Audio Sermons

Only Jesus

Hebrews 1:1-4 (p. 1862)                                                                            October 22, 2017    

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory
and the exact representation of his being,
sustaining all things by his powerful word.
Hebrews 1:3

Intro:            1) VERY short history of the author and text of Hebrews,
Πολυμερῶς καὶ πολυτρόπως πάλαι ὁ θεὸς
2) καὶ χαρακτὴρ τῆς ὑποστάσεως
hupostasis = “what stands underneath” (“substance” in Latin)
— but confidence, assurance (Hebrews 3:14, 11:1)
might be better translation

Why is Jesus better?

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets
at various times and in various ways,
but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son . . . .
Hebrews 1:1-2 (p. 1859)

1. Jesus is how God SPEAKS
2. Jesus is the only IMPRESSION
3. The POWER of Jesus’ word and name

Rediscovering Jesus

The Jews look for miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,
but we preach Christ crucified . . . .
1 Corinthians 1:23 (p. 1736)

1. Preaching: _______________________________________________________
2. Church: _________________________________________________________
3. Salvation: ______________________________________________________

Meeting Jesus today

. . . then know this, you and all the people of Israel:
It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,
whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead,
that this man stands before you healed . . . .
Salvation is found in no one else for there is no other name under heaven
given to men by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:8-12 (p. 1696)

1. Meet Jesus at  THE CROSS (his righteousness and my sin)
2. Meet Jesus when  I SPEAK HIS NAME
3. Meet Jesus in  HIS WORD à PREACHING AND PERSONAL ENCOUNTER
4. Meet Jesus through  HIS BODY

More resources for studying solus Christus

Kevin deYoung’s Taking God at His Word (Crossway, 2014).  This is where I get the “knowable, necessary and enough” paradigm for thinking about the sufficiency of Scripture.

John Calvin’s Institutes, “Redemption to be sought in Christ alone” at http://www.ccel.org/print/calvin
/institutes/iv.vii

Michael Horton’s essay “Preaching Christ Alone” at https://www.monergism.com/preaching-christ-alone

Calvin Theological Seminary’s Forum (Spring 2017), “500 Years of the Reformation”.

Ligon Duncan’s “The Great Revelation of God” series at https://www.fpcjackson.org/resource-library/sermons/jesus-the-great-revelation-of-god-part-1

Ligonier Ministries’ “Grace Alone” devotion at http://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/grace-alone/

“Seven Things” blog at https://australia.thegospelcoalition.org/article/sola-scriptura-seven-things-it-is-and-isnt

 

ὑπόστασις

hypostasis, substance, firmness, confidence, collection of documents establishing ownership, guarantee, proof

→see also πίστις

hypostasis, S 5287; TDNT 8.572–589; EDNT 3.406–407; NIDNTT 1.710–714; MM 659–660; L&N 31.84, 58.1; BAGD 847

The usual Latin equivalent of hypo-stasis is sub-stantia, which in philosophical terms means the essence of an entity, that which is hidden beneath the appearances. This meaning, however, is not attested in the nt, apart from Heb 1:3, where the Son is the imprint or effigy of the substance of the Father.

In an ethical sense, hypostasis refers to what is deep in the heart—firmness, calm, confidence, courage; hence the meaning “hope” or psychological and moral support in Ruth 1:12; Ezek 19:5; Ps 39:7 (Hebrew tôḥeleṯ) and “assurance”—probably the meaning in 2 Cor 9:4; 11:17, and certainly in Heb 3:14—“if we hold our initial confidence (literally, the beginning of assurance) till the end.” It is more difficult to translate Heb 11:1, estin de pistis elpizomenōn hypostasis, where the Vulgate simply transcribes the word in question (“Fides est substantia sperandarum rerum”) and most moderns translate it “assurance or solid confidence.” But in the papyri our noun is usually used for property, for a right of possession: “without risk for myself and my property” (P.Oxy. 138, 26; 1981, 27; 2478, 28; P.Berl.Zill. 6, 4; SB 8986, 22; 9463, 6; 9566, 10); “the scribe attributed more land to me than I actually own” (P.Oxy. 488, 17; cf. P.Wisc. 61, 15); in an account from the fourth century, “produce from a property of twenty-four arourai.” Hypostasis is also used for the contents of a house. The commentaries of the church fathers and the medievals followed this line of interpretation: faith contains the substance of eternal life, which is the prima inchoatio (first beginning) of the object of hope. It already possesses that hope, perhaps only faintly, but nevertheless in its true essence.

