LUKE 1:1-80 - I want to do something different as we prepare for the celebration of Christmas this week. Today, we're going to soak in the whole of Luke chapter 1. Usually, we look at just one portion, but today I encourage you to take the time to read the entire chapter. It’s so expansive with so much wind of the Spirit blowing through, preparing the scene for the coming of the Saviour. Enjoy the reading. The backdrop to this chapter? Four hundred years of silence. Four hu

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other an

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night … But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him … For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. (verses 13

Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. (verses 1-2) - “Please God.” This is a recurring challenge from Paul. We’ve already encountered it in 2 Corinthians 5:9 ( “we make it our goal to please him” ) and Ephesians 5:10 ( “find out what pleases God” ). Each time, Paul

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus Christ clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. (verses 11-13) - Again, the tender compassion of Paul spills out of this passage. He’s been yearning to know h

We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. (verses 2-4) - Paul’s initial visit to Thessalonica had ended in hostilities. The leaders of the local synag

For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy. (verses 19-20) - Paul was a man with eyes clearly focused on Jesus. “Set your hearts on things above where Christ is seated,” he urged the Colossians (3:1) – it was his own day-by-day, committed focus in the “right now” of his life. But even more, he had his sights set on the future, on the certainty of that day

… we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us … For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. (Verses 7-8, 11-12) - There is such tenderness in this passa

For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. (verses 4-6) - As Paul reflects on his friends in the Thessalonian church, the place he starts is w

… Grace and peace to you. We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. - Right off the top, in these first few verses, we get hit with a Big Five line-up – five vital components of Christian life. Grace. Peace. Faith. Love. Hope. As always, Paul starts this letter with the twin blessing

My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) (verse 10) - Paul is currently imprisoned, probably in Rome, and as he brings his letter to a close, he lists a number of people who are with him (Aristarchus, Jesus who is called Justus, Epaphras, Luke, Demas), and then sends greetings to the whole church (both in Colossae and Laodicea), specifically naming

(Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful …) Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. (verses 2, 12-13) - “Devote yourselves to prayer,” Paul says, using the very word that describes the passion of the early church in the

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (verse 2) - Prayer. It’s foundational in following Jesus. His teaching makes it clear. “Ask, seek, knock,” he says, inviting us to lay our requests before the Father who faithfully listens and lovingly responds. “You should always pray and not give up,” Jesus continues, stretching us to engage fully with time and faith. Indeed, his own life of prayer so captivated his disciples that they cried out, “Teach us to pray,

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favour, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favouritism. Masters, provide yo

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. (verses 20-21) - Here we have the third and fourth of Paul’s concise, bullet-points for family life. The first two dealt with wives and husbands. These two deal with children and parents. But since very few children will likely read this post (!), I’m going to address the whole thing to parents. Which is a good thing, because it seems

Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. (verses 18-21) - Wow. Talk about bullet-points for family life! Here they are: (1) “Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands.” This statement seems completely out of tune with the world in which we now live.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of C

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put o

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (verses 1-4) - Our reality has been completely transformed in Christ, elevated into a whole new dimension. Everything is changed. So, the whole dire