Pastor Mike Impact Ministries

Today we come to the final verses of 1 Thessalonians chapter3. Paul has just told these believers that he is praying “night and dayexceedingly” that he might see their faces again and help perfect what islacking in their faith. Now Paul actually tells us something of what he ispraying. Beginning in verse 11, he says: “Now may our God and FatherHimself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. And may the Lordmake you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we doto you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before ourGod and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” Thereare three wonderful requests in Paul's prayer. First,Paul prays for God's direction. “May our God and Father Himself, and ourLord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.” Remember, Paul desperatelywanted to return to Thessalonica. Back in chapter 2, he said that Satan hadhindered him. But Paul didn't try to force the door open. He prayed for God todirect his way. There is an important lesson here. Sometimes we know what wewould like to do. We have plans. We have desires. We may even believe thosedesires are good and God-honoring. But ultimately, we need God to direct oursteps. Proverbs 3:5–6 tells us: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; andlean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and Heshall direct thy paths.” Maybe today you are facing a decision. Ask God todirect your way. ThenPaul prays for abounding love. Verse 12 says: “And may the Lord make youincrease and abound in love to one another and to all.” Notice those words:increase and abound. Paul wasn't suggesting that these believers didn't loveeach other. Timothy had already brought good news about their faith and love. Theyhad love. But Paul wanted them to have more love. That reminds us that there isalways room for growth in the Christian life. Our faith can grow. Our knowledgecan grow. Our prayer life can grow. And certainly, our love can grow. Noticealso the direction of their love. Paul says, “to one another and to all.”It is one thing to love our Christian brothers and sisters who believe like wedo and treat us kindly. But Christian love reaches beyond that. Jesus told usto love even our enemies. The love of Christ should overflow from our lives toeveryone around us. ThenPaul's prayer reaches its great conclusion in verse 13: “So that He mayestablish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father.” Thereis our word again—establish. We saw it at the beginning of chapter 3 whenTimothy was sent to establish them concerning their faith. Now Paul wants theirhearts established in holiness. Holiness simply means being set apart for God. Godisn't merely interested in changing what we do on the outside. He wants tochange our hearts. And notice the motivation Paul gives: “At the coming ofour Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” Paulnever gets very far from the return of Jesus. Every chapter of 1 Thessaloniansends with some reference to Christ's coming. Paul wanted these believers tolive every day with the realization: Jesus is coming again. And that truthshould affect the way we live. First John 3:3 says: “And every man that haththis hope in Him purifies himself, even as He is pure.” If we reallybelieve Jesus could return, it should make a difference in our priorities, ourrelationships, our attitudes, and our conduct. Soas we finish chapter 3, Paul's prayer gives us three wonderful requests we canmake our own today: Lord, direct my steps. Lord, increase my love. Lord,establish my heart in holiness. And may we live today remembering that Jesus iscoming again.Godbless, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!

“For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God?” Paul did not congratulate himself. He thanked God. Paul understood that although he had preached the gospel, taught the Word, prayed, and labored among these people, ultimately it was God who was working in their lives. That is something all of us who have had the privilege of ministering to others need to remember. Maybe you taught a Sunday school class. Maybe you witnessed to someone and saw that person trust Christ. Maybe you raised children who are now serving the Lord. Maybe you encouraged someone during a difficult time, and today they are still walking faithfully with Christ. Certainly, we can be thankful that God allowed us to have a part in their lives. But ultimately, the glory belongs to God. Paul had already told them back in chapter 2, verse 13, that the Word of God “effectively works in you who believe.” Paul planted the seed, but God gave the increase.Then notice Paul's joy. He says, “For all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God.” There are many things in life that can bring us happiness, but I believe one of the greatest joys a Christian can ever experience is seeing someone we have invested our life in continuing to walk with God. The apostle John expressed the same thought in 3 John 4: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” I think every Christian parent understands something about that. We want our children and grandchildren to be healthy. We want them to succeed. We want them to have good jobs, good marriages, and good lives. But our greatest desire should be that they know Jesus Christ and walk in truth. And the same should be true in ministry. Our greatest joy should not simply be large crowds, successful programs, beautiful buildings, or recognition. Our greatest joy should be changed lives—people growing in Christ and standing fast in the Lord.Then Paul tells us something else about his relationship with these believers. Verse 10 says: “Night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face…” Paul wasn't merely thinking about them. He was praying for them. And notice the intensity of his prayer: “Night and day praying exceedingly.” The word translated “exceedingly” carries the thought of something beyond measure or extraordinarily great. Paul prayed earnestly and continually for these people. What a wonderful reminder that one of the greatest ministries we can ever have for another person is the ministry of prayer. Sometimes we cannot be physically present with someone. Sometimes we cannot solve their problem. Sometimes we don't even know exactly what to say. But we can always pray. You may have children or grandchildren living hundreds of miles away. You may have a friend going through something you cannot fix. You may know someone who has wandered away from the Lord. You may feel helpless to change their circumstances. But you are never helpless when you can take their name before the throne of grace.Then Paul tells us specifically what he was praying for: “That we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith.” Now that is interesting. Timothy had just reported that their faith was strong. Paul had just rejoiced because they were standing fast. Yet Paul says there was still something “lacking” in their faith. Was Paul criticizing them? Not at all. He was reminding us of an important truth: No matter how much we have grown spiritually, there is always room to grow more. Someone said: “The biggest room in all the world, is the room for improvement”. The word translated “perfect” has the idea of completing, equipping, or supplying what is needed. Paul wanted to return so he could continue teaching these young believers and help them become more mature in Christ. They had genuine faith. They had strong faith. But they did not yet have perfect or complete faith. And neither do we.

Paul says in verse 6: “But now that Timothy has cometo us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love…” Thatlittle phrase “good news” is interesting. It comes from the same basicGreek word from which we get the idea of gospel or glad tidings. Timothycame back with good news! And what was the good news? It wasn't that thepersecution had stopped. It wasn't that all their problems had disappeared. Itwasn't that their circumstances had suddenly become easy. The good news wasthat their faith was still strong and their love was still evident. I thinkthere is a wonderful lesson here. Sometimes we measure God's blessing bywhether our circumstances have improved. We pray for God to remove the problem,change the situation, heal the hurt, or open the door. And certainly, it isappropriate to pray for those things. But sometimes God's greatest work is notchanging our circumstances—it is changing and strengthening us in the midst ofour circumstances. The Thessalonians were still experiencing trouble, but theywere still believing. They were still trusting. They were still loving. Theywere still standing! Noticeagain those two words: “faith and love.” We have seen them before. Backin chapter 1, verse 3, Paul remembered their “work of faith, and labor of love,and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Now, after everything they haveendured, Paul hears that their faith and love are still there. That is evidenceof genuine spiritual growth. Trials had not destroyed their faith. Instead,their faith had endured the trials. Timothy also reported that they had “goodremembrance” of Paul and greatly desired to see him, just as Paul desired tosee them. Remember, Paul's enemies had probably tried to discredit him after heleft Thessalonica. They could have said, “Paul doesn't really care about you.If he cared, he would have come back.” But the Thessalonians knew better. Theyremembered Paul's love for them, and they wanted to see him again. ThenPaul says in verse 7: “Therefore, brethren, in all our affliction anddistress we were comforted concerning you by your faith.” Think about that.Paul himself was going through affliction and distress. Yet what encouragedPaul? Their faith! Here is the great apostle Paul, the missionary, preacher,church planter, and spiritual leader—and he says that the faithfulness of theseyoung believers encouraged him. That reminds us that encouragement works bothways. Pastors encourage their people, but faithful people also encourage theirpastors. Parents encourage their children, but godly children encourage theirparents. Teachers encourage their students, but students who take God's Wordseriously encourage their teachers. You may not realize how much yourfaithfulness encourages someone else. When you continue serving God throughdifficulty, somebody is watching. When you keep trusting God afterdisappointment, somebody notices. When you remain faithful when it would beeasier to quit, your life becomes an encouragement to others. ThenPaul makes an amazing statement in verse 8: “For now we live, if you standfast in the Lord.” I love that phrase: “Stand fast in the Lord.” Paulwas saying, “When I hear that you are standing firm in your faith, it puts newlife into me!” This wasn't merely Paul's profession. These people were hisheart. Their spiritual welfare mattered deeply to him. And notice that Pauldoesn't simply say, “Stand fast.” He says: “Stand fast IN THE LORD.” Thatmakes all the difference. We don't stand in our own strength. We don't standbecause we have all the answers. We don't stand because life is easy. We standin the Lord. Our strength is in Him. Our hope is in Him. Our confidence is inHim. Our security is in Him. The storms of life may blow. Circumstances maychange. Friends may disappoint us. Our health may fail. Plans may fall apart.The world around us may become increasingly uncertain. But the Lord neverchanges. That is why we can stand fast.

“For,in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffertribulation.” Notice that Paul had warned them ahead of time. When Paulpreached the gospel, he did not promise people that if they trusted Christ alltheir problems would disappear. He did not tell them that following Jesus wouldguarantee an easy life. Actually, he told them just the opposite. He said, ineffect, “If you follow Christ, you should expect opposition.” Paul hadlearned this personally. Everywhere he went preaching the gospel, there seemedto be opposition. He had been beaten and imprisoned in Philippi. He was drivenout of Thessalonica. He faced opposition in Berea, and eventually he foundhimself alone in Athens. Paul knew from experience that living for Christ doesnot exempt us from trouble. And neither does it today. Sometimes we get theidea that if we are walking with the Lord, praying, reading our Bible,attending church, and trying to live right, then nothing bad should happen tous. But the Bible never promises that. In fact, sometimes our troubles comebecause we are faithfully following Christ.  ThenPaul adds an interesting statement in verse 4: “just as it happened, and youknow.” In other words, Paul said, “I told you it was coming—and now youhave experienced it for yourselves.” But notice what concerned Paul most. Itwasn't simply that they were suffering. His greatest concern was what thesuffering might do to their faith. Verse 5 says: “For this reason, when Icould no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith.” Paul wanted to know,“Are they still trusting God? Are they still standing? Are they still believingthe gospel?” And then Paul tells us why he was so concerned: “Lest by somemeans the tempter had tempted you.” Here Paul calls Satan “the tempter.”That immediately reminds us of Matthew 4, where Satan came to Jesus in thewilderness and tempted Him. Satanis still the tempter today. And one of his favorite opportunities to tempt usis when we are going through difficulty. When we are hurting, Satan whispers,“If God really loved you, why did He allow this?” When our prayers seemunanswered, he whispers, “God isn't listening.” When something doesn't turn outthe way we hoped, he says, “You can't trust God.” When we become discouraged,he whispers, “What's the use? Just give up.” That is why we need to understandsomething very important: The trial itself is not necessarily the temptation.The temptation is how we respond to the trial. God can use a trial tostrengthen our faith, while Satan wants to use that same trial to destroy ourconfidence in God. Remember Job? Satan believed that if Job lost hispossessions, his family, and his health, Job would turn against God. But in themiddle of his suffering, Job could still say, “Though He slay me, yet will Itrust in Him.” That is faith standing in the storm. Paulfinishes verse 5 by saying that he was concerned that “our labor might be invain.” Paul wasn't suggesting that his ministry had been meaningless. Hewas expressing the heart of a spiritual father. He had invested his life inthese people. He had preached Christ to them, prayed for them, loved them, anddiscipled them. Now he wanted to know that they were still standing. Today,maybe you are facing a trial. Remember this: Your trial does not mean God hasabandoned you. Don't listen to the tempter. Instead, listen to the promises ofGod's Word. Satan says, “God has forgotten you.” God says, “I will never leavethee, nor forsake thee.” Satan says, “You cannot make it through this.” Godsays, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” Satan says, “Give up.” God says,“Stand fast in the Lord.” My friend, the enemy may use the storm to try toshake your faith, but God can use that same storm to strengthen your faith. Sotoday, keep trusting Him. Keep believing His Word. Keep standing on Hispromises. The tempter may come, but our God is faithful!

Thewords “could no longer endure it” reveal Paul's heart. He had beenforced to leave Thessalonica because of the persecution there. He wanted toreturn, but as we saw yesterday, he said, “Satan hindered us.” So Pauldid the next best thing. He sent Timothy. And notice how highly Paul speaks ofthis young man. He calls Timothy “our brother and minister of God, and ourfellow laborer in the gospel of Christ.” Timothy wasn't being sent merelyto check on them and bring back a report. He had a spiritual assignment. Paultells us exactly what that assignment was: “to establish you and encourageyou concerning your faith.” Those two words give us a wonderful picture ofwhat Christian ministry should accomplish. First,believers need to be established. The idea is to strengthen, support, or makesomething firm. Paul knew these Thessalonian believers were young in the faith.They had received Christ only a short time before, and already they wereexperiencing opposition and persecution. Paul wanted them to have a faith thatwould stand. It reminds me of what Paul would later write in Colossians 2:6–7: “Asyou therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted andbuilt up in Him and established in the faith.” My friend, it is not enoughsimply to begin the Christian life. God wants us to become established in ourfaith—rooted in His Word, grounded in His truth, and growing in ourrelationship with Jesus Christ. ButPaul also sent Timothy to encourage them. Sometimes even strong Christians needencouragement. There are times when we know what we believe, but thecircumstances around us begin to wear us down. The trials continue. The prayersdon't seem to be answered as quickly as we would like. The burden becomesheavier. And we simply need another believer to come alongside us and say,“Keep trusting the Lord. Don't give up. God is still faithful.” That's one ofthe wonderful purposes of the church. We need each other! Paul then tells uswhy this establishing and encouraging was so important: “That no one shouldbe shaken by these afflictions.” The word “shaken” carries the ideaof being moved or disturbed from a settled position. Paul knew that sufferingcould shake these new believers if they were not spiritually prepared for it. Andthat is still true today. Sometimes we get the mistaken idea that if we arewalking with God, everything should go smoothly. But Jesus never promised us atrouble-free life. Jesus said in John 16:33: “In the world you will havetribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Paulsays at the end of verse 3: “For you yourselves know that we are appointedto this.” That's a remarkable statement. Paul had taught them thatsuffering was not necessarily evidence that something had gone wrong. Sometimessuffering comes precisely because we are faithfully following Christ. TheChristian life is not about avoiding every storm. It is about having a faiththat stands firm in the storm. A tree that has deep roots can withstand windsthat would uproot a shallow tree. In the same way, God wants our faith tobecome so deeply rooted in Christ and in His Word that when the winds ofadversity begin to blow, we are not shaken. And maybe that is the messagesomeone needs today. You may be going through an affliction that you didn'texpect. You may be wondering why God has allowed it. You may even feel thatyour faith is being shaken. Remember this: God has not abandoned you. He canuse the very trial you are experiencing to establish you more firmly in yourfaith. AndGod may also want to use you as a Timothy in someone else's life. Maybe thereis someone around you who is discouraged. Perhaps they don't need a sermon or along explanation. They simply need someone to call them, visit them, pray withthem, and remind them that God is faithful. Paul couldn't go to Thessalonicahimself, so he sent Timothy. And today, God may be sending you.

In verses 17 through 20, Paul gives us a beautiful glimpse into theheart of a true servant of God. He reminds us that ministry is not primarilyabout programs, buildings, crowds, or accomplishments. Ministry is aboutpeople.He says, in effect, “We may have been separated from you physically,but you have never left our hearts.” That is one of the wonderful things aboutChristian fellowship. Distance may separate us physically, but it does not haveto separate our hearts. Over the years, God brings many people into our lives.Sometimes circumstances move us apart. We may live hundreds or even thousandsof miles away from each other. We may not see one another for years. But whenour hearts have been joined together in Christ, there remains a bond thatdistance cannot destroy. ThenPaul says in verse 18: “Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul,time and again—but Satan hindered us.” Paul wanted to return. He tried morethan once. But he says very plainly, “Satan hindered us.” That reminds us thatSatan is real, and spiritual opposition is real. Whenever God is doing a greatwork, we should not be surprised when the enemy attempts to hinder it. Now, weneed to be careful. We should not blame Satan for every inconvenience or everydifficulty that comes into our lives. Sometimes God Himself closes a door. InActs 16, the Holy Spirit prevented Paul from going into certain areas becauseGod was directing him somewhere else. So there are times when God redirects us,and there are other times when Satan resists us. We need spiritual discernmentto know the difference. But I love this thought: Satan may hinder the servantof God, but he cannot stop the work of God. Satan hindered Paul from returningto Thessalonica, but he could not stop Paul from writing this letter. And herewe are nearly two thousand years later, still reading the letter Satan couldnot prevent! Sometimes what appears to be a hindrance in our lives may becomean opportunity for God to accomplish something even greater.ThenPaul tells us why these people meant so much to him. Verse 19 says: “Forwhat is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in thepresence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” What a wonderfulstatement! Paul looked beyond the present difficulties to the day when JesusChrist would return. He pictured himself standing in the presence of the Lord,and he said that these believers would be his “hope,” his “joy,” and his “crownof rejoicing.” The word “crown” here refers to the victor's crown—the wreaththat was given to someone who had successfully completed the race. Paul wassaying, “When I stand before Jesus, one of my greatest joys will be seeing youthere!” That should cause every one of us to ask an important question: Whowill be in heaven because God used my life to point them to Jesus? Whenwe stand before the Lord, the things that seem so important today will notmatter very much. Our possessions will be left behind. Our houses, cars, bankaccounts, awards, and earthly accomplishments will all stay here. But peopleare eternal. Think of the joy of standing before Jesus and seeing someone whomyou led to Christ. Maybe it was a child you taught the Word of God. Maybe aneighbor with whom you shared the Gospel. Maybe someone you encouraged during adifficult time. Maybe someone whose life was changed because you faithfullyprayed for them. Paulfinishes the chapter in verse 20: “For you are our glory and joy.” Noticehe did not say, “My accomplishments are my glory.” He did not point to thechurches he planted, the sermons he preached, or the miles he traveled. Hepointed to people. One day, when the Lord Jesus Christ comesagain, what a joy it will be to discover that God used our lives—our prayers,our witness, our encouragement, our giving, and our faithfulness—to helpsomeone come to know Christ and grow in Him. The greatest investment we canever make is an investment in the eternal souls of people.

