Archives for June 2016

Good morning,

First Thessalonians 2 explains Paul’s ministry to the Thessalonians and its results. Paul was called by God to preach the gospel. Why? What is the purpose for sharing the Gospel with others?

The glory of the Church (19-20)

a) The greatest reward for a witness is a converted soul.

b) Notice that we are to witness with the rapture and eternity in view.

¹⁹ For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? ²⁰ For ye are our glory and joy.

The answer is so others will have the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and that they might be present with Him forever. Our witness should be in light of eternity. There is an eternal destiny waiting for all individuals, in the presence of Jesus or the presence of Satan, Heaven or Hell.

In light of this eternal destiny will we be God’s ambassadors sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

What have we learned from 1 Thessalonians 2?

CONCLUSION

Preach God’s word boldly, honestly, selflessly, gently, lovingly, tirelessly, unblameably, and encouragingly.

Expect results. Not yours, but God’s!

Expect opposition

Witness in light of eternity

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

First Thessalonians 2 explains Paul’s ministry to the Thessalonians and its results. Paul was called by God to preach the gospel. Not everyone was open to the preaching of the gospel. The Jews had opposed Paul before and Satan was continually hindering Paul and his companions.

Enemies of the church (14b-18)

a. Their persecution at the hand of their countrymen just as the Judean churches suffered at the hand of the Jewish leadership (14b-16)

…for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: ¹⁵ Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: ¹⁶ Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins always: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

b. Their opposition at the hand of the devil (17-18)

¹⁷ But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.¹⁸ Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

If we desire to obey God and witness for Christ, there will be opposition. Satan refuses to relinquish one soul to Jesus. Opposition comes in many forms.

Political correctness. Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ might offend someone else’s belief. The Church. Some churches no longer believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. They no longer preach it. Timid. No boldness to tell others about Christ. The things of this world. Worldliness limits the gospel outreach. Hippocrates. People know Christians who say one thing and do another. Organizations that directly oppose preaching the Gospel. Of course there are many more.

We must continue on in spite of the opposition.

Tomorrow we will find out why.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

First Thessalonians 2 explains Paul’s ministry to the Thessalonians and its results. Paul was called by God to preach the gospel. So how did the Church at Thessalonica respond to Paul’s preaching?

The response of the Church (13-14)

a. They rightfully accepted Paul’s words as God’s Word (13a)

b. They allowed the Word of God to work effectually in them (13b)

¹³ For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

c. They followed the Godly example of the Jerusalem Church (14a)

¹⁴ For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus:

The Thessalonians responded positively to Paul’s preaching. The writer of Hebrews tells us, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) The Thessalonians were convicted by the preaching and turned their lives over to Jesus.

Paul writes to Timothy about the Word of God. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

The Thessalonians took the teachings of Paul and Timothy and applied them to their lives. They grew in their knowledge and obedience to God.

Has this been our experience? Have we allowed God’s word to transform our lives? Have we grown closer to Jesus over the years? Let us allow God to speak to us on this issue.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

Good morning,

First Thessalonians 2 explains Paul’s ministry to the Thessalonians and its results. Paul was called by God to preach the gospel. Today we will see eight ways that Paul preached the gospel.

The Pastor of the Church-Paul (1-12)

a) Paul preached the gospel boldly in the face of severe suffering (1-2)

For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: ² But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

b) Paul preached the gospel honestly (3)

³ For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

c) Paul preached the gospel selflessly (4-6)

⁴ But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.⁵ For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: ⁶ Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

d) Paul preached the gospel gently as a mother nursing her child (7)

⁷ But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

e) Paul preached the gospel lovingly (8)

⁸ So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

f) Paul preached the gospel tirelessly (9)

⁹ For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

g) Paul preached the gospel unblameably (10)

¹⁰ Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

h) Paul preached the gospel encouragingly as a father (11-12)

¹¹ As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,¹² That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

When we speak to someone about Jesus, do we exhibit these characteristics? We should. What a concept of boldness butted up against love. Our witness should explain clearly God’s plan of salvation. The person we witness to should feel our concern, love, gentleness, and encouragement to follow Jesus. Following our witness, we have hopefully earned the right to speak to this person again about Jesus.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

We are time conscious people. Clocks, watches, calendars, and computers, tell us what time it is. We are slaves to time. However this devotional makes us think about when time did not exist. God existed, but time did not.

In that time before all time!

