Philemon

Onesimus was a slave owned by Philemon. He escaped Philemon and somehow ended up connected with Paul. Onesimus served Paul. Paul was sending Onesimus back to his owner Philemon. He writes that he could order Philemon to receive Onesimus but he does not. He simply appeals to him as a man of faith to welcome his escaped slave home as he would welcome Paul into his home. He wants Philemon to offer forgiveness.

When we have been deeply harmed, forgiveness can be very difficult. Our natural desire pushes us to revenge. Yet, God calls us to what is not natural, to forgive. For in forgiving we not only offer grace to the other person, we do something for ourselves.

Titus 3

"Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him."

Have you ever noticed how once someone in a group starts complaining, the whole group joins in? The complaint could be as simple as a comment about the weather or how a team (Cowboys) is so bad. Or the comment could be directed towards someone everyone knows. The temptation is for others to pile on with their comments. I don't think we are intending to do harm in such moments, but there is destructive power in such words.

The destruction can be so great that the instruction in this passage is warn the speaker twice, then cut off relationship with the person. That seems harsh until one considers what the consequences of divisiveness can be. While we may be leery to cut someone off, this passage is clearly a word to remember in regards to the words we speak.

Titus 2

"It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions"

When we say "yes" to God, we are saying "no" to anything that is not of God. Unfortunately, it is very hard at times to say 'no'. That is the struggle of temptation. The very thing I know I should turn from, is so attractive. It seems so good. But when I learn to keep saying 'yes' to God, that 'yes' puts boundaries on my life that are a great blessing. That 'yes' keeps ungodliness and worldly passions from driving my life. The 'yes' helps me become who God intended me to be.

Titus 1

Paul is giving instructions to Titus on how to appoint leaders in Crete. The list of qualifications is found in verses 6-9. He lists very high standards for leaders. Paul has a different expectation for leaders than those who follow. He recognizes the influence the leader has on the community of faith and wants to insure they lead in a Christ like manner.

How do you lead? I am far from perfect. But one aspect of being a pastor is that I realize that others are always watching my behavior. It is an unspoken line of accountability that is good for me. Whether you are a church leader or not, you have influence on others. Do you live your life in such a manner that it invites others to Christ? Others are watching.

2 Timothy 4

If you ever thought that the Apostle Paul got along with everyone, the end of this chapter dispels that idea. He names individuals with whom he has had problems. The comfort I find in his statements is that even this great early church leader had relational issues. So it should not come as a surprise when I do. This does not excuse my difficult relationships. The scripture is clear in a variety of places (love your neighbor as yourself, love your enemies) that I am to work diligently in my relationships. I just find it helpful to remember I am not the only who has relational issues.

2 Timothy 3

Two verses caught my attention in reading this morning. The first is part of the sin list early in the chapter. He writes, "always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth." The concept that we can learn but never acknowledge it by living it out is one area in which I struggle. I can learn but fail to apply.

The second is verse 16, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped to do every good work." Want a reason to read Scripture on a daily basis? Paul says it prepares us to do good work. Of course, reading Scripture gives us the head knowledge. It is up to us to have the self-discipline to live our that knowledge.

2 Timothy 2

"And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind of everyone, able to teach, not resentful."

Do you quarrel? There are moments in life when we should quarrel. When the issue is justice, standing up for the rights of another, those are great moments to make a stand. But if we are honest that is seldom the reason we are in arguments. More likely it is because our feelings are hurt or we did not get our way. Enormous damage can be done to another person or a relationship when we quarrel. As Lord's servants we hold a different value than getting our own way. The value is love and concern for the other person.

2 Timothy 1

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."

This verse has been important to me for a very long time. It is a verse that I say to myself when I face a difficult task. It reminds me that I am not alone, that God is with me, and that God will help me through.

1 Timothy 6

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil."

Notice Paul doesn't say that money is the root of all kinds of evil. Money is not good or bad. It is the value that we as individuals and as a group give to money that causes problems. We are tempted to value money over relationships and people. It could be argued that we value money over everything.

1 Timothy 5

Paul lays out rules for helping widows. It is clear that he believes Christians should provide care for widows but the care is provided for within boundaries. He offers qualifications for receiving the support and conditions under which the widow should not receive support. He understands that there are circumstances in which it is better to not help the widow.

My tendency is to want to help anyone who asks. I don't want to be the uncaring person who says "no" to a person in need. Yet, there are times when by "helping" the person I may make myself feel better but I am not providing the assistance the person really needs.

We want to be generous. Yet, we should be clear on our motives when we help another. Does our motive arrive out of concern for the other person or out of our desire to feel good about our actions?

1 Timothy 4

Paul is mentoring Timothy in this book. Giving him guidance in where to focus his attention and what to ignore. This is a great life lesson. It is easy to sidetracked. I think it is especially easy for us to be sidetracked. There are so many things competing for our attention, there is so much information available at our fingertips, there is just so much to life. We are constantly tempted turn out attention to whatever is loudest at the moment, in doing so we can push aside what has the ultimate value in life.

1 Timothy 3

There are higher expectations for leaders. These expectations include how the leader deals with family, perspective on money and self-control. If you are going to lead in the church, this chapter raises the expectation of your behavior and conduct.

1 Timothy 2

This chapter is used by some to try to limit the work of women in the faith. I want you to read the several of the controversial verses from the Message translation.

"And I want women to get in there with men in humility before God, not primping before a mirror or chasing the latest fashions but doing something beautiful before God and becoming beautiful doing it."

"I don't let women take over and tell the men what to do. They should study to be quiet and obedient along with everyone else."

Notice the Message has the phrases "get in there with men" and "along with everyone else". Women aren't seen as limited Christians, they are right there doing the work of God.

