Revelation 19-22: Faithful and True

The last three chapters of John's description of the revelation of Jesus Christ are some of the most beautiful and poetic writing in the entire Bible.  With the limitation of human words, he attempts to describe the beauty and majesty of Jesus, the Son, and God, the Father, as what was envisioned at the beginning of earthly time becomes fulfilled.

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
   “Hallelujah!
   For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
   and give him glory!  - Rev. 18:6-8 NIV

Then John saw heaven standing open and a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

   KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. -Rev. 19:11-16

John saw Satan subdued for a thousand years while Christ reigned.  When Satan was released, there wais one final battle before he is thrown into the lake of burning fire to be tormented for ever and ever.  Each person was judged and according to what they have done, whether or not their name was recorded in the book of life.  Those whose names were not in the book of life were thrown into the lake of fire along with death and Hades. 

And finally, John saw a new heaven and new earth and a loud voice called from the throne saying:  “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

  He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  - Rev 21:3-5 NIV

The words are trustworthy and true.  There will be a new heaven and a new earth, a new city, but one without a temple because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.  - Rev 21:22-27 NIV

There will be no night, there will be no sin, because only those who have been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, only those who have their names written in the Lamb's book of life, will be there.  The one whose name is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, the one who is called Faithful and True has declared it so.

Revelation 12-18: It is Done

In John's telling of what he saw on the Isle of Patmos, the seven trumpets have been sounded, and God's temple in heaven has been opened.  Now a pregnant woman clothed with the sun and moon under her feet appears as well as an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and a great battle in heaven ensues:  Michael and the angels against the dragon and his angels.  The great dragon, who is called Satan or the devil, calls forth two beasts, one from the sea and one from the earth, to lead the entire earth astray.

But, the Lamb also appears, standing on Mt. Zion, and John sees three angels flying throughout the earth to counter what the two beasts are provoking with three messages of truth.

   “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”
  “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries.”  
   “If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. - Rev. 14:7-9

John sees sickles being swung from heaven to harvest the earth and the seven angels are told to  “Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.”  - Rev 16:1 NIV  The earth is visited by horrible plagues, death, fire, and darkness until the seventh angel pours out his bowl and out of the temple comes a loud voice from the throne proclaiming, "It is done!" and suddenly there are flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since man has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake.(Rev. 16:18)

Then one of the seven angels takes John into a desert and shows him a woman sitting on a best  This title was written on her forehead:

   MYSTERY

   BABYLON THE GREAT

   THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES

   AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. - Rev 18:5

And John saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. - Rev. 18:6 NIV

All that has gone against God from the beginning of time, all the principalities and powers that war against those who bear testimony to Jesus are represented by this prostitute who sold her soul for riches and wealth that no longer has any worth.

  ‘Woe! Woe, O great city,
   O Babylon, city of power!
In one hour your doom has come!’ - Rev 18:10 NIV

It is done.  The flimsy things that make up the world as it has been known are no more. 

Revelation 4-11: Worthy is the Lamb

After hearing the messages for the churches, John is called up into heaven to see what will take place at the end of time.  First he sees the throne of God and the living creatures crying 'Holy, holy, holy,' while the twenty-four elders lay down their golden crowns and confess,
 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
   to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
   and by your will they were created
   and have their being.” - Rev 4:11 NIV
John then weeps, when he sees the scroll that cannot be opened, until he is told by one of the elders, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” - Rev 5:5 NIV

Then the lamb, the only one who is worthy, opens the seven seals and sets into motion the end of time.  There is silence after the seventh seal is opened and then the seven angels sound their trumpets and disaster falls upon the earth:  a third of the earth is destroyed by hail and fire, a third of the sea is turned to blood, a third of the rivers and springs turn bitter, a third of the sun, moon and stars turn dark, locusts with the power of scorpions are given the power to torture any without the seal of God on their foreheads, and a mighty army is released to kill a third of mankind.   Woe upon woe falls upon the earth.

John sees, but is told not to write about the events that occur when the seventh angel sounds his trumpet, But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.” - Rev. 10:7 NIV

Whatever John saw, this mystery of God, will ultimately bring about the kingdom of God.  The seventh trumpet is sounded and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:
   “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ,
   and he will reign for ever and ever.”
And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying:
   “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
   the One who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power
   and have begun to reign. - Rev. 11:15-17 NIV

The kingdom of this world has now become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ.  The sacrificial lamb, the only one who has ever been worthy,  now rules with God the Father.

Jude - Revelation 3: Contend for the Faith

Little is known about Jude, although when he refers to himself as the brother of James, he may be referencing James, the brother of Jesus.  His letter to an unknown group of believers, serves as a prologue Revelation, the revelation of Jesus Christ that came to John, the disciple, on the Isle of Patmos. Dear friends, Jude begins his letter, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. - Jude 3 NIV

Contend for the faith.  The same thought is echoed in John's writing to the seven churches in Asia.  John starts out by stating the obvious, but that which some of the churches have forgotten already.
Look, he is coming with the clouds,
   and every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him;
   and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him.
            So shall it be! Amen.
    “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” - Rev. 1:7-8 NIV

Although John was a prisoner, he saw the one who gave freedom, someone “like a son of man,” dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
   When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. - Rev 1:13-18 NIV

