Chris Marshall Resources

Today we turn to the Apostle Paul’s brief letter to Philemon.  It contains only one chapter and amounts to Paul’s personal appeal for Philemon to receive a runaway slave named Onesimus back without punishment.  Onesimus had become a believer while with Paul and had done great good for Paul.  Now, Paul was requesting Philemon’s good treatment.  Paul mentioned that Philemon owed Paul his very soul, but stated he wasn’t relying on that, but rather on Philemon’s character as a believer.  This brief letter reminds us each of us can have an impact if only on one other person, and the key is to concern ourselves first and foremost with Jesus’ will rather than our own personal benefit.

As we return to Luke 10, we see Jesus expanding His ministry through others as He sends out the 70 or 72 additional followers to preach, teach, heal and deliver people.  The work was successful, and the crew came back rejoicing.  In the charge to the team, Jesus offered a condemnation of several Galilean cities that had rejected His ministry.  The second major event in Luke 10 took place when a teacher of the Law asked Jesus what was the greatest commandment in the Law of Moses?  Jesus asked the teacher what he thought?  The teacher responded to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, strength and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus affirmed the response.  We’re told at this point the teacher wanted to “justify” himself, so he asked, “And who is my neighbor?”  Jesus responded with a parable about two upstanding members of Jewish society who had the opportunity to help a man who had been beaten by robbers and left for dead.  They didn’t help.  Then along came a Samaritan, a man considered a half-breed, and hated by Jesus’ Jewish audience, who helped the man, dressed his wounds, and took him to an inn to receive further treatment.  Jesus asked which proved to be neighbor to the man in need?  As much as it must have pained the teacher to say it, he responded it was the man who helped the man in need.  Jesus said, “That’s right. You go and do the same.”  The chapter closes with Jesus interacting with Mary and Martha, two close friends, whose brother, Lazarus, Jesus raises from the dead in John 11.  The interaction shows us sometimes “being” is more important than “doing.”  Martha was frustrated, because Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, while Martha prepared dinner.  When she complained to Jesus, Jesus took Mary’s side, and told Martha she was worried and troubled about so many things, but only one thing was necessary.   What is the one thing? A relationship with Jesus!

Today we turn to the Apostle Paul’s letter to Titus.  Titus was another of Paul’s students or apprentices, who eventually became a pastor and leader in his own right.  Paul called Titus his “son in the faith” as he did with Timothy.  Paul offers us an important principle as we read through his “pastoral” letters: Equip those in following generations so the gospel will grow, and God’s Kingdom will expand.  This principle of multiplication was taught by Jesus and carried out effectively by Paul. 

In Titus 1, Paul greets Titus and gets to “business” rather quickly by reminding him Paul had left him in Crete to appoint elders in the various towns.  He offered a list of characteristics needed by elders, which is similar to the list he offered Timothy.  After this, Paul reminded Titus of the dangers to the process posed by false leaders, and particularly those of the “circumcision party,” or the Judaizers whom we have come to know through Paul’s ministry as recorded in Acts, and in his other letters.

In Titus 2, Paul offers Titus some specific teaching regarding how he was to train older men and women.  Paul told Titus to have the older women train the younger women, while he was to train the younger men.  The key in all of it was for Titus to live a life of integrity, so those who watched and attempted to say anything negative about Titus’ ministry would be put to shame.  This is so vital in every era of history, but perhaps never more so than today, when every moment of our lives is either recorded or could be recorded.  We must always assume someone is watching, because even if no human audience is watching, God is!

In Titus 3, Paul closes his brief letter to Titus by commanding him to live a holy life, to teach others to do so, and to remember where all of them had started: as sinners.  Only by the grace of God in Jesus are we saved and do our lives change.  Paul reminded Titus not to put up with those who caused trouble, basically offering a “three strikes and you are out instruction.”  Paul encouraged Titus to welcome and help those who were carrying out Jesus’ ministry in his closing comments.  Paul’s words always lead us to the conclusion Jesus’ followers must be generous and must cultivate a habit and attitude of generosity.

