Christian Living

Preach the Word 2 Tim. 4:2 “Preach the word ! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”       “Preach the word” Paul charges Timothy- his trusted son in the faith. Timothy had spent some time with Paul. He went on journeys with him and learned the way to be a good minister. Timothy at a young age had been urged by Paul to remain in Ephesus. We seen in both letters  to Timothy what Timothy was to do there in Ephesus. We also learn about the church and how to minister. We see a strong loving connection between Paul and Timothy. Yet, Paul did not let that bond skew the need for the letters. Paul simply stated it like it is. This simple command sums up Paul’s work and Timothy’s work. No matter what, preach the word. The first century church understood this. They took the weight on their shoulders (Acts 8:1-4) . Why? Because it was a command from Jesus.   “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has

1 Cor. 1:18 "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God"        Being a Christian was not a fad or something to be ashamed of for the New Testament Christian. The early church was of no light-hearted matter. They were serious and pretended nothing. The cross was very real, vital and central to them.  There were two reactions to the cross: that it was foolish OR that it was the power of God. Those who claim that it was foolishness are those that perished.  Those that claim it is the power of God are the saved. There are two types of people here: the perishing and those that are being saved.  The cross was not a two stick emblem sold for a price to bring some type of remembrance or decoration. It was the place where sin was paid for.  The New Testament church did not look at Christ’s death as a simple thing but a life changing event. They lived in the shadow of the cross.  (1 Cor. 1:19-

1 John 1 “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—    the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—    that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.    If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.   If we say that we have no sin, we deceive

Patience 2 Thess. 3:5 “Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the Love of God, and into the patience of Christ.”   One of the most harmful character flaws is impatience. The cultural push from not just a speedy industrial life but to a speedy home life is driving Christians away from patience.  Not to mention this Captain Ahab quest for euphoria that is leading many Christians into a loss of patience.  Jesus said in Luke 21:19 that in your patience you possess your souls.  Through such a destructive life many in their inflamed impatience no longer have possession of their souls. Such a “Speedy Gonzales” life style brings a constant aching. This is an aching of diversion, novelty, excitement, euphoria, change, etc. and is as destructive of an influence that can be found in the world today.    Christianity is far from a summer beach side stroll or a walk through the botanical gardens. It is a rough course even for “Spartan runners”. It is a struggle against all the corrosive