Sons and Daughter of the Light

First Thess 5:1-11

^1-3 I don't think, friends, that I need to deal with the question of when all this is going to happen. You know as well as I that the day of the Master's coming can't be posted on our calendars. He won't call ahead and make an appointment any more than a burglar would. About the time everybody's walking around complacently, congratulating each other—"We've sure got it made! Now we can take it easy!"—suddenly everything will fall apart. It's going to come as suddenly and inescapably as birth pangs to a pregnant woman.

^4-8 But friends, you're not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by any of this? You're sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand. So let's not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let's keep our eyes open and be smart. People sleep at night and get drunk at night. But not us! Since we're creatures of Day, let's act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation.

^9-11 God didn't set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we're awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we're alive with him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it. - From the Message.

Verses 1-4 are dealing with what we spoke of last week. Jesus will return as a thief in the night—we are to be unaware of when but HE WILL COME. Some will say “Peace and safety” and that becomes their mantra. While there may be some peace and safety in life, the general trend will be bad to really bad. There will be a growing evilness in society and within the Church people will ‘fall away’ from the Faith. Evil will increase and the hearts of many will grow cold. Don’t go there.

Let this be a gentle warning to family members. Do you have issues with a family member; deal with it now, as unto the Lord. Forgive; let there be restoration. Do not let your heart continue to grow cold toward them. If there is a member of this Fellowship with whom you have a broken relationship, I plead with you, in the Name of Jesus, deal with it. Seek out help. Don’t let the sun go down on another day without dealing with this attitude. Because there is an issue of pain or hurt or dislike in your heart, it will hurt you, for GOD WILL NOT ANSWER YOUR PRAYERS. By the authority of our Lord & Savior, be reconciled, in Jesus Name.

The Word of God is clear, isn’t it? The forgiven will be lifted up. Those who are in pain and those who in conflict will be comforted. Come to Him for rest. Come to Him even for the will do deal with the problems of life. He can help. He can heal. He is the only One who can. His relationship with you is that important. His Name is on you and you and I need to walk as Children of God. A broken relationship hurts His heart deeply. He will return and He MUST find a Bride—you and me—who is clean from interpersonal conflict. A Bride who is pure. Get ready: He is coming. Don’t know when but don’t feel it will be pushed aside and forgotten. All will be revealed at that time.

New theme: SONS OF THE LIGHT. Much to say about LIGHT and darkness. One has the blessings of God/the other does not. When on is in the LIGHT, they walk differently. They think differently. They are different because the LIGHT is in them. This LIGHT is more than a clean conscience. More than good feelings. More than being good…or kind…or doing what is right. This LIGHT is the Holy SPIRIT. This LIGHT is a relationship based on the action Jesus did on the Cross. His death on the Cross opened the door of Heaven so that we could be forgiven. It is the most important fact that ever was revealed.

5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

So We have a name. Sons of the light. What does that mean and what does that entitle us to do or be? First of all, the term looks like it comes right out of the Gospel of John and later 1st John. He deals a great deal with the word LIGHT.

Shall we look at a few areas of LIGHT, according to John? 16 times in his Gospel, this word is used. Light of me, light shines in the darkness, testify concerning the light, witness to the light, true light that gives light to every man, Light has come, men love darkness instead of light, evil hates the light…and that is only from Chapters 1-3!

Jesus Himself said in John 8:12: “I am the light of the world, Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 9:5 “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

John 11:10 “It is when he walks by night that he stubbles, for he has no light.”

John 12:35 “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.”

Then Jesus talking about Himself in John 12:36 and 46 “Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.” “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”

See what He is getting at? There are two camps. One camp is in the LIGHT and the other camp is in Darkness. Light and darkness. No middle ground. No place for a fence sitter. You either are one or the other. To become a Son and Daughter of the Light, you need Faith. You can move from the dark camp to the Light camp through Faith in the Light. To walk in the Light is being obedient to the Call of God on your life.

In First John, John speaks of Light five times. 1 John 1:5; 1:7; 2:8~10.

•God is light.

•if we walk in the light, as He is in the Light.

•the true Light is already shining.

•Anyone who claims to be in the Light but hates his brother is still in darkness.

•Whoever loves his brother lives in the Light.

These are not just nice words or a suggestion from John. It is much more than that! He means it! You can’t really love God and have hate in your heart for one of God’s Children. Any of His Children. Esp. when they are part of the Body of Christ!

6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.

Alert and self-controlled. Two action words that take some practice. If you were guarding a bank filled with Gold bullion and Diamonds, you would need to show some alertness. Not only with being awake but also with the proper tools of the trade. What kind of guns would you have?

How do we develop such alertness in the Spirit-life? One, read in the Word of God as often as you can. Not just a Daily Bread devotion once a day—that being a good source. By developing the Mind of Christ.

