mission: pray in public

Posted on May 26, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12690 1 Timothy 2.  Paul explains to Timothy those things that should be the hallmark of the church’s mission – things he should promote among the people and leaders of Ephesus.  Of first importance is the ministry of public prayer.  This entire chapter is about the ministry of public prayer in Christian assembly.

  1. We should pray for all people because God desires for all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  Christ is the one mediator between God and all men.  He gave himself as a ransom for all.  He appointed apostles to teach the truth to all nations.
  2. We should pray specifically for those in positions of authority and influence, like kings and presidents over nations, elders over churches, and parents over families.  Our prayers help those ion authority to keep the peace, so that we can lead peaceful, quiet, godly, dignified lives that promote the gospel rather than hinder its spread.
  3. Christian couples should specifically exercise restraint when coming together for public prayer.  Husbands should remain calm, and lift up holy hands (pray) without showing anger, or quarreling with their wives (that is the context of the command).  Wives should come together with them for the purpose of prayer – not to distract the other people praying by dressing immodestly or by trying to usurp authority or take over the prayer time by teaching.  If both husband and wife (they v.15) continue praying in faith, love and holiness, with self-control, then they can expect protection from the dangers of childbearing.

LORD, we want to put public prayer first on our list of ministries and we want to do it right.  Show us how to pray for others, and for those in authority so that the gospel is not hindered.  Keep us from distractions and hypocrisy when we pray.

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mission: be stewards of God’s treasure

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12689 1 Timothy 1.  1 and 2 Timothy and Titus are sometimes called the pastoral epistles,  although they were not written by a pastor (Paul was an apostle)  and neither Timothy nor Titus were pastors.  These two men were missionaries, appointed for the purpose of establishing the works in Ephesus and Crete, and for training and appointing leaders to continue that work.  For that reason, I call these the mission epistles. 

This chapter highlights the important role of maintaining doctrinal purity within the mission.  Paul charges Timothy with the task of training teachers to regard their role as a stewardship of valuable doctrinal treasure that must be guarded (4).  He is to warn the teachers in the churches of Ephesus not to search for new, different things to teach.  They must stay away from the speculations about things not clearly taught in scripture – which Paul refers to as “myths and endless genealogies” (4).  Instead of chasing theological rabbits, the doctrine of the mission must stay focused on the saving work of Christ.  Paul had encountered those who considered themselves experts in teaching the Torah (Old Testament Law) but whose lives were lawless and disobedient.  It was clear that they had not experienced salvation by grace, because they had not been saved from  their profanity, family violence, murderous rage, sexual immorality, homosexuality, slave kidnapping, lying, perjury, etc. (9-10). He charged Timothy to train and appoint teachers whose lives were truly transformed by the gospel of grace.

LORD, transform us by your gospel of grace, and keep us from “new” and different teachings that might sidetrack us from our stewardship of your truth.

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when Christ comes, our work will be vindicated

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12688 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18.  Some among the Thessalonians had apparently stopped working their “day jobs.”  Either they were convinced that Christ had secretly already come (2:2), or they felt that secular work was beneath them.  That attitude was not part of the traditions that Paul had taught them (2:15; 3:6-9).  He encouraged the believers in Thessalonica to keep away from such brothers (3:6).  He wanted to embarrass them back to work (3:14-15).  He encouraged the believers who were working to continue “to do their work quietly and to earn their own living”  (3:12).  We don’t always understand why the LORD puts us in the place where we are, and why he gives us the work that we do. But he has his reasons.  Our work can bring honor and glory to him, even if it doesn’t always seem honorable and glorious to us.

LORD, grant us the wisdom to remain busy at our work as we await your second coming.  We trust you will vindicate our toil and labor.

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when Christ comes, the glory will be obtained

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12687 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5.  Paul had just assured the Thessalonian believers that Christ had not come yet – that there remained a “strong delusion” to come that would produce an apostate church.  He now tells them that they are among the “firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth” (2:13).  They are the true church that took hold in the first century AD, and turned their world upside-down.

  1. They were a gospel church. They were called through the gospel that Paul and his companions preached (1:14; 3:1).
  2. They were a grace church.  God would continue to comfort their hearts (encourage them) and establish them in every good work and word by his grace (2:16-17; 3:3-4).
  3. They were a glory church. They were called to obtain the glory of Christ (2:14).  God had given them eternal (permanent) good hope through his grace (2:16).  That hope is the event of Christ’s second coming.  When Christ comes, the glory that is our destiny from Christ will be obtained.  If we don’t feel  very glorious today, we need to trust in his promise, and cling to the Holy Spirit, who is sanctifying us.

LORD, may your church today reflect your firstfruits church.  May we be driven by our call to spread the gospel.  May we be encouraged by our salvation by your grace.  May we cooperate with the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit by striving toward ever-increasing glory as we anticipate our glory with you at your return.

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when Christ comes, the delusion will end

Posted on May 22, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12685 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12.  Paul warns the Thessalonian believers that they were in danger of being deceived about the second coming of Christ.

  1. Someone was teaching that the second coming had already happened.  Paul warned that a strong delusion  was about to descend upon the church, and it would cause many within the Christian church at large to believe what is false (11).  It was the result of a demon, a spirit being that Paul called “the mystery of lawlessness” (7).
  2. It would eventually affect the church so drastically that the church would actually rebel against her bridegroom, and set up a human leader who will proclaim himself to be God (3-4). Satan will empower this “mystery of lawlessness” to manifest false signs and deceive unbelievers within the visible church (9-10).
  3. Paul told the Thessalonians that the deception was already starting because “the mystery of lawlessness” was “already at work.” But someone in the first century AD is restraining him from setting up his false god (6-7).
  4. That rebellion would eventually occur, and it will produce a false church with a human head. The strong delusion that produced this false church will not end until Christ appears and kills the lawless one and brings him to nothing (8).

