Category Archives: Bible passages

2 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

The Present Age of Deed and Word

“…saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” 2 Thessalonians 2:13

Context

Paul’s letter to the people in Thessalonica who responded to the gospel with belief has been filled with words of affirmation for their growing faith, prayer for their ongoing faithfulness and assurance that they have not missed anything that God is planning to do. The future holds a victory day when all of Satan’s plans and power will be overthrown when Christ returns. Paul sets the attention of the church, not on the future, but on the present where the evil one is presently at work although restrained. We live in a present age of restrained rebellion.

Observation

Structure

  • 13-14 – Firstfruits of the gospel
  • 15-17 – The present assignment

13-14 – Firstfruits of the gospel

“…we ought always to thank God for you…” See 1:3. Paul is compelled to thank God for what has happened in the creation of a church in Thessalonica.

“…loved by the Lord, because God chose you…” When the world is under the secret power of deception and anti-truth/anti-law (2:7-10), God has chosen some to come to the knowledge and trust in the truth. This is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us (he chose us – 1 John 4:10). Here we see the characteristic of someone whom God loves and that is that they are saved by grace.

“…as firstfruits…” Earlier in the chapter we saw that the present age is defined by restrained rebellion – all the world is under the secret influences of lawlessnes to deny to the truth and embrace wickedness. But the age we are in is also, and more profoundly so, defined by the consequences of the cross and empty tomb of Christ. The book of Acts tells of the years that followed the ascension of Jesus with the outpouring of the Spirit and the spread of the gospel. Thessalonica was visited by Paul in Acts 17 in about 48 or 49 AD where he met persecution but also founded the church there. They are the first generation of Christians in the world. They are the firstfruits of the harvest for Christ’s mission. The Thessalonians were worried that the coming of Christ had already happened and that they’d missed it or it was not what they expected or something like that. Paul assures them that they have missed nothing and this is only the beginning!

“…to be saved through…” Here is the first real place to pause in the passage. Two things are listed as the method of salvation and neither of them are the cross of Christ, repentance, baptism or the like.

Firstly, the sanctifying work of the Spirit. This describes the ongoing, life changing transformation that occurs to every believer. 1 Peter 1:2 says, that God’s elect ‘have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood.’ The goal of election is for obedience to Jesus Christ and this work is done by or via or with the Spirit. Without the Spirit, there is no progress for the Christian toward holiness and righteousness. These Thessalonians that Paul is writing to are of the first generation in the history of mankind to be sanctified by the Holy Spirit in Christ Jesus. The Spirit dwells in them and works with their spirit to put to death the evil deeds of the flesh (See Romans 8). Sanctification is a word that describes holiness or being set apart. We cannot see God without being sanctified. This is both an ‘already happened’ word as in 1 Corinthians 6:11 as well as a purpose for the future word as in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 and also an expectation of maintenance word as in 1 Thessalonians 4:3. We are made God’s by the blood of Christ and sanctified as well as charged for ongoing sanctification as we live according to the Spirit. The latter may be better referred to as Christian progress.

Secondly, belief in the truth saves us. This was made clear in the previous section (2:1-12). How important it is to believe the gospel and nurture that belief. It’s not our opinion that saves but it is knowing who is Lord and responding to that. This also, by the way, leads back to a life of sanctification. What we believe will modify the goals of our heart.

“He called you to this through our gospel…” Now, isn’t this interesting. Christ died for our sins and the Spirit dwells in us for the work of Christian progress. And now we hear that God called us. This has all been the work of God from beginning to end. And what did we do? We believed the word. The gospel is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). And it was the gospel that Paul shared (our gospel) so be careful not to add or transform what has been taught and received.

“That you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The gospel was shared by Paul to the Thessalonians in order that the glory might be shared also.

What has been mentioned in these three verses? That they are loved by God; chosen by God; saved by God; being sanctified by the Spirit Himself; summoned by the gospel message in order for them to respond in faith and share in the glory that belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ. And this is why Paul is burdened to thank God!

15-17 – The present assignment

“So…stand firm…” Where else have they to go? They’ve been given the words of eternal life. They have nothing to do but to hold their ground where God has delivered them.