In 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment: 16 "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

Also in Paul’s letter to the church at Rome, St. Paul teaches believers access the mind of Christ through offering ourselves to God as a living sacrifice. He says very practically, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:1~2).

(1-2 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don't become so well adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. From the Message)

The New Living Translation has it this way: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”

THERE IS A VERY BIG DECISION involved over which we have some measure of power, although enabled by HIS Grace. The practical and personal question is: will I align my thoughts and beliefs with the messages coming to me from this world, or will I align my thoughts and beliefs with what God says is true?

Another example. In his letter to the Philippians Paul says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5, KJV).

5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: NIV.

He then describes what that would mean: that He humbled himself, that He poured out His life in love, that He became a servant to even to the people who wanted Him dead. Apparently having the mind of Christ involves not only what goes on between my ears, but also what I do with my hands and feet and mouth toward others. This is not the way people act that lives in the darkness, BUT IT IS THE WAY PEOPLE LIVE WHO LIVE IN THE SON…IN THE LIGHT OF JESUS!

The idea is not just found in Paul’s letters. In His final words to His disciples Jesus says, “Everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15).

Walk as Children of the Light. BE Sons & Daughters of the JESUS!

putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

This is the practical side of the Walk of Faith. An activeness of putting on Faith and love as one would put on armor before a battle. Dressed up in Faith, love and the hope of salvation. A breastplate-for frontal attacks; a head covering of Hope-the mind we spoke of before—of Salvation. The heart is protected and the mind as well. Be aware of the attacks of the evil One. Watch your heart and watch your mind.

So, we need to realize that He dies for us to live a better way: His Way, so that we may live together with Him. We are to encourage one another and build each other up so that no one is left behind. Young and old, strong in the Lord and those who are weak. All are to be encouraged and grow closer to Him. Are you doing that with each other? We need to be!

"How Can I Please You, Father?"

Please read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 8/29/10.

Living to Please God.

For as long as I have been in the ministry, since age 15, I have been asked by so many people: “What is God’s Will for my life?” I have even asked myself the same question!

Interestingly enough, that question comes from all ages, from both males and females. Young believers and older. In this country and in my home country. Everyone wants to know God’s will. The catch is: few want to really do what His Will is. Everyone wants to be told what to do but very few really want to follow that advise. Why? Because, we feel, we know best what is good for us!

"Don’t try to give me the facts; my mind is made up with my own thoughts and understandings. I don’t like being told what to do! I am my own person!"

Strong feelings here!

God’s Will! & Seems so dark and mysterious. So unknowing. Right? Not really. The Bible shows us so clearly the general rule of thumb as to what His Will is for us who follow Him &and for those who need to follow Him.

Here it is: Be His person and Think His Thoughts. Feel His feelings. Hurt when He hurts. Have your heart be moved as His heart is moved. Enjoy His presence in your life. Allow His Spirit to move you, teach you, lead you and keep you.

We are all concerned with the details of an agreement. The fine print is very interesting to read. Yet, ever look at the printed warning sections to some of the medicines we take? Or if you use the intranet, the fine print of YouTube or I Tunes? No, we just press ‘agree’ and move on.

But in life, it is way different. We want every 'T' crossed, every 'ga' marked. We want every day -every year- filled in and so the question I am asking is “Where is the Faith in that kind of living?” We really don’t NEED to know EVERYTHING. If we did, we would be so afraid. We would just stay in our beds!

However, Paul, here in this letter, spells it out very simply for us. God’s will is for you to live a life that is sanctified. In fact, we are living that way right now.

RIGHT? Not really. The people in that city might have been living that way but that was written a long time ago and they are all dead now. Paul had already instructed them how to live their lives in order to please God. (verse 1) Now, he adds, "we now ask you, URGE you IN THE LORD JESUS to do this AND more and more."

What is he asking? He is asking them (and us) to be more diligent in how we live out our days. If we loved people on Sat, we must REALLY love them today. MORE and MORE.

Also we must be more and more sanctified. What does that mean? Sanctify 1. to make something holy. 2. to free somebody from sin, for example, by a ritual act of purification. 3. To separate from an evil way to a way of purity. As in a marriage, the couples NEED to be at peace with each other because of the oath or vow they made to one another. To be set apart to be one. Let no man pull it asunder.

In this case, to be set apart from the evil society with it’s world-view which is 10,000 degrees off from where the Lord would have us be. Set apart TO Jesus. He owns us now. No longer can we live our lives as we where the boss. We both NEED Him and we should desire that needing. If it is not there, it should be a warning that all is not well with our soul. Not well and in need or some direct repair from His Hand.

Paul affirms that these words of instruction are not just from his lips he does teach it but it is by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

See verse 2, & verse 8.

2. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

8. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you His Holy Spirit.

Don t like this kind of teaching, don’t get mad at me! I am just teaching what Paul taught. Don’t be mad at Paul: he was only telling us what God told him!

