Category: By Rob Woodrum

Christians Ain’t Normal

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goofy47We’re going to be looking at 1 Thes 4:1-12 this Sunday.  (The Message version)

When Tim came back with his report about the young church in Thessalonica, he obviously saw that they had some things “lacking in their faith”, as Paul stated last chapter.  That is, there were things they weren’t so clear on…things they hadn’t learned yet, or didn’t understand…and even things that needed to be changed in their lifestyles that would more properly reflect the faith that they had embraced.

So, Paul sets about to encourage them.  They were under a lot of pressure from the people of their society to revert back to their former lifestyles.  All Christians face that pressure, even if its just through the constant bombardment of popular media…we are all under pressure to be “normal“.

But Paul reminds the Thessalonians that Christians just ain’t that way…normal, that is.  That’s basically what he’s getting across in v1-3a (especially in 3a).  When you hear the word “sanctification”, what does it make you think of?  That word is intimidating…and I may be way oversimplifying the concept…but it carries the idea of being “set apart” from the normal practices and attitudes of the world, and set apart to God’s character and values.  In other words…we are no longer normal by the world’s standard.  (So…obviously, this means “normal” from the world’s perspective…not God’s)

Now v3-5 Paul talks about how a Christian’s attitude toward sexuality deviates from the normal pattern of the world.  How is it different?  How important does this seem, as you consider Paul’s wording?  Does this seem like a “petty” issue to you, based on these passages?

In v6-8, while the wording in English seems to indicate the same context as the previous verses…the original isn’t quite that clear…and I feel safer taking the straightforward meaning of “defraud” , which means to take advantage of or steal from…or cheat.  We can apply those concepts to sexuality, but not as directly as we could to our business dealings.  I could be wrong…but I think Paul has changed the subject, moving from our attitudes about sex to our attitudes about personal gain.  If that’s the context, how is a Christian’s attitude toward personal gain a deviation from the world’s norm?  Which number does the world tell us to look out for?  Again…does Paul seem to consider these insignificant matters that we can take or leave?

In v8-10 Paul comes back to the subject of brotherly love.  He indicates that they already walk differently from the world’s norms in this area, but he wants them to increase in the expression of it.  Why not just say “good job” and leave it there?

V11-12 provides the last example of how a Christian should live, and it provides another incentive besides just being pleasing to God (which is our primary motive)…what is it?  What does living this way do?

Stuff to ponder….see yer’ Sundee.

Truths About Troubles

Rob Woodrum2 Comments

Just a quick reminder, we’re having a meeting after 2nd service ( 1-18-08 ) for anyone interested in getting an update on Eastgate finances, hearing our present state and future plans, and meeting the supervisors of the various ministries we have currently in place.  Hope you can make it.

42-21352842This Sunday we’ll be reading all of 1 Thessalonians 3.  Also read it in The Message version.

In this section, Paul is recounting why he sent Timothy to them, what he heard from Timothy that encouraged him, and what his prayers are for them.  In this section, we get an insight into what Paul was concerned about for them as they went through the hardships of persecution for their faith….and I believe his concerns reveal some truths we need to keep in mind concerning the troubles WE face, as 21st Century, American Christians.

In v1-3, Paul is relieved that they weren’t thrown by the fact that they faced troubles.  He reminds them about the reality of hard times…what does he say about them?  How do we apply that to our OWN lives, as we face hardships?

In v4, Paul is relieved that their troubles didn’t result in something undesirable.  What is it?  What does that encourage us to be on guard about when we face difficult circumstances?

In v5-9 Paul goes over the good report that Tim gave him…and in v11-13, he tells the Thessalonians what he’s praying for concerning them.  What is the heart of his prayer, in v12?  What do we take then, as the priority of our journey, even in hard times?

Stuff to think on.  See you Sunday!

The Dynamics of Our Faith

Rob Woodrum2 Comments

This Sunday we’ll be looking at 1 Thess 2:13-20 as we finish up the chapter. (The Message Version)

Paul will move from talking about how he shared the gospel, to how they received it.  As we examine their response, in light of our own purpose of finding hope in uncertain times, we recognize a few elements that added depth to the faith of the Thessalonian Christians.

In V13, what is Paul stoked about concerning them?  What did he mean, in his writing, by the “Word of God”?  What do we apply to our own lives of faith from this verse?

