| By Andy Moyle | 3 mins 23 secs | 0 Comments
At the start of this final chapter, Paul reminds the Thessalonians that Jesus will return at some unknown time in the future. His point, following on from the beginning of chapter 4, is to make us think about how we are living now, knowing Jesus could return at any time. Paul reminds us that we […]
| By Andy Moyle | 1 min 20 secs | 0 Comments
Firstly Paul wants his readers to put into practice what they have been taught. Are you doing that? Are you practising what you have been taught, or just talking about it endlessly or criticising those who are? He wants them to work on their sanctification – they are already declared holy, just as we are, […]
| By Andy Moyle | 1 min 4 secs | 0 Comments
Paul feels torn apart from this wonderful church – he is in prison for the faith and unable to visit, and it’s tearing him up. Apostolic ministry shapes and serves churches that have been planted and is highly relational, full of love and friendship. That’s why we are not part of a denomination, but an […]
| By Andy Moyle | 2 mins 2 secs | 0 Comments
As usual Paul starts off by giving thanks for the church in Thessalonica – his prayer life, praying for the churches he cares for, is evidenced in his letters. We have found many times that he is a thankful man. In 1 Corinthians 1 he gave thanks for the very things he was about to […]
| By Andy Moyle | 2 mins 33 secs | 0 Comments
We probably all know someone who has no faith in Jesus but has some level of spiritual interest, despite all the barriers they may have to believing the gospel. I have some family members, friends and work colleagues who fall into this category. Also, when talking to the general public, I often find some […]
| By Andy Moyle | 1 min 28 secs | 0 Comments
It’s been said that we can be “so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good”. This paints a satirical picture of heavenly mindedness as spiritual aloofness, void of any practical good. Of course, even if anyone was to actually fall into this category, this is not at all the true nature of being heavenly minded. […]
| By Andy Moyle | 2 mins 8 secs | 0 Comments
There was a lot of numptiness in Paul’s day just as ours. Paul warns his readers not to get taken captive by them. Then he lists what some of the numptiness is… Docetic Jesus, v.9 – Some people believed that Jesus wasn’t fully in the flesh, he just looked like a person; Jesus not God, […]
| By Andy Moyle | 1 min 46 secs | 0 Comments
Paul’s two-fold mission is to: Make the word of God fully known. Present everyone mature in Christ. He is rejoicing in the pain of ministry because people are grasping the gospel – “Christ in you, the hope of glory”. The gospel means that we don’t need to strive to be acceptable to God anymore – the […]
| By Andy Moyle | 1 min 11 secs | 0 Comments
Here’s that thankful man again – Paul is giving thanks for the churches he is writing to in Colossae. He is the most thankful writer in all antiquity, so there’s our first challenge. Be thankful! God is good. Paul thanks God for their: Faith in Jesus; Love for the saints, i.e. each other; Hope stored […]