As we return to Luke 9, we’re reminded while each chapter in each of the gospels is important some hold more significant content than others.  Such is Luke 9.  In it, Jesus sends out the twelve on their first mission to preach the gospel.  When they return, He takes them away for some rest, but the crowds come.  Jesus teaches them, and then feeds 5,000 men along with the women and children with five loaves of bread and a couple fish.  After this Jesus asks the disciples who the crowds say He is, and then asks them.  Peter responds to Jesus with the “right” answer.  He is the Christ or Messiah.  Jesus then tells the twelve of His impending death and resurrection.  Later in the chapter, Jesus, Peter, James and John go up on a mountain where Jesus is transfigured with Moses and Elijah.  When they return, they find the remaining nine disciples unable to cast a demon out of a young boy. Jesus casts out the demon, and then Jesus again tells the twelve He is going to die and rise again.  This time the twelve raise the question of who among them is the greatest–not exactly an empathetic response to Jesus’ revelation.   Jesus finds Himself rejected in Samaria, and His followers challenging others who were casting out demons in Jesus’ name.  Jesus tells them to permit them to do so, because anyone who is not against Him is for Him.  The chapter closes with Jesus telling several folks who claim they have come to follow Him it will be harder than they think. He tells them of the challenges they will face, and we’re led to believe they don’t follow.  We must always remember following Jesus comes with costs.  We must never assume following Him will be easy or that it will bring only blessings in this life.  The ultimate rewards of following Jesus are having a relationship with Him, and one day being with Him personally forever!

Today we move to 2 Timothy.  Here Paul continued to mentor his young son in the faith, and as we move through the letter, we see Paul becoming more purposeful as he realized the time for his earthly life to end was drawing near.

In 2 Timothy 1, Paul starts by exhorting Timothy to be strong in his faith.  He reminds Timothy the faith he holds was first held by his mother and before that his grandmother.  Paul also reminded Timothy God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of love, power and self-discipline.  Paul reminds Timothy he was a herald, an apostle, and a teacher. One of my mentors, Arthur Pace, preached on this passage of Scripture at my ordination.  He said Paul was a preacher, a reacher, and a teacher.  He charged me to be and do the same.  Now, it’s been more than thirty-five years I have been being and doing those things.  I’m sure Timothy took Paul’s words to heart as well, and they motivated him to keep the faith.

In 2 Timothy 2, Paul offers Timothy a model for equipping and passing the faith along.  He reminds Timothy to take the message he received from Paul and pass it on to faithful leaders, who will pass it on to others.  Thus, we see a “four generation” model of ministry.  I was reminded of the truth and power of this model through the book Hero Maker by David Ferguson and Warren Bird.  If we are leaders in the church, we must always be equipping others who will equip others.  In this way, leaders are equipped, and the Kingdom multiplies.  Paul reminded Timothy to always be diligent, to be a worker who stands approved.  We must avoid godlessness and idle chatter, keeping focused on what matters.  He again offers examples of those who had become side-tracked by the world and its desires.

In 2 Timothy 3, Paul admonishes Timothy as the time draws closer to the end, people will become more and more resistant to the truth.  He says they will become lovers of money, and they will not listen to faithful teaching, but only to what they desire.  He reminds Timothy of the source of truth: God’s word.  He reminds Timothy all Scripture is breathed by God and is fitting to teach and correct us, and to train us in God’s ways.  What a powerful reminder to us!  As we look around and see so much utter nonsense going on in the world, and people believing just about anything, how important it is for us to keep ourselves focused on God’s word and His truth.

In 2 Timothy 4, Paul closes with a charge for Timothy to keep the faith.  In the midst of an increasing propensity for people to hear only what their “itching ears want to hear,” Timothy is to continue to teach the truth in season and out of season.  He reminds Timothy he has run the course and kept the faith.  This is reminiscent of the words Paul wrote to the Philippians in chapter 3, but there he told us he was running the race.  Now, he saw the finish line, and he wanted Timothy to know he had kept the faith.  He closes with a couple of requests, and some personal greetings.  Among these, Paul mentioned Mark was useful to him.  This is the same Mark, who Paul was unwilling to take with him in Acts 15.  Thankfully, Barnabas gave Mark a second chance, and thankfully Mark and Paul had reconciled in the intervening years.  We see Paul’s growth from that time in Acts 15 to this point in 2 Timothy 4.  That reminds us each of us is called to continue to grow throughout our lives, and only when we see Jesus will our faith be perfected!

