the Herald bulletin September 18th edition
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)
The Power and Wisdom of God’s Message
Take some time to notice (and perhaps underline) the words “wisdom” and “folly” or “foolishness” beginning at 1 Corinthians 1:17 and going all the way through at least chapter 2 of this book in your Bible. God’s wisdom is contrasted with worldly wisdom in this section. Paul was combating the pretentious element in the church at Corinth that relished the wisdom of the world. Worldly wisdom looks down on the preaching of the cross as foolishness, but in reality the gospel is God’s wisdom that is superior to the thoughts of men. God’s thoughts are above human thinking, and His words are powerful to accomplish their intended purpose (Isa. 55:8-11).
Apollos was an eloquent man (Acts 18:24). Paul, however, did not use lofty speech (1 Cor. 2:1). Paul converted several in the city of Corinth and established the congregation there (Acts 18:1-18), but some did not like listening to him speak (2 Cor. 10:10). Apollos came to Corinth (Acts 19:1), and a certain group in the congregation were big fans of his (1 Cor. 1:12; 3:3-6, 22). However, whether it was Apollos or Paul, God was giving the increase all along the way (1 Cor. 3:6). God’s gospel is the power to salvation (Rom. 1:16).
If one kept going through 1 Corinthians and underlining the aforementioned words, another concentration of these terms would pop up in 1 Corinthians 3:18-21. Here, Paul concludes that we should not boast in men, but rather be willing to be considered fools in the eyes of the world—if need be–to truly be wise by following God’s ways. It is not uncommon for those the world views as wise to reject God, “because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools (Rom. 1:21-22). The world glorifies what God defines as sin. The world gives up the dignity of being made in God’s image to act like the evolved animals they think they are—pursuing baser instincts. The world laughs at the concept of sin. The world looks at the prospect of a future eternity in hell not with fearful repentance but with a loathing dismissal. The world has its own ideas on everything from how to raise children to how to conduct interpersonal relationships. The world’s proposed solutions to what ails humankind will continue to come up short until it recognizes the true nature of man, what his purpose is, what is wrong with him, and the solution of how he can be saved.
The preaching of the cross of Christ answers all these issues. It is what we desperately need. The theories of men will come and go, but the Lord’s words will endure forever (Mt. 24:35). God’s power and wisdom are available in the everlasting gospel if we will listen. Brother Josh Allen will be with us this week to preach God’s message. Will you be here to listen to the wisdom that comes from God?
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