Write what you have seen, John was told, to the seven churches.  Then, John was given the words of admonition and encouragement that encompass the balance of the first three chapters of Revelation.  To the church in Ephesus, the message was they have worked hard and persevered, but they have forsaken their first love.  To the church in Smyrna, the message was that their afflictions and poverty was known and although some of them would be tested to the point of death, they were to remain faithful.  The church in Pergamum remained faithful, but allowed false teaching in their midst.  The church in Thyatira was known for the love, faith, service and perseverance, but they tolerated a false prophetess.  The church in Sardis had a reputation of being alive, but they were dead.  The church in Philadelphia had little strength, but they have kept the word and not denied the name of Christ.  And finally, the Laodicean church was neither hot or cold.  They thought they were rich, but they were wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

All of these churches were exhorted to overcome and given the promises that would come from standing firm.  To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. (Rev 2:7)  He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death. (Rev. 2:11) To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it. (Rev. 2:17) To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter; will dash them to pieces like pottery’ (Rev.2:  26-27) He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. (Rev. 3:4-5) Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name. ( Rev. 3:12) To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. (Rev. 3:21)

Being overcomers, contending for the faith, seems like an impossible task, but as Jude points out, there is a way.   To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—  to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.  - Jude 24-25 NIV

1 John - 3 John: Darkness is Passing

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. - 1 John 1:5-7  NIV

This is the message, John says.  He can say it because he has seen Jesus.  He has walked and talked with him.  He saw him after he rose from the dead, he saw him ascend into heaven. 

   Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
   Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. - 1 John 3:1-2 KJV

Don't love the world, John says.  Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.  - 1 John 2:15-17 NIV

It's all passing away, he says.  Even now many antichrists have come.  It's not hard to recognize the antichrists.  Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. (1 John 2:21-23 NIV) but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. (1 John 4:2-3 NIV)

  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
  They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. - 1 John 4:4-5 KJV

But you, who are of God have nothing to fear.  The world may appear dark, but it is passing away. The sons of God hear a different voice.  They no longer walk in darkness, but walk in the light. 

1-2 Peter: Chosen People in an Alien World

   Peter writes to the elect, those who are strangers in the world, but chosen and redeemed by God through his son. You are not like the world, he tells them.  You are chosen, and you are now aliens and strangers in the world. 

     But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. - 1 Peter 2:9-10

   Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. - 1 Peter 2:9-12 NIV

   Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, - 1 Peter 3:15 NIV

   Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name - 1 Peter 5:12-16 NIV

Don't be surprised if they don't receive the message.  In fact you should expect it.  Don't fight back on the worlds terms.  Instead be humble, commit yourselves to the faithful Creator and continue to do good, in due time God's mighty hand will lift you up. make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. - 2 Peter 1 5-8 NIV

For your part, Peter tells them, be on your guard, that you don't get carried away by the error of lawless men, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You belong to God.  He called you out of darkness, so walk in the light.

James 1-5: Faith Without Works is Dead

There is no definitive answer on who wrote the book of James.  It might be James, the brother of John and son or Zebedee, or James, the half brother of Jesus.  In either case, it is apparent that the author spent time with Jesus as many of the things he writes about were taught by Jesus himself.  And as both were martyred for their faith, they knew what they were talking about when they talked about persecution.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. - James 1:2-3 NIV

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. - James 1:12

But the message that stands out, that sounds the most like what they learned from Jesus is that faith without works is not faith at all.  What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (James 2:14-17 NIV)  Faith is acting on what you believe, like Abraham when he built an altar to sacrifice his only son.  Putting works into action means not bragging or hoarding up wealth to take care of yourself, but being humble, peaceful, merciful, giving.  Sowing into others rather than reaping for yourselves.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.  For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:13-18 NIV

Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. James 5:1-5 NIV

Not only is faith without works dead, it will eventually bring destruction and judgment.

Hebrews 11-13: Faith That Cannot Be Shaken

It's all by faith, the writer of Hebrews says. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. (Heb. 11:2 NIV)  History surrounds us with examples of great men of faith.  From Abel to the prophets:  Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, the prostitute Rahab, Gideon, Samson, David, Samuel, the list goes on and on of those who believed God for something better than what they could see with their mortal eyes.  they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. - Heb. 11:16 NIV

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.  God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. - Heb. 11:39-40

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. - Heb. 12:1-2

It is in the context of what God has planned for all that believe, that faith manifests itself.  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Heb. 1:1 KJV )  It is what all of the ancients, the patriarchs, the prophets, the early believers possessed.  Their faith was not based on the physical world, but based on God's promise.  All those who have gone on before are waiting for the fulfilment of the same promise.  For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. - Heb. 13:14 NIV

The only way to please God is to believe that what he has promised, what he has in store for us is true and will come to pass.  One described by the writer of Hebrews as a kingdom that cannot be shaken.  Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,  for our “God is a consuming fire.” - Heb 12:18-29 NIV 

A kingdom that cannot be shaken is waiting for those whose faith cannot be shaken.

Hebrews 7-10: A Better Priest

In these chapters, the writer of Hebrews introduces Melchizedek.  Melchizedek was described as priest of the God most High.

   After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).
   Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying,
   “Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
   Creator of heaven and earth.
   And blessed be God Most High,
   who delivered your enemies into your hand.”
   Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. - Gen. 14:17-20 NIV

Melchizedek preceded the Aaronic priesthood.  He was a priest of God.  There have been many priests descended from Abraham, but their representation before God was temporary,  since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. (Heb. 7:23-25 NIV)  This priest, Jesus, represents the new covenant that God made with his people.  
This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel
   after that time, declares the Lord.
I will put my laws in their minds
   and write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
   and they will be my people. - Heb. 8:10 NIV

Instead of an animal sacrifice, Christ became a living sacrifice.  Unlike the ritual sacrifices made by the priests, Christ made an eternal sacrifice.  Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.(Heb. 9:27-28 NIV)  Christ's one time sacrifice covered sins, and now, all who believe, can enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, with hearts that have been cleansed by his blood.

