Women of Firm Faith

"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons..." (v1). The Holy Spirit revealed to Paul that there will be spirits deceiving people with false doctrines, ultimately enticing them to walk away from the faith. "The faith" is referring to teachings that are essential to Christianity. Colossians 1:23, "...if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister." These lies will have demonic powers behind them and because they know the scriptures so well, it is easy to twist them and make these doctrines appear holy, which is why it is deception. Many people will follow these deceptive doctrines in order to continue in their sin and feel righteous for doing so. Their consciences are "seared" meaning...

Paul just wrote that women should not teach or have authority over men, but being a man is not the only criteria for church leadership. Some men might even think that because they don't desire a position of authority in the church, that they can ignore these criteria, but they actually describe spiritual maturity. All men should desire to progress beyond spiritual infancy regardless of a title or position in the church. You shouldn't change your behavior and lifestyle after you receive a title, but rather God will use you within a church body because of your obedience to Him and man will confirm the work that God is already doing through you. Paul first lays the qualifications of a bishop. Although we don't see that title much today outside of the Catholic church, bishop comes from the word episkopos , which means someone who watches over the church,  epi (over) and skopos (watcher). Most of us call those positions pastors, even though many today have the title but do n...

"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men" (v1). It is important that we be engaging in all types of prayer for all people. It is easy to pray for those we love and that love us, but we are even called to pray for our enemies. Matthew 5:44-48, "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,  that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?  Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." When we remove the personal offenses we feel, we can see a bigger ...

Paul is urging Timothy to stay in Ephesus so that he can charge others to teach no other doctrine than what was delivered to them and to not give heed to fables and genealogies. Good doctrine should edify believers not cause arguments and divisions in the body. Bad teaching can distract believers and get them focused on things that are not even important. Genealogies are useless from the standpoint that it doesn't matter where you came from, a concept taught by Jesus Himself. Not even the members of His own earthly family were esteemed more highly. Mark 3:31-35, "Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, 'Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You.' But He answered them, saying, 'Who is My mother, or My brothers?' And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, 'Here are My mother and My brothers!  For whoeve...

Paul's request for prayer was not selfish in nature, but understanding the power of prayer, he desires to see the word of God run freely without hindrance. Evil people will try to hinder the truth and pull people of track because they don't want the light of the truth shining on their darkness. Legalistic people (including teachers) inside the church will also put up road blocks to reaching God or get them caught up in man made plans that distract them from the simplicity that is in Christ.  II Corinthians 11:2-4, "For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you  as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accep...

In Paul's letter, he is addressing some concerns about missing the day of Christ which was troubling to the Thessalonians. In order to ease their minds, Paul clearly lays out two separate parts of one great event or period of time for God's judgement and deliverance,  known as the "day of the Lord". The same period of time spoken of in 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3, "For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape." Verse 1 separates the "coming of our Lord" from "our gathering together to Him" making a distinction. So within the same time period, there are two separate comings of Jesus. The latter is when Jesus will come for us (known as the rapture), and the prior is when Jesus will come with us to judge the world. Verse 3 says, "Let no one deceive yo...

Paul says that he is bound to thank God when he considers the work that is going on among the Thessalonian church and that it is fitting or proper to do so. When we consider the awesomeness of God and catch glimpses of his plan unfolding, our response should be to praise Him! Their endurance through persecutions and tribulations was physical evidence of the Spirit working through the believers and that the judgement coming to those who work this evil against believers is justly forthcoming. 1 Peter 4:16-19, "Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful C...

Paul is giving thanks here for the church in Thessalonica for two reasons: the first because their faith was growing more and more, they had matured greatly in their walk and the second their love for each  other was abounding. These two characteristics are so important in the church, it is what many churches lack to day. Paul is so proud of them that he goes around and brags about them to the other churches. Sometimes when we grow leaps and bounds in our faith persecution is what follows and that is what is happening here in Thessalonians. People don't want to be confronted by their sin. They don't want to be around other Christians that convict them and as a reaction they persecute people. Many of us have gone through some type of persecution. People are so filled with hatred. We need to keep in mind that when we stand up for what is right before the Lord people aren't going to like you, you are going against their social club or their man made traditions. Many of us have...

As Christians, we recognize the evil around us in this world, but take comfort in knowing that Jesus will return for His people and judge the earth, setting things right once and for all. The big question is whether or not we will suffer His wrath with the rest of the world. This chapter is so clear to me, without any wisdom from man, and simply reading what it says, you can come to the conclusion that we are not going suffer His wrath, otherwise known as the tribulation period, with the ungodly. God has shown us a pattern of sparing the just before he punishes the unjust. Think about Noah. He and his family were saved in the ark before God flooded the entire earth. Also in Genesis 18, Abraham speaks to God about this very matter asking Him, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?" referring to God's plan to destroy Sodom and Gemorah due to their wickedness. Although God would've spared the city for the sake of ten righteous people living in it, there wasn...

