Petrine Letters (adapted from KJV) -- Introduction and Background

I had initially given thought to following the Book of James with the Epistle of Jude, since they are widely viewed as the brothers of Jesus.

However, Jude parallels much of what is written in 2 Peter. Moving from a study of 2 Peter to Jude then makes sense.

But the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke -- known as the Synoptic Gospels -- were written in the late 50s and early 60s. John is not included in the Synoptic Gospels.

After the Synoptic Gospels were written, there is the Gospel of John, the three letters of John, then the Book of Revelation, all written in the late 80s.

As far as the dating of the writing of Peter's letters, I quote from my Concordia Study Bible on page 1904: The book can be satisfactorily dated in the early 60s. It cannot be placed earlier than 60 since it shows familiarity with Paul's Prison Letters (e.g., Colossians and Ephesians, which are to be dated no earlier than y60). Compare 1:1-3 with Eph. 1:1-3; 2:18 with Col. 3:22; 3:1-6 with Eph. 5:22-24. Furthermore, it cannot be dated later than 67/68 since Peter was martyred during Nero's reign.

Some legends have it that Peter had a daughter. She is sometimes identified with the virgin martyr Petronilla. And if we look a 1 Corinthians 9:5, we realize that Cephas (Peter) traveled with his wife: Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas?

And then Paul asks the Corinthians: Or is it only I and Barnabas who must work for a living?

Read more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Peter

Some scholars believe that Peter died on October 13, 64 AD. It is traditionally believed that the Roman authorities sentenced him to death by crucifixion. According to a tradition recorded or perhaps initiated in the apocryphal Acts of Peter, he was crucified head down. Tradition also located his burial place where the Basilica of Saint Peter was later built, directly beneath the Basicilica's high alter. (ibid)

Peter was born in Bethsaida (John 1:44). His father's name is given as "Jonah" (John 1:42, Matthew 16:17), although some manuscripts of John give his father's name as "John." The synoptic gospels all recount how Peter's mother-in-law was healed by Jesus at their home in Capernaum (Matthew 8:14-17; Mark 1:29-31; Luke 4:38) which, coupled with 1 Corinthians 9:5, implies that Peter was married. (ibid)

According to the synoptic gospels, before becoming a disciple of Jesus, Simon (that is, Peter whose name was in fact originally Simon) was a fisherman along with his brother Andrew.

Matthew and Mark report that while fishing in the Lake of Gennesaret, Simon and his brother Andrew were called by Jesus to be his followers, with the words, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:18-19; Mark 1:16-17).

In Luke's account Simon is the owner of a boat that Jesus uses to preach to the multitudes where were pressing on him at the shore of Lake Gennesaret (Luke 5:3).

Jesus then amazes Simon and his companions, James and John (Andrew is not mentioned) by telling them to lower their nets, whereupon they catch a huge number of fish. Immediately after this, they follow him (Luke 5:4-11). (ibid)

And so we will begin our study of Peter's letters tomorrow.

##

James 5:1-20 (adapted from KJV)

And so we come to the final chapter of James' book. He has shared many an exhortation about how to live in a family, in a church group, in a community.

The Book of James is about relationships.

It's about remembering who we are and who we are supposed to serve and we are to maintain civility and humility in our dealings with others. Arrogance has no place in the heart of the redeemed person.

Early in this chapter, James goes after the rich man. But not just any rich man. After all, God is not opposed to a man being wealthy. Look at how he blessed King Solomon -- the wealthiest of all men. And look how he recovered the riches of Job and his tribulations.

No, it's not wealth that despairs God. It's what wealth does to greedy, arrogant men. Wealth then becomes the mirror of the devil and God does not like that one bit.

In verses 1-2, James say: Go now, rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten." Then he goes on to say that the rich man's gold and silver are tarnished.

But can precious metals tarnish? Especially gold? Must have been fake. Just like the men who hoarded the gold for later days. James says in verse 9 that the judge is standing at the door.

That carries a strong warning to all the arrogant people who were making money off the labors of others.

Interesting note in verse 10 to remember what the prophets had to say when they talked about similar self-indulgent men who paid a stiff penalty for the pride.

For instance, in Isaiah 13:11-13 -- I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will put an end to the pomp of the arrogant, and lay low the pompous pride of the ruthless. I will make people more rare than fine gold, and mankind than the gold of Ophir. Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken out of its place, at the wrath of the Lord of hosts in the day of his fierce anger.

And in Zephaniah 2:8-11 -- I have heard the taunts of Moab and the revilings of the Ammonites, how they have taunted my people and made boasts against their territory. Therefore, as I live, declares the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Moab shall become like Sodom, and the Ammonites like Gomorrah, a land possessed by nettles and salt pits, and a waste forever. The remnant of my people shall plunder them, and the survivors of my nation shall possess them. This shall be their lot in return for their pride, because they taunted and boasted against the people of the Lord of hosts. The Lord will be awesome against them; for he will garnish all the gods of the earth, and to him shall bow down, each in its place, all the lands of the nations.

In Ezekiel 28:1-10 -- The word of the Lord came to me: "Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, "Thus says the Lord God:

Because your heart is proud, and you have said, 'I am a god, I sit in the seat of the gods, in the heart of the seas,' yet you are but a man, and no god, though you make your heart like the heart of a god -- you are indeed wiser than Daniel; no secret is hidden from you; by your wisdom and your understanding you have made wealth for yourself, and have gathered gold and silver into your treasuries; by your great wisdom in your trade you have increased your wealth, and your heart has become proud in your wealth -- therefore thus says the Lord God: Because you make your heart like the heart of a god, therefore, behold, I will bring foreigners upon you, the most ruthless of the nations; and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom and defile your splendor. They shall thrust you down in the pit, and you shall die the death of the slain in the heart of the seas. Will you still say, 'I am a god,' in the presence of those who kill you, through you are but a man, and no god, in the hands of those who slay you? You shall die the death of the uncircumcised by the hand of foreigners; for I have spoken, declares the Lord God."

In Amos 2:6-8 -- Thus says the Lord: "For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals -- those who trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth and turn aside the way of the afflicted; a man and his father go in to the same girl, so that my holy name is profaned; they lay themselves down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge, and in the house of their God they drink the wine of those who have been fined."

And in Jeremiah 50:31-32 -- Behold, I am against you, O proud one, declares the Lord God of hosts, for your day has come, the time when I will punish you. The proud one shall stumble and fall, with none to raise him up, and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it will devour all that is around him.

I do not know this for certain, but I would imagine that in the temple at Jerusalem, there must have been an extensive library of written material from the prophets that would have been available to a Rabbi such as James.

And in writing these early verses in Chapter 5, he was compelled by the Holy Spirit to reiterate the writings of the early prophets in matters of false pride and arrogance and how the Lord punished those who fell into these traps of the devil.

Oh, for sure, the Lord doesn't run around zapping people who are arrogant and self-indulgent. No. They are given every opportunity to confess their sins and change their ways from evil.

And to those who must endure this arrogance and lies and hypocrisy, James says this in verse 11: Behold, we count them happy which endure. You've heard of the patience of Job and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

It's been said that only God knows what corrective action a person needs to make spiritual changes that will bring that person back to God. So if you are having to endure such things from someone and you wonder why God doesn't do something about it, perhaps it's comforting to know that God is, indeed, watching you and what you are going through and his heart is filled with tender mercy for you.

As long as you act with the heart of a redeemed person and not a vengeful one.

James finishes this chapter and this book with this thought in verses 19-20: If any of you err from the truth, and one converts him, let him know that he who converts the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death and shall hide a multitude of sins.

The sins of the person who wandered away from God will be forgiven by God. And we, as redeemed people, are to continue to pray for those who wander.

Discussion:

What are your lessons learned from the Book of James? Take a moment to review your notes, if you've made them. There's so much richness in James' advice about relationships. But keep in mind, most of all, that these were not homework assignments that James made for a psychology class at Jerusalem University. Oh no. James was a rabbi. He was a leader in the synagogue and was highly thought of.

It was James who received the charity money that Paul collected from the churches in Asia Minor. Paul brought these funds to give to James so that they could be distributed to the poor people who were suffering from a famine that was widespread in the area.

These instructions from James were written down by him and it may well have been his pen that formed the words on paper, but make no mistake about it, the messages are from God above. They are for us today as surely as they were for the redeemed people in James' time.

We pray: Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that you would help me when I am proud to remove my foolish pride and remember that all gifts are from you. I thank you for the blessings you have given me that make my life easier and I pray that I will always be willing to share with others. I pray that you will keep me safe from Satan and all that is evil. And I pray that I will always do you work willingly. Amen.

##

James 4:1-17 (adapted from KJV)

In the last chapter we see James' warnings against the hazards of a sharp tongue -- a tongue that, if left untamed, could drag us into evil.

In this chapter, James talks about why we don't always get what we want.

So far, James has told us that faith without good works is a dead faith. That does not mean, by any stretch of the imagination, that good works are going to get us into heaven. James isn't talking about good works having redemptive qualities.

Rather, when we are redeemed people, we don't act the same way as people who are not redeemed. We don't even act the same way as we had behaved before we were redeemed.

And if our faith is genuine, then we are going to show that faith through good works because it is a God-pleasing thing to do.

James asks the question in the first verse of this chapter. That is, how come we fight among ourselves? Where do all these quarrels come from? James wants us to  accept that these battles come from our own desires that are deep inside us. People step on our toes and we lash out at them. Other people hurt our feelings and wound our egos -- and we lash out at them.

Problem is, we're all puffed up. We're filled with how great we are. How pious we are. Even how humble we are. And in our great humility, we become weighted down with the lust of our arrogance. These are deep desires that well up inside us. And just in case others don't notice our humility and piety, we hasten to point out those great qualities that we possess. We're just hoping that others will notice and figure out how great we are. Sound familiar?

James warns us about these desires. They're doing battle within you, he says. (verse 1b)

People covet what other people have. They may covet so much that they'll kill the person who has what they want. Maybe they've prayed for what the other person has. And they didn't get an answer to the prayer because the motive was wrong. The wrong motive blares out from the desire for pleasure.

It's just plain old wrong to pray for something that's just going to be a toy for your own pleasure. Who ever told you that you could pray for such things?

James warns about that and he also warns about getting in too deep with buddies who are of the world. All those cocktail parties at work and chasing around with people you aren't married to will make you a friend of the world. You can't be in those kind of friendships and please God. James says that when you do that, you become an enemy of God (see verse 4).

In verse 5, James asks: Do you think that the scripture says in vain, 'The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?'

Matthew Henry offers this: ...The hope of a resurrection to glory should keep Christians from dishonouring their bodies by fleshly lusts. And if the soul be united to Christ by faith, the whole man is become a member of his spiritual body.... Our bodies have been redeemed from deserved condemnation and hopeless slavery by the atoning sacrifice of Christ. We are to be clean, as vessels fitted for our Master's use. being united to Christ as one spirit, and bought with a price of unspeakable value, the believer should consider himself as wholly the Lord's, by the strongest ties. May we make it our business, to the latest day and hour of our lives, to glorify God with our bodies, and with our spirits which are his.
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=54&source=2&seq=i.53.6.3

Further clarification comes my Concordia Study Bible on page 1901: ...God jealously longs for our faithfulness and our love.

James says to draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands and purify your hearts. Then, there's double-mindedness coming up again. James does not care for double-minded people. It's one way or the other and James says if you want God to be with you, then you have to go toward God.

James orders ten commands in verses 7-10 to get rid of sinful pride:

1. Submit yourselves to God
2. Resist the devil
3. Draw near the God
4. Cleanse your hands
5. Purify your hearts
6. Be afflicted
7. Mourn
8. Weep
9. Let your laughter turn to mourning
10. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and he will lift you up.

Matthew Henry says this: Humility preserves peace and order in all Christian churches and societies; pride disturbs them. Where God gives grace to be humble, he will give wisdom, faith and holiness.

To be humble, and subject to our reconciled God, will bring greater comfort to the soul than the gratification of pride and ambition. But it is to be in due time, not in thy fancied time, but God's own wisely appointed time.

...The remedy is to cast our care upon God, and leave every event to his wise and gracious disposal. Firm belief that the Divine will and counsels are right calms the spirit of a man. Truly the godly too often forget this, and fret themselves to no purpose.

Refer all to God's disposal. The golden mines of all spiritual comfort and good are wholly his, and the Spirit itself. Then, will he not furnish what is fit for us if we humbly attend on him and lay the care of providing for us upon his wisdom and love?

The whole design of Satan is to devour and destroy souls. He always is contriving whom he may insnare to eternal ruin. Our duty plainly is to be sober; to govern both the outward and the inward man by the rules of temperance. To be vigilant; suspicious of constant danger from this spiritual enemy, watchful and diligent to prevent his designs. Be steadfast or solid by faith.

A man cannot fight upon a quagmire; there is no standing without firm ground to tread upon; this faith alone furnishes. It lifts the soul to the firm advanced ground of the promises and fixes it there...
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=68&source=2&seq=i.67.5.2

James warns against slandering and casting judgment on others. He says that there is only one lawgiver who is able to save and to destroy. So who exactly are we to judge anybody? When we judge others then we are speaking evil of the law. And when  we judge the law we are not obeying the law. Instead we are judging the law.

We don't have that kind of power. God issued the laws and it's not our province to sit in judgment of that law.

James likens this to people who say they are going to go off to another city and stay there for a year or so and make a lot of money. James wants to know how you're going to do that when you don't have the slightest idea of what's going to happen to you tomorrow.

He says you're like a vapour -- here for a little while, then poof! The vapour vanishes.

What you ought to be saying, and thinking, is that what's going to happen to you is what God wants to happen to you. So quit bragging about all this control that you think you have over your life. Bragging is evil.

And here's the clincher that ends this chapter: If you know what you're supposed to be doing and you don't do it, then you are sinning. (see verses 13-17)

Discussion:

I sure wish I could be there with you for this discussion. What I'd like to have you talk about is this business of judging others. How is holding onto an opinion different than making a judgment?

We all have opinions about people, places and things. So if you have an opinion about someone, how close are you to making a judgment?

Maybe this will help you out. We make excuses for people we care about. We "cut them some slack." So do you think James is wanting us to care about people and maybe ease up on caustic opinions?

Isn't this entire Book of James about caring and living in relationships with other people?

Keep in mind that the Book of James is the Word of God. These are not James' opinions but God's thoughts coming through James' pen.

