Pause for thought

“God will not bend the rules” quote DR R.T. Kendal

The Corinthian church was not only guilty of overlooking sin in their ranks they seemed proud with themselves for tolerating sin. But it showed they had a false notion about God’s Grace 5:1-2

Freedom from sin and guilt, and freedom to enjoy all of God’s good gifts doesn’t mean that that we are allowed to do whatever we please. Don’t fall into the trap of believing that because Christ has forgiven us from all our sin that this means we may continue to live in it 5:2

This sinning brother was still a Christian but living worse than a pagan, he was to be delivered to satan so that his flesh would be destroyed bringing about a change of heart and action. This judgement was to be a mutual act by the whole fellowship and done in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the knowledge that the Man would be saved at the return of the Lord 5:5.

This was an act of love not an act of punishment, it was to remind the whole church how easily sin can take control of an individual Christian and spread throughout the church like yeast spreads in dough or like the proverbial rotten apple in a basket of sound fruit 5:6.

While we must not gossip and criticise our fellow Christian’s sometimes as a body of believers it becomes our business to come together to judge situations in the local church. But note it is none of our business to judge unbelievers 5:12.

A verse to remember

It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your job to judge those inside the church who are sinning in these ways 1 Corinthians 5:12 N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

The Corinthians had split into cliques each following their favourite preacher who they thought was the only one who taught the truth! In their pride they forgot that their preferred minister like all the other ministers were simply servants of Jesus Christ 4:6

Spiritual pride is possibly among the most horrid sins for a Christian to get entangled by, it is a major cause of disunity in the local church. Spiritual pride begins its grip on Christians who fail to crucify their flesh ( old self) this person remains a carnal (baby) Christian. Spiritual pride makes a person unteachable they think they are so full of light that there is nothing more to learn, and display a judgemental attitude towards others by evaluating whether they are as good followers of Christ as they mistakenly think they themselves are. Paul addresses this very sin when he writes. Well it matters very little what you or anyone else thinks . I don’t even trust my own judgement on this point. My conscience is clear, but that isn’t what matters. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide 4:3-4

No individual local church has a monopoly on the truth we need each other and we can learn from each other, just like the saying (no man is an island) nor is any church.

Memory verse

So be careful not to jump to conclusions before the Lord returns as to whether or not someone is faithful. When the Lord comes, He will bring our deepest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. And then God will give to everyone whatever praise is due. 1 Corinthians 4:5 N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

There is a time when new Christian go through the baby stage, but it’s not normal for a Christian to remain a baby, it’s really our own choice!

How we receive the “ things of the Spirit” reveals the state of our hearts. The Natural Man, is unregenerate he has no appreciation of the gospel it simply appears foolish to him 2:14. The Spiritual Man, has been born again of water and Spirit John 3:5, spiritually mature, his new nature responds to God’s truth he no longer lives to please himself. The carnal Man, Although born again, is not maturing in his faith, he is almost indistinguishable from the natural man, he remains a baby Christian at heart being easily ensnared by jealousy and controversy. He cares more for the opinion of others than for Christ 2:14-3:4

Our foundation is Jesus Christ, Paul laid the foundation by preaching Christ. The church has many different builders and each must build with the same quality materials, Paul is encouraging everyone to use the right materials such as right doctrine and living. The fire of Gods judgement will test the materials used as well as our characters, the materials we use will show if we are maturing saints or still in the kindergarten 3:11-15

Every genuine minister of God who comes are way is Christ’s Grace to us so don’t limit his Grace by your preferences 3:21-23

Memory verse

Don’t you realise that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will bring ruin upon anyone who ruins this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you Christian’s are that temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

When sharing the gospel let’s keep our message simple. Or do we forget that it’s the Holy Spirit not our clever words that will bring sinners to Jesus! 2:1-5 see also John 16:8

