Thoughts On 2 Thessalonians 2:15-17
Posted by Jason on December 14th, 2013
I love this passage of scripture. Check it out. First in the KJV and then in the NLT.
15. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17. Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
15. With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter.
16. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope,
17. comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.
First, Paul reminds them to focus on the teaching that they had received, both in person and in writing, from him. It is extremely for the believer that we take the time to receive sound teaching – and that we retain what we have been taught. This takes discipline and practice, but the rewards are manifold! The word “traditions” in verse 15 has the idea of “that which we gave to you, with purpose, through our teaching, because it mattered”. Awesome stuff.
Second, Paul, as he always seems to do, reminds them of the eternal goodness of God’s grace – and the hope that all believers have. He knew that his readers would face days, weeks, months, even years – waiting upon God, learning of him, and dealing with life’s realities and struggles. He reminds them – God is with you. He loves you. He has grace for you. He is your Father. Jesus is your Lord. You possess comfort and hope because of His authority and His grace.
Finally, Paul teaches that God will comfort (come along with us) – and empower us for every good thing we are to say or do. Notice the progression, in verse 17. First, these good things are in our hearts, and then in our words, and then in our works. We must believe and trust Him – and then go about speaking and doing the things that are beneficial (intrinsically so) for our families, friends, and others.
Focusing on sound teaching (doctrine) will lead us to be stable – and will promote good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. We are His workmanship, created for such!
Thoughts On Mark 1:40-42
Posted by Jason on March 27th, 2013
A few thoughts on Mark 1:40-42
40. A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said.
41. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!”
42. Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed.
This event occurs rather early in Jesus’ ministry. Leprosy is a painful and debilitating disease. Those with it were isolated and “unclean”. Apparently, this man had heard of Jesus – and decided to take a chance, cross the street – and ask (beg) Jesus to heal him.
Verse 41 states that Jesus was – moved with compassion. And then Jesus does something: He reaches out and touches the man. Rather than turn away from the one who was unclean, Jesus, filled with mercy and love, cares for him.
The same is true, now, for those who come to Jesus. By his grace – his unfailing love – Jesus forgives all who come to Him in faith. Beyond mere physical healing, Jesus heals us spiritually, replacing our broken and lifeless spirit with His glorious and eternal Life. He unites Himself with us – never to leave, never to forsake.
If we ever doubt his compassion – remember those hands – reaching out to touch the man condemned by leprosy – and then see those same hands, stretched out on a cross – reaching out to touch a world condemned by sin.
Side note – This was our family Bible study tonight. When I asked my son, what does “compassion” mean, he thought for a moment and answered, “a love that’s never failing”. I asked where he learned that definition – and he said that he learned it from one of the songs we sing in church – Mighty To Save:
Everyone needs compassion,
Love that’s never failing;
Let mercy fall on me.
Everyone needs forgiveness,
The kindness of a Saviour;
The Hope of nations.
Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
-Jason
Free Children’s Church Lesson For Christmas
Posted by Jason on December 17th, 2012
The following can be used for Children’s Church / Small Group / Sunday School
Let’s talk a little bit about Jesus.
Jesus has always existed – there’s a word for this – Jesus is ETERNAL.
However, to show us how much he loves us, and so that we could better understand Him, Jesus became a man – and was born – just like each of you.
This is what we celebrate at Christmas – the birth of Jesus.
Jesus was not born in a hospital like you were, he was born in a manger.
A manger is a small cave or barn, where animals (sheep, goats, donkeys) lived.
His parents were Mary and Joseph – but you may have already known that. What you may not have known is that Jesus was born – to save the world!
God loves people – He loves you, your parents, your friends, your classmates, even people that you don’t know! He loves them all. So, He sent Jesus – His one and only Son – to show people just how much He loves them.
As He grew up, Jesus read the scriptures (what we now call the Bible) – and He was even able to teach grown ups a thing-or-two about what the scriptures really meant. He helped people, healed people, cared for people, listened to people, encouraged people, and taught people. Jesus was – and is – awesome!
Jesus lived a perfect life – and He demonstrated God’s perfect love for us. You can trust Jesus – to be your friend, your teacher, your helper, and your Lord. (Lord is an awesome word – it means “one who directs and instructs”.)
When Jesus was born, God sent angels (special messengers) to spread the “good news”. The angels went to shepherds, who were taking caring of sheep, and the angels told the shepherds that “Jesus had been born”. The shepherds were so excited – they left their sheep – and found Jesus and his family. Then, after spending time with Him, they went to all of their friends, telling them about Jesus.