As we return to Luke 8, Luke starts with an interesting detail: Jesus had women in his group, and some of them provided the financial means for the group.  That was so uncharacteristic of rabbis in Jesus’ day.  After this we read the Parable of the Sower, which was followed by Jesus telling the disciples why He taught in parables.  After this Jesus told the brief parable of how no one puts a lamp under a basket.  Next, Jesus’ mother and brothers came looking for Him.  When they couldn’t get near, because the crowd was so big, some people in the crowd told Jesus His family was looking for Him.  Jesus responded by saying His mother and brothers were those who do His Father’s will.

After this the disciples took a boat across the sea of Galilee.  A storm came up, but Jesus was sleeping. When the disciples woke Jesus, He calmed the storm.  They were amazed. Jesus wondered why they had so little faith!  After that Jesus healed “Legion,” which is an account we find in Mark 5.  This was followed as it is in Mark 5, by Jesus healing a woman with an issue of blood, and Jairus’ daughter who was dead, before Jesus healed her.  What an incredible Savior and Lord we serve.  Take a moment to review this chapter and realize this was all in a day’s “work” for Jesus.  Amazing. 

In 1 Timothy 4, Paul gives Timothy a “laundry list” of practices he ought to follow to be effective in his leadership as a pastor.  They include avoiding false teaching, and not letting folks look down on you because of your youth. 

In 1 Timothy 5, Paul gives specific recommendations on how to relate to older men and women–as if they were your father or mother, and how to address the matter of widows in the church.  Paul went to great lengths in defining what was and was not a widow and addressed younger widows in particular by telling them to remarry, so they would not be led astray.  These recommendations don’t contradict what Paul said about marriage in 1 Corinthians, but they do show us there were some contextual differences between churches as we might expect.  Paul also points out in the beginning of 1 Timothy 6 how slaves ought to respect and respond to their masters.  This is really the completion of 1 Timothy 5, because the remainder of 1 Timothy 6 addresses the matter of wealthy members of the church.

In the remainder of 1 Timothy 6, Paul speaks about those who are wealthy or are “rich” in this world. He reminds him the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil.  Money is not evil.  As someone has said, “Money is like a brick.  It is neither good nor bad in and of itself.  A brick can be used to build a house or break a window.  It isn’t the brick that is good or bad, but the motivation of the one using it.”  In the same way, Paul admonishes Timothy to instruct those with worldly wealth, which includes nearly all of us who are reading this, if we’re Americans, to be generous, to enjoy what God has given us, to use it to do good.  So often when church people start talking about money, they get bogged down in defining what tithing is and whether we ought to tithe on the net or the gross.  Here’s the short truth about wealth: When we realize it is all God’s in the first place, and we use it as faithful and generous stewards or managers, our lives are so much better than when we listen to the world and either hoard it or waste it.  Money is a tool to be used in serving Jesus, our Master.  Money is a great servant and a terrible master. 

As we return to Luke 7, Jesus heals a Roman centurion’s servant, showing us His desire to see God’s Kingdom come was not reserved to Jews only.  Next, Jesus raised a widow’s son from the dead, showing us His concern for widows.  Then John the Baptist’s disciples come to Jesus and ask Him a piercing question from John: Are you the Messiah or not?  John had been expecting a conquering hero Messiah, a Messiah who would restore Israel to prominence.  Jesus wasn’t that.  Jesus’ response was to quote a messianic passage from Isaiah to show John He was the Messiah, but not in the way John expected.  Jesus used the moment to affirm John’s ministry.  The final encounter of the chapter finds Jesus as a wealthy man’s dinner guest, when a “sinful” woman comes in and makes a scene, by kissing Jesus’ feet, washing them with her tears, and drying them with her hair.  The rich man thinks to himself Jesus would know what kind of woman this was, if He were truly a prophet.  Jesus tells the man a story about two men who owed their master a debt.  One owed a great debt, the other a small debt.  The master forgave both debts.  Jesus asked which servant would love the master more?  The man said the one who was forgiven more.  Jesus affirmed the answer, and then affirmed the woman for her great love and said her sins, which were many were forgiven, because of her great love.

