May I have a WORD with you?

References:  2 Th 1:3-12; 1 Th 5:23-28; 2 Th 3:1-18 Escape the “pay-back” mentality 2 Th 1:6 - ἀνταποδίδωμι (an-tap-od-ee'-do-mee) in a good sense, to repay, requite in a bad sense, penalty and vengeance Lk 14:12-14 - God will reward you Rom 12:19 - Dear friends, never take revenge. Heb 10:30 - also said, “The Lord will judge his own people.  The tri-unity of our being 1 Th 5:23 - ὁλόκληρος (...

References: Happy 4th of July! 1 Th 4:13-18; 5:1-11; 2 Th 2:1-12 “Heaven,” “Hell,” and the fullness of God’s Kingdom The mystery - the “resurrection of the body” and the Kingdom in it’s fullness Rapture theology (Darby) and (pre) (post) (a)millennialism confusion ἁρπάζω (har-pad'-zo) caught up (in Latin: raptus) Acts 8:39 - Philip 2 Cor 12:2, 4 - Paul Rev 12:5 - Jesus Matthew 24:37-42 1 Th 4:...

References: 1 Th 4:1-12; 5:12-22; 2 Th 3:6-15 God’s will - θέλημα - (thel'-ay-mah) will, what one wishes or has determined shall be done of the purpose of God to bless mankind through Christ Connection to 1 Tim 2:4  of what God wishes to be done by us commands, precepts Lord’s Prayer - thy will be done on earth… Holy and loving rather than unclean and lazy ἁγιασμός (holiness) vs ἀκαθαρσία (un...

References: Participation in Christ 1 Thess 2:1-13 Flattery - κολακεία (kol-ak-i'-ah) only here Similes of familial relationships Like children (infants) Like a mother Like a father  Their faithful response to the Word of God λόγον τοῦ θεοῦ - Word of God vs 13 and the three understandings of Word of God 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16 - Suffering Persecution 1 Thess 2:17-20 - A Good Report v 18 - ἐγκ...

References: Historical Setting - Acts 17:1-15 2nd Mission Journey Paul and Barnabas go separate ways Barnabas and John Mark Paul and Silas Acts 16-17 Thessalonica Berea to Athens 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3 Greeting and prayer of thanksgiving Faith–hope–love v 3 ἔργον (er'-gon) work [of faith] κόπος (kop'-os) labor [of love] ὑπομονή (hoop-om-on-ay') [of hope] 1 Thess 1:4-10 Celebrating th...

References: Acts 2 The significance of “heaven” or “the heavens” οὐρανός (oo-ran-os') - the heavens Acts 2:2, 2:5, 2:19, 2:34 The upper story, the lower story, our story Lord’s Prayer - “on earth as it is in heaven” Think throne or rule/reign The Temple of God - ναός (nah-os') “the sanctuary or cell of the temple, where the image of the god was placed which is distinguished from the whol...

An Application of the Ascension References: How the Gospels end Matthew 28:16-20 Mark 16:8 - +shorter ending - +longer ending 16:20 - συνεργέω (soon-erg-eh'-o) James 2:22 - trust and response (faith & actions) Romans 8:28 - who is working? God & those who love Him Luke 24:49-53 - οὐρανός (oo-ran-os') - the heavens John 21:18-25 The Beginning of Acts Acts 1:1-5 Proofs of Resurrect...

References: The power of God’s Word Isaiah 55:11 - empty -  רֵיקָם  (ray-kawm'), void, without effect, vainly Exodus 3:19-22 - illustrate how God’s word will not return without accomplishing its purpose  Ex 12:31-36 Taking the Chapter apart Isa 55:1-5 An Invitation to the abundant life of covenant relationship Satisfy - שָׂבְעָה (sov-aw')   Isa 56:11, Jude 1: Isa 55:6-7 A Call to Repenta...

References: Inspiring passages John 14:12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater (μείζονα) works, because I am going to be with the Father. John 15:5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing (οὐδέν). 1 Timothy 6:12 12 Fight (ἀγωνίζου)...

References: Matthew 14:22-33 - Jesus calls Peter out of the boat v 27 - ① Θαρσεῖτε ② ἐγώ εἰμι· ③ μὴ φοβεῖσθε ① Courage! - imperative ② I Am! ③ No fear! - imperative v 28 - ① κέλευσόν με ② πρὸς σὲ ③ ἐλθεῖν ① Command me ② Unto you ③ To come (infinitive) v 29 - Ἐλθέ Come! (imperative - command) The story’s application Consider what the boat represents The church Safety Familiarity Consider what the s...

References: Ephesians 5:15-20 v 15 - ἀκριβῶς (ak-ree-boce') - exactly, accurately, diligently, circumspectly from ἀκριβής - strict, exact, careful of the strictest sect: the most precise and rigorous in interpreting the Mosaic law, and in observing even the more minute precepts of the law and tradition v 16 - ἐξαγοραζόμενοι τὸν καιρόν - “redeeming the time” ex-ag-or-ad'-zo - to redeem by...

References: John 15:9-17 v 11 - joy overflowing - πληρόω (play-ro'-o) - to make complete in every particular; to render perfect: Heb 12:1-2 αἰσχύνης καταφρονήσας - the shame despising αἰσχύνη - ignominy, disgrace, dishonour, a thing to be ashamed of καταφρονέω - despise, disdain, think little or nothing of JOY You see a smile on my face It’s an asset I’d never trade It’s not a joke. I’m not j...

