Bible Study

September 23, 2025 (

1 Thessalonians 4:13 –  (CSB)

“Death To the Believer is a Good Night’s Sleep”

“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.”

When Timothy returned from visiting the church in Thessalonica he reported many people were confused about their loved ones when the rapture comes.

There has been much speculation about the rapture of the church in the recent days. Many things are pointing to the return of Jesus and the rapture of the church. The rapture or “taking up” of the Christ Followers from all ages to meet Jesus in the sky. I believe it will happen I have no doubt but I can also say with great certainty I have no idea when it will occur.

Paul wants us to know as much as he knew about the return of Jesus. He refers to those who are “asleep.” A person who has accepted the offer of forgiveness from Jesus will like all people suffer death once. Paul taught we are “asleep.” The non-believer will face a second death that being a spiritual death and eternal punishment away from God in the fiery pit where Satan will be cast into along with the demons that work to destroy you today. They will be joined by all non-believers.

Paul says those who have fallen asleep or passed from their earthly life will arise first can you imagine that? Then those still living will follow. As the old song goes “What a day that will be.”

As we see the day approaching what can we do?

1. Pray – make a list of your family members that you can pray for. You do not need to pray for each on everyday unless you feel  led to do. But we do need to pray.
2. Seek out opportunities to share what Jesus has done in your life to show you love and forgiveness.
3. Live in grace toward all people.
4. Live a life acceptable to God before all men.
5. Pray.

God Bless.

Bible Study

September 22, 2025 (CSB)

1 Thessalonians 4:9 – 12 (CSB)

“Sometimes Love Is Difficult”

“About brotherly love: You don’t need me to write you because you yourselves are taught by God to love one another. 10 In fact, you are doing this toward all the brothers and sisters in the entire region of Macedonia. But we encourage you, brothers and sisters, to do this even more, 11 to seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 so that you may behave properly in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone.”

Why would a believer need a study on love? Simple answer we’re human and we need a reminder.

We recently witnessed the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Some say it was political because he was killed, some say it was because of what he said and / or how he said it. What he said about Christianity is scripturally sound.

“Just minutes before conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was shot in the neck and killed on Wednesday while speaking to students at Utah Valley University, he shared Bible scriptures with the crowd.

He was sharing 2 Corinthians 5:15.  The NIV translation states, “And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

In his statements to the crowd, Kirk stated, “That’s all pretty amazing evidence, not just intra-biblical evidence but extra-biblical evidence that Jesus Christ was a real person. He lived a perfect life. He was crucified, died, and rose on the third day, and he is Lord and God overall.” (According to Christian News).

Everyone has their opinion about the “why” of this senseless act. Personally I believe the shooter was possessed otherwise why would you kill another human being. He was a deranged, mentally messed up person living in a relationship with a man transitioning to a female –  simple said that is the mind that has been messed up. If you look into his background you may well find a person going into dark chat rooms, delving into things that are unhealthy, a most likely a gamer. No doubt, contrary to what Kimmel said he is a far left wing ideologist.

Now look at what Erika Kirks said three simple words “I forgive him.” Now I ask you who is on the right track?

I closed yesterday’s message with a quote from Denzel Washington both an actor (of integrity) and a licensed minister. He said. “Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons”. I leave it at that.

God Bless.

September 19, 2025 (CSB)

1 Thessalonians 4:1 – 8  (CSB)

A Holy and Beautiful Life”

“Additionally then, brothers and sisters, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received instruction from us on how you should live and please God—as you are doing—do this even more. 2 For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is God’s will, your sanctification: that you keep away from sexual immorality, 4 that each of you knows how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not with lustful passions, like the Gentiles, who don’t know God. 6 This means one must not transgress against and take advantage of a brother or sister in this manner, because the Lord is an avenger of all these offenses, as we also previously told and warned you. 7 For God has not called us to impurity but to live in holiness. 8 Consequently, anyone who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

Paul wrote with the authority of Jesus Himself. The scriptures contain both what we should do and should not do to live a holy life. It is laid out before us. Paul is giving specific instructions here concerning spiritual morality.

Man is to control his own body, the woman to do the same and when that is done a beautiful relationship will develop. The same is true when we remain faithful to Jesus when we hold Him as our Savior then a beautiful life appears before us.

I believe the spiritual application here is what Paul was talking about because in verse five he refers to the Gentiles as non-Christians by saying “they do not know God.”

Paul goes on to say we are avoid all demands for social destructive acts and spiritual implications of illegitimate sexual activity. He gives us the free gift of the Holy Spirit to hold us accountable.

God Bless.

Bible Study

September 18, 2025 (CSB)

1 Thessalonians 3:11 – 13 (CSB)

“Let Your Prayers Splash Over”

Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we do for you. 13 May he make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. Amen.

Paul knew Jesus directed his path and that Satan would hinder it any time he could so Paul does the next thing – he prays. So many make that the last alternative rather than the first.

Notice the words in verse twelve “to increase and overflow with love for one another.” Anyone alive today would know that love is not overflowing in our nation. It is apparent in the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk and someone at a recent rally carrying a sign to kill the president. One way to quiet your political enemies is to kill them. One way to quiet Satan in your life is to pray, resist, and thank the Lord for His leadership.

Paul didn’t pray weak little prayers as we see his prayer here to the church is quite strong. He prayed for them to increase in love and overflow with love. If we were to be praying people then the world would change and we all would be off knowing others also are praying and we would be lifted up knowing we are being prayed for.

Paul prayed there would be no causes of the members being unholy in their pursuit of love. When we do that we are then blameless before God. Paul uses the term “saints” meaning those who have been redeemed and are in fellowship with God. Those are the ones that will be raptured when Jesus comes back for His church.

God Bless.

