Tag Archives: apostle

What does the Apostle Paul mean when he says there are “greater” gifts – 1 Corinthians 12:12–31, Part 4

As we continue studying 1 Corinthians 12:12–31, in verse 28 Paul puts the gifts of the Spirit in an order appointed by God.                   FIRST – Apostles                   SECOND – Prophets                   THIRD – Teachers Then, workers of miracles, gifts of healing, help others, administration, speaking in tongues. If you’re reading that thinking “Time out,Continue reading “What does the Apostle Paul mean when he says there are “greater” gifts – 1 Corinthians 12:12–31, Part 4″

Participate in the flowing movement of encouragement – 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; 5:11, 14, 27, Part 2

Editor’s Note: I once again welcome Molly Stouffer as guest blogger. Molly is from Hagerstown, MD, studying Pastoral Ministries at Lancaster Bible College. Did you know that there is flowing movement of encouragement? At the end of 1 Thessalonians verse 10, Paul describes a flowing movement of encouragement. The movements starts with the Christians heContinue reading “Participate in the flowing movement of encouragement – 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; 5:11, 14, 27, Part 2”

So many questions about human sexuality – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Preview

This coming week I resume the blog series on 1 Thessalonians, and we will study chapter 4, verses 1–8.  The topic of those verses is sexuality.  Evidence suggests that the Greco-Roman culture of the first century was highly sexualized, somewhat like many cultures of the twenty-first century.  What Paul writes to the Christians in ThessalonicaContinue reading “So many questions about human sexuality – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Preview”

God wants you to be a rule-breaker? – Galatians 1:1-5:15, Part 1

Are you a rule-follower or a law-breaker? Sometimes following the rules is difficult. Take a look at this video, and you’ll see what I mean: Would it surprise you to hear me say that you God wants you to be rule-breakers? In fact, you need to be a rule-breaker to enter the Kingdom of God.Continue reading “God wants you to be a rule-breaker? – Galatians 1:1-5:15, Part 1”

Creativity can set you free – Colossians 1:1-8, Part 1

I heard from some in my congregation, after the events of this past Wednesday January 6, 2021, the breaching of the US Capitol building by Trump-supporting extremists, that they were really struggling.  What is going on in our country?  How do we Christians respond?  We can feel trapped in our uncertainty about how to respond.Continue reading “Creativity can set you free – Colossians 1:1-8, Part 1”

Of Slaves and Apostles – Titus 1:1-4, Part 2

Have you ever called yourself a slave to your boss? A slave to your job? Maybe you have slaved over a project in school. Or perhaps you worked slavishly doing yard work. We use the word “slave” in many ways, even though that word has a horrid connotation because it describes the very awful andContinue reading “Of Slaves and Apostles – Titus 1:1-4, Part 2”