(Charles Spurgeon, 1864)

Meditate, dear friends, upon the whole range of God’s works in Creation and Providence. There was a period when God dwelt alone–and creatures were not. In that time before all time, when there was no day but “The Ancient of Days,” when matter and created mind were alike unborn, and even space was not–God, the great I AM, was as perfect, glorious, and as blessed as He is now.

There was no sun–and yet Jehovah dwelt in ineffable light.
There was no earth–and yet His throne stood fast and firm.
There were no heavens–and yet His glory was unbounded.

God inhabited eternity in the infinite majesty and happiness of His self-contained greatness. If the Lord, thus abiding in solemn solitude, should choose to create anything–the first thought and idea must come from Him, for there was no other to think or suggest. All things must be of Him in design. With whom can He take counsel? Who shall instruct Him? There existed no other to come into His council-chamber, even if such an assistance could be supposable with the Most High.

In the beginning of His way, before His works of old, eternal wisdom brought forth from its own mind the perfect plan of future creations, and every line and mark therein must clearly have been of the Lord alone.

He ordained the pathway of every planet–and fixed the abode of every star. He poured forth the sweet influences of the Pleiades, and girt Orion with its bands. He appointed the bounds of the sea, and settled the course of the winds. As to the earth, the Lord alone planned its foundations, and stretched His line upon it.

He formed in His own mind, the mold of all His creatures, and found for them a dwelling and a service. He appointed the degree of strength with which He would endow each creature, settled its months of life, its hour of death, its coming and its going.

Divine wisdom mapped this earth–its flowing rivers and foaming seas, the towering mountains, and the laughing valleys. The divine Architect fixed the gates of the morning–and the doors of the shadow of death.

Nothing could have been suggested by any other, for there was no other to suggest. It was in His power to have made a universe very different from this–if He had so pleased. That He has made it what it is, must have been merely because in His wisdom and prudence, He saw fit to do so.

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power–for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being!” Revelation 4:11

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The old hymns of the faith were filled with great amount of teaching and challenge. Many times we sing without thinking about the words. The challenge set before us in today’s devotion is formable.  Is it our desire to be consecrated to God? What would happen if we were?

Sign here!

(F.B. Meyer, “The Blessed Life”)

Dear Christian reader seek some quiet spot, some still hour, and yield yourself to God.

Make a definite consecration of yourselves to God. With most it would be sufficient to write out Miss Havergal’s hymn, “Take my life, and let it be,” and to sign your name at the bottom.

Take my life and let it be–consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days–let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands and let them move–at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be–swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice and let me sing–always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be–filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold–not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use–every power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will and make it Thine–it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is Thine own–it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love my Lord, I pour–at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be–ever, only, all for Thee!
                 Sign here ____________________
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Paul encourages the Thessalonians by praising their response to the Holy Spirit, willingness to follow Godly leaders, being good examples of their conversion by their own witness, and their waiting on the Lord’s return.

Encouragement (5-10)

⁵ For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.⁶ And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.⁷ So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.⁸ For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.⁹ For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;¹⁰ And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Remember these were new believers. They had no Christian fellowship. They were in the middle of a hostile, wicked, Roman Empire. The Jews did not want any believers in Christ. Yet they were steadfast and joyful.  They lived their Christianity and people noticed.

Thessalonica was a trade route. As they told others of their new life in Christ, the merchants were taking the Good News everywhere they went.

Hopefully this challenges us to do the same. Our lifestyles have a tremendous influence on others. People should want to know what’s different about us.

Do they?

Next week 1 Thessalonians 2.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Paul opens the letter to the Thessalonians with thanksgiving. He is thankful for their faith, love, and patience. This was not easy for the Thessalonians. They were new believers, under persecution, and Paul had to leave. Timothy was now in charge of teaching them the things of Christ. Timothy returned to Paul and relayed to him the growth of the believers in Thessalonica. This letter was Paul’s reply.

Thanksgiving and prayer for the Church at Thessalonica (1-4)

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.² We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; ³ Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; ⁴ Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

Paul begins by telling the Thessalonians’ who is writing this letter and to whom it is addressed. He then blesses the church.  He prays that grace and peace would be on the church from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. He is thankful for the church at Thessalonica and prays for them.

So why is Paul so pleased? They responded to the call of God. The evidence was seen in their work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Can that be said of us? Are we willingly submitted to God? We live in a time and culture where there is little or no persecution. So are we actively ministering for Jesus? We need to. People are still not saved, believers still do not know the word of God, and the ones that do fail to obey God’s truth. Now is our time to act.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

During Paul’s second missionary journey he spent three Sabbaths in Thessalonica. Acts 17:1-10 tells how the church got started. This week we will begin a study of First Thessalonians. So let’s start with an introduction.

