St. Peter Lutheran Church, Arlington Heights, Illinois

To His Church in Ephesus

Following the prologue, John greets the seven churches on behalf of the Father, Spirit, and Son, whose redemptive work has released us from sin and given us new status as a kingdom and priests to God (1:4-6). For the church to persevere in the midst of tribulation and culture’s pressure to compromise, we need God’s grace and peace. Moreover, despite overwhelming odds and difficulties which try faith, Jesus stands victorious and present with His church through the sevenfold presence of the Spirit (1:4). Hence, as we carry out Christ’s mission in darkening days, we do so with the One who holds the seven stars (angels) in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands (the churches). Jesus commends Ephesus for its perseverance, rejection of false apostles, and hatred of the deeds of the Nicolaitan; however, Jesus calls them to repent over the “loss of their first love” and to return to “the deeds they did at first.” While zealous to protect the pure Word of God, the Ephesian Christians had turned inward, meaning their fervour to witness and win the lost had waned. If the Ephesians do not repent, it can destroy their fellowship with Christ (i.e., He threatens to remove them as a church). Believers who do overcome will enjoy eternity in God’s paradise.

To His Church in Smyrna

To His Church in Pergamum

The church at Ephesus resisted false teaching, and Smyrna endured persecution. Believers at Pergamum battled both fronts. Twice Jesus acknowledges Satan’s throne and presence in their midst (the only city where Satan is said to have his throne!). Pergamum was the first city in Asia Minor to build a temple for emperor worship, boasting of itself as a “temple-warden.” As such, it became a leading center for this idolatrous practice. Pergamum was also a center for the cult of Asclepius, the god of healing whose symbol was a serpent. Furthermore, Pergamum had various pagan temples, including one in the form of the throne of Zeus, the father of the gods. Satan’s evil workings led to Antipas’s martyrdom, yet Jesus commends believers there for holding fast to His name and not denying the faith. Satan has also been sowing seeds of false doctrine among them, for some are guilty of harboring/condoning Nicolaitan heresy (sexual and spiritual immorality). Jesus calls His church to repent, lest He wield His sharp two-edged sword against them. Believers who conquer in faith receive hidden manna (to be consumed at the marriage feast of the Lamb - 19:9) and a white stone with a new name written upon it. White stones were given to victors at games as entrance passes to a great banquet, as well as by jurors at trials to vote for acquittal. Both gifts suggest different types of eternal blessing and reward.

Guided to Forgiveness

In this service for Ash Wednesday, we are drawn to Calvary to receive forgiveness. In word and song, we contemplate how to live lives of forgiving one another as we have been forgiven by Christ. through the cross.

Guided to Hope

Come Hear What God Has Done For My Soul

Psalm 66 is a thanksgiving song for God’s many works on behalf of His people as a whole, as well as an invitation from one individual within the faith community to come and hear what God has done for him personally! The unknown author cried out to God in prayer from an undisclosed distress, and God gave full attention to his prayer. As a result, this worshiper wants to give witness to God’s continuing and intimate care. We learn from the entirety of this psalm the biblical habit of seeing the hand of God in all life-events, which makes suffering and hardship as meaningful as His deliverance. Moreover, because the wording of this psalm is general in nature, we can readily apply it to our struggles today. We too can cry out to God and know that He is pleased to hear and deliver us.

I Am His Story: Diana

God’s power works best in our weakness, but no one relishes feeling weak or powerless! By learning to rely entirely on God’s grace, however, we discover that He has been at work in us, even when we thought we were in charge of our lives.

I Am His Story: South Africa

The picture of eternity encompasses an uncountable throng from every nation, tribe, peoples, and tongues uniformly praising God and the Lamb for His wondrous salvation! Jesus foretells this very picture to a Roman centurion when He says, “I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.” Hear and celebrate what God is doing among the nations in South Africa through partnerships like St. Peter!

I Am His Story: Susie

I Am His Story: Melissa

This section of Hebrews 11 continues the long list of OT believers who accomplished great feats through their faith in the LORD & His coming Messiah. The author draws our attention to the stories of “Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets – who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection….” Our faith in Jesus wields the same power, and today we celebrate the faith-story of one such daughter of the King.