“…hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you…” Standing firm is described as giving unwavering attention to the gospel that they heard. That is the teaching passed on and that is what they must cling to. They were described as ‘unsettled or alarmed’ in verse 2 about some teaching that they had heard or misheard. The gospel is not something that should shake them. Cling to this message and don’t go far from it. Don’t let other people distract you in their teachings. Don’t have other letters written to you cause you to stumble. Hold everything you hear up against this teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ.

“May our Lord Jesus Christ…gave us eternal encouragement and good hope…” The list of credentials for God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are given as cause for what follows in verse 17. Look at who you are trusting. He is the Lord who is known as Jesus the chosen one – King Jesus. He accompanies God our Father who is OUR Father – a title only received after Jesus became known. And God is good because he loves us and have gifted us with eternal encouragement and good hope. These last two phrases talk, not of God’s character, but of what he has promised to deliver in the future. Our strength through trials comes through the eternal hope that we have in Christ.

“…encourage your hearts…” Having our hearts set on something which is guaranteed is a light load to bear. Imagine the encouragement that a wife gets when she is told that her husband is on a boat right now heading back from the war. Her heart is full of encouragement and joy. She delights in what is promised and the delivers is on the way. Imagine now that your heart is set on making a million dollars in under a year. It is a possibility but there is no encouragement from a hope that is uncertain and will take all your motivation and commitment and single-mindedness and also selfish ambition. Now think of the reality of know that God has you covered and your future is secure with him. No obstacles or persecution or trials will crush you when you are encouraged by the knowledge of the promise keeper who has chosen you and called you and saved you and delivered you and sanctified you.

“…strengthen you in every good deed and word.” It is not just a good deed but a good word. “In every good thing you do or say “ (NET version). What we do and say ought to be flavoured and pouring from the fountain of our hope. We are not like infants who react when we don’t get our way. We are rather wise people who know that we have everything already coming our way. The Thessalonians, as we noted in chapter 1, are in the midst of persecution and trials. Paul has been thanking God for the work that he is doing in them and he now commits the Thessalonians to God in prayer that they will do everything and say only what is good. We only have choices to do what is good or bad. The good is spurred on by love for God and others. The bad originates from selfish desires and the like.

Meaning

What we believe will affect what we do and say. If we believe that we are spinning freely in this universe without a secure hope or future then we will get on board the earth’s so-called mantra of ‘survival of the fittest.’ If, however, we believe that God has loved us, chosen us, called us, saved us, sanctified us, is perfecting us, and promising us to share in the glory with Jesus for all eternity, no catches, then this will give our hearts great courage and conviction to do what is right and say only what is true and loving.

Application

  • Share how God has been perfecting you over the last few years or months. What can you say about the process of becoming more Christ-like? How has it been occurring? What part do you play in the process?
  • Spend time in prayer now and then practice over the next few days to thank God for all the blessings listed in this passage. For example, thank God firstly that God loves you. Reflect with God in prayer over that before acknowledging that it was God that chose you and not the other way around. Use 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 to shape your prayers about yourself but also for everyone in your group.

Prayer of the Week

Our Father and our God, we thank you for the love that you have shown on us by sharing the gospel with us, helping us to believe, sending your Spirit to us, confirming in our hearts that Jesus is Lord and helping us to become more and more like him. Strengthen us and encourage us to love you and others more and more, especially as the Day of Christ’s return draws nearer. Amen.

2 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

The Present Age of Restrained Rebellion

“…all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:12

Context

Paul is writing a personal letter to one particular church – the gathering of Christians in Thessalonica. He knows them and has taught them many things. He boasts of their faith and especially of the work of God that He is doing amongst the believers. Paul is impressed that God is growing them and keeping them in the faith despite strong opposition. We don’t know everything about the relationship between Paul and this church and there are hints of what we do not know in chapter 2. Verse 5, for example, shows us that we do not remember what Paul has told them because we were not there. This is a personal letter from Paul to the church at Thessalonica. We will now read the beginning of chapter 2 and eavesdrop on his correspondence to them.