Once we hear about Jesus – and spend some time getting to know Him and about Him – we can then share what we know with our friends. Knowing Jesus is awesome – and so is telling others about Him!
Feel free to print this article and use it as a guide for teaching others about grace.
I Will Rescue You For My Sake
Posted by Jason on October 9th, 2012
Isaiah 48:11 is an incredible verse –
I will rescue you for my sake—
yes, for my own sake!
I will not let my reputation be tarnished,
and I will not share my glory with idols!
This comes after a section where God tells Israel that He has chosen them, even though they are “stubborn” and “obstinate”, with “necks as unbending as iron” and “heads as hard as bronze”.
He did not save them because they were obedient. Indeed, he saved them, knowing full well that they wouldn’t be obedient. Why? He’s a God of grace. And He declares – “I will rescue for my sake – yes, for my own sake!” Salvation, by definition, is for those who need “saving”.
Like many, the people of Israel had begun to trust in “things” – idols, money, their heritage, their religious-sounding prayers, etc. God steps in, and makes things very clear. They will not be saved, nor were they saved, because of their “things”. They will be saved, by Him – and for His own glory.
Understanding Grace
Posted by Jason on August 4th, 2012
I can remember, quite distinctly, the first time someone defined the word grace for me. I was helping to paint one of the classrooms in the back of our old church – a light gray, if memory serves. I was twelve years old.
My Sunday School teacher, who was leading the painting efforts, described grace as God’s unmerited favor.
I was a pretty bright kid, so I understood what the words unmerited and favor meant – kinda. I stashed the definition away, ready for the next discussion at youth group or Sunday School.
As with many spiritual things, knowing a definition and understanding a truth are two, entirely different matters.
The definition was important. The understanding was life-changing.
God loves you.
At it’s core, that’s what grace is – the love of God. It’s a spectacular kind of love. Demonstrated on the cross and revealed through the Gospel, grace is a radical truth flowing from the heart of a radical God.
The reality is, our God is a God of relationships – real relationships, with real people. Religion, despite some good intentions, usually erects more barriers to relationship than it builds bridges. God is not interested in formulaic prayers, ritualized worship, or choreographed services. God is interested in people – individual people. People like you. People like me.
Once the light goes on – it stays on.
Once you encounter and understand real grace – the unchanging, eternal, forgiving, merciful, beautiful, challenging, grace of God – you are never the same.
The Grace Station exists to encourage you to learn more about God’s grace.
And the Word (Jesus) became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. – John 1:14
Grace and Peace – Paul’s Introductions To His Letters
Posted by Jason on July 3rd, 2012
The apostle Paul authored a good portion of the New Testament. He had an awesome way of greeting his readers.
Check these verses out –
…to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ… – Romans 1:7
…Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ… – 1 Corinthians 1:3
…Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ… – 2 Corinthians 1:2
…Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ… – Galatians 1:3
…Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ… – Ephesians 1:2
…Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ… – Philippians 1:2
…To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father… – Colossians 1:2
…Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace… 1 Thessalonians 1:1
…Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ… 2 Thessalonians 1:2
…To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord… – 1 Timothy 1:2
…To Timothy, my beloved son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord… 2 Timothy 1:2
…To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior… – Titus 1:4
…Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ… – Philemon 1:3
Regardless of original audience – an individual believer or a group of believers – Paul begins each letter with a salutation of grace!
Paul goes beyond the standard greeting of the day, combines like-terms from two predominate cultures, and brings forth eternal truth. God, in Christ, has presented to us his grace – his unending, unmerited, undeserved, remarkable, reconciling, redeeming – grace – and anyone who accepts Christ and His grace – will have true peace.
Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.
Photo attribution: Ryk Neethling
The Grace Station Launch
Posted by Jason on January 3rd, 2012
My name is Jason and I want to welcome you to the launch of a brand new site – The Grace Station. I hope that you will be both encouraged and blessed by what your find here.
Grace is my favorite topic. My favorite books are about grace. My favorite songs are about grace. My favorite poems are about grace. My favorite sermons are about grace. My favorite thoughts are about grace. I believe that a proper understanding of God’s grace can radically impact that life of any person. Grace is, truly, that amazing.
In an effort to connect others to the very best in grace-related information, I have created The Grace Station.
Here, you will be able to find original content, produced by our staff of writers, and links to some of our favorite grace-related sites.
The Grace Station exists to encourage you to learn more about God’s grace.
Please plan to visit the site regularly, as new content will be added on a daily basis.
Tomorrow, I plan to outline my basic views on grace. I hope you will come back, read, and comment. Until then, be blessed.
Photo attribution: sarowen
-Jason