And, here are some of those instructions: we should avoid sexual immorality! That we should control our OWN body-in a holy and honorable way, not in pagan or heathen ways. Don t reject these instructions.

One at a time: #1. AVOID SEXUAL IMMORALITY.

This comes in many and different ways. Sex and sexual imagery is rampant. It is used for selling coffee, to old cars, to meat to even Mangas. The problem of being desensitized to the problem even comes to rest in this room with what we allow into our own lives. Centers of learning have taken the forward step as to mold our students into a mindset where all is OK.

Tolerance is the name of the game. Our authority becomes our own thirst for lust. Standards change over time and after a few years, what used to be NOT spoken of in private, is now being shown on a 40 inch HD screen and it is supported by the society’s standards which always change.

A moral compass is missing. What’s the point of a moral compass if there is no True North? I believe there is a True North. One would say this is OK to allow while another would go even further and offer the sky as the limit. Who is to say who is right and who is wrong? The one with the biggest support? The one who is cute? The person who can say it in five languages? Or the lady who gives away $100,000,000 every forth Tuesday? There HAS to be someone who is in charge and who is right! I’d say that would be Jesus. But some would disagree! Still the fact remains that Jesus is The Authority. The sole authority-or should I say soul authority?

Jesus transcends culture. He transcends time. Economic status and color and personalities. He is above them all!

The Bible sets up the standard. Paul and others in the New Testament time taught His teachings. They continue today and the questions still come up.

2. Don’t reject these instructions.

If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and He is your Lord than your life is not your own to live out. It matters what you say and how you say it! It matters what you do with your body and with your mind & eyes. It belongs to Jesus and you need to put it under His control. That means that any form of sexual misconduct is wrong. Don’t be mad at me!

1 Thess. 4:8 says he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you His Holy Spirit.

You know, God is most interested and concerned with how we walk the Christian walk. He came to us (incarnation) not just to make us God s children and to get us into heaven, but also to engage us to live as Children of God in a dark and perverted world as people who walk in the Light. In this world, there are many who do not know Him. By our walking in the light as He is in the Light, the world will know He lives and that He restores broken people like us and like them.

How is that done? Paul seems to feel that those people in Thess. already know. Do we know? By loving one another. And to love more and more.

1 Thess 4:18 Therefore, encourage each other with these words!

3. That we should control our OWN body-in a holy and honorable way &not in pagan or heathen ways.

Now this is the most active concern of them all for Paul. The society Paul was addressing was as active in sin as we are today. We got the Internet and world travel added to our list of ways to exploit people. When it comes down to it, YOU are to watch after yourself. You are the one who will be judged and you alone are in trouble IF you have not controlled your body. Paul, in effect, is declaring; control our tongue, your attitude, your words, your temper, your lust, and your expressions of the heart. And in doing so, we are to follow 3 or 4 more directives, which is found in verses 11-12.

11 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Don‘t be a loud person. Rom 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Keep your nose out of people's business! Don’t be a busy body. Be active in the support of yourself and your family. Don t have a lot of idle time. Work with your body and mind. Work with your hands does not mean only be involved in manual labor. It means if you expect to eat, work. No free lunches.

The reason for this kind of lifestyle is clear. As people watch your life and they do and they will your daily life may win the respect of those outside the Faith. We are not to be dependent on anyone. We live interdependently with the Body but, again, not trying for a free handout.

So, what to do with this information? Number One: Take it seriously. Don't mess around with sin. Keep yourself PURE before the Lord. Seek out a clean and unsoiled mind. Be active in keeping yourself set apart to the Lord.

Sanctified. Set apart. No longer part of the old way of life. No longer addressing issues with the old mindset but now, with the renewing of the mind, pressing on to be more and more like Jesus. Allowing Him enter into the inner parts of our lives. In the inner parts of our homes. Into the inner most parts of our relationships. Then you will be living a life that is pleasing to the Lord.

__Next week is the FIRST SUNDAY in SEPTEMBER__

That means COMMUNION SUNDAY!

You are our Glory and JOY!

Paul was glad for these people!

What do you find joy in?

Is it worthy of joy? Is it a passing feeling or a strong reality in your life?

Can you lose your JOY? Who takes it away from you.

• John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Romans 15: 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 16:33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family. Paul saw JOY as families came to KNOW Jesus!

• • John 15:10 If you obey My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have obeyed My Father's commands and remain in His love. 11 I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

Luke 8:12-15 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

There is real joy in that kind of life! Growing never felt so right!

Be the right seed on the truth of the Gospel.

Allow His Word to take root in you!

Strengthen and Encourage you in your Faith from v2

How can you be Strengthened? What goes into such an event? Can you tell us when you have been strengthened in the Faith? Was it a time of testing? Hardship? Of being alone or were you with others? How did you feel AFTER the event? Tired? Worn out? Defeated? Questioning? Were you feeling alone? With retrospection or hindsight, were you aware of the growth going on? Maybe not. But now? Yes, you can see His Hand in your life. Moving you—strengthening you all along the way.