Observation

Structure

  • 1-3a – Don’t be deceived
  • 3b-4 – The Man of Lawlessness
  • 5-8 – God is restraining him
  • 9-12 – Belief in the Lie or the Truth

1-3a – Don’t be deceived

“Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ…” Paul moves on to a topic that may well be the primary purpose for writing. Paul’s teaching in this passage has a few mysteries which we are unlikely to clear up in a single study and it is important to take note of the things we are undoubtedly being taught here. The first thing is that Jesus will return and he has not returned yet. The second coming of Christ is not debatable in the New Testament. The one unmissable thing that this passage teaches is the fact that Christ’s return will be unmissable.

“…and being gathered to him…” Recall chapter 1 verse 10 – When Jesus comes, he will be glorified in his holy people and to be marvelled at among all those who have believed. The project of God throughout all time has been to gather his people together in his presence. The word used for ‘gathered’ is the same word used for church. That is because church is about the gathering of God’s people and he, through His Spirit, is present with us. It is jarring to find a ‘Christian’ who does not like to gather with God’s people. The prerequisite is not that church ought to be good or enjoyable or filled with people my age but that we are joined together in Christ.

“…not to become unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us…” Here we have two mysteries. Firstly, what did Paul know from the Thessalonians that led him to conclude they may be unsettled. Secondly, what correspondence is he referring to? Both questions are answered only through speculation. What we will focus on is that Paul wishes to calm any anxiety that has arisen in Thessalonica concerning the second coming. The church were not to be ‘shaken in mind’ (ESV) because they thought that Jesus had already returned. Paul will later make the point that the second coming will not be overlooked by anyone! See also 1:7

“Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way…” Here we have the conclusion of part one and the opening also of part two. Don’t be deceived. The rest of this passage will circle the concept of deception and lies. We are to be seekers of the truth and this includes being detectors of untruth. We go now to a description of our age of deception.

3b-4 – The man of lawlessness

“…until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed…” Speculation begins to run wild again at this point and passages like this one lead people to discuss what the end of the world will look like. For further investigation, look up a respected reference on the definitions of Premillennialism, Postmillennialism and AMillennialism. We want to focus on the aim of the passage though and listen to what we can be sure of. There will be a rebellion in the future and the man of lawlessness, who is hidden now, will be revealed. This man is either ‘doomed to destruction’ (NIV) or else ‘son of destruction’ (ESV). Either way, he is aligned with destruction. We get the message that his destiny is set. We’ll read further on that God is holding him back right now and it will be in God’s time that the rebellion occurs. We want to be careful about what we add to this discussion lest we too become alarmed at deceptive teaching on this subject. A rebellion and a revealing is yet to take place.

“He will…” Notice the description here expands on the description of lawlessness. This is not saying that he will break laws. He is not a lawbreaker. He is much more than that. He is without law. He will oppose everything about God. He will ignore the truth that God is God and will place himself in this position. People have tried to map descriptions of such a character onto people or religions or corporations or nations of our recent time. Such attempts miss the obvious point of this passage: the rebellion will not need interpreting since it will be unmissable. He will have a message and it will be oozing with lie. He will not accept any other to be worshiped other than himself and that will also be a lie.

He will be the man of law-less-ness.

5-8 – God is restraining him

“Don’t you remember…” The fact is that we don’t, and we can’t, because we were not there. At this point, again, people begin to speculate and fill in holes in the story but we don’t need to waste time digging for historic context. Perhaps Paul had a fuller understanding of the second coming but his letters focus on what is important to know. If Jesus knew more or thought that we ought to know more, then he’d tell us.

“And now you know what is holding him back…” Again, we don’t. Just as we don’t know who or how he is taken away in verse 7. The obvious lessons are that the lawless man is not stronger than God and we will see that the lawless man will be revealed exactly when God chooses to reveal His Son again. ‘He may be revealed at the proper time.’ It’s ironic that the one who will claim to be God is currently being held back ultimately by God. The deceiver himself will believe the lies he spins.

“…the secret power of lawlessness…” The power is the lie. This is the way Satan works and the man (whether Satan or else) will and already uses deceit and lies to gather in the wicked who will not believe the truth.

“…is already at work…” This evil waiting for its day is not totally constrained. There is a hidden force working in this world to deceive and trick and destroy. It is secret in that we simply don’t see it plainly.