God Can Use Even You and Me

After the death and resurrection of Jesus, Saul of Tarsus was one of the most widely known names around Palestine; however, on the way to Damascus to round up and persecute more Christian men and women, Jesus broke into Saul’s life with the purpose of carrying His name to the Gentiles (Acts 9). Two other times in Acts (22 & 26), Paul shares his Damascus Road story as a testimony to the true gospel of Jesus Christ (cf. Gal 1:11ff). Paul’s conversion and transformation reiterates that (1) no human life is ever too broken, lost, rebellious, or messed up for God’s redemption and use; and (2) one’s story of Christ’s intervention in their life becomes rich fodder for gospel witness to others.

The Power of One Story

Near the end of Jesus’ dialogue with a Samaritan woman at a well in midday, she leaves her water jar (perhaps because at this point she’s more concerned with living water than natural water), returns to her town, and invites people come see a prophet who is perhaps the Christ (v29). Many townsfolk believe in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony (v39), and they ask Jesus to lodge in their village. Jesus stays with them for two days, and even more people believe in Him and confess: “We know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.” When Jesus breaks into her story, her witness compels people to check out Jesus for themselves. Don’t miss the significant point here: the condition of one’s life prior to Christ has no bearing on the potency of one’s ensuing witness to Him; the redemption (and transformation) of a deeply broken past may, in fact, bolster the power of one’s witness all-the-more.

When the Unmuted Can’t Be Muted

As Jesus continues His ministry of teaching and healing, He travels way north to Tyre, Sidon, and the Decapolis. A man is brought to Him who is deaf and mute; they beg Jesus to lay His hand on him. Jesus takes the man aside privately, opens his ears, and releases his tongue. Although Jesus charges them to be silent, the healed man and witnesses go forth and continue to proclaim what Jesus had done for the deaf and mute man. Once again, the workings of Jesus then and in our lives/stories today are for proclamation and witness!

One Story of Transformation You’ve Got to Hear

On the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee, a man with a legion of demons (a Roman legion had 6,000 soldiers) confronts Jesus. Jesus casts the demons into a herd of nearby pigs who then rush down the bank and drown. Understandably, the freed man longs to be with Jesus as a disciple, but Jesus commissions him to return home and declare how much God has done for him. The man does just that; he goes and preaches throughout the whole city how much Jesus has done for him. The man went about his task fervently: he didn’t just narrate, he proclaimed the story! Moreover, not only does the man equate Jesus with God (v39), but Jesus’ words reveal that faith and giving witness to Christ/telling one’s story are inseparable for His disciples.

The Pagan Who Witnessed to the Living God

Envious rulers under King Darius of Persia frame blameless Daniel for breaking a king’s decree which could not be revoked. In accordance with the decree, Darius reluctantly has Daniel cast and sealed in the den of lions, hoping that Daniel’s God would deliver him. Darius returns first thing in the morning and calls to Daniel if the living God has been able to deliver him. Daniel affirms that his God sent His angel to close the lions’ mouths, and he is unharmed. King Darius has the false accusers thrown into the same den and climatically decrees throughout the whole earth that “people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel for He is the living God who (1) endures forever; (2) has an eternal dominion; (3) delivers, rescues, and works signs and wonders; and (4) delivered Daniel from the hand of the lions.” [The LORD is the God whose praises can be proclaimed through donkeys, pagans, enemies, and rocks.] As Psalm 138:4-5 eschatologically declares, “All kings of earth will praise you, Yahweh…they will sing of the ways of Yahweh, for great is the glory of Yahweh!” Even if not a full-blown testimony born from faith in the Living God, Darius’s words point to the homage that every person - king and littlest - will offer at the last.

A New Shepherd

After the fall of Jerusalem, God chastises the unfaithful religious leaders (i.e., shepherds) of His sheep. At the hands of their gross, spiritual negligence, His people have become prey, malnourished, scattered, lost, and injured. Therefore, God promises that He Himself will be their Shepherd. He will search for His sheep and rescue them. He will gather and feed them. He will bind up and strengthen them. He will help them lie down in rich pastures. We see God’s promise realized most fully in Jesus, our Good Shepherd.!