References: Meaning of Good Friday The fulcrum of the lever of life Jesus goes from life in human form to life in resurrected human form through the cross Becoming cursed to remove our curse - substitutionary atonement The cross as a symbol or sign of salvation The cross in Paul’s writings Phil 2:8 - σταυρός (stow-ros') cross [see also 3:18] “Even” death on a cross 2:8 Enemies of the cross 3:...

References: The final week of Lent is called Holy From the Triumphal entry to Easter Mt ch21-28; Mk 11-16; Lk 19:28-24; Jn 12-20 Of 89 chapters in the four Gospels, nearly 30% are given to this one week Passion Narratives - passion meaning suffering Prophecy - Isaiah 53 v 9 - רָשָׁע (raw-shaw') wicked vs עָשִׁיר (aw-sheer') rich     Born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate...

References: Missional Strategy - Chapters 2 and 3 strategic Christian Communities for the spread of the Gospel throughout the Medeteranian region Transformation through the Gospel - Poem 3:3-7 Transformed households - ὑγιαίνω (hoog-ee-ah'-ee-no) 1:9, 1:13, 2:1, 2:2 (sound, free of error) The world looks at the Christian houshold and sees no difference from any other household. Discrediting Go...

References: Introduction - vs 1-4 The truth that shows us how to live godly lives We have confidence because God, not pseudo-gods ἀψευδής (aps-yoo-dace') - not lying or false From ἄλφα (as a negative particle) and (think how a is used as a prefix for “not” like asymptomatic ψεῦδος - whatever is not what it seems to be of perverse, impious, deceitful precepts Pseudonym, pseudo-science The Miss...

References: Lent is a time when we get attentive of our need for confession and repentance. Our sin, individually and collectively bring consequences and God’s wrath. Isaiah 24:1-6 ESV v 4 - אָמַל  (aw-mal') languish to be weak, to droop,  to languish, to be exhausted  Jer 14:1-3, 7-10, 13-16, 20-22 NLT How does the behavior of God’s Chosen people resemble our world today? A comparative Greek...

References: The Transfiguration of Jesus Mt 17:1-9; Mk 9:2-10; Lk 9:28-36 μεταμορφόω (met-am-or-fo'-o) Moses and Elijah The Law and the Prophets They discussed His exodus (departure) Law & Prophets Mt 7:12 - the golden rule Mt 22:37-40 - the greatest commandments John 1:45 - Philip to Nathaniel - the One of whom the OT (Moses in the Law and also the Prophets) tells Rom 3:21 - Paul uses th...

References: Reading the Psalms - came across Ps 14 Compare vs 2&3 with 4-6 Footnote to Romans 3:10-12 The Rom passage has footnote that brings in Ps 53 Compare Ps 14 with Ps 53 Psalm 14 primarily uses "the Lord" (Yahweh), while Psalm 53 uses "God" (Elohim). Ps 14 God's deliverance of the righteous.  Ps 53 the defeat of the wicked. vs 4 - the evil doers, evil workers, t...

References: Luke 6:27-36 The “Golden Rule” - v 31 Reciprocity v 35 - be like Jesus Grace - give freely, even to those who are unthankful Acts 11:15-18 The gifts of repentance and faith δίδωμι (did'-o-mee) to give, to give something to someone of one's own accord to give one something, to his advantage to bestow a gift to grant, give to one asking, let have Grace and reciprocity can only...

References: Blessed are those who mourn… (Mt 5:4) πενθέω (pen-theh'-o) This is not something to strive for in order to be blessed Rather, an example of the power of the Kingdom of God. Isa. 25:6-9 - swallowing up death - בָּלַע  (baw-lah') Prov 1:10-14 - the dark side engulfing the innocent Ex 7:10-13 - Illustrative of God’s Kingdom engulfing the kingdom of darkness  God will swallow up...

References: … you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven! Mt 5:20 - exceed the righteousness περισσεύω - (per-is-syoo'-o) -  to exceed a fixed number of measure, to be left over and above a certain number or measure a thing which overflows unto one, something falls to the lot of one in large measure Mt 14, Mk 6, Lk 9, Jn 6 - feeding miracle Exceeding abundance - left over bread and fish Exces...

References: “Repent …, for the Kingdom … is near. (Mt 4:17) Kingdom - βασιλεία (bas-il-i'-ah) Of heaven (Mt) - 45x Of God (Mk, Lk, [Jn]) - 51x & 2x What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear “the Kingdom of God?” Heaven - #1 answer Think first not in terms of place Think in terms of the function of ruling over… The reign of the king The reign of THE King Wherever the KING re...

References: The @ 30 hours of travel as a sort of death Jet lag or sheol - שְׁאוֹל (sheh-ole') the underworld Sheol - the OT designation for the abode of the dead place of no return 1 Sam 28 - Saul & Samuel wicked sent there for punishment righteous not abandoned to it Job 14:13-20 v 13 - the grave is sheol v 19 - you destroy people’s hope - תִּקְוָה (tik-vaw')  Job didn’t have the w...

References: Why pray? This week at camp in Kenya The relationship of prayer The work of prayer The structure of practiced prayer The HOME of prayer The vision of prayer SPIT Prayer - 1 Tim 2:1-4 Suplications - δέησις (deh'-ay-sis) need, indigence, want, privation a seeking, asking, entreating Bringing to God whatever is on your heart Prayers - προσευχή (pros-yoo-khay') prayer addressed t...