OVERVIEW:

The divine strategy for our spiritual growth and development; the superiority of God’s word to experience; false prophets and teachers; the Second Coming of Christ.

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Peter writes his second epistle to remind these believers of truths they already KNEW, but needed to always have in REMEMBRANCE. Do you ever need to be reminded of what you already know? There is a major difference between knowing something in our minds, and seeing it become operative in our lives. That’s what Peter is driving at in this book.

Obviously, the most important decision any person will ever make is the decision to come to Christ, or as Peter refers to it in verse 1 of chapter 1, to “obtain like precious faith with us”. What an incredible reality, that the faith each of us has in Christ today is the same exact faith the apostles, like Peter, had; and the power that saved the apostles, is the same exact power that saved us!

You know, sometimes the journey to get to the place of expressing faith in Christ can be long and hard. By the time many people get to the place of calling on the name of the Lord by faith, they feel such a sense of relief and release, they feel the journey is over. What Peter lets us know in chapter 1, is that the journey of coming to faith in Christ isn’t the END of anything; it’s actually just the BEGINNING! God has a whole lot more in mind for our lives than simply our coming to faith, as vital and important as that is! He intends for the “grace and peace” we experienced in salvation to be “multiplied” throughout our lifetime (1:2), all the way until we make our entrance into His “everlasting kingdom”. (1:11)

Peter tells us in verses 5-7 of chapter 1, that after coming to faith in Christ, we are to “give all diligence” to add seven things to that faith. Notice, adding these seven things is so important, he doesn’t admonish or command us to simply “give diligence” to add them to our lives, but to “give ALL diligence” to add them! In other words, this is something to which we are to make the focus and pursuit of our lives, for the remainder of our lives!

Notice also, that the seven things Peter tells us to “give ALL diligence” to add are SEQUENTIAL. This is not just a random list of seven things that we are to make sure get added to our lives (or, our faith) over the course of our lifetime. The grammar in verses 5-7 dictates that these seven things be added sequentially. In other words, the first thing we are to “give ALL diligence” to add to our faith is virtue. He is careful to word verses 5-7 in such a way, so that we understand that once virtue has been established, then we begin the process of adding the second thing, knowledge. But notice, when knowledge gets added, it doesn’t get added to faith, it actually gets added to virtue. Then when we add the third thing, temperance, it likewise, doesn’t get added to faith, it gets added to knowledge. The remainder of verses 5-7 follow this same pattern. This pattern that is laid out in these verses is what I like to refer to as “The Divine Strategy For Spiritual Growth.” This strategy will never be improved upon, and should not only be the strategy we build our lives upon, but should be the strategy every church should employ for growing its people!

Now, the very command in verses 5-7 that we are to “give ALL diligence” to add these seven things is certainly enough in itself for each of us to drop our present pursuits and set our lives totally to adding them to our lives. However, Peter goes on in verses 8-11 to push the importance of these things into an entirely different realm!

First of all, Peter gives us three incredible POSITIVE GUARANTEES for what will happen in our lives if we will “give ALL diligence” to add these seven things:

1. We will truly KNOW Jesus.

Wow! How awesome is that?! Note in John 17:3, Jesus lets us know that knowing Him is what this thing of “life eternal” is really all about!

2. We will never FALL.

What a tremendous promise that is, especially when you stop to consider that:

• Adam, the most perfect man who ever lived other than Christ Himself, FELL!
• David, “the man after God’s own heart”, FELL!
• Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, FELL!
• Samson, the strongest man who ever lived, FELL!
• Thousands and thousands of others through the centuries who were just as sincere in their faith as any of us are in ours, FELL!

Here, Peter tells us that if we will “give ALL diligence” to adding these seven things to our lives, we will NEVER FALL! Wow! That is quite the guarantee! Let’s do this thing!

3. Our entrance into the everlasting kingdom will be ABUNDANT.

In other words, when it’s all been said and done—when our life is over, and we walk OUT of the Judgment Seat of Christ and IN to the everlasting kingdom, if we added these seven things, our ENTRANCE into that kingdom is going to be everything God intended for it to be! It will be ABUNDANT! Can you imagine any three guarantees that could possibly be more powerful and positive then these?

Yet, realize, that Peter also gives three incredible NEGATIVE GUARANTEES if we neglect to add the seven things he listed in verses 5-7.

1. We will become BLIND.

How interesting it is that Jesus said that in Revelation 3:17 that one of the chief characteristics of believers in the last days is that they are spiritually BLIND. Blind to the WORD of God, blind to the WORK and WORKING of God, and blind to the WILL of God.

2. We will be unable to see into the ETERNAL REALM.

Peter says that we won’t be able to “see afar off”. (1:9b) In other words, we won’t be able to see the things Paul said he was looking at in 2^nd Corinthians 4:18, “the things which are not seen”, or, in other words, the things in the eternal realm that are seen only through the eyes of faith!

3. We will end up LIVING LIKE WE DID BEFORE WE WERE SAVED.

The way Peter says it is, we will forget that we were “purged from [our] old sins”, or, we will end up living like we did before we came to faith!

With those six guarantees (three extremely positive and three extremely negative!), how could we not take the rest of our lives and set it to “giving ALL diligence” to add these seven things? Peter was so sure that this was what we were to give the rest of our lives to that he basically says this in verses 12-15:

“Listen, these seven things are so significant to what you do with the rest of your life, that I don’t care whether you’re already established in them or not; I’m not going to stop talking about them! I’m going to approach them as if you’ve never even heard them! I’m going to take every ounce of energy I have for the remainder of my life to stir you up about the necessity of being established in these seven things! Because, the Lord has revealed to me that my days on this planet are limited, so I’m going to ‘give ALL diligence’ to make sure you ‘give ALL diligence’ to add these seven things, because I want you, not only to get established in them now, but I want to make sure that you remember to remain established in them every day of your life for the rest of your life, long after I’m dead and gone!”

I’d say the old boy was pretty enamored by those seven things! Oh, let us be likewise!

To complete reading through the Bible in this year, plan to read 1^st John 1-5 on Saturday or Sunday.

OVERVIEW:

The call to be holy; Jesus Christ is our cornerstone; learning to submit; the relationship between a husband and wife; suffering for the right reasons; yielding everything to Christ.