Thessalonica lies near the ancient site of Therma on the Thermaic Gulf at the northern reaches of the Aegean Sea. This city became the capital of Macedonia (ca. 168 B.C.) and enjoyed the status of a “free city” which was ruled by its own citizenry (Acts 17:6) under the Roman Empire. Because it was located on the main east-west highway, Via Egnatia, Thessalonica served as the hub of political and commercial activity in Macedonia, and became known as “the mother of all Macedonia.” The population in Paul’s day reached 200,000 people.

Paul undoubtedly had multiple reasons for writing, all coming out of his supreme concern for the flock from which he had been separated. Some of Paul’s purposes clearly included: 1) encouraging the church (1:2–10); 2) answering false allegations (2:1–12); 3) comforting the persecuted flock (2:13–16); 4) expressing his joy in their faith (2:17–3:13); 5) reminding them of the importance of moral purity (4:1–8); 6) condemning the sluggard lifestyle (4:9–12); 7) correcting a wrong understanding of prophetic events (4:13–5:11); 8) defusing tensions within the flock (5:12–15); and 9) exhorting the flock in the basics of Christian living (5:16–22).

Five major themes are woven together in 1 Thessalonians: 1) an apologetic theme with the historical correlation between Acts and 1 Thessalonians; 2) an ecclesiastical theme with the portrayal of a healthy, growing church; 3) a pastoral theme with the example of shepherding activities and attitudes; 4) an eschatological theme with the focus on future events as the church’s hope; and 5) a missionary theme with the emphasis on gospel proclamation and church planting.

Tomorrow we will begin our study of 1 Thessalonians 1. Please read Acts 17:1-10 as your introduction to the study.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

When was the last time you read your Bible? After reading today’s devotional, I hope you will begin reading it daily.

The one book for all ages and all nations, for all classes of men and all states of society, for all capacities of intellect and all necessities of the soul!

(Daniel March, 1868)

The Bible is the oldest and the newest of books. It surveys the whole field of time–and it looks farthest into the infinite depths of eternity. It lends the most vivid and absorbing interest to the scenes and events of the past–and it keeps us in the most active sympathy with the time in which we live. It gives us the most reliable record of what has been–and it affords us our only means of knowing what is yet to be. It is strict enough to denounce the very shadow and semblance of sin–and it is liberal enough to save the chief of sinners. It is full of God—and must therefore be read with a pure heart or its true glory will not be seen. It is full of man–and must therefore always be interesting and instructive to all who would know themselves.

The Bible is the plainest of books–and yet it has depths of wisdom which no created mind can fathom! It is set up as a beacon to show all wanderers the safe way–and yet its light shines forth from thick clouds of mystery and from abysses of infinite darkness. It describes all conditions of life, and it gives utterance to all desires and emotions of the soul.

It sparkles with the fervor and gladness of youth, it celebrates the strength and glory of manhood–and it bewails the sorrows and infirmities of old age. It sympathizes with the poor and lowly, it lifts up the fallen, it delivers the oppressed, and it breathes the blessing of peace upon the quiet homes of domestic life. It describes with startling clearness the seductions of temptation, the conflicts of doubt, and the miseries of skepticism. It searches the secret chambers of the heart, and brings to light its purest love and its darkest hate, its highest joy and its deepest grief. It compasses the utmost range of thought and feeling and desire–and it sounds the utmost depth of motive and character and passion.

The composition of the Bible was extended through a long course of years; it was carried on under a great variety of circumstances; it bears the impress of every diversity of individual character. And yet the spirit of inspiration speaks with equal fullness through all the times and circumstances and characters. Thus in the Bible, God and man, earth and Heaven, time and eternity–speak with one voice and teach the same truth. Thus the Bible is made to be the one book for all ages and all nations, for all classes of men and all states of society, for all capacities of intellect and all necessities of the soul. It sets forth the most spiritual and heavenly truths–in the lights and shadows of earthly scenes and human characters.

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This life is very complex and challenging. Understanding God’s perspective takes prayer, reading, study, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit of God. I would suggest you begin in Genesis. It is very hard to understand the New Testament without understanding, at a minimum, chapters 1-11 of Genesis. The doctrines of creation, sin, redemption, the flood, languages, and migration of people are all found in these chapters.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001