1 Timothy 1

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners -- of whom I am the worst."

Our relationship with Jesus Christ is founded on the grace of God. In response to God's grace, God asks us to acknowledge our need of that grace. God wants us to confess that we have done wrong, to acknowledge that we have fallen short in our behavior. Such confession is not easy for it requires self-reflection. Self-reflection is rather uncomfortable and something we often avoid for we are forced to be honest with ourselves. Yet, change in our lives can never really come until we are willing to be honest with ourselves.

2 Thessalonians 3

Paul was addressing a problem the Thessalonians were having in the church. There were some in the church who were lazy. They would not work and depended upon others to take care of them. Paul teaches to not let them get away with such behavior. "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."

What does this teaching have to do with us? I have a couple of thoughts:

- We live in a time when finding a job is difficult. As a church we want to help people who are out of work.

- There are some in our society who don't want to work. They attempt to work the system to receive free food and financial assistance. We have set up a systematic way to do a background check on any stranger who comes to the church for assistance. We want to help those who are legitimate, but not encourage those who simply avoid work.

- Children get caught by the behavior of their parents. That is why we are involved in weekend food. We are providing food to almost 900 children each weekend in GCISD. We don't think any child should be hungry.

2 Thessalonians 2

"stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you"

I remember in the 1970s there was a great deal of teaching in Christianity that the end of time was near. Books that taught Jesus' return was imminent like "The Late Great Planet Earth" were best sellers. Many people spent enormous amounts of time trying to interrupt the signs in the book of Revelation. I think Paul is writing to the Thessalonians in such a time. People are looking for signs. They are wondering when Christ will return. Paul, in essence, tells them to settle down. Their task is to hold on to their faith. Christ will return at the right moment, until then just live a faithful life.

2 Thessalonians 1

"We're so proud of you, you're so steady and determined in your faith despite all the hard times that have come down on you." (The Message)

Paul praises the Thessalonians for their continued faithfulness in the midst of difficulties. Anyone can have faith when life is easy and good. The challenge is when life is difficult, when questions arise, when we see no way out...will we have faith in those circumstances. The Thessalonians do and Paul praises them.

1 Thessalonians 5

When will Jesus return? There has been much speculation about the time of Jesus return. Individuals and groups have tried to read the signs and guess at the date. They are never correct in their guesses. Paul writes here they never will be correct. Paul teaches that Jesus will return when we least expect his return.

He does, however, add another thought. We are to live as expectant people. We are to live our lives always prepared. Not trying to guess the time of his return but living a life that is always ready.

1 Thessalonians 4

When we die what happens to our bodies? Do we stay in the grave? Do we go immediately to heaven? Paul teaches in this chapter that we wait in the grave until "the Lord himself will come down from heaven". He writes, "the dead in Christ will rise first". While Paul was writing this as a word of hope, that the dead will not be forgotten, I think it brings a sense of unease for many people. The thought of their bodies remaining in the grave is not good.

When I read Paul's words in Thessalonians, I remember Jesus' words in Luke 24. Jesus is on the cross. One of the criminals hanging next to him asks Jesus, "remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus' response is "today you will be with me in paradise". No waiting. Straight to heaven. I like what Jesus teaches much better.

1 Thessalonians 3

You can feel Paul's love and concern for his friends in this chapter. He just had to know that they were well and growing in the faith. He rejoices in hearing the news that they are doing well.

Take a few minutes this morning and pray for those whom you love. Pray for their faith. Pray that God will bless them.

1 Thessalonians 2

"For you are our glory and joy."

The people in church of the Thessalonians are Paul's children in the faith. He is seeking to nurture them, to help them grow in their faith.

Do you have any children in the faith? Do you have anyone whom you have shared the gospel? We are called as followers of Jesus to share what Jesus has done for us that others might know him.

1 Thessalonians 1

"In imitating us, you imitated the Master. Although great trouble accompanied the Word, you were able to take great joy from the Holy Spirit! - taking the trouble with the joy, the joy with the trouble." (The Message 1:6)

I was struck by the line of "taking the trouble with the joy, the joy with the trouble". Life is seldom all good or all bad. It seems usually the good and the bad come together. For example, you get a promotion at work. The promotion is great, a salary increase is appreciated but now you have more responsibilities and demands on your time. Or having a child is a great experience, except it reorients your entire life. The joy and the trouble come together. The challenge is when the trouble comes can I still be open to the joy of the presence of God in all circumstances?

Colossians 4

"Devote yourselves to prayer"

Prayer is expressed in a variety of ways. I know individuals who are committed to praying for an hour every day. Others have long lists of people and problems for which they pray. Some move in and out of prayer all day long. One friend prays every time she comes to a traffic light. There is not one set manner of prayer. What is important is finding a way in which prayer is a regular part of your life. We want prayer to become part of who we are.

Colossians 3

"Set your heart on things above, not on earthly thing."

Paul not only gives these instructions, he gives us examples of what he means. We are to put aside sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed, anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language and speaking falsehoods to one another. These are practices of earthly things. In place of those things we are to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, love, peace and thankfulness. He lists out a rather stark comparison of how our lives should be transformed.

Colossians 2

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thanksgiving."

Our faith journey begins as we accept Jesus Christ as Lord. The acceptance of Christ is the beginning, it is not the final destination. We are invited every day to live in connection with Christ. With Christ being the foundation of who we are and how we live.

Colossians 1

"And he is the head of the body, the church"

Jesus is the head of the church. We aren't to lead the church, Jesus is. We are to follow Jesus' lead. As long as we keep that in mind the church will be on the right path. When we forget that we are to follow Jesus, the church will become something that was never intended.