1 Thessalonians
1. The church
In Thessalonica was planted during Paul and Silas’ trip and the new converts
made during this drip were predominately “…Greek men and quite a few prominent
women…,” along with a few Jews (Acts 17:1-4). Paul and Silas had to leave
suddenly (due to persecution) and this young church, who had gaps in there
faith (3:10), began facing persecution (1:6). The church is told to work hard
and not depend on others support so they will be a witness; we can imagine they
were becoming lazy and living off charity (4:11-12; 5:14). They are warned
about false teachers who teach a message pleasing to man; we can imagine false
teachers tried to lead them astray (1:4). They were dealing with sexual sin and
lust and reminded that “God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives”
(4:7). They had questions about death and resurrection and it is believed they
were experiencing the natural deaths of first generation Christians and
confused about what resurrection mean; thinking they missed it (4:13-511). Honoring
and respecting their leaders was stressed and they could have been struggling
with form of submission (5:12-13). They are commended for there faith (1:8),
living in a way that pleases the Lord (4:1-2), and loving all believers (4:10).
2. The main
idea of this epistle is “God’s will is for you to be holy…” (4:3) and looking
forward to resurrection with Christ (4:13-5:11). Paul says may God “…make you
holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept
blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen
for he who calls you is faithful” (5:23-24).
3. The
character & nature of God revealed in Thessalonians is meant to reveal
parts of the Lord that were vital to their walks with God. In facing
persecution they needed to know that God understood since he suffered death and
persecution himself (1:6), and that in the midst of this God has a plan and a
will (4:3). Amidst their questions and search for understanding concerning
death and resurrection they needed to understand that God is eternal and lives
“…forever” (1:17). They needed to
understand that unlike other pagan gods; God is not angry but “chose to save us
through our Lord Jesus Christ...” (5:9). So the message this church received
is: God is understanding and cares about us, He is sovereign and has a plan for
our lives, God is eternal and God loves me.
2
Thessalonians
1. In this
second letter to the church of Thessalonica they are still being persecuted and
suffering for the gospel (1:3-12). False
teachers continue to try to penetrate their church; especially by saying “…the
day of the Lord has already begun” (2:2). Because of these false teachers they
are starting to doubt their inclusion in Gods family; but are assured they will
be included since they “…believed…” what they were told about Jesus (1:10).
They have question about the end times (2:1-12), and also are again urged to
not be lazy (3:11-12) for “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat” (3:10).
2. The main
idea of this epistle is to “…never get tired of doing good” (3:13). They are admonished to “…stand firm and keep
a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you…” (2:15) Amidst persecution
and difficulty the church is encouraged to rest in God (1:7) and receive a gift
of “…patient endurance that comes from Christ” (3:5).
3. The
character & nature of God revealed in II Thessalonians reveals a God of
justice who “…will pay back those who persecute…” them (1:6). It shows a God
that will provide rest for those who are being persecuted (1:7). In the end
times God will be victorious and they are on Gods team; therefore they will be
victorious with Christ (1:7-2:15). “…The Lord is faithful; he will strengthen
you and guard you from the evil one” (3:2). This would have been an important
truth about God for this persecuted church. It is within God that we grow, gain
understanding, and learn to love (3:4-5).
Galatians acts
15:7-11
1. Galations was
written to a church made up of mostly former Jews who were being decieved
regarding the basis of their salavation (2:1-8) and the truth of the gospel
message (1:14). “You and I are Jews by birth, not ‘sinners’ like the Gentiles.
Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not
by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be
made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed
the law.For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law”
(1:15-16). They were believeing the lie
that through circumcision and following the law of Moses they would have salvation and Paul
passionately rebukes and corrects them. This is the biggest sin problem in the
church for the galation who were calling themseleves Christians but not
receiving the gift of Christ and living under the law. They were in legalism (4:10;5:19),
boasting in themselevs (6:14), not following the truth of the gospel (2:14;3:5-6;3:11;4:10;4:15;5:22),
and were loosing their joy and grateful spirits as a result of sumbmittig again
to the law (4:15).
2. The verse that
encompasses the theme of this powerful, timeless book is Galataions 5:1: “So
Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get
tied up again in slavery to the law.” A word often used is slave (slavery) and
an example is given about the son of Haggar (Ishmeal) and the son of Sarah
(Issac)(4:7;4:24-31). “Get rid of the
slave and her son, for the son of the slave women will not share the
inheritance with the free woman’s son” (4:30). Another word used often that
encompasses the theme is “believed.” “Abraham believed God, and God counted him
as righteous because of his , faith. The real children of Abraham then, are
those who put their faith in God” (3:2;3:5-7).
