1 Thessalonians (Program #19) – Our Heart to be Established Blameless in Holiness and our Body to be Preserved Clean in Sanctification
Proverbs 4:23 says: Keep your heart with all vigilance, For from it are the issues of life.
So, how do you keep your heart? Well, if you are a seeker and lover of the Lord Jesus, and that you want to stay with us for a special life study program from 1 Thessalonians today, entitled “Our Heart to be Established Blameless in Holiness.”
1 Thessalonians (Program #17) – Our Heart to be Established Blameless in Holiness (1)
In the final chapter of 1 Thessalonians, the apostle Paul uses a few very short verses to point out fifteen different items that he was concerned about in the experience of the young believers in Thessalonica. He gave them this list against the backdrop of his fellowship in chapter 4 concerning the Lord’s second coming, the rapture of the church and the judgment seat of Christ, which will impact every born again person at the Lord’s return. No doubt this word sobered them and brought forth a watchful attitude as they contemplated meeting the Lord of Lords and King of kings face to face. Then in verses 23 and 24 of chapter 5, he summarizes his burden on a marvelous and clear utterance that reveal both God’s operation and the need of man’s cooperation. “And the God of peace Himself sanctify you wholly, and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it. “
Colossians (Program #40) – Holding the Head, Out From Whom All the Body Grows With The Growth of God
Consider this interesting phrase from Colossians 2:19 “And not holding the Head, out from Whom all the Body … grows with the growth of God.” Well as believers we read such verses and surely none of us will disagree but do we really stop to consider, what is it to hold the Head; and why does it say, “holding the Head” and not holding Christ? Well the answer is that most of us take the Bible for granted. Of course we have our special and favorite passages that that we often quote and understand to some extend. But for the most part, we skim over accepting what it says but not taking the time or the interest to dig and probe and pray over the word. Today we will dig and probe and even pray concerning this crucial and important section of Colossians.
Colossians (Program #21) – Christ the Body of All Shadows and Christ versus Mysticism
Paul the Apostle is marvelous in his writing in the book of Colossians. He begins with a universal presentation of Christ, and not just Christ, but Christ in us the hope of glory. But then he turns and becomes very practical in leading us into the genuine experience of such a Christ. Listen to verses 16 and 17 in Chapter 2, “Let no one therefore judge you in eating and in drinking or in respect of a feast or of a new moon or of the Sabbath, which are a shadow of the things to come, but the body is of Christ”. Here, he begins to remove things like the law and angels and anything else that represents God to us in an indirect way. For God’s desire is that nothing stands between us and Him no matter how good or how religious it may seem.
Have you ever felt unsatisfied, let down, even empty, after you got what you thought would make you happy?
You are not alone. This puzzling feeling has been known to strike the most accomplished and wealthy people as well as the less accomplished and less wealthy. In fact, King Solomon had it all—a kingdom, untold wealth, profound wisdom and knowledge—yet after pondering his life, he said that there was nothing new under the sun. Everything was vanity.
It is as if something compels us to find the elusive missing piece. We may pursue a successful career, meaningful relationships, material possessions, or even fun and entertainment. But nothing cures that mysterious empty feeling way down inside. Why do we feel this way?
The Bible shows us that God created man with three parts. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 says: “May your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete”. It is clear that we are not just a physical body made up of atoms. We also have a soul to think, feel, and choose. Yet hidden deep inside of us is a third part: our spirit. This God-designed third part has a specific capability. Our spirit can contact, receive, and experience God. more…