A New Covenant

God says, “I will cut with them a covenant of peace.” (Ezekiel 34:25) What does that mean? A covenant in the OT was not an impersonal contract, informal agreement, or word-of-mouth handshake; rather, covenants were cut and binded two sides via animal blood. With His persistently rebellious people, God promises a covenant of peace (shalom). Peace is not simply an absence of conflict; peace means wholeness, safety, and security. In Jesus, God cut a covenant of peace with Him via Jesus’ blood. In Him we are whole, safe, and secure.

A New Heart

So far, Ezekiel’s focus on God’s work of restoration has been externally focused (i.e., new shepherd, new covenant). In Ezekiel 36, God’s work of making “all things new” encompasses the internal too. What God’s people in Babylon really need is a new heart! True transformation happens only by divine intervention from the inside-out. Through His Spirit, God promises His people heart surgery – removing their hard, unbelieving stone-like hearts and implanting a soft, pliable believing heart. Not only will His Spirit complete the procedure, but He will indwell God’s people and lead them to walk in obedience to His words and ways. Jesus connects this divine procedure to baptism in John 3.

A New Life

Ezekiel – whose name means “God strengthens” – lives out his prophetic ministry among God’s people while they are exiled in Babylon. Ezekiel’s vision likens the Israelites in captivity to very dead, very dry bones. The Spirit of the LORD asks him, “Son of man, can these bones live?” Then the Spirit tells Ezekiel to speak the word of the LORD upon them, and when he does, this valley of dead, dry bones comes back to full life, meaning God will revive His captive children and bring them back to live in the promised land. Ezekiel’s vision looks past their Judean resettlement and incorporates all His children dead and alive, for the LORD God promises: “Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves; O My people…and you shall know that I am YHWH, when I open your graves and raise you from your graves, O My people” (vv12-13). Begun on Pentecost through spiritual resurrection, the Holy Spirit will bring this vision to fullness on the day when Jesus returns.

A New Glory

Ezekiel 43 essentially begins: “Behold, the glory of the God of Israel.” These eight words will change one’s life forever. The return of God’s glory to the temple is one of the most dramatic moments in the book–the undoing of its prior departure in 10:18-22 and 11:23. After all, the only thing lacking from this sacred space was God Himself. This temple transformation signals a new beginning, a new era between the LORD and His people, an indissoluble bond for He will dwell in their midst forever. When Jesus comes back, every eye will behold what Ezekiel saw: God in all of His glory. Those who looked upon Jesus with eyes of faith here will then bask in His temple presence forever.

A New River

The LORD God brings Ezekiel back into the inner court of the temple where he sees water flowing from below the threshold of the temple which goes down into the Arabah and brings the Dead Sea to life. “Wherever the river flows, everything lives!” So says Ezekiel (v9). Where is this river of life today? Ezekiel’s river flows into John’s gospel (and Revelation). From Jesus, the ultimate temple (Jn 2/Rv 21:22), flows streams of living water for all who believe in Him (Jn 7)...for, wherever the river flows, everything lives.

A New City

Ezekiel closes his book with a description of God’ new city. The city is described as a perfect cube (a new Holy of Holies) with gates assigned to each of the 12 tribes – 3 gates per side. Moreover, Ezekiel saves the best for last. The city has a remarkable name: “The LORD Is There.” (Heb: YHWH Shammah). The name indicates its true character and recalls the observation in the introduction to this vision complex: this vision, and by extension the book, is about the actualization of God’s presence among His people (cf. Rev 22:3). What Ezekiel envisions, Jesus fulfills, for wherever Jesus is present: YHWH Shammah…the LORD Is There – including in us!

Guided to Love

To His Church in Thyatira

Thyatira was a politically and culturally marginalized city, finding its identity economically, with guilds dealing in metals and fabric (Acts 16:14). Guilds celebrated their patron deities in periodic festivities, so Christians may have been tempted toward the message of a “prophetess” who advocated participation in illicit sex and food sacrificed to idols, both staples of the social scene. Excavated coins point to the ongoing NT-era worship of Apollo, who had been assimilated with the Lydian sun-god Tyrimnos. Contextually, Jesus comes to His church here with metallic imagery: “eyes like a flame of fire and feet as burnished bronze.” He commends them for their love, faith, service and patient endurance, yet He challenges them for tolerating Jezebel, a false prophetess and leader of sexual immorality and idolatrous practices. Jesus – the One who “searches heart and mind” – threatens great tribulation upon her followers unless repentance is made. Those who conquer and keep Jesus’ words and works until the end will receive authority over the nations, rule with an iron rod, and be given the morning star (Christ Himself - 22:16).

