Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Books of Thessalonians Part 6

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - DO YOU BELIEVE?

DO YOU BELIEVE?

When Paul wrote to the church at Thessaloniki, he made comments regarding how the church had impacted the surrounding area, attributing this to the fact that:

…when you received the word of God which you heard from us, 

you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God… 

(1Thessalonians 2:13)

The question is: How do we receive the word of God? Is it in the same way that the church of Thessaloniki did or do we tend to change it into a creation of our own making? Our tendency is often to do similar to that expressed by Satan in Genesis when he said:

“…Has God indeed said?…”

(Genesis 3:1)

And we have been questioning God’s word ever since. Under Satan’s influence, Job questioned the faithfulness of God in Job chapter 2. A lying spirit was also sent forth to prophesy to Ahab in 2 Chronicles chapter 18, verses 20-22.

  In Matthew, Satan tried to alter God’s word against Christ when he tempted Him in the desert. Christ replied and defeated Satan by, in turn, saying these words:

…It is written… 

(Matthew 4:4,7,10)

In 2 Corinthians, Paul writes where Satan tried to throw him off track by manipulation and deceit.

…a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, 

lest I should be exalted above measure. 

(2 Corinthians 12:7) 

Similarly with two others:

[O]f whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered to Satan 

that they may learn not to blaspheme. 

(1Timothy 1:20)

It all goes back to that original question asked in Genesis whether or not God really said what He said and meant it. The Bible goes on to state that Satan is:

…a liar and the father of it. 

(John 8:44) 

And that he

…walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 

(1 Peter 5:8)

As a result he 

…deceives the whole world… 

(Revelation 12:9) 

and even after the millennium 

…will go out to deceive the nations… 

(Revelation 20:8)

One of the greatest deceptions of all may be in making us feel confident in our own abilities to the point that God is seemingly made irrelevant, just as His word is seemingly made to be unimportant. After all is said and done, however:

…the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. 

(1 Corinthians 3:19)

And

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of [true] wisdom, 

And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 

(Proverbs 9:10)

So, the knowledge of God and the understanding of Him only comes from His word, and the acceptance that His word is not the:

…word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God…

(1 Thessalonians 2:13)

Do you believe?

It is something to think about. 

 

Rev. Steve Webb May 12, 2024

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Books of Thessalonians Part 5

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - PAUL

                                                                                 

                                         PAUL

Paul is one of the main contributors to the New Testament. Previously known as Saul, he was a high ranking Jew, a member of the Sanhedrin, a Pharisee, and educated by Gamaliel, one of the leading Jewish teachers of his day. As Paul, himself, put it:

…If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 

circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, 

of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; 

concerning the law, a Pharisee; 

concerning zeal, persecuting the church; 

concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 

(Philippians 3:4-6)

As a Jew, Paul was obviously at his peak, but it was as a follower of Christ that he came to Macedonia and Thessalonica. He was trying to convince the same people that he had previously supported to change their belief and start following the very teaching he had previously condemned. In addition to this, however, Paul also had liabilities which had to be dealt with in his efforts to spread the gospel message in the cities to which he travelled.

Paul was accused of doing and being many things when he was trying to reach the people of Macedonia and he responded in a straightforward manner to these charges.*

He was accused of having a police record and of being untrustworthy as a result. He reported having “had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi.”**

He was implied as being delusional and of having motives that were not entirely pure and his response was that “our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness.”**

When there was an accusation of him deceiving others, he responded in a straightforward manner by stating that neither was he “nor was it [the gospel] in deceit.”**

If people accused him of preaching to please other men instead of God or to reap personal praise, he mentioned “we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel…not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or others.”**

And if one suggested that Paul was preaching only to get personal gain or to lord it over others, he stated that “[as] God is witness, neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness. But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.”**

In these few verses of Thessalonians, Paul relates the straightforward manner in which the gospel should be presented; without any reserve but with honesty and gentleness and with a measure of discipline as needed so that one “would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.”** 

These are statements which should give all of us something to think about.

*Adapted from “The Letters to the Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians” (The New Daily Study Bible) Barclay, William as reported in the Commentaries by David Guzak

 **All from 1Thessalonians Chapter 2 verses 1-10

Peter MacLaren May 5, 2024

Church Service

 

Please join us as we worship our Lord this Sunday May 5th at 6 PM at the Hillside Community Hall

Peter MacLaren will bring us a message from the Word of God.

Jasmine Trott will lead worship.

We will save you a seat.

Pastor Helen Christie

 

Pastor Helen Christie graduated to Heaven Tuesday April 30 2024.

Visitation will be held at Angus Funeral Home Friday May 03 from 6-8 PM. and funeral service at Christian Fellowship Church on Saturday, May 4 at 2 PM.

Come let us celebrate a life well lived.