Grace in Truth Podcast

The Thessalonians work to prepare for two occurrences. First, they should prepare to face adversity from Satan, who hinders and tempts. Second, they are to prepare for the coming of Christ. In these verses, Paul shares with the believers how to stay prepared. 

What if our goal is not to predict Christ's return but to prepare for it? His return will not surprise believers. In these verses, we look at how Paul desires the Thessalonians to respond to Christ's coming. 

What we know about God should change how we react to our circumstances. As the Thessalonians struggle with the reality of death, Paul provides the theological truth that changes how they mourn. 

God taught the Thessalonians about brother love through the work of Christ and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. This work and presence transform a person when they receive salvation. This week, we look at the result of this transformation regarding the reputation of believers with those outside of the church.   

How did God teach the Thessalonians about his love? It was through the message of the gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit.

The Thessalonian church still struggled with certain aspects of the Christian life. Paul reminds them that because they are called by God to holiness, pursuing and walking with God means that their actions–including their sexual ethic—will look different from the world's.  

Godly relationships are crucial for spiritual health and growth. They are an irreplaceable gift from God that helps us stand firm against Satan's hindrances and temptations.

Paul acknowledges a spiritual battle that takes place in the lives of believers. There is an adversary that desires to hinder and tempt.  

The proclamation of the gospel creates two groups of people. In the letter to Thessalonica, Paul clarifies that these two groups form based on their response to the gospel.  

As Paul continues to draw attention to the work accomplished while he, Silas, and Timothy were in Thessalonica, he uses the imagery of a mother and father to help the Thessalonians remember the example set for them. Affection and truth are two inseparable characteristics of their ministry.   

Paul set an example for the Thessalonians during his visit. What was it that helped him act appropriately amid resistance and persecution? It was his knowledge of how God was at work.

Paul's language in addressing the Gentile believers in Thessalonica reminds them that they are chosen and loved by God to display God's glory to the world around them. 

During Paul's second missionary journey, he proclaimed the gospel in Thessalonica. After receiving a report from Timothy about their well-being, he wrote to them. He wrote a letter of encouragement reminding them that they are different from the world around them. 

Paul's prayer for Philemon reveals truths about the relationship between a believer and the church. The church is not optional; it is meant to serve as a spiritual potluck where believers guide each other to feast on the richness of Christ.    

What role does prayer have in our daily interaction with others? In this passage, Paul urges Timothy to make prayer a first priority. Using four words to help, he offers an attitude of prayer that will not necessarily change his situation but transform him.   

What prayer does Paul offer on behalf of people he has never met? He desires for them to be characterized by their relationship with Christ and to walk in a manner fitting for those who claim to be followers of Christ.

Paul's prayer of thanksgiving in 2 Corinthians is a reminder to believers that we are slaves, soldiers, and the scent of Jesus Christ.  

Paul's prayers do not contain the requests that we might expect. When he asks for prayer at the end of Ephesians, it is not for his circumstances to change but for him to proclaim the gospel with boldness. In the opening of his letter, Paul has three petitions on behalf of the Ephesian church. These requests guide us to pray deeply, trusting in what Scripture proclaims about God.  

The thanksgiving Paul offers in prayer displays a remembrance of who the Corinthians are in Christ, what they have in Christ, and that God is faithful. It is Paul's prayer life of thankfulness that guides his interaction with the troubled church.  

Paul desires that the church at Philippi grow in a knowledge of God that displays the righteous love God has for his people. He desires them to be a community that seeks to be pure and blameless through the study and practice of God's Word. Is that the prayer you have for your church family?

Genesis 3 proves that our purpose in life as male and female did not change after the fall, but pain was introduced. Now, fulfilling our purpose is painful and our only hope is in Christ, the seed of woman, who delivers His people from evil.

The final portion of Zechariah's final oracle leaves the people of his day with a warning and hope. It is a call to true worship that will extend into eternity. 

How does the final oracle in Zechariah point to Jesus? Jesus quoted a phrase from Zechariah in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. He claimed to be the one struck by God's sword from the salvation of God's people. 

Chapter 12 begins the final oracle recorded in Zechariah. The Lord begins to describe the "day of the Lord" and God's divine action among the nations of the earth.  