Guided to Peace

To His Church in Sardis

Sardis’ ‘s capture twice in its history while watchmen neglected their duty became a cautionary tale of misguided complacency and lack of vigilance. As a result, while Sardis once enjoyed a famed past, its glory had since faded. Jesus comes in the presence of the Holy Spirit (the seven spirits of God) and warns His church that they face a similar predicament. He separates their reputation from their reality: though they have a reputation for being spiritually alive, He diagnoses them as near death (i.e., on spiritual life-support). Thus, Jesus calls Sardis to wake up spiritually and strengthen what remains before it dies. He directs them back to the Word they first received and to repentance. If they do not wake up, Jesus’ judgment will come upon the local church like a thief. Jesus does, however, commend a remnant who have not soiled their garments and who walk with Him. Believers who conquer are promised white clothing and names that are ever inscribed in the book of life and confessed before His Father and angels.

Guided to Trust

To His Church in Philadelphia

Inscriptions in Philadelphia mention the worship of Zeus and Hestia; the Roman imperial cult was present too. A nearby inscription mentions a synagogue as well. Jesus, who holds the key of David, sets before His church an open door – a phrase in the NT for spreading the gospel and giving witness to Christ. Though they have little power in themselves, probably for lack of numbers, He commends them for keeping His Word and not denying His name. Though a synagogue of Satan with false Jews is persecuting Christians, Jesus promises reverence from their enemies, as well as protection from an approaching hour of intense persecution. Christians who endure are promised their crown, refuge and “pillar-hood” in the temple of God, and God’s name being written upon them.

Guided to Perseverance

To His Church in Laodicea

This letter from Jesus has the harshest tone of them all and is the only church in which Jesus finds nothing to commend. An aqueduct from hot springs in the south brought water rich in minerals to the city; however, because the hot springs themselves were 5 miles away, the waters were lukewarm by the time they reached Laodicea. In His concerned love, Jesus condemns the church in Laodicea for its ineffective witness and deplorable spiritual condition (i.e., lukewarmness). Moreover, just as the city did not see itself as “poor, blind, and naked” following an earthquake in A.D. 60 by denying imperial aid, so the complacent church did not see their spiritual bankruptcy. Still, Jesus is the answer to their grave condition; He stands at the door ready to receive in meal fellowship all who turn to Him in genuine repentance. Believers who conquer will sit with Jesus on His throne as He also conquered and sat down on His Father’s throne.

Bringing the Jesus of Easter into Focus!

John beholds quite a sight: he turns and sees the exalted Son of Man in full glory in the midst of the seven lampstands (i.e., the seven churches which also represent the universal church)...meaning this Jesus is right here among us. His picture in Revelation 1 is nothing short of stunning. Jesus has a robe reaching to His feet (Priestly), a golden sash girded across His chest (King), head and hair white as snow (Honor), eyes like a flame of fire (Judge), feet glowing like burnished bronze (Strength), a voice like the sound of many waters (Might), seven stars in His right hand (angels of the seven churches), a sharp, double-edged sword protruding from His mouth (Law/Gospel Judgment), and His face shining as the bright sun (God’s Glory). John sees this Jesus and falls at His feet like a dead corpse. Can you blame him? Yet this Jesus is a Jesus of touch; He places His right hand on John, and for the first time he opens His mouth. What would this kind of Jesus say? What would His first words be in Revelation as a whole? Jesus says to John, “Stop being afraid (mn + present imperative); I AM the first and the last, and the Living One; and I was dead, and behold, I AM alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and Hades.” Jesus’ self-description are words in the OT used of Yahweh Himself (cf. Dt 32:40; Isa 41:4; 44:6; Dan 12:7). Moreover, the threefold formula details Jesus’ earthly life and ministry: the Living One…dead…alive forevermore. Lastly, note in this picture of Jesus that He’s holding something very significant in His hand: the “keys of death and Hades.” Following His own resurrection from death’s entrapment, Jesus’ rule extends even over death! GOD now reaches out to all – even you – through this Jesus to give you abundant life. Such an incredible picture of the Christ of Easter assures believers that, regardless of what sufferings, hardships, or trials they may endure now as Christians, Jesus reigns in supreme glory and power; and every believer who perseveres in Christ will live and reign with Him forever.