Today we turn to the Apostle Paul’s first letter to his “son in the faith,” Timothy.  Paul had taken Timothy with him on one of his missionary journeys, after meeting him through his mother and grandmother, who were believers.  Paul’s influence on Timothy was incredible, but as we’ll see through reading these two letters of Paul to Timothy, Paul held Timothy in the highest regard.  These letters read as something of a last will and testament of Paul, offering his “bequest” to Timothy. Timothy would carry on the work after Paul was gone.  Throughout the church’s history, this passing of the baton from one generation of leaders to the next demonstrates Jesus’ plan for the church not only to continue but to grow and extend to the ends of the earth.

In 1 Timothy 1, Paul greets Timothy and warns him against the false teachers who have already become prominent in the church.  He also tells Timothy of how the Lord has used him even though he was once a persecutor of the church.  Paul exhorts Timothy to continue in the faith and not disregard it as some have done.  He closes the chapter with the example of a couple of deserters who gave up the faith.

In 1 Timothy 2, we find Paul offering Timothy some guidelines for worship.  He tells Timothy to be sure to pray and make intercession for others.  He tells him to speak the word faithfully, even as he was appointed as a “herald” of the gospel.  The remainder of the chapter is devoted to how women are to dress and respond in worship.  Many have used this chapter to exclude women from any type of leadership in church, and it can be read that way.  However, just as 1 Corinthians 14 is often mistranslated and used to exclude women from leading in worship, this passage can be translated as women being admonished not to usurp authority from a man.  Even this is offensive to some men and women, who see us as being totally equal.  While we are equal in our value to God, and as Americans in our ability to vote, the Bible starts in Genesis by pointing out the woman was created as a “helper” or a “completer” for man.  This is not a position of subservience, but it is a position that is different than the man.  The man is the “head” and the woman is the “helper.”  Women are not to usurp authority, which is not to say they cannot hold authority.  In my many years of experience as a leader in the church, I have seen women and men with gifts and skills for leadership who have led effectively. Not all men ought to lead, nor all women.  The leadership ought to be based on their gifts and skills, and on their calling to lead.  All of it must be done with appropriate lines of authority.  To prohibit women from leadership based on these few verses, is as wrong as it would be to place all men in positions of leadership based on them.  We are all followers of Jesus Christ, and the role we play in His body, the Church is based on His calling and gifting of each one.

In 1 Timothy 3, Paul offers the description of an overseer, or pastor, or elder.  The words were used interchangeably in the New Testament Church.  Again, because one of the qualifications is to be a “husband of one wife,” some have excluded women from leadership.  That would also exclude Paul, because he was a single man.  The admonition to be a husband of one wife, was to prohibit anyone from leading who had more than one wife, which wasn’t uncommon in that culture.  As we read through the list of qualifications, we see leaders in the church are to be of strong character and integrity.  This would be expected, because Jesus’ church is vital to the advancement of the gospel in the world, and the advancement of God’s Kingdom as well. 

As we return to Luke 6, Jesus declares Himself Lord of the Sabbath, and heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath.  The Jewish leaders took offense to this and started plotting to rid themselves of Jesus.  While we might not think Jesus’ declarations are a big deal, they spoke directly against the religious leaders’ rituals and traditions and contradicted their authority.

The remainder of the chapter is devoted to what has been called “Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain.”  Much of the content parallels the content of the Sermon on the Mount, but with some variations in wording. Biblical scholars have differed on whether Luke just didn’t get the material right (or Matthew), or whether this was a different message.  It’s virtually certain the Sermon on the Mount and the Sermon on the Plain contained content Jesus taught over and over again, because it was the core of His teaching.

Today we turn to the Apostle Paul’s second letter to the church at Thessalonica.  In this brief letter, Paul encourages the Thessalonians once again to remain faithful.  He corrects the erroneous proclamation of some that Jesus had already returned and reminded them this wouldn’t happen until “the man of lawlessness” had been revealed.  He urged them to continue to pursue the work of the Lord and admonished them that the ones who weren’t willing to work ought not to eat, that is to be provided for by those who were working.  Paul was not speaking of those who “could not” work, but those who “would not” work.

In 2 Thessalonians 1, Paul gave thanks to God for the believers there, and called out God’s punishment on those who hurt them or spoke against them. 