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As the book of 1^st Peter opens, Peter is pointing these Gentile believers, who were enduring intense suffering, toward the “lively hope” that was theirs because of “the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (1:3) He reminds them that, though all their possessions may be taken from them in this life (as many of them had experienced in their suffering), God has promised them “an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away”, and that it has been “reserved in heaven” for them. Peter recognized that that promise would make life in the future glorious and filled with rejoicing, but he also recognized that for the present time, the readers of his letter were “in heaviness through manifold temptations” or trials. (1:6)

Verse 7 of chapter 1 is a BLOCKBUSTER. It lets us know several key things about the trials, difficulties, and sufferings we endure in this life. First, it lets us know that these difficulties are not some random acts of fate, but are rather, the God-ordained “trying of our faith.” In other words, the trials have come because God has allowed our faith to be put in the witness stand, because He wants to see what it’s made of! (Deuteronomy 8:2)

Secondly, because of Peter’s understanding of these trials, he uses a term to refer to them that seldom comes to mind in those situations when it seems as if the bottom has dropped out of our lives. Peter refers to these difficulties (trials) as “PRECIOUS”. Wow! But understand, the idea here isn’t that our trials are precious in and of themselves. The point here is that they are precious because of what they accomplish! Peter lets us know that the trial of our faith is designed by God to bring us to the place that we “might be found unto praise and honor and glory” at our ultimate accounting before the Lord Jesus Christ at His appearing. Could there possibly be anything more valuable or precious than being found unto praise, honor, and glory in that day? Peter’s point is, knowing that “praise and honor and glory” will be the result of these trials in “THAT” day, should have a major impact on our attitude as we go through them “TOday!”

Thirdly, Peter likens the refining process that takes place in our lives through these trials to the refining process of gold. Just as gold is the most “precious” commodity on earth from man’s vantage point, our faith is the most “precious” commodity on earth from God’s perspective. Just as gold is purified and refined as it is “tried in the fire”, so also are we, or so also is our faith! So, Peter gives his readers, whether they be in the 1^st century or the 21^st century, the hope and confidence we need as we face the trials of life.

Next, Peter transitions from the subject of trials to the subject of personal holiness. But recognize that there is an obvious biblical and practical connection between the two. The fact is, the lust of the flesh does not have near the gravitational pull in times of pain and suffering than it has at other times. Peter communicates this fact very clearly in chapter 4 and verses 1b and 2: “For he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.”

Many times, when we think about “personal holiness”, for some reason our minds want to begin to create a list of the things we SHOULD and SHOULD NOT do. While holiness certainly has a tremendous bearing on our actions, what we DO and DO NOT is not the main thought behind God’s command in 1:16, “Be ye holy: for I am holy.” Being holy is not a matter of rules and regulations. It is about God working in us to make us like Himself, changing us from the inside-out; not the outside-in. It is, first and foremost, about BEING, not DOING. A simple way of saying it is: BE who God wants you to BE, and you’ll DO what God wants you to DO! Recognize, however, that the opposite is not necessarily true.

As Peter continues, he lets us know that not only should our holiness manifest itself in our reaction to trials, but in our submission to the authorities God has placed in our lives. This passage teaches us that even when those authorities are wrong and/or have a froward attitude, we are to maintain an attitude of submission. In light of Peter’s instruction concerning Christian submission, it is difficult to reconcile the fact that in the 21^st century we have “Christian” organizations and lawyers fighting for Christians’ rights! Obviously, that doesn’t mean Christians can’t use the laws of the land to try to bring about change, but be it known, demanding our “rights” is a concept foreign to the Bible. God never intended Christians to be viewed as political revolutionaries, lest the message of the gospel be lost. Jesus left us a clear example of submitting to those in authority even when they are wrong or contrary. In fact, God even specifically says in this very passage that it is “thankworthy” if we suffer wrongfully for being a Christian! (2:19) When we do, we remind Him of His Son! That’s why He becomes so filled with thanks. (Imagine that! The God of the universe thanking US for something!) Forgive me if I’m wrong, but I’m afraid that “fighting for our rights” has something to do with our not wanting to suffer! (Now, lest somebody take this point further than intended, let me hasten to add, that if the authorities in our lives are demanding that we violate the word of God, “we ought to obey God rather than men”! (Acts 5:29)

Peter also reveals that holiness expresses itself in having a right relationship with our spouse. A right marital relationship is the result of husbands honoring their wives, and wives submitting to their husbands. (3:1-7) Notice also that this passage reveals that carrying out our biblical responsibilities to our spouse is not dependent on whether or not they fulfill theirs! Husbands are to honor their wives, even if she isn’t worthy of honor, and wives are to submit to their husbands, even if he isn’t obeying the word of God. (3:1, 7) Men cannot HONOR the Lord, and women cannot be in SUBJECTION to the Lord without doing so! Men, pay very close attention to the brief statement found at the end of verse 7! If we refuse to fulfill our biblical responsibilities to our wives, God will refuse to answer our prayers! That is HUGE, and a key reason that men in the 21^st century have so few answered prayers!

Next, Peter shows us that holiness also expresses itself in having love, compassion, and unity with other believers in our local church. (3:8–11) True holiness doesn’t render evil for evil, or railing for railing, but rather blessing. It should be noted that it is inevitable that other believers will wrong us. (Luke 17:1; Romans 12:18) But when they do, what will be our response? Will we render evil for evil and railing for railing, or will we render blessing? (3:9) Will we use our tongue to speak evilly and with guile, or to speak good things? (3:10–11a) Will we passionately seek peace, or will we allow evil to prevail in conflict? (3:11b–12)

As we read through 1^st Peter, you will notice a recurring theme: love the brethren and endure suffering for Christ. It just so happens that those two things seem to be the very things we have the hardest time doing! Pride in us keeps us unwilling to cover the sins of others when they wrong us (4:8), and pride also makes us think that we deserve better in the midst of suffering. Perhaps that’s why God commands us in chapter 5 to humble ourselves under His mighty hand. But how do we do that? Pay careful attention to 5:5-7. God doesn’t end the sentence in verse 6, but rather, completes the thought of verse 6 in verse 7. The way we humble ourselves before God is by casting all our care upon Him!

Most of the time this verse is applied in times of sorrow, and rightfully so, because it does certainly teach us that God cares for us and is interested in our problems. However, God wants this verse to become practical for us, not just with the cares that make us sorrowful, but with everything we find ourselves “caring” about. Which one of us doesn’t wrestle with the “cares of this world” (our finances, our careers, our families, our future)? Notice that 5:7 says that God wants us to cast ALL our CARES upon Him. In other words, God wants us to genuinely surrender every aspect of our lives to Him. That’s what genuine humility is all about! When we are completely yielded to Him, that’s when He pours out His grace (the desire and power to obey God) upon us. (James 4:6)

OVERVIEW:

Patience in tribulation; encouraging impartiality; the power of the tongue; true humility; the failure of money; the power of prayer.

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

The same question we asked at the beginning of Hebrews is applicable as we get started today in the book of James: “To whom is this book written?” Most people come to the book of James and read it without considering that fundamental question. We usually read James (as we do Hebrews) just like we read the letters written to local churches or leaders of local churches (Romans-Philemon). However, the book of James is not written to a local church or a leader of a local church. Notice, that in the very first chapter and the very first verse James lets us know very specifically and directly that what he is about to write was for “the twelve tribes scattered abroad”, or Jews!

