The church at Thessalonica

Thessalonica

 

1)      Have we ever wondered approximately how many miles the apostle Paul travelled for the sake of Jesus?

2)      He travelled about ___________ for the gospel.

a)      In Acts 16 we find Paul and Silas being jailed for preaching the gospel.

b)      Philippi was the city where these men had been beaten and confined.

3)      Acts 17:1 says Paul and Silas traveled to some additional places and then came to Thessalonica.

a)      Paul was an inspired man; God guided him in his preaching and teaching.

b)      In spite of being an inspired apostle who could work miracles, 3 Sabbath days were used.

c)      Thessalonica gives us an example to try to teach others little by little – continue to persist.

d)     Verse 4 in this chapter – READ  

e)      Verse 3 of Acts 17 – READ  

f)       Paul went on the offensive.  He "opened and alleged.  He went to the people and affirmed some things."

g)      Verse 5 of Acts 17 – READ  

h)      The message of the gospel angered some people.

4)      The only way a Christian can avoid non-Christians is by staying silent about God and the Bible.

5)      If we love the Lord, this is something we cannot do.                 

6)      Verse 6 tells us Christians like Paul had "turned the world upside down."

 

7)      Thessalonica should be a name we associate with dedication.

a)      If being a Christian means reasoning with people who are rebellious to the truth, so be it.

b)      If serving Christ means extra wear and tear on our physical bodies, OK!

c)      If following Jesus means enduring false charges (verse 7), we will not relent.

d)     If our choice is stand up or sit down for Christ, we must stand up.

e)      If we are called on to speak up about the Lord or shut up, speak the truth in love.

 

8)      The current state of affairs in America is conducive to silencing Christians and destroying their faith.

 

9)      Thessalonica is a place that reminds us to offer all we have been entrusted with to Jesus Christ.

10)  Is this how we are trying to live our lives?

    

                

 

 

    

    

 

    

 

 

 

    

      

    

 

 

Best Father's Day's gifts

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH FATHER'S DAY?

Father's Day is traditionally a day on which we recognize the efforts of our
fathers to provide for and care for their families. Many make this a special
day with a special breakfast, phone calls to those who are separated by
miles or visits if you are near. Perhaps taking them out to eat and even
gifts to recognize them. That's great and I am thrilled that so many are
able to do that, it is as it should be. Deuteronomy 5:16 told the
Israelites (and the example travels on to us) "Honor your father and your
mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long
and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving
you."

There are inherent in this day some problems, the first of which is that
there are those of us whose fathers have passed from this life and we can no
longer let them know how much they were appreciated. That brings with it
another set of problems, as we sometimes get buried under a load of guilt
called, "I wish I had". "I wish I had been a better son/daughter". "I wish I
had told them." We can honor them by simply remembering them and living a
life that would show honor in our own lives.

Then there are some whose fathers are abusive, non-caring, unloving or have
even deserted their families. It's hard to show love to someone like that.
How do you love the unlovable?

And then there are some who never knew their father at all, perhaps they
died or departed or refused to accept the responsibility for them before
they were ever born. That brings about a position of choosing in our lives.
Choosing whether to love them (or at least not hate them). The Greek word
used most in the scripture for love is "agape" which literally means to
desire the best for someone. It doesn't have the meaning of embracing or
even desiring to be with someone, but to truly hope that all things work out
to their good, which of course would be for them to have their life right
with God, no matter what their situation.

So, sometimes even our fathers are unlovable, they are not perfect, in fact
sometimes they mess up big time and then what are we to do? Maybe we should
ask ourselves, "What would Jesus do?" You see, God loves the unlovable;
("But God has made clear his love to us, in that, when we were still
sinners, Christ gave his life for us." Romans 5:8 BBE) Would you think then
that he would expect you and I to do anything less, not just on Father's
Day, but all days.

Whatever your situation, I pray that you will honor your father while you
have him with you. If you can't do that, then love them with a love that
hopes for the best for them in their relationship to God.

Russ Lawson

Be careful little eyes what you see, be careful little ears what you hear, be careful little mouth what you say, for the father up above is looking down in love, be careful little one what you do

BE CARFUL

There is a children's song that goes something like this: "Be careful little
eyes what you see, be careful little ears what you hear, be careful little
mouth what you say, for the father up above is looking down in love, be
careful little one what you do."

It's difficult some times to watch and control all aspects of your life
isn't it? Sometimes we slip up and things just kind of slip out, but then
maybe that's in part due to what we put into our lives.

A friend tells a story about her family growing up. They were the typical
post war family with good values and good morals. They however had a
parakeet that spoke and would pick up words from anyone indiscriminately.
They hadn't worried about the occasional off color word the bird would
repeat, until the day the preacher visited.

