The ‘what’ of the Christian message is familiar to most people. The ‘why’ and the ‘how’ however are much less well known. In this passage Paul begins by putting his name to the letter and then briefly telling about  the ‘what’ before he goes on to the ‘why’ and the ‘how’. We find that the gospel (good news) was promised in the Old Testament Scriptures, it is about God’s Son, descended from David (in one sense) and resurrected from the dead. We also catch a glimpse of Paul’s heart, addressing the believers in Rome as ‘beloved’ …… showing his care and concern for them and hope to visit them.

This first part of the chapter finishes with Paul giving a glimpse of the ‘why’. He says he is not ashamed of the gospel, the momentous truths about Jesus dying on the cross and rising again from death, because it is God’s way of saving people. Next we get a glimpse of the ‘how’ …..  it is through faith. Faith is ‘confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see’.

Verse 17 is the key. It contains a quote from the Old Testament … “the righteous man shall live by faith”. Another way of saying this is ‘the one who through faith is righteous shall live’. Its not about what we have accomplished or by being a ‘good person’ but freely receiving, through faith, what has been accomplished for us by Jesus Christ on the cross. In this way we receive His perfect right-ness, like wearing a spotless garment, creating a right relationship with God. Forgiven and set free. It is the great leveller in the church.

 

 

In one song a well-known singer asks the fortunate to consider others by saying ‘nobody wins unless everybody does’. In this passage we find the church in Thessalonica was, in a sense, in a similar position. They were known for their faith, hope and love because of the way they had responded to the ‘good news’ (gospel) of Jesus Christ.

In writing to the church the apostle Paul mentions the example of those who brought the gospel to them and asks the Thessalonian church to consider how their faith can benefit others. There is a mention here of both suffering and joy. The Christian life involves trials and persecution but there is also joy in the midst of this because of the outcome of what Jesus has done.

When Jesus went to the cross He suffered terribly even though he was completely innocent. He too, however, went through this because of the ‘joy’ of the outcome which he knew would be result. His sufferings, to death on the cross as a substitute, would bring forgiveness as a free gift to everyone who believes. When the church live out their faith everyone benefits. In this sense the singer was right.

 

 

From time to time we look back and remember those who served in war and especially those who lost their lives. We do this with thanksgiving for their sacrifice on our behalf. Remembering and thanksgiving go together. We, however, sometimes say ‘thank you’ as a matter of routine in contrast to someone like a refugee who takes out citizenship in a country and serves out of gratitude.

In this passage we have the story of 10 lepers who were healed by Jesus. The surprising thing is that only one returned to say ‘thank you’. He did this out of faith because he saw his deeper need. Jesus says to him ‘your faith has made you well’.

The Christian life is a life that thanks God for what he has done in us and also his work in other people. The response to this should lead to praise and worship … or is it too familiar? When we gather as God’s people, we gather to express our thankful appreciation for what he has done for us in Jesus Christ … the perfect once for all time sacrifice of himself.

 

 

A book has been written which contains an unusual surprise in the first chapter. It invites people to ‘stop praying’. At first glance this is a bit disturbing but it becomes apparent that the writer is giving helpful advice about respecting God for who he is and our relationship to him. Similarly, in this passage we find a warning being given to the people.

The warning is about two common mistakes that are made in giving to God the reverence he deserves … worship. The first one is about going through the motions in a routine way instead of standing in awe of God. The second one is when people fail to appreciate who he really is as the Creator and the One who has made us. This leads to what is known as ‘man made’ worship. It occurs when people regard themselves, and what they think is right, instead of trusting in God.

The solution for all of this is given at the end of the passage where the people are told that they will respect who God is as being holy and will stand in awe of him.  It is also the outcome when we realise what he has done to save us by sending his redeemer, Jesus Christ. When we rightly understand, and trust in, what he has accomplished at the cross, and in his resurrection, then we will truly worship God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One philosopher has said that ‘people are accomplices to that which leaves them indifferent’. We often see the outworking of this in the lives of those around us, if not our own. Things may seem to be going along as normal whilst the house is on fire … like the bushfire preparedness commercial on TV.

In this passage we find that the nation of Israel had become indifferent to what God had said. In their indifference they had also become intoxicated with strong drink and were indignant towards the warnings sounded by the prophet. There were some, however, who took the message to heart and we are told that they were to receive ‘a glorious crown and beautiful wreath’.

