hey y'all please be in prayer for my family.. please pray for my brother he's outta Gods will and just moved far away from us and we rrly miss him. he's been lying a lot to us and he's just not doing well spiritually.
please pray ghetto finds his way back to the Lord and get back in his will!
Christian, be perfect for the Lord Jesus Christ and work hard. I will pray that the Lord will give you strength and will to finish your work everytime you get it.
May God Almighty in the third Heaven bless you and you're family.
1 Thessalonians 4:13 - But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
The word sorrow is the word grieve. Even as others which have no hope. So that was the question. In this text, Paul deals with answering what happens to the people who have died before Christ comes back. That's the issue. 1 Corinthians 15:50-54, he deals with the people who are on the earth when the Lord comes back.
But Paul's emphasis here is not the people who are remaining on the earth when the Lord comes back, but those who have died because these people are grieving, thinking that their friends and loved ones who have died are going to miss the Lord's coming because they're dead.
So here he deals with those in the grave. In 1 Corinthians 15:50-54 he deals with those who are on the face of the earth when the Lord comes back. We have two groups of people. But here he says I would not have you to be ignorant, concerning them which are asleep, that you grieve not, even as non-believers that don't have hope. And that's what they were grieving over.
Sleep in reference to death in the bible is a reference to physical death. The reason for this is because the word death sounds too permanent. The believers always said that the physical body was sleeping, and that it was just temporary.
But then there are groups that began to spread the doctrine of soul sleep. They said that when you die, your body and your soul sleep. And they put you into the ground and you sleep there until God comes back. Well, the problem with that is that the word sleep in reference to death is never a reference to the soul. It's always a reference to the physical body. Also, in 2 Corinthians 5:8, he says we are confident I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Paul says he would rather go be with the Lord, but for them he would stay.
1 Thessalonians 4:11 - And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
And that you study to be quiet. Interesting, the Old English word (study) is the word for ambition or set a goal. Your goal should be to be quiet. James, in James Chapter 1 said be quick to hear and slow to speak and slow to anger. You have to be careful with the people that always want to talk, even though they don't have anything to say. The bible says that we should be quick to listen but slow to speak, and slow to anger. So, he says make it your goal to be quiet.
And then it says to do your own business. The word do is the word PRASSO. This word means to practice. Practice your own business.
1 Thessalonians 4:12 - That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
That you may walk honestly toward them that are without (non-believers), that you would be representative of responsible people who are studying and learning to increase more and more in the love of Christ, who are turning more toward being quiet than being loud, who are minding their own business, who are working with their own hands, so that those non-believers we work with and live around can see the proper representation of a believer's life.
Secondly: and that you may have lack of nothing. The word lack is the word need. Work with your own hands. Make sure that you have no need. One of the most embarrassing moments for believers is to find themselves spending their money irresponsibly and then becoming discouraged and lazy about going to work because their debts are so deep and then have to turn to the non-believing relatives for help.
At the same time, they're telling the non-believing relatives that they are lost. But the non-believing relatives are looking and saying "Well, I'm lost but I can take care of my own household. You're coming to me." And it's a false representation!
1 Thessalonians 4:5 - Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
Not with the lust of concupiscence, which is literally the passion of lust in the Greek. Not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who do not know God:
1 Thessalonians 4:7 - For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
And again, the word holiness is the word for sanctification. God has called us out of uncleanness and into sanctification. Sanctification is not a performance. It's a position. That's very important. By holiness, this word is positional. I have been set apart. And now I'm to learn how to possess my vessel in sanctification and honor because it is the temple of God.
1 Thessalonians 4:9 - But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
But as touching, or concerning brotherly love, and that's the word PHILADELPHIA. It's the word for family love. Now concerning brotherly love, you need not that I write unto you: for you yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
The term taught of God is one Greek word that means God-taught. That's literally how it's translated. What Paul is making reference to is that man doesn't learn to love by other people teaching them. That's not in the scriptures. Galatians 5:22 tells us that Agape love is a fruit of God's Spirit. God Himself is love.
1 Thessalonians 4:10 - And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;
The emphasis in the Greek text is not all of Macedonia, but the whole region of Macedonia.
1 Thessalonians 4:3 - For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
First of all, he says, for this is the will of God, even your sanctification. The word sanctification means to be set apart, to be taken out of a group and be put over on the side. That happens when God's Spirit comes into a person's spirit. That person is now set apart and belongs to Christ.
It's kind of interesting because all these words, the holy in Holy Spirit, and the word sanctification are all from the same word. The Holy Spirit comes into my life and sets my life apart for Christ. I now belong to Christ. 1 Corinthians 6:19 says that not only did Jesus die for my sins, but He purchased me, and I am not my own, and that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. I've been purchased!
It is God's will that I be sanctified and I am. Now he's saying learn how to walk in that sanctification. You can't walk in and out of sanctification.