The key principle God is communicating in the book of James is that God fully intends that genuine, biblical faith results in a changed life. HISTORICALLY, this book was written to Jews, that had made a profession of faith in Christ, to teach them that their faith should and will change their life. In a DOCTRINAL or PROPHETIC sense, this book is written to Jews living during the tribulation to teach them how to live out their faith in difficult circumstances. In a DEVOTIONAL sense, this book is a very practical manual to help us understand how our faith should be lived out. The book can be broken down as follows:

• Chapter 1 – Real faith should endure temptation.
• Chapter 2 – Real faith should show no partiality.
• Chapter 3 – Real faith should change our speech.
• Chapter 4 – Real faith should transform our relationships.
• Chapter 5 – Real faith should anticipate Christ’s return.

As mentioned above, there are many practical applications we can make to our lives from the book of James. Here are a few to help you get started as you read this book:

• Be a doer of the word. (1:22-25)

What a slap in the face these verses provide to our Laodicean generation. As Laodiceans, we often feel that we are sitting in a good place spiritually because we “know” quite a bit about the Bible. God clearly reveals that it is not what you know, but what you do with what you know that is important! We need to judge ourselves the way God does, not based on our knowledge, but based on our walk.

• See how God sees. (2:1-13)

What kind of people do we give preferential treatment? We may not banish the poor to the back rows while escorting the rich to the front as James talks about in this passage, but do we view the poor and/or other people groups the same way we esteem the rich and successful? Are we willing to talk to the visitors at church that we view as “sharp”, but don’t have time or interest for those that don’t look like they would be “our kind”? God help us! We must seek to reach out to those whom Christ is touching regardless of their socio-economic status, race, or background.

• Watch your mouth. (3:1-18)

The questions James suggests in this passage deserve an answer! How is it that the same mouth can speak both blessing and cursing? How can we pray and sing such awesome words to God, but be so rude and cutting when talking to people and about people? James is right, “My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”

• Humble yourself before God. (4:1-10)

We live at a time when people are taught from an early age to watch out for ourselves. Our natural thought process is to lift up ourselves in the sight of others. God’s command is the complete opposite. We are to humble ourselves before Him, and then His grace will work in us to lift us up. I love Andrew Murray’s comment concerning humility: “Humility is not thinking meanly about yourself. It is not thinking of yourself at all.”

• God answers prayer. (5:14-18)

None of us would dare SAY that God doesn’t answer prayer, but the question we need to ask ourselves is, do our actions reveal that we really BELIEVE that He does? Do we really believe God hears us and cares about the needs we bring before Him? Do we really believe that the “effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much?” If the answer to these questions in our lives is “yes”, it will be made manifest in at least one very specific activity: we will PRAY!

Oh, that we would apply the incredibly practical truths of this book, to our lives, allowing God’s grace and power to be displayed in and through us!

OVERVIEW:

The examples of living by faith; the necessity of chastisement; the exhortation to endure; remembering others.

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Hebrews 11 is one of the most popular chapters in the Bible. It is often referred to as the great “Hall of Faith”. It lays out for us clear, real-life examples of what it means to live by faith. Most Christians are aware that God wants us to live and walk by faith, but what that means can sometimes seem somewhat sketchy or nebulous. That’s why God presents in Hebrews 11, a panorama of men and women who walked by faith exemplifying what living and walking by faith looks like in real life!

It’s also interesting to keep in mind what God reveals to us in His word about the people mentioned in this chapter. Many times, we read a chapter like Hebrews 11 and think that we could never attain the likes of these “GREAT men and women of God”! How easily we forget that these “GREAT people”, were actually “NORMAL people”, just like me and you! Consider this:

• Noah got drunk after the flood.
• Abraham had a problem lying about his wife because he was more concerned about himself than he was her.
• Sarah thought she needed to help God out with His promise to Abraham.
• Jacob deceived and lied to his father in order to get his father’s blessing.
• Moses was willing to kill a man in his “service” to God.
• Rahab was a harlot.
• Samson wasted most of his life and ability pleasing himself.
• David committed adultery and murder.

The biblical reality of these “GREAT men and women of God” in Hebrews 11 that we tend to hold up as “superstars” or “super saints” is that they were FLAWED men and women just like me and you. Yet, these very “NORMAL” people pleased God because they did something very “ABNORMAL”! They simply chose to exercise faith in God and His word! That, my friend, PLEASES our God (11:6), and ultimately, that is why we exist; to bring Him “PLEASURE”! (Revelation 4:11)

Obviously, there is a tremendous amount of personal application we can make from this chapter, but we can only touch on a couple of key things:

1. Biblical faith results in action. Notice that each example God lists in this chapter is an ACTION that had its root in FAITH. It was something a person did “by FAITH”. Don’t miss the biblical fact that when we are walking “by FAITH”, it is because we are “walking in the SPIRIT”! That is so crucial to keep in mind! Galatians 5:22 lets us know that FAITH is part of the FRUIT the Spirit produces when we are walking in Him. (Galatians 5:16) We could say it this way: Without FAITH it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6), but it is impossible to have FAITH apart from the filling of the Spirit! (Galatians 5:16)
2. Biblical faith changes our values. As Laodiceans, we want to have what we think is the “best” of both worlds. We want to walk with God, but we also want to enjoy the pleasures of this life. (11:15, 25) Simply put, biblical faith enables us to see the emptiness and vanity of this world. Verse 14 says that biblical faith seeks a different “country”; what verse 15 calls a “better country”! Biblical faith looks for a “city” whose builder and maker is God. (11:10) We may need to ask ourselves, “What ‘city’ and what ‘country’ would God say I’m presently seeking by the actions of my life?”
3. Biblical faith is what pleases God. So many times, we fall into the trap of thinking that God is PLEASED by all of the “stuff” we do: we go to church, we’re good stewards of the money God entrusts to us, we read the Bible, we pray, etc., etc. All those things are vitally important and are most certainly part of our obedience, and yet, it is possible to do all those things (and more!) in the power of the FLESH, totally apart from FAITH! The teaching of this chapter should cause us to ask ourselves this simple question: Is Christ living His life THROUGH me by the power of FAITH (2^nd Corinthians 4:10) or am I trying to live FOR God in the power of the FLESH?

Yes, biblical faith will always result in actions, but those same actions produced by the arm of the flesh to please God, fall flat, and are nothing but wood, hay, and stubble. (1^st Corinthians 3:12) The only way we will ever live a life of faith is to follow the admonition given in chapter 12 and verse 2: we very simply must LOOK UNTO JESUS! Our sights must be set on Him! He must be the goal we strive to attain. Not only are we commanded and admonished to “look unto Jesus”, but we are to do so “DILIGENTLY”! (12:15) Oh, let us get our eyes off ourselves…off others…off this world, and onto the Lord Jesus Christ! May He be PLEASED by our life of FAITH in Him!

OVERVIEW:

Christ’s priesthood superior to the Levitical priesthood; the old covenant was a shadow of the real; the old covenant sacrifices were temporary; Christ’s sacrifice is permanent.

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

The chapters in today’s reading provide one of the most complete explanations about the superiority of Christ when compared to virtually anything and everything, and the superiority of the new covenant when compared to the old covenant.