This nuance of anticipation can be narrowed down further. Hypostasis means point of departure, beginning (Diodorus Siculus 1.66), provision for the future (P.Panop.Beatty 1, 269; P.Tebt. 336; 7; P.Stras. 309, verso 2; P.Fay. 343; SB 7360, 12), offer (P.Panop.Beatty 2, 144, 158), commitment or guarantee. According to the edict of Mettius Rufus, all owners of building and land have to have deeds on record establishing their property rights.¹² Thus a hypostasis is a collection of documents establishing ownership, deposited in the archives and proving the owner’s rights; hence it is a guarantee for the future. Moulton-Milligan are right to translate Heb 11:1 “Faith is the title-deed of things hoped for.” This was also the interpretation of the Peshitta: pyso, “guarantee, proof.” Faith is a title of ownership on property that is in the future.^[1]

^[1] Spicq, C., & Ernest, J. D. (1994). Vol. 3: Theological lexicon of the New Testament (421–423). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.

Reading this week: Solus Christus in Hebrews

The author of Hebrews, whoever he or she may be, presents Jesus as superior to the old.  This “new and better” Jesus changed everything in the church in the First Century. And during the Reformation, a new understanding of the person and work of Jesus changed the way we preached, we worshiped and we lived.  In Hebrews we meet that Jesus, and he again will reform us!

Monday: Hebrews 2:1-18, Jesus greater than the angels
The angels were the ones who brought us the word of God according to Philo, an influential First Century philosopher.  But the church didn’t need Philo – she had the word directly through Jesus.  When have you most clearly heard Jesus speak through his word?  What hearing disciplines are you building today?

Tuesday: Hebrews 3:1-19, Jesus greater than Moses
Moses met face to face with God, but he would have traded all that glory for a moment with the Son.  How are you taking advantage of the great privilege of meeting with Jesus?  What “meeting with Jesus” disciplines are you working on right now?

Wednesday: Hebrews 4:1-13, Jesus’ rest superior to Sabbath rest
God’s people have always enjoyed the gift of Sabbath rest, but there is a greater gift waiting when we meet Jesus.  How have the rhythms and disciplines of Sabbath helped you say “yes” to what is important and “no” to what our culture says is important?

Thursday: Hebrew 4:14-5:10, Jesus the greatest priest
Having Jesus as our Priest allows us to “hold firmly to the faith we profess.”  When have been most confident in your faith?  When has Jesus’ priestly work been most evident in your life?

Friday: Hebrews 9:11-28, Jesus the greater sacrifice
Jesus is both Priest and Sacrifice.  Which of these roles is most central to your thinking about Jesus?  When have you seen Jesus’ sacrificial work most evident in your life?  What does Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross provide to you that nothing else could?

Saturday: Hebrews 10:19-39, Jesus the only way to God
What other potential ways into that “Most Holy Place” (where God’s redemption work is done!) have you encountered?  How have you explained the exclusivity of the Jesus way to a skeptic?  Who or what is helping you hold on to your confidence in the Jesus way?

The Cost of Grace audio

The Cost of Grace

Titus 2:11-15 (p. 1859)                                                                                    October 15, 2017    

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.
It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness . . .
and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.
Titus 2:11-12

Intro:  1) why are the “sola’s” still important?  Answer: 1620 and 1857
–>  reformata reformanda est
2) Titus began as a “case study” for Paul (Galatians 2:1-3),
now he pastors the notorious Cretans

The context of costly grace

Teach the older men . . . .   Likewise, teach the older women . . . .
Then they can teach the younger women . . . .
Similarly, encourage the younger men . . . .  Teach slaves . . . .
These, then are the things you should teach.
Titus 2:1-15 (p. 1858)

“Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession…Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Cost of Discipleship

1. This is a SALVATION-BRINGING  grace
   key?: Why is there not more “grace” in the gospels
2. This is a  SANCTIFYING  grace
   [Bonhoeffer: It’s grace because it calls us to follow Jesus!]

