It's a game we learned years ago, but I'm still perfecting it (like lots of the games I play.) After calling us to live in light of our hope, one of the first concrete examples Paul gives of that in 1 Thess 5:12 and following is to appreciate and honor those who are our spiritual leaders. Apparenlty this is imporant, perhaps more than we realize.
I wonder, why do you think this is so important? Or is it? If it is important, what will doing it look like?
Rescue the perishing
Because we have been rescued out of the darkness and into light by Jesus, we live different, we are not to be carried along by the same currents that lead to destruction, AND we can be used by God to rescue others .
The video below gives a graphic example of what it sometimes takes to rescue someone whose "on the edge." I offer it in honor of my good friend Jon who has served for 20 years as a firefighter rescuer, along with the many other men of BPBC and in our community who do the same.
May God give us grace to rescue people around us from certain destruction by extending to them the lifeline of the gospel of Christ.
The video below gives a graphic example of what it sometimes takes to rescue someone whose "on the edge." I offer it in honor of my good friend Jon who has served for 20 years as a firefighter rescuer, along with the many other men of BPBC and in our community who do the same.
May God give us grace to rescue people around us from certain destruction by extending to them the lifeline of the gospel of Christ.
Don't just "Jump" 1 Thess 5:1-11
1 Thess 5 reminds us we are different and calls us to be different. The world is rushing toward destruction, like a float party being swept along toward a waterfall. Like the legendary lemmings, the crowd "jumps" toward disaster.
I came across this video, adapted from an old Disney wildlife documentary about lemmings, mixed with the 70's rock classic, "Jump." It illustrates the insistant calls around us to "go ahead... come with us... jump!" So many voices today pull us to go along with the crowd, to go ahead and jump--to disaster.
A little background on the the Disney docu--apparently they had to buy the lemmings and import to the location. Then, the lemmings didn't want to "jump"--they had to herd them over the edge. Maybe that's a reminder that the media, although entertaining, is not always friendly...
1 Thes 5 calls believers, saved in Christ, to wake up and to watch out, for own sake and for others. Keep looking up for HIs coming, and keep looking out for yourself and others.
I came across this video, adapted from an old Disney wildlife documentary about lemmings, mixed with the 70's rock classic, "Jump." It illustrates the insistant calls around us to "go ahead... come with us... jump!" So many voices today pull us to go along with the crowd, to go ahead and jump--to disaster.
A little background on the the Disney docu--apparently they had to buy the lemmings and import to the location. Then, the lemmings didn't want to "jump"--they had to herd them over the edge. Maybe that's a reminder that the media, although entertaining, is not always friendly...
1 Thes 5 calls believers, saved in Christ, to wake up and to watch out, for own sake and for others. Keep looking up for HIs coming, and keep looking out for yourself and others.
Sorrow...with hope? I Thess 4:13
but I do not want you to be ignorant [or uninformed], brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow [or grieve] as others who have no hope. 1 Thess 4:13
This is the reason Paul informs, clarifies or reminds them and us, about the rapture or catching away of the church, and that those who have died will be caught up with us to Jesus. But, where do I put the comma?
Some versions put a comma after sorrow or grieve. This could suggest that we should not grieve death, only those who do not have hope grieve death. Some would suggest that death our friend, bringing us into God's presence. Other versions have no comma, we should not grieve in the same way as others. We still grieve, have loss, but it is loss mingled joy because of our hope. Hope that assures us the one dead or sleeping is already in the Lord's presence. That the body lain lovingly to rest will be raised first, and be caught up with us.
Death is not a friend. Because of death each of us know sooner of later the loss of a loved one. Jesus himself wept outside Lazarus's tomb even knowing, that He would soon raise him. Death is the last enemy Jesus will destroy in resurrection.
Is it okay then to grieve? Is it good to "weep with those who weep" (Rom 12:15)? But can we sorrow or grieve in Hope?
This is the reason Paul informs, clarifies or reminds them and us, about the rapture or catching away of the church, and that those who have died will be caught up with us to Jesus. But, where do I put the comma?
Some versions put a comma after sorrow or grieve. This could suggest that we should not grieve death, only those who do not have hope grieve death. Some would suggest that death our friend, bringing us into God's presence. Other versions have no comma, we should not grieve in the same way as others. We still grieve, have loss, but it is loss mingled joy because of our hope. Hope that assures us the one dead or sleeping is already in the Lord's presence. That the body lain lovingly to rest will be raised first, and be caught up with us.
Death is not a friend. Because of death each of us know sooner of later the loss of a loved one. Jesus himself wept outside Lazarus's tomb even knowing, that He would soon raise him. Death is the last enemy Jesus will destroy in resurrection.
Is it okay then to grieve? Is it good to "weep with those who weep" (Rom 12:15)? But can we sorrow or grieve in Hope?
Caught Up in His Coming 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18
"Forever, with the Lord, we will be!" That's the word order in the Greek text, an order that draws attention to the permanence and proximity of our future. Before there was bold face font or highlighting, the Greek language put things first for emphasis. What is for keeps, forever, is our being together in the presence of Christ Jesus. God's family gathered, a family union never to separate. This is what we press toward, this is what will matter most.
Other stuff that seems important now won't matter so much then, maybe it doesn't need to matter so much now? With the most important appointment in forever rushing up on us faster than time itself, what am I caught up in, what am I caught up with. I want to filter everything through one measure--what difference will this make when I hear the trumpet sound, and His voice calls, "Let's go!"
Other stuff that seems important now won't matter so much then, maybe it doesn't need to matter so much now? With the most important appointment in forever rushing up on us faster than time itself, what am I caught up in, what am I caught up with. I want to filter everything through one measure--what difference will this make when I hear the trumpet sound, and His voice calls, "Let's go!"
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