We pray: Oh Lord, I pray that you would help me do a better job of living with my fellow man. I am subject to all the human frailties that Satan would love to get ahold of. I pray that you will keep me strong and help me resist Satan and all that is evil. Fill me with your Spirit as I go through my days and help me do your will and build your kingdom. Help me recognize the people that you send to cross my path and help me discern what it is that you would have me do. Amen.

##

James 3:1-18 (KJV)

Some professions are held to a higher standard. James starts off this chapter with the admonition that some people shouldn't be teachers. Teachers, he says, are held to a higher standard. Teachers are judged more strictly.

What other professionals can you think of who are held to higher standards? Pastors, for one. Counselors for another. Teachers, certainly. Doctors, you bet. There's not much tolerance for mistakes in these professions.

Bankers, car salesmen, shepherds, ranchers, house painters, lawyers. These professionals are not judged as strictly.

It isn't that their work is less important. Rather, people who work in these professions are not in positions to cause spiritual or physical damage. Even in the penal codes, financial crimes are not considered crimes against persons.

James goes from this opinion that teachers are held to a stricter code to a strong warning for us to get control of our tongue. It's a small part of our body. Doesn't weigh as much as the heart, that's for sure. And it doesn't weigh three pounds like the brain does.

Nope. The tongue probably doesn't even weigh two ounces. But look at the damage the tongue can do.

It's not unlike the rudder of a ship. Comparatively speaking, the rudder is a small part of a big ship. Yet the captain can turn this small little part of a ship one direction or another and get a huge big ship to change course. Little rudders steer big ships even when there are strong winds.

Or big horses are guided by little bits in their mouths. What does a big horse weigh? A half ton? Yet the rider can get the horse to go one direction or another just by using a small bit in the horse's mouth.

Same with a forest fire. One little match can set off a blaze that may burn 100,000 acres.

So James compares the tongue to a fire in verse 6. He says that the tongue -- the small little tongue -- can corrupt a person's entire body. The tongue can become an evil instrument that becomes a restless, deadly poison. (See verses 3-8)

It sounds like James had taken the psalmist to heart: They make their tongue sharp as a serpent's, and under their lips is the venom of asps. (Psalm 140:3)

The apostle Paul gives us a mirror of the psalmist's thought, or perhaps James' writings which may also have been available to the apostle: Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive. The venom of asps is under their lips. (Romans 3:13)

So James says that we bless God, even the Father, and yet we curse men around us. These very men are created in the likeness of God. We curse other people who are children of God. We curse and ridicule other people who are -- like us -- heirs to God's kingdom. (see verse 9)

And James says that out of the same mouth comes blessings and cursing. These things ought not to be. (see verse 10)

We are redeemed people. I believe that the good works that James talked about as an expectation of behavior from redeemed people included not just the good deeds that we do for others if we like them or if we are sympathetic to them, but good deeds also can be a silenced tongue that may want to spew out angry words.

James would conclude that this anger spitting out of our mouths, this venom coming from our tongue would compromise our faith. It would not mirror what a redeemed person would say and because of such angry venom, may even cause others to think our faith in God is not the genuine article.

We have to show our faith to others. And that faith comes from acting like we are redeemed people of God.

For instance, James says in verse 11 that a fountain cannot send out both sweet water and bitter water from the same spigot.

And you don't get olives from a fig tree.

Likewise, you don't get kind words from an angry tongue, especially if there's a poisonous snake living underneath the tongue (in a person's heart, for instance.)

If you want people to think you are wise and understanding, then you have to show it by the way you live your life. If you have bitterness in your heart -- if you harbor envy in your heart -- if you are selfish in your ambition -- then you cannot claim to be wise.

Wisdom comes from above. It is a spiritual endowment that is pure. It brings peace with it. Wisdom is gentle and full of mercy and good fruits. Wisdom doesn't show partiality, and it certainly has no part of hypocrisy. (see verses 15-17).

James closes this chapter with the thought that the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. (see verse 18)

Discussion:

James brings us a wealth of wisdom in forming human relationships. This week do one nice thing for someone that involves the spoken word -- whether it's sending a short, cheerful note to a shut-in or a birthday card or anniversary card to someone you know. Sometimes we make too big of a project out of sending a simple card to let someone know we're thinking of them. At most, it's probably a fifteen minute project.

Show your faith. Wear it well so that people who see you will know you are a redeemed person.

We pray: Dear Father in Heaven, I pray that you would help me show my faith to others in ways that glorify your name. I thank you for redeeming me from sin, death and the devil. I pray that you will give me the real wisdom that brings spiritual blessings to me and all those people I know and love. I thank you, Lord, for all your blessings. Amen.

##

James 2:1-26 (KJV)

James had a point to make in this chapter and he repeats it several times. That point is: Faith without works is dead.

To put it another way: Good trees bear good fruit.

And then, there's the matter of partiality. James says, in verse 1 not to show favoritism. He uses an example of a rich man showing up for dinner at your house. Suppose this man comes, dressed in fine clothes and wearing expensive jewelry. Would you cater to him? Maybe put him at one of the best seats you have to offer?

Probably so.

What about someone else who looks like maybe he snuck in the back door. Not dressed too sharp. Maybe even smells a little bad. Rumpled, frumpy outfit. Where are you going to have him sit, if you let him stay at all?

Be careful, James warns. For if you kick the poor person out, you're showing favoritism. When you do that, you're judging against the poor person. James even warns in verse 4 about your having evil thoughts when you set yourself up to judge the poor person.

James explains in verse 5 that God chooses the poor of this world to be rich in faith, and they too are heirs to the kingdom which God has promised to all who love him.

And don't think that the rich guys are your friends, James warns. They're the ones who haul you off to court for whatever infractions they think you may be guilty of. The rich people exploit you. They use you for their own gain. (see verses 6-7)

Rather, says James, live by the royal law. That is: Love your neighbors as you love yourself. If you do this, you do well. (verse 8)

If you don't do this, and you show favoritism to the rich man, then you are a lawbreaker in terms of what God commands in verse 8. The law convicts you.

Where the law is concerned, James warns that if you keep all the commandments but break one, then you are guilty of breaking all of them. He uses the examples of adultery and murder. So you're adulterous. But you're not a murderer. James says you're a lawbreaker. (see verses 10-11) Breaking even one commandment of the law becomes your stumbling point.

Verse 14 brings a point from James that has to do with faith and works when he asks what does it profit you if you have faith but not works. Does faith save you?

My Concordia Study Bible makes this note on page 1899: James is not saying that a person is saved by works and not by genuine faith. Rather, he is saying, to use Martin Luther's words, that a man is justified (declared righteous before God) by faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone. Genuine faith will produce good deeds, but only faith in Christ saves.

Matthew Henry offers this enrichment for our study: All these sayings Christ often used; it was easy to apply them. We ought to be very careful when we blame others; for we need allowance ourselves.

If we are of a giving and a forgiving spirit, we shall ourselves reap the benefit.

Though full and exact returns are made in another world, not in this world, yet Providence does what should encourage us in doing good. Those who follow the multitude to do evil, follow in the broad way that leads to destruction.

The tree is known by its fruits; may the word of Christ be so grafted in our hearts, that we may be fruitful in every good word and work. And what the mouth commonly speaks, generally agrees with what is most in the heart.

Those only make sure work for their souls and eternity, and take the course that will profit in a trying time, who think, speak, and act according to the words of Christ. Those who take pains in religion found their hope upon Christ, who is the Rock of Ages, and other foundation can no man lay. In death and judgment they are safe, being kept by the power of Christ through faith unto salvation and they shall never perish.
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=50&source=2&seq=i.49.6.6

Again, James repeats himself in verse 17: Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Okay, so here comes your argument. You say that you believe in the one true God. And James would say, so what? So does Satan. In fact, James says in verse 19, ...the devils tremble.

Oh for sure, there have been many instances down through history when the good acts of the faithful can be pointed to. James does this when he reminds us that Abraham had faith in God and went to the place where God wanted him to make a sacrifice of his son Isaac. Abraham obeyed. Abraham acted on his faith. He offered up his son. The act of offer Isaac was the act of faith. A genuine faith.

God knew that Abraham's faith was genuine. God stopped Abraham before he actually completed the act of the sacrifice. And James says in verse 23 that God called Abraham the Friend of God.

The same thing goes for the prostitute Rahab. She acted on her faith even at peril to her life. The story goes that back in the olden days, Joshua sent two men out as spies. He wanted them to check out this land around Jericho. So it happens that they ended up at the house of Rahab. She gave them lodging. But word got back to the king of Jericho that there were spies around who were checking the place out.

Well, it started to get dark. And it was time to close the gates for the night. The king's men went out looking for the spies. But they didn't know that Rahab had hidden Joshua's spies up on her roof. When the coast was clear, she let them down the wall by a rope through the window. Her house was one of those that was built into the city wall. Then Rahab told the spies to head for the hills and stay there for three days. By that time, the king's men would have come back to Jericho.

The spies then told Rahab that when they came back to demolish Jericho, to be sure to tie a scarlet cord at her window. That would be a signal that all who were in the house with Rahab would be spared because of her act of faith. (See Joshua 2:1-22).

Discussion:

It's difficult to not judge others. We say we aren't judging -- that we just hold an opinion about someone. How are opinions and judgments similar. And do you think your opinions can lead you to sin if they get too close to being judgments?

Talk about why God doesn't want us to judge others.

We pray: Oh Spirit of the Living God, I pray that you will be with me and guide me as I make my way through the days of my life.

I pray that you will reach into the dusty corners of my heart where there are often thoughts not pleasing to you. I pray that you will get rid of all those thoughts and clean my heart so that I may serve you.

I pray that you would help me in whatever I do in life. I thank you Lord for all the blessings you have given to me. I pray that you will help me grow in faith and renew my energy each day for the work that you would have me do. Amen.

##

James 1: 1-27 (English Standard Version)

Had I started these Bible studies in the order they were written, James would have been the first to be studied. There are indications that this book was written before 50 A.D.

Recall that Paul wrote his first letter to the churches at Thessalonica in 50-51 A.D.

This letter from James is written to the Jews who are scattered among the nations (verse 1). The Jewish people had gathered in population centers as a result of the Diaspora, or Dispersion. See map at: http://www.ccel.org/bible/phillips/CPn20James.htm

Diaspora is a Greek word that means "a scattering." So when James addresses his letter to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations, he is writing to all the people of God who are scattered throughout the world. And we are members of that dispersion also, for the Word of God is written by God for all the people of God.

If James has a thesis in this first chapter, it is found in verse 27: Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

But this first chapter of James is also rich in its list of riches that we are bestowed from God in our lives. There are four riches that James lists.

1) The first of these riches is a testing of our faith: for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effort, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (verses 3-4)

2) the second of the four riches is wisdom. When we think of wisdom, who cannot get a picture of Solomon, perhaps the wisest of all men. Solomon prayed: Lord, I am but a little child... (see 1 Kings 3:16-28) James says If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him. (verse 5) We ought to prefer spiritual blessings to earthly good, says Matthew Henry.
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=28&source=2&seq=i.11.3.2

3) the third of the four riches is an unexpected joy that man can receive blessings from God -- failure to anticipate or expect these blessings can cause a man to become bogged down in his "double-mindedness," as James puts it in verse 8. 

We might consider this double-mindedness like this: We believe that God always tells the truth. We believe that when God makes a promise, He always keeps his promise. When God promises His blessings, we believe that too. For other people. We may not be so sure that God is going to bless me, an undeserving sinner.

See the double-speak that Satan puts in our hearts? Can you hear Satan whispering in Eve's ear, "Did God really say that?" Sin entered the world on the whisper of Eve's double-mindedness. James warns against double-mindedness in verses 7-8.

God is trustworthy. The realization of that concept is one of our greatest riches. It will bring joy to your soul for all your days.

4) the fourth of these riches is the promise of a crown of life. James points out in verse 12: Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

James then makes this point that when people are tempted, they are not tempted by God. In verses 13-14, James says: Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

To make his point perfectly clear, James adds this: Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (verse 15)

James wants us to know that every good and perfect gift comes from God above. It is God who gives us life itself for James says we are to be a kind of first-fruits of God's creatures. First-fruits is an interesting metaphor.

My Concordia Study Bible offers this note on page 1898: Just as the first sheaf of the harvest was an indication that the whole harvest would eventually follow, so the early Christians were an indication that a great number of people would eventually be born again.

Perhaps this metaphor was even more appropriate when James considered that so many of the Jewish Christians were scattered all over the place -- some in Africa, some on the European continent, some in Italy. James may have seen a foreshadowing of the early Christians being recommitted to a life in faith, of being reborn.

James wanted his beloved brothers to be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves...a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. See verses 22-25.

For sure, we'll hear more from James about faith without works, as his letter deepens in its message.

Discussion:

What are some of the ways that you believe your faith has been tested?

Talk about the double-mindedness of faith in your study group. How do you keep God's assurances in your heart?

Redeemed people are caring people. How do you show your caring to the outside world?

We pray: I pray, Oh Lord, that you would bless me with the discernment I need to share my life with others. And like Solomon, I feel like a child in my lack of knowledge and maturity. I pray that your Holy Spirit will guide me through these studies and I pray for all those who are reading them every day. Bless their studies and I pray that you would give the gift of your grace to them.

I pray for all those who serve you in mission fields everywhere around the world. Keep them safe from the double-mindedness of Satan so that they can bring the joy of your love to the people they serve. Amen.

##

2 Timothy 4:1-22 (ESV)

This particular chapter of Paul's letter second letter to Timothy is always a sad one for me. It's the last we hear from Paul in the Bible. Paul is coming close to the time of his death since he was re-imprisoned by Nero during 66-67 A.D. (Concordia Study Bible, page 1857).

Although we don't have a record of the actual date of Paul's death, some Bible scholars place it at 67 A.D.

So let's listen to what Paul tells Timothy.

Paul charges Timothy to preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. (verse 2)

"In season and out of season" is another way of saying be ready at all times. No matter what happened, it appears that Paul wanted Timothy to be ready for anything that came his way. For sure, as a pastor, there would be times when he'd have to criticize or correct, even disapprove strongly of what someone might be doing or saying. And there would be times when Timothy would have to reprimand and scold someone. There would be moments when Timothy would need to give advice and warnings, and learned recommendations.

Timothy would need patience as he taught others in the faith of Jesus Christ.