Paul says in verse 14: “For you, brethren, became followersof the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus.” The wordtranslated “followers” carries the idea of becoming imitators. The Thessalonianbelievers had never visited those churches in Judaea, but they had somethingvery important in common with them. They were suffering because of their faithin Jesus Christ. Paulcontinues: “For you also have suffered like things of your own countrymen.” Rememberwhat happened when Paul first came to Thessalonica in Acts chapter 17. Paulwent into the synagogue and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them out ofthe Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that Jesus was the Christ. Somebelieved. A great multitude of devout Greeks believed. And a number of theleading women believed. But almost immediately, opposition arose. A mobgathered. Jason's house was attacked, and eventually Paul and Silas had toleave the city by night. But the persecution did not end when Paul left. Thenew believers were left behind to face it. Think about that. These were youngChristians. They had not known the Lord for many years. They didn't havedecades of Christian experience behind them. Yet when opposition came, theystood firm. That teaches us something very important. Genuine faith is notproven merely by how loudly we praise God when everything is going well.Sometimes it is proven by how faithfully we continue to trust Him whenfollowing Jesus becomes difficult. Paul says in verse 15 concerning those whoopposed the Gospel: “Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets,and have persecuted us.” Paul then tells ussomething particularly serious in verse 16. Their opponents were: “Forbiddingus to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved.” Thatwas the heart of the problem. They weren't satisfied simply to reject theGospel themselves. They wanted to prevent others from hearing it. And noticePaul's words: “That they might be saved.” There is the heart of theGospel! Why did Paul endure beatings, imprisonment, rejection, persecution,hunger, weariness, and eventually martyrdom? Because people need to be saved. Whydo we preach the Gospel? Why do we support missionaries? Why do we send theGospel around the world? Why do we share Christ with our neighbors, ourfriends, our children, and our grandchildren? Because people need to be saved. Paulunderstood that the Gospel is “the power of God unto salvation to everyonethat believeth.” Then Paul closes this section with a very solemn warning.He says that these opponents continued: “To fill up their sins alway: forthe wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.” Persistent rejection ofGod's truth has consequences. God is patient. God is longsuffering. God ismerciful. But God's patience should never be mistaken for God's approval. Therecomes a point when persistent unbelief and rebellion bring judgment. Thisshould not make us proud or self-righteous. It should make us compassionate andurgent about sharing the Gospel. We should never look at someone who rejectsChrist and think, “They deserve judgment.” Instead, our hearts should say,“They need Jesus.” Because apart from God's grace, every one of us would belost. AndI believe there is a wonderful connection between yesterday's verse and today'spassage. Verse 13 tells us that the Word works in those who believe. Verses 14through 16 show us what that working Word can produce. These Thessalonians hadreceived God's Word so deeply that when persecution came, they would notabandon their faith. Their circumstances changed. Their friends may havechanged. Their neighbors may have turned against them. But the Word of God wasstill working in them. Maybe today you are facing opposition or difficultybecause you have chosen to follow Jesus. Remember the Thessalonians. Rememberthe believers in Judaea. Remember Paul. And most importantly, remember Jesus.

Paulwas thankful because when these people heard his preaching, they recognizedthat there was something different about his message. They realized that thiswas not merely Paul's opinion. It was not simply another philosophy. It was notanother religious theory. They received it “as it is in truth, the word ofGod.” And then Paul tells us what happened: “Which effectively worksalso in you that believe.” I have often used this verse over the yearsbecause it reminds us of a wonderful truth: When we receive the Bible as theWord of God and believe it as the Word of God, it begins to work in our lives. Thereis transforming power in God's Word! Notice the progression in this verse. First,they heard the Word. Paul says, “the word of God which you heard of us.”Romans10:17 tells us: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word ofGod.” Somebody has to proclaim the Word before people can hear it. That iswhy preaching and teaching the Scriptures is so important. That is why weshould share God's Word with our children and grandchildren. That is why weshould send it around the world through missions. And that is one of thereasons I enjoy sharing these Pastor's Chats every day.  Buthearing the Word alone is not enough. Second, they received the Word. There isa difference between hearing something and receiving it. You can sit in churchand hear the Bible preached every Sunday without allowing it to change yourlife. You can read your Bible every morning and close it without responding towhat God has said. James 1:22 reminds us: “But be you doers of the word, andnot hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” The Thessalonians didn'tmerely hear the message. They welcomed it into their hearts and lives.Butnotice something even more important. Third, they recognized it as God's Word. Paulsaid they received it: “Not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, theword of God.” That makes all the difference. If I believe the Bible ismerely the words of men, then I can take what I like and reject what I don'tlike. I can say, “I agree with this part, but I don't agree with that.” Butwhen I believe that this Book is God's Word, my attitude changes. Instead ofstanding in judgment over the Bible, I allow the Bible to judge me. Instead oftrying to change the Scriptures to fit my life, I allow the Scriptures tochange my life to fit God's will.  Thennotice the final truth. Fourth, they believed the Word. Paul says that the Word“effectively works also in you that believe.” That little phrase is soimportant—“in you that believe.” The Bible sitting unopened on a shelfwill not transform your life. Even knowing Bible verses intellectually will notnecessarily change your life. The Word becomes effective in us as we believeit, receive it, obey it, and allow the Holy Spirit to apply it to our lives. I haveseen this truth demonstrated countless times over the years. I have watchedpeople hear the Gospel, believe the Word of God, trust Jesus Christ as theirSavior, and become completely different people. I have seen marriages changed. Ihave seen families restored. I have seen people delivered from destructivehabits. I have seen discouraged people find hope. I have alsoseen grieving people find comfort. I have seen believers discover God's willand give their lives to serving Jesus Christ. And it wasn't because of theeloquence or ability of the preacher. It was the Word of God working in thosewho believed! Thatis why, as a preacher, I have always believed that my primary responsibility isnot to entertain people or impress people with my knowledge of the deepermeaning of the Scripture. My responsibility is simply to faithfully give themthe Word of God. Because my words cannot change a heart. But God's Word can! Myopinions cannot produce spiritual life. But God's Word can!   

Yesterdayin verse 10, Paul reminded the Thessalonians how he and his companions hadlived among them: “holily and justly and unblameably.” Now in verses 11and 12, Paul says: “As you know how we exhorted and comforted and chargedevery one of you, as a father does his children, That you would walk worthy ofGod, who has called you unto His kingdom and glory.” Earlier, in verse 7,Paul compared himself to a nursing mother who tenderly cherishes her children.Now he changes the picture and says, “as a father does his children.” Whata beautiful picture of spiritual ministry! A godly father doesn't simply tellhis children what to do. He walks with them. He encourages them. He teachesthem. He corrects them when necessary. And most importantly, he wants to seethem grow and become everything God intends for them to be. Paulgives us three words describing what he and his fellow co-workers did for thesenew believers. I trust that you have noticed that Paul hasn't been saying “I”,when addressing the people at Thessalonica, but he acknowledges his companionsas he says, “we”. He first says, “As you know how we exhorted.” Toexhort someone means to come alongside them and encourage them to keep going inthe right direction. Sometimes we need someone to say, “Don't quit. Keep going.Stay faithful. God is with you.” Then Paul says, “We comforted.” Thereare times when people don't need a lecture—they need comfort. Life has itsdisappointments. There are heartaches, losses, illnesses, broken dreams, andunexpected difficulties. A loving spiritual father knows when someone needsencouragement and when they simply need an arm around their shoulder. Then Paulsays they “charged every one of you.” That word is stronger. It carriesthe idea of giving a solemn testimony or urging someone with seriousness. Thereare times when we need encouragement. There are times when we need comfort. Butthere are also times when someone who loves us needs to look us in the eye andsay, “This is the way you need to go. This is what God wants you to do.” Andnotice something else that I love in this verse. Paul says they did this for “everyone of you.” Paul wasn't merely interested in crowds. He was interested inindividual people. Every person mattered. That is a wonderful lesson forministry. We can become so concerned about numbers that we forget that everynumber represents a person—a person with a name, a family, a burden, and aneternal soul. Jesus ministered that way. He preached to the multitudes, but Healso had time for Nicodemus. He had time for the woman at the well. He had timefor blind Bartimaeus. He had time for Zacchaeus. Every person matters to God.  Butwhat was Paul's goal in all this exhorting, comforting, and charging? Verse 12tells us: “That you would walk worthy of God.” That is the goal ofChristian discipleship. The word “walk” in the Bible often refers to the way welive our everyday lives. Paul is saying, in effect, “Live your life in a waythat is worthy of the God who saved you.” Andthen Paul gives us a wonderful reason: “Who has called you unto His kingdomand glory.” Think about that! God has called us out of darkness and intoHis marvelous light. He has called us out of a life of sin and given us eternallife. He has made us His children.Andone day, we will share in His kingdom and His glory. If that is our calling andthat is our destiny, then surely it should make a difference in how we livetoday. After54 years of marriage, I can look back and see many times when Edith and Ididn't know what the future held. But we knew Who held the future. And that isstill true today. Whether we are talking about marriage, raising children,ministry, friendships, or simply living the Christian life, we need the graceof God every day.

Paulwas willing to put his life on display and say, in effect, “You watched us. Yousaw how we lived. And not only did you see us—God saw us too.” There are twoaudiences watching our lives: people are watching us, and God is watching us. Paulbegins by saying, “You are witnesses.” The Thessalonians had been closeenough to Paul to see what he was really like. They didn't simply hear himpreach a sermon on the Sabbath. They watched him day after day. They saw himwork. They saw how he treated people. They saw how he responded to opposition.They saw what he was like when things were difficult. And Paul could say, “Youare witnesses.” But then he adds something even more important: “and Godalso.” People can only see the outside. God sees the heart. We might beable to fool people for a while, but we can never fool God. He knows ourmotives. He knows our thoughts. He knows what we do when no one else iswatching. That is why character is so important in the Christian life. Someonehas said that reputation is what people think you are, but character is whatGod knows you are. Paul was concerned about both. He wanted his publictestimony and his private character to agree. Noticethe three words Paul uses to describe their behavior: “holily, justly, andunblameably”. First, Paul says they behaved “holily.”  This speaks of their relationship withGod. To live a holy life does not mean that we are sinlessly perfect. Paulwasn't claiming perfection. Rather, holiness means that our lives are set apartfor God. There is a desire to please Him and to live differently because webelong to Him. The question for us is not simply, “What can I get away with?”The better question is, “Does this please the Lord?” When we remember that webelong to God, it changes the way we live.  Second,Paul says they behaved “justly.” This speaks of our relationship withother people. The idea is that we treat people rightly, honestly, andfairly. A person can claim to love God, but one of the greatest evidences ofour relationship with God is how we treat the people around us. Are we honestin our dealings? Do we keep our word? Do we treat others with kindness andrespect? Are we fair even when it costs us something? Our Christianity shouldaffect the way we treat our spouse, our children, our neighbors, our coworkers,our friends, and even those who might oppose us. Third,Paul says they lived “unblameably.” This speaks of their testimonybefore the world. Again, Paul wasn't saying they were perfect. He wassaying that there was nothing in their conduct that could justly be used todiscredit their testimony or the Gospel they preached. That is especiallyimportant because people often judge the message by the messenger. We mightwish they wouldn't, but they do. People are watching to see whether what webelieve on Sunday makes any difference in the way we live on Monday. Our livesshould never contradict our message. In fact, one of the greatest arguments forthe truth of the Gospel is a changed life. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, “Letyour light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorifyyour Father which is in heaven.” Notice Jesus didn't say, “Make your lightshine.” He said, “Let your light so shine.” When Christ is living His lifethrough us, people should be able to see something different. Paul could pointto the Thessalonians and say, “You heard what we preached, but you also saw howwe lived.”Our message is not merely what we say with ourlips. Our message is also what people see in our lives. And sometimes the lifespeaks louder than the sermon. Paul had already said in verse 4 that God hadentrusted him with the Gospel. If God has entrusted us with the Gospel, then weshould desire to live in such a way that we never bring reproach upon thatGospel. None of us will do that perfectly. We all stumble. We all fail. Andwhen we do, we should be quick to confess it, make it right, and receive God'sforgiveness.  

Noticethose words: “Our labor and travail.” Paul was reminding theThessalonians that his ministry among them had cost him something. The word“labor” speaks of hard work and weariness. And “travail” carries the idea ofdifficult, strenuous effort. Paul wasn't sitting back and expecting everyoneelse to take care of him. He says they were: “Laboring night and day.” Weknow from Acts 18 that Paul's trade was tentmaking. He knew how to work withhis hands. Apparently, while he was preaching the gospel and establishing thechurch at Thessalonica, Paul was also working to help provide for his ownneeds. Think about what his days must have been like. He was preaching. He wasteaching. He was discipling new believers. He was encouraging those who weresuffering. He was answering questions. He was praying for these believers. Andsomewhere in the middle of all that, Paul was also working with his own hands. Why?Paul tells us: “Because we would not be chargeable unto any of you.” NowPaul certainly believed that those who preach the gospel have the right toreceive support. In 1 Corinthians 9:14 he wrote: “Even so hath the Lordordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” SoPaul was not teaching that pastors, missionaries, or other servants of Godshould never receive financial support. Instead, Paul was voluntarily giving upa legitimate right because he didn't want anything to become an obstacle to thegospel. He didn't want anyone to be able to say: “Paul is only here because ofthe money.” Paul wanted the Thessalonians to understand that he wasn't tryingto get something from them. He wanted to give something to them.  What did he want to give them? He tells us at the end of the verse: “Wepreached unto you the gospel of God.” There it is again. The gospel of God.That was Paul's passion. That was his calling. That was his treasure. And Paulwas willing to inconvenience himself, exhaust himself, and sacrifice personallyso that nothing would hinder someone from hearing about Jesus Christ. Thatchallenges us today. We live in a culture that often asks: “What's in it forme?” How will this benefit me? What will I receive? How much will it cost me? Butgenuine Christian service asks a very different question: “What can I give?” JesusHimself gave us the greatest example. Mark 10:45 says: “For even the Son ofman came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life aransom for many.” Jesus didn't come to see what He could get from us. He came to give Himself for us. Andif we are going to follow Jesus, there will be times when serving Him costs ussomething. It may cost us our time. It may cost us our convenience. It may costus financially. It may mean changing our plans. It may mean staying when wewould rather leave. It may mean going when we would rather stay. Sometimes itsimply means being available when someone needs us. You see, ministry isn'talways convenient. Love isn't always convenient. Serving others isn't alwaysconvenient. There is another important lesson here. Paul didn't separate what wemight call “secular work” from serving God. Paul could make tents and still beserving God. He could preach a sermon and serve God. He could sit down with anew believer and serve God. He could work with his hands and serve God. WhateverPaul was doing, his life belonged to the Lord. And that should be true for us. Colossians3:23 says: “And whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and notunto men.” You don't have to stand behind a pulpit to serve God. You canserve God at your workplace. You can serve God in your home. You can serve Godwhile helping a neighbor. You can serve God by caring for someone who ishurting. You can serve God by giving your time to someone who needsencouragement. The question isn't simply, “What am I doing?” The question is: “Whoam I doing it for?” Paul worked night and day because he wanted nothing in his life to hinder the gospel.

Paulbegins by saying: “We were gentle among you.” Paul was certainly acourageous man. He was bold enough to preach the gospel even after being beatenand imprisoned at Philippi. He was bold enough to stand before kings andrulers. He was bold enough to confront false teachers. But Paul understood thatboldness and gentleness are not opposites. You can be strong in yourconvictions and still be gentle with people. You can stand firmly for truth andstill speak that truth in love. ThenPaul gives us this beautiful picture: “Even as a nurse cherishes herchildren.” The word translated “nurse” here carries the idea of a nursingmother caring for her own children. Think about a mother holding a little baby.That child is completely dependent upon her. She doesn't handle that babyroughly. She holds the child close. She feeds the child. She protects thechild. She comforts the child. She patiently cares for the child. And Paulsays, “That's how we treated you.” These Thessalonians were new believers. Theyhad only recently turned from idols to serve the living and true God. Theyneeded someone who would patiently teach them, encourage them, love them, andhelp them grow. And that is exactly what Paul did. Butverse 8 takes us even deeper into Paul's heart. He says: “So beingaffectionately desirous of you…” Paul didn't simply tolerate these people. Heloved them. And then he makes one of the most remarkable statements aboutministry anywhere in the New Testament: “We were willing to have impartedunto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls.” Paul gavethem the gospel. But he gave them something else too. He gave them himself. That'swhy I like the thought for today's Chat: “More Than a Message.” Thegospel is the greatest message in the world. But God never intended for ussimply to hand people a message and then walk away. The gospel should comethrough a life that genuinely loves the people receiving it. Paul didn't lookat the Thessalonians as numbers. They weren't statistics. They weren't simplyconverts he could report to someone else.  Paulsays: “You were dear unto us.” That is the heart of genuine ministry. Andreally, that is the heart of Jesus.WhenJesus looked at the multitudes, Matthew 9:36 tells us: “He was moved withcompassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheephaving no shepherd.” Jesus didn't merely see a crowd. He saw people. He sawindividuals. He saw their hurts. He saw their needs. He saw their loneliness. Hesaw their spiritual condition. And He loved them. My friend, sometimes it iseasier to tell people the truth than it is to genuinely love them. We can givesomeone a Bible verse. We can give them a gospel tract. We can invite them tochurch. We can tell them what they ought to do. But Paul reminds us thateffective ministry involves more than simply giving people information. Itmeans giving them our time. Our attention. Our prayers. Our compassion. Sometimeseven our tears. It means allowing people to become “dear unto us.”  Thereis an old saying that people don't care how much you know until they know howmuch you care. And there is certainly a great deal of truth in that. Paul hadtremendous knowledge. He was one of the greatest theologians who ever lived. Godused him to write a large portion of the New Testament. But when Paul describedhis ministry among these believers, he didn't first point to his education, hisintelligence, or even his preaching ability. He said: “We were gentle amongyou.” And: “You were dear unto us.” That challenges me. It ispossible to become so busy doing ministry that we forget that ministry isreally about people. Every person we meet is someone for whom Jesus died. Everyperson has a story. Every person has burdens we may know nothing about. Everyperson needs someone who genuinely cares. And sometimes the greatestopportunity we will ever have to influence someone for Christ begins simply byloving them.  

Paul understoodsomething that every believer needs to remember: The purpose of our lives isnot to bring glory to ourselves. It is to bring glory to God. Jesussaid in Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may seeyour good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Notice Jesusdidn't say that people should see our good works and glorify us. He said theyshould see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven. That's animportant distinction. There is something in our human nature that enjoys beingrecognized. We like to be appreciated. We like someone to tell us that we did agood job. And there is nothing wrong with encouraging someone or expressingappreciation for what they have done. The problem comes when the praise ofpeople becomes the reason we do it. Jesuswarned about this in Matthew chapter 6. And Jesus repeatedly warned about doing spiritualthings “to be seen of men.” It is possible to do the right thing for thewrong reason. We can serve and secretly hope someone notices. We can give andhope someone recognizes our generosity. We can sing, teach, preach, or serve inthe church and become disappointed when no one thanks us. We can even becomediscouraged when someone else receives recognition that we thought should havebeen ours. That's when we need to ask ourselves a very important question: Whoseglory am I seeking? Paulsaid: “Nor of men sought we glory.” Paul knew that the approval thatultimately mattered was not the approval of people, but the approval of God. InGalatians 1:10, Paul wrote: “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seekto please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant ofChrist.” You see, if our primary goal is to please people, eventually wewill be tempted to compromise what God has called us to do. But if our goal isto please God, we can remain faithful whether people applaud us or criticizeus. Whether people notice us or overlook us. Whether someone says “thank you”or no one ever recognizes what we have done. That is especially important inChristian service. Many of the greatest acts of service for God are probablythings that very few people ever see. Someone quietly praying for anotherperson. Someone giving to meet a need without telling anyone. Someone visitinga lonely person. Someone faithfully teaching a small group week after week. Amother or father faithfully teaching their children about the Lord. Someonesharing Christ with a neighbor. Someone serving behind the scenes at churchwhere hardly anyone knows their name. The world may never recognize thosethings. But God sees them. And ultimately, His approval is the only approvalthat really matters. Paulcontinues in verse 6 by saying: “When we might have been burdensome, as theapostles of Christ.” As an apostle, Paul could have asserted his authorityand demanded certain rights and privileges. But he chose not to make himselfthe center of attention. Instead of asking, “What do I deserve?”, Paul wasasking, “How can I serve?” That reminds us of Jesus Himself. Jesus said in Mark10:45: “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but tominister, and to give His life a ransom for many.” If anyone deserved to beserved, it was Jesus. If anyone deserved recognition, honor, and glory, it wasJesus. Yet He humbled Himself and became a servant. And that should be ourattitude as well. My friend, we live in a world that constantly encourages usto promote ourselves. We are told to make ourselves known, build ourreputation, gain followers, and make sure people recognize what we haveaccomplished. But the Christian life points us in another direction. We are nothere to make ourselves famous. We are here to make Jesus known. Johnthe Baptist expressed it beautifully in John 3:30: “He must increase, but Imust decrease.” What a wonderful motto for every believer! He mustincrease. Jesus should become more visible in our lives.