Ever since Jesus rose from the dead Gods secret plan has been revealed to all who by grace put their faith in Jesus Christ. But Gods plan remains hidden to those who refuse to believe the Gospel because it seems foolish this reaction is evidence of empty philosophy and worldly wisdom 2:5

The Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ made way for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in every believer. It is the Holy Spirit who reveals all that God in His great love had prepared for us. 2:9 teaches us about what is already revealed and is ours now! This verse is not about future glories although it is often quoted as such. However this verse can still wet our appetite for the glories at the return of Jesus Christ 2:10-12

Only Christians are able to grasp spiritual truths, no one can understand what God is thinking, but because the Holy Spirit who is God lives in us He will give us an insight into some of God’s plans. Because of the Holy Spirit and through reading the Bible we have the mind of Christ, it is the Holy Spirit Spirit who shows us how to pray according to Gods plans if we do we should expect answers to our prayers 2:15-16

memory verse

For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2 N.K.J.V.

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Pause for thought

A personal invitation to believe in Jesus Christ from the Holy Spirit should makes us feel special. God calls us His holy people “saints” because we have accepted Jesus and are trusting in His saving work on the cross alone. Whatever our background or experience of becoming a Christian. Jesus Christ is the one we trust and follow he will never let us down 1:2, 30-31.

The Corinthian Christian’s took themselves to seriously, they needed reminding that it was Jesus Christ who had called and made them holy. While they owed a lot to their teachers (there was no New Testament) therefore much of what they had learned was through those who taught them. Unfortunately they were falling into factions by exalting their favourite teachers causing rivalry and strife 1:11-13

Those who God uses in ministry should never forget that the skills they possess such gifts as they have are not through their own attainment or achievement. they are not to bring themselves prestige but always point to the glory of Jesus Christ 1:10

Worldly wisdom or clever speeches will never persuade anyone to believe in Christ. The gospel sounds so simple even foolish to many who refuse to believe. But for those who want to, we need only to accept what Jesus has already done for us 1:28-31

memory verse

But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:30 N.K.J.V.

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Pause for thought

How should we Christians live in the light of Christs return?

1 Pray please never underestimate the power of the One who hears and answers our prayers. Paul the Apostle a giant among men asks that the Thessalonian church prays for him. Paul recognised his own weakness and he requested prayer from local Christian’s who no doubt recognised theirs. We live in a wicked world where an unseen battle is being waged, like Paul our main defence is in prayer that we might not yield to temptation Mathew 11:4 Paul’s request for prayer was twofold First for the spread of the Gospel. Second for protection from wicked people who don’t believe in the Lord 3:2.

2 Giving Thanks by reminding each other of the Lords faithfulness in giving us endurance and deeper understanding of Gods love 3:3-5.

3 Make the most of your time Paul deals with those who were idle some had given up work on the pretence of waiting for Christ’s return, while others were expecting the church to meet their needs, but some were just plain lazy. Paul reminded everyone that as an apostle he had a right to financial support but he chose to work with his hands as a tent maker being a good example to the church. Paul was not criticising those who were unable to work but the unwilling to work, Nor is this meant to be a pattern or every full-time minister.

Those who refuse to follow Paul’s teaching and remain idle were to be ostracised so that they would come to their senses they were loved fellow Christians who needed to be warned 3:14

memory verse

And I say to the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good. 2 Thessalonians 3:13 N.L.T.

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Don’t let anyone fool or trouble you by claiming they have special revelation about the return of Christ. This is nothing new as we can see as we read Paul’s letter. However here are some certainties 1 There is evil at work in the world, but we hide our heads in the sand if we deny it. 2 God is in control and His plan from before the creation of the world will never be thwarted. Chaos may seem all around us but in some strange way even evil is controlled by God. 3 The triumph of God is certain. Nothing can stand against God and win, Jesus broke the devil’s neck at Calvary he is already defeated even if he denies it. The Lawless one may have his day, but the day is coming when he will be consumed by the breathe of Jesus and be destroyed by the glory of Christs coming 2:8.

