Fourthstream

Each letter coming from Jesus’ apostles reflected the heart and challenges of specific groups of believers. Though the Gospel of the Kingdom was one message, it was taking root in endless hearts and cultures – just as it is today.

Paul traveled from the Thessalonians to the city of Corinth. It was in his heart to take the Gospel message to every part of the earth. Through the Holy Spirit, God had graciously and specifically guided Paul into his mission. The Good News was exploding – one family, one people-group at a time. This is the nature of the Kingdom. Jesus said it was like a growing seed (Matthew 13:31,32). There are those who plant seeds, some water crops, but it is God Who gives growth! (1 Corinthians 3:6)

We have considered James, Galatians, and Thessalonians. James was all about the purity of what it meant to follow God. Paul cared for the Galatians by protectively guiding them through the challenges endemic to their region. In Thessalonians Paul reveals his heart for the growing, hope-filled faith of this church. In Corinthians Paul will tackle some serious growth challenges for a truly Roman (non-Jewish) community.

1 and 2 Corinthians are filled with huge insights about what it means to live out the wisdom of God within our own lives. Whatever century, whatever country, whatever tribe – the call remains the same. Will you honor me as the King of your life? Will you dedicate yourself to building my Kingdom? Can you set aside what comes naturally and embrace living beyond yourself? Do factions and divisive people seduce you?

Enjoy!
Dave

Your guide to 1 & 2 Corinthians
A realistic Faith Song

You can find our conversation on 1 Thessalonians in our Launch from Antioch post.

2nd Thessalonians is filled with encouragement for Christ-followers in tough times. Their faith was expanding and satan was working hard to diffuse their focus through fear. Apparently someone had decided to claim that what Paul had taught them about the Day of Lord was incorrect – or miss-timed. While others were attempting to twist the truth and replace these faithful believer’s hope with fear, Paul encourages them toward what is known to be true. He appeals to Daniel the prophet as well as Jesus‘ words in Matthew 24 to debunk this unsettling teaching, and to help the Thessalonians to remain lazer-focused as they lived out the truth.

While this course-correction takes about a quarter of the book, the Thessalonians are reminded about living hopeful, disciplined lives. It appears that living lazy as a believer is not valued by God. It is all about living intentionally. By and large these followers were industrious in their lives and in their faith. Paul wants to preserve this powerful combination.

How many times in history has deception and discouragement from our adversary slowed or even stopped His followers? It is easy to become distracted. Check this out:

“If we are going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things – praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting with our friends over a pint and a game of darts – not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They might break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.”

– C.S. Lewis on living in an atomic age (1948)

Very interesting…

A good awakening song
A look at future events

I am who I am from Fourthstream on Vimeo.

True justice is an interesting proposition. Search the world’s data and you will find perspectives too many to count about what real justice is. Justice is truly in the eye of the beholder.

But as we search God’s Word we find specific guidance which not only defines justice – but places it where it belongs – in the hands of God.

First – we we all made from one.

“and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’  – Acts 17:26-28

Also, as I wrote about on page 138 of Mentored by God, true justice will be accompanied by kindness and humility.

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you – but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”  – Micah 6:8

Added to this, we apparently can count on God to make everything just – even if we have to wait in hope as we endure much injustice.

“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”  – Revelation 22:12-13

So my prescription for what is just involves evaluation of what I observe based upon the levels and relationship of justice, kindness, and humility of any given situation or person(s). It brings me clarity and contributes to my own satisfied mind.

Peace be upon your heart and home, my friend.
Dave & Burnadette

 

Are you finding it hard to experience self-motivation right now? This is not a new human issue (surprise!) As the Good News of Jesus explodes to the entire world there are three movements, all based upon the life-changing Coming of the Son of God. The first begins in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (the beginning of harvest gathering) and covers chapters 1-12. Peter is central to this eyewitness mobilization, and personally makes a huge transition in chapters 10-12. His Jewish mind would have trouble getting this – but the Good News of Jesus was not merely for the Jews, it was for the Gentile nations as well. The Good News comes to the Gentiles via Peter (10:23-48) and Peter reports to his companions in Jerusalem what has happened. He is then arrested and released by an angel, while James (brother of John and disciple of Jesus) is killed by Herod (12:20-24). The letters of James (the brother of Jesus) and Galatians (from Paul) were much needed roots for establishing the Kingdom in the world.

Next Paul emerges among the apostles as chief proponent for launching the Kingdom message beyond the Jewish community and into the Gentile nations. Paul makes a decided pivot in 13:44-52. You will notice there were Jews who troubled Paul at every turn. They were part of the diaspora, or those who were dispersed into all the nations of the world – just as the Jews are today (apart from those who began returning to the Beautiful Land in 1948).

From Antioch are launched several “missionary journeys.” Now there was a Jerusalem effort and another to the north in Antioch.  One was Jewish in focus, the other Gentile. It is important to note Paul’s heart for the Gentiles eclipsed his concern for his own position or safety. It has taken him a decade to transition from a zealot among Jews who persecuted Christians to a man who answered to no one but God’s Son Jesus – Whom he had met on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). What began in 13:44 would now continue to the ends of the earth – just as Jesus had promised (John 10:16). Rather than viewing these merely as destination in nature, it would be good to note that from beginning to end Paul was following Jesus’ own relational message of the Kingdom. These new churches were filled with sincere, vibrant disciples of the Kingdom. Paul and Peter viewed them as family.

It is here we encounter the letters to the Thessalonians. While James and Galatians are targeted to the church emerging from Jerusalem, Thessalonians was Antioch to the core.

Deeper in Thessalonians
A Hopeful Song
A Dave Teaching on Thessalonians