I Am His Story: Bob and Audry

Picking Up the Pieces: Cleopas and the Other Disciple

The appearance of the resurrected Jesus on the Emmaus road to Cleopas and an unnamed disciple is one of Luke’s most vivid and dramatic tellings. Three themes dominate today’s text: (1) the irony that the empty tomb had not yet created excitement among Jesus’ closest followers; in fact, the two travelers express deep disappointment in Jesus’ death, which they view as a big setback. (2) Jesus – still unrecognizable to them – unpacks all that the Old Testament says about Him and God’s plan being fulfilled in these Jerusalem events…meaning in God’s economy, nothing is out of place at all. (3) Failure turns into fulfillment, tragedy into triumph when they finally recognize the risen Jesus in His breaking bread with them. The curve ball has not been thrown to humankind but to sin, death, and Satan. Cleopas and his companion would never be the same; Jesus is alive and present, salvation has been accomplished, and their hope renewed. In fact, they are so ecstatic that they go and tell the disciples in Jerusalem what had just happened.

Picking Up the Pieces: Mary Magdalene

In the darkness of Easter morning, Mary Magdalene goes to Jesus’ tomb and sees the stone has been removed. She runs to tell Peter and John who also run and verify the empty tomb, but they return to their homes. Mary, however, stands outside Jesus’ tomb and weeps. In her evaluation, everything with Jesus just went from bad to worse, for someone must have removed Jesus’ body and laid it in an unknown place. Two angels appear and ask her why she is weeping. She turns around and sees Jesus, though she does not recognize Him yet. He too asks her why she is weeping (3x already). Again, she holds to her understanding that someone must have moved Jesus’ body. Notice that Mary uses “Him” 3x: it was He who filled her thoughts to the exclusion of all else. Jesus then summons her by name: “Mary.” Anguish and despair are suddenly swallowed up by astonishment and delight. Mary exclaims “Rabboni” and clings physically to Jesus, likely by the feet. Jesus gently redirects Mary; Easter is not the time to cling to Him physically, but for going in joy and sharing the good news of His resurrection and ascension to His Father and OUR FATHER, as Mary obediently does.

Picking Up the Pieces: Thomas

When 10 disciples tell Thomas that they saw Jesus alive on Easter evening, he proves the most unyielding skeptic. In the strongest possible way in Greek (ou mn + subjunctive), He refuses to believe their testimony that Jesus lives; he even puts a demand to God before he will believe for himself. The cross had obviously shattered Thomas’ messianic world to pieces. One week later, however, Jesus appears to the disciples again announcing peace, but this time Thomas is present too. Jesus commands Thomas to put his fingers where his faith should be. The hardness of Thomas’s unbelief melts at the physical sight of Jesus. In a moment of instantaneous transformation, Thomas professes Jesus as both Lord and God! Are believers today at any disadvantage from those first witnesses who got to see the resurrected Jesus with their own eyes? Not at all! In fact, Jesus pronounces a special blessing upon every person who believes in Him without Thomas’ privilege (and solely on the eye-witness account of the 11 that we have in Scripture). Do YOU believe Jesus lives?

Picking Up the Pieces: Peter

Some time between Day 9-40 after Easter, Jesus gives seven of His disciples a miraculous catch of fish and breakfast-on-the-beach. Following breakfast, Jesus has one-on-one time with Peter. Jesus begins by addressing Peter exactly as He did when He first called and renamed him in John 1:42, “You are Simon, the son of John.” Jesus is deliberately working to help Peter pick up the pieces from his triple denial of Him in John 18. Therefore, three times Jesus asks Simon, son of John, if he loves Him, followed by a triple instruction to feed His sheep. Simon is grieved by Jesus’ persistence, especially since Jesus truly knows all things – including his love for Jesus. In this way, Jesus is restoring Simon and appointing him to subordinately shepherd His people – even though it will eventually cost him his life too. Jesus ends His talk with Peter in much the same way that discipleship began in John 1: “Follow Me.” (v19)

The Ascension of Jesus

In today’s text, Jesus reaches the end of His earthly ministry. In a mountain scene, Jesus ascends in resurrected glory from earth to the Father’s right hand. As the disciples were gazing into heaven, two angels in white robes stood by them and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.” These words continue to fill us with hope today, for any day now the very same Jesus is coming back visibly and physically and we will meet Him in the clouds.