Through hard times/pain/joy/disappointment/silence/etc.Bible reading

How can you be Encouraged? What does that look like? What goes into being such a person? Last year, we spoke about maybe having the Spiritual gift of encouragement. Who among you have such a gift? How did knowing that help you this past year? Do you ever wonder if others have this gift and use it to the Glory of God, what would happen to the Church in Japan? Get out and encourage each other in the Lord. Via Prayer/words of comfort, visit, reading the Word of God-allowing it to take over our hearts.

Home work: Take some time today and or Monday and ask these questions and search for an answer. Don’t wait until Tuesday—it will not happen! Be practical! Call, write, double-up with a friend.

Q: How can you be THAT for others? Why do we feel it is only a one-way street? Why can’t we Strengthen others? What is holding us back from being an Encouragement to others? What needs to change in our thinking? Is our God too small? Can He not work in us to be an Encourager for others? To Strengthen them in the Faith? A: YES!

---

“We were encouraged about you because of your Faith”

Send a letter to someone this week who has encouraged your Faith. Let them know of how thankful you are for their working in your life, for that word of encouragement that pushed you to excellence; that moved you to a deeper faith. For being that example of how a Believer should walk. Send it soon or it will not happen. Could be email, letter, phone call, FAX, face to face, but thank them. Give it some thought!

---

Paul was overjoyed because of what the Lord was doing in the lives of the people of this church. If he’d come to our church, how would he feel about us? Mixed response, maybe? Maybe for others but not too happy about my faith? Again, what is holding you back from being a Faithful follower of the Lord and to have our Faith strengthened? Are we afraid of what the Lord will call us to do—to be? Has He driven you into places that was harmful for you in the past? Is that in His Nature? Just what do we believe about Him? Is He distant? Is He able to see us? Blind? Able to know what we are thinking and doing? Do we feel His ways are way too hard for us to follow? Too deep that we could never be good enough for Him to be pleased with our life?

---

If that is how you live out your Christian life, I feel sorry for you. That is not the way we should live. We are Children of Creator God. We have been brought into the Family of God—not by our good actions but by the Blood of Jesus. His payment on the Cross-not only provided us with a way to know Him, it guarantees His love and forgiveness. If we feel we need to DO more, than we re-crucify Jesus again on the Cross. He has set us free/be free!

••Yet, Paul was deeply concerned—how human he is! The man who wrote great trust passages still worried and was concerned. I (& YOU) have something in common with Paul! He’s not perfect!

May our God…clear the way so we can come to you.

May the Lord...make your LOVE increase and OVERFLOW. Rom 15:13

May He strengthen your hearts—to be Blameless and Holy when He returns. Get ready now for His return. Get right with Him NOW!

"More on the Knowing..." 1 Thess 2:1-16

When we face issues in life in light of the impact of the Word, what is our usual response? Is it one of obedience or reading the small print looking for a way out? Do we doubt that we can really live the way the Bible teaches us? Do we feel we are not worthy of this task—of this life and therefore, may tend to soften the message a little to fit our life style? Maybe if I were more spiritual, then it would work for me. But I know I am not spiritual—would like to be—but not me. I am more of a sinner today than I ever was! I am more fallen today than I ever had been.

Is that true? Is that the way the Lord has called us to be? I think not!

As Paul remembers his time with these people, [and he knows human nature,] he was encouraged to learn of their spiritual growth. He was really excited to hear of their turning to God from idols: that they serve the Living God. This was big! Very big, indeed! People evey where lived far from God’s plan for their lives. Very few knew of the God of the Bible. And more and more non-Jewish people—without a Biblical background—were coming to know this Savior. Their lifestyle would be so changed from what they used to live. Way different. The whole society was pagan. Not just non-Jewish, it was really wild. Open sin in the streets. A completely corrupted society. Evil in every form was everywhere! The political leaders were corrupt. The religious leaders were corrupt. The man on the street was corrupt. The women at the market were corrupt. The kids at play were dishonest. There just was not a person anywhere in this society that was not corrupt. And in the middle of this wild and depraved society, a Church was born. Church leaders were found and the Church grew to please God in every way!

And as we read from Chapter 2, Paul sees that his work among them was not a failure. Look at what he wrote: ² So, friends, it's obvious that our visit to you was no waste of time. Let’s look back to Acts 17:1-9 to find out about his visit.

We see that he was only there for a total of three Sabbaths: three weeks. He spent most of his time teaching at the synagogue. And what was he teaching? From verse 2-3: “… he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ," he said. It was the simple Gospel!

How was this received? Rather well, given what would happen soon there after. Verse 4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women.

From this, we can gather that many more non-Jews followed and converted to the Faith as Paul stated, as we saw last week, 1:9-10 9 … They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

Many of this new church were, to say the obvious, not of a Godly background. They worshiped idols. And as we saw last week, there was a transformation of their life that showed them as different, 1,000% different.