 

Grace is the story of God’s initiative

So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.
And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
Romans 11:5-6 (p. 1891)  See Canons of Dort (III, 3 & 13)

1. I AM  the remnant, chosen by grace –> Canons, III, 3: “neither willing nor able”
2. Grace tells MY STORY (NOT someone else’s story!) –> Luther, Bondage of the Will
3. Grace drives me to  THANKSGIVING / GRATITUDE

Living by grace in an age of performance

But when the kindness and love of God our savior appeared, he saved us,
not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
He saved us . . . so that, having been justified by grace,
we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Titus 3:5-7 (p. 1859) à connect to the “so that” in HC, Lord’s Day 32

1. Grace is how I AM ASSURED
   –> fruit (see “so that” #3) always comes SECOND to God’s promises!
2. Grace changes how I think about  ME AND GOD
   (the “self-controlled” and “godly” from 2:12)
3. Grace has no room for  FOOLISHNESS –> Titus 3:3-9
4. Grace changes how I think about  YOU
   –> this is why forgiveness is the “great exception”

Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 32

Q 86. Since we have been delivered from our misery by grace through Christ without any merit of our own, why then should we do good works

A.  Because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood, is also restoring us by his Spirit into his image,

so that with our whole lives we may show that we are thankful to God for his benefits,¹

so that he may be praised through us,²

so that we may be assured of our faith by its fruits,

    and so that by our godly living our neighbors may be won over to Christ.⁴

¹ Rom. 6:13; 12:1-2; 1 Pet. 2:5-10    ² Matt. 5:16; 1 Cor. 6:19-20
³ Matt. 7:17-18; Gal. 5:22-24; 2 Pet. 1:10-11
⁴ Matt. 5:14-16; Rom. 14:17-19; 1 Pet. 2:12; 3:1-2

 

More resources for studying sola gratia

John Calvin’s essay “Grace Alone” at https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/pdf/
calvin_varsermon02.pdf

Michael Horton’s essay “Are We Justified By Faith Alone?” at https://www.monergism.com/are-we-justified-faith-alone

Calvin Theological Seminary’s Forum (Spring 2017), “500 Years of the Reformation”.

Canons of Dort (III.3), “Therefore all men are conceived in sin . . .  and without the grace of the regenerating Holy Spirit they are neither willing nor able to return to God.” (see also Article 13)

Ligonier Ministries’ “Grace Alone” devotion at http://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/grace-alone/

Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 32, at https://www.crcna.org/welcome/beliefs/confessions/heidelberg-catechism

Reading this week: Titus and Costly Grace

This week we think more about grace as Paul encourages his young protégé Titus and the church on Crete.

Monday: Titus 1:1-4, Paul and faith
Why does Paul say it was through his preaching that God “brought his word to light”?  When have you experienced the “knowledge of truth that leads to godliness” effect of faith?

Tuesday: Titus 1:5-6, Elders and grace
One of Titus’ jobs was leadership development – to appoint elders.  But note the similarities between elder qualities and grace qualities in Titus 2:12!  What are the grace qualities that God is developing in your life?

Wednesday: Titus 2:1-10, Teaching points of grace
Which of these grace “teaching points” is God working on in your life right now?  How did these teaching points address the problems in Crete?  How will these teaching points speak prophetically to our culture?

Thursday: Titus 2:11-15, Grace and doing what is good
Grace makes us “eager to do what is good.”  When did you first make the change from duty to eagerness?

Friday: Titus 3:1-11, Justified by grace
Both slaves and citizens are to “be subject” to authority.  Why is this such a difficult Christian character quality?  How has grace helped you see the “at one time” reality of your life?

Saturday: Titus 3:12-15, Grace and productive lives
These might seem like just names, but Artemas, Tychicus, Zenas and Apollos are among my New Testament heroes.  Who are the heroes of the faith that God is calling you to “see that they have everything that they need?   How have you made “doing good” and being productive into a vocation from God?