Hebrews 4-6: A Sabbath Rest

The writer of Hebrews is well acquainted with Jewish tradition and law.  He recalls the disobedience of the Israelites when they did not take God at his word that he would give them the land he had promised and so they were forced to wander for forty years until another generation entered the land.  In the same way, the gospel of Jesus is of no value if it is not accompanied with faith.  Just as God rested on the seventh day, there is rest for those people of God who believe...There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. (Heb. 4:9-10 NIV) 

Unlike their ancestors, the Israelites, who were represented by a High Priest before the throne of God, the Hebrews to whom this letter is addressed have Jesus.  Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. - Heb. 4:15-16 NIV

These Hebrews, who were once heirs because of the promise made to Abraham and backed up by God's oath, are now heirs because of Jesus.  Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. - Heb. 6:17-20 NIV

It is impossible to rest when laboring under uncertainty.  But this one thing is certain, Jesus by being obedient became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. (Heb. 5:9-10 NIV) and in doing so, made it possible for all who believe in the promise to enter into a Sabbath rest.

Hebrews 1-3: We See Jesus

Although the exact authorship of Hebrews is unknown, it contains the most comprehensive explanation of the sacrificial death of Christ in the context of Jewish law and tradition. The all encompassing theme of this book can be summed up by the first verses.   In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. - Hebrews 1-3 NIV

It has all come full circle in Christ, the writer says.  He was there when the foundations of the earth were put in place and he will be there at the end when the heavens and the earth will perish.  
You will roll them up like a robe;
   like a garment they will be changed. .
But you remain the same,
   and your years will never end. - Heb. 1:12 NIV

How can we escape, the writer says, if we ignore such a great salvation.  (Heb. 2:3 NIV)  We may not see everything submissive to God in this current life, but we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. - Heb. 2:9 NIV

To understand history, the beginning and the end, and to share that end with the creator, we must look no further than the one who was with the Father in the beginning, the one who tasted death for all of us, God was the builder of it all, and now He has appointed his son as guardian over his house.  But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.- Heb. 3:6 NIV

All we need is to see Jesus, who was the sacrifice we needed and who is now sitting at the right hand of God.  We see Jesus.

2 Timothy, Titus & Philemon: Not Ashamed

During his ministry, Paul was surrounded by young men whom he loved and taught to follow in the faith.  Some of them, remained true to him and to the gospel throughout his life, others like Demas, ended up loving the world more and eventually deserted both Paul and the gospel.  Timothy, Titus, and Philemon were all devoted friends and fellow workers with Paul, even to the extent that Paul called both Timothy and Titus his sons in the faith. 

These letters are written as Paul nears the end of his ministry. His second letter to Timothy is especially poignant as he knows he is nearing the end of his time on earth. He is in prison in Rome, has been deserted by almost everyone, and is alone with only Luke as a companion. Come quickly, he tells Timothy, and bring Mark with you because he is helpful to my ministry. You can hear the urgency in Paul's voice as he tells Timothy there is not much time left.  For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. - 2 Tim. 4:6-8 NIV

But don't be ashamed, Paul tells Timothy, instead fan into flame what God has put in you. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Tim. 1:7 KJV)  Instead, Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 2:3 NIV) Paul knew that it was for the gospel that he was a prisoner in chains, yet he told Timothy he would not have it any other way:  nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. - 2 Tim 1:12 KJV

1 Timothy 1-5: Here is a Trustworthy Saying

In Paul's first letter to Timothy, the young man he considers his son in the faith, he is trying to give Timothy a solid background that will enable him to be more effective.  He in instructing him so that he will have the tools to command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work—which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm. - 1 Tim. 1:3-7 NIV

Rather than teaching with no background, Paul wants Timothy to fight the good fight and hold on to the faith. Guard what has been entrusted to your care, he tells him.  Don't take part in godless chatter or entertain popular ideas which are falsely called knowledge. Instead concentrate on those things which are known to be true.  Paul gives Timothy several 'trustworthy sayings' that he can count on.

Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. - 1 Tim. 3:1-3 NIV

This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe. - 1 Tim. 4:9-10

But perhaps the most 'trustworthy saying' is the one that is the most important for all who profess Jesus as Lord.  Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. - 1 Tim. 15-17 NIV

Paul knew what it was to receive mercy from the eternal, immortal, invisible, only God, through Jesus Christ.  He knew it was trustworthy because he considered himself to be the chief of sinners and knew the change that had been wrought in his life.  Paul wanted Timothy to understand and convey that gospel as well...that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners...of whom I am the worst.

2 Thessalonians1-3: Stand Firm

Stand Firm, Paul tells the Thessalonians in his second letter to them.  Not only was the faith of this church growing, but their love for each other was growing as well, in spite of the persecutions and trials they were facing.  This is just evidence, he tells them, that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. - 2 Thess. 5-10 NIV

Don't be alarmed, he tells them, by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. - 2 Thess. 2:2-4 NIV

A lawless one will come at the end of time who will deceive with all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs, and wonders.  The ones who follow lawlessness will perish because they refuse to love the truth and be saved.  But you, Paul tells them, have believed the truth and will share in the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Hold on to all you have been taught and stand firm. 