You see, our problem is that we don't understand sanctification. We don't understand that God now owns us, and He has set us apart for His purposes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, because as soon as we get out of church, we go out and do what we want to do. We want to live life like everybody else does. And God's word says it doesn't work that way. God's will is your sanctification, your setting apart for Him.
The word fornication is the Greek word PORNEA. It's where we get the word pornography from. Also, it's where the word prostitution comes from. It is sexual immorality. Abstain from sexual immorality. Again, in 1 Corinthians Chapter 6, Paul explains about that and says that your body is now the temple of the Holy Spirit. How do you take the temple of God and join it to a harlot? You can't. You'll be destroying yourself. You're sanctified, set apart!
1 Thessalonians 3:11 - Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, may He direct our way unto you. That's what is called the Optative Mood. It's a wish, a hope. Now may God bring us in your direction.
1 Thessalonians 3:12 - And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
The word love in the bible, again is the word AGAPE. It is a word that is from the biblical standpoint specifically attached to God. The verb form is found even in society back then, to love the world. In fact, 1 John 2:15 says love not the world, neither the things in the world. That's the verb form AGAPAO.
But the noun AGAPE is only designated for God. God is love. That's our definition of AGAPE. And we see later on that Paul is going to commend them for being God-taught to love, that God teaches them from within. But AGAPE love is a concern about people's spiritual welfare, and willing to sacrifice and lay down your life, whatever it takes for that person's welfare.
So, he prays the scope, the dimension of their love would increase and abound towards one another and towards all men.
1 Thessalonians 3:13 - To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
The word holiness is the word sanctification which means to be set apart and we see that in Chapter 4. In setting apart before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all of His saints.
Again, Paul is looking forward. When Paul ministered to people, he was always concerned about a believer's faith, that they lived by faith and didn't need the human resources and the feelings and all the different things in order to make it through life. And secondly, that they would be mature and complete at the coming of Christ.
Prayer to get through my homework assignment, and ask that I have prayer for protection from things coming against me and all of my family members I pray for daily and often. I ask that I complete my homework and ask that I do not have to be hindard all the way though. I ask that I complete my homework before today is over. I ask that I have all the help to complete the assignment more than I can ask. I ask for all of these things in Lord Jesus Christ Name, amen.
Godforbid: yea,letGodbetrue, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightestbejustified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
Are we responsible to know the Bible ourselves ? ?
John 5:39
Searchthescriptures; for inthem ye think ye have eternal life: andthey arethey which testify of me.
The biggest liar in the world is the devil himself as Satan.
John 8:44
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is aliar, and the father of it.
There will be people with great education and decrees and will look very rightous , but deceive many .
Ephesians 4:14
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait todeceive;
Deception is only going to get worse and we are living in it right now.
2 Timothy 3:13
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and beingdeceived.
If we can't trust man , then who do we trust ? ? Most people will say " I trust Jesus Christ ". But how ? ?
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trustin theLordwith all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
We all have to trust God in His word.
Ephesians 1:13
In whom ye alsotrusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Now, after you have trusted God, where do you go from here ? ?
2 Timothy 2:15
Studytoshew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth nottobe ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Really really interesting stories brother, that leave a feeling to me that I am a lazy christian.
It is true that my church, which has a large number of branches all over Greece , but not too large in population, and in few countries abroad has the philoshopy of "save your house first". There has been some mission work in Africa more than 15 years ago but that effort was abandoned after a few years as not much successful, not worth the time and money to keep going any more. Mainly now our focus is in our close neighborhood, usually in countries north of Greece, but nothing really much has yet to succeed. but there are other churces like the Evangelicals that do a lot of work in those places. As I said the attention is in "our house". Maybe wrong but this is how it goes here. As you have realized from your missions in Europe, people in this continent tend to be apathetic, they don't want to have much to do with God. And this is also occuring lately even in countries with a strong Roman Catholic and Orthodox culture, still not as much as in the protestant regions of Europe. It is really funy that christianity mainly draws back exactly in those places where it flourished after the dark ages. Strange, isn't it? It is must be the apostacy that Paul talks about in his epistle to Thessalonians. By the way I am a Thessalonian. I was born and grew up in that city but have moved to my wife's mothercity later on.
Here in Greece we know all the stories about the genoside of the Armenians by the Turks at that time. Nowadays there is a large community of Armenians here in Greece since both nations share an Eastern Orthodox christian origin. but there are also many reborn Armenians. I know there are many reborn congregations in Armenia, too. Very peaceful nation I must admit, very peaceful and calm people. I admire the Armenian women. It must had been them that Paul had in mind when he was writing his epistles. Joke, but not far from truth.
The modern Turks are also different from their ancestors. Nowadays thousands of us go there and thousands of them come here just for travelling and holidays, mainly summer holidays. They are described as nice, warm people with a very strong feeling of hospitality but a bit fanatics about their religion and nation. I sometimes pray that God opens their eyes to see the truth. There also many christian congregations there.