Faith Alone audio

Sola Fide: Faith Alone

Galatians 5:1-16 (p. 1815)                                                          October 8, 2017    

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.
The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
Galatians 5:6

Faith vs. Burden

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then,
and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1 (p. 1815) see Galatians 2:15-20

 

48 AD [the Judaizers following Paul in Galatia]: ___________________________________

1545 AD [Council of Trent ruling on faith]: ___________________________________________

2017 AD [living by faith in Anacortes]: ____________________________________________

 

True faith is about who gets the credit

For it by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (p. 1891)

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
James 2:17

1. True faith is a GIFT
2. True faith answers “WHOSE  righteousness?”
3. ACTION  always accompanies true faith

Living by faith

The righteous will live by faith.
Romans 1:17 (p. 1747) quoting Habakkuk 2:4 (p. 1458)

But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit
the righteousness for which we hope.
Galatians 5:5 (p. 1815)

1. Celebrate the TENSIONS  of freedom –> both the obligations (5:13-15) and expectations (5:7-12)
2. SEEK  righteousness by the Spirit, not by law (see Galatians 5:16-26)
3. Passionately guard  GRACE (and keep a sharp eye out the 21^st Century “agitators”!)

More resources for studying sola Fide

Michael Horton’s article  “By Faith Alone?” at  https://www.monergism.com/are-we-justified-faith-alone

Calvin Theological Seminary’s Forum (Spring 2017), “500 Years of the Reformation”.

Kim Riddlebarger’s sermons on Galatians 5 at http://kimriddlebarger.squarespace.com/an-exposition-of-galatians/

Bob Deffinbaugh’s wonderful sermon on faith  at https://bible.org/seriespage/14-goal-gospel-galatians-51-12

Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 7

Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 7: True Faith

Q 21. What is true faith?

1. True faith is not only a sure knowledge by which I hold as true all that God has revealed to us in Scripture;¹

it is also a wholehearted trust,² which the Holy Spirit creates in me³ by the gospel,⁴
that God has freely granted, not only to others but to me also,⁵
forgiveness of sins, eternal righteousness, and salvation.⁶

These are gifts of sheer grace, granted solely by Christ’s merit.⁷

¹ John 17:3, 17; Heb. 11:1-3; James 2:19;  ² Rom. 4:18-21; 5:1; 10:10; Heb. 4:14-16
³ Matt. 16:15-17; John 3:5; Acts 16:14⁴; Rom. 1:16; 10:17; 1 Cor. 1:21
⁵ Gal. 2:20 ⁶ Rom. 1:17; Heb. 10:10⁷; Rom. 3:21-26; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8-10

Reading this week: Abraham, the father of our faith

This week, readings will focus on the Abraham’s faith lessons.  Watch especially for how Abraham’s faith is a model for how we follow God.  How does our confidence in salvation by faith alone lead us to a risk taking obedience like Abraham?

Monday: Galatians 3:1-14, God would justify us Gentiles by faith
This passage ties Abraham’s Genesis 12:1-3 blessing to our justification.  How have you seen Abraham’s blessing in your life this year?  How confident are you that it is by faith alone you make that blessing yours?

Tuesday: Hebrews 11:1-12, Being sure of what we hope for
To what new place is God calling you?  How does living as a “stranger in a foreign country” where you are right now challenge and grow your faith?  What are you most looking forward to in your permanent home?

Wednesday: Genesis 12:1-9, When faith means “leave”
Sometimes a step of faith is how God separates us from our old lives.  To what step of faith is God calling you?  How are God’s promises taking the blinders off what otherwise could be a blind leap of faith?

Thursday: John 8:31-37, Children of Abraham or children of the devil
Jesus listeners could not discern their own slavery, so they weren’t really living as Abraham’s children.  To what new experience of freedom as a child of Abraham is God pointing you?

Friday: Galatians 4:21-31, The lesson from Abraham’s two children
The children represent the two covenants, law and grace.  How have you experienced the family blessings of being a “child of Sarah”?  What “family traits” are you working on this week?

Saturday: James 2:14-26, Abraham’s righteousness and my righteousness
Faith alone, but never faith by itself!  When were you most aware that it was Jesus’ righteousness that your faith was revealing?  How are you celebrating today being called a “friend of God”?

Sola Scriptura audio

Sola Scriptura

Matthew 4:1-4 (p. 1499-1500)                                                  October 1, 2017    

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live by bread alone,
but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Matthew 4:4

Intro: 1)  Jesus’ response to Satan is to point to God humbling us SO THAT will turn to his word
2) Reformers didn’t need to challenge the inspiration or inerrancy of Scripture
— the Reformers challenged the authority of the church to speak for God
— today, we challenge the authority of the individual (hedonism) to speak for God

Not Soli Scriptura

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions . . . .      Ephesians 6:17-18 (p. 1824)

1.  I’m NOT  alone (even when we “stand alone on the word of God, the B-I-B-L-E”)
2. Surrounded by  THE HOLY SPIRIT  and  PRAYER  (see Ephesians 6:17-18)
3. Scripture is never MY WEAPON (against my brother or sister! –> 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 2:15)

 

It’s about AUTHORITY: Who speaks for God?