1 Thessalonians 1-5: Encourage Each Other

The first letter to the church at Thessalonica was written by Paul along with Silas and Timothy.  Timothy has just returned from visiting the church there with an encouraging report about the faith and love of the Thessalonian church. 

Paul tells the church that he thanks God for all of them and constantly mentions them in his prayers because he knows that in imitating him, they have suffered for the gospel as he has.  For you, brothers, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews, who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. - 1 Thess. 2:14-15 NIV

Paul wanted to see this group of believers, that he called his glory and joy, once more but it was not to be.  Instead, he sent Timothy to them, to encourage them so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them. 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. - 1 Thess. 3:3-4 NIV

Paul knew that persecution would come, that some had already died for their faith and many more, including he, himself, would do so in the coming years.  And so he spoke to these faithful members of the early church about the promise given to them by Christ himself. 

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. - 1 Thess. 4:13-18 NIV

Encourage each other with these words.  Christ died, but he rose again, and someday he will bring all of those who have gone on before with him to claim his church.  And so we will be with the Lord forever.  In spite of nuerous trials and tribulations, that one truth remains.  Nothing, not even death can separate us from God.  Encourage each other with these words.

Colossians 1-4: Not on Earthly Things

Paul's letter to the Colossians is to the church in Colosse that he has never met in person, but he knows about them through Epaphras and has been praying for them, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. - Col. 1:4-6 NIV

This is a letter of encouragement as well as a letter lifting their understanding of the gospel to a higher plane.  Christ is supreme, he tells them.  He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. - Col. 1:15-18 NIV

Paul wants the Colossian church and the nearby church in Laodicea to be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. - Col. 2:2-3 NIV

'Don't settle for less than the whole gospel,' he tells them:  Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. (Col. 2:18-19 NIV) But Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.( Col. 4:1-2 NIV) and  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col. 3:16-17 NIV)

'Do it all in the name of the Lord,' Paul says.  Forget about the fluff, the false humility, the worshipping  of angels.  Instead, set your hearts on things above, filling your hearts with the word of Christ and songs of gratitude to God.  Concentrate of the mystery of God and Christ the source of all wisdom and knowledge.

Philippians 1-4: In Chains for Christ

Paul's letter to the church is Philippi was written while he was in prison, 'In chains for Christ.'  It is not a letter of complaining, instead it is a letter of celebration and anticipation that contains some the more memorable scripture verses associated with Paul.

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. - Phil. 1:21 NIV

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus
Who, being in very nature God,
   did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
   taking the very nature of a servant,
   being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
   he humbled himself
   and became obedient to death—
      even death on a cross!  - Phil. 2:5-8

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe. - Phil. 2:14-15 KJV

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings - Phil. 3:10 KJV

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. - Phil. 3:13-14 NIV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  - Phil: 4:6-7 NIV

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. - Phil 4:8 KJV

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.- Phil. 4:12-13 NIV

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  - Phil. 4:19 KJV

Toward the end of his earthly life, the apostle Paul, in spite of, or perhaps because of, the dire circumstances he found himself in, knew he could really trust the one who had called him to follow...that he could do all things and all of his needs would be provided for through Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 1-6: Peace, Love, and Grace

Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus is nothing like the letter to the Galatians where he called them to task for deserting the faith so easily.  Instead the letter to the Ephesians is a letter of encouragement, a letter of peace, love and grace. 

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. - Eph. 1:18-19 NIV

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,  may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. - Eph. 3:17-19 NIV

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. - Eph. 5:1-2

Live a life of love, he tells them.  Submit to each other out of reverence for Christ.  Wives submit to your husbands, husbands love your wives, children obey your parents, fathers don't exasperate your children, slaves obey your masters, masters treat your slaves with mercy and love. This sounds like an easy gospel, but in the end it is not easy to do, impossible in fact with only earthly love.  There is only one way to be so loving and gentle. 

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. - Eph. 6:11-18 NIV

The only way to live a life of peace, love and grace is to recognize that it is the enemy that causes all conflict.  It is the enemy we war against, not our earthly family, co-workers, or brothers and sisters in the Lord. With the full armor of God, however, we can stand against all of the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms that would bring chaos into our daily lives.  That is the only way to experience what Paul gave to the church at Ephesusin his valediction.  Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love. - Eph. 6:23 NIV

Peace, love and grace.

Galatians 1-6 Freedom vs. the Law

The bulk of Paul's letter to the Galatians centers around one argument.  Are Gentile belieers subject to the Jewish laws?  'You foolish Galatians, Who has bewitched you? Paul asks.   After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort....Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard? - Gal. 3:1-5 NIV

Paul recounts in his letter how he has been fighting the battle with others, including Peter, over the issue of whether or not the Gentiles should be circumcised.  You used to be slaves, Paul tells the Galatians, to those who weren't even gods.  Now you know God, why are you turning back to those same weak and miserable principles that would enslave you.  Instead, Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. - Gal. 3:6 NIV

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Paul tells them.  If you hold to one tenet of the law, such as circumcision, you are bound by the entire law... you will have to be come slaves to the entire law.  Instead, The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself....So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. - Gal. 5:14-18 NIV

'If you truly live by the Spirit, that was given to you through Christ', Paul tells the Galatians, 'you will not have to worry about the passions and desires of a sinful nature.'   But, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. - Gal. 5:22-23 NIV

This was not just Paul's argument.  Jesus made the same case to those Jews who wanted to know how, as Abraham’s descendants and never slaves of anyone, could Jesus say that he would set them free.  Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So,if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. - John 8:36 NIV

The ones set free by Jesus were free...free from the law, free from sin...free indeed.