Well these are some details from me. Thanks for your posts brother, I enjoyed them, but aso left me sad about me not doing something similar. But everybody has to go according to their gift from God and the measure of faith He has given to anyone. But we need people to go all over the world to spread the gospel. Here we pray to God to rise people like the apostles, strong not only in speech but in power as well. Jesus was telling to the Jews that "I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me." ( John 8:18). How? "... for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me." ( John 6:36). if the ancient people who were easy to believe in myths had to see miracles to believe and we see how the gospel was spread to the world in those early ages through miracles and signs, how about modern people who are proud of their knowledge about everything? Not much will be done if God doesn't recomment His people. We desperately need God's actions. And we have messages from God that it will not go much more before He will act as in the ancient church. I want to believe that this is not the desire of our hearts and our imagination but true messages from God. I pray that God lights a fire in every nation on earth.
Lastly brother, you haven't tired me at all, on the contrary I was expecting more. it is like you are eating a nice meal and keep wanting more and more. Maybe some time you will tell us about your missions in India.
When we work, we earn a salary for what we did, if we are not a believer, then we are going to be judged by our salary of sins.
Romans 6:23
For thewagesofsinis death; but the giftofGod is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Apostle Paul was a Pharisee that was well educated in Hebrew and Greek. Apostle Paul was a blasphemer and had Jews killed for believing in Jesus, but he did it ignorantly.
1 Timothy 1:13
Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly inunbelief.
Jesus Christ died on the cross for all our sins , why are we praying repentance for our sins for Salvation , when He took all our sins and washed it with His own blood. We are calling God a lier if we repent of our sins for Salvation. Repentance is changing our minds in the direction of God.
Colossians 2:13
And you, being dead in yoursins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven youalltrespasses;
Jesus Christ died for all our sins for our Salvation by just believing.
1 Corinthians 15:3
For I delivered unto you first ofallthat which I also received, how that Christ died foroursinsaccording to the scriptures;
Jesus Christ didn't come to save the righteous, He came to save sinners.
1 Timothy 1:15
This is a faithful saying, and worthy ofallacceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to savesinners; of whom I am chief.
Now we need to know, what do we believe for Salvation for today ? ?
We have to believe the gospel that Jesus Christ gave to Apostle Paul in his Epistles. 1 Christian 15:1-4 gospel
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed ofthegospelof Christ: for it isthepower of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; totheJew first, and also totheGreek.
May we all believe and put aside Unbelief ! !
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 the gospel for today by just believing
And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast intohellfire.
Where is hell now ? ?
Proverbs 15:24
The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart fromhellbeneath.
Hell was inlarged when Jesus Christ took out all the Saints in Paradise .
Luke 16:26
And beside all this, between us and you there is a greatgulffixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
Apostle Paul was caught up in the spirit and saw paradise.
2 Corinthians 12:4
How that he was caught up intoparadise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Now we have to worry about death and hell being cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:14
Anddeathandhellwere cast into the lake of fire. This is the seconddeath.
May we all believe that's there a hell in the center of earth where it's very hot .
A Gentile is definitely not called a unsaved person. A Gentile is a none physical Jew living on this planet earth. According to God in Heaven, we have the Jews and we have the rest of the people that are Gentiles living on this earth. Jews are part of the Twelve Tribes of Israel .
Genesis 49:28
All these are thetwelvetribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.
The Gentiles never had the Law in the Old Testament.
Romans 2:14
For when theGentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Because the Gentiles did not believe in God in the Old Testament, they were called blasphemy.
Romans 2:24
For the name of God is blasphemed among theGentiles through you, as it is written.
The Gentiles had there own righteousness.
Romans 9:30
What shall we say then? That theGentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
Jesus Christ called the Gentiles dogs.
Matthew 15:27
And she said, Truth, Lord: yet thedogseat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.
Because the fall of Israel, the Gentiles are blessed with the gospel of grace.
Romans 11:11
I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto theGentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
The Gentiles now has the gospel.
Romans 15:16
That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to theGentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of theGentilesmight be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
What day should we worship God in the church ? ? Is it Saturday or Sunday ? ? Some people will be shocked to find out that we were wrong all theses years.
God rested on Saturday, it's that our worship day ? ?
Genesis 2:2
And on the seventh dayGodended his work which he had made; and herestedon the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
Did Apostle Paul collected a offering on the first day of the week. Does that mean we should go to church of Sunday ? ?
1 Corinthians 16:2
Uponthefirstdayoftheweeklet every oneofyou lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, thatthere be no gatherings when I come.
We know that Jesus Christ died for all our sins and rose the third day, but do we really know it was Sunday ? ?