V14-16 describes some of the things that resulted in believing Paul’s message.  It wasn’t rest on soft pillows…what was it?  Sometimes we can think we did something wrong when we face hard times…but v14 puts a different light on hard times and the struggles we face for our faith.  What comfort can we draw from v14? (read it in the Message)

v17-20 tells of Paul’s great love for the Thessalonians, and his frustration at not being able to return to them.   V18 is a standout in that section.  In one verse, with a few words, Paul indicates the scope of all the events that have unfolded.  This is much bigger than magistrates and Synagogue leaders.  Who opposes Paul?  Who is the enemy?  Does he win?

Stuff to gnaw on.

Peace.

Cody in New York

Rob Woodrum3 Comments

Hey all…a few weeks ago I asked us to pray for Cody Hudgens, who was heading off to New York city to do missions work with Graffiti church.  Well…she’s there now, and has a blog that she updates fairly regularly.  Check it out HERE.  She’s a good writer, and I think it would really be helpful to her if we could keep up with her exploits, and leave some encouraging comments for her on her blog. Thanks!

Finding Hope in Uncertain Times

Rob Woodrum3 Comments

wondersplashLast week we started a new study in 1&2 Thessalonians, under the header “Finding Hope in Uncertain Times”.  It should be a timely series.  We covered all of chapter one last Sunday, and what with the all the holiday happs, I didn’t get around to updating this blog.  We should be back on track now though.

This Sunday we’ll be covering 1 Thes 2:1-12 (and in the Message version).

I was talking to an insurance agent who is a believer, who was telling me how the company he represents is by and large trying to pull out of Florida.  This has had the effect of almost wiping his business out.  Yet, the first thing he said was “This is the time when our testimony will shine, because we have a hope that’s not of this world.”  One of the natural by-products of our hope during times of trouble is that we find opportunities to share that hope with other people.  Really…that’s probably the primary focus we as the church should have…to share our hope in Christ with those who have no hope.

As we look at how Paul describes his presentation of the Message of Christ to the Thessalonian people, we can find some insights into how we can be effective in presenting the hope we have with the world around us.

In v 1-2, Paul explains how he had faced a lot of hostility in Phillipi, just before he came to Thessalonica.  He doesn’t go into detail…but he was publicly humiliated in Phillipi…yet he says he still had boldness to speak in their city.  What was the source of his boldness?  Was his confidence in his speaking ability, or his knowledge of theology, or his marketing strategy?  What was Paul confident in ?  What do we learn about being effective in sharing our hope during OUR times of trouble?

In v3-6, Paul describes what he DIDN’T do when sharing his faith.  What does all of that add up to?  How would you summarize his approach?  How does that make our sharing of the hope we have effective in OUR world when times are hard?

In v7-12, Paul really opens up his heart and describes how much the Thessalonians mean to him.  v7 and v9 and 11 provide the adjectives which reveals how he treated them.  What do those adjectives reveal to you?  How would you apply those to your attempts at sharing the hope you have in Christ with the world where you’ve been placed?

Definitely stuff to think about.  See you Sundee’!

Learning to “Talk the Walk”

Rob Woodrum3 Comments

communicationn-copyYou may think I have the title backward.  “Isn’t it usually ‘walk the talk’, Rob?”  Yes..usually…the idea being that we don’t want to just talk about our beliefs without putting them into practice.  But as we finish our study in Colossians this Sunday, we’ll find that Paul puts an emphasis on talking. 

We’ll be reading all of chapter four, but our focus will largely be on verses 2-6. (The Message version)

We could break v2-6 neatly into two sections: v2-4 and v5-6.  The first kind of talking Paul mentions is talking to God.  Prayer.  It’s often an uncomfortable subject because so many feel inadequate when it comes to prayer…or struggle with a sense of condemnation because they automatically think they don’t “do it enough”.  That’s a brilliant strategy by our enemy, because the results of that is usually the avoidance of prayer on our part, until a crisis happens.

What have your experiences in prayer been?  Have you learned to find a comfortable means of communicating with God?  Everyone’s experience will be different, I’d love to hear yours.

Paul says to “continue” in prayer…that word means to be devoted to, or constantly attentive to something.  Like…when you’re watching a football game, but you have to fix a snack, you work on the sammich, but also listen to and snag glimpses of the game as you pile on the lunch-meat.  Or…maybe a nobler example would be more suitable: if you’re a parent, and your child is sick in another room, you may go about your work and deal with other issues…but there is part of you that is constantly on vigil, attentive to your child’s sounds and possible needs.  Right?

THAT is how Paul said our conversations with God should be.  What does that tell us?