Paul begins chapter 7 by identifying Christ as a Priest after the order of Melchisedec. (The story of Melchisedec is found in Genesis 14:17–20.) This connection to Melchisedec is tremendously significant because it reveals to us that Christ is not a priest after the Levitical priesthood started with Aaron. (Hebrews 7:11) The Levitical priesthood was comprised of MEN; men who were SINNERS! What that means is, before these priests could offer sacrifices for the PEOPLE, they first had to offer sacrifices for THEMSELVES! (Hebrews 7:27) These sacrifices were required to be made daily and repeatedly. That’s precisely why Christ was not from the Levitical priesthood! He is a High Priest after Melchisedec! (Hebrews 7:24–28) Christ was not a sinner. Christ does not have to offer sacrifices daily. Christ is a High Priest forever because He lives forever and makes intercession for us. Perfection could never come from the Levitical priesthood; it could only come from a different priesthood, and a different priest. Our perfection comes from our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Melchisedec – Who is this “mysterious” person? Please allow me to simply lay out the facts that Hebrews 7 reveals concerning him:

• He is the King of Righteousness. (7:2a)
• He is the King of Salem, or the King of Peace. (7:2b)
• He is the Priest of the Most High God. (7:1)
• He has no father, mother, or descent. (7:3a)
• He has no beginning or end. (7:3b)
• He is great. (7:4a)
• He receives tithes. (7:4b)
• He receives worship. (7:1d)
• He is without sin. (7:27)

Obviously, Melchisedec was on Old Testament appearance of the One of whom this simple list perfectly describes! He is, no doubt, none other than our very Lord Jesus Christ!

God also reveals something very interesting in chapter 8. He informs us that the sanctuary and tabernacle of the old covenant were merely a “shadow” of the real sanctuary and tabernacle inhabited by God in the heavens. We may need to take a minute to get our heads wrapped around the concept of a shadow, and how it relates to the point Paul is trying to get us to see. Obviously, we all know what a shadow is. A shadow, a basic representation of something tangible and real. It can form a general outline of something; it can help a person identify what a particular thing is—whether it be a person, a tree, a bicycle, a car, etc. But one thing a shadow is not, and never can be, is the real thing! Can you imagine someone wanting to have a conversation with your shadow? That sounds ridiculous; but it’s exactly God’s point! He’s trying to get the Hebrews to recognize that they were still caught up worshipping in the shadows of the earthly representation of the tabernacle and sanctuary that were intended to merely point them to the reality of Christ!

But recognize that this wasn’t just a 1^st century, Jewish problem! Many Jews and Gentiles in the 21^st century do the same thing today, by not realizing that religion is merely a SHADOW, and that there is nothing REAL in religion. Oh, it may make people feel better to go to church, to give their money, to do good works, to sing nice songs, or to be the best person they can possibly be, but none of these “shadows” can change the “reality” of their sin! Tragically, many people today still embrace the SHADOW instead of embracing the REALITY, Jesus Christ!

The old covenant revealed within itself that it was not of itself, sufficient. The holy of holies in the old covenant could only be entered into one time per year on the Day of Atonement. This revealed that the way into the holiest of all (God’s tabernacle, not the earthly one) was not yet revealed. It was simply a figure, or a shadow imposed by the law until what Paul calls in chapter 9 and verse 10, the “time of reformation”. Notice, none of the work carried out by the High Priest of the Old Testament could even perfect his own conscience, much less the conscience of the rest of the people. But then the “time of reformation” did come—and we’re not talking about the time of Martin Luther! We’re talking about the time when the REAL High Priest showed up… an EVERLASTING High Priest… the High Priest of the TRUE tabernacle! The blood offered by this High Priest was not the blood of bulls and goats, but was His very OWN blood, the blood of GOD! His sacrifice can purge our conscience, and His blood established a new covenant!

Oh, how much greater is this new covenant than the old one! The blood of bulls and goats (or anything else!) never could, never can, and never will be able to take away sin. But the blood and sacrifice of the new covenant is different because it was offered by a different High Priest! This Priest, this man, the “God-man”, the Lord Jesus Christ, offered ONE sacrifice for sins forever! There is no other sacrifice needed. There is no other sacrifice required by God. Any other sacrifice we attempt to offer becomes an affront to God, because what it says is that we do not believe the sacrifice of His Son was sufficient.

But let’s get this down into the practical application of where we live. Sometimes after we fall prey to sin, we unwittingly add to Christ’s sacrifice by doing things like attempting to feel really, really bad about our sin (a form of the unbiblical practice of the Roman Catholic penance). At other times when we’ve sinned against God, we think we can “sacrifice” for it by giving more… or reading more… or praying more… witnessing more or promising to do better the next time. But do you realize how much all these “sacrifices” accomplish concerning our sin? NOTHING! Absolutely nothing! We cannot add anything or take anything away from Christ’s one sacrifice! We must trust His sacrifice, and His sacrifice alone… not our own sacrifice, or anything we may attempt to add to the gift of Christ’s sacrifice! This is precisely why the false gospel that is preached by Roman Catholicism cannot save. It is a message that says Christ is still being sacrificed for sin (the mass), and it is a message that says that although you’re forgiven, you must still pay for your sin (purgatory). Let us simply trust the once-for-all sacrifice offered by our perfect High Priest, rest completely in Him, and the forgiveness of sin found in Him. Let us proclaim the message of the new covenant so that others may get out of the SHADOWS and into the REALITY of Christ!

OVERVIEW:

Comparing Christ to the angels; comparing Christ to Moses; comparing Christ as our high priest to the priests of the Old Testament; comparing our rest in Christ to the rest of the “promised land”.

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

The book of Hebrews begins a section of the New Testament that often causes people problems. A mistake that is very easy to make, and is very often made when believers read the word of God, is viewing everything they read through “Christian” glasses. Christian glasses aren’t a bad thing when you’re reading a book that is addressed to the local church (or a leader of a local church), but they can pose some pretty serious doctrinal problems if you leave them on when reading other books of the New or Old Testament.

Like the Gospels, because the book of Hebrews is found in the New Testament, most people leave their “local church/Christian” glasses on while reading this book. That is an invitation to doctrinal disaster. One of the things that will clear up about 90% of the difficulties found in the book of Hebrews is simply asking ourselves, “To whom was the book of HEBREWS written?” Was it a local church? No. Was it a pastor of a local church? No. How about Gentiles? Good guess, but, no. Could it have been Hebrews? Yes! The book of Hebrews was written to Hebrews.

Remember, in terms of “rightly dividing the word of truth,” the Jews/nation of Israel is the “ancient landmark” that must be kept in place lest you enter “the fields of the fatherless”. Not recognizing that Paul is specifically addressing “Hebrews” in the book of HEBREWS (!!!) will make study of this book a “fatherless field”.

The twofold theme of the book of Hebrews is:

• The SUPERIORITY of CHRIST
• The NEW COVENANT compared to the OLD COVENANT.