1 Corinthians 15:4
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Today, there's is not a date or time to worship Jesus Christ. Everyone should worship Jesus Christ every second, every minute, everyday and every year in the Godhead.
John 4:24
Godis a Spirit: and they thatworshiphim mustworshiphim in spirit and in truth.
May we remember that the church is the body of Christ in us.
Colossians 1:24
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behindofthe afflictionsofChrist in my flesh for hisbody's sake, which is thechurch:
Should we look at Apostle Paul as a Angel of God ? ?
Galatians 4:14
And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus
Apostle Paul might not be a angel , but he was the hardest working Apostle in history and we had the Twelve Apostles for the Jews.
1 Corinthians 15:9-10
9For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
10But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
We that are saved will be judging angels.
1 Corinthians 6:3
Know ye not that we shall judgeangels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
The only angel to be careful of is Satan himself.
2 Corinthians 11:14
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into anangelof light.
All Apostle Paul wants us to do is follow the gospel of grace in his Epistles.
Philippians 1:7
Even as it is meet for me to think thisofyou all, because I have you in my heart; in as much as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmationofthegospel, ye all are partakersofmygrace
May we know the Gospel of Grace in Apostle Paul's epistle.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Angels in Heaven believe that the Gospel of Grace is true for Salvation.
Should we baptize a baby ? ? I got baptized as a baby and don't remember it and didn't understand it . As a grown man, I got baptized twice, but I was still confused why we had to do it. The church told me it wasn't for Salvation, it's a membership and an example of Jesus Christ resurrection.
1 Corinthians 1:17
For Christ sent me not tobaptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made ofnoneeffect.
Jesus Christ only baptized his disciples only.
John 4:2
(ThoughJesushimselfbaptizednot, but his disciples,)
The baptism of Moses was not water, the Jews walk the sea on dry land.
1 Corinthians 10:2
And were allbaptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
Apollos only knew the Baptist of John. John baptized in water .
Acts 18:25
Thismanwas instructed in thewayofthe Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the thingsofthe Lord, knowing only the baptismofJohn
My question is, why are we baptizing a baby when they don't understand. I don't believe that Jesus Christ was baptize as a baby ?
Romans 6:3
Know ye not, that so many of us as werebaptizedintoJesusChrist werebaptizedinto his death?
Today, we are baptized by the Holy Spirit, the minute we believe the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 .
1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we allbaptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
May we all believe that baptism is in the Holy Spirit by believing the gospel of grace.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
The Holy Spirit baptized me into Christ Jesus by believing the gospel.
For mythoughtsare not yourthoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith theLord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and mythoughtsthan yourthoughts.
The believer should use scriptures to back up scriptures and try not to use our thoughts as much as possible.
2 Corinthians 10:5
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity everythoughtto the obedience of Christ;
We are getting closer to Noah's days with evil thoughts continually.
Genesis 6:5
And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of thethoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Not everyone is going to know the Bible and also know the Hebrew and Greek to translate the words.
1 Corinthians 8:2
And if any manthinkthat he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
If we think we know it all, it could make us fall .
1 Corinthians 10:12
Wherefore let him thatthinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
If we think we are something when we are nothing , we deceive ourselves.
Galatians 6:3
For if a manthinkhimself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Apostle Paul tells us what we should be thinking .
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,thinkon these things.
May we all think about the gospel of grace for Salvation.
Thanking the Lord for a new job (anxious, one colleague seems quite difficult, pray for good start), please also pray for peace in relationships, to follow the Lord's call, pray for teenager K (suicidal thoughts, sleep deprived, emotional struggles), pray for H (spasm), A (salvation, deliverance), pray for our church (unity, strong anointing, to pray fervently, preach the Gospel + live in a manner pleasing to the Lord). Asking for extra strong protection and breakthrough for us and all in need.
Lord Jesus please richly bless, protect and guide them. Please help them in accordance with your perfect will Father. Thank you and praise you. In your holy name I pray. Amen.
Lord Jesus please richly bless, protect and guide them. Please help them in accordance with your perfect will Father. Thank you and praise you. In your holy name I pray. Amen.
please pray ghetto finds his way back to the Lord and get back in his will!
love y'all! and thank you!
please help my brother he's far away and outta your will please help him, forgive him and help him.i miss him big!!!!!
love you!
amen!!
y'all please be in prayer!!
May God Almighty in the third Heaven bless you and you're family.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
The gospel of grace
1 Thessalonians 4:13 - But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
The word sorrow is the word grieve. Even as others which have no hope. So that was the question. In this text, Paul deals with answering what happens to the people who have died before Christ comes back. That's the issue. 1 Corinthians 15:50-54, he deals with the people who are on the earth when the Lord comes back.
But Paul's emphasis here is not the people who are remaining on the earth when the Lord comes back, but those who have died because these people are grieving, thinking that their friends and loved ones who have died are going to miss the Lord's coming because they're dead.