Part of what Paul asks them to pray for is wisdom for him, to know how to talk to people about the gospel (v4).  Does that strike you as interesting, and even a little surprising?  Paul needs to know how to talk about Jesus?  Maybe, or more appropriately, he needs to know how the gospel should be presented?

Which leads us to v5-6, which deal with how WE present ourselves, and communicate with people.  Does anyone else have trouble reconciling a “bullhorn” evangelist with v6?  Maybe it’s just me, but somehow, the two seem incongruent.

As you read Paul’s final, personal greetings, is there anything that catches your attention that you’d like to hear expounded on?  I’m planning on skimming it…but if there’s something of interest in there to someone besides a historian who is intrigued with fitting the puzzle pieces together, I’d be glad to touch on it.

Anyway…hope you’ve enjoyed Colossians.  See yer’ Sunday!

Omitted Prayer Request

Rob Woodrum1 Comment

Y’know…I got so wound up with stressing over last Sunday’s teaching that I forgot to mention a prayer request that Jim Scroggs (you usually see him behind the drums during the worship service)…so…here it is now.  I’ll post it here and on the Prayer Wall page. 

“A friend of my from High School (Connie Carroll) who I have been emailing back and forth for a couple

year’s sister (Ellen Hapner) died this morning 25/Nov/08.  She was only 38 years old.  She died from

an aneurysm.  She had been having headaches and forgetfulness for about a week.  She

came home this morning from work, took a shower, got in her pajama’s, then sat in her

chair, closed her eyes and never woke up.  Her husband called the paramedics, but she

had already passed away.  My friend told me that Ellen had recently been Baptized.  Could

you please do a prayer this Sunday at Church.  We will be out of town so I’ll miss it, but just

knowing will be of comfort.  I had met Ellen a couple times back in the school days.  But this

prayer request is for my friend, her family and for Ellen.

Thanks

 God Bless

Jim Scroggs“

We’ll keep their family in prayer.

ugh

Rob Woodrum4 Comments

42-18562917

Covering Colossians 3:18-19 this Sunday.

ugh.

Well?  What do you think?  What is submission?  What does it look like to love without selfishness?  Is it too late for me to find a new vocation?

I may try to wear Kevlar.

Dressing the Part

Rob Woodrum6 Comments

Just a reminder that next Wednesday, Aug 26th, we won’t be having a meeting that night.  Pass the word to anyone who might need to know, and who doesn’t always read this stuff or get announcements.

Also, I read an interesting blog post about how Christians interface with new technologies like Facebook.  It’s really worth the read.  For any of you Facebook users out there…we started an Eastgate group…go join it!

42-19063932

This Sunday, we’ll be looking at Colossians 3:12-17.  Read it here in the Message.

Paul began this discussion by telling us what attitudes and motives we shouldn’t be guided by.  In the next few verses, he describes the kind of life we should wear.  In v12, Paul again hearkens back to the “because of this, then this should happen” premise.  Because we are included, safe and loved by God, he describes how we should handle our “self-life”…that is, the kind of attitudes we want to cultivate as individuals.  All of the things Paul mentions are only possible to operate from when we feel secure about ourselves. 

If we don’t feel secure about ourselves when it comes to our outer appearance…it effects the way we dress, doesn’t it?  If we feel overweight, we don’t usually like to wear tight clothes.  But if we feel good about how we look, we are more bold in our clothing choices…even willing to show off more of who we are.

That’s what Paul is getting at…when it comes to our inner person, we are in GOOD shape.  We are loved, accepted, set aside like a favorite by God.  If we could really come to grips with that, how would it effect the way we pursue life? 

In v13-14, Paul extends beyond the individual, and describes how we want to interact with other people in general.  Obviously, he repeats Jesus’ command to be forgiving…and then he talks about love.  To quote Tina Turner, “What’s love got to do with it?”.  What is Paul saying about love in connection with human interfacing?

Finally, he gets specific in terms of community, and addresses how the church should dress…not in clothing styles…but in LIFEstyles.  What attitudes should we wear, according to v15-16, when we gather as a church community?  What seems to be the most important thing in this description?  Does it fit your experience with church?

Wrapping it up, Paul sweeps his hands and encompasses all of life in v17.  Everything…everything we do, he says should be done in the “name of Jesus”.  What does this mean?  Does this mean when I go to the bank, and ask for a deposit slip I should say “I need to deposit funds, in the name of Jee-yah-zus!”   Seriously…what is it to do life in Jesus’ name?

Stuff to ponder-fy.

See ya’ Sundee.