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out season; correct, rebuke and encourage –
with great patience and careful instruction.
For the time will come when men will not put up withsound doctrine.
Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them
a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
2 Timothy 4:2-3 (p. 1855)

 

1.  God’s Word  CLAIMS AUTHORITY (not a circular argument because of the Jesus factor!)
2. The Holy Spirit  CONFIRMS THAT AUTHORITY (see the Belgic Confession, Article 5)
3. History proves THE CHURCH NEEDS AUTHORITY
4. The present age is  HUNGRY FOR AUTHORITY
5. The future of the church REQUIRES AUTHORITY

Making God’s word mine

He humbled you . . . to teach you that man does not live by bread alone
but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.     Deuteronomy 8:3 (p. 287)

 

1. TRUST the sufficiency of God’s word  –> Jesus responded out of weakness, Adam out of abundance
2. TEST  my own itchy ears  (note: the “itch” can even be a good doctrine)
3. Defend truth (my doctrine?)  CHRISTIANLY  (be careful with the “one true meaning” principle)
4. PRAYER  and  THE HOLY SPIRIT –> the spiritual disciplines that will most help me with the sword

Belgic Confession, Article 5: The Authority of Scripture

We receive all these books
and these only
as holy and canonical,
for the regulating, founding, and establishing of our faith.

And we believe without a doubt
all things contained in them—

not so much because the church receives
and approves them as such
but above all because the Holy Spirit
testifies in our hearts that they are from God,
and also because they prove themselves
to be from God.

For even the blind themselves are able to see
that the things predicted in them do happen.

 

More resources for studying sola Scriptura

Kevin deYoung’s Taking God at His Word (Crossway, 2014).  This is where I get the “knowable, necessary and enough” paradigm for thinking about the sufficiency of Scripture.

Ligon Duncan’s message “Temptation and Response” at https://www.fpcjackson.org/resource-library/sermons/jesus-temptation-and-response

Calvin Theological Seminary’s Forum (Spring 2017), “500 Years of the Reformation”.

Bob Deffinbaugh’s wonderful sermon on the temptation of Jesus, “Temptation and Response”  at https://bible.org/seriespage/5-temptation-jesus-part-i-matthew-313-44

“Seven Things” blog at https://australia.thegospelcoalition.org/article/sola-scriptura-seven-things-it-is-and-isnt

Belgic Confession, Articles 1-7

Reading this week: Finding sola Scriptura in the Psalms

Monday: Psalm 1, A Song for the person who delights in God’s law
Where are you “planted” in this season of our life?  One characteristic of the fruit of the blessed person is its staying power.  What are the long-term fruit projects in your life?

Tuesday: Psalm 14, A Song for the fool
How did you first experience the salvation that comes out of Zion?  With what characteristic of the fool is God dealing right now in your life?  How are you praying for the “fool” God has put in your life?

Wednesday: Psalm 25, A Song for the person who wants to follow God
The Psalmist calls us to use each of our senses to see, hear and feel God’s leading in our lives.  When has God’s leading been most clear in your life?  What are you doing to sharpen your “following God” senses?

Thursday: Psalm 112, A Song of Obedience and Generosity
This wisdom Psalm ties together the great Scripture themes of blessing and generosity.  How do the values of compassion and generosity direct your paths?  When has God provided a generous person for you?

Friday: Psalm 63, A Song for the sanctuary and the bedroom
The Psalmist sings at church and at home!  What songs from the sanctuary are most important to you at home?  When have your experienced the richness of God’s provision?

Saturday: Psalm 86, A Song for an undivided heart
What “sign” of God’s goodness (86:17) is helping and comforting you today?