There are two very important statements in this verse. Paulsays, first, “Neither at any time used we flattering words.” And then hesays, “Nor a cloak of covetousness.”  Paulis reminding these believers that when he came to Thessalonica, he wasn'ttrying to manipulate them with his words, and he wasn't trying to get somethingfrom them for himself. Let's think first about “flattering words.” Thereis a difference between encouragement and flattery. We should encourage people.We should express appreciation. We should tell people when we are thankful forthem. There is nothing wrong with giving an honest compliment. But flattery isdifferent. Encouragement is given for the benefit of the other person. Flatteryis often given for the benefit of ourselves. Flattery says something nicebecause we want something in return. We may want someone's approval. We maywant their support. We may want them to like us. We may even want to influencethem for our own advantage. Paulsays, “That wasn't how we ministered among you.” He wasn't trying to tellpeople what they wanted to hear. He was telling them what God wanted them tohear. That's an important distinction. Paul would later write in 2 Timothy 4:3:“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but aftertheir own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.” Therewill always be a temptation to change the message so that people will like themessenger. But if God has put us in trust with the gospel, as we saw yesterday,we don't have the right to change the message simply to make it moreacceptable. Sometimes God's Word comforts us. Sometimes God's Word encouragesus. But sometimes God's Word convicts us. Sometimes it tells us something wewould rather not hear. A faithful servant of God doesn't ask, “What will makepeople happy?” He asks, “What has God said?” ThenPaul mentions something else: “Nor a cloak of covetousness.” A cloak issomething that covers something else. Paul is saying, “We didn't use religionas a covering for greed.” He wasn't preaching the gospel because he wanted toget rich. He wasn't serving these people because he wanted their money. Hewasn't using ministry to advance himself. Paul's ministry wasn't about what hecould get from people. It was about what he could give to people. And what didhe want to give them? The gospel of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, through theyears there have always been people who have used religion for personal gain.Butthe problem isn't only money. Covetousness is the desire to have more forourselves.  That'swhy Paul's final statement in this verse is so important. He says: “God iswitness.” Earlier in the verse Paul said, “as you know.” TheThessalonians knew how Paul had lived among them. But when Paul talked aboutthe motives of his heart, he said: “God is witness.” People can see ouractions. But only God can completely see our motives. People hear what we say. Godknows why we say it. People see what we do.Godknows why we do it. We might be able to hide our motives from other people, butwe can never hide them from God. Hebrews 4:13 reminds us: “Neither is thereany creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked andopened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” Myfriend, there is tremendous freedom when we can live with nothing to hide. Wedon't have to manipulate people. We don't have to flatter people. We don't haveto use people. We simply need to love people, speak the truth, share thegospel, and seek to please God. And at the end of the day, we should desire tobe able to say with Paul: “God is witness.” God knows my heart. Godknows my motives. God knows why I am doing what I am doing. So today, let's askthe Lord to search our hearts and keep our motives pure. Let's speak words thatare true rather than flattering. Let's serve because we want to give ratherthan because we want to get.

“For our exhortation was not of deceit, norof uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trustwith the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who test ourhearts.” Paul was concerned not only about what he preached, but also whyhe preached it. Inverse 3, Paul tells us three things that were not true about his ministry. First,it was “not of deceit.” Paul wasn't preaching something he knew wasfalse. His message wasn't based upon error. He was convinced that Jesus Christwas the Son of God, that He had died for our sins, that He had risen from thedead, and that salvation was found through faith in Him. Second, Paul says hisministry was not “of uncleanness.” His motives were not impure. Hewasn't using religion as a means of satisfying some selfish or sinful desire.His life and his message were to be pure before God. Third, Paul says it wasnot “in guile.” That means Paul wasn't trying to trick or manipulatepeople. He wasn't using the gospel to take advantage of them. There was nohidden agenda. Andthen Paul tells us why. Verse 4 says: “But as we were allowed of God to beput in trust with the gospel, even so we speak.” I love that expression: “Putin trust with the gospel.” Paul understood that the gospel did not belongto him. God had entrusted it to him. Think about that! The message that JesusChrist came into this world, died on the cross for our sins, was buried, roseagain, and offers eternal life to everyone who will believe—that message hasbeen entrusted to us. What a privilege! And what a responsibility! If someoneentrusted you with something extremely valuable, you would take great care ofit. If someone handed you something precious and said, “I'm trusting you withthis,” you would feel a tremendous responsibility to protect it and faithfullydeliver it. My friend, God has entrusted us with something far more valuablethan silver or gold. He has entrusted us with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paulwrote in 1 Corinthians 4:2: “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a manbe found faithful.” A steward doesn't own what has been placed into hishands. He simply has the responsibility to faithfully care for what belongs tosomeone else. That's what we are with the gospel. We didn't invent the message.We don't have the authority to change the message. We don't have the right tomake it more acceptable to the culture around us. Our responsibility is simplyto faithfully proclaim it. But Paul goes even deeper. He says: “Not aspleasing men, but God, who test our hearts.” There is the key to puremotives. Who are we trying to please? Itis very easy to become concerned about what people think about us. We like tobe appreciated. We like to be accepted. We like people to approve of what wesay and what we do. But Paul reminds us that ultimately there is only OnePerson we must please—and that is God. People see what we do. But God sees whywe do it. People hear our words. But God knows our hearts. Paul says that God “testour hearts.” That means He examines and tests our motives. And that shouldcause every one of us to ask ourselves: Why am I doing what I'm doing? Why do Iserve? Why do I give? Why do I witness? Why do I teach? Why do I preach? Is itso that someone will notice me? Is it so that someone will praise me? Or am Idoing it because I genuinely want to please God? That applies not only topastors and missionaries. It applies to every believer. My friend, what a privilege it is thatGod would trust ordinary people like you and me with the greatest message theworld has ever heard! So today, let's ask God to keep our message true, ourlives pure, and our motives right. Let's remember that we are not hereprimarily to please people. We are here to please God. And may we faithfullyshare the precious gospel that He has entrusted to us.

“For yourselves,brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: But evenafter that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as you know,at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God withmuch contention.” Paulbegins by saying, “For yourselves, brethren, know.” In other words, Paulcould point to their own personal experience. They knew what kind of man he wasbecause they had watched his life. They had seen his character. They had heardhis preaching. They knew that his ministry among them had been genuine. ThenPaul says that his coming to Thessalonica “was not in vain.” That meansit was not empty, useless, or without results. And certainly it wasn't! Achurch had been established. Lives had been transformed. People had turned fromidols to the living God. And now their testimony was spreading throughoutMacedonia and Achaia. Butwhat makes this even more remarkable is what Paul and Silas had experiencedimmediately before coming to Thessalonica. Paul says they had “sufferedbefore, and were shamefully entreated... at Philippi.”Youcan read about that in Acts chapter 16. At Philippi, Paul and Silas had beenfalsely accused. Their clothes were torn from them. They were beaten with rods.They were thrown into prison, and their feet were fastened in the stocks. Yetat midnight, instead of complaining, Paul and Silas prayed and sang praisesunto God. Then God sent an earthquake, the prison doors opened, and eventuallythe Philippian jailer and his family trusted Christ. Butthink about this. After Paul and Silas were released from prison, they didn'tsay, “We've had enough. Maybe we should take a break from preaching.” Theydidn't say, “If this is what happens when you preach the gospel, perhaps weshould find something safer to do.” No! They traveled on to Thessalonica andpreached the gospel again! Paul says: “We were bold in our God to speak untoyou the gospel of God.” I love that phrase: “Bold in our God.” Theircourage did not come from themselves. Paul wasn't saying, “We were naturallybrave men.” He said they were bold in God. There is a tremendous difference. Christianboldness is not arrogance. It isn't being loud, argumentative, or offensive.Biblical boldness is having such confidence in God and His Word that wefaithfully speak the truth even when it might cost us something. Andnotice something else. Their suffering did not silence them. They had beenbeaten for preaching the gospel, but they kept preaching. They had been put inprison for preaching Christ, but they kept preaching Christ. They had beenpublicly humiliated, but they kept telling others about Jesus. Why? Becausethey knew that the gospel was worth suffering for. Paul later wrote in Romans1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power ofGod unto salvation to everyone that believes.” My friend, we live in aworld today where it is becoming increasingly unpopular to stand for biblicaltruth. We may sometimes be tempted to remain silent because we don't want tooffend someone. We don't want to be criticized. We don't want someone tomisunderstand us or reject us. But we need the same prayer today: “Lord, makeus bold in You.” Not bold in our opinions. Not bold sothat we can win an argument. But bold in our God to speak the gospel of God.  Andthere is another wonderful encouragement in these verses. Paul says theirentrance into Thessalonica “was not in vain.” Sometimes we may wonderwhether our witness is making any difference. We share Christ with someone, andwe don't immediately see a response. We pray for someone for years, and nothingseems to happen. We teach God's Word, encourage others, give out a gospeltract, invite someone to church, or simply try to live a faithful Christiantestimony. And sometimes we wonder, “Is it really accomplishing anything?” Paulreminds us that when we faithfully serve the Lord, our labor is never wasted.

Paul says they were waiting “forHis Son from heaven.” The word “wait” does not mean that they were sittingaround doing nothing. Biblical waiting is an attitude of expectation. It meansliving every day with the realization that Jesus Christ could return. Remember,these Thessalonian believers were young Christians. Paul had only been withthem for a short time. Yet one of the truths he had already taught them was thereturn of Jesus Christ. That tells us something about how important thisdoctrine is. In fact, the return of Christ is mentioned in every chapter of 1Thessalonians. At the end of chapter 1, we are waiting for His Son from heaven.At the end of chapter 2, Paul speaks of being in the presence of our Lord JesusChrist “at His coming.” At the end of chapter 3, he speaks of “thecoming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” Chapter 4 containsthat wonderful passage where Paul tells us: “For the Lord Himself shalldescend from heaven with a shout…” And in chapter 5, Paul speaks againabout “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” So the return of Jesus isnot a minor subject in this letter. It is woven throughout it. But notice Who we are waitingfor. Paul does not say we are waiting primarily for an event. He says we arewaiting for “His Son from heaven.” We are waiting for a Person. We arewaiting for Jesus. The One Who loved us. The One Who died for us. The One Whorose again. The One Who promised, “I will come again.” Paul then remindsus that God “raised Him from the dead.” Our hope in Christ's return isconnected to the resurrection.Jesus is not in a gravesomewhere. He is alive! The same Jesus Who died on the cross and rose from thegrave ascended into heaven, and one day He is coming again. In Acts chapter 1, as thedisciples watched Jesus ascend into heaven, two angels said: “This sameJesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner asye have seen Him go into heaven.” My friend, Jesus is coming again. Wedon't know the day. We don't know the hour. But we know Who is coming, and thatshould affect the way we live today. If we really believe Jesus could return,it should encourage us to live holy lives. It should cause us to forgivequickly. It should motivate us to share the Gospel. It should remind us not tobecome too attached to the things of this world. And it should give us hopewhen life becomes difficult. Then Paul closes the chapterwith these wonderful words: “Even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrathto come.” There is judgment coming upon sin, but for those who have trustedJesus Christ, there is wonderful assurance. Jesus has delivered us. Oursalvation rests not in what we have done for Him, but in what He has done forus. He took our judgment upon Himself on the cross. He paid the price for oursins, and because we have trusted Him, we can face the future not with fear,but with hope.  I love how this entire firstchapter fits together. These believers had a work of faith, labor of love, andpatience of hope in verse 3. They received the Word in verse 6. They becameexamples in verse 7. They sounded out the Word in verse 8. They turned to Godfrom idols to serve the living and true God in verse 9. And now, in verse 10,they were waiting for Jesus to return. What a testimony! And what a pattern forus today. Receiving the Word. Living the Word. Sharing the Word. Serving theLord. And waiting for Jesus. My friend, perhaps today would be a good day toask ourselves: Am I living as though Jesus could come today? Because oneday—perhaps sooner than we think—our waiting will be over. Jesus is comingagain!

“For they themselvesshowed of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how you turned toGod from idols to serve the living and true God.” In verse 9, Paul tellsus what people were saying about them. They were talking about the tremendouschange that had taken place in the lives of these Thessalonian believers. Paul describes theirconversion with three simple words: “turned to God.” I think it isimportant to notice the order. Paul does not say they first cleaned up theirlives, got rid of all their idols, and then came to God. He says they “turnedto God from idols.” They turned to God, and when they did, they were ableto turn from their idols. My friend, that is what genuine salvation does. Christianityis not simply trying to make ourselves better. It is not merely giving up a fewbad habits or attempting to live a more moral life. Salvation begins when, byfaith, we turn to the Lord Jesus Christ. When we truly turn to Him, somethingbegins to change within us. Remember that Thessalonica wasa pagan city. Idolatry was everywhere. These people had grown up worshipingfalse gods and participating in pagan religious practices. Their idols were notmerely decorations sitting on a shelf. Idolatry was woven into their culture,their families, their social lives, and even their businesses. So when thesepeople turned to Jesus Christ, it cost them something. They were leaving behinda way of life they had known for years. Yet they discovered something fargreater than the idols they left behind.  Paul says they turned “toserve the living and true God.” I love those words: “the living and trueGod.” Their idols were dead. Their idols could not hear them. Their idolscould not answer their prayers. Their idols could not forgive their sins. Theiridols could not give them eternal life.  But now the believers atThessalonica had met the living God! And they had discovered the true God. Wemight look at this verse today and say, “Well, I don't have any idols. I don'tbow down before a statue or worship an image.” But an idol can be anything thattakes the place in our lives that belongs to God. An idol can be money. It canbe possessions. It can be pleasure. It can be a career. It can be anotherperson. It can even be our own plans, ambitions, or desires. Anything thatbecomes more important to us than God has the potential to become an idol. Thequestion is not simply, “Do I have a statue that I worship?” The betterquestion might be, “What has first place in my life?”  Notice also that theseThessalonians did not simply turn from something; they turned to Someone. Sometimeswe think the Christian life is mostly about what we give up. But Christianityis really about Who we receive. We turn from the emptiness of this world to thefullness of Jesus Christ. We turn from darkness to light. We turn from bondageto freedom. We turn from death to life. And then Paul says that they turned toGod “to serve” Him. Their conversion produced a new purpose for living. Before,they had served their idols. Now they served the living and true God. That word“serve” carries the idea of serving as a bondservant—belongingcompletely to another. That is a beautiful picture of the Christian life. Wehave been saved by grace, and because we belong to Jesus Christ, we now desireto live for Him. We don't serve Him in order to be saved. We serve Him becausewe have been saved. That takes us back to verse 3and their “work of faith, and labor of love.” Their service was evidence thatsomething real had happened in their hearts. And my friend, that should causeeach of us to examine our own lives today. What have we turned from? What havewe turned to? And whom are we serving? The Thessalonians had a testimony thateveryone could see. They had turned to God from idols to serve the living andtrue God. May that be our testimony too.

Think about what happened inThessalonica. Paul had not been there very long. According to Acts 17, tremendousopposition arose against him and his companions. Paul eventually had to leavethe city. You might have thought that once Paul left, the Gospel witness wouldbecome silent. But it didn't! Paul left Thessalonica, but the Word of Godstayed there. And those new believers began sounding it out everywhere theywent. Paul says it sounded out “not only in Macedonia and Achaia.” As wesaid yesterday, Macedonia was the northern region of Greece where Thessalonicawas located. Achaia was the southern region where cities such as Athens andCorinth were located. But Paul goes even further. He says, “but also inevery place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad.” Their testimony hadtraveled far beyond their own city. People were talking about what God had donein Thessalonica! That reminds us that a genuinework of God cannot easily be hidden. When Jesus Christ truly changes a life,somebody is going to notice. And when a church is filled with believers whoselives have been transformed by the Gospel, its influence should extend farbeyond the walls of its building. My friend, the church was never intended tobe simply a place where we come together once or twice a week to hear the Wordof God. We gather to hear the Word, but then we scatter to sound out the Word. Wetake it into our homes. We take it into our neighborhoods. We take it into ourworkplaces. We take it into our communities. And wherever God gives us anopportunity, we share the wonderful message that Jesus Christ saves. Notice something else. Pauldoes not simply say that their words were spreading. He says, “your faith toGod-ward is spread abroad.” Their message was supported by their lives. Peoplewere not only hearing what these Christians said; they were seeing what theseChristians believed by the way they lived. That is one of the greatestchallenges for us today. Our lives should give credibility to our message. Ifwe tell people that Jesus changes lives, there should be evidence that Jesushas changed our life. If we tell people that Jesus gives peace, they should seeHis peace in us. If we tell people that Jesus teaches us to love, they shouldexperience His love through us. If we tell people that Jesus gives hope, theyshould see hope in the way we face the difficulties of life. Remember what Paulsaid back in verse 3: their work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hopewere visible. Now their testimony was sounding out everywhere. And then Paul makes an amazingstatement at the end of verse 8: “So that we need not to speak anything.” Paulwas basically saying, “When we arrive somewhere and begin telling people aboutwhat happened in Thessalonica, they already know!” Can you imagine having thatkind of testimony? Paul didn't need to advertise the church at Thessalonica.Their transformed lives were advertising the power of the Gospel. That causesme to ask myself a question today: What kind of sound is coming from my life? Allof us are sounding out something. Our attitudes sound out something. Our wordssound out something. Our reactions to difficulties sound out something. The waywe treat people sounds out something. Our priorities sound out something. Thequestion is: Are we sounding out the Word of the Lord? Over the years, I have oftenreminded people that you don't have to be a preacher or missionary to be awitness for Jesus Christ. You simply need to be willing to tell someone whatJesus has done for you. And today we have opportunities that the Thessalonianscould never have imagined. Through a telephone, a text message, an email, asocial media post, a conversation with a neighbor, or a simple word ofencouragement, the Word of the Lord can sound out from our lives to people nearand far.