Paul warns Timothy, in verses 3-5: For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Matthew Henry makes this note in his commentary: Jesus Christ is a Christian's hope; all our hopes of eternal life are built upon him; and Christ is in us the hope of glory. The apostle seems to have been the means of Timothy's conversion; who served with him in his ministry, as a dutiful son with a loving father. That which raises questions, is not for edifying; that which gives occasion for doubtful disputes, pulls down the church rather than builds it up. Godliness of heart and life can only be kept up and increased, by the exercise of faith in the truths and promises of God, through Jesus Christ.
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=62&source=2&seq=i.61.1.1

We get an idea in these next few verses that Paul is fully aware of the fate that awaits him (verses 6-8): For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

In my view, no other words from Paul encapsulates his mission here on earth. You bet he fought the good fight. He was flogged and beaten to near death because he just would not quit sharing the gospel message of Jesus Christ with others.

He walked thousands of miles on his journeys of truth.

And the death that was waiting for him would be his crowning glory. He knew that he would not be crucified. After all, he was a Roman citizen. His death would not be the death of known troublemakers. No. His body would be drained of its blood. We just don't know for certain if he was beheaded or if his blood vessels were opened up by slashing. But his blood was about to be poured out. "As a drink offering," he says (verse 6).

Paul then lists the people who have abandoned him. No one is left with him but Luke. Paul so earnestly wants Timothy to hurry to him. And he wants Timothy to bring his cloak. And he wants Timothy to bring Mark with him. Paul is now in a cold, damp prison cell. He's not enjoying the relative comfort of being under house arrest anymore. He wants his cloak to keep him warm during his final days and hours.

And he wants his books -- his "parchments."

Despite the fact that Paul says people have left him and gone off to other places, he says in verses 17-18: But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

And finally we hear this from Matthew Henry: ... When we cannot rejoice in God as our song, yet let us stay ourselves upon him as our strength; and take the comfort of spiritual supports, when we cannot have spiritual delights. [Jesus] prays to be delivered from the Divine wrath. He that has delivered, doth deliver, and will do so. We should think upon the sufferings and resurrection of Christ, till we feel in our souls the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings.
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=36&source=2&seq=i.23.22.2

There can be no doubt, in this final chapter, that Paul has reflected on the sufferings of Jesus Christ until he most certainly absorbs the power of Christ's resurrection. And I hear Paul in fellowship with Christ's sufferings, don't you?

He says he has fought the good fight and is now ready for the crown of life, a crown that will be given him as Christ makes his final judgment on Paul, the missionary extraordinaire. Paul the preacher, whose journeys took him far and wide. And yet he would have been all too willing to continue on his journeys except that none other than God himself had decided that Paul had made his last trip. Paul was to come home to heaven.

Discussion:

Talk about the person who has helped you the most in your journey of faith. Was it a Sunday School teacher? A pastor? Someone else? How has this person helped you and how do you want to be like this person?

How do you use the Bible in your journey of faith?

We pray: Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for all the missionaries who work and toil to bring your message of salvation to people who do not know you, or people who are unchurched. I pray that in some small way, they will be enticed through these studies to go deeper, to find a church home, to grow a deeper faith in their lives wherever they may be. Amen.

##

2 Timothy 3:1-17 (ESV)

These pastoral letters of Paul -- the 1st and 2nd Letters to Timothy and the Letter to Titus -- could well serve as a handbook for how church leaders and pastors and teachers are to conduct themselves. Paul is not speaking about his theology as much as he is speaking with the authority that God has given him through the Holy Spirit.

In other words, these are not the words and opinions of Paul the missionary/apostle. Rather, Paul is the vessel through which the Holy Spirit is breathing out the words which Timothy is to absorb.

In fact, in verses 14-17, Paul provides the very nature of Scriptures -- the written Word -- as divine and inspired by God: But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

My Concordia Study Bible offers this note on page 1861: Paul affirms God's active involvement in the writing of Scripture, an involvement so powerful and pervasive that what is written is the infallible and authoritative word of God.

Matthew Henry says that ... Christ's whole life was a self-denying, self-displeasing life. And he is the most advanced Christian, who is the most conformed to Christ. Considering his spotless purity and holiness, nothing could be more contrary to him, than to be made sin and a curse for us, and to have the reproaches of God fall upon him; the just for the unjust. He bore the guilt of sin, and the curse for it; we are only called to bear a little of the trouble of it. He bore the presumptuous sins of the wicked; we are called only to bear the failings of the weak ...

... The Scriptures are written for our use and benefit, as much as for those to whom they were first given. Those are most learned who are most mighty in the Scriptures. That comfort which springs from the word of God, is the surest and sweetest, and the greatest stay to hope...
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=53&source=2&seq=i.52.15.1

Earlier in this chapter, Paul had told Timothy to understand that in the last days there will come times of difficulty: For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.(verses 2-5a)

Paul tells Timothy to avoid those kinds of people because they somehow manage to creep into households and capture weak women who are burdened with sins and are led astray by various passions. And even though they are always learning, they aren't able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. (verses 5b-7)

There's a reference to two men in verse 8: Jannes and Jambres. These two defied Moses. If you remember the story, Mose and his brother Aaron were to go to Pharaoh when called.

And sure enough, Pharaoh called them in and said: "Prove yourselves by working a miracle."

God then told Moses to tell Aaron to "Take your staff and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent."

So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the Lord commanded. Aaron cast down his staff before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts. For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents.

But Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs. Still Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.
(from Exodus 7:8-13)

Neither Jannes and Jambres were actually mentioned by name in the Old Testament, but according to Jewish tradition, they were the Egyptian court magicians who opposed Moses. (Concordia Study Bible, page 1861)

Paul's reference to the magicians is to make a point to Timothy in verses 8-9: Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.

Discussion:

After reading this chapter, think of all the ways you can nurture your spiritual life.

Paul had quite a list of ways that people would be who were not lovers of God. What can you add to this list?

We pray: Dear Heavenly Father, I need passages like these truths from Paul in times when I need to remind myself of how easy it is to slip into bad habits. I pray that your Holy Spirit would help me be ever vigilant to the antics of Satan and all the evil spirits he has at his disposal.

And I see that just as the court magicians back in Moses' day were also capable of producing snakes from their walking staffs, I am reminded that Satan has magical powers too. He can certainly be a trickster who tries to set traps to those who believe in you.

I pray that you would protect me from Satan and all that is evil. Amen.

##

2 Timothy 2: 1-26

Paul continues to counsel Timothy in this chapter. He uses seven metaphors that differentiate the facets of ministry:

1. As a child, he is to be strong and active (verses 1-2)
2. As a soldier, he is to suffer hardship and also please his superior (verses 3-4)
3. As an athlete, he is to obey the rules of the game (verse 5)
4. As a husbandman (farmer), he is to labor and thus have full participation in the results (verse 6)
5. As a workman, he is to be diligent, rightly handling the Word of God (verse 15)
6. As a vessel, he is to be honorable, ready for the Master's use (verse 21)
7. As a servant, he is to be gentle and helpful (verses 24-25)
from New Testament Survey, Walter M. Dunnett, Ph.D., Evangelical Teacher Training Association, Wheaton, IL, 1973, p. 69

Paul wants Timothy to follow his example and to reject the false teachings that are buzzing around the area.

In verse 7, Paul gives this instruction to Timothy: Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

Then Paul adds: Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal.

But God's word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. (verses 8-10)

So there sits Paul, a Roman citizen, being persecuted at the hand of Nero for preaching the gospel of Christ. Paul is bound in chains like a common criminal. We do not know whether sentence has been passed on him at this point or not, but later in this letter, we can discern that Paul has the idea that he is about to die.

He is alone, except for faithful Luke, who is by his side. Perhaps Luke is penning this letter to Timothy for Paul. Not sure if Paul would have able to write this letter himself since he was in chains, or if he would have been allowed to anything to anybody.

Paul's strong faith shows through these next verses as he outlines what he calls a "trustworthy saying" for Timothy in verses 11-13:

If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
if we are faithless,
he will remain faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.

Matthew Henry offers this: ...Where faith grows, love will abound, for faith works by love. It shows faith and patience, such as may be proposed as a pattern for others, when trials from God, and persecutions from men quicken the exercise of those graces; for the patience and faith of which the apostle gloried, bore them up, and enabled them to endure all their tribulations.
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=61&source=2&seq=i.60.1.1

Paul has a strong warning to watch out for the heretics who continue to plague the preaching and teaching of Christ's gospel message. In verses 16-17a, we read: Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene...

Paul mentions Hymenaeus and Philetus again. If you recall, in Paul's first letter to Timothy, he says that he has handed these two men over to Satan to do with them what he wants to. These two men were leaders of a heresy that was an early form of Gnosticism.

Paul says they wandered from the truth when they taught that there wasn't really a physical resurrection from the dead -- that such a claim was just an allegory not a literal possibility.

Paul then becomes the mentor -- the professor -- the teacher when he counsels Timothy further in verses 22-24: Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

And out of all that, Paul says he hopes that such quarrelsome, oppositional people will come to their senses and "escape the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will." (see verse 26)

Discussion:

Reflect on the goals that Paul listed for Timothy in verse 22. Which of these goals do you believe are your strengths? Which of these goals do you think you need to work on for yourself?

We pray: Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that you would send your Holy Spirit to me to guide and protect me from Satan and all that is evil. There are false teachers here just as surely as there were in Paul's day. I pray that you would give me the strength to resist all the temptations that Satan puts in front of me. Amen.

##

2 Timothy 1:1-18

After Paul's release from prison in Rome in 62 A.D. and after his fourth missionary journey, during which he wrote 1 Timothy and Titus, Paul was again imprisoned under Emperor Nero c. 66-67. It was during this time that he wrote 2 Timothy. In contrast to his first imprisonment, when he lived in a rented house (Acts 28:30), he now languished in a cold dungeon (4:13), chained like a common criminal (1:16, 2:9). His friends ever had a hard time finding out out where he was being kept (1:17). Paul knew that his work was done and his life was nearly at an end (4;6-8). Concordia Study Bible, p. 1857

Since Paul was unmarried, he never experienced the joy of parenthood. But he comes close with Timothy, a surrogate son whom he loves deeply. In the second verse, he addresses Timothy: To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

He continues his greeting, in verses 3-4: I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.

There must have been moments, perhaps at the end of the day when shadows got long, when the day was dying. These may have been times when Paul felt tremendously alone. He reached out to Timothy. He remembered Timothy's tears and this must have saddened Paul.

Can you just imagine these two -- Paul and Timothy -- two pastors/missionaries who were so excited in their commitment to spreading the gospel message to any place on earth that they could travel to. They travelled together frequently. They shared what meager meals they could scrounge up.

The enjoyed the comforts of other people's hospitality when it was available to them.

And they shared their deep abiding love for Jesus Christ. Timothy was making great progress as a young pastor and Paul must have been happy with his growing abilities.

And now, as the end of Paul's life nears, Timothy is in a far away place. It's a sad time for them both.

Paul then connects with Timothy on a family level as he reminds Timothy of Lois, his grandmothers, and Eunice, his mother. Both these women were Christians and had powerful faith. Paul tells Timothy why he brings up Timothy's mother and grandmother in verses 6-7: For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

Paul's message to Timothy is that the power of the Holy Spirit has been brought to Timothy through Paul. Paul was the conduit that allowed the ordination of Timothy to take place, but the power of discernment and the authority to speak boldly -- not timidly or reluctantly -- about the Christian faith came from none other than the Holy Spirit.

Matthew Henry says that Paul is proposing to set himself as an example for Timothy: As our trials increase, we need to grow stronger in that which is good; our faith stronger, our resolution stronger, our love to God and Christ stronger. This is opposed to our being strong in our own strength.

All Christians, but especially ministers, must be faithful to their Captain, and resolute in his cause. The great care of a Christian must be to please Christ. We are to strive to get the mastery of our lusts and corruptions, but we cannot expect the prize unless we observe the laws...
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=63&source=2&seq=i.62.2.1

Paul then implores that Timothy not be ashamed to testify about Jesus Christ, and also not to be ashamed of Paul even though he is a prisoner. Paul then adds, in verses 8b-9: But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life -- not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.

I correlate this text message so strongly with Ephesians 2:10 -- For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

This whole concept of time and God always being in the universe, with his Son, Jesus Christ, and they -- together with the Holy Spirit -- knew all things long before anything happened.

And if God has known us from his vantage point before time, did he know what my transgressions would be in this life? And if he did, what lessons has he prepared in advance for me to do so that I can be pruned into the worker that he wants me to be?

Paul was not just being poetic here. I believe that he connected with God and with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit on a different level. Somewhere within the depths of his soul, Paul was in communion with the keeper of this universe and this communion was outside the constraints of our concept of time.

Paul shares with Timothy this thought when he talks about grace given to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. And Christ was present with his father before time began. We usually think of the Jesus Christ we know who came to earth and lived and died as a man. But Jesus Christ was also the Son of God who walked with his father throughout the universe before time began.

Paul then urges Timothy to guard the "good deposit" that was entrusted in him -- that being the gospel message of Jesus Christ. He admonishes Timothy to guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. (see verses 13-14)

Then Paul mentions that he is alone and that Phygelus and Hermogenes have deserted him to go running off to Asia somewhere. Paul mentions these two people by name but we don't hear of them anywhere else.

But then there was Onesiphorus. Quite another matter. Onesiphorus ministered to Paul, even though it was difficult for him to find Paul in prison. But Onesiphorus stuck with it and didn't give up easily until he found out where Paul was at and went to him.

Of this man, Paul offers this prayer in verse 16: May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains.

Onesiphorus was one of the Seventy Apostles -- see Luke 10 -- that Christ named after he had selected his twelve disciples. Onesiphorus became the Bishop of Colophon (Asia Minor), and later of Corinth. He was martyred in the city of Parium (not far from Ephesus) where he had gone to proclaim Christ among the local pagans. http://orthodoxwiki.org/Apostle_Onesiphorus

Reference to The Seventy: http://orthodoxwiki.org/Apostles#The_Seventy

Discussion:

Paul's second imprisonment becomes a "Gethsemane moment" for him, if you will. He believes that the end of his life is near. And from what Paul has said in prior letters, he has run the good race, fought the good fight and is ready to go to be with God. That he would want to continue to live would bring him great joy only because he could then travel even further to spread the gospel message of Jesus Christ. Do you agree or disagree?