2 Corinthians 7-13: Aim For Perfection

Paul's second letter to the church at Corinth might be summed up by his admission towards the end: For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be.- 2 Cor. 12:20 NIV

This is not the first time he has written to the Corinthians. He has written at least two and possibly three other letters, although only one other is included in the New Testament.  Paul loved the church at Corinth.  That is where he met Priscilla and Aquila and he stayed and worked with them for a while in Corinth.  It was because of his close relationship with the church in Corinth that he was grieved when he heard about all of the quarrelling, division and sexual immorality that had taken place within the church there.  In First Corinthians, Paul addressed all of his concerns.  Now Paul is sending Titus to the church and planning another visit, which will be his third, to Corinth. 

Make room for us in your hearts, Paul tells the Corinthians.  He is not apologizing for his severe warnings in his earlier letters,  Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while—yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. - 2 Cor. 7:8-10 NIV 

Now Paul, having received word that they had changed their ways as the result of his letters, reminds them of a promise they made concerning gifts to the ministry and encourages them to sow generously.  Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. (2 Cor.9:6 NIV) and defends his ministry to any who are only looking at the superficial.  We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise...But, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.  (2 Cor. 10:12-18 NIV)

Paul is holding the Corinthian church to a high standard and wants them to know that he is trying to live up to that standard himself.  When he comes to them, will he see that in them and will they see the same in him?  Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. - 2 Cor. 13:11 NIV

'Hear me out,' he says.  Paul loved the Corinthians, he knew their temptations and their promise.  He knew there was a higher calling, one he was trying to achieve himself.  Aim for perfection.  That's what he was looking for in the Corinthian church.  That they aim for perfection.

2 Corinthians 1-6: Faith Not Sight

We live by faith and not by sight, the Apostle Paul tells the Corinthians.  He knew what he was talking about, because he had been through the fires of affliction: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.  - 2 Cor. 6:5-10 NIV

 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. - 2 Cor. 5:14-16 NIV

In spite of all the trials and hardships that Paul endured, he continued to preach the gospel and witness to both  those who are saved and those who are perishing.  To one, he said, we are the fragrance of life and to the other the smell of death.  God let his light shine through Paul so that others would have knowledge of God.  It was not Paul.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. - 2 Cor. 4:7-9 NIV

'We don't lose heart,' Paul said, 'because these momentary troubles are achieving an eternal glory'.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Cor. 4:18 NIV)  Paul did not look at the outside circumstances, or even at himself.  All he saw was Jesus, his power, his kingdom, his divine plan.  In order to walk through all of Paul's circumstances, he had to see only the end goal, the prize.  He had to walk by faith, not sight.

1 Corinthians 12-16: Seek the Giver Not the Gift

Paul writes to the church at Corinth about the gifts from the Holy Spirit that are used to build up the body:  wisdom, knowledge, faith, miracles, prophecy, discernment, speaking in tongues, interpretation, teaching, helping, healing, and administration.  No one has all of these gifts, he says, But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.(1 Cor. 12:18 NIV).  'Eagerly desire the greater gifts', Paul says, but and this is where it gets tough, the greatest gift is love.  None of the gifts, nothing that is done to advance the body of Christ, has any worth if it is done without love.
 
   Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
   Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. - 1 Cor. 13:4-8 NIV

Then after this wonderful description of love, one which has been used by many in the ceremony that unites two people in marriage, comes Paul's reminder of what it is all about.  'I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you,' he says, 'hold firmly to it,'  Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, - 1 Cor. 15:2-4 NIV

The gospel that Paul preached was not some mushy, lovey, feel good, gospel.  No it is the gospel of life and death.
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.
     “Where, O death, is your victory?
       Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. - 1 Cor. 15:54-58 NIV

You can desire the gifts, for they are tools to help in serving the Lord, but they should never stand in the way of loving the Lord, as Paul says, rather harshly, when he ends his first letter to the church at Corinth, If anyone does not love the Lord—a curse be on him. Come, O Lord!  (1 Cor. 16:22 NIV)  Or as Jesus said in Matthew, But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matt. 6:33 KJV)  You will receive all of these things:  the gifts, the faith, the hope, and the love, if you seek the giver not the gift.

1 Corinthians 7-11: Run to Win the Prize

In these chapters, Paul discusses all the things that can side track believers...all of the things that can take them way from what should be their only passion. 

First, he addresses the issue of marriage:  He is content being unmarried, but if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. - 1 Cor. 7:9

They are to be content in the situation where they have been placed by God.  If married, stay married, if a slave, be content in serving.  No matter the situation, they are to see it as temporary, one in which nothing assumes more importance than God.

What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. 1 Cor. 7:29-31

'I have become all things to all men,' Paul says, in order to win souls to Christ.  'To the Jews, I am a Jew, to those who hold to the strict law, I hold strict law, to the weak, I become weak.'  It's just like running a race.  A runner sacrifices temporary comfort in favor of discipline. You cannot let earthly matters assume uttermost importance in your life. Just like in a race, you must concentrate on the finish line and the prize.  If a runner starts putting more emphasis on his current situation rather than the finish line, he will stumble and fall.