“So that you were examples to all that believe in Macedoniaand Achaia.” Yesterday we saw in verse 6 that the Thessalonian believershad become followers of Paul and of the Lord. They had received the Word in themidst of much affliction, but they received it “with joy of the Holy Spirit.”Now Paul tells us what happened next. They went from being followers tobecoming examples. I love that progression. First, we follow the rightexample. Then, as we grow in Christ, we become the right example for someoneelse. Paul says, “So that you were examples to all that believe.” Theword translated examples has the idea of a pattern, a model, or animpression that can be reproduced.  Then in verse 6, they receivedthe Word despite affliction and persecution. And now in verse 7, otherbelievers were looking at them and saying, in effect, “That's what followingJesus looks like.” What an amazing testimony! Notice also how far theirinfluence had spread. Paul says they were examples “to all that believe inMacedonia and Achaia.” Macedonia was the northern region of Greece whereThessalonica and Philippi were located. Achaia was the southern region wherecities such as Athens and Corinth were located. So their testimony had spreadfar beyond their own city. They probably never dreamed that people hundreds ofmiles away would hear about their faithfulness to Christ. And there is a lessonhere for us. You never know how far theinfluence of a faithful Christian life will reach. Sometimes we think thatunless we have a large ministry, preach to thousands of people, or accomplishsomething that receives public recognition, our life doesn't make muchdifference. But that's not how God measures influence. A faithful mother orfather can influence generations of a family. A faithful Sunday school teachercan influence a child who someday influences thousands. A faithful pastor maynever have a large church, but the people he disciples may carry the Gospelaround the world. A faithful Christian neighbor may quietly demonstrate thelove of Christ to someone who desperately needs hope. We may never know on thisside of eternity how far our influence has reached. There is another importanttruth here. The Thessalonians didn't set out to become famous. They simply setout to be faithful. Their influence was the result of their faithfulness, notthe goal of their faithfulness. That is important in our day when so muchemphasis is placed on being noticed, gaining followers, and building anaudience. The Christian life isn't about people noticing us. Jesus said inMatthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see yourgood works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” The purpose of ourinfluence is not that people would say, “What a wonderful person.” It is thatthey would say, “What a wonderful Savior!” Paul could tell the Thessalonians,“You followed us, and now others are following your example.” That isdiscipleship. Someone helped us follow Jesus, and now we should be helpingsomeone else follow Jesus. So today, maybe we should askourselves a simple question: If someone followed my example, where would myexample lead them? Would they learn to pray? Would they learn to love God'sWord? Would they learn to forgive? Would they learn to serve? Would they learnto trust God during difficult circumstances? Most importantly, would our livespoint them to Jesus Christ? My friend, you may never stand behind a pulpit. Youmay never teach a Bible class. Your name may never be widely known. But you canlive such a faithful Christian life that someone else sees Jesus in you andwants to follow Him. First we become followers, and then, by God's grace, webecome examples. 

Rememberwhat Paul had just said at the end of verse 5: “You know what manner of menwe were among you for your sake.” Their message and their manner of lifeagreed. That is important because Christianity is not simply learning a set ofdoctrines. Certainly, doctrine is essential. We must know what we believe. ButChristianity is ultimately about following a Person—the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesusrepeatedly said to His disciples, “Follow Me.”  Butthen Paul reminds us of the circumstances in which these Thessalonians receivedthe Gospel. He says they had “received the word in much affliction.” Rememberwhat happened in Acts 17. Paul came to Thessalonica and preached Christ. Somebelieved, along with a great multitude of devout Greeks and a number ofprominent women. But almost immediately opposition arose. A mob was gathered.The city was thrown into an uproar. Jason's house was attacked because Paul andSilas had apparently been staying there. Eventually Paul and Silas had to leaveThessalonica during the night. These new believers had barely begun theirChristian lives before persecution came. Think about that. They did not hear aGospel that promised them that if they trusted Christ, all their problems woulddisappear. Actually, their faith in Christ created some new problems! FollowingJesus cost them something. And yet they stayed faithful. Thatis one of the strongest evidences that something genuine had happened in theirhearts. Jesus spoke about the seed that falls on stony ground in the parable ofthe sower. Some receive the Word with joy, but when tribulation or persecutionarises because of the Word, they fall away. But that did not happen inThessalonica. Affliction came, but they continued following Christ. And then wecome to what I believe is one of the most beautiful phrases in this verse: “Withjoy of the Spirit.” Notice those two things together: Much affliction—andmuch joy. Humanly speaking, those things do not seem to belong in the samesentence. We usually think, “When the affliction is gone, then I can have joy.”“When this problem is solved, then I'll rejoice.” “When my circumstancesimprove, then I'll be happy.” But these believers teach us something veryimportant:Christianjoy does not depend upon favorable circumstances. They had affliction on theoutside, but they had joy on the inside. Why? Because their joy came from theHoly Spirit. Thisreminds us of something we learned together in Philippians. Paul wrote thatletter from prison, and yet over and over again he talked about rejoicing. Theworld gives us happiness when circumstances are good. But Jesus gives us joyeven when circumstances are difficult. There is a tremendous difference. Happinessis often determined by what is happening around us. But spiritual joy comesfrom knowing Who is living within us.Jesussaid in John 16:33, “In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of goodcheer; I have overcome the world.” He did not promise a life withouttribulation. He promised His presence and His victory in the midst of it. Maybetoday you are going through some affliction. Maybe there is a burden in yourfamily. Maybe there is a physical difficulty. Maybe you have experienceddisappointment, loneliness, financial pressure, or uncertainty about tomorrow. Thisverse does not tell us to pretend those things do not hurt. Affliction is real.But it reminds us that our affliction does not have to steal our joy. Why? Becauseour joy is not rooted in our circumstances. Our joy is rooted in Christ.

Now,the Gospel certainly must come to us in words. Romans 10:17 tells us, “Sothen faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Someone musttell us the wonderful story that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into thisworld, lived a perfect and sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, wasburied, and rose again on the third day. The Gospel has a message, and thatmessage must be proclaimed. The word“power” reminds us that the Gospel is not merely information to be considered;it is the power of God that transforms those who believe. Paul said in Romans1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power ofGod unto salvation to every one that believes.” Thinkabout that. The Gospel can take a sinner and make him a saint. It can takesomeone who is spiritually dead and give him spiritual life. It can break thechains of sin, give hope to the hopeless, peace to the troubled heart, andcompletely change the direction of a person's life. I have seen that power overand over again through the years. Programs can help people. Education caninform people. Good advice can encourage people. But only the Gospel of JesusChrist can give a person a new heart and make him a new creation. SecondCorinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation:old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Butnotice where this power comes from. Paul says the Gospel came “in the HolyGhost.” Paul understood that he could preach the truth, but only the HolySpirit could take that truth and apply it to the human heart. Jesus said inJohn 16 that the Holy Spirit would convict the world of sin, righteousness, andjudgment. That should be a great encouragement to those of us who want to shareChrist with others. Sometimes we become concerned that we do not know exactlywhat to say. We worry that we will not have the right words or be able toanswer every question. But remember, we are not the ones who save people. Goddoes. Our responsibility is to faithfully share the Gospel. The Holy Spirittakes the Word of God and works in the heart. That is why prayer is soimportant when we witness. We should pray, “Lord, give me the words to say, andHoly Spirit, take those words and use them to touch this person's heart.” ThenPaul adds another phrase. The Gospel came “in much assurance.” There is a tremendous differencebetween speaking about something we merely know intellectually and speakingabout something that has become a reality in our own lives. Paul could preachChrist with assurance because Paul knew Christ personally. And theThessalonians could see that conviction in him. Noticethe final part of the verse: “As you know what manner of men we were amongyou for your sake.” Paul is reminding them, “You not only heard ourmessage—you watched our lives.” That is so important. The Gospel should notonly be heard from our lips; it should be seen in our lives. People arewatching us. Our family watches us. Our neighbors watch us. The people we workwith watch us. The people we go to church with watch us. They want to knowwhether the Gospel we talk about on Sunday makes a difference in the way welive on Monday. Paul could say, “You know what manner of men we were amongyou.” What a testimony!Hewas not saying that he and Silas were perfect. But their conduct was consistentwith the message they proclaimed.AndI believe this verse gives us a wonderful pattern for effective Christianwitness. We need the Word of God— “not in word only.” We need the powerof God— “but also in power.” We need the Spirit of God— “and in theHoly Ghost.” We need the assurance of God— “and in much assurance.” Andwe need a life that demonstrates the reality of the Gospel— “what manner ofmen we were among you.” My friend, the world does not simply need morereligious talk. The world needs to see the Gospel demonstrated by lives thathave been transformed by Jesus Christ.

Thinkabout that today. If you know Jesus Christ as your Savior, you are loved byGod! The Bible does not teach us that God loves us because we are good enough,religious enough, or deserving enough. God loves us because of Who He is. John3:16 reminds us, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begottenSon.” Romans 5:8 says, “But God commended His love toward us, in that,while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” God did not wait until wecleaned ourselves up before He loved us. He loved us while we were sinners, andHe demonstrated that love at the cross. ButPaul goes even further. He says, “Knowing, beloved brethren, your electionof God.” Now, the word “election” sometimes becomes the subject oftheological debates. Good and sincere Bible-believing Christians have disagreedover exactly how God's sovereignty and human responsibility work together. ButI think sometimes we can become so occupied with the questions surroundingelection that we miss the wonderful encouragement Paul intended these believersto receive from it. The word simply carries the idea of being chosen to loveand serve God and others. Paul was reminding these Thessalonian believers thattheir salvation was not an accident. God had a purpose for them. God had calledthem to Himself through the Gospel. Andnotice something very important. Paul said, “Knowing… your election of God.”How could Paul know? He could not look into the secret counsels of God ineternity. He could not see their names written in the Book of Life. But hecould see what had happened in their lives. And that becomes especially clearwhen we read the next verse. Verse 5 says: “For our gospel came not unto youin word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.”Paul knew something genuine had happened because he had seen the evidence. Rememberwhat we learned yesterday. Their faith was working. Their love was laboring.Their hope was enduring. In other words, their changed lives gave evidence ofthe reality of their salvation. Jesus said in Matthew 7:20, “Wherefore bytheir fruits you shall know them.”  Weare not saved by our works, but when we are truly saved, there should be a workof God taking place in our lives. Ephesians 2:8-9 makes it very clear: “Forby grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is thegift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” But we sometimesstop there. Verse 10 continues: “For we are His workmanship, created inChrist Jesus unto good works.” We are not saved by good works, but we aresaved unto good works. That is exactly what Paul was seeing in Thessalonica. Thinkabout what had happened there. Paul had only been with these people for arelatively short period of time. He preached the Gospel to them. They receivedthe Word. They turned from idols to serve the living and true God. Then almostimmediately, persecution came. Yet they remained faithful. Paul could look atthem and say, in effect, “I know God has done something in your lives because Ican see the evidence of His grace.” AndI believe there is a very practical application for us today. What evidence isthere in my life that God is at work in me? Not, “Have I joined a church?” Not,“Have I been baptized?” Not even merely, “Did I pray a prayer sometime in thepast?” Those things may have their proper place, but the question is: Has JesusChrist changed my life? Is there a work of faith? Is there a labor of love? Isthere a patience of hope? Is there a growing desire for the Word of God? Isthere a desire to please the Lord? Is there a love for God's people? When Isin, does the Holy Spirit convict me and draw me back to fellowship with theLord? Do I desire to share Christ with the lost? These are evidences of thework of God within us. 

“Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and laborof love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God andour Father.” Years ago, I read two books by Dr. Gene Getz, The Measure of aMan and The Measure of a Church. I remember being impressed with the thoughtthat spiritual growth can be measured by looking at these three great qualitiesthat Paul mentions here: Faith. Love. Hope. Interestingly,when Paul writes his second letter to these same believers, he again mentionsthese qualities. In 2 Thessalonians 1:3–4, he tells them that their faith wasgrowing exceedingly, their love toward one another was increasing, and hecommends their patience and faith in their persecutions and tribulations. Inother words, these qualities could be observed and measured. So perhaps weshould ask ourselves today: How is my faith? How is my love? How is my hope? First,Paul remembers their “work of faith.” Notice he does not say that we aresaved by works. The Bible clearly teaches that salvation is by grace throughfaith, not of works. But genuine faith produces works. James reminds us thatfaith without works is dead. When we truly believe God, it affects the way welive. Noah believed God, so he built an ark. Abraham believed God, so he lefthis homeland. Peter believed Jesus, so he stepped out of the boat. Real faithmoves us to action. The question is not simply, “Do I say that I have faith?” Thequestion is, “What is my faith producing in my life?” ThenPaul mentions their “labor of love.” The word “labor” speaks ofstrenuous effort—working to the point of weariness. There is a differencebetween simply saying, “I love you,” and loving someone enough to sacrifice forthem. Real love costs something. Jesus demonstrated that kind of love for us. John3:16 says: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.”Love gives. Love serves. Love sacrifices. Love keeps going even whenserving becomes inconvenient. Some of you know exactly what that means. Youhave cared for someone when you were tired. You have given when it was asacrifice. You have prayed for someone year after year. You have continuedloving someone even when that love was not returned. That is a labor of love. ThenPaul mentions their “patience of hope.” The word “patience” here carriesthe idea of steadfast endurance. Biblical hope isn't wishful thinking. Our hopeis a confident expectation based upon the promises of God. And notice wherethat hope is centered: “Hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” The Thessalonianbelievers were experiencing tremendous persecution. Yet they kept going becausethey believed Jesus Christ was coming again. In fact, the return of Christbecomes one of the great themes of this entire letter. Their circumstances weredifficult, but their hope was greater than their circumstances. And that isstill true for us today. When life becomes difficult, hope says: God is stillon His throne. God is still faithful. God is still keeping His promises. AndJesus is coming again. That kind of hope gives us the strength to endure. Sohere is a simple spiritual examination for us today. Does my faith work? Doesmy love labor? Does my hope endure? Faith that never affects how we live needsto be examined. Love that never sacrifices is only words. Hope that disappearswhenever difficulties come is not the strong biblical hope Paul is describing. AndI love how Paul finishes the verse: “In the sight of God and our Father.” Ultimately,we are not trying to impress people. God sees our faith. God sees our labor. Godsees our perseverance. Others may never know about some of the things you dofor the Lord, but God sees them.  Maybetoday we should ask the Lord to increase these three great qualities in ourlives: A faith that works. A love that labors. And a hope that patientlyendures.

“We give thanks toGod always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.” What abeautiful verse! In just a few words, Paul teaches us something aboutthankfulness, people, and prayer. First,notice that Paul says, “We give thanks to God.” Paul had many reasons tobe concerned about the believers in Thessalonica. Remember, this was a veryyoung church. Paul had only been with them for a short time before persecutionforced him to leave the city. You can read about this in Acts 17. Paul hadpreached in the synagogue, people had believed, and almost immediatelyopposition arose. A mob was formed, Jason's house was attacked, and Paul andSilas had to leave Thessalonica by night. Paul must have wondered, “How arethese new believers doing? Are they standing firm? Has the persecutiondiscouraged them? Are they remaining faithful to Christ?” Then Timothy returnedwith the wonderful news that they were continuing in the faith. SoPaul says, “We give thanks to God.” Notice that Paul didn't simply say,“We are proud of you.” He thanked God for them. Paul understood that whateverspiritual growth he saw in their lives was ultimately the work of God. That isa good reminder for us. When we see God working in our children, grandchildren,friends, church family, or someone we have influenced for Christ, we shouldencourage them—but we should also remember to thank God for what He is doing intheir lives. ThenPaul says: “We give thanks to God always for you all.” I love those twowords: “you all.” (Especially since I'm from the south.) Paul wasn't simplythankful for the prominent members of the church. He wasn't thankful only forthe people who were easy to get along with. He thanked God for all of them. Everyperson mattered.Sometimeswe become so accustomed to the people God has placed around us that we forgetwhat a gift they are. Maybe today we should stop and think about some of thepeople God has placed in our lives. Your husband or wife. Your children andgrandchildren. A faithful friend. Someone who prayed for you. Someone whoencouraged you when you were discouraged. Someone who helped you along yourspiritual journey.Haveyou thanked God for them lately? ButPaul doesn't stop with thanksgiving. He continues: “Making mention of you inour prayers.” Paul's gratitude became prayer. He didn't merely think aboutthese people. He prayed for them. And notice the expression, “making mentionof you.” I believe there is something important about mentioning peoplebefore God by name.ThroughoutPaul's letters, we discover that he had a remarkable prayer life. He traveledconstantly. He preached. He planted churches. He suffered persecution. Yetsomehow Paul continued carrying people in his heart before God. That challengesme. It is easy to tell someone, “I'll be praying for you.” But the realquestion is: Do we actually pray for them? Whensomeone comes to your mind today, perhaps instead of simply thinking aboutthem, turn that thought into a prayer. “Lord, bless them.” “Lord, encouragethem.” “Lord, give them wisdom.” “Lord, meet their need.” “Lord, draw themcloser to You.” It doesn't have to be a long prayer.  Paul says, “We give thanks to God always.” Prayerand thanksgiving were not occasional activities for Paul. They were a way oflife. That reminds us of something Paul will tell these same believers later inthis letter: “Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this isthe will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17–18).Interestingly, Paul practiced in chapter 1 what he preached in chapter 5. Hewas continually praying. He was continually giving thanks. Maybe that is ourchallenge for today. Think of someone. Thank God for them. Then mention theirname in prayer. And perhaps even take another step. Send them a message, make aphone call, or tell them: “I thanked God for you today.”Younever know how much that simple word might encourage someone who desperatelyneeds it.

Notice that he does not introduce himself here as “Paul, anapostle of Jesus Christ,” as he does in several of his other letters. Why? Probablybecause he did not need to defend his apostolic authority with these believers.They knew him. They loved him. Paul had personally brought the Gospel to them. Thenhe mentions two men who had served alongside him: “Paul, and Silvanus, andTimotheus.” Silvanus is the longer form of the name Silas. Silas hadtraveled with Paul on this second missionary journey. He had been there inPhilippi when Paul was beaten and thrown into prison. He was there at midnightwhen they prayed and sang praises to God. And now he had helped Paul establishthis church in Thessalonica. Timotheus, of course, is Timothy. Paul had metthis young man at Lystra and invited him to join the missionary team. Timothywould eventually become one of Paul's most trusted fellow workers. What awonderful picture of ministry. God'swork has always been about one generation passing the truth to anothergeneration. Butthen Paul says something especially important: “Unto the church of theThessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ.” Theword “church” comes from the Greek word ekklesia, which basically means acalled-out assembly. These people lived in Thessalonica, but spiritually theywere in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ. Think about that. Geographically,they were in Thessalonica. Spiritually, they were in Christ. Thessalonica was apagan city filled with idolatry and immorality. These new Christians weresurrounded by a culture that did not share their faith or their values. Theywere already experiencing opposition and persecution because they followedJesus. But their environment did not determine their identity. They were in Godthe Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ. Andthe same is true for us today. We live in a world that increasingly seems to bemoving farther away from God. We are surrounded by temptation. We hearphilosophies that contradict the Word of God. We see values changing around us.But the believer's identity is not determined by the world in which he lives. Weare in Christ. Paul uses that little expression again and again throughout hiswritings. Second Corinthians 5:17 says,“Thereforeif any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” Romans 8:1 says, “Thereis therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” Oursecurity is not found in our circumstances. Our security is found in ourrelationship with Jesus Christ. You might say that these Thessalonian believershad two addresses. Their earthly address was Thessalonica. Their spiritualaddress was in Christ. And every believer has those same two addresses. We livesomewhere on this earth. We have a street address, a city, a state, and acountry. But if we have trusted Jesus Christ as our Savior, our most importantaddress is this: We are in Christ. ThenPaul gives them two wonderful words: “Grace be unto you, and peace.” Wejust finished our study of Philippians by noticing how often Paul begins andends his letters with grace. And here it is again. Grace. Then peace. Noticethe order. Grace comes before peace. We cannot experience the peace of Goduntil we have first experienced the grace of God. Grace is God giving us whatwe could never earn and could never deserve. Salvation is by grace. Forgivenessis by grace. Our relationship with God is by grace. Our strength for each dayis by grace. And when we experience God's grace, we can also experience God'speace. Grace and peace. Their circumstances might change.Their friends might turn against them. Persecution might increase. But theirposition in Christ was secure.  Andperhaps that is the great truth we should carry with us today. Our peace doesnot come from living in a peaceful world. Our peace comes from knowing that weare securely in Christ.