We pray: Oh Lord our Heavenly Father, I pray that you would guard your called servants of the word for you have ordained them with whispered truths written in the blood of your Son, Jesus Christ.

I pray that whatever tasks they are called to do, they will know the strength that only you can impart by the indwelling of your Holy Spirit. I pray that you would bless their work and give them ever-larger territories to sew the seeds of faith. Amen.

##

THE PERSECUTIONS: REMEMBERING THE MARTYRS

When we talk about the people who were martyred, we have to name Jesus as the first martyr. Persecution of Christians started with him, though the name "Christians" was not in use at that time.

At his trial, Jesus was asked directly, "Are you then the Son of God?"
He replied, "You are right in saying I am." (Luke 26:70)

The religious elite in Jerusalem knew what Jesus was saying -- He was claiming to be God. As such, Jesus was put to death on a Roman cross for the crime of blasphemy, thus becoming the first martyr for what would then become the Christian Church.

34 A.D.     Only one year after Jesus was martyred, Stephen was taken out of Jerusalem and stoned to death. He was killed because he preached the gospel faithfully.

The persecutions of Christians continued after Stephen's death. There were some 2,000 Christians who suffered martyrdom during the persecution that arose about Stephen.

44 A.D.     According to Luke's account of the Acts of the Apostles, James, the son of Zebedee and who was the older brother of John and a relative of our Lord. He was also known as James the Greater.  James was killed when Herod Agrippa arrived as governor of Judea. Agrippa detested the Christian sect of Jews, and many early disciples were martyred under his rule. One account of James' execution written by Clemens Alexandrinus is that as James was led to the place of his death, his accuser repented of his conduct because James' extraordinary courage. He fell down at James' feet to request his pardon, professing himself to be a Christian and resolved that James should not die alone. So both men were beheaded at the same time. 

54 A.D.     Philip was the next disciple to be martyred. In fact, Philip was the first to be called a "disciple."  Philip was a tireless worker for the Christian faith in Upper Asia. He died in Phrygia. He was scourged, thrown into prison and then crucified.

60 A.D.     Remember the tax collector? Matthew wrote his gospel in Hebrew and it was later translated into Greek by James the Less. Matthew worked as a missionary in Parthia and Ethiopia. It was in Ethiopia where he was martyred with a halberd, a long-handled axe that was designed to smash helmets.

62 A.D.     James, the brother of our Lord, is widely called the Just. He drank no wine or other intoxicating liquor, not did he eat flesh, no razor came upon his head, he did not anoint himself oil, nor make use of the bath. He alone was permitted to enter the holy place for he did not wear any woollen garment, but fine linen only.

He used to be found kneeling on his knees, begging forgiveness for the people -- so that the skin of his knees became like that of a camel's, by reason of his constantly bending the knee in adoration to God, and begging forgiveness for the people. It is because of this seeking justice for the people that he was called the Just, which signifies in Greek, Defence of the People, and Justice.

He was elected to the oversight of the churches of Jerusalem and was the author of the epistle ascribed to James in the Bible.

According to an account written by Hegesippus in his Five Books of Commentaries on the Acts of the Church, written in 170 A.D., from Book V: They came, therefore, in a body to James, and said, "We entreat thee, restrain the people: for they are gone astray in their opinions about Jesus, as if he were Christ. We entreat thee to persuade all who have come hither for the day of the passover, concerning Jesus. For we all listen to thy persuasion; since we, as well as all the people, bear thee testimony that thou art just, and showest partiality to none. Do thou, therefore, persuade the people not to entertain erroneous opinions concerning Jesus: for all the people, and we also, listen to thy persuasion. Take thy stand, then, upon the summit of the temple, that from that elevated spot that mayest be clearly seen, and they words may be plainly audible to all the people. For, in order to attend the passover, all the tribes have congregated hither, and some of the Gentiles also."

James then asked, "Why ask ye me concerning Jesus the Son of man? He himself sitteth in heaven, at the right hand of the Great Power, and shall come on the clouds of heaven."

The the Pharisees and scribes said to one another, "We have not done well in procuring the testimony to Jesus. But let us go up and throw him down, that they may be afraid, and not believe him."

And they cried aloud and said, "Oh! Oh! The just man himself is in error." So they went up and threw down the just man, and said to one another, "Let us stone James the Just." And they began to stone him, for he was not killed by the fall, but he turned and kneeled down and said, "I beseech thee, Lord God our Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

But one among them, one of the fullers, took the staff with which he was accustomed to wringing out the garments he dyed, and hurled it at the head of the just man.

At the age of ninety-four, he suffered martyrdom by having his brains bashed out by the fuller's rod and they buried him on the spot.

date not known -- Matthias was elected to fill the spot vacated by Judas. He was stoned at Jerusalem and then beheaded.

date not known -- Andrew was the brother of Peter. His missionary trips took him to many Asiatic nations, but on his arrival at Edessa he was taken and crucified on an x-shaped cross, the two ends of which were fixed transversely in the ground. Soldiers tied his body to the cross with cords to prolong his agony. His followers reported that, when he was led toward the cross. Andrew saluted it in these words, "I have long desired and expected this happy hour. The cross has been consecrated by the body of Christ hanging on it." He continued to preach to his tormentors for two days until he died.

date not known -- Mark was born of Jewish parents of the tribe of Levi. He is supposed to have been converted to Christianity by Peter, whom he served as a scribe, or secretary, and under whose inspection he wrote his Gospel in the Greek language. Mark was dragged by horses through the streets until he fell to pieces in Alexandria, Egypt, at the great solemnity of Serapis their idol, ending his life under their merciless hand.

date not known -- Peter was condemned to death, and crucified in Rome. Hegesippus said that Nero sought matter against Peter to put him to death; which, when the people perceived, they entreated Peter with much ado that he would fly the city. Peter, through their importunity at length persuaded, prepared himself to avoid. But, coming to the gate, he saw the Lord Christ come to meet him, to whom he, worshipping, said, "Lord, whither does thou go?" To whom He answered and said, "I am come again to be crucified." By this Peter, perceiving his suffering to be understood, returned into the city. Jerome saith that he was crucified, his head being down and his feet upward, himself so requiring, because he said he was unworthy to be crucified after the same form and manner as the Lord was.

68 A.D.     Paul, the apostle, after great travail and unspeakable labors in promoting the Gospel of Christ, suffered in the persecution by Nero. Soldiers came and led him out of the city to the place of execution, where he, after his prayers, gave his neck to the sword. Other references say he was tortured and then beheaded by Nero.

72 A.D.     Jude, the brother of James, was commonly called Thaddeus. He was crucified at Edessa when he refused to deny his faith in Christ. Some references say he was killed with arrows.

date not known -- Bartholomew preached in several countries, and having translated the Gospel of Matthew into the language of India, he propagated it in that country. He was cruelly beaten and then crucified by the impatient idolaters. Some say he was flayed to death by a whip in Armenia.

date not known -- Thomas, called Didymus, preached the Gospel in Parthia and India, where exciting the rage of the pagan priests, he was martyred by being thrust through with a spear.

date not known -- Luke -- the evangelist was the author of the Gospel which goes under his name, as well as the Acts of the Apostles. He travelled with Paul through various countries, and is supposed to have been hanged on an olive tree, by the idolatrous priests of Greece.

73 A.D.     Barnabus was of Cyrpus, but of Jewish descent. He was one of the group of seventy disciples. He was stoned to death at Salonica.

date not known -- John faced martyrdom when he was boiled in a huge basin of boiling oil during a wave of persecution in Rome. John was the brother of James the Great. The churches of Smyrna, Pergamos, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, and Thyatira were founded by John. However, he was miraculously delivered from death. John was then sentenced to the mines on the prison island of Patmos. He wrote his prophetic Book of Revelation on Patmos. The apostle John was later freed and returned to serve as Bishop of Edessa in modern Turkey. He died as an old man, the only apostle to die peacefully.

From the reference All About Following Jesus: "Christian persecution was a dramatic part of early church  history. For anyone who holds that the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was a man-made hoax conspired by a group of disciples should check out the legacy of martyrdom. Eleven of the 12 apostles, and many of the other early disciples, died for their adherence to this story. This is dramatic, since they all witnessed the alleged events of Jesus and still went to the deaths defending their faith. Why is this dramatic, when many throughout history have died martyred deaths for a religious belief? Because people don't die for a lie. Look at human nature throughout history. No conspiracy can be maintained when life or liberty is at stake. Dying for a belief is one thing, but numerous eye-witnesses dying for a known lie is quite another."

Keep Paul in mind as we continue our study of his epistles tomorrow. We will start our study of his second letter to Timothy. This letter is the last we hear of Paul. It is his final epistle, and we get a glimpse of Paul's recognition that his death is nearing. Join us here tomorrow.

References

http://www.allaboutfollowingjesus.org/christian-persecution.htm

http://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/boxbkmrt/foxmartyr.html

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=8

http://www.direct.ca/trinity/disciples.html

http://www.domcentral.org/life/martyr05.htm

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/hegesippus.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_the_Just

##

Titus 3:1-15

We are beginning the final chapter of Paul's letter to the young pastor, Titus.

Paul has advice for his young colleague. Then he attaches a kind of urgency to the note when he asks Titus to send a lawyer.

Paul is not living in prison at this point of his life.

But, sadly, Paul is less than a decade from the end of his life. The truth is, it's probably less than five years from when Paul wrote this letter to Titus to the time of his untimely death.

My Concordia Study Bible has this letter as being written somewhere between 63 and 65 A.D. (page 1865)

We don't have any Biblical reference as to when Paul was martyred. But we know, that at least for this time, he is a free man. And he most certainly wants Titus to have all the benefits of his pastoral knowledge.

I almost get the sense that Paul is in a hurry.

Do you think that he suspects that his end is near. Here comes the "laundry list" again. Right from the get-go in this chapter, Paul wants Titus to get busy.

In verses 1-2, he says: Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.

Paul then reminds Titus of how he came to believe -- and that is: At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. (verse 3)

Paul then talks about how he was saved. He gives us details in verses 4-8a: But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying.

Can you just imagine what it would be like to come in contact with the Apostle Paul before his conversion? Here was a man who wanted to rid the world of all these new believers -- these Christians! He carried on his person, execution orders that would allow him to kill Christians on sight.

And yet, here he is now with at least as much energy and zeal -- in the twilight years of his life, trying as hard as he can to get the next generation of pastors ready to carry on after he is martyred.

Do you think Paul has a clue as to his fate? Perhaps. He must have remembered Stephen's martyrdom. He must know that Nero is a psychopath looking for a place to quench his thirst for blood.
 
Nero would be only too happy to drink from the cup of Paul's soul.

Yes, Paul was in a hurry. Running as fast a race as he ever could.

Sure, he was out of jail for the present. But the race was on. How much longer would he be free?

So he tells Titus in verse 8b: And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

And here's some profound wisdom that we all could think about as we go through our lives under attack from forces outside Christianity (verses 9-11): But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

I can think of some people I saw on the news recently that fit that description, can't you?

The truth is we are confronted by evil-doers all the time. But God puts people in our paths. Why? To give us an opportunity to confront what we truly believe? To challenge us and see if we'll "cave in?"

I remember when I was going through a period of hospice training and we had such a thought go through our class. There was an astute gentleman in the class who wanted to work in a veterans hospice. He pointed out that sometimes we are introduced to people so that we can learn about ourselves from them.

Paul certainly met more than his share. And yet, not once did he waver from the path that God had chosen for him to take. In this verse, Paul makes it clear to Titus that he wants him not to tarry with people who have condemned themselves.

Then Paul gives Titus his itinerary with the note that he plans to winter over at Nicopolis.

Oh, and he wants Titus to do what he can to send Paul's lawyer to him, in verse 13: Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need.

In a general way, Paul closes this letter to Titus. It's a short letter, but it's rich in its admonitions to Titus. Paul cares for this young man and seems to want to make certain that he has all the spiritual strength and guidance he needs to tend a flock of new believers.

Discussion:

Think about the speculation that has come down through the centuries about Paul's life:

Did he go on a 4th missionary journey or not? We aren't really sure. He said he want to go to Spain.

What was Paul doing in this brief respite between his first and second imprisonment?

Was Luke with him? Luke's written account of Paul's travels ends with the final chapters of Acts. What happened to Luke and why don't we hear from him further about Paul's travels?

In the next several days, we are going to follow a journey of what the research tells us of the martyrdom of these early leaders of the Christian church and we'll pick up Paul's second letter to Timothy on Monday.

But first, let's take a look at how these devout believers and pastors paid with their lives.

We pray: Dear Heavenly Father, I suspect that there are people out there in the mission field who just disappear and are never heard from again. It wasn't just Daniel in the lions den who risked his life for what he believed in.

It wasn't just Paul who paid with his life for what he believed in.

I pray, Oh Lord, that you would keep me and those whom I love safe from a martyr's death. I pray that I will always live in a country that allows me to express my belief in you, my Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

##

Titus 2:1-15

Much like Paul's message to Timothy in an earlier study, Paul stresses to Titus how believers ought to behave themselves as they go about their daily lives.

He zeros in on older men, older women, younger women, younger men and slaves.

Paul has very strong opinions in matters of sexual morality and overindulgence when it comes to alcohol. You can be sure that Paul would find "Rated X" movies coming out of Hollywood abominable.

He wouldn't have tolerated the antics of King Henry VIII in jolly old England.

He would find nudity in films abominable -- something that would contaminate the mind and heart with all that flamboyant passion.

So here's what Paul says to Titus about what he's to teach the older men: Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. (verse 2)

In verses 3-5, Paul dictates what older women are to be taught: Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.

Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Do you get the feeling that the older women may have been getting into the cooking wine? This is not the first reference that we have of Paul warning against too much wine. Or slandering either, for that matter.

There is such a group called a "Titus 2:4 Ministry." I haven't heard much about it recently but it's a women's group where older women in a congregation help the young newly married women in a kind of mentoring ministry. Paul would have jumped for joy at such an organization within a church.

As for the young men, here's what Paul told Titus to do in verses 6-8: Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Matthew Henry offers this insight: ...The right way to reform men's lives is to convince their consciences. If you walk in the fear of God, you will not be either covetous of worldly gain, or cruel toward your brethren. Nothing exposes religion more to reproach than the worldliness and hard-heartedness of the professors of it. Those that rigorously insist upon their right, with a very ill grace, try to persuade others to give up theirs. In reasoning with selfish people, it is good to contrast their conduct with that of others who are liberal; but it is best to point to His example, who though he was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we, through his poverty, might be rich (2 Cor. 8:9). They did according to promise. Good promises are good things, but good performances are better.
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=33&source=2&seq=i.16.5.2

Even to slaves, Paul offers this in verses 9-10: Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

Matthew Henry says: Do your duty without murmurings. Do it, and do not find fault with it. Mind your work, and do not quarrel with it. By peaceableness; give no just occasion of offence.