What does this mean? Paul saw that they NOW lived a life that matched the teaching of God. What his message was during his short time with them stayed with them and grew. It was not a waste of time for Paul. It was growing. People all over the place knew of their changed life … their transformed life was well noted. Transformed by The Word!

And certainly unlike the conduct of the people of Philippi, where they spent some painful time in a jail—after being beaten, and then cared for by the jailer who came to Faith in Jesus. Talk about a transformed life! He might have been the one who beat Paul and Silas! (Reference to the killings of aid workers in Afghanistan. See YouTube short clip under Pastor Charles Beckett's daughter Cheryl Beckett .

)

“Pray for those who harm you…”

I believe that those new believers back in the early years of the Christian Faith, are very much like us in 2010. I believe the same could be said of us as we look at what our God has done in our lives. Sure there are times were we fail. There are times when we doubt. When we even fall away into sin! But we need to look at how Paul looked after them as see if the Spirit of God is very much like that today.

Verse 7-8 7 but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. 8 We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.

And then again, a family picture: Verse 11-12 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into His kingdom and glory.

Paul is very much impressed in how these Believers held up during hard times. We need to do the same during our hard times—and I do not believe really hard times are here yet. (One promise Jesus makes to us that does not get a lot of press is this: We will be persecuted.)

· 1 Thessalonians 3:4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.

• 2 Timothy 3:12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, • So be ready! He will be there with you—don’t fear! He is near!

To close, let’s look at this whole issue of hard times. What does the Bible say about when things fall apart around us? What is our response to be? We will need to look at 2 Cor 4:8-10 to learn more!

First, Paul was hard pressed on every side, but not crushed. The verb hard pressed means "to press in hard against" someone, or, as we say today, to squeeze the life out of a person, while the term “not crushed” indicates that the pressure never got to the point where there was no escape or way out. As in, squeezed by a snake…

Second, he was also perplexed but not in despair. There is a play on words here. To be aporoumenoi or perplexed is to be at a loss how to act, while to be exaporoumenoi or despair is to be utterly at a loss (i.e., in extreme despair). Although Paul may have been at a loss about how to move on, he never--as we say--went off the deep end.

Third, Paul was persecuted but not abandoned. The verb means "to pursue" and is commonly used of tracking a prey or enemy. Paul was pursued from city to city by hostile Jews. But through it all, God never abandoned him. The idea here is that God did not leave Paul behind for the enemy to pick up.

Finally, he was struck down by the enemy but not destroyed. Paul was not only pursued by hostile Jews, but when they caught up with him, they stirred up trouble whenever they could. He may also be thinking of the time he was stoned at Lystra and left outside the city for dead. Yet he lived.

Hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted and struck down . Do you ever feel that way? Join the Club. Paul did too. These words are summed up in the clause we always carry around in our body; that is the death of Jesus. “The death of Jesus” is actually an expression that stresses the ongoing nature of the process; the transforming process. We are being renewed! We are not yet what we will be but we are pretty far from what we used to be—by the Grace of God!

When we think of the "dying" of Jesus, we tend to think of the Cross. And it is this Cross we turn to now with a thankful heart for what He had done there. He took our punishment on Himself so we would be set free—that is how much He loves you. His life for yours. Freely given/freely offered. Yours now for the asking.

It is a matter again of knowing and in this case, it is the knowing of our Lord—alive in our lives or making His Will known to us, by His Grace. Undeserving Grace. Dumped on us to bring Him Glory so that our sins are forgiven. To the Glory of God, Amen!

Continue with Chapter 1:4-10

1 Thessalonians 1:4-10

4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

“We KNOW that you are chosen of God.” How comforting that must have sounded to these people! These are the people who were going through some hard times of deep persecution and suffering. Once, they were outcast—outside of the knowledge of God and out of touch with His Mercy and Love—now brought into the Family of God as joint heirs of His Kingdom. (see 2 Peter 1:3-9) All that He is, is theirs in Christ Jesus. The fact that you are loved by God and that you are chosen by God to be His! WOW!


He has chosen you. To do what? First to be in His Family. Picked out of the many people in that city, this group of followers of Christ KNOWS that He has selected them to Know Him. 2. He placed THE knowledge of God in their hearts. He had called them to believe even before the world was formed. It tells us in the Bible that all that is true. And THIS truth was now re-expressed by Paul to those he had left behind to find and understand the Gospel of God. That is Good News.


We also know something. It is found a creed, a teaching, a statement of belief as in a formal summary of the principles of the Christian faith.


The Nicene Creed 325 AD in the city in Turkey was set up to combat false teachings. In that same year, Constantine the Great, who had converted to Christianity ten years earlier and replaced official persecution of Christianity with official support, called for the great Council of Nicea. The Council of Nicea was the first ecumenical (worldwide) council of the church and the first of Seven Ecumenical Councils recognized by most Christian denominations as having doctrinal authority. Around 300 bishops or church leaders from across the Christian world attended.