In 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul started by telling them he had not sent a letter saying Jesus had already returned.  This concern emphasized the Thessalonians’ preoccupation with Jesus’ return.  While we must be ready for it, the best position to take is not to be preoccupied with Jesus’ return, but always living in such a way we will be ready when He comes.  Paul reminded those who were concerned, that Jesus wouldn’t return before the “man of lawlessness,” was revealed.  Most biblical scholars, consider this man to be one and the same with the anti-Christ.

In 2 Thessalonians 3, Paul urges the believers to work diligently and to be found at work when the Lord returns.  He reminded them how he had said those who wouldn’t work ought not to be able to eat.  That reminds us of the importance of working if we are able.  We aren’t to rely on others to provide for us, unless we can’t work, and then of course it is the responsibility of the believers to provide.  As those who live in our current age of entitlement, here in America, it is a helpful reminder to be diligent in our work, so long as we can.  In that way, we will be able to help others who need it, and when our time comes to need help, we will have brothers and sisters to help us!

As we return to Luke 5, Jesus called the first disciples.  This account is extended in comparison with those of Matthew and Mark.  Here we find Jesus intervening in the fishermen’s lives and helping them catch many fish.  Peter’s response to the miracle was fear.  He told Jesus to leave because Peter saw himself as a sinful man.  But Jesus’ response was, “Don’t be afraid…” Jesus saw Peter’s self-denigration as a sinner, as a revelation of Peter’s fear.  Jesus promised to take away the fear and make Peter and the others, fishers of people.

Next, Jesus healed a man with leprosy, followed by healing a paralytic.  Both of these miracles saw Jesus doing something that set Him apart from others.  Jesus touched a leper, which ought to have made Him unclean.  Instead, the leper became clean!  Jesus forgave the paralytic’s sin, before healing his physical ailment.  This rightly caused the religious leaders to notice.  “Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” they asked.  Good question.  Jesus is God, which is why He could take such action.

Jesus then called Levi or Matthew, the tax collector to follow Him.  This caused Matthew to rejoice and throw a party at his house, to which he invited Jesus and all his “sinner” friends.  The religious leaders couldn’t handle this, but Jesus reminded them the healthy don’t need a physician, but the sick.  That’s why He had come to call the sinners, not the “righteous” to repentance.  I put “righteous” in quotes, because none of us are righteous apart from the saving power of Jesus in our lives.

The chapter ends with Jesus having a discussion about fasting, and why His disciples didn’t fast, when the religious leaders and John’s disciples did.  The short answer was Jesus’ presence meant a party was going on, and we don’t fast during parties!

Today we turn to the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the church in Thessalonica.  We know from the Book of Acts, Thessalonica was not the most noble of the places Paul ministered, because we’re told the people in Berea were more noble or honorable than the people in Thessalonica.  Yet, the Thessalonian church was filled with strong believers, and Paul took the entire first chapter to greet them and honor their willingness to suffer for the cause of Jesus.  Both letters to the Thessalonians have a strong emphasis on the end of time, and the Thessalonian believers seemed to be preoccupied with it.  Paul’s responses, particularly in 1 Thessalonians 4, offer a dramatic picture of what it will be like when Jesus returns.

As noted in the introductory paragraph, 1 Thessalonians 1 is Paul’s greeting to the church as well as his affirmation of their willingness to suffer for the cause of Jesus.  Paul noted his ministry there was one that demonstrated the Holy Spirit’s power.  As is often the case when God’s workers move into an area with no gospel presence or witness, the Holy Spirit’s activity draws the people’s attention to Jesus.

In 1 Thessalonians 2, Paul reminds the believers of the opposition he faced in presenting the gospel, and the opposition they faced in receiving it.  He also points out he worked night and day, so as not to be a burden to them (financially).  While he could have been a burden, he worked (as a tentmaker) so he could present the gospel with no thought of the motive being greed.  Paul tells of being taken away from them involuntarily, and how much he wanted to return.  Paul points out these believers are his “joy and crown,” showing us how much he cared for this particular group of believers.

In 1 Thessalonians 3, Paul tells of sending Timothy to see how the church was faring, because he was concerned that just as he had been persecuted for his faith, they were being persecuted, too.  Paul’s concern was it might have been too much for them to handle.  Thankfully, Timothy’s report of them was their faith remained strong.  Imagine, living in a world where it wasn’t possible to know what was going on with people a hundred or two hundred miles away, without sending someone to walk to find out! 