Today we begin a brand-new journey through two wonderfulbooks of the New Testament—First and Second Thessalonians. We have justcompleted our study through Philippians, and now we are going to follow theApostle Paul a little farther down the road on his second missionary journey. Iwould like to give our new series this theme: "Living in Light of HisComing." You will understand why as we move through these two letters. Thereturn of Jesus Christ is one of their great themes. In fact, every chapter ofFirst Thessalonians ends with some reference to the coming of the Lord. ButPaul does not teach prophecy merely to satisfy our curiosity about the future. Heteaches us about the coming of Christ because what we believe about tomorrowshould change the way we live today. Sobefore we begin with First Thessalonians 1:1, let's go back to Acts 16 and 17and remember how this church was born. Paul was on his second missionaryjourney with Silas and Timothy. He had intended to preach in certain areas ofAsia Minor, but the Holy Spirit closed those doors.  After Paul heard the "Macedoniancall." Paul immediately recognized that God was directing them into Europeand went to Philippi. And we know what happened there. After the salvation ofLydia, a demonic girl, and the jailer's and his household, A church had beenborn. But Paul's journey continued. Acts 17:1 says, "Now when they hadpassed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was asynagogue of the Jews." Thessalonicawas about one hundred miles from Philippi and was one of the great cities ofMacedonia. It was located on the Via Egnatia, one of the major highways of theRoman Empire. People, merchandise, soldiers, government officials, andtravelers continually passed through this important city. Paul understoodsomething very important about missions. If you can reach a strategic city withthe Gospel, the people in that city can carry the Gospel far beyond it. So Paulwent into the synagogue, as was his custom. Acts 17:2 tells us, "AndPaul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasonedwith them out of the scriptures." I love that expression: "Reasonedwith them out of the scriptures." Paul did not give them his opinions.He opened the Word of God. Verse3 says he was, "Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs havesuffered, and risen again from the dead." And then Paul declared, "ThisJesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ." That was his message. Jesusdied. Jesus rose again. Jesus is the Christ. And people believed. Some Jewsbelieved, but Acts tells us that a great multitude of devout Greeks and anumber of prominent women also received the message. In a remarkably shortperiod of time, another church was born. But almost immediately, oppositioncame. Unbelieving Jews stirred up trouble. A mob attacked the house of a mannamed Jason, where Paul and his companions had apparently been staying. Whenthey could not find Paul, they dragged Jason and some of the other believersbefore the rulers of the city. Andlisten to the accusation they made in Acts 17:6: "These that haveturned the world upside down are come here also." What a testimony! Theseearly Christians were accused of turning the world upside down. Actually, theworld was already upside down because of sin. The Gospel was turning it rightside up! Because of the danger, the believers sent Paul and Silas away by nightto Berea. Imagine how Paul must have felt. He had only been with these newbelievers for a short time. They were young Christians living in a paganculture.Theywere already experiencing persecution. Paul loved them and was deeply concernedabout them. Eventually Timothy was sent back to see how they were doing. Later,when Timothy brought Paul the wonderful news that their faith was standingstrong, Paul wrote the letter that we call First Thessalonians. 

In Philippians 1:2he writes, "Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and fromthe Lord Jesus Christ." Now in the last verse he writes, "Thegrace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." Grace is thebookends of this letter. Grace brought us into the family of God. Gracesustains us every day. And grace will carry us safely Home. We never outgrowour need for God's grace. Sometimes people think that grace is only forsalvation. They say, "I was saved by grace, but now I must live theChristian life on my own." Nothing could be farther from the truth. Thesame grace that saves us also strengthens us, teaches us, forgives us, restoresus, and keeps us until the day we see Christ face to face. Paulunderstood this. He wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:10, "But by the grace ofGod I am what I am." He did not say, "I used to need grace."He said, "Everything I am today is because of God's grace." When thethorn in the flesh was not removed, the Lord said to Paul in 2 Corinthians12:9, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfectin weakness." Notice that Jesus did not promise to remove everyburden. He promised sufficient grace. Grace for every trial. Grace for everydisappointment. Grace for every temptation. Grace for every sorrow. Grace forevery opportunity to serve Him. That is why I have entitled today's chat, “Gracefor the Journey." Aswe have traveled through Philippians, we have discovered that the Christianlife is a journey. In chapter one we learned to have a single mind, living forChrist and the Gospel. In chapter two we learned to have a submissive mind,following the example of our humble Savior. In chapter three we learned to havea spiritual mind, pressing toward the prize and refusing to trust in the flesh.And in chapter four we learned to have a secure mind—rejoicing in the Lord,praying instead of worrying, thinking on the right things, being content inevery circumstance, and trusting God to supply every need. How do we live thatkind of life? Only by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Youmay remember what we have said several times throughout this study: theChristian life is not difficult—it is impossible apart from Christ. We cannotrejoice in every circumstance by our own strength. We cannot love our enemiesby our own strength. We cannot have peace that passes understanding by our ownstrength. We cannot overcome anxious thoughts by our own strength. We cannot becontent in every situation by our own strength. But what we cannot do, Hisgrace enables us to do. His grace is not merely God's favor toward us.Itis God's power working in us. It is Christ living His life through us. Perhapsthat is why Paul specifically says,“Thegrace of our Lord Jesus Christ…” Graceis not an abstract idea. Grace is found in a Person. Everything we need isfound in Jesus. John tells us in John 1:16, "And of His fulness haveall we received, and grace for grace." Every day we draw upon Hisfullness. As yesterday's grace is spent, today's grace is supplied. Tomorrow'sgrace will be there when tomorrow arrives. God never asks us to live today onyesterday's grace, nor does He expect us to borrow tomorrow's grace. He givesus exactly what we need for each day. I have often thought about Paul's ownlife.Hehad been beaten. He had been imprisoned. He had been shipwrecked. He hadsuffered hunger, loneliness, rejection, and persecution. Yet when he comes tothe end of this letter, he does not complain. He does not express regret. Hesimply points everyone back to the grace of Jesus Christ. That tells me thatgrace is enough. It was enough for Paul. It is enough for us. Aswe conclude our study of Philippians, I hope you will remember the greatlessons God has taught us. Remember to keep your eyes on Christ. Remember thatjoy is found in Him, not in your circumstances. Remember that peace comesthrough prayer. Remember that your thoughts shape your life.

At first glance,this may seem like little more than a closing greeting. But when we stop andthink about it, these words remind us that nothing can stop the Gospel of JesusChrist. Remember where Paul is as he writes these words. He is under housearrest in Rome. Humanly speaking, it appeared that his missionary ministry hadcome to an end. He could no longer travel from city to city planting churches.He was chained to Roman soldiers' day after day. Many people might have lookedat Paul's circumstances and concluded that Satan had won. ButGod had another plan. Back in Philippians 1:12 Paul wrote, "The thingswhich happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of thegospel." Instead of Paul traveling throughout the Roman Empire, Godbrought the Roman Empire to Paul. Day after day, soldiers from the PraetorianGuard were chained to him. One soldier after another listened as Paul prayed,taught the Scriptures, wrote letters, and shared the good news of Jesus Christ.Imagine being chained to the Apostle Paul for six or eight hours! The soldiercouldn't walk away. He couldn't change the subject. He couldn't turn off theconversation. Every shift brought another opportunity for Paul to tell someoneabout Christ. What looked like imprisonment was actually one of the greatestmissionary opportunities Paul ever had. Now,at the end of this letter, Paul lets us see the harvest. "All thesaints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household." Thisdoes not necessarily mean members of Caesar's immediate family had becomebelievers, although that is not impossible. The phrase "Caesar'shousehold" referred to the large number of servants, officials,administrators, soldiers, craftsmen, and slaves who worked throughout theimperial household. Among those people, God had raised up believers. Thinkabout that. The Gospel had entered the very heart of the Roman Empire. Theemperor himself claimed to be lord. People were expected to worship Caesar. Yetinside Caesar's own household there were now people confessing that JesusChrist is Lord! What an amazing victory of God's grace! Thisreminds us that no place is beyond the reach of God. Sometimes we look at aworkplace, a government office, a university campus, a military base, or even aprison and think, "No one there would ever become a Christian." ButGod specializes in reaching impossible places. No heart is too hard. No cultureis too hostile. No government is too powerful. No sinner is beyond the savinggrace of Jesus Christ. The Gospel has never depended on favorablecircumstances. It has always depended upon the power of God. Romans 1:16 says, "ForI am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God untosalvation to every one that believeth." Paul believed that. He livedthat. And now he is seeing it happen before his very eyes. There'sanother lesson here that speaks to all of us. Paul never viewed hiscircumstances as obstacles. He viewed them as opportunities. We often pray,"Lord, get me out of this difficult place." Perhaps we should alsopray, "Lord, while I am here, help me reach the people You have placedaround me." Every one of us has a mission field. It may be yourneighborhood. It may be your doctor's office. It may be your workplace. It maybe the rehabilitation center, the hospital, the military, the classroom, oreven your own family. God has placed people around you that no one else mayever reach. Paulcould not choose where he was chained, but he could choose how he responded. Insteadof complaining, he preached. Instead of becoming discouraged, he looked foropportunities. Instead of focusing on what he had lost, he focused on the doorsGod had opened. What a wonderful example for us today. Remember this: God never wastes our circumstances. If we are available, He canuse us wherever He places us. As someone wisely said, "The will of Godwill never place you where the grace of God cannot use you." 

Philippians 4:21: "Saluteevery saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you." Thevery first word that catches my attention is the word "every." Pauldoes not simply say, "Greet the church," or "Greet theleaders." He says, "Salute every saint." That tells ussomething about the heart of this great apostle. Paul loved people. Throughoutthis letter we have seen his affection for the believers at Philippi. Inchapter 1 he called them his partners in the Gospel. He thanked God for themevery time he remembered them. He prayed for them with joy. In chapter 2 heencouraged them to be of one mind and to esteem others better than themselves.In chapter 4 he thanked them for their generous gift and their faithful supportof his ministry. Now, as he closes the letter, he wants every believer to knowthey are remembered.  Isn'tthat just like our Lord? Jesus never overlooked individuals. He stopped forblind Bartimaeus while others tried to silence him. He noticed Zacchaeussitting in a tree when everyone else saw only a tax collector. He spoke withthe woman at the well when others would have avoided her. He stopped to taketime for the lady that had an issue of blood who had touched the helm of Hisgarment from behind when a large crowd was pressing in on Him. His disciplessaw a crowd, but He saw one needy person. He welcomed little children when thedisciples thought they were unimportant. Our Savior never saw people asinterruptions. He saw them as souls. Paul had learned that same heart. Noticealso the word "saint." In our world, many people think a saintis someone who has lived an extraordinary life and is honored centuries afterdeath. But in the New Testament, every believer in Jesus Christ is called asaint. The word simply means "one who has been set apart for God." Itis not a title we earn. It is a position we receive when we trust Christ as ourSavior. That means if you know Jesus today, you are one of God's saints. Notbecause you are perfect. Not because you have never failed. But because youhave been made holy through the finished work of Jesus Christ. I have oftenreminded people that God does not see us merely as we were. He sees us inChrist. What a wonderful truth! ThenPaul writes, "The brethren which are with me greet you." Paulwas under house arrest in Rome. He was chained to a Roman soldier. He wasseparated by hundreds of miles from the believers in Philippi. Yet thefellowship of God's family could not be broken by prison walls or greatdistances. Other believers were serving beside Paul, and they wanted their loveconveyed to these Christians in Philippi. What a beautiful picture of thefamily of God. Most recently, our mission team experienced this againin Guatemala. Though we spoke different languages and came from differentcultures, we immediately recognized something we had in common. We belonged tothe same Savior. We were members of the same family. There is a bond amongGod's people that cannot be explained by nationality, language, or background.It is the fellowship we have in Jesus Christ. Do peopleknow that I care about them? Paul's concern for "every saint"challenges me. It reminds me to notice people who may otherwise be overlooked. Theelderly saint who faithfully attends church. The young believer who is justbeginning to grow. The widow who quietly serves. The missionary faithfullylaboring far from home. The pastor who faithfully preaches week after week. Everysaint matters because every saint matters to Christ. Perhapstoday the Lord is laying someone on your heart. Why not call them? Send them anote. Write them a text. Pray for them. Encourage them. You never know how mucha simple word of kindness may strengthen a fellow believer. After all, that isexactly what Paul is doing here. Even in the closing words of his letter, he isencouraging God's people.

Today we come to Philippians 4:20, a beautiful doxology thatconcludes Paul's teaching on giving and God's faithful provision. Paul writes: "Nowunto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen." What awonderful way to end this section! Paul has spoken about the Philippians'generosity. He has thanked them for their sacrificial gift. He has remindedthem that their offering was "an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrificeacceptable, well pleasing to God." Then he gave them one of the greatestpromises in all of Scripture: "But my God shall supply all your needaccording to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Now,before moving on to his final greetings, Paul lifts his eyes toward heaven andgives all the glory to God.Isn'tthat the way it should always be? Whenever God works, whenever He provides,whenever He answers prayer, whenever He blesses His people, the glory belongsto Him alone.  Noticehow Paul describes Him: "God and our Father." This is notmerely the Creator of the universe or the sovereign Ruler of all things,although He certainly is. Through Jesus Christ, He has become our Father. Jesustaught His disciples to pray, "Our Father which art in heaven."What a privilege! The God who created the stars, who spoke the universe intoexistence, who owns the cattle on a thousand hills, invites us to come to Himas beloved children.  BecauseHe is our Father, He knows our needs before we ask. Because He is our Father,He loves us with an everlasting love. Because He is our Father, He disciplinesus when necessary. Because He is our Father, He delights in providing for Hischildren. No wonder Paul had such confidence when he wrote, "My Godshall supply all your need." Then Paul says, "be glory forever and ever." The word glory speaks of honor, praise, majesty, andworship. It is the recognition of who God is and what He has done. Ourgreatest purpose in life is not simply to be successful, comfortable, orprosperous. Our greatest purpose is to glorify God. That is why we werecreated. That is why we were redeemed. That is why we have been left here onearth. Everything we do should point others to Him. AsI reflect on our recent mission trip to Guatemala, I cannot help but think ofthis verse. Yes, we are thankful for the many home visits, the public schoolprograms, the church services, the encouragement shared with pastors and churchleaders, the wonderful unity among our team, and the excellent partnership withour national brothers and sisters in Christ. But none of those things areultimately about us. They are about God.Heopened the doors. He gave the strength. He provided the opportunities. Heprotected us throughout our travels. He prepared hearts to receive His Word. Hedeserves all the glory. Thatis the attitude Paul demonstrates here. Even after receiving a generous giftfrom the Philippians, he does not magnify the givers. He magnifies God. Maythat always be true in our lives. When someone thanks us for serving, let usremember to give glory to God. When He answers prayer, let us give glory toGod. When He provides our needs, let us give glory to God. When He blesses ourfamilies, our churches, or our ministries, let us give glory to God. Finally,Paul concludes with one simple but powerful word: "Amen." Thatword means, "So be it." It is a declaration of confidence andagreement. Paul is saying, "This is true. This is certain. This is worthyof our wholehearted affirmation." As we finish this section ofPhilippians, let us remember the beautiful progression Paul has given us. God'speople give generously. God receives their gifts as an act of worship. Godfaithfully supplies every need according to His riches in glory by ChristJesus. And God alone receives all the glory forever and ever. That is theChristian life in its simplest form: we receive everything from His hand, weuse it for His kingdom, and we return all the praise to Him. 

Today I want us to look at the last phrase of this verse, "accordingto His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." These few words reveal notonly that God provides for His children, but they tell us how He provides andwhere our provision comes from. Noticefirst that Paul says God supplies "according to His riches,"not merely "out of His riches." There is a tremendous difference. Supposea billionaire handed someone ten dollars. He gave out of his riches, butcertainly not according to his riches. The gift was only a tiny fraction ofwhat he possessed. But if he gave according to his riches, the gift wouldreflect the greatness of his wealth. That is exactly what Paul is saying aboutGod. Our Heavenly Father does not ration His grace. He does not measure Hismercy with a tiny spoon. He supplies according to the infinite abundance of Hisown riches. Howrich is God? He owns everything! Psalm 24:1 reminds us, "The earth isthe LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwelltherein." Haggai 2:8 says, "The silver is mine, and the goldis mine, saith the LORD of hosts." David declared in 1 Chronicles29:11, "Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory,and the victory, and the majesty... all that is in the heaven and in the earthis thine." God never faces a shortage. Heaven never experiencesinflation. The storehouses of His grace are never depleted. YetPaul is speaking about something even greater than material wealth. He says, "accordingto His riches in glory." Throughout Paul's letters, the word"riches" most often refers to the immeasurable wealth of God's grace,mercy, love, wisdom, and power. In Ephesians 1:7, Paul speaks of "theriches of His grace." In Ephesians 2:4, he writes of God being "richin mercy." Just a few verses later, in Ephesians 2:7, he tells usabout "the exceeding riches of His grace." In Romans 11:33, heexclaims, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledgeof God!" God's greatest riches are not found in streets of gold orgates of pearl. They are found in His glorious character—His grace, His mercy,His love, His faithfulness, His wisdom, and His power. That is the treasurefrom which He supplies His children. ThenPaul tells us that all of this comes "by Christ Jesus." JesusChrist is the channel through whom every blessing flows. Every spiritualblessing we possess comes because of Him. Every answered prayer comes throughHim. Every provision of grace comes through Him. Every promise of God finds itsfulfillment in Him. Without Christ, we would have no access to the Father. Butbecause of Christ, we have been welcomed into God's family and become heirs ofall that belongs to Him. No wonder Paul wrote in Romans 8:32, "He thatspared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not withhim also freely give us all things?" If God has already given us Hisgreatest gift—His own Son—we can trust Him to give us everything else we trulyneed. AsI think back over our recent mission trip to Guatemala, I am reminded againthat this is exactly how God works. He supplied every need according to Hisriches. He provided strength when we were tired, wisdom when decisions had tobe made, protection as we traveled, unity among our team, open doors forministry, and joyful fellowship with believers we had never met before.  Friend,perhaps today you are facing a need that seems overwhelming. It may befinancial. It may be physical. It may be emotional. It may be spiritual. Rememberthis promise. Your need may be great, but God's riches are infinitely greater. TheGod who created the universe, who redeemed you through His Son, and who hasnever broken a promise will supply every need according to His riches in gloryby Christ Jesus. So trust Him today. Rest in His faithfulness. Obey Himwholeheartedly. Serve Him joyfully. Give generously. And leave your needs inthe hands of the One whose resources are limitless. 