The key word in this book is the word “BETTER. We have…

• A BETTER testament (7:22)
• A BETTER covenant (8:6)
• BETTER promises (8:6)
• A BETTER sacrifice (9:23)
• BETTER blood (12:24)
• BETTER substance (10:34)
• A BETTER hope (7:19)
• A BETTER country (11:16)
• BETTER resurrection. (11:35)

The word BETTER also provides an easy breakdown of the book:

• Christ is BETTER than the Angels. (Chapters 1-2)
• Christ is BETTER than Moses. (Chapter 3)
• Christ is BETTER than Joshua. (Chapter 4)
• Christ is a BETTER High Priest. (Chapters 5-7)
• Christ established a BETTER Covenant. (Chapters 8-13)

HISTORICALLY, the book of Hebrews was written to reveal the establishment of the new covenant by Jesus Christ. This book is actually the written form of what the Apostle Paul did when entering cities for the first time to proclaim the gospel. Acts 17:2-3 reveals that Paul’s standard operating procedure, when entering into a city, was to first go to the Jewish synagogue and reason from the scriptures how that Christ was the Messiah. In those synagogues, obviously, Paul would have been speaking predominantly to “Hebrews”.

DOCTRINALLY (or PROPHETICALLY), the book of Hebrews is written for the benefit of Jews during the Tribulation Period. We know from Romans 11 that God is not finished dealing with the nation of Israel. As we’ve discussed previously, on God’s timetable we are presently living in a “parenthesis” called the Church Age. After the rapture of the church, God will once again deal directly with the nation of Israel. If you were a Jew in the Tribulation, and you realized that you and your people had missed the Messiah when Christ came the first time, as you look through the table of contents for the New Testament, as you see the names of the books listed there, what book do you think you would be most inclined to read? How about the one addressed specifically to YOU? The book of HEBREWS!

DEVOTIONALLY (or INSPIRATIONALLY), however, we can still learn a tremendous amount about the new covenant and Christ’s sacrifice for us, even though the book of Hebrews is not written directly “to” us (the Church). The book also clearly reveals how Christ is the reality of the pictures and types contained in the Old Testament, as well as some of the clearest teaching on the effectiveness of Christ’s sacrifice; how that from God’s perspective, it was the “one sacrifice for sins for ever!” Hallelujah! So, the book has a very “profitable” practical application for us! (2^nd Timothy 3:16)

There are three clear warning passages contained in the first six chapters of Hebrews. They are as follows:

• Chapter 2, verses 1–4
• Chapter 3 and verse 7 through Chapter 4 and verse 13
• Chapter 5 and verse 11 through Chapter 6 and verse 20

These warning passages are usually a place where many well-meaning people lose their neck. HISTORICALLY, these passages apply in two ways:

First, to those Hebrews that had already placed their faith in Christ, these passages are an exhortation to hold fast to that faith. This would be similar to the teaching we see in Galatians, where Paul actually calls believers “foolish”, even though they had trusted Christ.

Second, to those Hebrews who had not placed their faith in Christ alone, these warnings serve as a call to salvation. These unbelieving Hebrews needed to realize that Christ is the fulfillment of what they believed was true (the Old Testament), and that they needed to embrace the new covenant Christ had established.

DOCTRINALLY (Prophetically), these warning passages will serve in the future as an exhortation to Hebrews during the Tribulation Period to remain true to Christ and endure until the end. This corresponds to Christ’s teaching in Matthew 24:13, that those who endure until the end shall be saved. As we saw in Matthew 24, the context of that passage is not the Church Age, but rather, the time immediately preceding the Second Coming of Christ, the Tribulation Period.

OVERVIEW:

Titus: Order and authority in the local church (chapter 1); sound doctrine for the people of the local church (chapter 2); the biblical way to deal with heretics (chapter 3).

Philemon: The Apostle Paul’s letter to his friend Philemon regarding his unfaithful slave Onesimus, asking him to forgive and accept Onesimus back into his house, not just as a slave, but as a brother in the Lord.

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Titus was a man that the apostle Paul often relied upon in clutch situations because he possessed two tremendous character qualities: he was trustworthy and faithful. Oh, that God would help us to possess those simple but wonderful characteristics! In fact, in 2^nd Corinthians 8:23, Paul referred to Titus as his “partner and fellow helper” in the work of the Lord. Coming from Paul, those are very powerful words of affirmation.

This letter from Paul to Titus was written to give instructions on how to strengthen and establish the young churches on the island of Crete. Paul wanted to make sure that Titus dealt with the Cretians, who, Paul says, were known for being liars, evil, and lazy. (Titus 1:11) How’s that for political correctness?!

One of the key things we learn in this letter is the qualifications for leaders in the church. It should be noted that every believer has been commanded, in other places in the New Testament, to possess each of these character qualities that Paul lists in 1:6–9. What Paul is demanding here, though, is that a man who holds the office of a bishop (pastor) not only “SHOULD” possess these qualities, but he “MUST” possess them! They are the biblical requirements and prerequisites for holding the office, and we must be certain that these biblical qualifications are upheld in the local church. A church is destined to become carnal and spiritually deficient when the leaders do not meet their biblical qualifications, and/or do not walk in “true holiness” (Ephesians 4:23) as an example to the flock.

This letter also teaches us the absolute necessity of teaching sound doctrine. Paul gives a very sobering reason: “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers.” We would do well to recognize that if there were “many” deceptive carriers of false doctrine in the 1^st century, just how “MANY” there must be in the 21^st century! Paul clearly taught us that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse”! (2^nd Timothy 3:13) In other words, false teachers would progressively increase throughout the course of history, not decrease!

It’s also interesting to note Paul’s answer to the dilemma of false teachers. It is that pastors “hold fast the faithful word as they have been taught, that they may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” (Titus 1:9) Paul even goes on to say that the mouths of these false teachers “must be stopped”! Oh, how we desperately need the men who lead our churches to be able to do that themselves and equip the flock to do the same! (Titus 1:11)

The sound doctrine of which Paul was referring that pastors are to teach is found in chapters 2 and 3. In chapter 2, Paul lays out sound doctrine for older men, older women, younger women, younger men and servants. In chapter 3, Paul commands Titus to remind all in the church of their past sinful condition, and the amazing kindness and love that God has shown to all of them. He also very clearly lays out the biblical method for dealing with heretics, or those who do not hold and/or teach sound doctrine. His instruction is very simply admonish them two times, and if they continue to hold and/or to teach false doctrine, put them out. (Titus 3:10–11)

Paul ends the letter with a reminder to all of us to “learn to maintain good works” so that we do not become unfruitful. (Titus 3:14) An unfruitful Christian is very simply a contradiction.

Additional highlights from Paul’s letter to Titus:

• Be very discerning, because false teachers profess that they know God, and can present a very spiritual-looking front. (Titus 1:16) Upon closer examination, however, it will be revealed that they deny God with the life that they live. In the end, it isn’t their profession that will matter, only God’s! Jesus said in Matthew 7:23, “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
• The same grace that “SAVES” us, also “TEACHES” us to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. (Titus 2:11-12) That’s why Paul said in Romans 6:1-2, “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein?” If we live with the constant reminder of what Jesus did for us when He saved us from our sin, we will then stand daily in awe of His grace, and sin will no longer have dominion over us. Quite simply, that’s how grace teaches us to live a life that is pleasing to our Savior!

