ISSL Reflections Titus 1:1–3; 2:11–15 Post 3

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VII.
Paul speaks of himself as “a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ….”

A very bold claim.

But I wonder if his next claim is even more bold – “for the sake of the faith of God’s elect ….”

Can you think of folk you have encountered or know of who could make a similar claim?

As you read the focus passage, who comes to mind?

VIII.
Titus 1:1-3; 2:11-15 (NRSVue)

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that is in accordance with godliness, in the hope of eternal life that God, who never lies, promised before the ages began — in due time he revealed his word through the proclamation with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior,

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one look down on you.

IX.
How do folk you know demonstrate they have a heart “for the sake of the faith of God’s people”?

What might you do that has as its goal expressing your hope and prayers “for the sake of the faith of God’s people”?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections Titus 1:1–3; 2:11–15 Post 2

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IV.
Let’s start our reflection today by taking notice of the phrase, “For the grace of God has appeared ….”

For Paul, what follows from the appearance of the “grace of God”?

V.
Titus 1:1-3; 2:11-15 (NRSVue)

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that is in accordance with godliness, in the hope of eternal life that God, who never lies, promised before the ages began — in due time he revealed his word through the proclamation with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior,

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one look down on you.

VII.
I notice that Paul mentions, “… salvation … training … renounce impiety and worldly passions … self-controlled, upright, and godly … blessed hope … glory ….”

Apparently “the grace of God” opens up a lot of possibilities.

How would you summarize in a couple of sentences what comes to past when “the grace of God” appears?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections Titus 1:1–3; 2:11–15 Post 1

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I.
In almost the last sentence of this week’s focus passage tells a young minister to “Declare … exhort … and reprove…”

As you spend time with this passage, what do you find that Paul “declares”?

II.
Titus 1:1-3; 2:11-15 (NRSVue)

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that is in accordance with godliness, in the hope of eternal life that God, who never lies, promised before the ages began — in due time he revealed his word through the proclamation with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior,

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one look down on you.

III.
What does Paul declare about himself?

Who is he? Does he tell us what his mission/goal is? Why has that become his mission/goal?

Before we leave our search for what Paul “declares,” what do you find him telling us about God?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Desu ibi est}

ISSL Reflections 1 John 3:1–10 Post 3

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VII.
Today as we return to this passage, let the full impact of the opening words rest with you –

“See what love the Father has given us …”

Keep that thought ever before you as you take time to meditate on these words.

VIII.
1 John 3:1-10 (NRSVue)

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. Everyone who commits sin is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose: to destroy the works of the devil. Those who have been born of God do not sin because God’s seed abides in them; they cannot sin because they have been born of God. The children of God and the children of the devil are revealed in this way: all who do not do what is right are not from God, nor are those who do not love a brother or sister.

IX.
What else in the passage speaks to you of God’s love?

That we can be called “children of God”?

That we can “abide in him”?

Can even the discussion of sin and evil in this passage speak to us of God’s love?

If so, how?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections 1 John 3:1–10 Post 2

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IV.
When you were reading this passage did you notice “… no one who sins has either seen him or known him.” And “Those who have been born of God do not sin…”

Should we take that to mean no true child of God sins?

Spend some time in this passage and consider how you might interpret who you read about sin.

V.
1 John 3:1-10 (NRSVue)

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. Everyone who commits sin is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose: to destroy the works of the devil. Those who have been born of God do not sin because God’s seed abides in them; they cannot sin because they have been born of God. The children of God and the children of the devil are revealed in this way: all who do not do what is right are not from God, nor are those who do not love a brother or sister.

VI.
What comes to you as you read about how the Father loves his children and “sin is of the devil.”

Here’s a thought, go back to this passage and notice what you read about “… God’s seed abides in them.”

The Gospel of John makes much of abiding (see John 14:4-7, and John 14:17). Do you think that offers us a key to understanding what is written about sin in this passage?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections 1 John 3:1–10 Post 1

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I.
Who are you?

Our focus Scripture this week has suggestions on how to answer.

As you spend time with this Scripture, what answers do you see the writer offering?

II.
1 John 3:1-10 (NRSVue)

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. Everyone who commits sin is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose: to destroy the works of the devil. Those who have been born of God do not sin because God’s seed abides in them; they cannot sin because they have been born of God. The children of God and the children of the devil are revealed in this way: all who do not do what is right are not from God, nor are those who do not love a brother or sister.

III.
What all did you see?

It seems to me that the question “Who are you?” is answered in several ways and from different perspectives.

What stands out to you as the foundational answer to the question?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections August 4 2024 1 Thessalonians 2:13–3:5 Post 3

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VII.
I’ve already mentioned that Paul wrote to the disciples at Thessalonica they were “… our glory and joy!“

Let’s take that as our starting place today and see if you notice how this sense of joy and hope is expressed in this passage.