I first want toexpress my heartfelt thanks to each of you who prayed for our mission teamduring our trip to Guatemala this past week. I can honestly say that yourprayers were answered in wonderful ways. The trip could not have gone better.Ournational ministry partners were absolutely tremendous. Their servant spirit,faithful labor, and loving assistance blessed us every day. They repeatedlytold us that they, too, had been encouraged by our coming. . So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for praying. Youhad a real part in everything God accomplished. I hope to share more about thetrip in the days ahead. Nowlet's return to our study in Philippians chapter 4. Last week, before we left,we looked at verse 18 where Paul wrote, "But I have all, and abound: Iam full..." The generous gift from the Philippian believers had methis present needs. Paul described their offering as "an odor of a sweetsmell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God." Their gift was notmerely money given to a missionary. It was an act of worship offered to GodHimself. Thatbrings us to one of the most familiar promises in all of Scripture. Verse 19says, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches inglory by Christ Jesus." This verse has been quoted thousands of times,but sadly it is often quoted apart from its context. Notice first that thispromise begins with two wonderful words: "My God." Paul is notspeaking merely about God in a general sense. He is speaking about the God whomhe knew personally, trusted completely, and had depended upon throughout everycircumstance of life. This was the God who had met Paul's needs in prison, onmissionary journeys, through persecution, hunger, shipwrecks, and countlesshardships. Paulcould confidently say, "My God shall supply." Notice also thatPaul does not simply say God can supply our needs. He says God shall supply.This is a promise based on God's faithfulness, not our circumstances. But wemust remember who this promise was originally given to. Paul is speaking tobelievers who had sacrificially given to support the work of God. They hadinvested in the Gospel. They had shared in Paul's ministry. They had met hisneeds when few others had done so. In a sense, Paul is saying, "You havetaken care of God's servant. Now God will take care of you." Thatsame principle is found throughout Scripture. Jesus said in Luke 6:38, "Give,and it shall be given unto you." And in 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and9, Paul teaches that God blesses generous believers so they may continue toabound in every good work. Notice something else. Paul does not promise thatGod will supply all our greeds. He promises to supply all our needs. Ourheavenly Father knows the difference. Sometimes what we think we need is reallyonly something we desire. But God, in His infinite wisdom, always knows exactlywhat is best for His children. He never fails to provide what is necessary toaccomplish His will in our lives. ThenPaul tells us the measure of God's provision: "According to His richesin glory by Christ Jesus." He does not give out of His riches, asthough handing us a small portion. He gives according to His riches. Theresources of heaven are unlimited because our God is unlimited. Every blessingwe receive ultimately comes through one source—Jesus Christ. Every spiritualblessing, every answered prayer, every provision of grace, every daily need issupplied through our Savior. AsI reflect on our mission trip this past week, I am reminded again that Godtruly does supply every need. He supplied the people. He supplied the strength.He supplied the protection. He supplied the opportunities. He supplied theresources. Once again, He proved Himself faithful. And dear friend, He is justas faithful today in your life. If you belong to Him, you can trust Him. Walkwith Him. Serve Him. Be generous toward His work. Then leave your needs in Hiscapable hands.

Today is a very special day for me. Early this morning, byGod's grace, I will be leaving to go to Dulles Airport to meet with a team ofabout twenty people on a mission trip to Guatemala. For the next week we'llhave the privilege of partnering with local pastors and churches as weencourage believers, minister to families, meet practical needs, and mostimportantly, share the wonderful Gospel of Jesus Christ. BeforeI leave, I want to thank so many of you who have given donations and prayed forthis trip over the past several weeks. Your encouragement has meant so much tome. I would also ask that you continue praying for our entire team throughoutthis week. Please pray for safe travel, good health, strength for each day,unity among our team members, open doors for ministry, and most of all, thatmany people would come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. AsI thought about this trip, I couldn't help but think of the verses we've beenstudying together in Philippians chapter 4. After thanking the believers atPhilippi for their faithful support, Paul writes in verse 18: "But Ihave all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the thingswhich were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable,well pleasing to God." What a beautiful picture! The Philippians hadsent a financial gift to meet Paul's needs. Humanly speaking, Epaphrodituscarried that gift from Philippi all the way to Rome. But when it reached Paul,he didn't simply see money. He saw worship. He saw love. He saw sacrifice.Mostof all, he saw something that had risen all the way to Heaven as "asweet-smelling savor... well pleasing to God." Thatexpression takes us back to the Old Testament. When sacrifices were offered tothe Lord with sincere hearts and in obedience to His Word, the Bible often saysthey were "a sweet savor unto the Lord." It wasn't the aromaof the sacrifice itself that pleased God. It was the loving obedience and faithbehind it. The same principle is true today. Whenever we give ourselves toGod's work—whether through our prayers, our encouragement, our resources, orour service—God sees it as an act of worship. Thatreminds us that missions is never just about those who go. It is also aboutthose who pray. Those who encourage. Those who faithfully stand behind the workof God. Every believer has the privilege of participating in the GreatCommission. As our team travels to Guatemala today, we are not going alone. Weare going as representatives of our churches, our families, and so many friendswho have prayed faithfully for us. In a very real sense, you are sharing inthis ministry through your prayers before God's throne. Aswe said yesterday, perhaps you cannot travel across the world. Perhaps your ageor your health would not allow it. But every one of us can pray. Every one ofus can encourage someone serving Christ. Every one of us can participate inwhat God is doing around the world. Jesus said in Matthew 28:19–20, "Goyou therefore, and teach all nations... and, lo, I am with you always, evenunto the end of the world." Romans 10:14-15 reminds us that some arecalled to go. Others are called to send. Still others are called to pray. Buttogether, we all share in the privilege of making Christ known. Sotoday, I would simply ask you to remember our team in prayer each day thisweek. Pray that God would prepare hearts before we arrive. Pray that He wouldgive us wisdom, compassion, and strength. Pray that every conversation, everymessage, every act of kindness, and every opportunity to serve would bringhonor and glory to our Lord Jesus Christ. Ifthe Lord provides good internet service, I hope to send along a brief dailyupdate so you can rejoice with us in what God is doing and know how to praymore specifically. Thank you again for your love, your friendship, andespecially your faithful prayers.

Today we continue looking at what I believe is one of themost beautiful passages in all of Scripture on the grace of giving. Paul writesin Philippians 4:16–17: "For even in Thessalonica you sent once andagain unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit thatmay abound to your account.” Aswe've seen, the church at Philippi was unique. Many churches appreciated Paul'sministry, but very few actually partnered with him financially.  Paulhad only been in Thessalonica for a short time. According to Acts 17, hisministry there lasted only a few weeks before persecution forced him to leave.Yet during that brief ministry, the believers at Philippi sent help more thanonce. That tells us something about their hearts. Generous people don't waituntil they become wealthy. They simply look for opportunities to meet needs.  Godisn't looking first at the size of the gift. He is looking at the faithfulnessof the giver. Throughout Scripture we see this pattern. When the children ofIsrael built the tabernacle, the people kept bringing offerings until Moses hadto tell them to stop because there was more than enough. The widow of Zarephathcontinued sharing her last meal with Elijah, and God continued supplying theoil and the meal. The poor widow whom Jesus observed in the Temple gave onlytwo mites, yet Jesus declared she had given more than all the wealthy becauseshe gave out of her poverty. Faithful giving has never been measured by theamount. It has always been measured by the heart. ThenPaul says something that surprises us in verse 17: "Not because Idesire a gift..." Paul wasn't manipulating anyone. He wasn't raisingmoney for himself. He wasn't trying to make people feel guilty. His concernwasn't his own comfort. His concern was their spiritual growth. That is why hecontinues: "But I desire fruit that may abound to your account." Whatan amazing statement! Paul says, in effect, "I'm more excited about whatGod is doing for you than what you're doing for me." He knew that everygift they gave in the name of Christ would become an eternal investment. Jesustaught this same truth in Matthew 6:19–20: "Lay not up for yourselvestreasures upon earth... But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven."Every dollar spent on ourselves eventually disappears. Every investment madefor Christ lasts forever. Paulpictures their generosity as fruit that is continually being credited to theirheavenly account. Imagine receiving a monthly bank statement and discoveringsomeone had been making deposits into your account all month long. Paul saysthat is exactly what happens spiritually when we invest in God's work. Godkeeps the records. God never forgets. Nothing given in His name is ever wasted.Sometimes we think only preachers, missionaries, or evangelists receive eternalrewards. But Paul reminds us that those who faithfully support God's servantsshare in those same eternal blessings. WhenWilliam Carey went to India as a missionary, his friend Andrew Fuller remainedin England to raise support and encourage churches to stand behind the work.Carey reportedly said, "I will go down into the pit if you will hold theropes." The man in the pit and the men holding the ropes shared the samemission. The same is true today. Some are called to go. Others are called tosend. Both are equally important in the work of the Gospel.  (Read Romans 10:14-15) When yousupport missionaries... When you help your local church... When you encouragethose serving Christ... You are producing fruit that will one day be rewardedin eternity. The wonderful truth is this: God is never indebted to anyone. Heremembers every act of generosity done for His glory. So today, ask yourself:Am I giving only occasionally? Or have I made generosity a way of life? Am Iinvesting only in things that will perish? Or am I laying up treasures thatwill last forever? 

Today we continue our study in Philippians chapter 4 as welook at verse 15. Paul writes: "Now you Philippians know also, that inthe beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no churchcommunicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but you only." Yesterdaywe saw that Paul thanked the Philippians for caring enough to share in hisaffliction. Today he takes us one step further and reminds them that theirgenerosity was not something new. It had become a pattern of their lives fromthe very beginning of their Christian experience. NoticePaul's words: "In the beginning of the gospel." He isreferring to the days when the gospel first came to Philippi. Acts chapter 16tells that wonderful story. Paul arrived in Philippi with Silas after receivingthe Macedonian vision. There beside the river, Lydia trusted Christ. Soonafterward, the demon-possessed servant girl was delivered. Then Paul and Silaswere beaten, thrown into prison, sang praises at midnight, and the jailer andhis family came to know Christ. Out of those dramatic events, a church wasborn. Thatlittle congregation had not been saved very long before they began thinkingabout someone besides themselves. Isn't that remarkable? They were not awealthy church. In fact, Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians chapter 8 that thechurches of Macedonia—including Philippi—gave out of their deep poverty. Yettheir poverty did not stop their generosity because grace had changed theirhearts.  Paulsays, "No church communicated with me as concerning giving andreceiving, but you only." Yesterday we talked about this word, "communicate".Remember It comes from the same family of words as koinonia, meaningfellowship or partnership. Paul is not merely saying they sent him some money.He is saying they entered into a partnership with him in the work of theGospel. They understood something many Christians never fully grasp. When wegive to God's work, we become partners in that ministry. The missionary maypreach the sermon. The pastor may teach the Bible. The evangelist may leadsomeone to Christ. But the people who pray, encourage, and give become fellowlaborers in everything God accomplishes through that ministry. Years ago,someone wisely said, "Some go, some send, but all can share in thereward." That is exactly what Paul is teaching. Noticeanother interesting expression: "giving and receiving." Paul borrowslanguage from the world of business and accounting. It is as though he opens aheavenly ledger book. On one side is giving. On the other side is receiving. Mostpeople think giving means something leaves their account. God says giving meanssomething is being entered into another account. In just a few verses, Paulwill write in verse 17: "Not because I desire a gift: but I desirefruit that may abound to your account." Every gift given for the gloryof God is an eternal investment. Heaven keeps perfect records. God neverforgets even the smallest act of generosity done in His name. Jesus said inMatthew 10:42 that even a cup of cold water given in His name will not lose itsreward.  Sometimespeople wonder whether their gift matters. "It wasn't very much." "Iwish I could give more." "My offering seems so small." Friend,God is not measuring the amount nearly as much as He is measuring the heart. Godsees what no one else sees. The Philippians were not a famous church. They werenot a wealthy church. Yet Paul says they stood alone. "No church... butyou only." What a testimony! They had become known as a church thatinvested in the Gospel. I wonder what our churches are known for today. Beautifulbuildings? Excellent music? Wonderful programs? Or are we known as people whogladly invest our lives and our resources so others can hear about Jesus? Let'sask ourselves today: Am I merely attending church? Or am I actively investingin the work of Christ? There is an eternal difference. 

"Notwithstanding you have well done,that you did communicate with my affliction."  At first glance, this verse appears to besimply a "thank you" for a financial gift. But it is much more thanthat. Paul is introducing a wonderful truth that we might call the grace ofgiving. Noticewhat he says first: "You have done well." Paul commends thePhilippians. He isn't praising the amount of their gift. He is praising thelove that motivated it. God has always been more interested in the heart thanin the size of the gift. Jesus reminded us of that when He watched the poorwidow place her two mites into the Temple treasury. Others gave much more, butJesus said she had given the most because she gave out of her poverty whileothers gave out of their abundance. God measures giving differently than we do.He measures sacrifice. He measures love. He measures faith.  ThenPaul says something very interesting: "You did communicate with myaffliction." Today we usually think of the word"communicate" as talking or sending a message. But that is not whatPaul means. The Greek word is koinōneō. It means to share, to participate, orto have fellowship together. The Philippians were not merely sending money.They were sharing Paul's burden. They were entering into his suffering. Thoughthey were hundreds of miles away, they were saying, "Paul, you are notalone. We are standing with you." Isn't that what Christian fellowship isall about? Theword koinōnia, which is translated "fellowship," appears at the verybeginning of this letter. In Philippians 1:5 Paul thanked God for their"fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now." Now, at theclose of the letter, that same fellowship is still evident. Their partnershiphad not ended. It had continued through prayer... Through encouragement... Andnow through generous giving. True Christian fellowship is much more thanenjoying a meal together or shaking hands after church. It means sharing lifetogether. Romans 12:15 tells us, "Rejoice with them that do rejoice,and weep with them that weep." When one believer hurts, we all hurt.When one believer rejoices, we all rejoice. That is the family of God. ThePhilippians could not remove Paul's chains. They could not release him fromprison. But they could stand beside him by sharing what God had given them. Andthat made all the difference. The same is true today. Not everyone can become amissionary. Not everyone can preach. Not everyone can travel around the worldsharing the Gospel. But every believer can have a part in God's work bypraying, encouraging, and giving. When we support those who are taking theGospel to others, we become partners in that ministry. We share in the workthat God is doing through them. Ioften think about the people who faithfully pray for missionaries around theworld. Others give faithfully each week to support God's work. Some writeencouraging letters. Others quietly meet practical needs. None of those actsmay seem very spectacular. But God sees every one of them. Every act of love isan expression of His grace. That is why I like to call this section "TheGrace of Giving." Giving is not something God wants from us. It issomething His grace produces in us. ThePhilippians did not give because they were pressured. They gave because God'sgrace had filled their hearts. Theirgenerosity was evidence of God's grace at work in their lives. The same is truefor us. When Christ has our hearts, He also has our hands, our time, ourtalents, and yes, even our resources. Giving is never about losing something.It is about sharing in what God is doing. Perhapstoday God is giving you an opportunity to share in someone else's burden. Maybethrough prayer. Maybe through an encouraging word. Maybe through meeting apractical need. Remember, when we share the burdens of others, we arereflecting the heart of Jesus Christ Himself. Let's ask God to make us thatkind of believer.

Ibelieve one of the greatest mistakes we make is taking this verse out of itscontext. Remember, Paul did not write this verse by itself. It is theconclusion of everything he has been saying in verses 10 through 12. He hasbeen talking about contentment. He has been talking about learning to livewhether he had plenty or little. He has been talking about being full and beinghungry... Having abundance and suffering need. Then he says, "I can doall things through Christ which strengthens me." Whatare the "all things"? The context answers the question. Paulis saying, "I can live in poverty through Christ." "I can livein prosperity through Christ." "I can endure suffering throughChrist." "I can handle success through Christ." "I canremain faithful whether life is easy or difficult because Christ gives me thestrength."Thinkabout Paul's life. As he writes these words, he is not standing in a palace. Heis sitting in a Roman prison. He is chained to a Roman soldier. His future isuncertain. Yet instead of complaining, he is overflowing with joy. How? Notbecause he is naturally strong. Not because he has unusual determination. Butbecause Christ is strengthening him every day. Notice carefully what Paul says."I can..." Not, "I might." Not, "I hope." But,"I can." This is the confidence of faith.  Thennotice the next words. "...through Christ..." Paul'sconfidence was never in himself. Throughout this letter he has consistentlypointed us away from self and toward Christ. TheChristian life has never been about self-confidence. It is aboutChrist-confidence.  Noticethe final words. "...which strengthens me." The verb literallymeans, "to continually infuse with strength." Paul isn't sayingChrist gave him strength once many years ago. He is saying Christ keeps onstrengthening him. Every day. Every trial. Every hardship. Every opportunity. Thisreminds me of what Jesus said in John 15. "I am the vine, you are thebranches... for without Me you can do nothing." The branch does notstruggle to produce fruit. It simply abides in the vine. The life of the vineflows through the branch. In the same way, Christ's strength flows into thelife of the believer who depends upon Him. Perhapsthat is why Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20, "I am crucified with Christ:nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me." What awonderful truth! The Christian life is not difficult. It is impossible—apartfrom Christ. Only Christ can enable us to forgive when we've been hurt. OnlyChrist can enable us to rejoice in suffering. Only Christ can enable us to loveour enemies. Only Christ can enable us to remain content when circumstanceschange. That is exactly what Paul is saying here. Foryears I have observed that this verse, along with Philippians 4:19, is oftenquoted without reading the verses that come before it. As a result, sincereChristians sometimes become discouraged. They expect these promises to workalmost like magic formulas. But God's promises are always connected to God'spurposes.Paulcould say, "I can do all things through Christ," because hehad spent four chapters teaching us how to walk with Christ. He had learned thesingle mind of chapter one. The submissive mind of chapter two. The spiritualmind of chapter three. The secure mind of chapter four. He had learned torejoice... To pray... To trust... To think on the right things... To practiceGod's Word... To be content. Now,after years of walking with Christ, he can testify, "I can do allthings through Christ which strengthens me." Friend, whatever God asksyou to face today... whatever burden He allows you to carry...  Whatever trial He asks you to endure...Whatever opportunity He places before you... You do not have to face it alone.TheChrist who saved you will strengthen you. His grace is sufficient. His strengthis made perfect in weakness. And because He is enough, you can faithfully dowhatever He calls you to do. 