As we also consider today the book of Philemon, God paints for us, in this brief book of the Bible, a beautiful picture of grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Philemon was a personal friend of Paul’s that he apparently had the privilege of leading to the Lord. (vs. 19) One of Philemon’s slaves, a man by the name of Onesimus, had apparently stolen from his master and fled to Rome. As is often the case, one sin leads to another, so for an unidentified reason, Onesimus finds himself imprisoned in Rome. It is in this Roman prison that Paul meets Onesimus and has the privilege of leading him to the Lord. Paul realized that if Onesimus would ever be all that God intended him to be, he would need to make things right with his master, Philemon. So, Paul writes this short letter to his friend and fellow-believer, Philemon, asking him not only to receive Onesimus back into his house as a “slave”, but now, as a “brother” in the Lord!

Note some of the incredible pictures God paints for us through the three main characters in this letter to Philemon:

1. PHILEMON is a picture of God the Father:

* He was righteous. (vs. 7 c.f. Jeremiah 23:6)

* He was wealthy. (vs. 2, 7, 11 c.f. Haggai 2:8)

* The church was his habitation. (vs. 2 c.f. Ephesians 2:22)

* He was a caring householder. (vs. 2, 5, 7 c.f. Ephesians 2:19)

* He had been violated. (vs. 11, 18-19 c.f. Romans 3:23)

* He was the legal owner. (vs. 16 c.f. 1^st Corinthians 6:20)

• ONESIMUS is a picture of us, as redeemed sinners:

* He was a slave. (vs.16 c.f. Romans 7:14)

* He was an unprofitable servant. (vs.11 c.f. Matthew 25:30; Romans 5:12)

* He desired freedom. (vs. 15 c.f. Genesis 3:1-6)

* His quest for freedom found him imprisoned. (vs. 10 c.f. Romans 6:17)

* In desperation, he received God’s liberating grace! (vs. 11 c.f. Ephesians 2:8-9)

• PAUL is a picture of Jesus Christ:

* He was a prisoner on behalf of the gospel. (vs. 10 c.f. Isaiah 53:8; John 18:28)

* He intercedes to the wealthy householder for the unprofitable servant. (vs.10-11 c.f. Hebrews 7:25)

* He will do nothing without the householder’s permission. (vs. 14 c.f. John 6:38)

* He was willing and able to pay the servant’s debt. (vs. 18-19 c.f. 1^st Timothy 2:6)

* He asks that the violator be received just as he would be received. (vs. 12, 17 c.f. Romans 8:17)

* He secures for the restored a place to dwell. (vs. 22 c.f. John 14:1-2)

* He soon returns to the householder. (vs. 22 c.f. John 14:5)

Wow! What a book! Let it cause us to stand in awe of our God today! (Psalm 33:8)

OVERVIEW:

Important reminders regarding faith, fear, and holding fast sound words in the last days (chapter 1); responsibilities of believers in the last days (chapter 2); the realities of living in the apostasy of the last days (chapter 3); the apostle Paul’s final charge to preach the word in the last days (chapter 4).

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

This second letter to Timothy records the last words that Paul ever communicated under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It was written from a prison in Rome (Mamertine Prison) where Paul was being held as he awaited execution for preaching Christ during the reign of the cruel Roman Emperor, Nero, who hated Christians and Christianity!

Paul had obviously been arrested again since the writing of his first letter to Timothy in 65 A.D. The New Testament gives little detail as to Paul’s ministry between these two imprisonments, but what we can conclude from scripture is that he went to Nicopolis (Titus 3:12) and then to Troas (4:13), where he had left his cloak, some books, and the parchments (i.e. the scriptures) because of an apparent need for a quick exit. At the time of the writing of this final letter to Timothy, the time of his execution was drawing near. (2^nd Timothy 4:6) Every one of Paul’s trusted companions, except for Luke, had forsaken him. (2^nd Timothy 4:11) He is lonely, but he is not in despair. (2^nd Timothy 4:17; 2^nd Corinthians 4:8-10) He has a longing in his heart to see his beloved son in the faith one last time, so he writes this letter to Timothy asking him to come to Rome as soon as possible. (4:9, 21). The thrust of this letter is Paul encouraging Timothy not to be afraid of stepping in to assume role of leadership in the ministry of the gospel and discipleship once he had been executed. (1:7-8; 2:2) We should all have at least one person to whom we could write such a letter when we are on our death bed!

Additional highlights from Paul’s second letter to Timothy:

• 1:7 – Any time we’re experiencing fear doing the work of the Lord, we can be assured that its source is not God! It’s either our own foolish insecurities and lack of faith, and/or the work of our adversary, Satan! (4:18)
• 1:12 – True believers are eternally secure because they know whom they have believed (Jesus Christ), and it is He who keeps them saved until that day, not themselves!
• 2:15 – We are commanded to “study” the word of God to make sure that we “rightly divide it.” Without diligent study, it is possible to make “wrong divisions” when interpreting the scripture, and end up twisting it to our own destruction. (Also see 2^nd Peter 3:16)
• 2:24–26 – It is imperative that we display genuine meekness when seeking to reach lost people with the gospel, realizing that they have been taken captive by Satan himself and are being held in his snare. Their only hope is through the message of the gospel that has been committed to our trust. (Also see 1^st Thessalonians 2:4)
• 3:15–17 – Paul clearly calls the Old Testament “scriptures” that Timothy had as a child “holy”, and even though they were not the “original manuscripts”, but obviously, copies of copies of copies, the “scriptures” Timothy held in his hands was the very inspired word and words of God that had the supernatural power to “perfect” and “throughly furnish” a man or woman of God “unto all good works”!
• 4:2–4 – We have many “TEACHERS” of the Bible all over the world today just as the Bible predicted, but so few “PREACHERS” of the WORD! What’s the difference between teaching and preaching? From a general standpoint it is simply this: the purpose of teaching is imparting “information”. The purpose of preaching is initiating “transformation”.

From a specific biblical standpoint, according to 2^nd Timothy 4:2–4, true biblical preaching includes four key things:

1. Preaching declares “THE WORD of GOD” to the listeners! (Preaching is not simply imparting information “from” the word, “using” the word, or “about” the word. It is imparting “THE WORD” itself! It has to do with the CONTENT of the message.)
2. Preaching “REPROVES” the listeners! (Preaching is intended by God to be CONVICTING.)
3. Preaching “REBUKES” the listeners! (Preaching is intended by God to be CONFRONTING.)
4. Preaching “EXHORTS” the listeners! (Preaching is intended by God to be CHALLENGING.)

In a nutshell, we could say that biblical preaching in the 21^st century is politically incorrect. May God give us a few fearless men to declare the light of His glorious word, even in these dark last days! And by God’s grace, may He empower us to be in that number!

