A United Methodist Pastor's Theological Reflections

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory (nikos) through our Lord Jesus Christ." - I Corinthians 15:57


Thursday, May 19, 2011

Bible Study Summary - Sunday's Upcoming Scriptures



May 22 Sermon – “Every Time I Think of You: Your Growth Through Adversity”

II Thessalonians 1:3-5, 11-12

-         By the time of this letter, Paul has gone to Beroea, Athens, and is probably in Corinth when this letter is written.  In each place, Paul boasts about the faith of the church in Thessalonika.  This actually helps the other churches to recognize Paul as an apostle. 

-         The Thessalonian Christians were a community centered around the good news of Jesus Christ.  Together, they were able to face the troubles that resulted in living out their faith.

-         Verse 5 – “God’s righteous judgment” – a phrase which means that there will be a judgment day for the evil people have done.

-         In Jewish understanding, the Jewish Messiah would usher in this time of judgment. 

-         Since Jesus is the Messiah, the world is already reacting to God’s kingdom being made known through churches like the one in Thessalonika. 

-         A question for us today is, “Is our church being faithful to Christ to the point where the community see us as strange?”
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