Some Christians believe that we still await a personal Antichrist. Some teach that he will only appear after Christ’s appearing. The saints of the Reformation believed that they were rebelling against the rebellion started by Antichrist. They believed that Christ could return at any moment because the “strong delusion” was already here, and the “man of lawlessness” had been revealed.

LORD, come quickly. Save us from deception and delusion.

Posted in church, discernment, genuineness, Jesus Christ, second coming, worldview | Tagged | 2 Comments

when Christ comes: judgment, destruction, and glory.

Posted on May 21, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12683 In his second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul continues to encourage them (and us) with the hope of the second coming of Christ.

  1. When Christ comes, he will inflict his judgment upon those who have afflicted the church.  Paul praises the Thessalonians for standing firm and growing in their faith and in their love in spite of persecution. He assures them that God will inflict his vengeance upon those who do not know God and on those who disobey the gospel (1-8). He is describing the agonies of hell.
  2. When Christ comes, he will permanently destroy those who have rejected his kingdom. They will have proved themselves incapable of inheriting eternal life, and therefore will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction (9). He is describing the end of hell. Hell will not be a process of perpetual torture, but an event (the lake of fire) that will end in permanent destruction.
  3. When Christ comes, those who had been ashamed of him will be destroyed, and those who have gloried in his name will glory all the more. He will “be glorified in his saints, and … be marveled at among all who have believed.” (10-12).

LORD, as we wait for your return, may we not fixate on those who reject your gospel and persecute us for it. Instead, may we boldly proclaim your word and glorify your name, knowing that you will be vindicated.

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when Christ comes, will he find us blameless?

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12682 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28.  Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians here is that God would completely sanctify them by his grace. He prays for a church whose whole body, soul and spirit would be ready for her bride when he comes in the clouds. How can we cooperate with the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Here are some clues:

  1. Surrender completely: do not hold back any part of our lives (23).
  2. Trust in the faithfulness of the one who called us (24).
  3. Pray for each other (25).
  4. Maintain loving fellowship (26).
  5. Stay in the word (27).

LORD, we surrender to your sanctification. Make us ready for your return!

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when Christ comes, what will he find?

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12680 1 Thessalonians 5:1-22.  When our Lord bursts through the clouds at his second coming, what kind of church will be here to meet him? 

  1. It should be a church who respects the leaders and equipping ministers who labor on her behalf. All too often we use our leaders as targets for criticism and complaints (12-13). We should abstain from this form of evil.
  2. It should be a church who is at peace among herself. All too often it is a host of churches with competing ideologies and divided loyalties (13). We should abstain from this form of evil.
  3. It should be a church who patiently helps all who need help at the point of their need. She should be admonishing the idle to work, encouraging the fainthearted to not give up, and helping the weak to thrive. All too often it is caught up in programs and plans and the people get swept aside (14). We should abstain from this form of evil.
  4. It should be a church who seeks the good of brother and enemy alike. All too often both fellow believers and outsiders are targets of our vengeance (15).  We should abstain from this form of evil.
  5. It should be a church who is caught up in the presence of the Holy Spirit, and always open to the manifestations of His spiritual gifts in her worship. All too often we quench the Spirit, and refuse to let him get close enough to do his work among us. The result is a dry and tasteless Christianity that the world rejects as hypocrisy (16-21).  We should abstain from this form of evil.

LORD,  when you come, find us faithful. Purge the evil from us that keeps us from manifesting your genuineness.

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when Christ comes: three questions answered

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC13124 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 up his kingdom on earth.

  1. What will happen to believers who have already died?   Paul’s answer:  the dead in Christ are asleep —  not conscious of the passing of time. Their next conscious moment will be the sound of Christ coming. He will raise them from the dead so that both they and we who are alive will experience that great event together (4:13-18).
  2. When will this happen? Paul’s answer: True believers do not need an answer to that question, because we know that God has designed it to remain a mystery, so that Christ comes unexpectedly, like a thief (5:1-3). {There is a group of Christians who are convinced that Christ is going to return on May 21st. They may be right, but he may also come back today, or it may be another century. We do not know, and we were not meant to know!}
  3. How can we prepare?  Paul’s answer: The best way to prepare for the master’s coming is to be found doing what he commanded. He commanded faith, love and hope. If we remain awake and sober, sharing our faith, love, and hope, then we will experience salvation. We will not experience the wrath that the world is destined for (5:4-11).

LORD, come today!  But if you do not, may we not waste today by drunkenness and sleep. May we spend this day sharing our faith in you, our love for each other and the lost, and our hope of your coming kingdom.

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When Christ comes: more and more

Posted on May 17, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12675 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 he was making a difference in how the people lived. Paul’s instruction was for them to keep on doing what they were doing “more and more” (1, 10).

  1. Keep on showing that the Holy Spirit is within you more and more by remaining sexually pure. Control your bodies in holiness and honor. Do not be controlled by the passion of lust. Do not wrong your brother by seeking his wife, because the Lord will avenge the wrong (1-8).
  2. Keep on showing the brotherly love that Jesus commanded you. Do this more and more because this is what God has taught you and it brings honor to him (9-10).
  3. Keep on walking properly before outsiders — those who are not yet brothers. The Thessalonians were doing this by living quietly, minding their own affairs, and working with their own hands. Perhaps by remaining independent of others, they prevented the outsiders from assuming that their faith was merely a means of exploiting the generosity of wealthier Christians (11-12).

Before Christ comes in the clouds, he wants to come to our community. He wants to do that through our witness.

LORD, since Christ comes to our community through our witness, help us to keep doing the right things more and more. 

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