The main reason for the council was the dispute over this heresy that first surfaced early in the 4th century by a teacher from the Egyptian city of the Alexandria, Arius by name. He stated that Christ is not truly divine but a created being. The basic idea of Arius was the uniqueness of God, who is alone self-existent and unchangeable. But the Son, who is not self-existent, cannot be God.


Although this council ended the heresy in the empire, this false teaching continued among some of the Germanic tribes to the end of the 7th century. In modern times some Unitarians are virtually followers on this heresy in that they reduce Christ to a mere human being and deny him a divine nature identical with that of the Father. The Christology of the Jehovah's Witnesses is also a form of Arianism; they regard Arius as a forerunner of Charles Taze Russell, the founder of their movement.

The Nicene Creed

• I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

• And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.

• Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

• And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.

And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

This Message: THE Message, came to you with Power and deep conviction with the Holy Spirit. Here Paul offers us a glimpse of how they first heard and believed the teachings of Paul. This Message came with the Power of the Holy Spirit—not with the convincing arguments of man. It was not just some nice teaching. Some principles to follow to find inner happiness. It was not a self-help seminar. Not some feel-good talk on some fuzzy ideas made up by some loose nut.



It was THE MESSAGE that has been told since Man could hear. This Message was the Message that God loves Mankind. The Message that God knew that Man needed Him because Man had fallen into sin. This sin would separate Man from God—this God, who is Holy and Righteous. The Message is the Gospel that Jesus shared while He ministered for three years. He was the Message, as He is the Gospel. One of the same.



This Message was not just words. It had something strong behind it! The transformed life of men and women.



Tell me, Friends, when you think of how the Lord God has changed you, have you not come along way? Once you were self-seeking. Once you were far from loving God. Far from any love at all. Your heart was cold to the things of God. You had no care, no compassion. You were only concerned for one thing and that thing was you. Oh, you might have been a good person. You might have done good works but your soul was lost. You were not a lover of God and the Love of God was not in you.



But then, the Word came on you with Power with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction and you were found to be a new creature in Christ. You were born anew. Born again. Born of the Spirit. You were once dead but now you really live. Isn’t that the way it went for you?



Have you been transformed? Are you a different person than who you were before Christ came into your life? Then share it with others. Be like those people in the Thessalonian Church.



In the middle of verse five, we find that YOU KNOW SOMETHING too. The people in that church knew how the teachers of the Message lived among them. Their teachers had integrity. That is missing from some leaders today—even from within the Church. As a result of that open lifestyle of Paul and Co., they had become imitators of their teachers. They walked in Faith like the teachers. They approached issues in the family like the teachers. They faced the hardships just like the teachers did. And the teachers followed the Walk of Jesus. It was how He would have walked.



Who follows you? Who imitates your life? Who acts like you? In some circles, imitation is a sign of respect and love. Is it a sign of love and respect in your walk?



In spite of severe suffering. That is the real test, isn’t it? Everyone can handle life when it is going well. But when the fire gets hot, when the issues of life pile up, when there is pain in our spirit, when our soul is taxed, that is the time the Lord is to be depended upon. You can only really make it in life with Him by your side. He is the One who gives His Grace to us. In spite of severe suffering, His presence is always there. How could we face life’s hardships without Him?



Sometimes we need to remind ourselves just Whom we belong to! He is mine and I am His. I am His Child. He is my Lord. I can depend upon His Word that He will always be with us and that He has called us to follow Him. We are loved & chosen of God (V 4).



And our walk of Faith needs to be a model of Faith for others to follow. Why? Why not? Why be just followers? Take the lead in loving your family. Take the lead in sharing His Love to the family. Take the lead because that is where He has called us to be! In the front! Being the model. Not waiting for others to do the work of Faith. Get busy doing His Work in your community. Be active.



Proof is that the others are telling others that they turned TO God FROM idols to serve the living and true God!

That is how people knew of their transformed lives. There was a definite change of allegiance. Once, a worshiper of idols NOW and worshiper of the Living God. The way of idols is the way of darkness. It holds no truth. It is a dead end. Both for those in the West and for those in the East. Everyone, at one time, worshipped at an idol. I can say that because the Word tells us that we all have fallen away ~ exchanged the truth of God for a lie. (Romans 1). Each of us has turned to his or her own way. We turned our backs on the One who made us. Each of us! But now that the Gospel has come to our hearing, it is time for us to turn to the Living God and find His Grace. And find His forgiveness. Just like these people. It rang out into the whole area and beyond! It became known everywhere! Not as a matter of pride but as a matter of fact!