“…now holds it back…till he is taken out of the way.” This is where we see the real power of this passage. We are not to have our eyes set on the future and what that will look like because we live in a present danger. We live in the age of secret deceit. Since Christ has come, we live in the age of the proclamation of the gospel. Those who believe the truth must proclaim what we know. But we also live in the age of deceit where many will reject the truth in favour of lies. This age will continue until Christ returns and the restraint on lawlessness is taken away.

“…the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow…” The rebellion is not given any amount of time (could be a thousand years or could be a day). But the battle will be infinitely in favour of our Lord. He will breath of his mouth and his very coming will mean the overthrowing of the lawless one. We cannot maintain a thought that God strives against an equal opponent.

9-12 Belief in the lie or the truth

“The coming of the lawless one…” Paul is pairing the coming of the Lord (verse 1) with the coming of the lawless one. Not that they will come together but that the coming of the Lord will happen when the lawless one’s restraint is lifted.

“…in accordance with how Satan works.” Satan has a method which matches that of the lawless one. He won’t be a whole new variety of evil, he will use the same strategies that Satan has been using to oppose God and that will be deception.

“…that serve the lie…” Those who will be condemned at judgment will be those who have been fed by deception. There are two types of believers in this this world, those who believe lies and those who believe the truth. This isn’t simply a one off foolishness or gullability, but an attraction to believe that God is not real, or he is other than who he really is. Those who have been seduced through trickery will perish because they have not obeyed the truth.

“…signs and wonders…” Astrology comes to mind here as a present deception. The power is in deception and the signs and wonders are anything used to give ‘concrete’ appearance of believability. See Matthew 24:24. What we need to seek is not signs and wonders but truth.

“They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” This is the sober bit. Put aside future apocalypse. Put aside signs and wonder. Put aside answering many of the gaps in our knowledge of this passage. Here is the crux. Do we love the truth. If we do, we will be saved. Those perishing are those who are not for the truth but will treat a lie as truth and will be happy to believe what they have decided to believe. We don’t need to be nervous about how much we do or don’t know. We only need to be lovers of the truth. John 8:32 ‘Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’ We need to be careful what we grasp hold tightly of as truth when we may not know for sure what it is. I am thinking again about what brand of ‘millennialism’ we subscribe to. A firm hold of one over another may well taint our pursuit of truth.

The ultimate truth is that there is one God who made the heavens and the earth and so is worthy of our respect and obedience. He has spoken to us in his word and ultimately through his Son whom died for our sins and was raised to life again in victory over sin and death. Jesus is the name that is above all names. He is the Lord and Saviour. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. Those on the side of truth will have life while those who deny this in favour of a lie are perishing.

“…God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie…” A tricky truth no doubt. What is it that we believe about God? Do we subscribe to the thought that God is idly waiting and watching us to see what we will do? Whether we will come to him or reject him? Or do we believe what the bible teaches and that He is active in this world for both those who receive him and those who reject him? In God’s sovereignty he allows (but not passively) deception to exist and flaunt its power in our world so that the lie can be believed if that is our choice! He allows us to choose between The Truth and The Lie.

“And so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth…” The opposite of believing the truth is to ‘delight’ in wickedness. This is reminiscent of Proverbs and the rest of scripture. Matthew 12:30 ‘Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.’ We tend to get passionate about what we believe because what we believe defines who we are and what is important to us. Those who have turned away from the truth will be passionate about what they believe even though it is a lie. Humans are very capable of standing firm on things that do not hold up to scrutiny. Christians ought never be wary of scrutiny to what they believe. If it is truth, it will stand. Be wary when we put aside truth in favour of what we desire to believe.

Those who love the truth will be saved while those who do not believe the truth but delight in wickedness will be condemned and perish.

Meaning

We live in a world of restrained rebellion. All around us is information pleading with us to reject the truth and delight in wickedness with the lawless one. His power is in deceiving the world secretly. God’s power is in restraining his full ability right up to the moment that he will be destroyed. Don’t worry about the end of the world, you won’t miss it. Rather, be concerned about the pursuit of truth.

