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Tuesday, May 6, 2025
"Don't Be Uninformed"
Message summary: There's a lot about life we don't understand and we wonder why, in both a general and personal sense. The main thing is to know that which matters most and God has provided the resource for that.
Listen to our message on your audio player.
"But
we do not want
you to be
uninformed,
brothers,
about those
who are asleep,
that you may
not grieve as
others do who
have no hope"
(1
Thessalonians
4:13).
We
live in what
has been
called the
information
age. Our
computers and
phones give us
instant access
to information
from all over
the world
using the
internet.
There is so
much we're
capable of
knowing, but
it would still
be an
infinitesimal
fraction of
all there is
to know.
There's
a lot about
life we don't
understand and
we wonder why,
in both a
general and
personal
sense.
In 1
Corinthians
13:12
the apostle
Paul wrote, "For
now we see in
a mirror
dimly, but
then face to
face; now I
know in part,
but then I
will know
fully, just as
I also have
been fully
known".
The
main thing is
to know that
which matters
most and God
has provided
the resource
for
that. "His
divine power
has given us everything
we need
for a godly
life through
our knowledge
of Him who
called us by
His own glory
and goodness"
(2 Peter 1:3).
Paul had established the church in Thessalonica and written 1st & 2 Thessalonians as a follow-up. In his verbal teaching he stressed that Christ is returning and the New Testament church had a clear sense of imminence: that is, the return of Christ could happen at any time. And that should be the view in each succeeding generation, including our own.
But there apparently was some confusion in Thessalonica that needed clarification. Since Paul left, some had died and this caused distress among the remaining. Let's illustrate with the following scenario:
Jesse and his wife Mary were a part of the Thessalonian church since it started as recorded in Acts 17. They had actually heard Paul's teaching and the essence of the Gospel that Jesus had died for our sins and rose again. He taught that this Jesus would return at anytime and they needed to be ready.
But Jesse had died and Mary was distraught that Jesse had missed the promised coming of Jesus. Where did that leave him she wondered. She was still grieving when a letter from Paul was read to the church.
I'm
sure her ears
perked up when
she heard the
following, "But
we do not want
you to be
uninformed"
and the
encouragement
that followed.
Older
versions use
“ignorant”.
The Greek word
“agnoein”
means to be
ignorant, to
not have
information
about, to not
know, or be
unaware of. It
is a root to
the word
"agnostic".
Paul
uses the
figure of
speech
"asleep" for
dead but later
in the passage
it's clear
that he is
referring to
death.
Paul
was providing
needed
information to
bring comfort
and assurance
to those like
Mary (from our
illustration)
and through
Scriptures the
portion that
follows has
brought
comfort and
assurance to
believers ever
since! The
remainder of
this week we
will consider
the source of
this
encouragement.
Be encouraged today! Hebrews 3:13
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father, we
find great
comfort in the
writings of
Paul to the
Thessalonians
that is for
all who
believe.
Knowing that
our loved ones
are with
Christ brings
a settled
peace and
inner joy in
the midst of
deep loss. And
for those of
us who remain
how good it is
to keep our
eyes on the
Eastern
Sky, for
we know that
Christ will
soon return to
gather
believers in
the air along
with those who
have already
died.
But until that
wonderful
event or until
You call us
home at our
appointed hour
of death we
want to live
as if this is
our last day
on earth. We
want our
hearts to be
right, our
conscience
clear and our
sins
forgiven.
Help us to
live not just
for here and
now, but for
our final
landing in
eternity. In
the name of
Jesus we pray.
Amen.
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"I
Know Whom I
Have Believed"
Watch
on YouTube
The
Celebration
Choir
Each morning we receive a devotional from Richard Dresselhaus on his blog "One For The Road". Today's message seems to relate to today's message about having so much information.
Selective
listening.
That is -- be
very careful
to listen to
the voices
that will
build up and
edify...and
refuse to
listen to
voices that
will lead you
astray.
How many
voices do you
hear each day?
Probably
almost more
than you can
count.
Books…newspapers…radio…television…colleagues…family…and
many more. And
each invites
you to listen.
Here are some
guidelines.
Does this
voice speak of
truth and
righteousness?
Does it
contribute to
a life of
holiness and
purity? Does
it bring joy
and peace?
Why have some
turned away
from the Lord?
They have
listened to
the wrong
voices.
So take
inventory of
the voices you
tune in. The
quality of
your life will
be determined
by just that.
Be a selective
listener.
Richard Dresselhaus pastored for many years in San Diego. Here's another recent post with a very interesting perspective, "Rebuked"
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Stephen & Brooksyne
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version and a variety of other versions.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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