Philemon - Will You Let My People Go?
March 31, 2024
Paul wrote Philemon about his former slave Onesimus. More than likely Onesimus had run away from Philemon, a crime punishable by death. While in prison, Paul led Onesimus to faith in Christ. Paul sent him back and asked Philemon to give Onesimus his freedom as a fellow brother in Christ. The Scriptures reveal God as the One who frees the enslaved. N.T. Wright calls this brief letter “a ticking time bomb” for the abolition of slavery. All are invited into the Kingdom of God regardless of their station in life. Slavery 2,000 years ago was prevalent with 80% of the Roman world enslaved. For some this was the only way to have a place to live or food to eat. Onesimus whose name means “Useful” delivered this letter to Philemon. Paul invited Philemon to do something extremely counter cultural and more in line with the heart of God who created all human beings in His image. #NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ApostlePaul #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Titus #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Philemon #abolitionists #endslavery
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Paul reminds Titus of the importance of living differently from the rest of the world. We honor and pray for our authorities. We are productive and caring for each other.
All of us fall short of the life God has for us, but He offers to rescue all of us. This offer is not because of the good things we have done but because of His mercy and kindness. He renews us and makes us new by giving us His Spirit when we surrender our lives to follow Him. We become part of a new community, a new version of humanity
#NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ApostlePaul #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Titus
March 30, 2024
Paul reminds Titus to spend time with those who are older and those who are younger. There should be healthy interaction between all the generations. All are welcome and all have a part to play.
The secret to move broken people to become spiritual leaders is grace. It’s God’s unconditional love that helps us say “no” to those things which are destructive. We should be so overwhelmed with God’s love that we desire to become more like Jesus out of gratitude for all He has done for us.
#NewTestament #Devotional #SpiritualGrowth #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ApostlePaul #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Titus
March 29, 2024
Paul encouraged Titus to straighten out the church in Crete where there were many who were rebellious and teaching Gentiles needed to become Jewish before they could follow Jesus. His goal was to raise up spiritual leaders who have healthy families, were blameless, not given to drunkenness, and living a transformed life so that they could help bring about transformation among those around them.
#NewTestament #BibleCommentary #ScriptureAnalysis #Devotional #ChristianLifestyle #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianTeachings #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ApostlePaul #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Titus
March 28, 2024
Paul left Titus in Crete in order to appoint elders - spiritually mature servant leaders in the church. The challenge was that he was working with people who were referred to as “liars, evil brutes, and last gluttons.” In other words, Titus’ goal was to help lead broken people to become trustworthy leaders.
Discover how to do this through this letter from Paul.
#NewTestament #BibleCommentary #ScriptureAnalysis #Devotional #ChristianLifestyle #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianTeachings #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ApostlePaul #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Titus
March 27, 2024
In what may be his last letter, Paul encourages Timothy that he can be faithful to do what he is called to do in spite of the opposition and those abandoning their mission.
Paul writes that “God will safely deliver me into his heavenly kingdom.” We like the idea of God safely delivering us from our challenging circumstances, but that is not promised to us. Believers in Christ need to have a bigger perspective as this life is not all that there is. God does promise us that we will never be out of his presence.
#NewTestament #BibleCommentary #ScriptureAnalysis #Devotional #ChristianLifestyle #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianTeachings #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ApostlePaul #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Timothy
March 26, 2024
Paul warns Timothy that he will be persecuted because he is seeking to live a godly life. He reminds Timothy of the great faith of his mother and grandmother and the wonderful times they had together on the journey they experienced planting churches.
There will be tough days when people who claim to be followers of Jesus try to tempt others away from the ways of Jesus. Timothy is not alone though. He has the Spirit of God and the Scriptures to help him teach, rebuke, correct, and train others in the right ways to live.
We have the resources we need to live a transformed life.
#NewTestament #BibleCommentary #ScriptureAnalysis #Devotional #ChristianLifestyle #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianTeachings #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ApostlePaul #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Timothy
March 25, 2024
Paul encourages Timothy to raise up others who are reliable to serve along with him. He reminds him that serving in God’s Kingdom is hard work like a farmer, athlete, or soldier. Timothy needs to stand up against false teachers to protect his church family.
The word “elect” is a word that is often misunderstood. This does not mean that some are chosen and some are not chosen. When we choose to say “yes” to Jesus we become part of “the elect.”
#NewTestament #BibleCommentary #ScriptureAnalysis #Devotional #ChristianLifestyle #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianTeachings #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ApostlePaul #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Timothy
March 24, 2024
Paul writes Timothy reminding him that he has the power of the Spirit of God which helps us love and have self-discipline. He does not want him to shrink back due to the challenging circumstances he faces.
Paul has been abandoned by many of his former coworkers and is suffering for his faith, and he wants Timothy not to forget him. He wants Timothy to continue in the way of Jesus, the sound teaching he knows, and helping others experience the transformation that Jesus brings.
#NewTestament #BibleCommentary #ScriptureAnalysis #Devotional #ChristianLifestyle #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianTeachings #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ApostlePaul #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Timothy
March 23, 2024
We are eternal creatures living in a temporary world. How we relate to those with whom we work and do life should be different. We should pursue righteousness rather than give into arguments and disagreements. We should be content and use our wealth to bless others and advance God’s Kingdom. We should fight the good fight of faith and make Jesus our priority.
We are a new version of humanity. Paul wants to make sure that Timothy is leading his church in the right way, protecting them from false doctrines and following in the ways of Jesus.
#NewTestament #BibleCommentary #ScriptureAnalysis #Devotional #ChristianLifestyle #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianTeachings #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ApostlePaul #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Timothy
March 22, 2024
Paul reminds Timothy to respect those who are older and to treat with kindness and purity those who are younger. He also gives him guidance on how to care for the widows in their community.
This is a new version of humanity! We help each other with our struggles to all become more and more like Jesus.
#NewTestament #BibleCommentary #ScriptureAnalysis #Devotional #ChristianLifestyle #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianTeachings #BibleSummary #Christianity #BibleStudy #ScriptureSummary #ApostlePaul #ChristianLife #Faith #Church #EarlyChurch #Timothy
March 21, 2024
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