Paul, Timothy and Silas journeyed through Asia Minor, Macedonia and Greece, preaching the gospel. When he went to Athens, he left Timothy and Silas at Berea and Thessalonica, to teach the church. They joined him again at Corinth. As happens in most churches, trouble erupted in the church at Ephesus. Ephesus was the crossroad of the world. Everyone traded there. And the brought their own religion with them. With they became Christians, some of their old religious beliefs became to creep into Christianity. Paul sent Timothy to correct the church. Timothy became the first bishop of Ephesus. Paul wrote to Timothy to encourage him in the faith, knowing how hard it is to convince people of the error of their ways. Paul prayed for Timothy to keep the faith.

Crain Blanchard.

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Paul had written to the Thessalonians because of the tribulation. He wrote how to deal with it and to wait patiently from the return of Jesus. Also, he wrote about people he called disorderly. They aren’t working and have become busybodies. Paul said to exhort them. And if they will not hear you, have no company with them, that they will be ashamed. Paul said to deal with them as brothers. The Thessalonians were only a few months in the Lord, but Paul was saying it is time to be busy about the gospel. And that is what the word of God is saying to us. It is time to be busy about the gospel in our lives. To reach out to a lost and dying world, right next door to us. The Word of God is to be read, prayed about, then to go do it. Jesus is the example for all mankind.

Crain Blanchard.

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Paul writing to the Thessalonians a second time about the coming of Jesus Christ. The Thessalonians were bring persecuted and needed to be reminded of the hope of His coming. Several things has to happen before Jesus returns. The first thing is the falling away, then the man of sin is revealed, who sits in the temple as God. Jesus will return and consume him with the spirit of His month, the word of God. Believers will not be decieved by the strong delusion that God will send that people will believe the lie. Paul said you believe the truth and are loved by God. The Holy Spirit is sanctifying you through the word of God. This was written 2000 years ago, but it is true today as it was then. Just because you are persecuted for your faith and hope, take comfort that it has happened before and they walked through it with the Holy Spirit as our guide. And no one can take us out of the hand of God. Jesus is coming soon. So, be ready for His return because no one knows the day or time.

Crain Blanchard.

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Paul wrote to the Thessalonians a 2nd time, because of the persecution they were recieving. He prayed for them to stand fast in the faith and hope in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Paul had heard how the church came together as one. They were loving and protecting each other. Paul said that he prayed for them always. This kind of prayer is important to God for Him to move and heal and provide for these people. Today is the National Day of Prayer. We are to prayer for our country, president, government and the people of our nation. So God will move and heal and provide for our neighbors. And who are our neighbors? God says to love others as we love ourselves. This is a call to prayer. Ask God to intervene. Remember this is the National Day of Prayer.

Crain Blanchard.

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When anyone preaches the gospel it’s the story of Jesus. He was born of a virgin, lived on this earth for 30 years and began His ministry. For 3 1/2 years Jesus preached the gospel and went about doing good. He died on the cross for our sins. God raised Him from the dead and made Jesus King of kings and Lord of lords. And as He rose into heaven, Jesus will return to reign and rule on this earth. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians about Jesus’s return. No one knows the time or day except the Father. But we are to be ready for His return at any time. Paul wrote several things that we are to be doing in mean time. There are, rejoice always, pray without ceasing, always give thanks to God, quench not the Spirit, despise not prophesying, prove all things, hold fast to good, abstain from the appearance of evil, and God will sanctify you. He that has an ear let him hear.

Crain Blanchard.

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Paul didn’t have much time with the Thessalonians. It was only about month. So he was writing a letter to them. The trouble Paul had in Philippi caught up with him in Thessolonica. So he had to leave. He wrote in Thessalonians 3,4, about having tribulation. That they shouldn’t be amazed that they would recieve tribulation. It is part and parcel with Christianity. The world hated Jesus. They will hate us for believing. Paul wrote to comfort them to be able to stand. Walking in the unknown is scary. And having the assurance that this the right way, we will go forward. Paul also wrote to them about the dead in Christ. He assured them the they will rise first when Jesus returns. Paul not only wrote to the Thessalonians, he wrote to us. That we can have assurance the God is in control and keeping us. And that the dead in Christ will rise first. Jesus will return with the voice of the archangel and the trump of God. And we will be caught with Him in clouds. And so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Crain Blanchard.

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Paul was in Corinth, when he wrote to the Thessalonians. Paul had a vision of a man praying that he would come to Macedonia. Paul started in Philippi. After the church was established and he was run out of town, he went to Thessalonica. Paul spent about a month there before he was forced to leave. He was writing to the church to encourage them. While Paul was there, he didn’t ask for an offering. He said he did that so no one could have anything against him. He said like a nurse cares for children. Anyone who preaches the gospel also lives by the gospel. But the church at Philippi had brought an offering to him twice. It was important enough to remind them of it. Like most places Paul had been, he was forced out of Thessolonica. He headed to Athens from there. God doesn’t require more than what we have in our hands. If we have some money to give to the gospels sake, then give. If it is 2 pennies, like the widow at the temple or 2 turtle doves like Mary and Joseph, it is enough. It is the act of giving with a whole heart that God is interested in.

Crain Blanchard.

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In Colossians 4, Paul wrote final instructions to the church. Colossians is about fighting heresy. And how you do that is with the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul told masters don’t defraud their servants. Because you have a master in heaven. Also, to continue in prayer and thanksgiving. Paul wanted them to pray for him. I could also use some prayer for myself. He said to walk in wisdom, redeeming the time. And let your speech be seasoned with grace and salt, to give an answer to anyone that ask why you believe. Then Paul recommended several fellow workers in the gospel to their church. Remember this is the first century and no one could go to another church unless their pastor wrote a letter recommending them. Then Paul closes the letter with a salutation and prayer. Even though this letter was written over 2000 years ago, it still is relevant for us today. There heresy in the church today. Everything that deviates from the gospel of Jesus Christ is heresy. The truth is before us.

Crain Blanchard.

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In Colossians 3, Paul talks about being risen with Jesus and dead to this world. He says if we are dead to this world, then why do you even want to go back to sin. Knowing that God will judge the children of disobedience. Then Paul warns them about anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy and filthy communication. The things that come out of our heart. We are to put off the old man with his deeds. We are renewed in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. When it comes to sin, God doesn’t make any difference. For God is no respecter of persons. God says we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. This is the bond of perfection. And the peace of God will keep our hearts and minds. Paul goes on talking about how love will treat people, especially the family. Remember that Colossians in about correcting heresy. Which can creep in if we aren’t diligent about our faith. How to prevent this? Read the word of God, pray and do what the word says. It is in thought, word, and deed, this is how we have our being in Christ Jesus.

Crain Blanchard.

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Paul writing to the Colossians warns them about straying from the gospel. The letter was for the church at Colossae and Laodicea. When people become Christians, there is a pull to go back to what they had. Because walking in the unknown is scary. Paul warns the church about this. When you gave your life to Jesus, He renewed you back to the way you are supposed to be. If you go back to the sin of the past, it will destroy what God has done in you. In Colossians, Paul is showing us how to fight heresy. It is by telling the truth in love. The truth is the gospel of Jesus Christ. God loves everyone and wants them to come home.

Crain Blanchard.

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