Application

  • Ways of nurturing the truth and discerning lies. How do we pursue the truth in a world that is seduced by wickedness? List ways that our lives are exposed to the lies of Satan. List also ways that our hearts and minds can be fed with truth. Discuss whether you are pursuing truth or being unsettled in your faith by untruth.
  • Having an ever present awareness of Christ’s return. Paul is not doubting the return of Christ and in fact positive that when it comes, it will be a hell of a show! Is the return of Christ a truth that shapes your goals and priorities in life? Why or why not? What, if anything, should change because of this reality?
  • Praising God for his power and might. Any hint or idea that the power of the lawless one is a challenge to God is removed in verse 8 as well as verse 6. We can praise God that despite the hiddenness of his power in this world now, we know that he is completely in control. Use this as a theme to pray together now and encourage one another to dwell on this in the week that remains. How can knowledge of God’s supremacy help you in your work and personal life?

Prayer of the Week

Our Lord and our God, keep us directed to the Truth and away from the lure of the evil one. Help us in this age of evil restraint to share with others the nature of the truth and so lead many to you, Lord Jesus. May we meditate on your word and bring to mind the promise and hope of the gospel so that we will pursue truth and reject wickedness. Amen.

Mark, Maturity

Mark 8:31-38

Losses and gains – crosses and chains

“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” Mark 8:36

Context

This week’s study is on the topic of Christian maturity. It does not fit into a series of other studies and yet it does naturally follow on from our focus on mission and proclaiming the word of God to the world around us. When you come to Christ to be saved, then what? If salvation is by grace alone, is there no change required from us? If there is change required, since repentance demands it, what does that change look like?

In Mark’s gospel, the author wants to outline to us the good news about Jesus the Christ, the Son of God (Mark 1:1). Right in the middle of the book, after 8 chapters of hearing clues about who Jesus is, Peter declares that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the promised King of God (Mark 8:27-30). The disciples, who had given up everything to follow Jesus and learn from him, could now see that Jesus is God’s chosen One. Their eyes are opened and Jesus is ready to let them in on the rest of his plans!

Observation

Structure

  • 31-33 The concerns of God
  • 34-38 The concerns of a Disciple

31-33 The concerns of God

“…began to teach them…” This is the primary concern of Jesus to his Disciples – that he teach them. Indeed, Jesus’ ministry is focused, not on healings and miracles but on his teaching.

“Son of Man” To be a ‘son of man’ is simply to be human (Daniel 8:17) but this title echos back to Daniel 7(:13-14) where the Son of Man is described as deity – one who will come to rule over everything. Jesus clearly has in mind someone great prophesied about. He is teaching his disciples about the plans of God.

“…must suffer many things…” Jesus is explaining what will happen as he knows it. Isaiah 53 is one place which predicts the Servant King’s sufferings but Jesus is being more explicit than what the Old Testament foretold in any singular place. Jesus knows that he is going to the cross.

“…looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter.” Although Peter’s rebuke appeared to be in private, Jesus made no attempt to keep Peter’s rebuke quiet. Peter was not proposing what they ought to have for dinner but that Jesus ought to abort the mission God sent him to do.

“…concerns of God…concerns of men…” Although Peter was able to see with clarity that Jesus is the Christ, he doesn’t see what God intends to do. Peter doesn’t know the future like Jesus does but his heart is on show here. Avoiding conflict or preserving one’s life is not the primary directive. Following God wherever he will lead is primary.

“…Satan…human concerns.” Notice how tightly bound these two forces are. If we are not for God, we are against him. Call it man versus God or Satan versus God. If you are not for God you are against him.

This section concerns God’s plans for Jesus to go to the cross. The following passages expound this plan of God to give us life through the cross of Christ – Colossians 2:13-14; 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 9:28; Colossians 1:15-23 (esp. v19). God’s plans and concerns are for the Christ is to bring salvation by way of the cross. But what is God’s intention for the disciple?

34-38 The concerns of a Disciple

“…the crowd…along with his disciples…” Jesus moves from a private moment with his 12 to a moment to teach anyone who is willing to listen.

“Whoever wants to be my disciple…” An open invitation is given. Jesus is about to teach anyone who is willing to listen how they may become a disciple if they want to.