Not only did they turn from idols to the living God, they also wait for His return. Not as a lazy way, up on a hill, stopping work, practicing the rapture jump. They were active in their walk. Active in their social conduct. Not just on Sunday mornings, but on the way home from Church. (Non-believers told a friend of mine that when they see ‘Christians’ at the eki, they see sad faces… unfriendly faces. Cold and not caring. Called them a cult.) When people see us in public, what do they see? Depressed, sad, soiled, unkempt, sorrowful people or do they see People of the Light! People of the Book. People who care. Who show compassion. What say ye? Are you such a person?



These people also identifies with the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And they lived their lives out in such a way that they walk in thankfulness of heart for the saving of their souls from the coming wrath. And it is coming but those who are saved will not taken part in the wrath, but in the joy of knowing His forgiveness.



Many old saints are now with the Lord. Grace Hanson, Reuben Brooks, and others are now gone. People who knew how to pray. They knew their Lord well and spoke to Him regularly. Who will take their place? Such a man is one who wrote in my Father-in-law’s Blog. Reuben had prayed for him each week from the day they met years before. He had not known of dad’s prayers but later learned of it. He asked; “Who will be praying for me now?” Faith wisely answered, “It is your turn to do the same of others!” Be the example. There is no retirement in the Faith. Make a difference in other people’s walk of Faith. Hold them up before the father and keep your life from evil.

Though written many years ago, 1 Thessalonians is for times like ours. This letter speaks to a culture filled with seductive images and sexual pressures. Thessalonians brings eternal point of view to debates of material things and interest. Thessalonians questions the secular values that undermine and weaken God’s Law and purpose. If you’ve ever struggled to maintain a pure life in a freewheeling society, 1 Thessalonians provides some encouraging words for us: The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it (5:24).

Overview: What are we known for? (I Thess 1:1~10)
To whom was it written and why?
Paul wrote to the believers in the church at Thessalonica, founded during his second missionary journey. Riots and opposition had forced him to leave them sooner than he desired. But later, news of their progress encouraged Paul to write to commend them for growing in the Lord and urge them to correct some major misunderstandings.

When was it written?
Possibly as early as A.D. 50 or shortly thereafter.

What to look for in 1 Thessalonians:
As you read, watch for practical ways that Christians can live holy lives in a culture hostile to Christian values. You’ll find guidelines on relationships and boundaries for living in an immoral culture. Overshadowing all this is a perspective on life that is shaped by eternity. You’ll also find exciting clues about the end times and Jesus’ second coming.

It seems that the people of this church of the Thessalonians have a great view of who they were in Christ. Their faith was seen and understood very well by all who knew of them. All over the area-yes, even in other countries, their Faith was one of high acclaim.

As with Paul, he very often used two or three parallel words or phrases to cover a point. He does it very well here in this letter. You need to know that he will be correcting their false belief systems in a while, but he really is well pleased of how far and how deep they had come since he was kicked out of their city a few years before. What kept them doing well? The Holy Spirit’s Power in their lives keep them spiritual healthy. It is really up to each believer to be sure of his/her own spiritual health. You do not want to put the fire out. You do not want to get too comfortable and too at ease with life that you stop growing. We all need growth. We all need to be pressed in our Spirit. We all need His correction from time to time. Some more than others. We are all in the same boat. We need Him!

Even before we start, please note that Paul is writing to the Church in this city. The Church is IN God and IN the Lord Jesus. The Church is not a building but a body of believers. We meet here in Enoki-Cho. I like what we have here. We have been here almost 20 years now. It has become a comfortable place to worship. Don’t take it for granted.

Also, please note that Paul is thankful to God for the members of this church.

He prays for them continually. Always bringing them before the Father. This does not mean all is well with the Body.

Remember the story of Jesus on the boat with His fishermen during the storm that almost sunk them. He was sleeping while the 12 were bailing. They cried out: “Don’t You care that we are about to die!? Do something!” He stood up and spoke words to the wind and the waves and all was silent. Just because Jesus is with us, that does not mean the boat ride will be without incident. Hard things happen to the good as well as the bad. The difference is the Believer has Him with them during the storms of life. Big difference, believe me! How could we survive without Him with us? God with us! Emmanuel.

We need to move on. The things that Paul remembers before the Father in Prayer are three-fold. First has to do with their FAITH.

1. Work Produced by Faith.
A work, or labor of love or even a job they had that resulted in producing FAITH in the members of this church. The words tend to suggest that it was not something that was easy. Not automatic. They HAD to work at it! It was hard. It was not natural. It was a work from the Heart of God. And they were open enough to His heart that they followed that hearing with action. They PRODUCED or fashioned or formed, shaped or even created something of worth that developed into Faith in their walk of Faith. Again, working hard at it! If you do not work, don’t expect to eat. There are no free lunches. Life cost. We can’t get by with the attitude of entitlement. That is what is wrong with our society today. Everyone wants a piece of the pie but few want to work for it. They want it free! Life cost. And Faith cost something as well. It is a work of the Spirit in all who believe. And it is central to the Believer to participate in all areas of the Christian experience. It is not the role of only the pastor. Lay workers are key to evangelism. You and the person next to you are responsible for the salvation of your loved ones. THAT is Biblical Faith!

