This week in our study of 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, Paul writes that Christians are people who are saved. In the previous post we examined how we are saved from separation from God. In today’s post we try to understand how we are also saved for something. As Jesus taught it, we are saved to beContinue reading “How to experience glory – 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, Part 4”
Monthly Archives: December 2021
What Christians are saved from? – 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, Part 3
Do you believe in hell? The Bible talks about it, but biblical scholars disagree if those images are intended to describe a literal or figurative place. Some people say that hell is on earth. Some people say all kind of things are hellish. No matter what you believe about hell, it seems that there isContinue reading “What Christians are saved from? – 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, Part 3”
Does God choose people to be saved? – 2 Thessalonians 2:12-17, Part 2
Some Christians believe God chooses people. Some Christians believe people choose God. Which is it? As we learned in the previous post, God love us. Paul called the Christians in Thessalonica, “Brethren loved by the Lord.” Paul continues to prove that God loves them by talking about salvation. He says that God chose them asContinue reading “Does God choose people to be saved? – 2 Thessalonians 2:12-17, Part 2”
A basic, revolutionary truth: God loves you – 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, Part 1
One of our sister churches every Christmas season has a Blue Christmas service. During the holidays, while the world is filled with joy, some of us can really struggle. We miss loved ones who passed on, some of whom died in the last 12 months, and this is our first Christmas without them. Some ofContinue reading “A basic, revolutionary truth: God loves you – 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, Part 1”
What Burmese Christians taught me about Christmas – 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, Preview
Earlier this week I was talking with a member of the Burmese Church that my church rents to, and he asked us to pray because they are dealing with a situation in the Burmese Christian community. Here’s what’s happening. The Burmese Christians in America are eagerly posting on social media about the Christmas holidays. TheirContinue reading “What Burmese Christians taught me about Christmas – 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, Preview”
A distinctly Christian response to conspiracy theories – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Part 5
Have you noticed the massive increase in the number of conspiracy theories in recent years? There have been what are called troll farms on social media, many of which are run by foreign countries, purposefully spreading lies. They create totally fake articles meant to deceive and create mistrust. One article said, “Facebook took down 1.3Continue reading “A distinctly Christian response to conspiracy theories – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Part 5”
The lies we tell our kids – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Part 4
We live in an era of conspiracy theories. A comedian said that he hears people say that not a single conspiracy theory is true, and that we can trust the government. But, he said, the government is like a parent to the people, and how many of you parents tell your kids the truth allContinue reading “The lies we tell our kids – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Part 4”
How an ancient case of identity theft can help us get ready for Jesus’ return – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Part 3
We hear about identity theft frequently, and more than likely, you’ve experienced it yourself. A couple years ago, a person created a fake Gmail account, impersonated me, and emailed my staff, asking them to send gift cards to help a needy person. Thankfully, my staff questioned the veracity of this, alerted me, and we contactedContinue reading “How an ancient case of identity theft can help us get ready for Jesus’ return – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Part 3”
What is “The Rapture”? (and why I think that is the wrong question) – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Part 2
Do you believe in the rapture? Maybe you’re reading this and wondering, “What is the rapture?” In our Advent 2021 study of 2 Thessalonians, we’ve learned that Paul is teaching the Thessalonian Christians about the second advent of Jesus. He describes it in 2 Thessalonians 2, verse 1 as a day in the future whenContinue reading “What is “The Rapture”? (and why I think that is the wrong question) – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Part 2″
Why “advent” is a surprisingly good word describing the appearance of Jesus – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Part 1
We live in a culture where what we see and hear can so easily be manipulated, deceiving us into believing something that is false. Have you heard of deep fakes? That is video technology in which you can make videos of people saying whatever you want them to say, and it really looks like aContinue reading “Why “advent” is a surprisingly good word describing the appearance of Jesus – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Part 1″
Engaging Scripture 