The children of God should differ from the sons of men. The more perverse others are, the more careful we should be to keep ourselves blameless and harmless. The doctrine and example of consistent believers will enlighten others and direct their way to Christ and holiness, even as the lighthouse warns mariners to avoid rocks, and directs their course into the harbour. Let us try thus to shine.

The gospel is the word of life, it makes known to us eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Running denotes earnestness and vigour, continual pressing forward;

labouring denotes constancy, and close application.

It is the will of God that believers should be much in rejoicing; and those who are so happy as to have good ministers, have great reason to rejoice with them.
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=58&source=2&seq=i.57.2.3

I have a footnote in my Concordia Study Bible on page 1867: "[Verse 11] introduces the doctrinal basis for the ethical demands just stressed. Right conduct must be founded on right doctrine."

This doctrinal message is contained in verses 11-15: For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope -- the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

And in closing this chapter, Paul reminds Titus to be authoritative if he needed to be. Perhaps Titus was a young man and the Cretans may not have taken him as seriously as they should have, as frequently happens with young and unseasoned pastors. So Paul is standing firmly behind Titus with lots of encouragement for him and also offers a warning to rebuke those who needed to be.
 
Discussion:

In light of Paul's admonitions to Titus about the different groups of people, what do you think Paul's reaction would be if, for instance, he were to show up on the set of "Desperate Housewives?" Or any number of movies or television shows that have outrageous sexual themes laced with adulterous behavior?

What do you think could be done to turn the tide away Hollywood's exploitation of sexual themes?

And by the same token, talk about Paul's reaction to Alcoholics Anonymous and the wonderful work that it does in communities all over the globe.

We pray: Oh Lord, I pray for your strength and guidance to fill my heart and mind so that I can be a good example for those people who wonder how people who profess to be Christians behave.

I pray that you would show me the way that you want me to go. And if I head off in the wrong direction, I pray that you would guide me back to the right path.

I thank you, Lord, for all your blessings and most of all, for your grace. I do not deserve the gift of salvation and even though I may try to live each day without intentional transgressions against you, I am still born a sinner and always will be until the day I die. For the gift of your salvation, which came at a tremendous price of the death of your son, Jesus Christ, I am unworthy but eternally thankful. Amen.

##

Titus 1:1-16

There is not a mention of Titus in Luke's entire Acts of the Apostles. However, there are twelve times in Paul's writings where he does talk about Titus, who was a convert of Paul's and a person in whom Paul had much confidence. Enough so that Paul gave him ecclesiastical authority over the Christian churches in Crete.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14727b.htm

In 2 Corinthians 2:12-13: Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord has opened a door for me, I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said good-by to them and went on to Macedonia.

2 Corinthians 7:5-7: For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn-- conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

2 Corinthians 7:13-15: By all this we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling.

2 Corinthians 8:6-7: So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion, this act of grace on your part. But just as you excel in everything -- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us -- see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

2 Corinthians 8:16-17: I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.

2 Corinthians 8:23: As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ.

2 Corinthians 12:18: I urged Titus to go to you and I sent our brother with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not act in the same spirit and follow the same course?

Galatians 2:1-5: Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those whom seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain. Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.

2 Timothy 4:9-13: Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When yo come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.

Titus 1:4: To Titus, my true son in our common faith -- grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

One source says that Titus continue after Paul's death as Archbishop of Crete and died there when he was over ninety. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14727b.htm

The above references will give you an idea of the high regard that Paul had for Titus.

Titus accompanied Paul back to Jerusalem to meet with the Jewish leaders, so we know from this that he was a traveling companion of Paul's.

Paul is released from prison when he writes this letter, perhaps from Corinth, probably between 63 A.D. and 65 A.D. (Concordia Study Bible, p. 1865). This is a short letter, only three chapters. But it is rich in its instruction on how to live a Christian life that is pleasing to God.

Paul does not write his second letter to Timothy until he is captured and re-imprisoned.

After his greetings and salutations to Titus, Paul offers this explanation: The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. (verse 5)

Paul then makes it clear how an elder is supposed to behave and what he is supposed to do in a church (verses 6-9): An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.

Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless -- not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to  the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

There is apparently a problem in the Cretan church, for Paul says this to Titus in verses 10-14: For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach -- and that for the sake of dishonest gain. Even one of their own prophets has said, "Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons." This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay not attention to Jewish myths.

So we have the "circumcision group" at work here in Crete too. Recall that these were the Jewish people who held on to the notion that in order to come by salvation, a person must still uphold ancient Levitical laws, namely circumcision and other ceremonies outlined to the tribe of Levi.

The Cretan prophet that Paul is referring to is the poet Epimenides from the sixth century B.C. He apparently had made some predictions that had come true so for that reason, had been held in high esteem. Further, in Greek literature, "to Cretanize" meant to lie. (Concordia Study Bible, page 1866).

So Paul says that Titus is to rebuke them sharply so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of those who reject the truth. (verses 13-14)

In fact, if people are pure in heart, Paul says that to them all things are pure. But to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. (see verse 15) Paul says that both their minds and consciences are corrupted.

Paul says these people are detestable. They are disobedient. And they are not fit for doing anything good. And just because they claim to know God, doesn't mean that they do because their actions say otherwise.

Discussion:

Titus was held in deep affection by Paul. They had apparently preached together in Crete and now it's time for Titus to appoint elders in the new Christian church.

Discuss these traits that Paul says elders are to possess:

Must be blameless
Husband of but one wife
children should believe and not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient
must be blameless
must not be overbearing
must not be quick-tempered
must not be given to drunkenness
must not be violent
must not pursue dishonest gain
must be hospitable
must love what is good
must be self-controlled
must be upright
must be bold
must be disciplined
must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine
must refute those who oppose it

We pray: Oh Spirit of the Living God, I pray that you would protect me from Satan and all that is evil, so that I will not cause pain.

I thank you for all the pastors in this world and I pray that you would bless their ministries as they bring your truth to the flocks they have been entrusted with.

I pray for the safety of all believers who often cannot worship you in public in some places of this world. How much we take this for granted in the United States where churches don't have near as many believers showing up for worship as there ought to be.

I pray that you would send your Holy Spirit into the hearts of all people everywhere and especially to those who have yet to experience that wonder of an epiphany moment when they come to know Jesus Christ. Amen.

##

1 Timothy 6:1-21

In the very first verse of this chapter, Paul brings up the question of slavery: All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered.

I am curious when I read that opening verse, for I wanted to know just how prevalent slavery was in the Roman Empire. I mean we know about the Jewish experience with slavery -- they were held in bondage in Egypt many many years before Moses came and got them.

Well, it seems that "one authority estimated that in the Roman Empire of Paul's day there were 60 million slaves, with 20 million in Italy alone and 650,000 in Rome.

"Almost all labor was performed by slaves, for work was beneath the dignity of a Roman citizen. The slave was not a person, but a thing. Aristotle taught that slave and master could never be friends, for the two had nothing in common...

"The master possessed the power of life or death over a slave. If the slave ran away, he could be killed upon capture, or, at best, branded on the forehead with the letter F for fugitivus (fugitive)..." http://www.christianethicstoday.com/issue/009/Is%20the%20Head%20of%20the%20House%20at%20Home%20(Ephesians%205_21-6_9)%20By%20Joe%20E.%20Trull_009_3_.htm

So what happens, though, when the slave and master are both believers and members of the same church. Within the church worship service are they then to be treated as equals?

Paul continues to explain in verse 2: Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach and urge on them.

So Timothy is supposed to "urge these instructions" onto the slaves that they are still supposed to revere and honor their masters even when they are present together in a worship service. And maybe do it all the more because the masters are dear to them.

Recall that Christian love arouses an attitude of servanthood. I would hope that because of this, the Christian master/believer would also be a servant to the slave and not behave so much as Aristotle suggested when he said they could never have anything in common. Believers in Jesus Christ have something in common with all other believers.

For that reason, perhaps social status was set aside within the worship experience and at least in the church, both slave and master could share the love of Jesus Christ that they had in common.

Having said what he wanted to say about the slavery question, Paul then returns to the subject of false doctrines that was threatening to undermine the integrity of the early Christian churches.

Paul denounces these teachers in verses 3-5. He says they're "conceited and they don't know what they're talking about. They like to go around stirring up trouble that results in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind.

"They've been robbed of the truth and they think godliness is a means to financial gain."

No doubt this is a reference to the idol makers who made all those little silver likenesses of Artemis (also known as Diana). The temple that was built to Artemis was one of the wonders of the ancient world. It was also a center of commerce in that it was a bank that held a lot of money from individuals as well as cities. 

Just having the concession trade at this temple where all sorts of souvenirs could be sold as well as refreshments would have been a lucrative enterprise. And riots ensued when many of these believers turned away from the little silver-cast gods to worship the God of salvation who could provide eternal life through belief in the gospel message of Jesus Christ.  

This, and the magic trade with all the incantations that were for sale, was another lucrative source of financial gain that Paul talks about in verse 5.

These were the people who thought godliness was a means to financial gain.

An excellent nutshell comment of what was happening in Ephesus at the time of Paul can be found at this link: http://www.enduringword.com/commentaries/4419.htm

Paul explains further in verses 6-8: But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

Where money is concerned, Paul has a stern warning in verses 9-10: People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

This is an oft misquoted verse. It usually comes out that money is the root of all evil. That isn't what Paul says.

God does not have a problem with people who are rich. In fact, wealth is one of the blessings that can come from God. Witness Solomon, who was the richest man in the world. But Solomon never ever gave up his faith in God.

No -- it's the love of money that gets people in trouble, for when people love money, idolatry isn't too far away.

Paul's charge to Timothy, then, is this: But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (verses 11-12)

In verses 13-16, Paul reiterates the message of praise to God in a doxology that Timothy is to keep God's command without spot or blame until Jesus Christ returns. We hear a liturgical refrain embedded in these verses: ...God the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords ... to him be honor and might forever. Amen.

Paul then asks Timothy to command the rich folks not to be arrogant and not to put their hope in wealth. After all, personal wealth is pretty uncertain. Stock markets crash. houses burn to the ground, earthquakes level buildings. All the things that stand for wealth and possessions of this world can end in a matter of seconds.

But God -- now that's another story because God richly provides what we need to get through our lives until it is time to rejoin him in heaven.

Paul wants Timothy to command people to do good and to be generous and willing to share with others.

If they do these things, then Paul says they will store up treasures for themselves that is the real meaning of life.

And in closing, Paul says this to his dear friend Timothy, the man he embraces as his spiritual son: Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. (verses 20-21)

These closing verses carry a warning to be wary of the Gnostics who believe that people can be saved by acquiring knowledge.

Discussion:

Talk about the lessons you have learned from this powerful letter to Timothy.

Paul covers many areas of how people are to live their lives and how they are to behave in their worship life.

How as this affected the way you live your life?

We pray: Oh Lord, our Heavenly Father, we are surrounded by false teachers, even today. There are so many around us who would have us believe that financial or political power are the only things that matter in this life. I pray that you will protect me from Satan and all that is evil so that your Holy Spirit can fill my heart and walk through life with me. Amen.

##

1 Timothy 5:1-25

Paul has much to say in this chapter about how Timothy ought to treat the people in need in his congregation.

In our modern days, there are various names for these caring funds for people in need. Names such as Pastor's Benevolence Fund or Good Samaritan Fund or other names for funds that are specifically set aside by the congregation and given over to the pastor to use at his sole discretion to assist people in need.
 
But first Paul outlines how people are to treat individuals in the church.

For instance, older men are to be treated kindly, as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

This goes back to Levitical law, for in Leviticus 19:32 we read: You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.

Then Paul describes three different kinds of widows in verses 3-6:

the widow who is over 60 years of age who have some family support,
the widow who is over 60 years of age and stranded without support,
and the widow who is under 60 years of age

Then, in verse 7 Paul says: Give the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame. If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Even in our present day, with all our charities and supportive organizations, there are still people in need who "fall through the cracks." Better to rely on churches within a community to help those in need for it is most frequent that the church members know who is in need -- who is hungry -- who is struggling financially.

Paul admonishes Timothy to reach out and care for those people but he does suggest certain restrictions.

One of those restrictions has to do with widows who are under the age of 60. Those widows are not to be put on any list of widows in need. However, widows over 60 are providing they have been faithful wives, have done good deeds, has brought up her children, has shown hospitality, has helped those in trouble, and has washed the feet of the saints. (verses 9-10)

Well, that's a good list for sure, but I'm not sure about offering to wash other people's feet. That was a cultural deed and it was common back in the days when people walked in sandals across dry, dusty roads to get from one place to another. How soothing it must have been to offer someone the refreshment of soaking his feet after a hike of some five miles or so.

And as far as the younger widows were concerned, Paul said that they shouldn't be put on the list of widows in need. In verse 11b, he even goes so far as to say that if their runaway passions get the better of them, they should get married again. (Those are my words, not Paul's.)

Paul expresses the opinion that the younger widows ought not to go from house to house, kind of like coffee klatching. They shouldn't be idle gossipers or busybodies, saying things they ought not to say (verse 13)

Those are good words even today, don't you think? Idle gossiping can get a person in trouble when the truth gets stretched and get stretched. And pretty soon, hyperbole catches up with a person and the next thing you know, the stories don't resemble truth anymore. That was a major concern of Paul's. He thought women ought to be busy. And if they got added to a widow's list, they'd get money and there would be no motivation for widows to remarry, have children and manage a home.

After all, Paul says in verse 14b-15: ...give the enemy no opportunity to slander. Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.

Paul adds in verse 16: If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.

Now, you can be sure that Paul wasn't talking about chipping in to make a $1500 mortgage payment, or buy a lot of convenience foods. Those kinds of things just didn't happen back in those days. There were no mortgages. And the food that people ate was pretty much primary foods. There were no refrigerators to keep meats cool for several days. No deep freezes to put food up for the times past the harvest. And they didn't have screw on lids for glass jars so there wasn't any canning going on. Women had to work hard to keep food on the table.

