For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you because.....you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 4, 6b)
Have you ever tried to bring the Word of God to someone while they were in affliction? Did they receive it with joy?
I have many times tried to encourage a person while they were in affliction. Often a sister or a brother in the Lord has come close to our family who was struggling with affliction in their families. We have spoken the Word of God to them and then prayed with them, and for them. The two questions I see I need to ask myself from this text is...
1. Did they "receive" the word?
2. Did they receive the word with "joy"?
Paul says that he knew that God loved and had chosen the Thessalonians because while they were in affliction, they were joyfully receiving the Word of God. This is evidence of authentic Christianity.
Have you ever been counseled by someone with the Bible? Maybe you were having a certain difficulty with your spouse at one time; then you shared that with a sister or brother in Christ. Then this person opened up their Bible and shared some truth with you; did you receive it? I mean like you would receive a pass from a Quarterback? Did you receive the truth, hold on to the truth and then run with the truth? Did you then run with joy because of the truth you were holding? If you have, the person who brought the Word to you is able to praise The Lord knowing that your faith is authentic; you have been chosen by God to inherit eternal life! It is evident because of the way you received the Word.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Managers of Their Households
So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. (1 Timothy 5:14 ESV)
The phrase "manage their households" is one word in the greek. The word means to guide and take care of the family affairs. What kinds of things are family affairs? What would it mean to manage the affairs of Apple, Honeywell, or Walmart? It would at least mean that the manager would have deep and intricate knowledge of the company. They would spend large amounts of time thinking about the future of the company and how it could prosper the most. They would see that the employees needs were all taken care of and that they had all of the tools and skills required to fulfill their purpose. They would ensure that the company was orderly and efficient for streamlined production. They are managers. They would be at the office that they managed.
Wives are called by God to guide and care for the family affairs. They are called to "manage their households." What might this world look like if wives were doing this in their homes? What might the children of the next generation look like if they were managed primarily at home by Mom? What might our Government look like if this generation of managed children then took over for our current politicians?
This generation of children are "managed" by their Football, Soccer and Gymnastic Coach; their English, Math and Science Professor; their Sunday School, Youth Pastor and Awana Leader. They are managed through government curriculum, PBS, and Walt Disney; Justin Bieber, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga; Twilight, Harry Potter and Oprah. They are managed by so many people and through so many means; but are they being managed at home by MOM?
The phrase "manage their households" is one word in the greek. The word means to guide and take care of the family affairs. What kinds of things are family affairs? What would it mean to manage the affairs of Apple, Honeywell, or Walmart? It would at least mean that the manager would have deep and intricate knowledge of the company. They would spend large amounts of time thinking about the future of the company and how it could prosper the most. They would see that the employees needs were all taken care of and that they had all of the tools and skills required to fulfill their purpose. They would ensure that the company was orderly and efficient for streamlined production. They are managers. They would be at the office that they managed.
Wives are called by God to guide and care for the family affairs. They are called to "manage their households." What might this world look like if wives were doing this in their homes? What might the children of the next generation look like if they were managed primarily at home by Mom? What might our Government look like if this generation of managed children then took over for our current politicians?
This generation of children are "managed" by their Football, Soccer and Gymnastic Coach; their English, Math and Science Professor; their Sunday School, Youth Pastor and Awana Leader. They are managed through government curriculum, PBS, and Walt Disney; Justin Bieber, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga; Twilight, Harry Potter and Oprah. They are managed by so many people and through so many means; but are they being managed at home by MOM?
Call No Man On Earth Your Father Or Your Rabbi?
What did Jesus mean when he said to call no man on earth your father or rabbi?
Matthew 23:8-12
But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
In this time, the Scribes and the Pharisees loved to be called by, and known through their titles. They would love when hats were raised to them. They would give to themselves titles, and made to be known by them. This is what Jesus is prohibiting here in these texts. Paul himself called himself a Father over the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 4:15. But he was a father over them in a loving way, not in an exulting way demanding that the Corinthians call him "Father Paul."
It is the same with calling people on earth "rabbi, or teacher." Paul himself says that he is a teacher in 1 Timothy 2:7.
Jesus is dealing with the Scribes and Pharisees pride over their titles. This is what Jesus is prohibiting in regards to these titles. We are not to demand of others that they call us by certain titles that would exult ourselves over others.
I was doing some work in a Catholic Church a couple of years ago. It was a new account for me. The Priest came downstairs where I was working and wanted to introduce himself to me. He introduced himself as "Father ________." I shook his hand and said that my name was Scott. I then told him that if I was going to be spending time there doing various jobs in his Church, that he and I would need to get something figured out. I told him that I would not call him "Father," and asked him for another way that I could address him. He stared at me blankly. I said, "can I call you Mr. _______?" He said "no!"
After some awkward moments he told me that if it were necessary that I address him in the future, he would answer to Reverend _________. This to me was a bit better, since I grew up watching Little House on the Prairie and remember the humility of the dear Reverend Alden.
Matthew 23:8-12
But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
In this time, the Scribes and the Pharisees loved to be called by, and known through their titles. They would love when hats were raised to them. They would give to themselves titles, and made to be known by them. This is what Jesus is prohibiting here in these texts. Paul himself called himself a Father over the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 4:15. But he was a father over them in a loving way, not in an exulting way demanding that the Corinthians call him "Father Paul."
It is the same with calling people on earth "rabbi, or teacher." Paul himself says that he is a teacher in 1 Timothy 2:7.
Jesus is dealing with the Scribes and Pharisees pride over their titles. This is what Jesus is prohibiting in regards to these titles. We are not to demand of others that they call us by certain titles that would exult ourselves over others.
I was doing some work in a Catholic Church a couple of years ago. It was a new account for me. The Priest came downstairs where I was working and wanted to introduce himself to me. He introduced himself as "Father ________." I shook his hand and said that my name was Scott. I then told him that if I was going to be spending time there doing various jobs in his Church, that he and I would need to get something figured out. I told him that I would not call him "Father," and asked him for another way that I could address him. He stared at me blankly. I said, "can I call you Mr. _______?" He said "no!"
After some awkward moments he told me that if it were necessary that I address him in the future, he would answer to Reverend _________. This to me was a bit better, since I grew up watching Little House on the Prairie and remember the humility of the dear Reverend Alden.
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