Receiving the Word in Much Affliction

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.

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?

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.

Providing the Money to Pay our Taxes

When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the double-drachma tax approached Peter and said, “Doesn’t your Teacher pay the double-drachma tax? ” “Yes,” he said. When he went into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, “What do you think, Simon? Who do earthly kings collect tariffs or taxes from? From their sons or from strangers? ” “From strangers,” he said. “Then the sons are free,” Jesus told him. “But, so we won’t offend them, go to the sea, cast in a fishhook, and take the first fish that you catch. When you open its mouth you’ll find a coin. Take it and give it to them for Me and you.” ~Matthew 17:24-27

We as Christians don't want to be offensive to the unbelieving world around us. How many times have you read this account, and thought how nice it would be to find money in the mouth of a fish. Seems kind of gravy work doesn't it? Well we must remember that Peter was a Fisherman. This was his job and source of income for his family. Jesus was telling him to go work for the money in order to pay the taxes that were due to the government.

It is the same for us. Jesus equally provides money for us to live in this world. He does it through the means of our jobs. I am a HVAC Technition. I do not find coins laying in the bottom of a furnace, roof-top unit, or a boiler; but I do find my money direct deposited in our bank each and every week. This is Jesus' provision for me and my family to pay our taxes. After all, we don't want to be offensive to the unbelieving world around us.

Two Things For Husbands

HUSBANDS ARE TO DO TWO MAIN THINGS

These are just some thoughts I had while reading Ephesians 5:25–33 this morning.

Husbands: Ephesians 5:22–33

Ephesians 5:25–33 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 “ Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

POINTS

1. Love your wife as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
   1. Love my wife by giving myself up for her.
2. I give myself up for her by washing her with the Word.
   1. This sanctifies and cleanses her as water to the body would.
3. I do this so that she will become holy and without blemish.
   1. Christ does this for his church.
4. I am to love my wife as my own body.
   1. By nourishing and cherishing it; taking care of all it’s needs.

MAIN IDEA FOR ME AS A HUSBAND

As a husband, I am to do two main things for my wife. I am to nourish and cherish her, providing for all of her needs. And second, I am to sanctify her by washing her with the Scriptures. These two things, caring for her and washing her with the Bible, are what it means to “love my wife as Christ loves the Church.”

The principle that Jesus laid down somewhere when he said that “love does no harm to a neighbor,” and that “love your neighbor as yourself,” fulfills the law. This same basic principle applies to my wife as well; she is my neighbor whom I live and commune with daily.

Shameful Speech

Shameful Speech

Ephesians 5:3–21 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous ( that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “ Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Paul tells us that there are certain sins that should not only not be done by Christians, but should not even be talked about. They are sexual immorality, all impurity, and covetousness (which is idolatry). Paul goes on to list filthiness, foolish talking, and crude joking. He tells us that it is out of place for the Christian to be speaking about these things. Instead I am to replace that speech with thankfulness, (this thankfulness is to be thanking God always for everything in the name of Jesus) and with the singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. I am to expose their sins by the light of truth. Leviticus 19:17 tells me that I am to “reason frankly” with my neighbor who is in sin.

Dear Lord, please take away all fear of man. Let me speak the truth boldly, and lovingly. Let me do what you have asked of me in these texts. I thank you for your answer in the name of Jesus.

A Prayer For Knowledge (sermon)

I had the blessing of preaching at our Church last Sunday. It was only the second time I have ever preached during a Church service. I have had many other opportunities to teach God's Word, but always in other contexts. Any feedback would be appreciated. Scott Sermon link