So here he deals with those in the grave. In 1 Corinthians 15:50-54 he deals with those who are on the face of the earth when the Lord comes back. We have two groups of people. But here he says I would not have you to be ignorant, concerning them which are asleep, that you grieve not, even as non-believers that don't have hope. And that's what they were grieving over.
Sleep in reference to death in the bible is a reference to physical death. The reason for this is because the word death sounds too permanent. The believers always said that the physical body was sleeping, and that it was just temporary.
But then there are groups that began to spread the doctrine of soul sleep. They said that when you die, your body and your soul sleep. And they put you into the ground and you sleep there until God comes back. Well, the problem with that is that the word sleep in reference to death is never a reference to the soul. It's always a reference to the physical body. Also, in 2 Corinthians 5:8, he says we are confident I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Paul says he would rather go be with the Lord, but for them he would stay.
1 Thessalonians 4:11 - And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
And that you study to be quiet. Interesting, the Old English word (study) is the word for ambition or set a goal. Your goal should be to be quiet. James, in James Chapter 1 said be quick to hear and slow to speak and slow to anger. You have to be careful with the people that always want to talk, even though they don't have anything to say. The bible says that we should be quick to listen but slow to speak, and slow to anger. So, he says make it your goal to be quiet.
And then it says to do your own business. The word do is the word PRASSO. This word means to practice. Practice your own business.
1 Thessalonians 4:12 - That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
That you may walk honestly toward them that are without (non-believers), that you would be representative of responsible people who are studying and learning to increase more and more in the love of Christ, who are turning more toward being quiet than being loud, who are minding their own business, who are working with their own hands, so that those non-believers we work with and live around can see the proper representation of a believer's life.
Secondly: and that you may have lack of nothing. The word lack is the word need. Work with your own hands. Make sure that you have no need. One of the most embarrassing moments for believers is to find themselves spending their money irresponsibly and then becoming discouraged and lazy about going to work because their debts are so deep and then have to turn to the non-believing relatives for help.
At the same time, they're telling the non-believing relatives that they are lost. But the non-believing relatives are looking and saying "Well, I'm lost but I can take care of my own household. You're coming to me." And it's a false representation!
1 Thessalonians 4:5 - Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
Not with the lust of concupiscence, which is literally the passion of lust in the Greek. Not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who do not know God:
1 Thessalonians 4:7 - For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
And again, the word holiness is the word for sanctification. God has called us out of uncleanness and into sanctification. Sanctification is not a performance. It's a position. That's very important. By holiness, this word is positional. I have been set apart. And now I'm to learn how to possess my vessel in sanctification and honor because it is the temple of God.
1 Thessalonians 4:9 - But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
But as touching, or concerning brotherly love, and that's the word PHILADELPHIA. It's the word for family love. Now concerning brotherly love, you need not that I write unto you: for you yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
The term taught of God is one Greek word that means God-taught. That's literally how it's translated. What Paul is making reference to is that man doesn't learn to love by other people teaching them. That's not in the scriptures. Galatians 5:22 tells us that Agape love is a fruit of God's Spirit. God Himself is love.
1 Thessalonians 4:10 - And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;
The emphasis in the Greek text is not all of Macedonia, but the whole region of Macedonia.
1 Thessalonians 4:3 - For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
First of all, he says, for this is the will of God, even your sanctification. The word sanctification means to be set apart, to be taken out of a group and be put over on the side. That happens when God's Spirit comes into a person's spirit. That person is now set apart and belongs to Christ.
It's kind of interesting because all these words, the holy in Holy Spirit, and the word sanctification are all from the same word. The Holy Spirit comes into my life and sets my life apart for Christ. I now belong to Christ. 1 Corinthians 6:19 says that not only did Jesus die for my sins, but He purchased me, and I am not my own, and that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. I've been purchased!
It is God's will that I be sanctified and I am. Now he's saying learn how to walk in that sanctification. You can't walk in and out of sanctification.
You see, our problem is that we don't understand sanctification. We don't understand that God now owns us, and He has set us apart for His purposes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, because as soon as we get out of church, we go out and do what we want to do. We want to live life like everybody else does. And God's word says it doesn't work that way. God's will is your sanctification, your setting apart for Him.
The word fornication is the Greek word PORNEA. It's where we get the word pornography from. Also, it's where the word prostitution comes from. It is sexual immorality. Abstain from sexual immorality. Again, in 1 Corinthians Chapter 6, Paul explains about that and says that your body is now the temple of the Holy Spirit. How do you take the temple of God and join it to a harlot? You can't. You'll be destroying yourself. You're sanctified, set apart!
1 Thessalonians 3:11 - Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, may He direct our way unto you. That's what is called the Optative Mood. It's a wish, a hope. Now may God bring us in your direction.