NOTE: To complete this year’s reading, plan to read Titus and Philemon tomorrow (Saturday).

OVERVIEW:

The proper use of the law of God (chapter 1); the power of prayer and the place of women in the local church (chapter 2); the qualifications for church leaders (chapter 3); the contrast between false and faithful teachers (chapter 4); the responsibilities of the members of a local church (chapter 5); sound advice from God to servants, false teachers, the rich, and the educated (chapter 6).

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

The book of 1^st Timothy is the first of three New Testament books referred to as “Pastoral Epistles”, the others being 2^nd Timothy and Titus. These books are obviously called “Pastoral Epistles” because they are addressed to pastors of local churches, and have to do with conducting the affairs in the church as the “under-shepherds” of Christ’s flock, the Lord Jesus Christ, of course, being the Chief Shepherd. (1^st Peter 5:1–3) The instruction in these letters is very specific, and most certainly deals with situations pastors will encounter in carrying out their biblical office. But whether we are a pastor or not, don’t miss that these letters have incredibly practical ramifications for each of our lives and ministries! Just as surely as these letters have tremendous application for those who hold the office of a pastor in a local church, recognize that God intends every member of every local church to have a “pastoral mindset” toward the other members of the church, as well as toward the work of Christ in and through the church!

Recognize also that the Pastoral Epistles also present a great model for understanding the relationship God intends to exist between a disciple and disciple maker. Paul’s relationship with Timothy, and Timothy’s relationship with Paul, paint one of the most graphic pictures of real discipleship in the entire New Testament. Sure, Timothy had been given the responsibility of holding the office of pastor in the church at Ephesus, but it’s also important to recognize that he was also an individual member of the body of Christ. He is a real person, with real weaknesses, real problems, and real struggles just like everybody else. So, understand, God placed the books in the Bible that we refer to as the Pastoral Epistles not just to provide information for pastors, but to provide every believer practical instruction concerning being a follower (disciple) of Christ, from either side of a discipling relationship.

As we move into 1^st Timothy today, keep in mind that Timothy was the son of a father who was a Greek, and a mother who was a Jew. (Acts 16:1-3) His mother’s name was Eunice and his grandmother’s name, Lois. (2^nd Timothy 1:5) He resided in Lystra (Acts 16:1-2; 20:4) where he was raised in the knowledge of the scriptures. (2^nd Timothy 3:15)

Upon visiting Timothy’s hometown of Lystra, on his second missionary journey, Paul was impressed with Timothy’s testimony in his local church, and felt impressed to invite him to join he and Silas as a part of their missionary team. Keep in mind that this invitation was extended to Timothy immediately following Paul’s conflict with Barnabas concerning the fact that Paul didn’t want John Mark to be included on his missionary team because he was too young, too fearful, and because he still had quite a way to go in the process of discipleship. (Acts 15:36-41) Because God is sovereign, and because He obviously has a sense of humor, He turns right around and gives Paul a fearful young man, who still had quite a way to go in the process of discipleship, to be a part of his missionary team! Just file into your head, that when we refuse to learn the lessons from the situations God has placed in our lives, He will recreate similar circumstances until we learn them!

To catch the real heart of this letter, recognize a few pertinent details:

• Paul most likely led Timothy to Christ when he and Barnabas came to Lystra on their first missionary journey. (Acts 14:5-7; 1^st Timothy 1:2, 18; 2^nd Timothy 1:2, 2:1; 1^st Corinthians 4:17)
• Timothy became Paul’s most trusted companion and friend, and Paul used him for some of the toughest assignments in dealing with various situations that arose in various churches. (1^st Thessalonians 3:1-7; 1^st Corinthians 4:16-17)
• Paul goes on in scripture to describe Timothy as a selfless individual, one with whom he was completely likeminded, and viewed serving with him as a father would with his own son. (Philippians 2:19–22)
• Timothy struggled with the problem of fear (1^st Corinthians 16:10; 2^nd Timothy 1:7), which probably led to his stomach problems and other physical infirmities that Paul mentions in chapter 5 and verse 23.
• Paul wrote this letter because he felt the need to give young Timothy some encouragement to stay in the battle as a good soldier, and to war a good warfare (1:18) amid false teachers and backsliding believers in the church at Ephesus. (1:3-4, 19-20)

Keep in mind, Paul himself had invested three solid years in this church at Ephesus (Acts 20:31) and had an intense love for them. (Acts 20:37-38) Paul writes to Timothy to encourage him to stay at Ephesus and fulfill his role and responsibility as the church’s pastor, despite the difficulties he faced. Paul had warned the Ephesian elders that false teachers would both enter and arise out of the church, and now that it had happened, Paul felt confident that Timothy was the man for the job of shutting the mouths of the false teachers and protecting the flock of God in that church. (1:3; 4:7; 6:17)

This letter was written from Laodicea (see AV 1611 postscript) and sent to Timothy in Ephesus between Paul’s two imprisonments in Rome. It is interesting to note that Paul desired Timothy to stay in Ephesus, a place that was “fully purposed” to do God’s work (note that the word Ephesus means “fully purposed”—Revelation 2:1-2), rather than join him in Laodicea (where the Christians felt they had “rights”—Revelation 3:14-18). Paul knew where God’s work could most effectively be accomplished. Practically speaking, we would do well in this age if we would just “stay in Ephesus”, as opposed to “living and loving Laodicea”.

Note some other additional highlights from Paul’s first letter to young Timothy:

• 1:1–2 reveal that Christ is four things to those of us who know Him. He is…

* Our SAVIOR.

* Our HOPE.

* Our FATHER.

* Our LORD.

• 1:8–10 reveal that the lawful use of God’s law is two-fold:

* To reveal what sin is. (Romans 5:20, 7:7)

* To bring us to Jesus Christ. (Galatians 3:21-24).

• 1:16 reveals that Paul’s life of longsuffering is the pattern for our lives. (2^nd Corinthians 11:23-28)
• 1:18–20 reveal that standing for truth will sometimes require the politically incorrect practice of naming the names of those who are disobedient and that teach false doctrine.
• 2:1 reveals that as believers, prayer is the “first” thing we should do to maintain a close relationship with God.
• 2:5 reveals that no mediator (“middle-man”) other than CHRIST can bring us and/or our prayers to the Father. Not Mary. Not the saints. Not a priest. ONLY Christ!
• 3:16 reveals that God was manifest (i.e. shown to us; revealed) in the flesh and it is “WITHOUT CONTROVERSY”! The way we might say that today is that there are “no ifs, ands, or buts about it!” Or, “You can take that to the bank!” (1^st Corinthians 15:1-8)
• 4:11–12a reveal that we should refuse to be intimidated by those who insinuate that perhaps we’re too young to be doing God’s work. Regardless of our age, we are to preach and teach God’s truth with charity, purity, humility, and authority!
• 6:5–9 reveal that the desire for more will end up fooling and hurting you.
• 6:20 reveals that we are to “avoid oppositions of SCIENCE falsely so called.” Note: Evolution is called “science,” but it is actually a religion:

* By faith, Christians believe, “In the beginning GOD…”

* By faith, evolutionists believe, “In the beginning DIRT…”

OVERVIEW:

A model church (1^st Thessalonians 1); a model of discipleship (1^st Thessalonians 2); a model of faith (1^st Thessalonians 3); a model walk (1^st Thessalonians 4-5); comfort in tribulation (2^nd Thessalonians 1); clarification in teaching (2^nd Thessalonians 2); content on various topics (2^nd Thessalonians 3).