The humorist Will Rogers said, "Live your life so that you would not be
ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip."

There is an interesting passage found in Psalm 101:3 which says, "I will set
no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside;
it shall not cleave to me."

A modern translation says it this way, "I will refuse to look at anything
vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do
with them." (NLT)

I am convinced that a great part of the weakening of the moral values in
America (and the world) lays on the shoulders of Hollywood, on the movie
makers or the television show producers, of those in decision making places
who have lost all concepts of morality, of right and wrong and of good and
evil.

We heard just this past week about a young man who went on a killing spree,
and it seems from all of the evidence that he was in part trying to live the
life of a character of a movie.

At some point we must begin to take responsibility for the things we put
into our lives. The things we see, hear and speak are important. Yes, you
have the ability and the duty to refuse to watch some of the movies and
programs that are presented to you by our media. Why, because you will be
held accountable for what you put into your life. Jesus said in Matthew
12:34-36, of some folks who thought they were good, God fearing people: "You
brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right?
For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person
produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person
produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you
this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you
speak." Is it really important what you put into your life? Yes! Because it
will come out either by accident or in the final judgment.

Russ Lawson

Story Is that bull safe

Hold me.

The ministerial student was home on spring break and walking his farm girl
sweetheart down a country lane on a beautiful spring afternoon. He was
explaining how he was growing in faith and learning to trust God more for
his safety.

Ignoring his philosophic meanderings, she cooed, "Look at the pretty flowers
in the field." At that the young man, (trying to impress her), jumped over
the fence to pick some of the flowers for her. Just then he spotted a huge,
mean looking bull a short distance away. "Is that bull safe?" the boy asked
his girl. "Yes," she replied, "I'd say he's a lot safer than you are right
now."

Who do you trust when the unexpected comes your way in life threatening your
safety? Did you expect to be involved in sin? Did you expect to be separated
from God? Did you expect to be in a place of danger or a place of
uncertainty in your life?

There is an old song called, Safe in the arms of Jesus that has these words
of comfort: "Safe in the arms of Jesus, Safe on His gentle breast; There by
His love o'ershaded, Sweetly my soul shall rest." In the second verse it
continues: "Safe in the arms of Jesus, Safe from corroding care, Safe from
the world's temptations; Sin cannot harm me there."

How many of us know the comfort of being held in someone's arms. How many
times has your spouse just wanted to be held, or perhaps your children or
grandchildren wanted to snuggle in your arms? It's a special connection
isn't it?

In Luke 15 we have a wonderful story of a young man who thought he had his
life planed out and suddenly awakened to the face that he was no longer
safe, he was alone, separated from his family and his security. He decides
to admit his mistakes and go back to that place of safety. We read in Luke
15:20, "And he got up and went to his father. But while he was still far
away, his father saw him and was moved with pity for him and went quickly
and took him in his arms and gave him a kiss."

The father in the story represents God and the young man represents anyone
in the world who has left him and wants to go home again. God takes him in
his arms and gives his safety, comfort and love. Is there an unexpected
bull in the field where you are standing or are you in a safe place? Could
it be that it is time to go home to God the Father and be held in his arms
of safety?

Another hymn comes to mind and its words carry a tremendous message. "Why do
you wait, dear brother, Oh, why do you tarry so long?... What do you hope,
dear brother, to gain by a further delay? There's no one to save you but
Jesus, There's no other way but His way." Maybe it's time to ask Jesus to
hold you, what do you think?

Russ Lawson

Paul preaching till midnight

A MAD RUSH TO THE CLOCK

I have to tell a true story on myself. In the past I have shared with our
church that while ministering in Africa it was not unusual for me to speak 1
to 2 hours on Sunday morning (It was the custom there). This past Sunday
morning I was teaching the adult bible class and time literally got away
from me. I normally keep an eye on the clock in the back of the building so
that I can judge the time left in class. I always make sure to stop in
plenty of time for folks to get settled for our worship service which
follows.

This week I keep looking at the clock and thinking, time sure is going slow
this morning, but I was so involved in the class I didn't really think
anything about it. Finally after I had covered more than the material I had
planned I looked at the watch on my wrist and saw I had gone 10 minutes past
where the class should have stopped. The clock on the wall had stopped.

I did make a couple of observations about this. First, everyone there was
very gracious to me and my being "long winded". Second, there was a mad rush
to get new batteries in the clock before I got up to preach!

Now, is there a spiritual application to this happening? The first that
comes to mind is about Paul preaching till midnight and a young man dying
from it, but there has to be more to it than that! How about Mark 13:31-33,
where Jesus says we need to keep better track of the time gives us. He
points out: "Heaven and earth will disappear, but My words will never
disappear. However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will
happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son Himself. Only the Father
knows. And since you don't know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay
alert and pray!"