We are also told what won’t stand and what will stand in the time of trouble. What won’t stand is turning away from God to make falsehood a refuge … a misplaced confidence in things like evolution and man’s ‘goodness’. What will stand is relying on Jesus by trusting in what he has accomplished at the cross and in his resurrection. He is the ‘precious cornerstone for a sure foundation’.

 

 

 

Most, if not all, of us can remember what it is like to look out from a high position to the ocean and seashore in the distance or some other beautiful scene. The picture stays in our minds but we also know that it is a long way before we can get there. It is like what the prophet Isaiah is speaking about  … the future destination and the journey.

In this passage we also have the metaphor of a vineyard … it’s blossom and fruit. The vine dresser is totally committed to his vine. We find elsewhere in Scripture that Jesus is the true vine and those who trust in him, not themselves, are the branches. They are to remain in him in order to produce fruit … lives that are connected to God.

To say, however, that God no longer has any righteous anger towards his people does not mean the absence of discipline. God’s righteous anger would cut off the branches of the vine but his discipline only prunes the vine so that more fruit is produced. God’s discipline for his vine, as the people try to live with the troubles of this world, sanctifies them. The cross of Jesus was so that, through faith, people could be freed to worship him … gathered up one by one.

 

Clothing can be something we take for granted, especially in winter time. It is almost routine to put on a coat when we go out in the cold weather but have you ever wondered about this seemingly ordinary activity. We rug up to keep ourselves warm and to be sheltered from the elements.

One day when out walking on a particularly cold day attention turned to the coat being worn. A new found appreciation dawned because this coat had been a gift. It wasn’t expected but, at this particular time, it was very much appreciated. It was providing warmth and shelter on a day when these things made the difference between an endurance exercise and an enjoyable walk.

There is an important reminder here of the gospel … the ‘good news’ of Jesus. A passage of Scripture speaks of ‘putting on the Lord Jesus Christ’. What does this mean? It means that he provides both warmth and shelter and in him people are to live in love. Because of the cross people can have the gift, received through faith, of forgiveness for the wrong things they have done. With this forgiveness comes a new relationship where he provides a warm shelter by having taken the punishment they deserved.

 

 

In the passage we see that David was delivered from a situation which would have seen him fighting against his own people. God was gracious to David in getting him out of this situation. Saul, however, died in the battle because, as king, he was out for his own glory. Jesus, the right kind of King, represents God’s graciousness to a world that is in a mess. He is continuously giving.

David was sent back from the battle but on his return he found that his own camp had been raided. The people blamed him for not being there to protect them. David leads his men to fight those who had done this and regains their own possessions and more. We see graciousness displayed in the way the spoils are divided. Some wanted only those who went into battle to have a share but David insisted that even those who stayed behind should share equally … getting what they didn’t deserve.

This provides us with a picture of what Jesus accomplished and how it happened. He laid aside his glory and made himself nothing in order to save us. Like David experienced, King Jesus was rejected by his people but in going to the cross he won an amazing victory. We are all invited to share in this victory by trusting in him … receiving something we don’t deserve. Jesus is pre-eminently the right kind of King.

 

 

In this passage we find both David and Saul faced with a dilemma. For David, he had become afraid of Saul. Whilst he had God’s promises that he would be the future king, his faith, at this time, was weak. A man of faith can sometimes come to the point of seeming to have no faith. As David leaves God out of the picture he starts to do wrong things.

Saul, on the other hand, wants to win and retain the kingdom over David, but God is no longer speaking to him. Because God is silent, Saul breaks his own rules and goes to a medium (witchcraft) for advice.

We must never turn to magic or astrology but to the one who is risen from the dead and now sits at the right hand of God, Jesus Christ. He is the mediator who has conquered death. This is the victory Saul should have been seeking. Hope is found in the Lord.

 

Isaiah saw clearly the coming into the world of a Saviour. He also saw the consequences for what people had done to God’s earth. In these passages we see a futuristic picture of the devastation of the whole world which man has ruined. The cause is that man has rebelled against God and his rightful reign over creation. Rebellion undermines reign.

There is hope, however, because God has done something which he planned long ago. He sent Jesus Christ to overthrow evil. Jesus came so that God’s plan, which has been revealed in the Scriptures, could be fulfilled. This has been accomplished through the cross in Jesus death and resurrection. For all who trust in him there is a wonderful reason to look ahead. Isaiah says ‘let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation’.

When was the last time that we were so in honour of God’s love and faithfulness that we could sing and give thanks like we find in the second part of this passage. Isaiah says about God ‘ for you have worked wonders’. The best thing about the complete fulfillment of God’s plan is that he will be there with all his people who have waited for him.