In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul starts by reminding the believers to live holy lives.  He speaks specifically against the harm done by sexual immorality.  As we move to the second half of the chapter Paul addresses the matter of what happens to those who “fall asleep” i.e. die before Jesus returns.  The concern of the Thessalonians was those who died before Jesus’ return missed out on Jesus’ return. Paul’s initial response is so helpful.  He tells us we don’t grieve as the rest of people who have no hope. In other words, we do grieve when a loved ones die, but we know we will see them again.  The remainder of the chapter portrays how dramatic it will be when Jesus returns.  He tells us the dead in Christ (those who have died) will rise first, and then those who are living.  Some have taken this statement to mean when we die, we “sleep,” also known as “soul sleep,” until Jesus returns.  It could be understood that way, but it’s always important to interpret one part of Scripture in light of the rest of it.  Because Jesus told us the dead are even now alive and with God, see Matthew 22:23-33, we can assume when we die, we do get to be with God immediately.  It’s a point that is hard to argue, because the moment we die, time ceases to be an issue for us, as we enter the realm of eternity.  I don’t argue the matter of soul sleep, because whether our resurrection is instantaneous, or takes place after a period of soul sleep, to our senses, it will be immediate, and we will be in God’s presence!

In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul closes his comments about Jesus’ return by reminding us we don’t know the when, but we do know we’re called to be ready.  As I say so often, “I’d rather be on the welcoming team than the planning team, when it comes to Jesus’ return.  Paul closes the letter with these vital commands:  ¹⁶Be joyful always; ¹⁷pray continually; ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ¹⁹Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; ²⁰do not treat prophecies with contempt. ²¹Test everything. Hold on to the good. ²²Avoid every kind of evil.1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 (NIV) 

As we return to Luke 4, Jesus went into the wilderness after His baptism.  There the devil tempted Him after (and during!) His 40 days of fasting and prayer.  The devil’s temptations included a challenge to convert stones to bread to assuage His hunger; to bow down to the devil to receive the world, and to jump off the Temple, because God’s angels would protect Him.  In each case, Jesus was tempted to take a short cut to the end of redeeming humanity.  Each time, Jesus responded by quoting Scripture to the devil and ultimately sent Him away.  Jesus then went to Nazareth where he started His public ministry.  Quoting a messianic passage from Isaiah the prophet, Jesus told the people there who He was and what He came to do.  The people were amazed, but then Jesus told them they wouldn’t accept Him, because no prophet is honored in his hometown.  He was right, and the people drove Him out.  Even so, Jesus healed many people, taught and cast out demons.  While this was an incredible beginning to His public ministry, and the people begged Him to stay and do more, Jesus told them He had come to preach in the synagogues of Judea.  Jesus knew His mission, and He wouldn’t let a preliminary success keep Him from pursuing it in its totality.  How important this is for us to remember: A great beginning is just that–a beginning.  We must continue to seek God’s face, to obey His commands, and persevere to the end.

Today we turn to another of Paul’s brief letters: the Letter to the Colossians.  The church in Colosse had some challenges, and Paul takes the time to instruct them both on proper theology and proper practice in following Jesus. 

In Colossians 1, Paul offers a positive introduction, and reminds the believers there he is praying for them.  He turns immediately to instructing the Colossians in the primacy of Jesus.  He is God, and they need to worship Him as God.  The chapter closes with Paul reminding the Colossians of how much he was struggling for them and for the sake of advancing the gospel.

In Colossians 2, Paul continues to remind them of his struggle for them and for all the believers he hasn’t met personally.  This reminds us we don’t have to meet someone face-to-face to influence them for Jesus.  Paul calls the Colossians not to fall for the false teaching that is seeking to infiltrate their city and church.  He calls them to remember who they were and who they are now.  That’s another important reminder for us.  We must always look forward and follow the leading of Jesus, rather than backwards to what we were before Jesus became our Savior and Lord.