Real Power

Today the Christian church celebrates Pentecost – the anniversary of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit upon believers 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection. To this point in Acts, the Holy Spirit has already been spoken of as the coming promise of the Father, being baptized into Him, receiving power for witness when He comes upon you, and all believers being filled with Him. Peter mentions in his first sermon after receiving the Holy Spirit that His outpouring on all flesh is a sign of being in the latter Messianic days. Today we will look at specific transformations the Holy Spirit works in your walk with Jesus.

I Am His Story: Kyle

Every human life has one of two foundations: either the sand of this world or the bedrock of Jesus and His words. Only that latter foundation will last now and for eternity.

The Ripple-Effect of Being In God

Graphic depictions of The End can be found in tabloids, books, prophecy websites, Hollywood, and social media – images evoking fear, global catastrophe, bewilderment, chaos, violence, survivorship, calculations, and a host of doomsday scenarios. The End has become an obsession in some church circles too. For the truth, WE always turn to Scripture alone, and yes, the Bible gives its fair share of graphic events too, including in 2 Thessalonians. However, Paul begins this short epistle with words of comfort and peace; he reminds us that we are already “in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (1:1) There is no greater, safer place to be for The End. Moreover, as we prepare for The End, our faith in Christ is neither static nor couch potato, but ever “growing abundantly” along with “the love we have for each other.”

Divine Rest and Retribution

When we look at the greed, injustice, murder, abuse, trafficking, and other evils in this world, we question: “Why do bad people doing evil deeds seem to get away with it and even live happy, prosperous lives?” The same goes for those who persecute and mistreat the church physically and socially, as Christians in Thessalonica were suffering at the hands of others. Paul commends their faith-endurance and assures all believers that God’s just retribution is coming upon all evil when Jesus returns in flaming fire. At one-and-the-same time, Jesus will grant rest and relief to His church but inflict eternal vengeance, punishment, and destruction away from His presence on those who do not know Him in Christ and have afflicted His children throughout the millennia. In the meantime, as we must live out our faith in a world that opposes God, His words, His ways, and His people, Paul leans into the power of prayer that by God’s grace in Jesus Christ, we may be made worthy of His calling and glorify His name in our lives.

The Apostasy and Man of Lawlessness

Paul teaches Christians that the coming of Jesus and our being gathered to Him will not come until THE apostasy comes first, followed by the revealing of THE man of lawlessness – who will oppose and exalt himself above everything that is called God, take his seat in the temple of God, and even claim to be God. His coming is clearly the work of Satan with all power, false signs, and wonders. Though many people will be deceived, believers need not fear, for Jesus will kill him with the breath of His mouth and bring to naught the appearance of his coming.

Standing with a Firm Grip

Though Paul had to address 2nd coming speculations circulating in the Thessalonian church and the enormities of the Man of Lawlessness, his real exhortation comes in these ensuing verses. He calls us back to the work of the Trinity in our salvation: God chooses us, the Lord (Jesus) loves us, and the Spirit makes us holy and leads us to believe in the truth that we may obtain the glory of Christ. Because eternal salvation is entirely God’s decision and doing, Paul calls us to grip firmly and hold to the traditions (Scripture) that we have been taught. Moreover, because we are ineffective in our own strength, Paul asks God on our behalf to comfort our hearts in all of this and establish them in every good work and word.

Full Speed Ahead

Paul follows his prayer for the Thessalonians’ comfort and steadfastness in chapter 2 with a prayer request of them; in fact, his imperative “pray” is both emphatic in position (stressing its importance) and in the present tense (desiring it to be continual among them). His prayer request is twofold: that (1) the word of the Lord would speed ahead/run (Gk: treko) and be glorified as it had among them; and (2) for Paul’s missionary team to be delivered from wicked and evil men (i.e., enemies of the gospel in Corinth). To this day, when we take the Word of God forward, we can expect strong opposition. Hence, after his request Paul reassures them of God’s faithfulness; He will establish and guard them from the evil one, as well as direct their hearts to the love of God and to steadfastness in Christ.