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As we noted yesterday, there is a definite connection between the seven letters our Lord wrote to the seven churches in Revelation 2–3, and the seven letters to the seven churches to whom Paul wrote. The most obvious, of course, is the connection between Paul’s letter to the church of Colossae, and our Lord’s letter to the church of Laodicea. We saw that the things Paul addressed in his letter to the church in Colossae, have a very relevant and pertinent application to the church of Jesus Christ during the Laodicean church period (from approximately 1901 until the Rapture).

What is obviously more than a coincidence is the fact that immediately following the book of Colossians (again, the letter with specific application to the church in the last days), God placed into the canon of Scripture the two letters to the Thessalonians. Do you know what these two letters “just happen” to specifically address? The two key events of the last days: the Rapture and the Second Coming! It is the exact sequence that is followed in the book of Revelation! Because in the book of Revelation, as soon as our Lord concludes His letter to the Laodiceans in chapter 3, immediately in chapter 4, heaven opens, there is a sound of a trumpet, a voice saying, “Come up hither,” and John is catapulted forward in time to experience the Rapture. As he is caught up into heaven, in chapters 4 and 5 he describes the scene of the raptured church in heaven, and then in chapters 6 through 19, he describes the events on the earth following the Rapture, and provides us with four accounts of the Second Coming of Christ!

As we put together all these details, what becomes apparent is that the books of 1^st and 2^nd Thessalonians are the letters the Holy Spirit inspired to teach the church about HOW TO BE PREPARED FOR THE LORD’S COMING. In fact, notice that each of the five chapters of 1^st Thessalonians end with a reference to the coming of the Lord! (1:10; 2:19; 3:13: 4:13-17; 5:23)

But what also becomes very clear, as we read through the content of these letters, is that though they deal with the PROPHETIC EVENTS concerning the last days, Paul wants to be sure that we don’t approach the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ as mere doctrines to contemplate or to discuss in a Bible Study, or truths that we simply allow to tantalize our intellect or imagination, but as biblical realities that affect the way we LIVE! He wants to be sure that we allow these PROPHETIC events to be translated into PRACTICAL spiritual living! Based on the content of the letters of 1^st and 2^nd Thessalonians, we could refer to these books as a “How-To Manual” for how we are to live our lives in the last days. They provide us the practical things we need to make sure we’re emphasizing in these last days, as well as how we’re approaching the Lord’s work, so that we can be as effective as possible.

It’s also worth noting that whereas each chapter of 1^st Thessalonians ends with a reference concerning the Lord’s coming, each chapter of 2^nd Thessalonians ends with a reference concerning grace. (1:12; 2:16; 3:18) Obviously, the practical point Paul is making is that, as we labor in these dark last days prior to our Lord’s coming, we need to be sure that we both apply and rely upon the grace of God that He promised would be “sufficient” through “infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, [and] in distresses.” (2^nd Corinthians 12:9-10)

Two other things, worth noting from the biblical CONTEXT and CONTENT of these two books, have to do with:

1. Our Philosophy of Leadership.

It is interesting to note that the letters written to teach the church about effective ministry in the last days as we prepare for the Lord’s coming just happen to be the only letters in the New Testament that were written as a TEAM EFFORT. Did you realize that the books of 1^st and 2^nd Thessalonians were written by three human authors: Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timotheous (Timothy)? (1^st Thessalonians 1:1; 2^nd Thessalonians 1:1) In Paul’s other letters to the churches, he will mention those who are with him in his greeting, but he will immediately kick into the first person singular, and use the personal pronoun “I” throughout the remainder of the letter. As we read through 1^st and 2^nd Thessalonians, there’s certainly no getting around the fact that it is the obvious writing style of Paul.

These books definitely reflect his personality and vocabulary, but what’s unique about these two books is that after mentioning that Silas and Timothy are with him in the greeting, as he gets into the body of the letters, he consistently writes in the first-person plural, using the plural pronouns “we” and “us”. There are a few places in the midst of these two letters where his apostolic authority surfaces and he uses the word “I”, but by and large, all throughout 1^st and 2^nd Thessalonians, Paul models for us what is the most effective PHILOSOPHY of LEADERSHIP in the last days, and that is, LEADING as a part of a TEAM! Paul, Silas, and Timothy were a unit. Paul was the leader of the leaders, but they were committed to teamwork. What we need to learn from their example is that if we’re going to be effective in carrying out the job the Lord has for us in the last days through our local churches, we must work together as a team, and that teamwork must flow out of the leadership. Not only does a team approach to ministry provide accountability (Proverbs 11:14), it also provides wisdom and safety. (Proverbs 15:22; 24:6)

2. The Priority of Lordship.

It’s also interesting to note that 1^st and 2^nd Thessalonians begin very similarly: “Paul and Silvanus, and Timotheous, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the LORD JESUS CHRIST.” (1^st Thessalonians 1:1; 2^nd Thessalonians 1:1) Notice, he doesn’t simply say “in Jesus Christ”, but, “in the LORD Jesus Christ.” Now, certainly, the phrase “the LORD JESUS CHRIST” is not an unfamiliar phrase, or a phrase that is unique to 1^st and 2^nd Thessalonians. In fact, the phrase is used 81 times in the New Testament. What is noteworthy, however, is that 20 out of the 81 times that this title is used, it is in the books of 1^st and 2^nd Thessalonians! Twenty times! Far more than any other book of the New Testament, or pair of books in the New Testament. Interestingly, almost 25% of the time the phrase is found, it is found in the eight chapters of these two little books!

Now, from the HISTORICAL context, Acts 17:7 makes clear why Paul so emphasizes this phrase. Jesus being presented as the “Lord”, or “King”, was the very issue that got the city of Thessalonica so stirred up when Paul, Silas, and Timothy went there to present Christ and His gospel in the first place! It would only stand to reason that when they wrote back to them, they would continue to emphasize that theme.

But in the BIBLICAL context, remembering that these are the books that the Spirit of God inspired to teach us about how to be the most effective in the last days, it becomes obvious that God is trying to let us know that it is now more important than ever that people understand WHO Jesus Christ is, and the position He wants to have in His church collectively and in our lives personally, as LORD! Revelation 3:14-22 lets us know that Christ’s Lordship in the church in the last days is so far from a reality that He is standing on the outside of the church knocking, waiting for us to open the door.

As we read these two incredible books today, two questions we may need to consider asking ourselves:

• Does my life reflect the fact that I am submitted to Christ’s LORDSHIP?
• Am I a part of the ministry TEAM of my local church?