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Cor.10:12-13  NIV

It's not a matter of what is right or wrong, as in the case of  marriage or what we eat and drink. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. (1 Cor. 10:23-24   NIV)  It's a matter of being honest about our actions and motives, of standing firm in the Lord, of putting his kingdom first. 

But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. - 1 Cor. 11:29-32 NIV

This present world will one day pass away, only by putting it in the proper perspective, can we run the race to win the prize.

1 Corinthians 1-6: So None Can Boast

I can't call you spiritual, Paul tells the church as Corinth.  You are still infants, still tied to worldly ways.  You quarrel and argue among yourselves and you entertain lawsuits between between each other.  You allow sexual immorality to continue in your midst:   one man has his father's wife and you are proud when you should be filled with grief. 

Furthermore, there were divisions in the church over which apostle they should follow:  Apollos,  Paul, Cephas or Christ.  This is nonsense, Paul tells them. 

What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.  So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. - 1 Cor 3:5-7 NIV

Do not deceive yourselves.  If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness"; and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile."  So then, no more boasting about men!- 1 Cor 3:18-21 NIV

These early Christians in Rome had nothing to brag about.  They thought they were so wise, so strong, so honored as believers, but they weren't fooling Paul, and they certainly were not fooling God.  God knew what they were before they came to Christ:  sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexual offenders,thieves, greedy, drunkards, slanderers, swindlers, none of whom would inherit the kingdom of God.   But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. - 1 Cor. 6:11 NIV

It was not their own doing that has made them clean.  It was through the works of God through Christ Jesus; They didn't have to pretend.  They didn't have to boast.  They didn't have to rely on the praise of men as proof of their righteousness.
 
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.  - 1 Cor. 4:5 NIV

Any importance we would gain from our own actions is nothing but foolishness.  We have nothing to boast about except that we have been chosen, redeemed and forgiven or as Paul said, 'washed, sanctified and justified.'

Romans 11-16: Doxology

Paul wants to make sure that the Romans know that as Gentiles they have nothing to be puffed up about.  God has not rejected the Jews in favor of the Gentiles.  Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.... I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry  in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them.  (Rom. 11:11-15 NIV)  It was all part of God's plan from the beginning.  For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jewson behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy -(Rom 15:8-9 NIV)

As the 117th Psalm says,
Praise the LORD, all you nations;
   extol him, all you peoples.
For great is his love toward us,
   and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD.- Ps. 117 NIV

There is no way for anyone, Jew or Gentile to understand the wisdom and knowledge of God. It is far beyond anyone's comprehension.

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
   How unsearchable his judgments,
   and his paths beyond tracing out!
“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
   Or who has been his counselor?”
“Who has ever given to God,
   that God should repay him?”
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
   To him be the glory forever! Amen. - Rom. 11:33-36 NIV

God was faithful to his people, the Jews, and he will be faithful to those Gentiles who were grafted in.  To him be the glory forever and ever!

Romans 6-10: Zealous Pursuit of Righteousness

Paul could not hide who he was or who he had been from anyone.  They all knew his story, how he was so zealous for the law that he stood by as other religious leaders, just as zealous as he, stoned Stephen to death.  They also knew the changed Paul, who was obedient but still not perfect.  When Paul said he was at war in his body between wanting to do good and instead doing evil, he was not mouthing empty words.  Confessing that he found it impossible to stop sinning no matter how hard he tried was not the crux of the matter.  Paul knew that even though he had a ministry of apostleship to the developing Christian churches,  he was no different from anyone.  All have sinned, that is a given.  But there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.  Now, that is something new.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. - Rom. 8:1-4 NIV

We can be overcomers, not through our own efforts, but because of the Holy Spirit.  For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. (Rom. 8:14-16 NIV) 

Paul knew what he was talking about. The one who had so zealously pursued the law was now sent to deliver a message to the Gentiles that they could obtain by faith what the Jews had not obtained by works.
What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it.  Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the “stumbling stone.” As it is written:
  “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble
         and a rock that makes them fall,
  and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame. - Rom. 9:30-33 NIV

Righteousness can be obtained, not by zealous pursuit of the law, but by zealous pursuit of the One who came to set us free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 1-4: Sin and Righteousness

 The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome that he had long heard about but had not been able to visit.  'The wrath of God is being revealed,' he said, 'and has been being revealed from the beginning of time, yet men will not accept it.'
  Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
   Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
    Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
    Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.  They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips,  slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;  they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. - Rom. 1:22-31 NIV

And he told them,  You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. (Rom. 2:1 NIV)  There is no one who is righteous in his own deeds.   All have sinned.
 “There is no one righteous, not even one;
there is no one who understands,
   no one who seeks God.
All have turned away,
   they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
   not even one.” - Rom 3:10-12 NIV

It's all a matter of faith.  That is the only way we are justified.  Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness (Gen. 15:6)  Abraham believed God and that established a relationship with God that continued down through the generations.  In that same way, all those who believe in Jesus establish a relationship with God as well.  And just as with Abraham, belief in Jesus gives us a righteousness that we cannot get on our own.  We all sin and we all have the antidote available.  Belief in Jesus Christ.

Acts 22-28: The Power of God to Salvation

Paul's faith has taken him to Rome, his final destination.  All along the way, he has witnessed to religious leaders and to kings and emperors about the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Some have come close to believing, some have been indifferent, and some have become incensed. 

I know where you're coming from, he told them.  “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. (Acts 22:3 NIV)  But, as he told anyone who would listen, something happened to Paul.  On the road to Damascus, he met Jesus in person and that encounter became the cornerstone of his existence. 