Today we continue ourstudy in Philippians chapter 4. Yesterday in verse 11, Paul told us one of thegreatest secrets of the Christian life: "I have learned, in whatsoeverstate I am, therewith to be content." Today in verse 12 he explainswhere that lesson was learned. "I know how to be abased, and I know howto abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and tobe hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” Paulis describing a life that has experienced every extreme. He says, "Iknow..." That word is important. He doesn't say, "I've heardabout these things." He doesn't say, "I've read about them." Hesays, "I know." These are lessons learned through personalexperience. Paul had lived on both sides of life's circumstances.  Heknew how to be abased. The word means to be brought low, humbled, or to livewith very little. Paul knew what it was like to be hungry. He knew what it waslike to be cold. He knew what it was like to be beaten, imprisoned,misunderstood, and rejected. He had slept in prison cells and spent sleeplessnights at sea. He had experienced loneliness, pain, and persecution. ButPaul also knew how to abound. There were times when God supplied every needabundantly. There were seasons of fruitful ministry. Churches were planted.People were saved. Friends encouraged him. Believers generously supplied hisneeds, just as the Philippians were doing now. Paul understood something thatmany Christians never learn. It takes as much grace to handle prosperity as itdoes adversity. Some people fall apart when trouble comes. Others becomespiritually careless when blessings come. Adversity can make us bitter.Prosperity can make us proud. Both are dangerous if Christ is not the center ofour lives. NoticePaul says, "Everywhere and in all things..." Literally, inevery place and in every circumstance. Whether traveling across Asia Minor...Standing before governors... Preaching in synagogues... Working as atentmaker... Sitting in a Roman prison... God was teaching him the same lesson.Then he says something fascinating: "I am instructed..." Theexpression literally carries the thought of being initiated into a mystery.Paul is saying, "God has taught me a secret." What is that secret? Itis not that circumstances no longer matter. It is that circumstances no longercontrol him. There is a tremendous difference. Paulwas not living under his circumstances. He was living above them. Someone onceasked an elderly Christian, "How are you doing under yourcircumstances?" He smiled and replied, "What am I doing under them?God never intended me to live there!" That simple answer contains aprofound truth. As believers, we do not deny our circumstances. We do notpretend pain doesn't hurt. We do not ignore disappointments. But neither do weallow those circumstances to dictate our joy, our peace, or our confidence inGod. We live above them because Christ lives within us. Thecircumstances around us may change daily. But the Christ within us neverchanges. Hebrews 13:8 reminds us, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, andtoday, and forever."  Perhapsthat is why the Apostle Paul could write in 2 Corinthians 4:17, "Forour light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far moreexceeding and eternal weight of glory." He wasn't minimizingsuffering. He was comparing it with eternity. When we focus only on today'scircumstances, life can become discouraging. When we remember that God isworking an eternal purpose, our perspective changes. Corrie ten Boom once said,"If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within,you'll be depressed. If you look at Christ, you'll be at rest." How true! TheChristian life is not about escaping difficult circumstances. It is aboutexperiencing the presence of Christ in the middle of them. And it is not aboutbecoming independent of circumstances. It is about becoming dependent uponChrist.

Philippians4:11: "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned inwhatever state I am, to be content.” Immediately Paul wants the Philippiansto understand something. He is not thanking them because he was desperate formoney. He says, "Not that I speak in respect of want." Paulcertainly appreciated their generous gift, but his joy did not depend uponwhether he had plenty or little. His happiness was not tied to his bankaccount, his circumstances, or his physical comfort. Thenhe makes one of the most remarkable statements in Scripture: "For Ihave learned...".  Noticecarefully what Paul does not say. He does not say, "I was borncontent." He does not say, "I have always been content." He doesnot say, "Contentment came naturally to me." No. He says, "Ihave learned." That one word is full of encouragement. Contentment is nota personality trait. It is not something only optimistic people possess. It isnot the result of favorable circumstances. It is something that every believermust learn in the school of God. Justas a child learns to read one lesson at a time, so God patiently teaches Hischildren contentment one experience at a time. Each circumstancebecame another classroom where God taught Paul to trust Christ.  Godoften teaches us His greatest lessons in the classrooms we would never choosefor ourselves. None of us naturally enjoys trials. None of us asks forsuffering. Yet many of the deepest truths we know about God's faithfulnesscould never have been learned any other way. James tells us in James 1:2-3: “Mybrethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that thetesting of your faith produces patience.” Peter reminds us that the trialof our faith is more precious than gold in 1 Peter 1:6-7: “In this yougreatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have beengrieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much moreprecious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found topraise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Godis never wasting our hardships. He is teaching us something that prosperityalone could never teach. Notice the next phrase. "...in whatsoeverstate I am..." Paul is not talking about geography. He is not speakingabout whether he is in Philippi, Ephesus, Corinth, or Rome, North Caolina orVirginia. He is talking about every circumstance of life. Whether life is easyor difficult. Whether his needs are met abundantly or barely. Whether he isfree or imprisoned. Whether he is applauded or criticized. In every situation,God had been teaching him. Thencomes the great lesson. "...therewith to be content." The word"content" carries the idea of being inwardly sufficient, satisfied,and at rest. For the Christian, however, our sufficiency is not found inourselves. Our sufficiency is found in Christ. As Paul wrote elsewhere in 2Corinthians 3:5, "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves... but oursufficiency is of God." The world says, "You will be content whenyou get more." God says, "You will be content when you discover thatChrist is enough." The world constantly tells us that happiness is justone purchase away. One promotion away. One new possession away. One bettercircumstance away. But once we obtain those things, we soon discover that theycannot satisfy the deepest needs of the heart. Only Christ can do that. Augustinewrote many centuries ago, "Our hearts are restless until they find theirrest in Thee." How true that is!Perhapstoday God has enrolled you in the school of contentment. Maybe your lessoninvolves waiting. Perhaps it involves illness. Financial pressure.Disappointment. Or unanswered questions. Do not despise the classroom. YourHeavenly Father is an excellent Teacher. Every lesson has a purpose. Everyassignment has eternal value. Every trial is designed to make you more like HisSon.

“But I rejoiced in the Lordgreatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though yousurely did care, but you lacked opportunity.” Rememberwhere Paul is as he writes these words. He is under house arrest in Rome. Hehas been separated from the Philippian believers for several years. During thattime they had desired to help him, but because of distance, persecution, andlimited means of communication, they simply had no opportunity. Then God openeda door. The church gathered an offering and sent one of their own members,Epaphroditus, on the long journey from Philippi to Rome. It was a dangeroustrip of nearly eight hundred miles. Along the way Epaphroditus became seriouslyill and nearly died, yet he faithfully completed the mission God had given him.Through this faithful servant, the Philippian believers sent not only financialhelp but also encouragement, love, and fellowship to Paul. NoticePaul's first response. "I rejoiced in the Lord greatly." Hedid not merely rejoice because money had arrived. He rejoiced because he sawGod's hand behind the gift. His joy was centered "in the Lord." Thatlittle phrase appears throughout Philippians. Paul teaches us again and againthat our joy is never to be rooted in circumstances but in Christ Himself. Paulunderstood that people may give the gift, but God is always the Provider. Jamesreminds us, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, andcomes down from the Father of lights" (James 1:17). David declared inPsalm 23:1, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." Paulsaw every provision of life as coming from the loving hand of his HeavenlyFather. Noticeanother beautiful expression. "Your care of me has flourishedagain." The word "flourished" pictures a plant thatblooms again after winter. The Philippians' love for Paul had never died. Ithad simply lacked an opportunity to express itself. Now their concern hadblossomed into visible action once more. How encouraging that must have been! Sometimeswe wrongly conclude that people no longer care because we have not heard fromthem for a while. But circumstances often prevent people from expressing whatis really in their hearts. Paul quickly removes any misunderstanding by saying," though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.” In other words,"I know you have cared all along. You simply had no way to help."What grace! Paul refuses to criticize them. He refuses to question theirmotives. He gives them the benefit of the doubt. Wouldn't our relationships behealthier if we did the same? How many misunderstandings could be avoided if weassumed the best instead of the worst? Remember 1 Corinthians 13: Love "believesall things" and "hopes all things." Love looks forreasons to trust rather than reasons to doubt. Thereis another wonderful lesson here. God's timing is always perfect. The gift didnot arrive early. It did not arrive late. It arrived exactly when God knew Paulneeded it. Our Heavenly Father is never in a hurry, but He is never behindschedule. Abraham learned that on Mount Moriah when God provided the ram. Israellearned it in the wilderness when manna appeared every morning. Elijah learnedit beside the brook Cherith and later through the widow of Zarephath. Paul nowexperiences that same faithful provision in a Roman prison. Perhapstoday you are waiting on God. You have prayed. You have trusted Him. Yet theanswer has not yet come. Take courage. If God knows how to feed the sparrowsand clothe the lilies of the field, He certainly knows how to care for His ownchildren. Often God's delays are not God's denials. He is preparing both theprovision and the person who will receive it.  When our eyes are fixed on Christ, every blessing becomes anotherreminder of His faithfulness. When we recognize that every good thing comesfrom His loving hand, gratitude replaces anxiety, and joy replaces worry.

Philippians 4:9:"Those things, which ye have both learned, andreceived, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be withyou."   Noticethe little command near the end of the verse: "Do." One simple word.Christianity was never intended to be merely something we know. It is somethingwe live. James reminds us of this in James 1:22, "But be you doers ofthe word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."  Knowledge without obedience only producesdeception. The goal of Bible study is never simply information. It istransformation. Paulreminds the Philippians of four ways they had received God's truth. First, theyhad learned it. That speaks of careful instruction. For several years Paul hadtaught these believers the Word of God. Second, they had received it. Thatmeans they welcomed it and accepted it as God's truth. Hearing truth is onething. Receiving truth is another. Third, they had heard it. Again and againthey listened as Paul preached Christ. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing bythe Word of God. Butthen Paul adds something remarkable. They had seen it in him. Paul wasn'tasking them to imitate a perfect man. He was asking them to follow a faithfulexample. He had already written in chapter 3:17, "Brethren, befollowers together of me." Not because Paul was perfect. In fact, hehad just admitted in chapter 3 that he had not already attained. But he wassincerely following Christ. Someonehas wisely said, "People may doubt what you say, but they usually believewhat you do." Augustine said, “Preach the Gospel, preach the Gospel, andif necessary use words”. Our lives either reinforce our message or contradictit. Paul could boldly say, "You've heard me preach it, and you've watchedme live it."Whata challenge for every Christian. Our children are watching us. Ourgrandchildren are watching us. Our neighbors are watching us. The people wework beside are watching us. Our lives become living sermons every single day. Paulthen gives this simple command: "Do." Put it into practice. Practicewhat you have learned. Practice what you believe. Practice what God has shownyou. Someone once said that the distance between heaven and earth is only abouteighteen inches—the distance from the head to the heart. But I might add thereis another distance—from the heart to the hands and feet. God wants His truthto move from our minds, to our hearts, and finally into our daily lives. TheChristian life is learned one step of obedience at a time. Thennotice the wonderful promise. Paul does not simply say that the peace of Godwill guard you. He now says, "The God of peace shall be with you."Back in verse 7, Paul promised the peace of God. Now he promises thepresence of the God of peace. What could be better than that? When we walk injoyful obedience, we enjoy the fellowship of God's presence in a very real way.The greatest blessing of obedience is not merely answered prayer, or even innerpeace. The greatest blessing is that we experience the nearness of God Himself.Jesus said in John 14:21, "He that has my commandments, and keeps them,he it is that loves me... and I will love him, and will manifest myself tohim." May each of us not merely know God's Word. May we live God'sWord. Asthe old hymn reminds us, "Trust and obey, for there's no other way to behappy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."Let'spray.  Heavenly Father, thank You forgiving us Your precious Word. Help us not to be hearers only, but doers of YourWord. May the truths we learn each day shape the way we live, the way we speak,and the way we love others. Help us to be examples of faithful followers ofChrist so that others will see Jesus in us. Thank You for the wonderful promisethat as we walk in obedience, the God of peace will be with us. May we enjoyYour presence every day of our lives. We ask this in the precious name of Jesus.Amen.

Over the past several days, we have been looking at one ofthe most important subjects in the Christian life, and that is the battle forthe mind. Today, we want to conclude our thoughts on Philippians 4:4–8 andbegin looking at verse 9. Paul has written in verse 8, “Finally, brethren,whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just,whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are ofgood report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on thesethings.” Paulhas reminded us over and over again that our thoughts matter. Today, we want toleave you with one simple statement that I trust you will always remember: Youcannot consistently live above the level of your thinking. Aswe have walked through Philippians together from chapter 1 all the way to thispoint, I've become increasingly aware that Paul is building a carefullyconnected argument. Sometimes we preach verses individually, and rightly so.But when you follow Paul's flow of thought verse by verse, you see thebeautiful progression that the Holy Spirit has inspired. Notice in Philippians4:4–9 how they fit together:Verse4—a joyful spirit: “Rejoice in the Lord always.”Verse5—a gentle spirit: “Let your moderation be known unto all men.”Verse6—a prayerful spirit: “Be careful for nothing.”Verse7—a peaceful heart: “The peace of God... shall keep your hearts and minds.”Verse8—a disciplined mind: “Think on these things.”Then,in verse 9, we'll see an obedient life: “Those things... do.” It'sreally like a staircase. Joy leads to gentleness. Gentleness leads to prayer.Prayer leads to peace. Peace prepares the mind. The renewed mind producesobedient thinking and living. The obedient life results in what we see verse 9promises—a continued fellowship with the God of peace. Idon't think it's incidental that the Apostle Paul changes expressions. In verse7, he promises the peace of God. In verse 9, he promises the God of peace.There's a subtle but profound difference in these two. When we pray, the peaceof God guards us. When we obey, the God of peace walks with us. That may becomeone of the key thoughts of this entire chapter.  Anotherobservation that has stayed with me all week is the progression throughout thewhole book of Philippians that we mentioned earlier in our study.Chapter1—the single mind: Christ first.Chapter2—the submissive mind: the mind of Christ in humility.Chapter3—the spiritual mind: pressing toward Christ instead of trusting the flesh.Thenchapter 4—the settled mind, or the secured mind: free from worry because it'sfilled with prayer, peace, and right living. Oh, what a beautiful progression! Now,one final thought before we finish our study on verses 4–8 and begin looking atverse 9. In verse 9, Paul gives us five verbs: “Those things, which ye haveboth learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do.” We see here thecomplete process of discipleship. You learn truth. You receive truth.You hear truth repeatedly. You see truth lived in someone else'slife. Then you do the truth yourself. Overmy 50 years of ministry, that's what we've attempted to do—to hear this truth,to receive it, to let it live in us as we meditate on it, and then to live itout before others around us. Paul said, “You have seen in me.”Paul set an example, and so should we. Let'spray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and for reminding us howimportant our thoughts are. Forgive us for the times we've allowed fear andworry and bitterness and impurity and discouragement to control our thinking. Helpus to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Jesus Christ.Renew our minds through Your Word. Help us to think on those things that aretrue, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. May our right thinkinglead to right living. May our lives bring honor and glory to You always. Wepray this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

Welcometo Pastor's Chat. Today we conclude our study of Philippians 4:8. For the pastseveral days we have carefully walked through this remarkable verse. Paul hasgiven us a divine pattern for guarding our minds. He has taught us to think onthings that are True... Honorable... Just... Pure... Lovely... Of Good Report...Full of Virtue... And Worthy of Praise. But before we leave this verse, I wantus to step back and see the big picture. Paulis not merely giving us a list. He is describing the mind of Christ. Earlier inthis letter, in Philippians 2:5, Paul wrote, "Let this mind be in you,which was also in Christ Jesus." Now, in chapter 4, he shows us whatthat mind looks like. Everything on this list perfectly describes our LordJesus Christ. He is Truth. Everything about Him is honorable. Everything Hedoes is just. He is absolutely pure. His life is altogether lovely. EverythingHe says is of good report. He is the very definition of virtue. He alone isworthy of all praise. The more we think about Christ... The more we become likeChrist. Paulunderstood something we often forget. Our lives move in the direction of ourthoughts. That is why verse 8 comes before verse 9. First comes right thinking.Then comes right living. Listen to the opening words of verse 9: "Thosethings, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me,do..."Noticethe progression. Think... Then do. Meditate... Then practice. Truth believedbecomes truth lived. Foryears I have been reminded that the Christian life is much like building ahouse. Our thoughts are the foundation. Our words become the framework. Ouractions build the walls. Our habits put on the roof. Our character becomes thefinished house. Everything begins with the foundation. No wonder Solomon wrote,"For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7) Thebattle for the Christian life is truly the battle for the mind. That battle isbeing fought every day. It is fought by what we watch. What we read. What welisten to. What we meditate upon. What we allow to remain in our thoughts. Thewonderful news is that God has not left us defenseless. He has given us HisHoly Spirit. He has given us His Word. He has given us the privilege of prayer. Inverse 7 He promises the peace of God to guard our hearts.Inverse 8 He gives us the truth of God to guard our minds.Tomorrow,in verse 9, He gives us the God of peace to guide our lives. Whata beautiful progression! The peace of God guards our hearts. The truth of Godguards our minds. The God of peace guides our lives. Friend,this week, why not memorize Philippians 4:8? Write it on a card. Read it everymorning. Pray through each phrase. Use it as a filter for every thought thatenters your mind. As you do, you'll discover that God is not merely changingwhat you think. He is changing who you are. And when our minds become more likeChrist, our lives will become more like Christ. That is the goal of theChristian life. Tomorrowwe'll begin looking at verse 9 and discover that God's truth is never meantmerely to be admired. It is meant to be practiced. Let'sPray: Heavenly Father, thank You for this wonderful passage that teaches us howto guard our minds. Thank You for giving us the perfect example of the LordJesus Christ. May His mind increasingly become our mind. Help us to think Yourthoughts, love what You love, reject what dishonors You, and faithfullypractice what You teach us. May our lives point others to our wonderful Savior.In His precious name we pray. Amen. Godbless and may you have a wonderful wonderful day!

"The Pursuit ofMoral Excellence"Philippians 4:8 Welcometo Pastor's Chat. Today we come to the final two descriptions in Paul'swonderful list found in Philippians 4:8. "Finally, brethren, whateverthings are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whateverthings are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of goodreport; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on thesethings." Notice how Paul begins to summarize everything he has justwritten. "If there be any virtue, and if there be any praise."  Theword virtue speaks of moral excellence. It describes the highest qualities ofChristian character. It is the kind of life that reflects the excellence ofJesus Christ Himself. Peter uses this same word in 2 Peter 1:3 when he tells usthat God has called us "to glory and virtue." Then in verse 5he challenges us, "Giving all diligence, add to your faithvirtue..." God never saved us simply to escape hell. He saved us sothat our lives would increasingly reflect the character of His Son. That is whyPaul tells us to fill our minds with whatever is morally excellent. Thesecond phrase is, "If there be any praise..." This is notspeaking primarily about receiving praise from people. It speaks of whatever isworthy of approval before God. We should ask ourselves this question: "IfJesus were sitting beside me, would He approve of what I am thinking aboutright now?" That one question can become a powerful guide for dailyliving. Aswe have studied this verse together, Paul has given us a wonderful checklistfor every thought that enters our minds. Is it true? Is it honorable? Is itjust? Is it pure? Is it lovely? Is it of good report? Does it demonstrate moralexcellence? Would it receive God's approval? If the answer is yes... Paul says,"Think on these things."Thewords “think on” mean much more than having a passing thought. They meanto continually dwell upon these things. To weigh them carefully. Tointentionally fill your mind with them. Godmade us in such a way that our minds cannot think two thoughts at the sametime. If we are thinking what we should be thinking, we cannot be thinking whatwe shouldn't be thinking. Our minds are never neutral. If we do notdeliberately fill them with God's truth, the world will gladly fill them withits own values. Thatis why daily time in God's Word is not optional. It is essential. The psalmistwrote, "Blessed is the man... whose delight is in the law of the LORD;and in His law doth he meditate day and night." (Psalm 1:1-2). Noticethe word meditate. God never intended His Word to be merely read. He intendedit to be pondered. Turned over in our minds. Applied to our lives. As wemeditate on God's truth, the Holy Spirit gradually transforms our thinking. Themore we think like Christ... The more we live like Christ. Yearsago, someone wisely observed, "You are today where your thoughts havebrought you. You will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you." There ismuch truth in that statement. Our thoughts shape our choices. Our choices shapeour habits. Our habits shape our character. Our character shapes our influence.Thatis why the battle for the Christian life is first won or lost in the mind. Today,determine to make Philippians 4:8 your daily filter. Before you entertain athought, run it through Paul's checklist. If it passes...Think on it. If itfails... Replace it with the truth of God's Word. Let'sPray: Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us to lives of moral excellence.Help us to measure every thought by Your holy Word. Renew our minds day by dayuntil our thinking reflects the mind of Christ. May our lives become worthy ofYour approval and useful for Your glory. In Jesus' precious name, Amen. Godbless and may you have a wonderful wonderful day!