I personally think the women in those days must have been awfully resourceful to be able to feed everybody. And can you imagine life without ice cream?

So the women in the family were supposed to look in on the widows and tend to what she may have needed. That way, the benevolence fund could be available for people who didn't have someone to tend to them.

Then Paul comes to the matter of the elders. These were men who directed the affairs of the church and they were deserving of double honor. (verse 17)

Matthew Henry brings us these profound words: The ministers of the gospel are described by the work of their office, which is to serve and honour the Lord. It is their duty not only to give good counsel, but also to warn the flock of dangers, and reprove for whatever may be amiss. The people should honour and love their ministers, because their business is the welfare of men's souls. And the people should be at peace among themselves, doing all they can to guard against any differences. But love of peace must not make us wink at sin. The fearful and sorrowful spirit, should be encouraged, and a kind word may do much good. We must bear and forbear. We must be long-suffering, and keep down anger, and this to all men. Whatever man do to us, we must do good to others.
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=60&source=2&seq=i.59.5.3

Paul gives Timothy instructions as to ordaining elders to ministers in verse 22: Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

A footnote in my Concordia Study Bible for this verse 22 says: Paul is speaking of the ordination of an elder, which should not be performed until the candidate has had time to prove himself.

Even today, we offer a vicarage to prospective pastors prior to the time they are assigned a pulpit of their own.

The reference to drinking wine in verse 23 could be attributed to the possibility that pure drinking water may not have been readily available for Timothy in that area. And Paul also makes a reference to Timothy's having stomach problems and frequent illnesses. We don't get any details as to what these maladies might have been, but Paul suggests that Timothy "stop drinking only water and use a little wine."

Paul closes this chapter with the warning to be ever-vigilant to sin in verses 24-25: The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden.

The footnote on page 1855 of the Concordia Study Bible says that this advice is to be alert to hidden sins as well s to good deeds in the lives of candidates for ordination. 

Discussion:

Calling a pastor to lead a congregation is a many-stepped process in this day and age. Talk about how our present-day call committee process differs from that of the early church.

Imagine the challenges that Paul faced and see how you can list these challenges. For instance, we know that Paul went on three missionary journeys and during these journeys, he established churches. Even if these churches were small groups of new believers who met in people's homes, they were churches, nonetheless.

Then came the time when the groups grew into larger and larger groups of believers. Then it most clearly showed a need to have a shepherd for these new flocks -- someone who could be the leader -- a pastor and a teacher. Paul could certainly not be the pastor for each and every church he started.

As you go through this chapter and read what Paul's thoughts were, how does that compare with how you select a new pastor in your church?

Also talk about the charities within the church in Paul's day. Do you think his view on the younger widows seems harsh?

We pray: Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for your kindness and goodness in all the ways you bless my life. I pray that you will show me where the need is when people cross the path of my everyday life. Help me care for the people you put in my life and I pray that you will continue to bless me with strength to do your will.

I pray for all the missionaries around the world that they will be ever renewed and fresh to bring the gospel message of salvation to people who do not know you or your son, Jesus Christ.

I pray for all the pastors in churches everywhere who also do in-city mission work. Their mission work is certainly not to be overlooked in its importance either. I pray that you would bless their ministry that opens up to unbelievers in their towns and cities who have heard about your son, but who do not worship Jesus Christ. Amen.

##

1 Timothy 4:1-16

This chapter appears to be directed to Timothy for the purpose of building him up, of encouraging him and of enhancing his self-confidence.

From the beginning verse, I hear Paul warning Timothy that the Spirit says in later times some believers will abandon their faith and will be coaxed into lives taught by demons.

These "later times" have a footnote in my Concordia Study Bible on page 1853 that says it refers to the time beginning with the first coming of Christ. That Paul is not referring only to the time immediately prior to Christ's second coming is obvious from his assumption that the false teachings were already present at the time of his writing.

These false teachings, Paul warns, come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. (verse 2)

Matthew Henry says, "We have a cunning adversary, who watches to do mischief, and will promote errors, even by the words of Scripture. Whatever uncertainty we are in, or whatever mistakes may arise about the time of Christ's coming, that coming itself is certain.

"This has been the faith and hope of all Christians, in all ages of the church; it was the faith and hope of the Old Testament saints. All believers shall be gathered together to Christ, to be with him, and to be happy in his presence forever.

"...False doctrines are like the winds that toss the water to and fro; and they unsettle the minds of men, which are as unstable as water.

"It is enough for us to know that our Lord will come, and will gather all his saints unto him. A reason why they should not expect the coming of Christ, as at hand, is given. There would be a general falling away first, such as would occasion the rise of Antichrist, that man of sin.

"There have been great disputes who or what is intended by this man of sin and son of perdition. The man of sin not only practices wickedness, but also promotes and commands sin and wickendness in others; and is the son of perdition, because he is devoted to certain destruction, and is the instrument to destroy many others, both in soul and body."
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=61&source=2&seq=i.60.2.1

I can hear Paul warning Timothy, the young shepherd, to be especially careful with his flock of new believers lest the evil one should get in among the sheep and start stealing them away.

Some of the lies that these false teachers would use might include a claim that people ought not to marry -- or that they shouldn't eat certain foods. These very foods have been created by none other than God himself and everything that God creates is good for it is received with thanksgiving because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. (see verses 3-5) 

Matthew Henry's commentary reveals this: "Those who would learn the things of God, and be assured of them, must know the Holy Scriptures, for they are the Divine revelation. The age of children is the age to learn; and those who would get true learning, must get it out of the Scriptures. They must not lie by us neglected, seldom or never looked into. The Bible is a sure guide to eternal life. The prophets and apostles did not speak from themselves, but delivered what they received of God."
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=63&source=2&seq=i.62.3.3

Paul tells Timothy in verses 7b-8: ...[T]rain yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

And the following message is as much alive for Timothy as it is for all of us today: This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe. (verses 9-10)

Then Paul assures Timothy that he should not let people look down on him just because he is young. Instead, Timothy ought to set an example by the way he leads his life, by how he talks, and how he conducts himself where faith and love is concerned. (verses 11-12)

Paul must have had every intention to come to Timothy again because he tells Timothy to devote himself to public reading of Scripture, to preaching and teaching and not to neglect the gift that was given to Timothy when the elders laid their hands on Timothy to ordain him. (verses 13-14)

Paul's advice was for Timothy to be diligent and watchful so that everyone will see the progress that Timothy is making. He closes this chapter with these watchful words (verse 16): Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

I have a footnote that underscores this last verse: "God alone saves, but Christians can be God's instruments to bring about the salvation of others. We are saved by God's grace at the time of conversion but are still being saved in the sense of being made more conformed to Christ's image. (Concordia Study Bible, page 1853)

Discussion:

As both teacher and mentor, Paul had much to say to Timothy. And it's safe to say that the excitement of Paul's hopeful visit to Timothy in Ephesus would have been felt by them both.

This chapter is filled with good advice for Timothy about a number of things. Talk about the undercurrent of discontent and evil that was running through Ephesus. Even by today's standards, Ephesus was a bustling metropolis of about 200,000 people.

We also know that there was a brisk trade in making idols to sell and the artisans who made these idols were not too happy with Paul for bringing the gospel message of Jesus Christ that made these idol worshipers turn away from their idols.

Talk about these were times of courage and bravery for the new Christians.

We pray: Oh Lord, I thank you for all your gifts and blessings in my life, but especially I thank you for the most important gift of all -- salvation that will bring me life eternal.

I pray that your Spirit will guide me through all my days and will show me how I can glorify your name.

I pray for all Christians everywhere that they will be safe. Amen.

##

1 Timothy 3:1-16

No one person can do all things. And for this reason, Paul defines the duties of someone he refers to as an "overseer."

This is an important person in a congregation. The overseer is the one who teaches and preaches the word of God. It's the person who is trusted with the tasks of being the shepherd of the flock. It's the person who is conducting the business affairs of the church and it is the person who guards the church from errors. "Overseer" is often used interchangeably with the term "elder." (Concordia Study Bible, footnote on page 1852 for verse 3:1.)

This is a noble task, Paul says in verse 1. And there are certain traits for those who would aspire to this task. They include being above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, being self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent or quarrelsome, not a lover of money (verses 2-3)

And Paul is going to be looking at how a man manages his family because if he can't manage his family, he's not likely to do well with the congregation. The overseer's children should treat the father with respect. (verses 4-5)

Paul didn't think it would be a good idea to entrust a recent convert with this noble task either. In verse 6, Paul says that a new convert might become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.

In verse 7, Paul adds: He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.

Paul outlines the parameters to which he would hold the office of deacons in verses 8-10: Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

In the months before his execution by the Nazis, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, "I fear that Christians who stand with only one leg upon earth, also stand with only one leg in heaven." His concern was for Christians who had disengaged themselves from the world, who could stand by and watch atrocities committed as if the Christian message or individual Christian responsibility had no bearing whatsoever upon earthly affairs.

Matthew Henry has a profound commentary about these verses: The fact of the matter is that the Christian faith intends full engagement in the world. Certainly the origin of this new life is otherworldly. Certainly Christian values are not those of the world. Certainly Christian hope takes us beyond this world. But it is in this world that God has called Christians to live, and it is this world's inhabitants that Christians must reach with the gospel. Engagement of this kind requires Christian credibility and participation in the life of the world.

Credibility especially depends on living, as far as possible, in a manner that the world considers to be respectable. "Respectability" was an important concept in Paul's day. But the values connected with it have always been subject to change. Therefore, the Christian life is first and always to be a clear expression of the will of God.

The church's respectability in the world was very much in Paul's mind as he addressed the various groups in the Cretan churches. This is evident from the patterns of behavior he encourages...But Paul does not simply adopt secular rules of behavior. Whatever affinities this lifestyle might have with secular moral ideals, only faith in Christ can produce the Christian.
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=11&source=2&seq=i.63.2.1

Paul also says that wives are to be women who are worthy of respect, not malicious talkers, but temperate and trustworthy in everything. (verse 11)

Paul then closes this chapter with the hope that he will soon be able to come over to Ephesus to see Timothy. But if, for some reason, he is delayed, he wants to send these lists of how people should behave when they are members of the "household of God," namely, the church. (verses 14-15).

The Paul sends this poetic version of the "mystery of godliness" in verse 16:

He appeared in a body,
was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.

This mystery of godliness is the secret that produces piety in people. That secret ... is none other than Jesus Christ. His incarnation, in all its aspects (particularly his saving work), is the source of genuine piety. (Concordia Study Bible, page 1853, footnote for verse 3:16)

Paul gives us a capsule of the life and resurrection of Christ in verse 16. He came down from heaven, he was raised from the dead by the power of the Spirit, angelic hosts ministered to him and pronounced his resurrection, he is preached throughout the world, and finally, was taken up in glory to rejoin his Father in Heaven.

Discussion:

Church workers are generally held to a higher standard of behavior than other people. What are some of these behavioral codes of conduct that come to mind?

Discuss the "mystery of godliness" that Paul mentions in verse 16. The footnote in the Concordia Study Bible ties this with piety. There are three definitions in the dictionary for piety that could be discussed.

These are:

1. a devout fulfillment of religious obligations
2. religious devotion and reverence to God, and
3. loving obedience to the will of God.

Talk about how your life might reflect an attitude of piety.

We pray: Oh Lord, I pray that you would send your Holy Spirit to me so that my heart can grow in devotion and service to your everlasting Word. I thank you for the abundance of your love that you have given to me for I know that I am not worthy, but through the death and resurrection of your son, Jesus Christ, you have made me worthy. Out of that love that you have given to me, I pray that you would help me fulfill a stronger service to you.

I pray for all the people who work in churches all over the world. I pray that you would bless their work as they bring others to know you. I pray also for their safety as they go about their daily tasks. Amen.

##

1 Timothy 2:1-15

In this chapter, Paul continues his instructions for worship.

From this very first verse of this chapter, Paul indicates that prayers are to be an important part of church goer's worship: I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (verses 1-4)

Sometimes I think that we often put God on his throne way off in some far distance place in the universe, so remote that he can't possibly be aware of what our prayerful wants might be. Or the fears that tug at our heartstrings and send us into panic mode all too easily.

But here comes Paul who says that we please God when we pray. God wants to hear from us even though he knows what's going on in every little corner of his universe.

It's like a married couple who sit together in the evening. Maybe they're watching television, or maybe they're each reading a favorite book. How much more enriching their relationship becomes when they have an ongoing conversation with each other. It's so much better than sitting all through an evening without saying a word to each other.

God wants those conversations too. He wants us to talk with him. He wants us to listen to him when he ignites that tiny little voice in our head. Sometimes it says, "I wish you hadn't done that." Or maybe he says, "You'll like this."

It reminds me of a youngster I was seeing at the office. She asked me one day if I prayed. And I told her that I did. Then she asked me if God ever answered me. I told that he definitely talked to me when I prayed.

Then she asked, "How do you know it's not your other you?"

We all have an ongoing dialogue in our head. Can you quiet down the noise of your own self-conversation so that you can hear God's answer to your prayers?

The point is, God wants us to have an ongoing conversation with him. That's what prayers are. Conversations. And he answers you. That little voice you hear inside you is not "your other you." It's your soul. That's where God lives inside you -- in your soul.

And when we gather with other believers in worship services, Paul says that it makes God so happy to hear the prayers that we bring to him.

Paul then tells Timothy that there is one God who wants all men to be saved. This is why he sent Jesus Christ to earth. And it is this same Jesus Christ who is our mediator between God and man. Sin goes away because of Christ's death and resurrection. It is salvation that is available to all men on earth -- it's there for the asking.

And like prayerful requests, you have to ask for what you want. Forgiveness is like that -- it's ours for the asking, but we do have to ask.

There may be any number of things that you need. But you are going to have to ask for what you want and need.

Paul then asserts this about himself, in verse 7: And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle -- I am telling the truth, I am not lying -- and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.

Then Paul says he wants men everywhere to lift up their holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

Then Paul talks about how he wants women to behave when they come to worship. He wants them to dress modesty and don't put a lot of fancy, show-off jewelry on, or braid their hair, or wear pearls and expensive clothes. These are not what Paul considers appropriate things to wear for women who make the claim that they are worshiping God. (verses 9-10)

Matthew Henry offers this: ...A true Christian's chief care lies in right ordering his own spirit. This will do more to fix the affections, and excite the esteem of a husband, than studied ornaments or fashionable apparel, attended by a forward and quarrelsome temper.

