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1 Thessalonians 5 - How Can I Pray Unceasingly?

1 Thessalonians 5 NIV Enduring Word Commentary The Day of the Lord 5 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. Paul concludes his letter to the Thessalonians with teaching about the Day of the Lord. This is referring to the day Jesus will return. Like today, they were curious about when this would happen. There have been many people over the last 2,000 years who have been bold in predicting an exact date, like Harold Camping, who predicted the date of Jesus' return would be September 6th, 1994. When the date passed without incident, he then predicted May 21, 2011. Alas, he was wrong again. Such has been the fate of anyone who has attempted to predict when Jesus would return. The one thing about all such progno...
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1 Thessalonians 4 - The Argument for A Pre-Tribulation Rapture!

1 Thessalonians 4 Enduring Word Commentary Living to Please God 4 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. Paul was happy that they were " living to please God". It seems like a simple enough phrase but important nonetheless. What a great thing to say about someone that they are " living a life that is pleasing to God" . It also points to the fact that we can live a life that is not pleasing to God. Paul urges this to do so more and more .  We never arrive in our Christian faith. We are always seeking to live a life more pleasing to God. We please God when we do the things he asked us to do. We please God when we love him with all of our hearts and our neighbors as ourselves.  Would you say you are living a life right now, which is ...
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1 Thessalonians 3 - There Will Be No Denominations In Heaven!

1 Thessalonians 3 Enduring Word Commentary 3 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain. Paul's deepest concern for the Thessalonians was that the persecution and trials they were going through might shipwreck their faith. Paul knew they had so much potential, so he sent Timothy to encourage them. Even though Paul had told them (and us) we would be persecuted for the...
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1 Thessalonians 2 - "In The Church We Don't Shoot Our Wounded!"

1 Thessalonians 2   Enduring Word Commentary Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica 2 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children among you. Paul constantly faced opposition, even violence, as he sought to spread the gospel. He always trusted God wi...
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1 Thessalonians 1 - What A Good Church Looks Like?

1 Thessalonians 1 - NIV   Insight for Living Commentary on 1 Thessalonians Enduring Word Commentary Paul, Silas and Timothy,  To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:  Grace and peace to you. This is Paul's standard greeting and includes who he is writing to and with. Paul includes his two trusted colleagues, Silas and Timothy. Shortly thereafter, Paul would send young Timothy to pastor the church for a season.  Thessalonica was a major city in the Roman province of Macedonia, located in what is now northern Greece. (Google AI) Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Faith 2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul indicates the close relationship he had with the church, and as usual shows that he prays for all of the churches that h...
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Colossians 4 - The Joy of the Journey!

 Colossians 4 - Enduring Word Commentary - Colossians 4 4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. This verse really belongs in chapter 3, but it continues the theme of Christians in all stations in life treating each other fairly. Though a master had authority over his slave, Paul teaches the master to treat his slave realizing that the true master is in heaven.  Further Instructions 2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Paul is never hesitant to request prayer, but it is interesting to note what he is...
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Colossians 3 - Whatever You Do Work At It With All of Your Heart!

Colossians 3 - NIV Colossians 3 - Enduring Word Commentary Living as Those Made Alive in Christ 3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Paul transitions, as he does in all of his letters, to the practical aspects of living out our faith. In this case he starts with the position we have in Christ, as we have been raised with him. Paul tells us to keep our eyes on Christ, who is at the right hand of the Father. We say this is the Apostle's Creed. Most of all of the language of the historic creeds in the church are directly from the bible. The 3 major creeds are the Nicene, Athanasian, and Apostle's Creeds . The term creed comes from the Latin word, " credo" , which means ...
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