"Whatever things are lovely...""Whatever things are of good report..." The word lovely means that which is pleasing, gracious, winsome,and worthy of love. It describes whatever draws us toward God's goodnessinstead of pulling us toward sin. Thephrase "of good report" speaks of that which is admirable,commendable, reputable, and worthy of being spoken well of. Together thesewords teach us an important lesson. The Christian life is not merely aboutavoiding evil. It is also about delighting in what is beautiful. Sometimesbelievers become so focused on everything that is wrong with the world thatthey forget to enjoy everything that God has made right. Think about thebeautiful gifts God has placed all around us.  Thebeauty of His creation. A sunrise that reminds us of His faithfulness. Thesound of children laughing. A godly marriage that reflects Christ's love. Afaithful church family. The testimony of a missionary. The faithfulness of anelderly saint who has walked with God for decades. The joy of seeing someonetrust Christ as Savior. These are the kinds of things Paul says should occupyour minds. Davidoften filled his heart by meditating on God's works. Psalm 19 begins, "Theheavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handywork." Creationitself points us to the greatness of our Creator. Every beautiful flower. Everymountain. Every ocean wave. Every star in the night sky reminds us that our Godis both powerful and good. No wonder David could say in Psalm 27:4,"One thing have I desired of the LORD... that I may behold the beauty ofthe LORD."  Thinkabout that phrase. The beauty of the Lord. The loveliest person in all theuniverse is the Lord Jesus Christ. Everything about Him is beautiful. Hiscompassion. His humility. His holiness. His mercy. His grace. His truth. Hislove. The more we meditate on Christ, the more our own lives begin to reflectHis beauty. This also affects the way we listen to others and speak aboutothers. Paulsays to think on things that are of good report. Our world thrives on bad news.Every day the headlines remind us of crime, disasters, conflict, corruption,and tragedy. Social media often magnifies criticism, arguments, gossip, andoutrage. If we're not careful, we can become so absorbed with everything thatis wrong that we forget all that God is doing that is right. That doesn't meanwe ignore reality. It means we refuse to let negativity become the atmospherein which our minds continually live. Paulis teaching us to intentionally notice God's grace. Notice answered prayer.Notice faithful servants. Notice transformed lives. Notice opportunities toencourage someone. Notice evidences of God's goodness. Hebrews 10:24 says, "Andlet us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works."We should become students of encouragement. Instead of looking for reasons tocriticize, look for reasons to give thanks. Instead of dwelling on failures,rejoice in God's victories. Instead of repeating gossip, repeat God'sfaithfulness.  Someoneonce said, "The bee can find nectar while the fly can only findgarbage." Both live in the same world. They simply look for differentthings. The same is true spiritually. We can spend our lives looking foreverything that is wrong. Or we can train our minds to recognize thefingerprints of God's grace all around us. That doesn't mean life is alwayseasy. Remember where Paul was when he wrote these words. He was in prison. Yethis mind was not imprisoned. His circumstances did not determine his outlookbecause his thoughts were centered on Christ. Today,ask the Lord to help you see His goodness. Notice His blessings. Meditate onHis beauty. Encourage someone with words that build them up instead of tearthem down. When we fill our minds with what is lovely and of good report, wediscover that joy begins to replace bitterness, gratitude replaces complaining,and peace replaces discouragement.

Saturday July 11“Whatever things are pure." Thisword speaks of that which is morally clean, undefiled, innocent, and holy. Itdescribes a life that has not been contaminated by the pollution of sin. Welive in a world that has almost lost the meaning of purity. Every day we aresurrounded by images, conversations, advertisements, movies, televisionprograms, websites, and social media that appeal to the lust of the flesh, thelust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Impurity has become so common thatmany people no longer blush at what once brought shame. ButGod has never lowered His standard. Jesus said in Matthew 5:8, "Blessedare the pure in heart: for they shall see God." Notice He did notsimply say, "Blessed are the pure in conduct." He said, "Blessedare the pure in heart." God is always interested in the condition of theheart because the heart determines the conduct of the life. That is why Paul istalking about our thinking. Long before sin becomes an action, it usuallybegins as a thought that has been entertained. Someonehas wisely said, "Sow a thought, and you reap an action. Sow an action,and you reap a habit. Sow a habit, and you reap a character. Sow a character,and you reap a destiny." Everything begins with what we allow our minds todwell upon. Job understood this battle. In Job 31:1 he declared, "Imade a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?"Job recognized that what entered through his eyes could influence what remainedin his mind. How much more important is that principle today? Neverbefore in history have people carried around in their pockets devices that caninstantly expose them to almost every form of impurity imaginable. That is whywe must be more intentional than ever about guarding our minds. David prayed inPsalm 101:3, "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes." Whata wonderful commitment! Imagine how different our lives would be if everybeliever prayed that prayer each morning. Paulgives similar instruction in Romans 13:14, "But put ye on the LordJesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the luststhereof." Notice he doesn't simply say, "Don't sin." Hesays, "Don't make provision for it." Don't feed it. Don't encourageit. Don't place yourself where temptation is invited to stay. Instead, fillyour mind with Christ. The wonderful truth is this: The more room God's Wordoccupies in your mind, the less room sinful thoughts have to remain. Lightalways drives out darkness. Truth always exposes lies. Purity always overcomescorruption. This does not mean that believers will never experience temptation.Even our Lord was tempted. But temptation is not sin. Sin begins when we chooseto entertain what God tells us to reject. Every time an impure thought entersyour mind, immediately bring it before the Lord. Replace it with Scripture.Turn your attention to Christ. Sing a hymn. Quote a Bible verse. Begin thankingGod for His goodness. The battle is won not merely by resisting evil but byfilling our minds with something far better. Perhapsthe greatest motivation for purity is not fear. It is love. When we truly lovethe Lord Jesus Christ, we want our thoughts to be pleasing to Him. David prayedin Psalm 19:14, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of myheart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." Whata wonderful prayer for each of us. May the meditation of our hearts bring joyto the heart of our Savior. Today, ask yourself this question: "Would I becomfortable if the Lord Jesus could visibly read every thought that passesthrough my mind today?" The wonderful news is that He already does. Andyet He loves us enough to forgive us, cleanse us, and transform us. As we yieldour minds to Him, He continues making us more like Himself. Remember, God'sdesire is not merely clean hands. He desires clean hearts, pure minds, and holylives.

"Whatever things are just..."Each of these qualities is anotherfilter through which every thought should pass before it is allowed to remainin our minds. First, we asked, "Is it true?" Then we asked, "Isit honorable?" TodayPaul asks another important question: "Is it just?" The word justmeans righteous, upright, and in harmony with God's holy standards. It speaksof what is fair, right, and pleasing in His sight. Our world no longer agreeson what is right. People often say, "Do whatever feels right." Otherssay, "You have your truth, and I have mine." But God has neverchanged His standard. Malachi 3:6 says, "For I am the LORD, I changenot." Because God never changes, His standards of righteousness neverchange. Psalm119:172 declares, "All Thy commandments are righteousness." EverythingGod commands is right. Everything He forbids is for our good. Everything Heteaches reflects His perfect character. That means when we examine ourthoughts, we should ask, "Would this thought be approved by God? Does itagree with His Word? Does it reflect His righteousness?" That questionalone can save us from countless sins. Manytemptations begin long before an action is ever taken. They begin with athought. James tells us in James 1:14-15, "But every man is tempted,when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hathconceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forthdeath." Notice the progression. The thought comes first. Then desiregrows. Then comes the action. Then come the consequences. If we learn to rejectsinful thoughts at the beginning, we prevent sinful actions later. Yearsago someone wisely said, "You can't stop a bird from flying over yourhead, but you can stop it from building a nest in your hair." Temptingthoughts may come unexpectedly. Even our Lord was tempted by Satan in thewilderness. But Jesus never entertained those temptations. Instead, Heimmediately answered each one with the Word of God. Three times He declared, "Itis written..." Our greatest weapon against wrong thinking is the truthof God's Word. Davidunderstood this battle. In Psalm 19:14 he prayed, "Let the words of mymouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, mystrength, and my redeemer." Did you notice that? Not only the words ofmy mouth... But the meditation of my heart. David realized that God examineswhat no one else can see. People see our actions. God sees our thoughts. Thattruth should both humble us and encourage us. It humbles us because we realizehow desperately we need God's grace. But it also encourages us because the HolySpirit is able to transform us from the inside out. Asbelievers, we should never be satisfied merely with doing the right thing outwardly.God wants us to delight in what is right inwardly. He wants our minds to loverighteousness. When we read Scripture, meditate on God's character, rememberHis promises, and walk with Him daily, our thinking gradually begins to change.Webegin to love what He loves. We begin to hate what He hates. Our values becomeHis values. Our desires become more like His desires. That is the work ofspiritual maturity. Sotoday, whenever a thought enters your mind, pause for just a moment and askyourself, "Is this thought righteous? Would the Lord Jesus dwell on thisthought?" If the answer is yes, continue thinking on it. If the answer isno, surrender it immediately to Christ and replace it with the truth of HisWord. Remember, the Christian life is not simply avoiding wrong actions. It iscultivating a mind that delights in God's righteousness. Tomorrowwe'll come to one of my favorite words in this verse: "Whatever thingsare pure." In a world filled with moral confusion and impurity, Godstill calls His children to think pure thoughts.

Theword honest in our King James Bible means much more than simply telling thetruth. It carries the idea of whatever is honorable, noble, dignified, worthyof respect, and deserving of reverence. It describes that which lifts our mindsupward instead of dragging them downward. Paul uses this same Greek word inspeaking about the qualifications of deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8, where they areto be "grave," or dignified. Titus 2:2 uses the same idea to describeolder men who are to be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, love, andpatience. The Christian should have a mind that delights in things that arenoble. Thatraises an important question.  Whatoccupies our thoughts? Much of the entertainment in our world today feeds theopposite of what Paul is describing. We are surrounded by mockery instead ofrespect, vulgarity instead of purity, violence instead of kindness, andfoolishness instead of wisdom. It seems that many people today laugh at whatGod calls sacred and celebrate what God calls sinful. As believers, we must becareful about what we continually allow into our minds. Remember, whateverfills the mind eventually shapes the life. Solomonwisely wrote in Proverbs 4:23, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; forout of it are the issues of life." The word keep again means to guard.We guard our homes by locking the doors. We guard our valuables by placing themin a safe. Should we not be even more careful to guard our minds? Someone oncesaid, "You become like what you admire." There is a great deal oftruth in that statement. If we continually admire what is worldly, our thinkingwill become worldly. If we continually admire what is holy, our thinking willbecome holy. Oneof the greatest examples of honorable thinking is found in the Lord JesusChrist Himself. Every conversation He had was marked by dignity. Every actionreflected the holiness of His Father. Even when He rebuked sin, He did so withperfect righteousness and perfect love. Peter tells us, "Christ alsosuffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps."(1 Peter 2:21) If Christ is our example, then our thoughts should increasinglyreflect His character. Thisalso affects the conversations we enjoy. Have you noticed that people usuallytalk about what they think about? If our minds are filled with things that aretrivial, foolish, or corrupt, our speech will reveal it. Jesus said,"For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." (Matthew12:34) What fills the heart eventually comes out through the lips. Perhaps onepractical application today is this: Ask yourself, "Does what I amwatching, reading, listening to, or thinking about encourage dignity,reverence, and respect for God? Does it help me become more like Christ?" Ifthe answer is no, then it probably does not belong in the mind of a believer. TheChristian mind should never be captivated by what is cheap when it has beeninvited to dwell upon what is noble. Paul is reminding us that our minds shouldcontinually rise above the gutter of this world to the greatness of our God. Themore we fill our minds with Christ, His Word, His works, and His glory, theless attractive the things of this world become. That is why the greatestsafeguard for the Christian mind is not merely saying "no" to thewrong things. It is saying "yes" to the better things. Fill your mindwith Scripture. Fill your mind with the character of Christ. Fill your mindwith the greatness of God. Then you will discover that honorable thoughtsproduce honorable living. Tomorrowwe'll look at the next filter Paul gives us: "Whatever things arejust." We'll discover that God not only wants us to think nobly, butHe also wants us to think righteously.

Yesterday we learned that if we are goingto enjoy the peace of God guarding our hearts, then we must also guard ourminds.  TodayPaul gives us the first test for every thought that enters our minds: "Whateverthings are true." Everything begins with truth. We live in a worldwhere truth is often questioned, ignored, or even rejected. We hear people say,"Well, that's your truth," or "This is my truth." But theBible teaches that truth is not something we invent—it is something God reveals.Jesus declared in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: noman cometh unto the Father, but by Me." Later, as He prayed to theFather, Jesus said in John 17:17: “Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy wordis truth." God'sWord is the absolute standard of truth. If we are going to think correctly, wemust think Biblically. Why does Paul begin here? Because Satan's greatestweapon has always been deception. In the Garden of Eden, the serpent did notbegin by denying God. He began by questioning God's Word. "Yea, hathGod said...?" (Genesis 3:1) Then he contradicted God. "Youshall not surely die." (Genesis 3:4) A lie believed always leads tobondage. But the truth believed always leads to freedom. Jesus said in John8:31-32: "If you continue in My word, then are you My disciples indeed;and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Thinkabout how many lies Satan tries to whisper into our minds. He says, "Goddoesn't really love you." The Bible says, "The LORD hath appearedof old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love."(Jeremiah 31:3) Satan says, "God has abandoned you." God says, "Iwill never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5) Satan says,"Your failures define you." God says, "If any man be inChrist, he is a new creature." (2 Corinthians 5:17) Satan says,"There is no hope." God says, "Blessed be... the God of allcomfort." (2 Corinthians 1:3) Yousee, every temptation begins with believing a lie, and every victory beginswith believing God's truth. That is why we must continually fill our minds withScripture. Someone once compared the mind to a garden. If you do notintentionally plant flowers, weeds will naturally grow. The same is true of ourminds. If we neglect God's Word, the weeds of fear, doubt, bitterness, lust,pride, and anxiety will quickly take over. David understood this. He wrote in Psalm 119:11, "Thy word haveI hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee." Noticehe didn't simply read God's Word. He hid it in his heart. He stored it there sothat when temptation came, truth was already available. That is exactly how ourLord defeated Satan during His temptation in the wilderness. Every time Satantempted Him, Jesus answered with the same words: "It iswritten..." He responded to every lie with the truth of God's Word.Ephesians 6:13-14 says: “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that youmay be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Standtherefore, having girded your waist with truth…” Friend,one of the greatest habits you can develop is to begin every day reading,meditating on, and memorizing Scripture. Throughout the day, ask yourself,"Is what I'm thinking true according to God's Word?" If it isn't,reject it and replace it with what God has said.  Remember, God's peace guards our hearts, butGod's truth guards our minds. Today,determine that your mind will be anchored—not in your feelings, not in theopinions of the world, and not in the changing circumstances of life—but in theunchanging truth of God's Word. Godbless and may you have a wonderful wonderful day!

Thinkfor a moment about how many thoughts enter your mind every day. Researchersestimate that thousands of thoughts pass through our minds daily. Some arehelpful, many are harmless, but others can be destructive. Satan knows that ifhe can capture your mind, he can influence your emotions, your decisions, youractions, and eventually your character. That is why the battle for theChristian life is largely the battle for the mind. Noticethe connection with the previous verses. In verse 6 Paul tells us to prayinstead of worrying. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayerand supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God”. Thenin verse 7 he gives us God's wonderful promise: “And the peace of God, whichsurpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through ChristJesus”. The word guard is a military term. It means to guard or stand watchover. God's peace stands like a soldier around our hearts and minds. Butnow Paul tells us something else. While God guards our hearts with His peace,we have the responsibility to guard our minds with His truth. God neverintended for our minds to remain empty. An empty mind quickly becomes occupiedby fear, temptation, discouragement, resentment, lust, pride, or worry. Theanswer is not merely to stop thinking wrong thoughts. The answer is to replacethem with right thoughts. This is a principle found throughout Scripture. InProverbs 23:7 we read, "For as a man thinks in his heart, so ishe." Ourthoughts eventually become our character. The Lord Jesus emphasized the sametruth. In Matthew 15:19 He said, "For out of the heart proceed evilthoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness,blasphemies." Everything begins on the inside before it ever appearson the outside. Paul also wrote in Romans 12:2, "And be not conformedto this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." Noticethat transformation comes through the renewing of the mind. Theworld says, "Follow your heart." God says, "Renew yourmind." The world fills our minds with fear, anger, impurity, selfishness,and confusion. God fills our minds with truth, hope, purity, love, and peace. Someonehas wisely said, "You cannot keep the birds from flying over your head,but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair." We cannot alwayscontrol the thoughts that suddenly enter our minds, but we can choose whetherwe dwell on them. A temptation may come, but we do not have to invite it tostay. Paulends this verse with a command: "Think on these things." Thephrase means to deliberately dwell on them, to continually consider them, tocarefully evaluate them, and to let them shape your thinking. The Christianlife is not lived by accident. It is lived by intentionally filling our mindswith God's truth.  Overthe next several days we are going to examine each of these wonderful qualitiesPaul lists. They provide a divine filter for every thought that enters ourminds. Before we allow a thought to remain, we should ask, "Is it true? Isit honest? Is it just? Is it pure? Is it lovely? Is it of good report? Does itdisplay virtue? Is it worthy of praise?" If the answer is yes, dwell onit. If not, replace it with God's Word. Remember, if you want to enjoy thepeace of God in your heart, you must also guard your mind with the truth ofGod. Let's ask the Lord today to help us win the battle for our minds. Let'sPray: Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us Your Word to guide our thinking.Forgive us for allowing worry, fear, bitterness, impurity, and worldlyinfluences to occupy our minds. Help us, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, tothink on the things that honor You. Guard our hearts with Your peace, renew ourminds with Your truth, and transform our lives for Your glory. In Jesus' name,Amen. Godbless and may you have a wonderful wonderful day!