God gives Zechariah another symbolic action. Like the directions in chapter 6, the task given to Zechariah is meant to teach the people a lesson. It is a lesson from the past that should direct their present and should provide future hope.

In the days of Zechariah the prophet, the LORD promised to reclaim His property, return His prisoners, and redeem His people. Today, that promise holds firm and comes to fruition through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Two years after the night visions, the Lord answers the people from Bethel through Zechariah. Are they to continue fasting in the fifth month? Though it seems like a reasonable question, the Lord addresses the heart behind the question. 

The visions are over, and Zechariah is given a task meant to create a picture for the people of Israel. Though the fullness of this picture is not seen until the work of Christ, the people are provided a crown to help them remember. 

In the final three night visions, Zechariah sees a flying scroll, a woman in a basket, and four chariots.  They serve as a testimony of God's power and goodness toward his people. 

One lampstand, two trees, two sons of oil–Zechariah's visions can be confusing. The presence of God should be the most treasured aspect of their lives. This vision shows how God's presence enables Zerubabbel to rebuild the temple.  

In Christ, we are forever clothed in robes of righteousness and eternally cleansed from the filth of this world. 

This message begins our study through the book of Zechariah. Based on the blessing and cursing from Deuteronomy 28, the prophet brings a warning to the people who have ceased to rebuild the temple.

This message begins our study through the book of Zechariah. Based on the blessing and cursing from Deuteronomy 28, the prophet brings a warning to the people that have ceased to rebuild the temple.

How does Peter expect the church to be ready for Christ's return? They are to be diligent in growing in grace and knowledge.

The promised day of the LORD will come like a thief, at the divinely appointed time. The only way to properly prepare for that day is by leading a life of repentance.

Peter begins his closing remarks by repeating the purpose of his letter, which is to stir up the believers. However, this time, he writes that this stirring aims to produce right thinking. 

 The false teachers promise freedom, but it is not the same freedom Christ offers. They cannot offer the freedom of Christ because they do not possess it. 

Peter gives the letter recipients three characteristics of false teachers. His picture contrasts with the picture of those who have "received a faith of equal standing." When looking at these two pictures, the question is which one we look like.

The LORD knows how to rescue the godly from trial, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgement. 

After encouraging the believers with their status in Christ and anchoring them to the truthfulness of the message, Peter warns the church that false teachers will come. However, they are already in their midst. His future statements are not wrong, but they serve to encourage the repentance of the false teachers. 

What authority did Peter have? Was the message he shared with the church more reliable than the message of the false teachers? Peter uses two claims to support the authority of the gospel: his eyewitness account of Christ and the account's connection to the Old Testament. 

Peter tells the readers why he desires to "stir them up." He knows that his time on earth is drawing to a close, and he desires to use the remainder of his time to remind them about their new life in Christ. How do they know whether they are on the right track? They must participate in a spiritual check-up. 

What does it look like to mirror the glory and excellence of God or share in his divine nature? To answer this question, Peter provides the work to which we are to put our hands–living a virtuous life.  

After the greeting, Peter writes a brief sermon-like section that lays the groundwork for the rest of the letter.  In this lesson, we look at why Peter desires that grace and peace be multiplied to the believers; they have been given all they need for life and godliness.

Why a second letter from Peter? In this lesson, we start a new series on the book of 2 Peter. This letter challenges the readers to continue growing in grace and knowledge. 

In the pastor's closing prayer, he asks God to equip the people for the work of ministry. The transforming power of Christ in the heavenly realm transforms Christians with the power of obedience. 

What role does leadership play in the life of a church? One unmistakable characteristic is that they operate in deep relationships with the congregation's members.  

Without Christ, our words and our works are empty worship.

In the final warning passage of this letter, the readers are told they need to listen -- listen to what the Lord is telling them. However, we are not only told to listen, we are provided with examples of what listening looks like. 

It is difficult to view correction as encouragement. In this passage, the author of Hebrews encourages the reader to take heart in the discipline of the Lord and run the race together. 

Divine discipline is not the same as divine punishment. Divine punishment is the condemnation of His enemies. Whereas, Divine discipline is the evidence of God's love for His children.