Lesson from April 26, 2009

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Philippians 1:19-26

In this passage, Paul describes being what we commonly refer to as “between a rock and a hard place.” The word, sunexo, was commonly used of a place where a traveler had to go through a narrow passage, unable to turn to the left or to the right, they could only go straight ahead. Perhaps we can imagine going through a cave or a narrow passage down at Turkey Run or ShadesState Park. Both sides are pressing close against us, in this case, the sides are positive, he desires them both: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (v. 21). Paul’s attitude in this passage can seem a bit out of reach for us. After all, if we imagine being chained to a Roman guard all the waking hours of our day, under house arrest awaiting trial, we might imagine the top concern on our mind might be getting out! In fact, we might be tempted to describe Paul here as something of a fanatic, out there, and beyond us. His chief goal is that Christ “be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death” (. 20).

This week I was reading Jesus’ words in Luke 13:18-19. I was thinking about how insignificant a mustard seed seems, yet it turns into something so substantial. Looks are deceiving. God takes the insignificant and makes them significant. And we hope that this is true in our own lives, because we often feel so small and simple. That is why when we hear stories like the below that we can’t help but stand up and cheer . . . or cry with a smile on our faces.

At our Men’s Bible Study a couple of weeks ago there was a discussion of how and when we got the Bible that we were studying. I thought I would put together some quick facts about our Bible. I have no doubt that we can trust that the Bible we have today is trustworthy and reliable. Enjoy.

Lesson from March 29th, 2009

Philippians 1:1-11

The story of the church in Phillipi begins in the book of acts in the early 50s A.D.  In Acts 16 we learn of Paul taking Timothy with him on Missionary journey.  Paul has a vision of a man from Macedon (Modern day Greece) who begs him to come to help the people there.  We learn in Acts that Phillipi was a Roman colony and a leading city in the area. 

Lesson from March 21st, 2009

Colossians 4: 7-18

This is the last section of the letter to the Colossians. While it does not address a major theological issue or even a significant practical issue directly, there are still elements of these dynamics held within it. As we examine it closely we learn things about Paul’s ministry, his friends and companions, and the nature of Christian relationships. This is also the time to look back across the letter and to try to summarize what we have learned.