EMMAUS SCHOOL OF BIBLICAL STUDIES

Most everyone would agree that it is great to be knowledgeable about the world around us and I agree that it is a great thing to have but it is also very important where you find this knowledge. If someone is looking for answers in philosophies that come solely from human reasoning, they are falling short of understanding great knowledge. It is wonderful to learn and be educated but with the ultimate understanding that comes from knowledge in Christ. Nothing in our lives is ever meant to be separated from God because everything that keeps us separated from Him died when Christ died and we are now raised, alive as Christ rose. This means that everything we learn is to be understood with what many people would call a “biblical worldview.” We see the world as it is and learn from how God sees it. It is pretty obvious that God wants us to be knowledgeable and understand things but He wants us to rely on him to find this knowledge and not on human understanding that always falls short of true, great knowledge found in Christ.
I so easily could get a big head about this school I am doing and be prideful about all the great work I am doing and knowledge that I am gaining that a lot of Christians don’t even get in a life time but if I allow myself to think this way, I am missing the whole point of gaining this knowledge found in Christ. Seeking Christ for the answer allows the Holy Spirit in us to give proper understanding and I pray that I never boast in my accomplishments because they are worthless without Christ. I pray I never look to my own knowledge but to Christ’s perfect knowledge for guidance and help.

Everything we seek in life for acceptance, feelings, and truth is trash in comparison to the one that we are seeking. Every created thing is second place, it is not the thing that is meant to rule our lives. If we take anything in this world and hold it in first place we experience a momentary satisfaction of receiving what we want in exchange for what we need. How many things in my life or should I say who in my life is my first place?

I remember a story in C.S. Lewis’ Voyage of the Dawn Treader, about a boy named Eustace, whose greed and malice lead him to become a dragon. After some time Eustace realizes that his life has become empty and he has a pain that he cannot fix. Aslan the Lion meets him one night and takes him far away into the mountains, up to a spring that pours out into a beautiful pond. Eustace knows he needs to get in the water but he knows he cannot be a dragon to enter.

I am like Eustace sitting trying to claw off this disgusting shell I have put around myself. I know I want out of it so bad that it hurts. I want out of this nasty thing called the flesh. I want out of this dragon skin. And there sits Aslan waiting for me to exhaust my efforts, waiting for me to realize that all these efforts bring me no closer to him. They do not help they simply hurt. How you ask? You see I am holding so tightly to something that I do not allow Aslan to get into my life, so my efforts are a way of working around that thing instead of giving him control.

I do not realize that the very thing I have wanted; the good thing that is supposed to be my second place has become my first place has become my savior. I dig and dig hoping that somehow I will feel close to God some day I will not have this ugly dragon skin.

I realize as I walk this road that we as humans never feel acceptable to God. Human nature is to sit and devise systems and processes that build up an image of ourselves that we hope is just enough not like a dragon to impress God.

Finally when I am exhausted crying broken sitting at the edge of the pool simply wanting this self and flesh and dirt to be taken away Aslan says, “You’re going to have to let me do that.” Then he digs his claws into my heat with the precision of a surgeon, cutting directly to the heart, so deep and so painful that I have never experienced anything like it. He cuts to the very soul. I plead for it to be over, and soon it will be. Soon Aslan will throw me into the pool.

Timeless Truth:
God has made us alive in Him. (2:13)

Final Application:
I was dead in my sins. No joy, no love, no hope, no breath, no life. Dead in my mind, full of questions and confusion, dead in my heart, full of impurity and selfishness. There seemed no way out, no way of rescue, I was condemned to live a life of hopelessness and despair.
BUT, Christ, who is above all and creator of all: through Him, God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things!
In my deadness and despair, Christ reached down and breathed his life into me. He graciously lavished his forgiveness and his love, that I might be reconciled to him and made alive in HIM!
Hallelujah!! Alive in Christ! Free from the condemnation, free from the despair, free from the hopelessness that filled my mind and heart, free from death. Alive in Christ. Tell me what is sweeter than being dead and having the creator, the one above all power and authority, reach down to me, take my hand, forgive me and give me life. There is nothing sweeter!
My response can only be love and gratitude. Only peace and joy when I think about where I was and where Christ has brought me. His chosen one, his child, accepted and loved unconditionally!
Made Alive in Christ!!

