Sermon - "Avoiding the Fires of Hell" (2 Thessalonians)

Today, Rev. Joshua Patty preached on the second letter to the Thessalonians.  Like 1 Thessalonians, this letter was a response to persecution facing the congregation.  Evidently, some felt that the hard times were part of the "Day of the Lord" or the second coming of Jesus.

This was not so, and the letter addresses fears that such teaching is leading the congregation astray.  Worse, they might be led so far astray that they will be judged by God when the actual "Day of the Lord" arrives, and be found lacking in faith.  Christians must never forget the awful division that will happen then -- between those who will receive salvation and those who face eternal punishment.

The challenge with this letter, which is so rooted in fear of punishment, is that the approach seems so different than that of Jesus himself.  Jesus tried to teach and exemplify a faithful relationship with God through love, forgiveness, and sacrifice, not through fear.

Click here to listen to the sermon.

You can also listen to the related Communion meditation and the closing benediction.

1 Timothy, Overview

Godsway 66, Book 54 - 1 Timothy 

1 Timothy is the first of three personal letters from Paul that are collectively known as the "Pastoral Epistles."  1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus each offer instructions for how to organize and lead Christian congregations.

1 Timothy presents the church as the "household of God."  This is meant to be helpful parallel to the households of each person's family.  As in any household, there are proper and appropriate roles for everyone.  More than this, though, 1 Timothy believes that people who are recognized as being exemplary in their family households should likely be the leaders in the church.   They handle their affairs honorably and well, they know how to manage finances and cultural expectations; having gained people's respect in the wider community, they have respect in the church.  This also means that the roles of women are limited in the church; they can do no more than they can do in the wider culture.

According to this letter, there are some basic leadership positions in the church -- minister (who in this letter is Timothy himself), bishop (a sort of chairman/treasurer), deacons (both men and women who perform a variety of functions), elders (who were ordained and evidently paid), and widows (women who performed certain roles in the congregation in return for financial support.  It is the minister's role to provide sound teaching, so that only people who should have such leadership positions are named to them.

Sermon - "Withstanding Persecution" (1 Thessalonians)

Last Sunday, Rev. Joshua Patty preached on Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, in which the apostle worried that the young church might lose faith in the face of persecution (or the treat of persecution).

With these fears, Paul sent both a personal representative -- Timothy -- and this letter to encourage the congregation.  Timothy reported that the Thessalonians were keeping strong in their faith, and were filled with love and concern for Paul.

This demonstrates a basic way to encourage people facing persecution or abuse -- reach out to them with prayers, with letters, and with visits so that they are not isolated.  And remind them why they are doing this, and that others are cheering them on.  (This is not a bad reminder in our own time as well.)

Click here to listen to the sermon.

You can also listen to the related Communion meditation and the closing benediction.

2 Thessalonians, Day 4

A Day to Catch Up  

If you've had a busy week, today you have a chance to play catch up on any of the selections of 2 Thessalonians you might have missed.  Click to open the information for any of this week's readings.

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Share Your Thoughts

A good way to remember something you've recently read or done is to talk about it or to write it down.  Take a few minutes to think about this week's Bible readings.

• If you like to journal, reflect on the passage that surprised you the most or the one that was the most emotional to read.
• Talk to a family member, friend, or neighbor about something you've read this week.
• Join the discussion of the Godsway 66 Facebook page.

Get Ready for Sunday's Sermon

Rev. Joshua Patty will preach on 2 Thessalonians on Sunday at Eastgate Christian Church in Independence, MO.  Join us for the sermon or check back here for the recorded sermon.

2 Thessalonians, Day 3 Readings

Keep Away from Anyone Who Might Lead You Astray         

Today's reading is the conclusion of 2 Thessalonians.   Mainly, it encourages the Thessalonians not to just wait on Jesus' return, but to remain active in life and in their duty to spread the Christian gospel.

On a deeper level, though, it continues the theme of distrust which runs through the entire letter.  Do not trust those who lead you toward evil things.  Do not trust those who tell you the endtimes have already begun.  In fact, don't even trust someone because they say they are a Christian, especially if they seem lazy or are just gossips.  The stakes just too high -- you don't want to be misled into Hell.

Read 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 2 Thessalonians 3 today.

2 Thessalonians, Day 2 Readings

The World Isn't Over Yet        

Today's reading is continues the exploration of judgment when Christ returns.  Some people, because they are suffering persecution for their beliefs, have started to believe that this the struggle prophesied at the Day of the Lord has already begun.  According to 2 Thessalonians, it has not.

Instead, when Jesus returns he will directly confront the earthly leader who has made himself a god and is leading people astray from the true God.  Until that time, Christians need to keep growing in their faith, using the suffering they are enduring to strengthen their works of faith.

Read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 2 Thessalonians 2 today.

2 Thessalonians, Day 1 Readings

The Stakes of Faith       

Today's reading is the beginning of the first second to the Thessalonians preserved in the New Testament.  It features stark warnings for Christians about maintaining their faith in a time of persecution.

Having been warned of God's impending judgment at the return of Jesus -- what was described in the Hebrew Bible as the Day of the Lord, the Thessalonians are told just what is at stake for those who will be punished in God's final judgment.  They will suffer eternally, completely separated from God.

Read 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 2 Thessalonians 1 today.