In Colossians 3, Paul uses the image of clothing and tells the Colossian believers they must “put on” new characteristics.  He offers us a “laundry list” of the sins they used to commit and live out daily. Now they are to put on traits that are similar to the fruit of the Spirit, and over everything to put on love.  In this way we will be able to let Christ’s peace rule in our hearts. He then commands them, “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of God the Father, giving thanks to Jesus Christ, through Him.”  Paul them moves on to instructions for Christian households.  Wives are to submit to their husbands as is fitting in the Lord.  Husbands are to love their wives and not be harsh with them.  Children are to obey their parents in the Lord, and fathers are not to provoke their children, which will lead to their discouragement.  Included in these instructions, are instructions for slaves to obey their masters.  As we move to Colossians 4, Paul instructs slave owners to treat their slaves justly and fairly knowing they have a Master in heaven.  We could wish Paul would have condemned the practice of slavery, but his words would have helped make the relationship much better than was typical in his or any other day.  Paul closes out the letter with final instructions to be steadfast, to pray, and to be watchful.  As usual, he offers some closing greetings and salutations.

As we return to Luke 3, Luke tells us of John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus, and of Jesus’ baptism.  After this, Luke includes the genealogy of Jesus.  A couple points to note concerning this genealogy and that in Matthew’s gospel: The names aren’t exactly the same. Is that a problem? Not a real problem, as in any family line, we can take a different route to get to the same end.  The second difference is Matthew traced Jesus’ lineage only back to Abraham.  That’s because Matthew was a Jew, and Abraham was the “father” of the Jews.  Matthew saw no need to go back farther in the line. Luke, on the other hand, was a Gentile.  He traced Jesus’ lineage all the way back to Adam. That means Jesus’ line goes back to the beginning of humanity and therefore, He is “related” to us all. 

Today, we turn to the Apostle’s Paul’s brief letter to the Philippian Church.  As we read the letter, Paul’s tone is that of a loving leader who cares deeply for the church. He doesn’t have much in the way of correction, although the Judaizers have made their attempt to infiltrate this church, too. There’s a bit of internal struggle between two female leaders in the church, which Paul addresses. Overall, though the letter is much more one of encouragement than correction.

Paul opens the letter with a warm greeting, and prayer for the Philippians to continue growing in their faith.  Then he tells the Philippians of his imprisonment for the gospel.  While he is in prison, others have been emboldened to preach the good news.  He notes some have done this for their own benefit, while others do it out of genuine desire for people to know Jesus.  In the end, Paul asks what it matters, because the key is Christ is being preached.  Paul again mentions his struggles and says he may even die for his faith in Jesus.  With regard to that, he makes it clear he is ready to die as he writes, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”  He then closes out the first chapter by pointing out it is necessary for him to remain and to strengthen the Philippian believers, so he believes the Lord will give him that opportunity.

As we move to Philippians 2, Paul offers us one of the clearest statements of how we are to follow Jesus in humility found in the entire New Testament.  He tells us we must have the same attitude that was in Christ, who though He was God, didn’t consider equality with God as something to be grasped. Rather He “emptied Himself” and became one of us.  In that form, he was obedient even to the point of death.  For that reason, God, the Father, has given Him a name that is above every name.  Paul reminds the Philippians to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, because God is at work in them to will and to work for His good pleasure.  He tells them he will be sending Timothy to visit them, but first Epaphroditus, one of their own will come. Paul tells them of how Epaphroditus was sick and nearly died, but God spared him, which would bring great joy to them as it did to Paul.

In Philippians 3, Paul refers to the Judaizers.  He reminds the Philippians not to take any consideration of their appeal to circumcision or the Law.  He reminds them if anyone could make such appeals it would be him.  He was a zealous Pharisee who persecuted the church.  Now, he considered all that to be garbage compared to the great privilege of knowing Jesus, and of suffering for Him.  Paul reminds us all we must not worry about where we are right now, but must strive to move forward, always heading toward the prize–the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  He closes the chapter by reminding us our citizenship isn’t here, but in heaven.  That means we must focus on the matters of heaven, and not let our bodies, and specifically our stomachs be our gods.

In Philippians 4, Paul calls on his fellow workers, Euodia, and Syntyche to get over their disagreement and work together.  He then calls on others to help them do this.  After this urging, Paul calls the believers to rejoice in the Lord always.  He calls them again to rejoice.  He reminds them the Lord is near.  In other words, Jesus will return soon!  He closes out the letter by reminding them to pray fervently and thankfully, rather than being anxious.  He calls them to focus on the higher things and reminds them we can do all things through Jesus who gives us strength.  Paul closes out the letter with some final greetings.

