In the nine months before October 2002, the date I began ministry at Faith Church, I worked at my denomination’s then seminary, Evangelical School of Theology, as the Director of the Annual Fund.* I had heard of the denomination, the Evangelical Congregational Church, and I had heard of the seminary, but this was the firstContinue reading “The bread that almost got me fired – 1 Thessalonians 5:5–11, Preview”
Tag Archives: Paul
How to focus on Jesus’ mission so we don’t have regrets – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 5
My friends remodeled their kitchen, and it turned out beautiful. A few months later they went on a mission trip. When they returned, they couldn’t stop talking about what they saw, experienced, and how it changed their life. They told me that if they had gone on the mission trip before they remodeled their kitchen,Continue reading “How to focus on Jesus’ mission so we don’t have regrets – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 5”
Jesus’ return might be a very bad thing for Christians – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 4
Is it possible that when Jesus shows up, it might be a very sad moment for Christians? Can’t be, right? When Jesus returns, it will be glorious celebration. Except that’s not what the Bible says. In 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, verses 1–4, Paul writes, “Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do notContinue reading “Jesus’ return might be a very bad thing for Christians – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 4”
Why I no longer emphasize the rapture (something else is far more important) – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 3
What will happen to people who are still alive when Jesus returns? Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4, verse 15, “According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.” Paul is talkingContinue reading “Why I no longer emphasize the rapture (something else is far more important) – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 3”
Why Christians have hope in the face of death – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 2
Death sucks. I have pastoral colleagues who say they like doing funerals, not because a person died, of course, but because of the opportunity to have spiritual conversations. I’m really iffy about that. When it comes to rituals of the faith, I’d much rather do a wedding, baptism, or lead the celebration of communion. BecauseContinue reading “Why Christians have hope in the face of death – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 2”
The sleeping kind of death versus the sickness unto death – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 1
Have a listen to the Johnny Cash song, “Ain’t No Grave.” What is it about? Is Cash’s song about zombies? Turn in your Bibles to 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4. Paul writes, “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like theContinue reading “The sleeping kind of death versus the sickness unto death – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Part 1”
Did Jesus return last year? – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Preview
I just googled it and found that people are predicting that Jesus will return in 2024, 2030, and 2033. Yes, I mentioned 2024. Yes, I know that was last year. Did Jesus return last year, and I missed it? Remember the hype of Y2K, or the end of the Mayan Calendar, or 2012? Remember rapture-bombing? HereContinue reading “Did Jesus return last year? – 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:4, Preview”
How to retire well – 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12; 5:14, Part 5
There are ways to retire well, and there are ways to retire wrong. Retiring well has nothing to do with how much money you’ve saved. When people think of retirement, they often think about making sure they have enough money to spend the time they will not be working on hobbies, trips, and entertainment. ButContinue reading “How to retire well – 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12; 5:14, Part 5”
Do you view your work as worship? – 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12; 5:14, Part 4
This week on the blog, we’re studying a few verses in 1 Thessalonians chapters 4 and 5 that refer to work. In this post, I want to mention 1 Corinthians 10:31, which is in another letter of Paul. There Paul writes, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to theContinue reading “Do you view your work as worship? – 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12; 5:14, Part 4”
How the quality of your work creates a picture of Jesus – 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12; 5:14, Part 3
This week in our study of 1 Thessalonians, we are learning what the Apostle Paul teaches about work. In the previous post, we studied Paul’s principle of working hard. That principle of hard work, Paul says, is for a very important reason. Notice in verse 12 that working hard and not being dependent onContinue reading “How the quality of your work creates a picture of Jesus – 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12; 5:14, Part 3”
Engaging Scripture 