1 Thessalonians 3:12 - And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
The word love in the bible, again is the word AGAPE. It is a word that is from the biblical standpoint specifically attached to God. The verb form is found even in society back then, to love the world. In fact, 1 John 2:15 says love not the world, neither the things in the world. That's the verb form AGAPAO.
But the noun AGAPE is only designated for God. God is love. That's our definition of AGAPE. And we see later on that Paul is going to commend them for being God-taught to love, that God teaches them from within. But AGAPE love is a concern about people's spiritual welfare, and willing to sacrifice and lay down your life, whatever it takes for that person's welfare.
So, he prays the scope, the dimension of their love would increase and abound towards one another and towards all men.
1 Thessalonians 3:13 - To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
The word holiness is the word sanctification which means to be set apart and we see that in Chapter 4. In setting apart before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all of His saints.
Again, Paul is looking forward. When Paul ministered to people, he was always concerned about a believer's faith, that they lived by faith and didn't need the human resources and the feelings and all the different things in order to make it through life. And secondly, that they would be mature and complete at the coming of Christ.
Brother Ronald when you replied to me did you reply directly to my post?
If so I am still not getting all my email notifications.
I've only got a notification from Gigi and that was once a couple days ago.
I've had replies from Fuji and Ray.
If so I am still not getting all my email notifications.
I've only got a notification from Gigi and that was once a couple days ago.
I've had replies from Fuji and Ray.
Who should we trust with the word ? ?
Romans 3:4
Godforbid: yea,letGodbetrue, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightestbejustified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
Are we responsible to know the Bible ourselves ? ?
John 5:39
Searchthescriptures; for inthem ye think ye have eternal life: andthey arethey which testify of me.
The biggest liar in the world is the devil himself as Satan.
John 8:44
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is aliar, and the father of it.
There will be people with great education and decrees and will look very rightous , but deceive many .
Ephesians 4:14
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait todeceive;
Deception is only going to get worse and we are living in it right now.
2 Timothy 3:13
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and beingdeceived.
If we can't trust man , then who do we trust ? ? Most people will say " I trust Jesus Christ ". But how ? ?
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trustin theLordwith all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
We all have to trust God in His word.
Ephesians 1:13
In whom ye alsotrusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Now, after you have trusted God, where do you go from here ? ?
2 Timothy 2:15
Studytoshew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth nottobe ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Really really interesting stories brother, that leave a feeling to me that I am a lazy christian.
It is true that my church, which has a large number of branches all over Greece , but not too large in population, and in few countries abroad has the philoshopy of "save your house first". There has been some mission work in Africa more than 15 years ago but that effort was abandoned after a few years as not much successful, not worth the time and money to keep going any more. Mainly now our focus is in our close neighborhood, usually in countries north of Greece, but nothing really much has yet to succeed. but there are other churces like the Evangelicals that do a lot of work in those places. As I said the attention is in "our house". Maybe wrong but this is how it goes here. As you have realized from your missions in Europe, people in this continent tend to be apathetic, they don't want to have much to do with God. And this is also occuring lately even in countries with a strong Roman Catholic and Orthodox culture, still not as much as in the protestant regions of Europe. It is really funy that christianity mainly draws back exactly in those places where it flourished after the dark ages. Strange, isn't it? It is must be the apostacy that Paul talks about in his epistle to Thessalonians. By the way I am a Thessalonian. I was born and grew up in that city but have moved to my wife's mothercity later on.
Here in Greece we know all the stories about the genoside of the Armenians by the Turks at that time. Nowadays there is a large community of Armenians here in Greece since both nations share an Eastern Orthodox christian origin. but there are also many reborn Armenians. I know there are many reborn congregations in Armenia, too. Very peaceful nation I must admit, very peaceful and calm people. I admire the Armenian women. It must had been them that Paul had in mind when he was writing his epistles. Joke, but not far from truth.
See pt 2
The modern Turks are also different from their ancestors. Nowadays thousands of us go there and thousands of them come here just for travelling and holidays, mainly summer holidays. They are described as nice, warm people with a very strong feeling of hospitality but a bit fanatics about their religion and nation. I sometimes pray that God opens their eyes to see the truth. There also many christian congregations there.
Well these are some details from me. Thanks for your posts brother, I enjoyed them, but aso left me sad about me not doing something similar. But everybody has to go according to their gift from God and the measure of faith He has given to anyone. But we need people to go all over the world to spread the gospel. Here we pray to God to rise people like the apostles, strong not only in speech but in power as well. Jesus was telling to the Jews that "I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me." ( John 8:18). How? "... for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me." ( John 6:36). if the ancient people who were easy to believe in myths had to see miracles to believe and we see how the gospel was spread to the world in those early ages through miracles and signs, how about modern people who are proud of their knowledge about everything? Not much will be done if God doesn't recomment His people. We desperately need God's actions. And we have messages from God that it will not go much more before He will act as in the ancient church. I want to believe that this is not the desire of our hearts and our imagination but true messages from God. I pray that God lights a fire in every nation on earth.