3. The character &
nature of God revealed in Galations is firstly Jesus as our mediator (3:19).
God is also shown as faithful, a covenant and promise keeper (3:26;4:6), the
source of freedom (4:12; 5:22), and humble and gentle (6:1). The attribute of
God most revealed though, his God as a Father. This church must have needed an
understanding of a loving Daddy . “For you are all children of God through
faith in Christ Jesus” (3:26). “…God sent his son, born of a woman, subject to
the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that
he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children,
God has sent the Spirit of his son into our hearts, prompting us to call out,
“Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since
you are a child, God has made you his heir” (4:4-7). So amazing to be called a
son of God and his heir! God longs for relationship and want to be our Daddy.
Philipians
1. The church in Philippi is proud of their citizenship as Romans; and are
urged to “Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves
in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ” (1:27, 3:20). They were
privlidged not just with citizenship, but wealthy and self-focused. They are
told not to be “…selfish… Be humble, thinking of others better than yourselves.
Don’t look only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too…”
(2:3-4). They are given an example of the humbleness and obedience of Christ
(2:5-11), are told not to put their confidence in their own efforts (3:3), they are not living like servants of Christ
(3:18-20), and there are disgreements in the church (4:2). They have many
strengths: they are generous with there
money (4:15), sharing in the burdens and suffering of Paul (4:15-16), and are
striving to put into practice what they’ve learned (4:9).
2. The main theme of Philipians is our citizenship as of heaven and the
conduct of our lifes and joy that results with this attidude. “…Live as
citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News
about Christ” (1:27). A word used often is “joy” or “rejoicing” as the attidude
we must have when we are citizens of heaven. “Always be full of joy in the
Lord. I say it again- rejoice” (4:4)!
3. The character and nature of God revealed in Philippians reveals that God
is: full of grace and peace (1:2), has
tender compassion (1:8), is delieverer (1:19),
has a will and a plan for us (2:19), is a perfect example of love
(2:28), is our father and we are his children (2:14), is strong and the giver
of strength (4:13-14). Two attributes I find most relevant to the church that
Paul highlights are the humbleness and faithfulness of God. “…He gave up his
divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a
human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to
God…” (2:7-8). The church was struggling with pride their status as Roman
citizens so this reality of the humbleness of God would have spurred them in
this. “…God, who began the good work
within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when
Christ Jesus returns” (1:6). The commitment and faithfulness of God to them
would speak volumns that God was holding them; they werent holding onto God or
making fruit happen in their lives.
Corinthians Acts 18-19
1. The
weaknesses of the church in Corinth are: living unholy (1:2), getting proud and
boasting in human knowledge and intelligence (1:5, 19, 21, 23, 24, 17, 25;
2:1,5; 3:18; 4:8-9), being controlled by sin (3:3), sexual sin and marriage
(5:1-2, 7), idol worship (10:14), eating food sacrificed to idols (8:1; 10:14),
disregarding the Lord’s supper ( ),
and the biggest of all is unity that’s hindering their love for one another
(11:18, 13). The strengths of the church are: longing to use their spiritual
gifts (13, 14), keeping Paul and other missionaries in there thoughts (11:2),
and their eagerness to give/
2. “Let love be
your highest goal!” This passage in 1 Corinthians 14:1 reveals the theme and
primary message of this book. A common command used is “love others” and is the
answer to the difficulties and disunity the church is facing (13:1-2). “…Love
will last forever… three things last forever- faith, hope and love- and the greatest
of these is love” (1:8;1:13). This theme of love is seen in 1 Corinthians.
3.
The character and nature of God that is highest revealed is His
definition of love; revealing to the church that in Him these characteristics
are found. “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud
of rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no
record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices
whenever the truth winds out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always
hopeful, and endures through every circumstance” (13:4-7). I just imagine the
church of Corinth replacing “love” with “God” and learning so much about his
character and nature. God also gives us victory over sin and death (15:56-57),
God is all powerful and in the highest authority (15:27), and God is holy and
commands the same of us (1:2-3).