As we return to Luke 2, we return to the most extensive record of Jesus’ birth.  We’re told of Mary and Joseph’s trip to Bethlehem, and how they found no place to stay when they arrived, because of the crowds of people there for the census decreed by the Roman Emperor, Augustus.  Jesus’ birth took place in the humblest of places and circumstances, with no family there to comfort Mary and Joseph. The Lord made the birth known to the shepherds who were guarding their sheep that night, and they came to offer their worship and praise.  My favorite aspect of Luke’s record is he tells us the shepherds returned to their flocks after visiting Jesus rejoicing and praising God, because everything was just as they had been told.  All too often, when we’re looking forward to something “big” in our lives, it doesn’t live up to the advertisements.  But everything the shepherds experienced was just as the angels had told them.

As we turn to Ephesians 4-5, we move to the “walk” portion of the letter.  In chapters 4-5, Paul offers extensive instruction to the Ephesian believers about what it means to follow Jesus together, individually, and in their families.  Let’s look at some of the specific learnings we gain from these two important chapters.

First, Paul reminded us to live out the calling we have received, which is a calling to unity.  Next, Paul told us Jesus had given specific gifts of leadership in the church: apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor/teachers.  The role of these leaders was to “equip the saints” (saints here means believer, not a “stained-glass” member of a small class of believers) to do the work of ministry.  The purpose of this process was to build up the Church, and to mature, so we will all be like Jesus.  As Paul gave these commands, he also reminded the Ephesian believers, when we live this way, we won’t be fooled by the tricks of the devil or of people, but will speak the truth in love and will grow up in every way to Him who is our “head,” that is Jesus.   Paul closes out chapter 4 and moves to chapter 5 by offering a “laundry list” of actions we must do and those we must not do if we are going to walk in the “light.” 

While each of the commands is important, when we get to Ephesians 5:15-21, we find Paul reminding us to make the most of the time, because the days are evil.  He commands us to “be being filled” with the Holy Spirit, and as a result we will worship and praise God, give thanks to God for everything in Jesus’ name and submit to one another out of reverence for Jesus.  The reason I put “be being filled” in quotes is because Paul’s command was written in the present passive imperative in Greek, which means the action is to be ongoing, not a one-and-done action.  Being passive, it means we can’t do it on our own.  He didn’t tell us to fill our selves, but to be filled.  That means we must open ourselves to the Holy Spirit’s filling, but the Spirit is the one who fills us.

Paul closes chapter 5 with an extensive analogy, which speaks of how husbands and wives are to live together in marriage.  The analogy is Paul is also talking about Jesus and the church, His “bride.”  The key focus is husbands are to love their wives as Jesus loved the church, and wives are to submit to and respect their husbands as the church is to do the same to Jesus.  The commands are impossible without the power of the Holy Spirit, but when we live them out in the power of the Holy Spirit, the world gets to see God’s intention both for marriage and for His Church!

As we move to Ephesians 6, Paul offers instructions for children, and how they are to live toward their parents.  Then he tells fathers how to live toward their children.  Next, he tells slaves how they are to live toward their masters, and how masters are to live toward their slaves.  While we could all wish Paul would have condemned slavery, the instructions remind everyone that slaves and masters are brothers, and that we all serve Jesus as our master.

The bulk of Ephesians 6 focuses on the spiritual war we face, the armor we must wear both to protect ourselves and to go into battle against the devil, and a call to prayer, and specifically praying in the Spirit as a means of overcoming the devil, and as a support to Paul’s efforts to do the same.  These verses remind us the devil is real, and while he is powerful, we are assured of victory, when we defend ourselves with the right “armor,” and attack with the sword of the Spirit – God’s word!

As we return to the Gospel of Luke, let’s remind ourselves Luke was not a disciple.  He was a doctor of Gentile background.  His emphases bear that out.  In Luke 1, Luke tells us both of Zechariah’s visitation by an angel to tell him he and Elizabeth, his wife, would have a son, who would prepare the way for the Messiah, and of Mary’s visitation by the same angel, to receive word she would become the mother of Jesus.  The chapter is filled with long poetic passages, speaking of God’s glory, God’s grace, and God’s plan to redeem His people.  It closes with John being born and the world, unknowingly at the moment, being poised to receive the birth of her Savior!