Overall timeless truth: (Colossians 2:13-15) AMAZING GRACE: HOW SWEET! THAT THROUGH FAITH IN HIS SACRIFICE ,Christ SAVED A HORRIBLE WRETCH LIKE ME.  

I CAN CRY TEARS OF JOY THAT Christ SAVED ME. I AM SO UNWORTHY AND IN NEED OF A SAVIOR. I DO NOT HAVE TO AND WILL NOT LET ANYTHING MAKE ME FEEL GULITY, DAILY FOR MY SIN THAT Christ NAILED TO THE CROSS AND DID AWAY WITH. I CAN CHANGE MY LIFE MY KNOWNING HIS PERFECT LOVE CASTS OUT ALL FEAR. THAT I DO NOT HAVE TO BE FEARFUL OF God’s WRATH OR UNACCEPTANCE OR HIS LOVE NOT BEING SUFFCIENT ENOUGH TO HOLD ME TOGETHER.
            I PLAN TO CARRY OUT THESE CHANGES BY MEDITATING ON SCRIPTURE AND PRAYING WHENEVER FEAR OF God’s LOVE CHANGING FOR ME CREEPS IN OR ACCEPTANCE OR THAT WHAT I HAVE DONE OR WHAT I LOOK LIKE IS UNPLEASING TO HIM. I WILL DAILY REMIND MYSELF HE SEES Christ’S RIGHTEOUSNESS. HIS LOVE IS UNCONDITIONAL AND AS LONG AS I AM HEALTHY HE CARES WHAT MY HEART LOOKS LIKE AND NOT MY BODY.

The main idea of the book is comfort in the second coming of Christ. Paul implores his Thessalonian readers to stand strong in their faith, and assures them that Christ will return, and that upon his return all the struggles and afflictions they have endured will be more than worth the glory of their salvation.

One of my application points from the text was that we must be aware of our actions – just because something is permissible doesn’t mean it is advisable in all circumstances. A analogous point is made in 1 Thessalonians when Paul argues for the sincerity of his motives based on the content his behavior in Thessalonica. In other words, his behavior was just as much as a testament to his beliefs and teaching as were his words. Similarly, in this book Paul states that he provided for himself rather than burden those he taught, not because he didn’t have the right to impose upon them, but in order to give them an example to imitate. Paul has two distinct concerns in behaving the way he does. First of all, he understands that as a leader and teacher of the Thessalonians he is a living example. They are not only listening to his teaching but watching his life. As a bearer of the message of Christ he must himself live out the things he is demanding his disciples to live out. And second, as such, just because he has the right to do something doesn’t mean it is advisable or acceptable under every circumstance. He must take his situation into account. He must be aware of who is watching him, what they struggle with, and how his actions will affect them. I feel like this is particularly relevant in terms of modern Christianity in the U.S. I feel like I have met many Christians who approach this issue completely backwards. Rather than asking how they could be the best example, or have a positive influence on those around them or on their culture, they seem to ask the question, “How much can I get away with?” In other words, I feel like many Christians want to know how much they can be like the world and still be a Christian. I think Paul shows clearly here that the main concern should not be with what the world is doing or what Christian freedom makes permissible, but what actions on our part will speak the most forcefully and clearly for the truth of the gospel and have the most positive impact on those around us. For him, it wasn’t about what he was entitled to do, but what kind of life and actions he wanted to illustrate for those that saw him.

The over all theme for this book was taking comfort in Christ’s second coming. I had never really spent much time thinking about it, I don’t know if many people really do now a days. If I did think about it, I just assumed that it probably wouldn’t happen in my life time, so I always brushed it off to the side. But in reading Thessalonians I realized that it was and should be today a real thing. The Thessalonians believed and trusted in it so much that they even stopped doing work on earth. Now I always thought of the second coming as a scary thing, but Paul really shows that it is not scary, and we should be comforted by it. So I guess what I learned this book is that the second coming is not some scary event that is going to take place long from now, but it is a comforting thing that could happen any day. But that doesn’t mean I am going to stop working.

