“You are the apple of my eye” is an Old English expression attributed to King Aelfred (the Great) of Wessex, an Anglo-Saxon Kingdom in AD 885. This expression is actually much older and is found in the Hebrew Scriptures. The literal translation of what we find in our Hebrew text is the “little man of my eye” and it appears in four Old Testament texts. Deuteronomy 32:10 (the Song of Moses) – He found him in a desert land and in the...
God and Missions
The Trinity, the gospel, evangelism, discipleship, church planting, and church growth are the core ingredients associated with missionary work in the New Testament. These are the things that our missionaries highlight in their reports to us and these are the things that indeed glorify the Lord. So it seems appropriate to ask, “How is God most glorified in the work of missions?” God is most glorified in missions as He works out His...
1 Thessalonians 4 – Genuine Gospel Hope
“Therefore comfort one another with these words.” Paul exhorts us in this manner at the end of 1 Thessalonians 4. What are “these words” that Paul wants us to use to encourage one another? The words and the subject of encouragement relate to the return of Christ for you and me and the resurrection of “in Christ” believers who die before His return. In other words, Paul is encouraging the Thessalonians and us with the Bible details related to...
1 Thessalonians 3 – Encouragement to Love God and One Another
Both testaments of God’s Word emphasize a two-fold focus for the spiritual life that involves loving God and loving one another. This two-fold focus is the emphasis of Paul’s remarks to the Thessalonians in chapter 3 of his first letter to them. So how would you evaluate your love for God and your love for one another? Do you ever wonder if you will be able to continue loving God and continue loving one another up to the end of your earthly...
1 Thessalonians 2 – The Long Term Payoff of People Investments
Did you think about heaven or the Lord’s return this week? If you did, what sort of thoughts filled your mind and heart? When the Apostle Paul thought about the return of Jesus Christ he thought about people who were transformed by the gospel. Specifically, he thought about how the Thessalonians would be a source of joy for him at the appearing of the Lord. During his ministry in Thessalonica, Paul made a major investment in the lives of the...