What To Avoid and Do for The End

This is the second largest portion in 2 Thessalonians. There are a few able-bodied believers within that congregation engaged in a habitual pattern of laziness and refusing to work with their own hands. This is now the second time Paul has addressed the issue there (cf. 1 Thess 4:9-12; 5:14); his patience has run out. Paul points to his own manual labor among them and calls them to imitate his responsible, productive living. Paul tells working believers to practice church discipline and to admonish the idle as brothers. In addition, he encourages the church to not grow weary in doing good. He leaves them with the ever-present, all-encompassing peace and presence of the Lord Jesus.

The TRULY Good Life

Jesus doesn’t mince words. In the story of the rich fool, He warns us against placing our hope and trust in earthly things that will all eventually pass away. While it may seem challenging at first, His invitation to a truly good life turns out to not only be the key to eternal salvation, but also the best way to live today!

Hungry Follower

This posture is one of our favorite characteristics about St. Peter. When Peter compares followers of Jesus to newborn infants, he is not suggesting that they/we are spiritually immature; rather, as newborn babies crave food every 2-3 hours (8-12x per day), Peter desires that very longing in us but for pure spiritual milk (i.e., God’s holy Word). The Greek word for long here is epipotheo, which means “to have a strong desire for something/someone, with the implication of need: long for, earnestly desire”...used of Paul earnestly desiring/longing to see believers in Rome, Thessalonica, and Philippi, as well as believers longing to be clothed with their heavenly abode (2 Cor 5:2). In the same way, Hungry Followers earnestly desire time with God and His Word because it is their source of life with transformative power to become more like Jesus. Moreover, every time we feast on “the Lord’s goodness” in Scripture, it saturates the soul and makes us crave it even more.

Generous Responder

When a lawyer seeks to justify himself by loving God with his entire being and his neighbor as himself, he asks Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus tells of a Jewish man who travels from Jerusalem down to Jericho. The man was robbed, stripped, beaten, and left for dead by thugs. A Jewish priest and a Levite both see him yet pass by on the other side of the road. However, a Samaritan responds to him with compassion; he dresses his wounds, sets him on his own animal, brings him to an inn, and takes care of him that evening. The next day he gives the innkeeper two days of wages to tend him and offers to cover any additional expenses. This man proves to be his neighbor, and Jesus tells the lawyer, “Go and do likewise.” Jesus’ parable and charge to be this kind of neighbor to anyone exemplifies a generous responder. Generous responders purposefully live out their God-given calling and use everything they have to bless people around them. Jesus’ entire life from human conception to cross, grave, resurrection, ascension, and Pentecost can be summed up as THE Generous Responder.

Courageous Storyteller

When Jesus crosses to the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, he is met by a man who had a legion of demons in him. The demons would often seize him, empower him to break chains and bonds, and drive him into the desert. Jesus drives the legion out of the man and into a herd of pigs who rush down a steep bank and drown. When townsfolk come to see what had just taken place, they see the man sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind. Jesus charges the man to return home and declare how much God has done for him. Luke notes: “The man went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.” (v39) One encounter with Jesus, and this man becomes a courageous storyteller. Courageous storytellers share with people around them what God is doing in their lives. We, too, have encountered Jesus by grace and have stories of transformation to share: stories of forgiveness, peace, healing, hope, blessing, provision, answered prayer, life-change, and more.

The Lost Sheep

When the Pharisees and religious leaders grumble and murmur over the outcasts who are coming to hear Jesus, He tells three consecutive parables that reveal the true heart of God and dire condition of mankind if left to himself. In this first parable, a shepherd loses 1 of his 100 sheep. Without hesitation, the shepherd leaves the 99 and goes after the 1. When he finds the lost sheep, he doesn’t scold it; rather, he places it on his shoulder and celebrates with his friends and neighbors. On a much grandeur scale, such is the response in heaven when one lost sinner repents!