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God…For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval; for it is God’s servant for your good.Romans 13:1-4

 
A lot of Christians choose to abstain from politics. This idea is floating around that the political system is the ultimate bad, and in a way we view the United States government as a the Anti-Christ. Christians believe because this institution has had anti-Christian legislation and seems to be moving away from the religious convictions of our forefathers, they need to stay as far away from this as possible. What does the word of God teach?

Do we not see the ultimate good of this corrupt political system. It does not take long to look around the world and see gross injustice as a result or vile governments. God establishes Government. It is a God ordained institution. It exists to bring order to the world, and to hold back evil. When this system becomes corrupt we see the major atrocities that can occur, for example the reign of Adolph Hitler.

As I processed what I learned in 2 Thessalonians I thought about Paul’s message of hope to the believers. The message revolved around disbannig a falicy and explianing the truth of the end times. Paul stresses that the day of the Lord is not yet here and this day is one of Joy for the believer. Upon clarifying what this day will look like, Paul talks about a restrainer, who is holding back the lawless one. I believe that restrainer is the institution of Government, and the lawless one is a force of evil. The restrainer was the Roman Government in Paul’s day and today it is every government in the world that stand up for Justice.

I was convicted about my apathy in my local, state and national government. If this is a God ordained institution, desinged to gaurd against injustice, than what am I doing by not participating? 

I have always been hesitant to believe what so much of the Christian culture in America puts out on the end times. It has always seemed very vague to me because people have so many different opinions about it and it tends to put out this fear of uncertainty in their lives. I have always wondered what the biblical way of approaching this was. I know that the Thessalonians letters don’t give great details about Christ’s second coming but I do know that the things said about it to the Thessalonians is meant to bring them comfort and encouragement in Christ. The end times is not going to be this big blow out battle that happens and Christ defeats Satan after a long hard fight. This book clearly encourages how powerful Christ is because when he comes back, his mere presence and breath will completely destroy the evil left. It is encouraging because we as believers are going to be gathered by him and taken to live in his glorious presence in eternity.

This book along with 1 Thess has cleansed my conscious of unknowing fear of what happens in the end times. It has made me realize I can relax and calm down because Christ has all power over things and I do not need to worry. It is so comforting. The book doesn’t stop there but goes on to urge believers to always work hard in what they are doing because life is short on earth and we need to live life to its fullest. I have new motivation and hope for life that makes me want to work harder in things I do. I easily turn to laziness and I want to live diligently. I want this year to train me in diligence so that I work hard the rest of my days because there is an end to this world coming. I want to give more effort in what I do while I am here. May God use me for his glory. May I not work in vain.

I need to understand that it is easy to fall by the wayside but that I need to fortify my heart against destruction and stand firm in the faith. No matter where I go or what I do, as I believe in Christ and he has died for my sins I am washed clean and god is a god of love who cares for me, Jesus showed compassion to all the sinners, in fact he came not for the righteous but for the sinners and therefore came for me and has never let me go. Times are tough and times get even tougher everyday and God does always provide but with a willing brother, sister, family member, or just a friend things are easier and all things are made possible. I should take a look at my life and see what kind of Christian I am, am I the idle type or an on again off again type, either way I know I can always use improvement and I pray to god that I may receive his grace as it comes.

            Overall timeless truth: God WANTS TO MAKE US WORTHY AND HOLY OF THE KINGDOM OF God THROUGH HIS RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT BY ALLOWING PERSECUTION AND SUFFERING. (v.1:5) 

              All three of my timeless truths help me change something in my life. I chose 2 Thessalonians 1:5 as my overall timeless truth because it is a pertinent issue in the current book. I want to change by letting God make me holy and worthy. I want to be sanctified so my life will look like Christ’s. I will endure God’s righteous judgment because persecution and suffering that tests my faith allows God to see my hearts sincerity and even shows me my faith is real and worth it. I can change by asking for persecution so my life is for sure living up to the calling it was called into. And I will know that Satan is being defeated because the suffering means the Gospel is going forth.

