This week on the blog, we’re studying 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, and in that passage, Paul’s main theme is that Christians are people who are living more and more to please God. The theological word he uses is that we are to be sanctified. In the previous post, I talk about what “sanctified” means. In today’sContinue reading “Christians, stop trying to control other people’s bodies – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Part 3”
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What does it mean to be sanctified? – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Part 2
As one who preaches and teaches for a living, I have wrestled with how pushy to be in my sermons. Or in lessons. Or in written communication. And not just in large groups, but also one-on-one. I’ve heard that we shouldn’t guilt people into doing things. I agree with that. We shouldn’t manipulate them, orContinue reading “What does it mean to be sanctified? – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Part 2”
What matters more than what you put in or on your body – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Part 1
What kinds of substances is God okay with you putting in your body? What kinds of clothing does God want you to wear on your body? Or rather, how much of your body is God okay with your leaving uncovered by clothing? What kinds of images can you look at? What words can you say? Continue reading “What matters more than what you put in or on your body – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Part 1”
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”
An experimental conversational sermon
For those of you who read the blog regularly, perhaps you noticed that I did not write any posts this past week. That is because at Faith Church we experimented with a conversational sermon. Normally I split my sermons into five parts and post one part each day Monday through Friday. Because of the conversationalContinue reading “An experimental conversational sermon”
How Christians can respond to division in our society – 1 Thessalonians 2:13-3:13, Part 6
This week I once again welcome guest blogger, Kirk Marks. Kirk is a retired pastor of 35 years who now works in international fair trade. Do you like Taylor Swift? Would you buy a Tesla? Did you get a COVID shot? Are you going to be kind to the lesbian couple that lives down theContinue reading “How Christians can respond to division in our society – 1 Thessalonians 2:13-3:13, Part 6”
What should you hope for in a church? – 1 Thessalonians 2:13–3:13, Part 5
This week I once again welcome guest blogger, Kirk Marks. Kirk is a retired pastor of 35 years who now works in international fair trade. I was a denominational administrator for for 20 years. In that time, I sent a lot of letters to churches on behalf of the denomination. Those letters were communicating hopesContinue reading “What should you hope for in a church? – 1 Thessalonians 2:13–3:13, Part 5”
How to have the feeling of really living – 1 Thessalonians 2:13–3:13, Part 4
This week I once again welcome guest blogger, Kirk Marks. Kirk is a retired pastor of 35 years who now works in international fair trade. Remember how Paul first met the people in Thessalonica? In Acts chapter 17, we read the story. Paul went to Thessalonica after he got out of prison in Philippi. HeContinue reading “How to have the feeling of really living – 1 Thessalonians 2:13–3:13, Part 4”
The Word of God is so much more than the Bible – 1 Thessalonians 2:13–3:13, Part 3
This week I once again welcome guest blogger, Kirk Marks. Kirk is a retired pastor of 35 years who now works in international fair trade. What is the Word of God? The Bible is the Word of God, right? That was drilled into my head as a young person growing up in the church. MyContinue reading “The Word of God is so much more than the Bible – 1 Thessalonians 2:13–3:13, Part 3”
Is the Bible written to you? – 1st Thessalonians 2:13–3:13, Part 2
This week I once again welcome guest blogger, Kirk Marks. Kirk is a retired pastor of 35 years who now works in international fair trade. I’m thankful for the upbringing and the Christian education that I received in the church I grew up in. Very good, very well-intentioned Sunday school teachers and pastors told meContinue reading “Is the Bible written to you? – 1st Thessalonians 2:13–3:13, Part 2”
Engaging Scripture 