Paul was taken before many influential  rulers.  He was arrested, for his own safety, as the Jewish leaders were intent on killing him.  He was taken before the Sanhedrin where a massive argument broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees about whether or not there was life after death.  He was transferred to Caesarea with a detachment of two hundred solders, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen during the night to avoid those wanting to kill him.  During his two year stay in Caesarea, he went before both governors Felix and Festus, and eventually King Agrippa.  He witnessed to them all.  On the way to Rome, he witnessed to those on board the ship.  He witnessed to the chief official of Malta ,where they were shipwrecked ,and eventually, still witnessing to the gospel, he arrived in Rome where he called together the Jewish leaders to witness to them as well. 

Of all of these people there is very little record or memory of their deeds.  The great temples, palaces, forums, and theaters, where Paul witnessed are mostly piles of rubble, if they survive at all.  But, the story of Paul and the gospel he preached has survived for over two thousand years. That gospel has not changed and like Paul, millions have proclaimed it down through the centuries.  Paul summed it up for all believers: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Rom. 1:16 NIV)

That gospel still is, and will always be, the power of God to salvation.

Acts 18-21: On to Jerusalem

These years of Paul's are punctuated by traveling, performing miracles, preaching the gospel, and being run out of town.  Paul was not afraid.  He was not afraid to speak.  In fact, he could speak for hours and hours to the extent that he put the young man Eutychus to sleep and he fell out of a third story window.  Paul was non-plussed.  He went down stairs, put his arm around the boy and assured everyone there that he was alive, and then went back upstairs to eat and continue talking until daylight. 

Paul was not ashamed or afraid to share the gospel and to travel throughout the Roman world on the gospel's behalf.  'I must go to Jerusalem,' he continued to tell the various churches that he visited, knowing that only trouble would await him there.  He told the people of Ephesus in a poignant farewell,  “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. - Acts 21:  22-24 NIV

All along the way, those that he came in contact urged him not to go on.  In Tyre, they urged him not to go on to Jerusalem, In Caesarea, the prophet Agabus told Paul that he would be bound by the Jews if he went to Jerusalem and the people pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”  - Acts 21:13-14 NIV

Paul had an inkling of what lay ahead, but he also knew exactly who he believed in and nothing was going to change his mind.  As he later told the Romans,
    Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
   "As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
   Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
   For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
   Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.- Romans 8:35-39 NIV
 
Paul knew.  He knew what the end would be and he knew that he would always be in the loving hand of his God.  On to Jerusalem.

Acts 14-17: Preaching the Good News

Paul and Barnabas have gone their separate ways to spread the gospel.  Barnabas with John Mark and Paul with Silas.  Paul and Silas who were later joined by Timothy, went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches as they went.  While they were traveling through Phrygia and Galatia, Paul had a vision during the night of a man of Macedonia begging him to come, so, believing God was calling them to preach the gospel there, they went.  Everywhere they went, they encountered people, like Lydia, or the jailer in Philippi, who were worshippers of God, but who had not yet heard of Jesus.  They shared the good news and it was always received by those who had been searching. 

They were not always received with open arms.  In Thessalonica, when they could not find Paul, the Jews took Jason and some of the other brothers prisoner, while Paul and Silas were whisked away to Berea once it was night.  In Berea, they received a better response.   Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Many of the Jews believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men. (Acts 17-11-12 NIV)  It didn't take long, however, for the thugs from Thessalonica to show up to agitate the crowds, so Paul left on his own for Athens. 

As Paul walked around the city, he saw that it was full of idols.  He spent his days in the synagogue or marketplace, trying to reason with the Jews and God fearing Greeks.  This caught the attention of some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers who wanted to know what Paul was babbling about.

They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.” (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas. - Acts 17:18-21 NIV

Paul, after walking around Athens and viewing all of the statues to the gods, knew exactly what to say.
   “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.  For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.
   “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.  From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’  (Acts 17:22-28 NIV)

Paul, the one who encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, knew what was missing in their lives.  He knew what the good news was.  He knew that in him and in him along, we move and have our being.

Acts 9-13: The One Who Breathed Murderous Threats

Paul stood by while they crucified Stephen.  Being a strict Jew, he considered the message of the disciples to be heresy.  Being present at Stephen's death did not soften his heart, instead, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. (Acts 9:1-2 NIV)  This was not to be.  On the way to Damascus, he had such an encounter with Jesus (the one he thought was nothing more than a mere mortal who had deceived his followers into becoming heretics) that he was left blinded and and unable to eat or drink for three days, until Ananias laid hands on him and the scales fell from his eyes.

Paul's ministry would not begin before the events in the next few chapters took place.  Although the disciples had been scattered, they did not stop preaching the gospel and the miracles did not stop taking place.  Peter healed the paralytic, Aeneas, and raised Dorcas from the dead.  Even more importantly, while in Joppa, Peter was visited by a vision. while almost simultaneously in Caesarea, Cornelius, a Roman centurion, was visited by an angel.  Suddenly, Peter realized that God does not show favoritism.  As he preached to the gentiles gathered at Cornelius' house, the Holy Spirit was poured out on them and they began speaking in tongues and praising God, just as the Jews had done at Pentecost.  When Peter was confronted by the apostles and brothers to explain what had just transpired, his only explanation was:
    ^"So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?”
   When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”  - Acts 11:17-18 NIV

All this time, Saul, who was now going by the name of Paul, was laboring in obscurity with Barnabas from the church in Antioch.  Paul, along with Barnabas, took his message to the synagogue.
   On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying.
   Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For this is what the Lord has commanded us:
   “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
   that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.- Acts 13:44-47 NIV

This set the stage for Paul, the strict, steeped in tradition, Jew, the one who had so violently opposed the gospel to spend the rest of his life in ministry to the Gentiles who had no knowledge of the Jewish tradition or law. Fourteen years after the encounter with Jesus on the Road to Damascus, Paul met with the disciples in Jerusalem. James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews. - Gal. 2:9 NIV

Paul, the zealous Jew, who had once breathed murderous threats bent on destruction of all Christians, would now be the one tasked with spreading the light of the gospel to the non-Jewish world.