Lastly brother, you haven't tired me at all, on the contrary I was expecting more. it is like you are eating a nice meal and keep wanting more and more. Maybe some time you will tell us about your missions in India.
Blessings.
I will pray for you and you're Mother. I hope and pray you heal up and that you and you're Mother will have the rest of your life in Christ.
For strength in the Lord Jesus Christ, please read Romans through Philemon for doctrine and pray continually everyday for God to speak to you.
May you have a great day and heal fast, for your Mother needs you.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 please meditate on theses verses for Salvation
Hebrews 3:19
So we see that they could not enter in because ofunbelief.
The reason why we have Unbelief right now, it's because the word of God is Spiritual. We must worship God in Spirit.
John 3:12
If I have told you earthly things, and yebelieve not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
Jesus Christ wrote the Whole Bible, that means we must believe with all our heart and soul.
John 5:47
But if yebelieve nothis writings, how shall ye believe my words?
The Jews still couldn't believe Jesus in the flesh, how can we believe his words, by Faith alone.
John 6:36
But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, andbelieve not.
If they believe not in the beginning of time and want to betray Jesus, they are doing the same with Apostle Paul's epistles .
John 6:64
But there are some of you thatbelieve not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
We have a choice to believe God's word.
John 8:24
I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if yebelieve notthat I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
My Gospel of Grace by believing only
When we work, we earn a salary for what we did, if we are not a believer, then we are going to be judged by our salary of sins.
Romans 6:23
For thewagesofsinis death; but the giftofGod is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Apostle Paul was a Pharisee that was well educated in Hebrew and Greek. Apostle Paul was a blasphemer and had Jews killed for believing in Jesus, but he did it ignorantly.
1 Timothy 1:13
Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly inunbelief.
Jesus Christ died on the cross for all our sins , why are we praying repentance for our sins for Salvation , when He took all our sins and washed it with His own blood. We are calling God a lier if we repent of our sins for Salvation. Repentance is changing our minds in the direction of God.
Colossians 2:13
And you, being dead in yoursins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven youalltrespasses;
Jesus Christ died for all our sins for our Salvation by just believing.
1 Corinthians 15:3
For I delivered unto you first ofallthat which I also received, how that Christ died foroursinsaccording to the scriptures;
Jesus Christ didn't come to save the righteous, He came to save sinners.
1 Timothy 1:15
This is a faithful saying, and worthy ofallacceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to savesinners; of whom I am chief.
Now we need to know, what do we believe for Salvation for today ? ?
We have to believe the gospel that Jesus Christ gave to Apostle Paul in his Epistles. 1 Christian 15:1-4 gospel
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed ofthegospelof Christ: for it isthepower of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; totheJew first, and also totheGreek.
May we all believe and put aside Unbelief ! !
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 the gospel for today by just believing
Matthew 18:9
And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast intohellfire.
Where is hell now ? ?
Proverbs 15:24
The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart fromhellbeneath.
Hell was inlarged when Jesus Christ took out all the Saints in Paradise .
Luke 16:26
And beside all this, between us and you there is a greatgulffixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
Apostle Paul was caught up in the spirit and saw paradise.
2 Corinthians 12:4
How that he was caught up intoparadise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Now we have to worry about death and hell being cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:14
Anddeathandhellwere cast into the lake of fire. This is the seconddeath.
May we all believe that's there a hell in the center of earth where it's very hot .
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
The gospel saves us from hell
A Gentile is definitely not called a unsaved person. A Gentile is a none physical Jew living on this planet earth. According to God in Heaven, we have the Jews and we have the rest of the people that are Gentiles living on this earth. Jews are part of the Twelve Tribes of Israel .
Genesis 49:28
All these are thetwelvetribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.
The Gentiles never had the Law in the Old Testament.
Romans 2:14
For when theGentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Because the Gentiles did not believe in God in the Old Testament, they were called blasphemy.
Romans 2:24
For the name of God is blasphemed among theGentiles through you, as it is written.
The Gentiles had there own righteousness.
Romans 9:30
What shall we say then? That theGentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
Jesus Christ called the Gentiles dogs.
Matthew 15:27
And she said, Truth, Lord: yet thedogseat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.
Because the fall of Israel, the Gentiles are blessed with the gospel of grace.
Romans 11:11
I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto theGentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
The Gentiles now has the gospel.
Romans 15:16
That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to theGentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of theGentilesmight be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
I am a Gentiles saved by grace.
What day should we worship God in the church ? ? Is it Saturday or Sunday ? ? Some people will be shocked to find out that we were wrong all theses years.
God rested on Saturday, it's that our worship day ? ?
