Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Books of Thessalonians Part 17

Brad & Laurie Eagles

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - TRADITIONS

TRADITIONS

Paul, in his second letter to the Thessalonians, made this statement: 

…stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught…

(2 Thessalonians 2:15)

We all seem to follow our own traditions. Each culture or society seems to have its own way of doing things and from which there seems to be no real departure from that pre-established practice. For example, a church service tends to have the same order of service, type of music, length of message, etc., and all of this done in the same allotted period of time. We tend to wear the same type of clothes (our “Sunday clothes), sit in the same seats, talk to the same people, and have the same ancillary events - youth groups, men’s or women’s events, special speakers, Bible studies, etc. And often all this is done to make those sitting in the pews feel content. There often seems to be more emphasis on the mode of service than the content of what is being said.

As a result, each body has traditions which they tend to follow. But really, all these activities that we do and follow are actually traditions of man and not of God. And we are warned about following the traditions or doctrines of man.

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, 

“Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, 

but eat bread with unwashed hands?”

He answered and said to them, 

“Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, 

as it is written:

‘This people honours Me with their lips,

But their heart is far from Me.

and in vain they worship Me,

Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

(Mark 7:5-7)

The traditions spoken of by Paul were not those which seem to divide a church and appear to authenticate one denomination over another but rather those basic truths sent down from one generation to another and on which the foundation of the faith rested. The life, death, and resurrection of Christ, the unchanging relationship between God and man, and the righteousness that won’t fade or wear away are the traditions that we should be focused on and not the church traditions that have been devised by ourselves.

At the very least, it is something we should be thinking about.

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Books of Thessalonians Part 16

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - LOVERS

LOVERS

The Bible states: 

that in the last days perilous times will come: 

For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money…

…[and[ lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God 

(2 Timothy 3:1-2,4)

In addition, Scripture goes on to say that people will be…

…boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, 

unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers… 

…despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty…

…[and] denying [God’s] power.

(2 Timothy 3:2-5)

These things apparently come about as people turn away from God and rely more on their own desires and instincts. As a result, Scripture notes that:

Professing to be wise, they became fools…

…For this reason God gave them up to vile passions…

…[and] God gave them over to a debased mind…

…being filled with unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, 

covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit… 

…[they are] backbiters, haters of God, violet, proud, boasters…

…unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 

who, knowing the righteous judgement of God, 

that those who practice such things are deserving of death, 

not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. 

(Romans 1:22,26,28-32)

If one considers what is said above carefully, it is not hard to see how much of this can be applied to the present leadership we have in the world today; and when you add to the above the warnings mentioned in Matthew 24:

And you will hear of wars and rumours of wars. 

See that you are not troubled;

for all these things must come to pass,

…nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 

And there will be famines, pestilences and earthquakes…

…many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.

Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.

And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 

(Matthew 24:6-7,10-12)

With all of this in evidence, along with the present state of the world, is it not hard to believe that this planet may well be approaching a turning point unlike any we have seen before. Unless some drastic change occurs in the minds of our leaders, this world seems destined to the end foretold years ago in Scripture. Furthermore, Scripture goes on to say:

…this gospel of the kingdom will be preached 

in all the world as a witness to all the nations, 

and then the end will come. 

(Matthew 24:14)

As this can now be done with ease, thus, when combined with the statements above is it not prudent to be expectant of what might shortly lie ahead? Are we actually in those times spoken of in Scripture? If we have done as Christ commanded, we should have no long lasting concern. After all, it was Christ Himself who said:

See that you are not troubled…

…[for] he who endures to the end shall be saved.

(Matthew 24:6,13)

All in all, this is certainly something to think about. 

   

 

Fred Jeffries July 21, 2024

Fred Jeffries July 21, 2024 (youtube.com)

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Books of Thessalonians Part 15