Acts 6-8: Someone's Got To Do It

Public ministry, such as the ministry of the priests, has always been more attractive than serving.  This was true in the early church even after all of Jesus' teachings on being servants.  The early disciples were zealous in spreading the gospel, but not so zealous in taking care of the widows.  'We need someone to do this,' they said, 'so that we can concentrate on prayer and ministry.'  So they looked for men full of wisdom and the Spirit and chose seven to carry out the duties and responsibilities of caring for the widows.  This left the rest of the disciples free for ministry.  So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.- Acts 6:7 NIV

One of those chosen to care for the widows was Stephen.  Like many of the patriarchs, such as Joseph and Moses, or prophets, such as Daniel,  Stephen was thrust into service which became a platform for witness.  And like many of his predecessors, great wonders and miraculous signs followed his service.  Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke. - Acts 6:9-10 NIV

The guy serving the widows could not be stopped.  He was not afraid of those who considered themselves righteous.  He was sure of the gospel and recounted the history of Joseph and Moses and how the people reacted to those who presented God's truth.  “You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.”  - Acts 7:51-53 NIV

Surrounded by their fury, Stephen saw heaven open and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.  This made them even more furious and they rushed Stephen and stoned him to death.  Saul, who later became the apostle Paul, was one of the wise, religious, Jews standing there, watching this man who took care of widows meet his death because of his beliefs.

As a result of Stephen's death, the church scattered and the gospel was spread even further because they preached the gospel wherever they went.

Acts 1-5: What is this Power?

For forty days after he was crucified and rose again, Jesus appeared to the disciples in various places. “Do not leave Jerusalem," he told them, "but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit - Acts 1:4-6(NIV)  All they wanted was to see the kingdom of Israel restored.  Instead, He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  - Acts 1:7-3

What is this power that the disciples and early church experienced after Jesus ascended into heaven, power that appeared at Pentecost that sounded like a blowing wind and filled the room with what looked like tongues of fire?  What was this power that gave Peter, the one who had denied Jesus three times, the boldness to stand up and address the crowd that gathered in Jerusalem with such boldness that three thousand accepted the message and were baptized that very day..  What was this power that enabled Peter to heal the crippled beggar?  What gave Peter and John boldness before the Sanhedrin, the ones responsible for Jesus' death?  What was the power that caused Ananias and Sapphira to fall down dead for lying to the apostles about how much money they received for the sale of some land.  What was the power that opened the prison gates for the apostles. 

It was the same power that caused men to face death boldly when thrown to the lions.  The power that enabled all the martyrs down through the centuries to go to their deaths willingly.  The power that has caused thousands of missionaries to sacrifice their lives that the gospel would be heard.  The power that has healed the deaf, blind, and lame down through the centuries.  The same power that gave Handel the "Messiah". The power that changed the slave trader who eventually wrote "Amazing Grace". 

It is the Holy Spirit, Peter told the crowd.  The Holy Spirit that Jesus promised would come  God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. - Acts 2:32-33 NIV

The power of Jesus and the resurrection was now available for all that believed.

John 18--21: What is Truth?

'What is truth?,' Pilate asks Jesus in the course of trying to determine why the Jews so badly want Jesus to die.  Try as he could, Pilate could not get Jesus to confess to anything other than the fact that he was sent from God.
   Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
  “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.
   Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
  “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. - John 18:36-38 NIV

Pilate was like many of those who observed Jesus and knew there was something different about him, but who did not completely understand who he really was or who were afraid to publicly confess that they believed in him for fear of the Jews.  Pilate may not have saved Jesus from crucifixion, but he had a notice prepared and nailed above his head on the cross which read, Jesus of Nazareth, The King of the Jews.  'What I have written, I have written.' he told the Jews when they confronted him. 

Both Joseph of Arimathea, who followed Jesus only at a distance, and Nicodemus, who came to Jesus at night, cared about Jesus the man enough to ask Pilate for Jesus' body in order to give him a proper Jewish burial. 

Even Thomas, one of the twelve, was slow to believe the words that Jesus had been saying all along:  that he was sent from God, that he was one with the Father, that he was sent to die, and that he would rise from the dead.   “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”, (John 20:25 NIV) he told the disciples when they said they had seen Jesus. 

All of these had seen Jesus' ministry, had witnessed his miracles, had listened to his words, but still harbored a lingering doubt that everything was true.  But then there was John, the writer of this gospel and the one who would see visions on the Isle of Pathmos years later.  John witnessed all of these things first hand, including Peter's denial and Jesus' reinstatement of Peter after the resurrection.  This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. - John 21:24 NIV

What is truth?  All the stories, all the denials, all the confessions, all the words.  They are all the truth.