09.21.22 Wednesday Bible Study – Devo by Chris Scott – Love
Bible Class by Mark Day – Motivating
09.18.22 PM Worship – Mark Day – The Center of our Attention
09.18.22 PM Worship – Mark Day – The Center of our Attention
09.18.22 AM Worship – Mark Day – What to do with the Unruly
09.18.22 AM Worship – Mark Day – What to do with the Unruly
Joy for Those Concerned for Your Soul
With joy the apostle Paul thought of the Christians in Thessalonica. These converts had such good hearts that Paul looked forward to Christ’s return, knowing that they would enter on to their reward together: “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy” (1 Thess. 2:19-20). Paul is like an Olympic medalist whose king is not present at the event where he wins the gold for his country, so he returns to his home country and gladly presents his trophy to his king. Thus, Paul eagerly awaited the coming of Christ and calls those in Thessalonica his glory and joy. The account of his mission work in this important seaport city in northern Greece is found in Acts 17:1-9. Because of persecution, Paul and his company were sent out of the city, but continued to correspond by letter to the church there; we have the inspired books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians in the Bible as a result. What was it about the hearts of these Christians that caused Paul to have such joy at the thought of them?
Backing up to 1 Thessalonians 2:13 reveals that Paul was thankful for how they received the message he preached, as he wrote, “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” Paul’s preaching was not according to man (Gal. 1:11). He preached the commandments of the Lord (1 Cor. 14:37). Many dismiss the words of gospel preachers today as mere opinions. While many in pulpits may give the fashionable opinions of men, faithful gospel preachers proclaim God’s words, words with all authority behind them (Titus 2:15). Scripture is inspired—breathed out from the mouth of God (2 Tim. 3:16). These good-hearted Christians in Thessalonica heard God’s word and it effectively worked in them because they believed. Scripture should not be downplayed as irrelevant to the specific situations we find ourselves in today. The Thessalonians received the word the way they should have and let it transform their hearts and lives. Do we?
Their willingness to endure suffering for the way of truth was also a commendable characteristic for which Paul was thankful, as he wrote:
“For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.” (1 Thess. 2:14-16).
In this way, the Thessalonians identified with the Lord Jesus, the prophets of old, fellow Christians in Judea, and even Paul himself. We must not allow pressure from others to cause us to give in, but instead let us stand firm on God’s truth and endure suffering for it (2 Tim. 3:12-14).
What about you? Do you have these characteristics that would make your spiritual leaders think of you with joy instead of grief (Heb. 13:17)?
Gospel Meeting with Josh Allen – The Cross and Preaching Christ
Gospel Meeting with Josh Allen – The Cross and Preaching Christ
I Corinthians 1:23 – September 11-14
Sunday: 9:45AM, 10:45AM, & 6PM
Monday – Wednesday: 10AM & 7PM
Josh Allen is the preach at Main Street church of Christ in Pikeville, KY since 2010. Previously, he worked with the Morristown church of of Christ (TN) as their you minister and late as the pulput minister. Josh grew up in Northeastern Ohio. He is a graduate of Free-Hardeman University. He and his wife April have three children: Ella, Chloe, and Andrew. Josh has enjoyed speaking and mission opportunities both stateside and abroad.
Sunday 9:45AM Class: The Promise of the Cross (It was no Accident!)
Sunday 10:45AM: The Proxy of the Cross (It was for Me!)
Matthew 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39-40
Sunday 6:00PM: The Perspective of the Cross (It Changes Everything!)
Monday 7:00PM: The Path to the Cross (It wasn’t Easy!)
Tuesday 7:00PM: The Person of the Cross (A Light in the Dark)
Wednesday 7:00PM: The Panorama of the Cross (It’s Quite a View!)
Monday 10:00AM Class: The Paradox of the Cross (Upside Down Thinking)
Tuesday 10:00AM Class: The Pattern of the Cross (Where’s Your Cross?)
Wednesday 10:00AM Class: Preparation of the Cross (Living Like John)
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 65
- 66
- 67
- 68
- 69
- …
- 313
- Next Page »