VIII.
1 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5 (NRSVue)

We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers. For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you suffered the same things from your own compatriots as they did from the Jews who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets and drove us out; they displease God and oppose everyone by hindering us from speaking to the gentiles so that they may be saved. Thus they have constantly been filling up the measure of their sins, but wrath has overtaken them at last.

As for us, brothers and sisters, when for a short time we were made orphans by being separated from you—in person, not in heart—we longed with great eagerness to see you face to face. For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, wanted to again and again—but Satan blocked our way. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? Yes, you are our glory and joy!

Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we decided to be left alone in Athens and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you for the sake of your faith, so that no one would be shaken by these persecutions. Indeed, you yourselves know that this is what we are destined for. In fact, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we were to suffer persecution; so it turned out, as you know. For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith; I was afraid that somehow the tempter had tempted you and that our labor had been in vain.

IX.
How does Paul express his sense of joy?

Do you think his joy out weighs his fears for them?

What would you name as Paul’s greatest joy and greatest fear as he writes to these disciples?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections August 4 2024 1 Thessalonians 2:13–3:5 Post 2

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IV.
What is Paul’s concern for the disciples in Thessalonica?

You might ask Paul, “Why are you so worried about the folk?” “What could go wrong?”

Take that thought with you as you spend time with Paul’s words today.

V.
1 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5 (NRSVue)

We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers. For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you suffered the same things from your own compatriots as they did from the Jews who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets and drove us out; they displease God and oppose everyone by hindering us from speaking to the gentiles so that they may be saved. Thus they have constantly been filling up the measure of their sins, but wrath has overtaken them at last.

As for us, brothers and sisters, when for a short time we were made orphans by being separated from you—in person, not in heart—we longed with great eagerness to see you face to face. For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, wanted to again and again—but Satan blocked our way. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? Yes, you are our glory and joy!

Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we decided to be left alone in Athens and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you for the sake of your faith, so that no one would be shaken by these persecutions. Indeed, you yourselves know that this is what we are destined for. In fact, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we were to suffer persecution; so it turned out, as you know. For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith; I was afraid that somehow the tempter had tempted you and that our labor had been in vain.

VI.
You could make a list of his concerns if you are a list making kind of person.

If you are the kind of person who looks for the obvious problem, you might focus on that.

Or maybe you are the kind of person who seeks out the root of the problems.

Take one or a couple of those approaches and go back to the passage and see what captures your attention.

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections August 4 2024 1 Thessalonians 2:13–3:5 Post 1

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I.
I guess what most holds my attention in this passage is seeing how Paul speaks of thankfulness and joy and yet also of discouragement and concern (should I rather say fear) for the community of believers in Thessalonica.

The passage begins with Paul mentioning he “… constantly give(s) thanks …” and ends with a concern that “our labor has been in vain.”

Spend some time with Paul’s words and notice the depth of emotion and concern he brings to his letter to these disciples.

II.
1 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5 (NRSVue)

We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers. For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you suffered the same things from your own compatriots as they did from the Jews who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets and drove us out; they displease God and oppose everyone by hindering us from speaking to the gentiles so that they may be saved. Thus they have constantly been filling up the measure of their sins, but wrath has overtaken them at last.

As for us, brothers and sisters, when for a short time we were made orphans by being separated from you—in person, not in heart—we longed with great eagerness to see you face to face. For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, wanted to again and again—but Satan blocked our way. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? Yes, you are our glory and joy!

Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we decided to be left alone in Athens and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you for the sake of your faith, so that no one would be shaken by these persecutions. Indeed, you yourselves know that this is what we are destined for. In fact, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we were to suffer persecution; so it turned out, as you know. For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith; I was afraid that somehow the tempter had tempted you and that our labor had been in vain.

III.
Paul tells the disciples in Thessalonica “you are our glory and joy!”

Read the passage again and see if you find clues to why Paul can make such a statement.

As you read the passage, what do you notice that hinders Paul’s joy?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}

ISSL Reflections July 28 2024 Psalm 130 Post 3

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VII.
Today as you spend time with this Psalm hear it as a call to “hope.”

VIII.
Psalm 130 (NRSVue)

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.
       Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
       to the voice of my supplications!

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
       Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with you,
       so that you may be revered.

I wait for the Lord; my soul waits,
       and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
       more than those who watch for the morning,
       more than those who watch for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the Lord!
       For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
       and with him is great power to redeem.
It is he who will redeem Israel
       from all its iniquities.

IX.
Does “hope” come easy for you? Would you say you approach matters with a hopeful outlook?

Or do you need encouragement to look at matters before you hopefully?

Take a few moments to quiet your spirit and then turn to this Psalm once again.

Listen for where you hear about hope.

Take time to pause with the Psalmist and consider all the reasons he gives for “hope.”

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}