more training

Good afternoon friends,
I hope you're having a good and relaxing weekend. In today's reading, Paul reminds Timothy that part of his calling as a leader in the church is to correct those who are going astray, but he needs to do that gently. Gentleness and love is as important as truth when it comes to helping others see where they need to change. Humility is a big part of that as well, since we are not meant to judge others, and we all have room to grow.
 

Also in this passage are two of the most famous verses about scripture: "All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work." Inspired can also be translated as "God breathed," because the scripture is God's word, even though it was written by people. When we spend time regularly with the Bible, we will grow in faith and in spiritual power. Notice that Paul again uses the image of training in godliness; we need to be intentional about our faith development. That's one thing we'll be talking about after worship tomorrow: how can we do more to help our youngest members develop in their faith. I hope you'll be part of that conversation.

God bless,
Sam

2 Timothy 3:10-17

¹⁰Now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, ¹¹my persecutions and suffering the things that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. ¹²Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. ¹³But wicked people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived. 

¹⁴But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, ¹⁵and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

God's sword

Good morning brothers and sisters,
In today's reading the author of the Letter to the Hebrews compares God's word with a sharp sword. He or she talks about how scripture exposes our inner self to God, who sees everything about us. When we read scripture, especially when we read it prayerfully, we don't just learn stories about our faith or pieces of doctrine. We see God revealed through the word. We also see ourselves clearly. When the psalmist talks honestly about his sin and the joy of forgiveness, we see how we get tangled up in sin as well. When ordinary people do amazing things for God we are inspired to claim our own ministry. When biblical characters do mean or stupid things, we reflect on the areas we still need to work on.

Scripture convicts us of our shortcomings and it lifts up our potential. It also reminds us that no matter what we have done, God is merciful and wants to forgive us. So open the word, confess your brokenness, and come to the throne of grace.

God bless,
Sam

Hebrews 4:12-16

¹²Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ¹³And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.

¹⁴Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. ¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

taxes and inspiring others with faith

Good morning sisters and brothers,
Worship today will include a skit to reflect on the scripture for the morning. We won't be hearing this scripture, but we will be thinking about what is really important in life. I think you're in for a treat. I am hoping yesterday's wind dies down for my race this morning in Toronto. I'll hit the halfway point somewhere in the middle of worship, so prayer would be nice.

In our epistle readings we begin a new letter, this one to the church in Thessalonica. Paul writes that the faith of the Thessalonians is so strong that they are an inspiration for other churches throughout the region. In Matthew Jesus teaches on balancing our role as citizens and as people of faith. Citizenship in a democracy like ours is very different from being a subject in an empire in which one had no input as Jesus was. Still Jesus' teaching helps us remember that we are dual citizens.

God bless,
Sam

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

2We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly 3remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, 5because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake.



6And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, 7so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. 9For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, 10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead — Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.



*Sunday

Matthew 22:15-22

15Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. 16So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. 17Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?“ 18But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? 19Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. 20Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” 21They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 22When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

persistence and scriptural guidance

Good morning sisters and brothers,
Our reading from Timothy is one of my favorite statements on scripture. Paul reminds Timothy to strengthen himself in the scriptures because they instruct in Christ's salvation. He also reminds him to dedicate himself to scripture in his teaching because "All scripture is inspired and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness." He also warns Timothy that people will be drawn away by teachers they choose for themselves who simply tell people what they want to hear, rather than keeping the challenge and demand of the gospel in front of them.

Our reading from Luke reminds us to keep praying, even when it seems like God isn't listening. God hears us, and God wants to hear us. Never give up because God's final victory of love is certain.

On a (sort of) separate note, we are starting a new series at the Boulevard Wednesday evening at 8pm. The focus of the series is getting back to the basics of who God is and what the story of faith is about. My hope is to invite people who don't go to church to join the conversation. If you have someone in your life who doesn't believe, or believes but doesn't go to church, this may be the series for them. It's less intimidating than a Sunday school class because it's at a bar instead of the church.

God bless,
Sam

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, 15and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: 2proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. 3For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, 4and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. 5As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

*Sunday

Luke 18:1-8

1Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. 2He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. 3In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my opponent.' 4For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, 5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'" 6And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? 8I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"