II Corinthians
1. The second letter
written to the Corinthians was after Titus had delivered the first message and
informed Paul of the distention, false prophets attacking his character, and
pride of the church. He writes this second letter from Macedonia. The second
letter to the church of Corinth address their weaknesses of: disunity (6:14),
pride (3:1; 10:17, 11:30; 12:5,8), believing false teachers called “super
apostles” (11:4), selfishness and not caring for the poor (9:4-14), hardening
of their hearts towards other believers (6:12), not repenting and remaining in
sexual sin (12:21), turning away from God (6:1;12:21). The churches strengths
has been an eagerness to give (9:2).
2. The theme of
II Corinthians
3. The
character & nature of God revealed in II Corinthians is that God is
encouraging. “…God, who encourages those who are discouraged…” (7:6). God is
gentile and kind (10:1), God is jealous for his people (11:2). These attributes
of God displayed would be meaningful to the church of Corinth because it would
help lead them to repentance to know God cares. It’s the kindness of God that
leads up to repentance and in their pride God uses his encouragement and
gentleness to lead them to himself.
Romans
1. “I am
writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own
holy people” (1:7) The book of Romans was written to all the believers in Rome;
Jew believers and gentile believers. There was division between the two and
Paul’s aim is to unify them over Christ. “May God, who gives this patience and
encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting
for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one
voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”
(15:5-6). There weaknesses are: dishonoring talk (2:13), judging others
(2:2-3), living by their sinful nature (8:12), pride (11:25), disunity (12:16),
favoritism (2:11), not showing genuine love (12:9), being lazy (12:11), and
accepting false teachers (1:8;1:12). There strength was their commendable faith
in God (1:8,12).
2. A main theme
of Romans is righteousness in Christ through faith; regardless of Jew or
Gentile. “There is only God, and he makes people right with himself only by
faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles” (3:30). A common word used in Romans
is “faith” and the scriptures says “Because of our faith God has brought us
into this place of undeserved priviledge where we now stand, and we confidently
and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory (5:2). These ideas of
righteousness and faith would spur believers to be unified in their striving.
3. “Don’t you
see how wonderfully kind, patient, and tolerant God is with you?...can’t you
see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin” (2:4). This is the
most important nature of God displayed; His kindness that leads people into relationship
with him .Other attributes of God seen in Romans are: the creator (1:20), the
truth (1:25), the sovereignty (7), judging (2:1), righteousness (2:5), his
hatred for selfish living (2:8), his mercy and undeserved kindness (3:24), his
glory (5:2), his great sacrificial love (5:5), his forgiveness and heart of
grace (5:15), he is father (8:15-17), he is friend (5:11), and he is rich in
wisdom and knowledge (11:33).
Colossians
1. “Since God
chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourself with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility,
gentleness, and patience” (3:12). This verses reveals Paul’s desire for the church
to have love and unity together in the Spirit of Christ. The churches weakness’
are: a shaky foundation in Gods truth (1:6; 1:23), being deceived by false
teachers (2:2-4), focusing on their current circumstances (3:1), sexual
immorality, greediness, idolatry, anger, slander, lying (3:5-10), and
submission and marriage (3:18). Dispite all this Paul does commend them for “Living
as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong” (2:5).
2. The main
theme of Colossians is Christ and this new reality that believers have when
Christ is Lord. “For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body”
(2:9).
3. The
character and nature of God revealed in Colossians focuses mainly on the deity of
Christ (2:9). This attribute of Christ’s deity would have been important to the
Colossians because it is the basic foundation of faith in Jesus and a truth
they needed.
Ephesians
1.
The weaknesses of the Church of Ephesus were:
division (2:14-16; 4:1-17), lack of holiness (5:22), child rearing and marriage
(5:22-6:10; 4:31-32), dealing with conflict (6:10-29), and unity (4:17). The
Ephesians were living in a intense idol worshipping and pleasure seeking city
and were being discipled by the letter to come into a new identity and new way
of relating with a God that loves them.
2.
The theme of Ephesians is identity as a child of
God and modeling this new life. We have a new identity and calling (1:3), and
we are dead to sin and raised with Christ in “…heavenly places” (2:6). This new
calling births a desire in us to love God and obey him (4:1; 7:10). The word “glory”
is repeated many times in Ephesians (1:6; 12; 14) and a picture of the church
being without “spot or wrinkle” (5:27)
3.
God is revealed as a loving father who adopts us
as his own and makes us heirs. The quality of God would have been so different
from any other god they had tried to serve or please. God is also shown to be:
rich in mercy (2:4), abounding in love
(2:10), the amazing creator, full of grace, has plans for us, has all
wisdom and knowledge (1:17), is faithful (1:1), full of forgiveness and grace
(1:6-7), and a husband (5:25).