“…must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Three parts of the same lesson. To be a disciple is to follow Jesus. It means to be a learner of him. The only way to do that is to put to death our former selves and learn all over again. Our lives are no longer to be the centre of the universe. Our minds must be set on opportunities to love others sacrificially. The New Testament writers talked about this as dying with Christ. If we want to be a disciple of Jesus, we must die with him. So, three things: let go of survival instincts, go where Jesus sends you, and learn from him. Sound attractive? Well, gospel logic is the reverse of the world’s logic and Jesus talks about that next.

“…save their life will lose it…loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.” Mark Twain apparently once said, “it ain’t those parts of the Bible that I can’t understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand.” The context of that quote probably served a different meaning but Jesus says things often that are not difficult to understand – they’re just outrageously challenging. If I want to live and have life, I need to trust Jesus and let it go. If I don’t want to trust Jesus nor have anything that he is offering, then I will instinctively live for me. This doesn’t mean I’ll be totally selfish and a bad person. I may be very kind and considerate of others but ultimately I will seek to survive and thrive and be true to me. The Christian worldview is that God is the creator and I am his creation; that I have sinned and fallen short of his expectations; that Christ has paid my debt to God and expects no repayment; that for me to have life, I must live for Christ.

“…gain the whole world?” If our treasures are here in this world then that is what our hearts will be set on and the best we can get is exactly what we’ve hoped for – treasure here. Even Solomon saw that life was meaningless without God.

“…forfeit their soul?” Those ‘crossroads’ stories of selling your soul to the devil in exchange for fame and fortune come to mind. Jesus is giving us the same message in different ways: seeking heaven now on your own terms discredits you from eternal life. To forfeit something is to make you disqualified. You can’t serve two masters (Matthew 6:19-24).

“Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” The irony of what Jesus is saying here must be pointed out. He is telling us that there is nothing more precious than your soul – your inner being. So, take care of it by losing your life. Let God be your salvation. Jesus is telling us to sacrifice our own life to make Jesus King but that by knowing that Jesus is King, we sacrifice our fleeting life for the sake of our own soul.

“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words…” Here is the gospel: our boldness and surety in Jesus today is our forecast for the future. How does being ashamed of Jesus and his words play out in life? Awkwardness to talk about him? A hidden faith?

“…in this adulterous and sinful generation…” This is describing an age rather than a demographic like Gen X. This world, since the beginning, have demonstrated adultery and sinfulness or wickedness. This is the opposite of what Jesus is calling his disciples to be. He says deny yourself while the world says be true to yourself.

“…when he comes…” Jesus is not thinking of his current arrival into the world, but of his second coming. He has eternity in mind. Mark 9:1 may have the resurrection and cross in mind as the coming of the kingdom of God, but in Mark 8:38 he describes coming with the holy angels.

The concern for Jesus’ disciples is to hand their lives over to him. Jesus makes his simple point over and over again in these 5 verses in multiple ways. If you want to be embraced by Jesus then embrace him now and do away with everything else. Being a disciple, follower, learner of Jesus is an all in commitment. If a person is concerned for their soul, then entrust it to Jesus to be taught, shaped, exercised and saved. Read these New Testament verses on this subject: Romans 6:1-14 (esp. v1-4); Colossians 3:1-4 (and the rest of the chapter); Ephesians 2:1-5; Luke 14:25-33.

Meaning

God’s concern is to save people through the death and resurrection of Jesus and he calls on us to share the same concern for ourselves. Following Jesus is a radical and complete commitment. If we want to be a disciple of Christ, we must follow him completely, unashamedly and faithfully. We forfeit our souls when we share the same concerns the world has.

Application

  • Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes (Rom 1:16). Jesus said that anyone who is ashamed of him and his words are disqualified from the kingdom of heaven. Discuss how these statements affect your life. What are some examples of being ashamed of Jesus and what are some examples of being unashamed?
  • Do you think of yourself as a disciple of Jesus? Discuss what a modern day disciple of Jesus looks like. Is it possible to be a Christian but not a disciple? Matthew 28:18-20 may help this discussion.
  • The concerns of God or the concerns of men. How do we foster lives which are bound up with the concerns of God?

Prayer of the Week

Dear God and Father, thank you for the concerns that you have for the people of this world and the desire for us to see our greatest need which is in Jesus. Help us, we pray, to lose our lives and be concerned for the things that you are concerned about. May we love Jesus dearly, obey him yearly and follow him clearly. Amen.