Keep track of time is a problem for many of us, especially when we are
covered up with so many demands for our time in this world. It's easy to
loose track of the things which are really important isn't it. Let's make a
special effort not to do that in our lives, because as Jesus said, "no one
knows" just how much time we have left.

Russ Lawson

Dealing with stress

In 1999, 36 year old Akira Hareuya filed bankruptcy for his electrical
contracting business. He immediately bought a pair of boxing gloves and went
out on to the streets of Tokyo with a plan. He knew that there were lots of
very stressed people on the streets of Tokyo so for $9 a minute he would
allow people to punch him. To further deal with their stress they could yell
at him as they punched him. The report said he made about $200 per day doing
this.

Have you ever had to deal with stress? It's a reality of life isn't it,
everyone has some kind of stress about something. How about you, how do you
deal with your stress? Some folks seem to do just fine; they let the stress
that enters their lives just roll over them, not seeming to affect them at
all. But, then there is the rest of us who don't cope quite as well
sometimes. Actually, I've found that how I deal with stress varies quite a
bit and is sometimes even coupled with my physical condition. If I am not
feeling well, then things seem to bother me that at other times would be no
problem at all.

I think the same principle can be applied to us on a spiritual level also.
If we are strong spiritually then we are not nearly as stressed as when we
struggle spiritually. Have you ever been to a meeting of your church family
or maybe a special meeting where lots of folks attended where you were
especially uplifted? Maybe you came away feeling that you could handle
almost anything that the world threw at you; depression wasn't an issue,
because you were so high on spiritual adrenalin.

Now we know that God's word encourages us to meet with other Christians and
that we are to encourage each other at all times. Why is it then, that when
we are stressed, depressed and discouraged, that we stay away from church
meetings and other Christians? In my experience it is because others seem so
perfect, so godly; so spiritual, that it makes us feel even worse about
ourselves. Now if that is true, then we have a real problem with our
perceptions of others, because I have yet to meet anyone who is not
struggling with something; we just are not aware of it. Paul writes in
Romans 3:23, "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious
standard."

What about getting rid of stress, how do we do it? Well, personally I'm
still working on that, but I have a direction to go in my life. Paul writes
in Philippians 4:6-7, "Don't worry about anything. Instead, tell God about
everything. Ask and pray. Give thanks to him. Then God's peace will watch
over your hearts and your minds because you belong to Christ Jesus." (NIrV)
I'm working on bringing more of God into my life all of the time through
study, prayer and association with others of like mind. What about you, do
you have a plan?

Russ Lawson

Easter Sunday

WHEN YOU WONDER IF IT IS WORTH IT

Coming up in another week is "Easter Sunday". Easter is day when many folks
who never darken the door of a church during the year will come and worship
with other Christians. As I talk with various minister friends of mine,
inevitably the discussion drifts towards the current challenges facing our
congregations. Of course one of the challenges never seems to change, that
is the challenge of filling folks with the desire to be with the church when
it meets. This is not a new problem or likely to be one that is ever solved
completely, but should it be considered a problem at all?

We worry a lot about numbers now days, perhaps more than we should. Now, I
know that we have to have enough interest and attendance in our churches to
pay the bills if we want to keep the doors of our meeting places open. But
let's not become so focused on that aspect that we forget what we really
need to be doing, which is to be an example of Christ as well as a light to
the world.

One of our members recently shared a story from Guideposts with me. It seems
that a church couldn't get a teacher for the teen class. The attendance in
this class had dropped to pretty much zero most of the time, but one person
volunteered to step in and at least be a "warm body" in case anyone
attended.

Several weeks went by and no students showed up for class, then one Sunday
three young people came to class. The volunteer teacher discussed a subject
that touched a cord with these visitors and gave them hope for a difficult
life. Another morning, one lone young woman showed up and they had a one on
one discussion of Jesus and his nature.

Some weeks no one showed up, but when they did, this volunteer teacher touch
lives, sometimes, one at a time. Helping them see God as being real, not
just a story in a book.

I can't help thinking back to Abraham dickering with God for the cities of
Sodom and Gomorrah. God was going to destroy them, but Abraham got God to
agree to spare them if there were just 10 righteous souls to be found in the
cities. (Genesis 18:32) What is the value of ten souls or even one soul?
When do we stop counting people and start seeing souls? Maybe you need to
show up for the church meetings or worship assemblies, "Just in Case," God
gives you an opportunity touch someone's life. Maybe it's worth it after
all! What do you think?

Russ Lawson