The apostolic church

John 20:19-23 (p. 1686)                                                      September 24, 2017    

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you!
As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
John 20:21

Intro:  1) change to the lower-case “a” because of the problems with the modern use of “Apostolic”
— used to reflect authority of the Apostles, a Pentecostal connection to Acts church, legalism
2) Again” refers to the shalom and to the John 17:18 prayer of Jesus for our sanctification

A theology of “sent-ness”

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go with us?
And I said, “Here am I.  Send me!”  He said, “Go and tell this people . . . .”
Isaiah 6:8 (p. 1068)

1.  Sent-ness is from the HEART OF GOD à Isaiah 6 and the sending of the prophet
2. Sent-ness is PARTICIPATORY à INVITATION TO THE MISSIO DEI
3. Sent-ness brings authority to SPEAK FOR GOD = the work of the herald, the kerygma

Sent the way Jesus was sent

And he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven,
if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
John 20:22-23 (p. 1686)

1. We are sent SPIRIT-FILLED  (this is where the authority to forgive comes from!)
2. We are sent  INCARNATIONALLY  (not tenting v. dwelling, but the identification with the world)
3. We are sent to join the  PILGRIMAGE –> not alone (like the Camino) but as a community (Psalm 84)
4. We are sent to  GATHER  (see Luke 14, “that my house may be filled”, CRHM  book by de Boer)

More resources for studying the church in John

Earl Palmer’s The Intimate Gospel  (Word Books, 1978).

F.F. Bruce’s The Gospel of John (Eerdmans, 1983), p. 392.

William Hendricksen’s New Testament Commentary: John (Baker, 1953).

Ligon Duncan’s message “The Confession of the Kingdom” at http://www.fpcjackson.org/resource-library/sermons

Harry R. Boer’s That My House May Be Filled (Eerdmans, 1957).

Bob Deffinbaugh’s “Seeing is Believing” at https://bible.org
/seriespage/seeing-and-believing-john-2010-31

“Our World Belongs to God”, Articles 37-43.

“Belgic Confession”, Articles 27, 28.

 

OWBTG #41, The Mission of God’s People

41. Joining the mission of God,
    the church is sent
    with the gospel of the kingdom
    to call everyone to know and follow Christ
    and to proclaim to all
    the assurance that in the name of Jesus
    there is forgiveness of sin
    and new life for all who repent and believe.
    The Spirit calls all members
    to embrace God’s mission
    in their neighborhoods and in the world:
    to feed the hungry, bring water to the thirsty,
    welcome the stranger, clothe the naked,
    care for the sick, and free the prisoner.
    We repent of leaving this work to a few,
    for this mission is central to our being.

On our part in God’s mission, see Matthew 28:18-20, Luke 24:45-49, and John 17:18; on seeing our mission beyond our local community, Matthew 24:14 and Acts 13:1-3; on meeting the needs of people, Matthew 25:31-46 and Luke 4:18-19; and on the centrality of mission to our being, John 20:21.

Reading this week: The mission of the church in 1 Thessalonians

This week I’ve chosen to look at the mission of the church through Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonian believers.  This was a church facing opposition (see Acts 17:1-9) and questions due to Paul’s quick exit.  It is a church a lot like our ACRC family, and we can learn much about the mission God has for his church.

Monday: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Thankful for the church
Paul is thankful for the church in part because he knows how much Jesus loves his bride.  How have you expressed your thankfulness?  Who have you thanked this week for being part of God’s church?

Tuesday: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16, Witnesses to powerful ministry
Paul lists several elements of a powerful ministry: facing opposition with integrity; sharing lives as well as the gospel; dealing with each other as family; receiving the word as the Word of God.  Of which of these aspects of powerful ministry are you most aware in Anacortes?  How have you been encouraged and comforted by the believers in your life?

Wednesday: 1 Thessalonians 2:17 – 3:13, Encouraged by Timothy’s report
The church is Paul’s “glory and joy”.  When have you been this excited about being at part of someone else’s “glory and joy”?  This would be a good day to give an encouraging report of a friend’s faith!

Thursday: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12, Brotherly love
Paul here gives explains the basics of Christian living: be sanctified, love your brothers, lead a quiet life.  What part of this simple summary is most challenging to you?  Who is doing the “urging” (see 4:1-2) in your life?

Friday: 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 5:11, Questions about the Second Coming
How close do you think we are to that “trumpet call of God”?  How does the promise that we are not appointed “to suffer wrath” encourage you?

Saturday: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28, Pray continually
This is full of great benedictions!   Which of these wonderful blessings is most meaningful to you?  How might you use these words to encourage a brother or sister this week?  How has Jesus shown himself faithful to you (see 5:23-25)?