Genesis 2:2
And on the seventh dayGodended his work which he had made; and herestedon the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
Did Apostle Paul collected a offering on the first day of the week. Does that mean we should go to church of Sunday ? ?
1 Corinthians 16:2
Uponthefirstdayoftheweeklet every oneofyou lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, thatthere be no gatherings when I come.
We know that Jesus Christ died for all our sins and rose the third day, but do we really know it was Sunday ? ?
1 Corinthians 15:4
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Today, there's is not a date or time to worship Jesus Christ. Everyone should worship Jesus Christ every second, every minute, everyday and every year in the Godhead.
John 4:24
Godis a Spirit: and they thatworshiphim mustworshiphim in spirit and in truth.
May we remember that the church is the body of Christ in us.
Colossians 1:24
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behindofthe afflictionsofChrist in my flesh for hisbody's sake, which is thechurch:
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
The body of Christ is the church
Galatians 4:14
And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus
Apostle Paul might not be a angel , but he was the hardest working Apostle in history and we had the Twelve Apostles for the Jews.
1 Corinthians 15:9-10
9For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
10But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
We that are saved will be judging angels.
1 Corinthians 6:3
Know ye not that we shall judgeangels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
The only angel to be careful of is Satan himself.
2 Corinthians 11:14
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into anangelof light.
All Apostle Paul wants us to do is follow the gospel of grace in his Epistles.
Philippians 1:7
Even as it is meet for me to think thisofyou all, because I have you in my heart; in as much as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmationofthegospel, ye all are partakersofmygrace
May we know the Gospel of Grace in Apostle Paul's epistle.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Angels in Heaven believe that the Gospel of Grace is true for Salvation.
1 Corinthians 1:17
For Christ sent me not tobaptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made ofnoneeffect.
Jesus Christ only baptized his disciples only.
John 4:2
(ThoughJesushimselfbaptizednot, but his disciples,)
The baptism of Moses was not water, the Jews walk the sea on dry land.
1 Corinthians 10:2
And were allbaptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
Apollos only knew the Baptist of John. John baptized in water .
Acts 18:25
Thismanwas instructed in thewayofthe Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the thingsofthe Lord, knowing only the baptismofJohn
My question is, why are we baptizing a baby when they don't understand. I don't believe that Jesus Christ was baptize as a baby ?
Romans 6:3
Know ye not, that so many of us as werebaptizedintoJesusChrist werebaptizedinto his death?
Today, we are baptized by the Holy Spirit, the minute we believe the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 .
1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we allbaptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
May we all believe that baptism is in the Holy Spirit by believing the gospel of grace.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
The Holy Spirit baptized me into Christ Jesus by believing the gospel.
Isaiah 55:8-9
For mythoughtsare not yourthoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith theLord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and mythoughtsthan yourthoughts.
The believer should use scriptures to back up scriptures and try not to use our thoughts as much as possible.
2 Corinthians 10:5
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity everythoughtto the obedience of Christ;
We are getting closer to Noah's days with evil thoughts continually.
Genesis 6:5
And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of thethoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Not everyone is going to know the Bible and also know the Hebrew and Greek to translate the words.
1 Corinthians 8:2
And if any manthinkthat he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
If we think we know it all, it could make us fall .
1 Corinthians 10:12
Wherefore let him thatthinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
If we think we are something when we are nothing , we deceive ourselves.
Galatians 6:3
For if a manthinkhimself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Apostle Paul tells us what we should be thinking .
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,thinkon these things.
May we all think about the gospel of grace for Salvation.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Please think about the gospel.
Thanks for responding and clearing that up.
As for eternal security, I believe Everlasting life is everlasting and that begins the moment you are saved!
I believe a child of God has been Justified by the redemptive blood of Christ, he's being sanctified by the Spirit of Christ and he will be glorified.
Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
There's not a verse that can all set that.
A born-again Christian can not be un-born.
It's the Lord that sees them through..
An ungenerated person miss the mark which is perfection.
The blood of Christ is an atonement! (A covering for our imperfections)
If you can loose your salvation you were never covered.
If you can't perform perfection to get saved how are you going to perform ot to stay saved if it depends on your fleshly works?
I thought it was the shepherds duty to keep the sheep safe.
Not only from the wolf but also from himself.
Jesus is the great shepherd and if a sheep wander off and get lost he goes out and finds him.
As for Matthew 24:13. that's not applied to the Church and is not an endurance for Salvation.
As you know we have different eschatology views so I won't get into that here.
If you can earn Salvation you can loose it.
No one can earn it.
Blessings
Apostle Paul use to not believe that Jesus Christ exists, but Jesus Christ shine the Light at on him in Damascus and Paul believed .
I am only shining the Light of the gospel of grace in Apostle Paul's epistle.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Now Apostle Paul is in our Bible
I continue to pray for you and Arthur. I encourage you to keep reading the Bible. The book of Romans is a good place to read.