2. Labor Prompted by Love.
Paul also noted in prayer that these people were moved to do things. Not just for the sake of doing something for nothing. They were provoked with an effort to action because of LOVE. Love drove them. Not the sissy kind of puppy love but deep concern love from the heart! These people cared about life. They cared about people. They cared about the Gospel. The whole area knew of this concern. We will hear more of that later this month, but they were models of what a Believer should be. They were living lives worthy of God. And they were laboring for the Gospel in such a way that suggests toil, sweat of the brow, being industrious in their approach to life.

Turn to 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 (NIV) 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. Not all of life is to be easy nor is it to be hard. It is all to bring Glory to Him. Can you live with that? It is not about you!

And this Labor that was prompted by Love was central to the Christian Faith. The Love of the Father motivates us to love one another. If we say we love God yet have hatred for a brother or sister, or parent, than we make God to be a liar. Go to 1 John 2: 3-6, 9-11.

Paul also observes that these people were going for the long haul in life. They were survivors. They had an endurance that was inspired by Hope.

3. Endurance Inspired by Hope.
Endurance is that quality few really have. Here in Japan, over 40,000 people are over 100 years of age. That is endurance. Some of them have THIS kind of endurance. Not the headstrong kind of attitude but this patience that comes from God’s Hope. This kind of life-style is one who survives, a tough stamina. Fortitude of an inner quality that continues to move on. His Power was made whole in them. (Even that being true, they had room for improvement.) It is the Power of the Gospel unto Salvation. Paul wrote about that in Romans and you can read that this week.

This endurance was stimulated by something outside us. Found in the Hope of God. That is a hope we can believe in! Something of a ROCK. A firm foundation that was set by God Himself. They were moved or encouraged by that Hope. More than a hope of passing a test. It was a hope of things not yet seen. The Hope of a sure thing. That sure thing is the very Word of God. That Word can be trusted. It is true. It can change the evil sinner. It can change the most confident unbeliever. It can change our hearts because it is Truth.

Once more, this Hope MUST be shared with family members. You are the key to their salvation. You love them. You will show them what you believe. It is not the task of the ‘professional’ clergy. You must tell your loved ones that Jesus loves them. Show them the way to the Cross. If not, all will be lost. They will not know of God’s Love and they will not even know of your love for them. Share the Hope that is in you.

Then maybe the Hope is not really in you. If that is the case, ask God to forgive you and ask Him to fill your hearts with His Love. And live it out!

These Followers of Jesus had the staying Power to keep at it. These followers of Jesus were showing us how to live that special life of a disciple of Jesus.

How? As a point of application today, let’s spend the remaining time talking about HOW to apply what we have heard.

First, we are to live this Gospel out before our families. No one else can do that for you. They know you better than anyone in the world. They may not like hearing about the Gospel but you can still love them. Kindness, Compassion, Caring, Holiness, Stick-to-a-tive-ness. Love them. That will show them your Love.

Second, pray for them. This will show them your Faith. Spend time before Father God, holding them up in prayer. What do you pray? For them to do well in school, be safe at work and in travel, for their salvation, that they would remain faithful to you as you WILL remain faithful to them. That will show them, and God, your Faith.

Thirdly, live out your life of Faith with unwavering HOPE in the Things of God. Just as those fishermen were concerned about their life when Jesus was right there with them in the Storm, He will calm the storm when it is time to. We have a Hope that you can really believe in and live with.

New Series

Greetings! It is great to return to ICCS!
We had a great time last Sunday and am looking for more of the same in the weeks to come.
There will be a new series starting this next week from the First Book of Thessalonians.


What to look for in 1 Thessalonians:

As you read, watch for practical ways that Christians can live holy lives in a culture hostile to Christian values. You’ll find guidelines on relationships and boundaries for living in an immoral culture. Overshadowing all this is a perspective on life that is shaped by eternity. You’ll also find exciting clues about the end times and Jesus’ second coming.

２０００年近い古い時代に書かれていたのにもかかわらず、テサロニケ人への手紙第一は今日の我々の時代に対する内容で す。この手紙は挑発的な彫像や性的な誘惑に満ちた文化に対して語られています。テサロニケ人は物自体や物質的な興味に対して議論を醸しだし、永遠に至るも のの見方を抱きます。テサロニ ケ人は、神の律法や目的を弱める世俗的な価値感に疑問を持ちます。もしあなたが惰性的な社会の中で清い生活を送ろうと苦しみもがいているならば、テサロニ ケ人第一の手紙は私たちに勇気づける言葉をもたらすでしょう。あなたをお招きになった方は真実で、必ずそのとおりにしてくださいます（５：２４）。

Come this Sunday and worship the Living King of the Universe. He will be there looking for some one on one time with you! We will also celebrate the Lord's Table together!

Shalom!