Christians ought to do their duty to one another, from a willing mind, and in obedience to the command of God. Wives should be subject to their husbands, not from dread and amazement, but from desire to do well, and please God. The husband's duty to the wife implies giving due respect unto her, and maintaining her authority, protecting her, and placing trust in her.

They are heirs together of all the blessings of this life and that which is to come, and should live peaceably one with another. Prayer sweetens their converse. And it is not enough that they pray with the family, but husband and wife together by themselves, and with their children. Those who are acquainted with prayer find such unspeakable sweetness in it, that they will not be hindered therein...
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=68&source=2&seq=i.67.3.1

Paul has more to say on his position of what women can and cannot say as he closes this chapter: A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. But women will be saved through childbearing -- if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

My Concordia Study Bible has a footnote for these comments on page 1852: Some believe that Paul here prohibited teaching only by women not properly instructed, i.e., by the women at Ephesus. Such women tended to exercise authority over, i.e., to domineer, the men. According to Lutheran tradition Paul did not allow a woman to be an official teacher in the assembled church. This is indicated by the added restriction concerning "authority over a man."

Discussion:

Enjoy a full discussion of your views of women's behavior in the church worship service. Keep in mind that your agreement, or disagreement for that matter, ought not to rest with the apostle Paul for his pen was directed by none other than God himself.

What roles do women play in your church service?

We pray: Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that you would help me grasp the truths of these messages from Paul to Timothy and that as a woman, I can reflect what you would have me say.

I pray that you would bless the study of all who are assembled here on this web site from wherever they may be in the world. Bless their study and their spiritual growth and their prayers.

I pray for all our leaders who govern in various countries. Bless their governing so that it will reflect your will. Amen

##

1 Timothy 1:1-20

We get our first glimpse of Timothy in Acts 16:1-2: [Paul] came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy ived, whose mother was a Jewess and a believer, but whose father was a Greek.

Remember the story of the man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked, in Acts 14:9-11: He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, "Stand up on your feet!" At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.

When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down to us in human form!"

Because of this miracle, many people came to believe in the gospel message that Paul came to preach. And Paul wanted Timothy to travel with him on his journeys. Paul even circumcised Timothy (Acts 16:3) because Timothy's father was Greek and Paul did not want Timothy's uncircumcision to interfere with the conversion of Jewish believers.

And in 1 Timothy 4:14, we will learn that Paul ordained Timothy: Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

Early church tradition has it that St. Paul elevates Timothy to Bishop of Ephesus in 65 A.D. Timothy was martyred. Some say in 80 A.D.;others say it was more like 97 A.D.  because he was trying to stop a parade of idol-bearing worshipers going through the streets the Ephesus. The angry mob beat Timothy and dragged him through the streets until they finally stoned him. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy

So we have now set the stage to learn more about Paul's writing to his beloved spiritual son, Timothy.

Paul writes his last three letters, which we call The Pastoral Letters. In this order, Paul writes the first letter to Timothy, then a letter to Titus, and finally, a second letter to Timothy. 

Paul has been released from his Roman imprisonment when he writes this first letter to Timothy.

To give you an idea of how dear he holds Timothy, Paul refers to Timothy as my true son in the faith (verse 2).

It seems obvious that Paul has both admiration and confidence in Timothy's abilities for Paul left Timothy in Ephesus. Paul was on his way to Macedonia but there was still much work to be done in the Ephesian churches. (verse 3)

Paul tells Timothy in verse 3b-4: Stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work -- which is by faith.

In verses 6-7, Paul attacks the teachings of heresy and general know-it-alls who are running around Ephesus hoping to tear up the churches Paul had set up and filled with new believers of the gospel message of Jesus Christ: Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

Well, well. Just in case you wondered what Paul thought about those goings-on, those verses ought to clear that up for you!

Paul then lists some grievous sins that he finds most unpalatable, including murder, adultery, perversions, slave traders, liars and perjurers and "anything else that is contrary to sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the Blessed God, which he entrusted to me." (see verses 8-11)

Paul then reiterates his biography of how he came to be appointed to the service of our Lord Jesus Christ. And in verses 15-16, Paul adds: Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners -- of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

That message is not just for Timothy -- and it's not just about Paul. Each one of us has a cloud over our biography. And it's because of that sinful cloud that Christ came down from heaven where he sat in full glory next to his Father. He came down here to save us. He came down here to walk among us as a man. Jesus Christ had unlimited patience with Paul, and he has unlimited patience with us.

Jesus Christ has more patience with us than we have with ourselves. There's a powerful message for all of us in this first chapter of Paul's letter to Timothy: Jesus Christ forgives the worst of sinners and he has unlimited patience.

But there are two men that Paul wants to kick out of the church. Apparently these two -- Hymenaeus and Alexander -- have been blaspheming against the Lord. (verse 20)

Hymenaeus was a heretic who denied belief in the resurrection. He was going around Ephesus telling people that resurrection happened in a spiritual sense at the moment a person was born. This view was also shared by Alexander, a coppersmith. http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/hymenaeus.html

So Paul tells Timothy that he is giving these two men up to Satan. My Concordia Study Bible makes this note on page 1850: Paul had excluded these two men from the church, which was considered a sanctuary from Satan's power. Out in the world, away from the fellowship and care of the church, they would be "taught" (the word means basically "to discipline") not to blaspheme. The purpose of such drastic action was more remedial than punitive.

Discussion: Think about the clouds over yourself that may be too much of a sin.

Can you forgive yourself? And can you accept God's forgiveness?

When we read these early stories about the travels of the apostle Paul and he traveled here and there setting up churches, what do you think would have been the hardest part for Paul?

No telephone. No cars with automatic transmissions. No camels with headlights. No Visa and MasterCard. Lots of highway robbers who'd be only too glad to take anything you had of value on your person.

And yet Paul walked thousands of miles on his missionary gospel journeys.

We pray: Oh Lord, I thank you for the gift of forgiveness and I wonder anew at your love for me, a poor sinner. And yet the clouds of sin over my head are gone by one act of forgiveness that brings grace to me from your love. I thank you for that. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.

I pray that you would send your Holy Spirit to me to refresh my faith as I study you word. And I pray that those who study your Word here will also be refreshed by your Spirit. Amen.

#
 

Ephesians 6:1-24

Paul is about ready to close this letter to the Ephesians. It's widely believed that this was a circuit letter. That is, it was intended to be read at the various churches in and around the Ephesus area. Physically, it's being carried by one of Paul's fellow ministers, Tychicus. Personal transport was the only way to get news from here to there back in those days.

As he opens this chapter, Paul has a strong message for children, in verses 1-3: Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother -- which is the first commandment with a promise -- that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.

This is a restatement of Exodus 20:12: Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

And Leviticus 19:3: Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and you shall keep my Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God.

Paul had something to say to the parents too, in verse 4: Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Now, you wouldn't think this verse 4 would hardly need to be spoken. After all, these were new believers who were anxious to do the right thing. These were new believers who were able to walk and talk with people who had actually known Jesus Christ, who had sat at Christ's table, who walked the pathways along the lakes with Christ. They must have been filled with deep love for their families.

Well, folks, human nature is what it is. And I have no doubt that there were dysfunctional families even back then.

Even when Mary and Martha had invited Jesus to come into their home for dinner and Martha was busy in the kitchen. I can just visualize all that flour flying around, and the smells of spices and food cooking, and wonderful pots-and-pan sounds that arouse anticipation of a meal about to be put on the table. Then Martha got it in her head that Mary ought to be helping her out a bit instead of sitting around listening to Jesus talking. When Martha complained, Jesus, in essence told her to quit whining. (Luke 10:38-42)

So life was not always skipping along, even in Jesus' presence.

So Paul tells parents not to exasperate their children. Interesting choice of words, don't you think? Exasperate doesn't mean to just irritate. Nope. It's beyond irritating. Exasperateoften provokes hostilities and violence.

Believe me, there's a lot of exasperating going on in unhappy families. Oh, for sure, children often have anxieties for a lot of other reasons -- bullies at school or in the neighborhood will cause anxieties and unhappiness -- fear of parents getting a divorce will create great anxieties in children. But there frequently were children who were brought in by their parents for counseling who really needed to build on top of the good foundational skills they already had. Ephesians 6:4 was where we started because anxious, unhappy children are often exasperated children.

Paul says not to exasperate. Instead, bring your children up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Nowadays, we would say take them to church and Sunday School. Read them Bible stories about Bible heroes for their bedtime reading. Help them memorize Bible verses.

Paul also has similar admonitions for slaves and slaveholders as well. In these verses, Paul sets up a kind of "fly on the wall" way of thinking when he tells the slaves to serve as if they were serving Jesus, not their masters. And the masters ought to reward everyone for the good they do, whether they are free servants or slaves. After all, he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him. (verse 9b)

So Jesus is in heaven. He's watching all of us. He was watching the servants, slaves, and masters. And as far as Jesus was concerned, they were all men who would one day come through the pearly gates and they wouldn't have any earthly status or wealth then. Judgement would be about how they treated each other, how they fellowshiped with one another, whether they exasperated each other, whether they offended each other, whether they threatened each other, whether they were churned up hate among themselves. 

Jesus would not be showing any favoritism, Paul says. So just put the bossy attitude away. It may work for a while down here on earth, but that's not your last resting place, so take great care about how you interact with your fellow earth creatures.

Now comes one of Paul's great metaphors. In verses 11-12, he says: Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

"Heavenly realms" is another curious term that Paul uses. In fact, he makes five references to the heavenly realms in this letter to the Ephesians: Eph. 1:3; 1:20; 2:6; 3:10; and 6:12.

And if you were to google "heavenly realms," you'd find 366,000 pages referenced to this topic. Books have been written about these realms. The early church fathers divided them up into layers that are supposedly governed by specifically assigned angels having different authorities and tasks assigned by God.
 
But Paul doesn't give us any specific details about angels residing and ruling in any particular layer of the heavenly realms. Paul is silent about this, yet he repeats the reference to heavenly realms often enough to cause me to wonder why he brought it up at all.
 
That's up pretty high on the list of questions I'm going to ask when I get to heaven. Somewhere it says in the Bible that all things will be made known, so I'm looking forward to finding out some things about the heavenly realms when I get there.

But this armor of God is outlined in verses 14-17:

Belt of truth buckled around your waist
Breastplate of righteousness in place
with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace
shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one
helmet of salvation
sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

In verse 18, Paul admonishes: Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Paul made some references to this armor of God in his other letters:

1 Corinthians 6:7 -- by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;

1 Thessalonians 5:8 -- But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

Isaiah had references to this also:

Isaiah 11:5 -- Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.

Isaiah 59:17 -- He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.

And Paul said, Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

And Paul then closes this most powerful of his epistles to the people in churches in and around Ephesus.

Paul's letter to the Ephesians is one of my favorites of all Paul's letters. It was the subject of a research project that I completed for a theology course when I was in grad school at Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois. Each of us students could select any book of the New Testament (except Jude). Our assignment was to differentiate and explain all the doxologies and catechises in the books we'd chosen. Ephesians is one of the most powerful letters that Paul wrote, in my view. It's six chapters are power-packed. I've read the letter and re-read the letter many times and each time, I'm left with a new appreciation for all that Paul did. 

What a warrior for Christ!

Discussion: 

There are a number of discussion points you could focus on from this chapter alone. First, you might talk about how, as parents, you could edify your children. Talk about what it means to "exasperate" your children and how you can strengthen your parenting skills, if you need to.

Talk about the heavenly realms. What do you think Paul meant by this term. Make sure you keep your discussions grounded in Biblical truth. There's all kinds of curious teachings about what this term means, so be very careful. If you still have questions, ask your pastor or priest to guide you through your study.

And finally, copy down the armor of Christ and commit it to memory. Be ever mindful of the need to put on this armor each and every day. Make it part of your morning routine.

Many of you have apparently gotten into the habit of finding this Bible Study early in the mornings. I'm guessing that you're doing this before you head out the door for work. And there are just as many others who come to this study later in the day, and into the evenings. I thank God for you and I pray that your study of the Word of God will be enriched. 

Of all the pages on this web site, the Bible Study gets far more hits than any other. About ten to one. That says there's a tremendous hunger for God's word. I thank you for joining me. And like Paul, I ask that you pray for me so that I can continue to build you up as a teacher.

We pray: Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for this wonderful opportunity to study your Word with freedom here in the United States. And I pray for safety for those who are studying the Bible in far away places that are not so safe. 

I thank you for your servant Paul and for the wisdom he brings to us through the Holy Spirit who guided his hand as he wrote these letters to the early churches.

In verse 18, Paul says to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Help me to remember that I can bring any request to you in prayer and I pray for your continued blessings for me and Quint, and for our children and grandchildren as well. I pray that you will keep us all safe as we go about our daily lives. Amen.
 
##

Ephesians 5:22-33

Women who read these verses and say they're not going to "obey" their husband somehow get to that point out of Paul's use of the word "submit."

So listen to what Paul says in verses 22-24: Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

This "submit" that Paul is talking about is a reiteration of what he said in verse 21: Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Submit, in one of the seven dictionary definitions, means to yield to the power or authority of another; whereas obey means to follow the commands, restrictions, wishes or instructions of another. Submission also means to present for the approval or consideration of another.

I like to talk about this submission business with couples who come for marriage counseling. This business about submitting is not an awful thing for men and women in their relationship. After all, submitting wasn't so bad when couples were on their honeymoons, or in the newlywed years of their marriage. Submitting is downright fun when we are passionately eager to please one another.

There are many ways that we submit to one another in a healthy relationship. Husbands submit to their wives too. So often, it's the lady of the house who manages the purse strings -- who write the checks, pay the bills, balance the budget. There's a lot of interdependence going on when it comes to family finances, and there's also a lot of submission with one another too.

In many many couples, it's the wife who doles out the spending money. The lunch money. The running money. Call it what you like, but come payday, the check goes in the bank and in the majority of families, it's the woman in the relationship who manages the discretionary income after she pays the bills.

So who's submitting? Is the husband submitting because he gets the money from his wife? Or are they acting on a pre-arranged agreement they have about the money?

My point is, Paul was not talking about a woman becoming a slave to her husband, but rather, that she submit to him. And when there is a lot of love going on between a man and a woman, there isn't this hang-up about the word "submit" because the relationship has to do with each wanting to please the other.