Throughout the ages as the Apostle John makes clear “1 John 2:18” many anti christ’s have come, (anti christ means instead of Christ as well as against) but just before Christ’s second coming “the man of lawlessness” he who brings destruction will arise he will be satan’s tool equipped with satan’s power this Lawless man will be the Antichrist 2:3.

Some thoughts to ponder from this passage. Before Christ comes the following has to happen 2:3.

1 A complete breakdown in law and order 2:7. 2 A great rebellion against God, and the revealing of the man of lawlessness who will do counterfeit signs and wonders. 3 God will send a great deception upon those who have rejected the truth of Jesus so that they will believe the lies of the devil and enjoy the evil they do 2:11-12.

What about the church? Paul writes with all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on everything we taught you both in person and by letter 2:15

memory verse

Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed the one who brings destruction 2 Thessalonians 2:3 N.L.T.

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Paul quickly wrote a second letter to the Thessalonians because some of them had misunderstood his teaching on the second coming. Although Paul wrote this second letter to simply clear up some misunderstanding, The Holy Spirit gives us more insights into end time events not recorded elsewhere in scripture.

I will try and pick out some of the reasons they were perplexed. Paul had written that Jesus was coming soon causing some to wonder if they had been left behind, verified (so they thought) by a letter from Paul later proved fictitious. This gave rise to some thinking that they hadn’t made the grade or weren’t good enough to get to heaven and had been left behind to face the tribulation “ which again they mistook they for the persecution they were presently enduring at the hands of the Roman authorities”

Paul ever the wise pastor did not chide them but encouraged them as follows. He showed them that in spite of how they felt about themselves God saw that 1 Their faith was flourishing evidenced by their love for each other. 2 That in spite of persecutions and hardships they were enduring their faith was growing because of what they had to face. 3 That God uses such things to make christians worthy citizens in His Kingdom 1:3-5

Sometimes as we go through are own trials even persecutions we can begin imagining that we are failing to make the grade. It’s so easy to forget all that Jesus has already completed in us. Don’t let anyone tell you that Christians should not experience troubles, rather than being evidence of a lack of faith or because of sin troubles are often a part of Gods plan. They are meant to make us look upward to Jesus instead of inward, and forward instead of behind.

Memory verse

Then everyone will give honour to the name of our Lord Jesus because of you, and you will be honoured along with Him. This is all made possible because of the undeserved favour of our God and Lord,Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:12 N.L.T.

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When was the last time you spoke words of encouragement to your church leader? Remember they were called by God to minister to you, they deserve your support and prayers 5:13.

Every Christian is called and equipped by God to play their part in their local congregation, sometimes timidity can be mistaken for laziness, every one needs encouragement especially the timid, we must always be patience with everyone 5:14

Every genuine Church will be Joyful, Praying,Thankful, and always open to the Holy Spirit 5:16-19

memory verse

Do not stifle the Holy Spirit 1 Thessalonians 5:19 N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

God has promised everlasting joy for all who believe. Those who have a future beyond this life may sorrow at the death of a Christian loved one but in this passage Paul reminds us that Christians have hope (a solid certainty) in the resurrection, unbelievers have no hope only sorrow and loss 4:13.

When Jesus comes again every Christian dead and alive will be reunited never to die again. We know that death is not the end, what a glorious day that will be when we all witness the return of our Lord Jesus Christ 4:14.

When Jesus comes for His own it will not be in secret it will be accompanied by a shout, the voice of an archangel, and the trumpet of God. 4:17

Although no one knows when Jesus will return we are not unaware of the promise of God, or the signs of the times. Jesus return will be a fearful surprise to the world for his coming will be like a thief in the night, but will not be a surprise to us who are looking and watching for His return 5:4-5

memory verse

For you know quite well that the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 1 Thessalonians 5:2

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