Bible Study

September 17, 2025 (CSB)

1 Thessalonians 3:6 – 10  (CSB)

“A Terrific  Report”

“But now Timothy has come to us from you and brought us good news about your faith and love. He reported that you always have good memories of us and that you long to see us, as we also long to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and affliction, we were encouraged about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy we experience before our God because of you, 10 as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face and to complete what is lacking in your faith?”

What a great report for Paul to receive. The church was doing well Satan had not been able to infiltrate it with his lies and false doctrine. How were they able to accomplish something such as this? They resisted the temptations placed before them.

How do we overcome? By resisting the temptations Satan throws at us. Paul says they (he) has been encouraged by what he has heard of the church. Paul like us needed encouragement whether in sickness, anxiety, fear, uncertainty nothing is better for the one in distress than a word of encouragement.

I can see Paul setting the stage for the church as one standing such as an army ready for battle and refusing to lose. They are being assaulted as the church is today. We stand for what the scriptures say and we will be challenged a form of persecution. Paul has encouraged each of the stand firm in what we believe.

Paul was asking what could he do in return for their remaining faithful as he relished in the joy of seeing them stay strong. As fervent a fighter against the church before his conversion he was even a greater proponent of the church and for the church once he met his Damascus road experience.

As John wrote to the seven churches in the Revelation of Jesus Paul was telling them the one thing they needed: they had not reached their potential and he encouraged them to stay strong and remain fervent in walk in the truth.

Is there something your church of today needs?

God Bless.

Bible Study

September 16, 2025 (CSB)

1 Thessalonians 3:1 – 5 (CSB)

“Efforts Bring Forth Results”

“Therefore, when we could no longer stand it, we thought it was better to be left alone in Athens. 2 And we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith, 3 so that no one will be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we told you in advance that we were going to experience affliction, and as you know, it happened. 5 For this reason, when I could no longer stand it, I also sent him to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that our labor might be for nothing.”

Paul after his conversion was a completely changed man. Conversion changes us all but Paul went about destroying Christians even watching at the stoning of Stephen. We have no indication Pau threw a stone but we know he was complicit by holding the coats of the stoners. What a transformation God did in his life.

Now Pual is suffering from the separation of being away from the church so he sends Timothy in his place. Paul’s primary concern was not with anything but the spiritual life of those he ministered to. One of the many components of faith is our doctrine by that I mean what do I believe and how to I support it.

Paul knew what it was to be afflicted and here we see he says to remain steadfast when they come upon us. Afflictions come to everyone the believer has a greater source available through the Holy Spirit to aid us in all things challenges we face.

Paul identified Satan as one who hinders us in 2:18 and here he refers to him as the tempter. Satan will tempt and try us trying to get us to fail in our spiritual walk – we must resist as we hold the key to resisting or submitting.

In 2:1 we see Paul’s ministry was not in vain in fact it was fruitful where people were being saved and a vibrant reproducing church had been founded.

God Bless.

Bible Study

September 15, 2025 (CSB)

1 Thessalonians 2:15 – 20 (CSB)

“VIctory Over All”

“Who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and persecuted us. They displease God and are hostile to everyone, 16 by keeping us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. As a result, they are constantly filling up their sins to the limit, and wrath has overtaken them at last. 17 But as for us, brothers and sisters, after we were forced to leave you for a short time (in person, not in heart), we greatly desired and made every effort to return and see you face to face. 18 So we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us. 19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 Indeed you are our glory and joy!”

It was the will of God that all men find a relationship with God while to the Jew it was the will of the Jews that no man found a relationship with His Son Jesus.

As a result of the attitude of the Jews several things happened to them:

1. Historically all of the Babylonian exile,

2. Prophetically the destruction of the temple in 70 AD,

3. The teaching of Jesus second coming,

4. The doctrine of salvation concerning God’s coming wrath.

It is this point that Paul is bringing up. Paul had been torn away from the people he loved the Thessalonians and they had been orphaned because of this separation. He points to the problem here it is Satan who continues to be the problem in the world today. In reading and studying scripture we must see how it applies to us today. When Paul said He wanted to come to them again he was desiring to go to the seven churches John wrote about in the book of Revelation.

What does he mean by the term “crown of boasting?” Scripture teaches eternal life is like a wreath awarded in an athletic event. It is imperishable, it is righteous, it celebrates the victory over defilement, it celebrates the victory over death, and it celebrates salvation’s victory over Satan.

Victory surrounds the believer. God Bless.

Bible Study

September 12, 2025

1 Thessalonians 2:11 – 14  (CSB)

“Living Step By Step”

11 “As you know, like a father with his own children, 12 we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to walk worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. 13 This is why we constantly thank God, because when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is, the word of God, which also works effectively in you who believe. 14 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, since you have also suffered the same things from people of your own country, just as they did from the Jews.”

Many people have not had an earthly father that exemplifies God, the Father of all. For that reason they cannot see a loving God as their father because of the hurt they have suffered. But, das, if that was your situation you know to do better with your children.

Paul spoke the words “encouraged, comforted, and implored” to describe his relationship with the church in Thessalonica emphasizing the personal touch of a father. But he also adds “the one who called you into His kingdom” that can only be our Fater God.

Paul references “the word of God” as the message he preached and the one Peter preached to the Gentiles. The only message of truth and faith. The Word of God is a powerful word when spoken can change people’s lives, can radically change the course of a nation. Ezra said this in 2 Chronicles 7:14 “and my people, who bear my name, humble themselves, pray and seek my face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.” The course of life and be changed by prayer and faith.

Paul encourages the church to become an “imitator” of God’s churches that are Judea. These churches had been persecuted as Jesus was and he is telling to walk in the way of the Old Testament just as the Jews did.

God Bless.