            I can carry out these changes by choosing to think, act, talk, and listen in a blameless, upright, and holy way. I can change the things I watch and say to edify those around me and not accept any comments that I know are not true about my position in Christ. I will understand God is just and always good. And sometimes that is scary when He allows hard things to happen. I can chose to believe in His goodness always for everyone that believes and lives in loving response.  I can change by praying God would continue to transform me into the woman of God He wants me to be and believe He wants to do it. He wants the best for me so I know as his child I will be corrected, rebuked, and stretched because He loves me and wants only good for my life. I will choose to work unto Him and be diligent and preserve. And above all else stand firm in my salvation through faith that brings mercy and grace in abundant measure. That I am sanctified to be like Christ and portray His image to all!

Overall Timeless Truth:
We have eternal comfort through the grace of Jesus (2:16-17)

It is super comforting to me to know that Jesus is coming back for me, to rescue me from this world. This is my eternal comfort; I will be with him forever! And to know until that time comes God is faithful to guard over me and keep me from the evil things of this world. There is no power that holds authority over me because I am Gods child. There is no need to be anxious or to be in fear or confusion about the future. God is in control!!

We need to form our teachings around the word and let God do the speaking through you. Some people don’t preach by the bible, but you need to be the one who does. I need to trust that God is always there ready to help me in anytime of need,with anything ,good or bad .Trust in the lord with all your heart ,in all his ways he will acknowledge you and make your paths straight .

It is easy to often feel like I should be doing more for God and feel disappointed in myself because I let myself down a lot by not accomplishing goals or things I said I was going to do. This relates back to how well I know the gospel and how much I let it affect my life. This letter has encouraged me to want to work hard for the right reasons and stop wanting to work for myself, which constantly seems to disappoint me and let me down. God doesn’t want me to feel like crap when I haven’t followed through with something because that doesn’t motivate me to want to try harder next time. It’s a vicious cycle of always being disappointed with no improvement in sight.

 

My problem was that I was looking inward all the time to accomplish my efforts. I tried to make motivation from myself, which never worked. Being on this school, my motivation for doing work has drastically changed from how I used to be. It is a switch in concepts feeling like I have to do something to feeling like I want to do something. This want comes from the Holy Spirit inside me, driving me, giving me desires that allow me to actually accomplish what I say I am going to do. It is a wonderful feeling to rely on God for what I accomplish and it is easy to drive toward giving myself credit for what I have accomplished, which is where everything starts getting messy. May I always look to Jesus to help me with my patience and love for others etc and when these things are so, may I not applaud myself for the great things I have done because God who is doing these wonderful things.

 

It is also so obvious how much being encouraged by others encourages them when it is made known to them. I desire to be bold with encouragements because in the past, I have kept them to myself quite a bit. I have seen the beauty in encouraging words and how much it affects people.

I can see that God has called us to be faithful and obedient in the word that has been taught us through the Holy Spirit and through Christ. We are all brothers and sisters and are therefore to treat each other with respect and lift each other up. As imitators of God and as Christians whose goal is to try and become more Christ like our life is meant to be a model for those who are searching for the truth. When people see us as Christians living a certain way they will naturally become interested in what is different about our life. Then we are to proclaim the word to them in a way that glorifies God not man. Jesus is coming back and we don’t know the hour or day but if we encourage our family in Christ we may not be caught sleeping but alert and awake and doing the works of Christ living in the spirit and influencing one another towards good. I have also learned that Christians suffer persecution and it comes in many shapes and forms, but if we stand firm in the faith, the spirit can conquer any obstacles that stand in our way. The Thessalonians heard the word and acknowledged it as Gods word from the beginning and began to model their lives around it, as much as I would like to believe I am much like them the truth is that I have questioned many times and made my own interpretations of what the word means to better suit my Goals.   I pray that the lord will give me a willingness to be subject to the word and let it filter into to me and change my perception. I pray that god make me an example and allow my maturity in the faith to grow so that when the time comes I am ready to go with him.

Thessalonians was such an encouraging letter. I think Paul was so relieved to finally see fruit of his labor. I think Paul touched a few more things for the church to keep in mind and to continue to pursue after Christ.  Christ wants and deserves our best. Sanctification is a part of that. It shows to the Jews and some of the culture there that they can’t add to anything because Christ as already done it. He has sanctified us rather, made us clean and righteous. Man, that should change our stinkin’ lives! We are clean, our slate is clear of all sin and we can stand with the robe of righteouness in freedom. Christ is worthy of our best above and beyond.