We never get to a place in our walks where we “arrive” and can relax on our pursuit for holiness and righteousness.   Paul tells the Thessalonians that they should “abound more and more” in their walks in order to be pleasing to God.   According to Verse 3, God’s will for our lives is sanctification, which means to be set apart for a special purpose. Hebrews 10:10 says, “ By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. ” Titus 2:11-14, “ For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,   teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. ” It is not God’s plan to accept us as we are, but that H...

Afflictions are a normal part off one's walk with God. 2 Timothy 3:12, "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." Although perfectly normal, the enemy will often use them to derail a believer or even disqualify them altogether. Mark 4:16-17 describes how the word can be received this way, "These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble." There are also those who say they know Jesus, but have unbelief in their heart. Titus 1:15-16, "To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good wor...

Paul defends himself and the ministry to the Thessalonians, not out of pride, but to silence the accusations of those coming against him. It seems that he's been accused of using deceptive practices in order to gain material wealth from them. Just imagine what he must've looked like physically after the public flogging he received in Philippi. Acts 16:22-24, "Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks." I'm sure that those who judge according to outward appearance probably had much to say about this former prisoner showing up in their town, none of which was good. Paul tries to make the point that if he were in it for himself, he wouldn't be enduring...

Paul writes a letter to the church in Thessalonica, along with Timothy and Sylvanus, his co-laborers in ministry. Paul was used to start this church, after only three weeks of effective teaching, as we read in Acts 17:1-4, "Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, 'This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.' And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas." These three Sabbaths were so effective at persuading a great multitude to believe because Paul was not trying to persuade them with human wisdom and marketing techniques, but by the power of the Holy Spirit. He himself explains t...

Paul speaks here of the effectiveness of earnest, vigilant prayer, coming from thankful hearts. Our battles may seem physical at times, but we are in a spiritual battle and must use spiritual weapons. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds." Ephesians 6:12-18, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench ...

If we are truly born again, then our lives should look different from before. Our focus should be on heavenly things, not on things of the earth that we know will one day vanish. We have a limited amount of time and energy while here on earth, so how do we use ours? Verses 5-6, "Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them." People talk about carnal Christians, but you are either a child of God demonstrating obedience to the Father, or a son of disobedience who can expect the wrath of God. 1 John 2:3-6, "Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected ...

Paul is encouraging the church in Colosse to continue in the faith that they once received. Colossians 2:6-7, "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving." What's interesting here is that they had never seen Paul in person and yet accept his position of authority in their lives. Also Paul had not seen them, but still has internal conflict over their spiritual well-being; meaning his love for them is sincere. This is the power of the Holy Spirit. Physical distance does not need to separate true believers in Christ. The closer to God we walk, the more alone and isolated we may feel at times.  After all the world is under the sway of the wicked one and many inside the church are following the same broad path that leads to destruction. Philippians 3:17-19, "Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you...

As the gospel was being spread around the world, Paul is hearing of the faith of those in Colosse and the fruit of their belief and their love for the saints. It didn't matter to Paul that he wasn't the planter of this church, but they had learned about the Lord through Epaphras. It blessed Paul nonetheless because he wasn't concerned with gaining influence or followers unto himself, but rather followers of Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:7-8, "So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor." Since the day Paul was aware that Colossian believers existed, he had been praying for them to be filled with spiritual knowledge, that they would walk in a worthy manner producing fruit, and that they would be strengthened to endure this race until completion. While doing this, being thankful to God, "giving thanks to t...

Paul loved the Philippians greatly, bringing him much joy as their leader in ministry. He calls them his crown because they are evidence of his labor in Christ. Our hearts should be to bring that kind of joy to our leaders, especially our husbands. The walks of a man's family members, or those he loves, should be the crown or fruit of their labors and bring them joy not sorrow. As much as this church has right, Paul still needs to exhort then to put differences aside and focus on the unity they have as believers in Christ. It is to easy to get caught up in the differences we have, but we need to set those aside and "be of the same mind in the Lord" (v2). Many today accept differences of mind toward God, to embrace commonality in temporal things. This is totally backwards. No matter what issues we face, we are called to rejoice in the Lord always! We can do this because we know that the Lord is at hand. Verses 6-7, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer...

As believers in Christ, we must rejoice in Him and not in ourselves or the situations we find ourselves in. Doing "all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:14-15). Paul lists off reasons in Verses 4-6 why he should have confidence in the flesh more than anyone, but he is more than willing to lay his earthly credentials aside for the opportunity to know Christ and spend eternity with Him. Verses 7-11, "But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ,...

Fellowship comes from the Greek word kononia , which means sharing things in common. Fellowship of the Spirit is having the same Spirit which unites us together as a body of believers. We can be totally different from those we have fellowship with; different interests, language, hobbies, economic status, etc., but united in Spirit. This brings joy to Paul to see the Philippians unified this way.  Verse 2, "fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind." Often, people in churches today segregate themselves according to wordly things they have in common. Remember that God does not show partiality, and neither should we. James 2:1-4, "My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the  Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes...