spirit. It is accomplished by submitting to one another. So, what follows should not be … Continue reading
Posted in church, equality, family, grace, love, obedience, peace, sanctification, submission, witness
Tagged Ephesians 5, Ephesians 6
Leave a comment
imitating grace
Ephesians 4:17-32. We are no longer the old selves. The old selves were alienated from God, corrupt on the inside and callous, carnal, and covetous on the outside. We must put off those old selves and put on the … Continue reading
Posted in church, forgiveness, grace, holiness, hope, sanctification, truth, witness
Tagged Ephesians 4
Leave a comment
in step with the gospel
Galatians 2:11-14. When he encountered Peter’s hypocrisy, Paul could have done the same thing Peter did, claiming Peter’s authority. That would have been the easy thing to do. But there was a lot at stake here. It was not just … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, discernment, grace, hypocrisy, repentance, sanctification, witness
Tagged Galatians 2
Leave a comment
Devotions 