And when we love one another, we want to please. And when we want to please, submitting is not a big deal. In good marriage relationships, it happens all the time. There's a lot of cross-submission and cross-love and it has nothing to do with losing your identity.

In a marriage, two people become one. If you've worked it right, you can't tell where you leave off and your spouse begins, because your marriage relationship has an identity of its own. It's an entity that both the husband and wife, as social engineers, create and give life to out of their love for one another.

Paul goes on to say that husbands ought to love their wives just like Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ... (verse 25a).

Notice that this sacrifice is called upon for the husband, even to the extreme point of dying for his wife if need be. Such an extreme expression of devotion is not called upon for the wife, though. But Paul is saying that husbands ought to be willing to guard and protect their wives, even to shield them with their lives if need be.

Paul continues to talk about this most glorious love between a husband and a wife and likens is to the great love that Christ had for the church, in verses 25b-27: ...to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

That's how husbands ought to love their wives, Paul says in verse 28b.

And here's a final thought for the married couple in verse 31: For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.

Paul says this is a profound mystery. We don't understand how God makes this happen and Paul's analogy to the earthly marriage of a man and woman does not compare to the pure and holy love that Christ has for the church and likens the church to Christ's "bride." But the two types of marriages are not even remotely equal. 

However, marriage is the most intimate of human relationships. And it is the most powerful human love that we know, for out of this married love comes the creation of children.

Paul uses the comparison of this powerful love that men and women have for one another in their marriage as an echo of the love that Christ has for the church. (Concordia Study Bible, page 1312, footnote for verse 32.)

Discussion:

These particular verses usually elicit some excited comments. In your group discussions, talk about the different ways that men and women try to please each other in their marriages. When we are eager to please someone because we love them, aren't we being submissive?

We pray: Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for the blessings of a wonderful Christian marriage. I pray that all people everywhere could have honor and respect in their marriages, for out of that comes the most profound joy.

I pray that you would bless again the marriages that have been avowed before your altars around the world. Keep husbands and wives safe within their love for each other. I lift them all in prayer. Amen.

##

Ephesians 5:1-21

We were out walking the other day and as we came around the corner on Third Street, there was the unmistakable aroma of steaks grilling. There's just nothing else that has the saliva pumping aroma for all us beef eaters.

God likes that aroma too. In fact, back in the old days, he said the aroma was fragrant and when the beef was sacrificed on the altars of the early Israelites, it was a fragrance pleasing to God. This is what God said in Genesis 8:21 -- And when the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, the Lord said in his heart, "I will never again curse the ground because of man..."

Paul opens this chapter with the words, Be imitators of God... (verse 1a). My Concordia Study Bible says in the footnote for this verse on page 1810: "One way of imitating God is to have a forgiving spirit.

That was how Paul closed the fourth chapter: Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (4:32).

Paul peppers that word -- forgiveness -- all through his writings. In fact, he talks about it so much you'd think it had some kind of ultra-importance. If you think that, you'd be correct.

Your mental health depends on your being a forgiving person. But more important than that, it is God's command that you be a forgiving person. Forgive others just like God forgives us. And we're going to hear in just a few verses that God's wrath comes to those who are disobedient. (verse 6b)

The problem is, we are all too willing to forgive people we love. We can forgive people we care about. But what about those people who don't measure up to how we think they ought to behave? What about those people who are mean and hurt us, on purpose, we think? What about that?

Take a hint from Jesus Christ. When he was hanging there on the cross -- for the forgiveness of our sins -- did he look down at those Roman soldiers and say to his Father in heaven, "I want you to forgive all these people milling around down there except those mean Roman guys who beat me and made me drag that stupid cross through the streets. How humiliating is that!? Don't forgive them. They don't deserve forgiveness."

But no. Christ lifted this prayer to his Father in heaven, "Forgive them. They don't know what they're doing."

Maybe your parents let you down when you were a little kid. Maybe your neighbor is a jerk. Maybe people have been so mean to you that you've literally built a prison inside your heart.

The time has come to let all that go. You will never know peace until you let all that pain and suffering and anguish go. In fact, you have to be careful that you don't make an idol out of your pain. If you are hanging onto the pains of your past, then it is separating you from God because of your unforgiving heart. In that case, it has, indeed, become an idol.

Oh, not an idol in the sense that you worship your anguish, but an idol because you've put it in a special little hidden place where you go and nurture it in your quiet moments. You do this by reminding yourself of how much you deserve to feel the way you do. That's just like giving a piece of corn to a silly chicken. You're feeding your pain when you revisit all those old, moldy memories.

Maintaining an unforgiving heart. How's that working for you? Just remember that anger multiplies misery. Doesn't count for much except for its self-destructiveness.
Instead, take Paul's words to heart in verse 2: ...live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Then there's this list of things we are supposed to stay away from:

Not even a hint of sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity
No greed, because these are improper for God's holy people
No obscenities, foolish talk or coarse joking

Instead, be thankful for the gifts you have

Don't let people fool you with their empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. So don't partner up with these fools.

Gee, I wonder if God is watching the politicians running around making all kinds of foolish, empty claims about how great they are? I wonder if they realize that God is watching them. Listening to them.

Empty lies are just that. They're not okay just because it's the "silly season" in the presidential campaign, and political rhetoric is not like a real lie.

Don't kid yourself. Stay away from liars and people who shout obscenities. They'll drag you down to their level and you don't want to go to those low depths.

In fact, Paul says in verses 8-10: For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.

Paul made lists and lists of what pleases the Lord. And he shared these lists in his letters to the young churches.

And then there's this hint that Paul gave to the Thessalonians in 1 Thess. 2:4 -- but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.

And Matthew Henry says: This is the great motive to sincerity, to consider that God not only sees all we do, but knows our thoughts afar off, and searches the heart. And it is from this God who trieth our hearts, that we must receive our reward. (http://sitebuilder.myregisteredsite.com/sitebuilder/f_edit_page.html)

Paul goes on to say, in verses 15-17: Be very careful, then, how you live -- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

And just in case the Ephesians might have forgotten what the Lord's will is, Paul tells them again in this list:

Do not get drunk on wine (which leads to debauchery)

Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.

Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything.

And then, in verse 21: Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Discussion: Have you ever had someone who hurt you so much that you thought you'd never be able to forgive him/her?

Did you ever get past that? If you did, then how did you feel?

Do you forgive some things but not others? Can you understand, in your heart, why it matters to you if you're hanging on to old stuff?

God knows what's in your hearts. We are his creation and you can just bet that he did not allow any little secret places to exist where even one little thought or idea can be hidden away from him. And if you are still hurting, he knows that, even if you don't know why.

So if you ask him, he'll tell you. Then you'll be free of all that anguish.

We pray: Dear Father in Heaven, more than anything in this world, I would love to be free of all that pain. It's time that I finally let it go. But I know -- and this is the part that scares me -- when I clean it out of my heart, there'll be this big empty space that I don't know what to do with. Can you help me? I ask that you send your Holy Spirit into my heart to help me clean out all the dusty corners so that I can live my life completely for you. Amen.

##

Ephesians 4:17-32

Paul continues the theme of unity with each other in this letter. We had learned earlier in this chapter that each of us has a specific task to do in building the church. Each of us has been given a specific and unique gift that will enable us to do this. By using these gifts and building up the church, we then share with one another a place in the body of Christ.

I liken this as some of us doing the footwork. Others are the spine that hold the structure up administratively. Some are the hands that answer the need for the calls of service. And when we have all gotten together, and we have our separate gift-driven service, then we mold ourselves into the body of Christ. We become an assembly of believers, a congregation, a communion of worshipers. But what would the body be without a head to give it purpose?

That purpose of our unity comes from Christ who is the head of the church (see verse 15).

So now Paul continues with a list of what to do which will help us mature as members of the church. He tells us how to mature in our faith.

First of all, when we come to this new faith, when we become believers, we can't live like we used to. Or, as Paul put it, as the Gentiles do (see verse 17).

Paul reminds the Ephesians that the Gentiles were separated from God because of their own ignorance and their hardened hearts. His message is just as meaningful for us today as it was for the Gentiles back in the days of the early church in that first century.

We're not going to be insensitive to others anymore.

We're not going to give in to the passionate pleasures that have ignited all our self-indulgences. Today is a new day. We wake up each morning with the pleasure of God's glory pulsing through our veins and shining through us. No mistakes in the day yet.

How far can you get into your day with no mistakes in it? Can you make it til noon? Maybe four o'clock? Get as far as you can go. It's about striving to get as far as you can go to resist the temptations of indulgences you used to play with (see verses 18-19).

Surely you heard of [Christ] and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (verses 21-24).

Paul was a bit more specific in his letter to the Colossians (3:8) -- But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Where Paul said to "put these things away," Matthew Henry said to "mortify them."

Mortify is a powerful word. Basically it means to discipline your body by self-denial, or the second definition is to hold within limits and control.

So here's what Mr. Henry has to say: It is our duty to mortify our members which incline to the things of the world. Mortify them, kill them, suppress them, as weeds or vermin which spread and destroy all about them.

Continual opposition must be made to all corrupt workings, and no provision made for carnal indulgences. Occasions of sin must be avoided: the lusts of the flesh, and the love of the world; and covetousness, which is idolatry; love of present good, and of outward enjoyments.

It is necessary to mortify sins, because if we do not kill them, they will kill us.

The gospel changes the higher as well as the lower powers of the soul, and supports the rule of right reason and conscience, over appetite and passion. There is now no difference from country, or conditions and circumstances of life.

It is the duty of every one to be hold, because Christ is a Christian's All, his only Lord and Saviour, and all his hope and happiness.

http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=59&source=2&seq=i.58.3.2

And continuing with Paul's list, he says that we must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbors, for we are all members of one body. (verse 25)

And then there's that matter of anger. So perhaps you've made it all the way through your day mistake-free, but then something sets you off after supper. Now you're mad. Paul has special advice for you in verses 26 and 27: In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

I am reminded of the anger management workshops I used to conduct at South Suburban College. Frequently, there would be people coming in from the nearby Sixth District Court for a little anger personality rehab, so to speak. Anger got them into trouble. More than that -- anger led them to sin when they poked somebody in the nose and left them in a bloody heap of human flesh on a bar room floor.

Those were the ones who would try to shift the blame for their anger to someone who set them off. You may have heard them. They say, "Well he made me mad."

To that I would say, "No one makes you angry." Other people arouse the anger that's already there. What you have to do -- and what we are going to learn to do --  is get rid of the anger that's hiding inside you. Then you'll know peace."

"Well, that's not possible," they'd say.

"Sure it is. Let me give you an example. For instance, there's nothing you can do to me that would make me angry with you. And why is that? Because I'm not an angry person. There's no anger in me for you to arouse."

A few hours later, there would be a calming come over the class. Oh, I couldn't accommodate all that mortification, as Matthew Henry would say, in a few hours. But there were always some who wanted to know more about that inner peace. How to get it. How to keep it.

I wish I'd known more about Matthew Henry back then. I would have told them they had to mortify their anger. They would have liked that.

But the apostle Paul tells us to be sure that anger doesn't lead us into sin. And there's a whole bunch of ways that this can happen. Somehow when people get angry with one another, they think they suddenly have the right to get even, to hurt the other person, to take advantage of them.

That's when you could ruin a perfectly good, mistake-free day. That's why Paul warns us in verse 27 not to give the devil a foothold.

Or, as Matthew Henry said, it's our duty to make sure that doesn't happen.

I have a cross reference to James 4:7 -- Submit yourselves therefor to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

This resistance works because Satan is a big fat ugly slob. He's lazy and if you resist -- especially if you have prayed for help from the Holy Spirit -- the devil will go off somewhere to an easier target. He'd just as soon spend the least amount of energy possible to get through his workday. And if you resist him, he'll find someone else who won't.

Continuing with Paul's list of ways we grow and mature our faith, he says in verse 29: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Paul just described what it's like to be charming. Charming people can always find something good to say about other people. They'll walk up to you and say something like, "That's a really good color on you." Or "I like that tie."

Quint said that one day to our youngest son, Dean, and he took off the tie and gave it to his dad. Quint wore it to church last Sunday and every time he wears that tie, we both smile and remember Dean.

Charming people. They can always think of something good to say. They build us up. They do it so often, and they do it so well that it becomes part of their nature. They are edifiers.

And in verse 30, Paul says: Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Paul had written in his first letter to the Thessalonians (5:19) -- Do not quench the Spirit.

Matthew Henry says: Christians are said to be baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire.

He worketh as fire, by enlightening, enlivening, and purifying the souls of men. As fire is put out by taking away fuel, and as it is quenched by pouring water, or putting a great deal of earth upon it; so we must be careful not to quench the Holy Spirit by indulging carnal lusts and affections, minding only earthly things.

Believers often hinder their growth in grace by not giving themselves up to the spiritual affections raised in their hearts by the Holy Spirit.

...We must search the Scriptures...We should abstain from sin, and whatever looks like sin, leads to it, and borders upon it...

http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/?action=getCommentaryText&cid=60&source=2&seq=i.59.5.4

And here's the rest of the list inverse 31-32: Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

One of these days I'm going to do a little mini-series on forgiveness. You need to understand that forgiveness is an active verb. It means you choose to forgive. When we are able to become a forgiving person, we find ourselves more and more at peace. And yes, our mental well-being relies on our being, or becoming, forgiving persons. After all, God knows what he's talking about when he says he wants us to forgive each other.

Discussion:

Make a list of all the things that you are able to resist doing today that would have led you to sin.

Do something unexpectedly nice and edifying to someone today.

Do something nice for yourself -- something that would make you feel like the valuable person that you are.

We pray: Oh Lord, I thank you for giving me the gift of your Spirit to guide me and work with me and support me as I go through each day of my life.

I especially pray for all the people here in the United States and around the world as well who are enduring the horrors of flooding. I pray for safety for all those who are put in harm's way when they confront the destructive power of water. I pray that you will be with them and comfort them as many who will have to build their lives over again.

I say a special prayer for Leslie this morning. Her husband dropped a car axle on his right hand and broke two fingers. Leslie -- who already was the caregiver for her widowed father, and is the mother of two children under the age of 10 -- must now stretch her love and her endurance yet farther as she ministers to her husband who must go through surgery to fix broken bones. I pray for strength and compassion for Leslie and her family. I pray that your son, Jesus Christ, the Divine Healer, will guide the physicians and surgeons who care for Leslie's husband Tony. Amen.

##