Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

 Jude 1:1-4

Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Jude 1:3-4

I've now moved to a quick study of Jude (given it's only one chapter), and my focus today is Jude 1:1-4, where the half brother of Jesus warns believers to watch out for false teachers (identifying them by their patterns of persistent sin) who have "crept in unnoticed," and how they can defend against a threat to the church by "contend[ing] for the faith."  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: V1: God calls those who believe - softening their hearts and giving them the gift of faith - these are His "beloved" and they are "kept for Jesus Christ" as He seals, secures and guarantees their salvation referred to in v3. V2: God provides mercy, peace, and love.  The faith referred to and given (via calling) in v3 was delivered by God - again reinforcing how it is revealed and provided by God - not something you earn. V4: God is gracious - abounding in love and rich in mercy.  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Vv3-4: Jude is eager to write believers about a threat to the church - false teachers - and how to protect against this threat. First, believers must "contend for the faith" implying efforts to put on a vigorous defense and fight for Truth that it not be twisted to suit human/wicked/ungodly desires. This leads to judgement from God and condemnation.     
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We are to avoid falling victim to false teaching.  Claim the promise that we are "kept" for Christ and secure in our salvation.  For an unbeliever, follow the example of Jude himself who was skeptical but found faith after Christ's resurrection.  Contend for the faith - this starts with getting to know Christ and asking for (praying) discernment to help you identify truth and false teaching.

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You for calling me, saving me, and for keeping me secure in my salvation.  Thank You also for revealing Yourself to me so that I can contend for the faith and help others do so.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever[.]

Philemon 1:8-25

I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever[.] Philemon 1:13-15

I conclude my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon, today with my focus on Philemon 1:8:25, where Paul urges Philemon - not out of compulsion - to receive his runaway slave Onesimus, whom has become a believer, rather than punish him.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Vv8-9,14: God - and as a church leader faithful to Him - does not want us to do anything out of compulsion; instead we are to do something out of desire to please and glorify Him because of our gratitude to Him and in response to our love for Him for what He has done for us.  Paul's leadership position in the church could have led him to compel Philemon to not punish Onesimus harshly, but he wants Onesimus' heart to seek this outcome of "[his] own accord" (v14).  I base my argument here on similar text on giving to the church from 2 Corinthians 9:7 where Paul shares that a believer is to give based on what is "in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." Vv15-16: Paul does not know for sure why Onesimus ran away, but he acknowledges that God is in control, His ways and thoughts are not our own (Isaiah 55:8), and that we should look for His purpose and Paul suspects that Onesimus is to return to Philemon so that Philemon can demonstrate Christ's grace and forgiveness.  There are no coincidences - we should always look at our circumstances and see how God is at work molding us into more of His image. God seeks a heart for Him.  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Onesimus is identified (v10) as a son to Paul - of course not in the biological sense but in as Paul's charge similar to how Timothy was to Paul.    
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We are to avoid doing anything out of compulsion.  Claim the promise that God is at work in all circumstances for good (Romans 8:28). We should follow the example of the woman and others who - not out of compulsion - out of love gave a penny to the offering - had a heart for God to give to, love, serve, and forgive others as Christ did for us.  

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You for loving and forgiving me and for my salvation.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

...I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.

Philemon 1:1-7

...I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. Philemon 1:6-7

I continue my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Today, I start Philemon, focusing on 1:1-7, where Paul sends greetings to an early church leader named Philemon, as well as greetings to those who attend his house church in Colosse.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: V3: We are reminded that Christ is a God of grace and peace - He is full of grace in that we don't get what we do deserve (death and eternal damnation), but we do get what we don't deserve (salvation).  Plus, this grace continues to flow in an inexhaustible supply. See also this post on DesiringGod.com. Christ is a God peace in that He is not a conquering God but one that seeks to bind things together in love through faith - delivering peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:6-7).  God should be the object of our gratitude, love, and prayers, and we should be faithful as He is always faithful - see vv4-5.  V6: God gives us amazingly good things and an eternal inheritance - James (James 1:17) even says that "[e]very good gift and every perfect gift is from above[.]"  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Vv1-2: Paul makes it clear that he is a prisoner.  Fellow believers (Timothy, Philemon, Apphia, Archippus) are referred to lovingly as brothers and sisters in Christ and as fellow workers [in Christ.]  We must also share the same love and affection with our fellow believers in the local church. Paul goes even as far as referring to Archippus as a "fellow soldier," implying that believers are in spiritual warfare - which of course we are.  This points to Ephesians 6:10-20 where Paul expands on this spiritual warfare and how we are defend ourselves via the "whole armor of God."  Vv4-6: Paul prays for his fellow believers and he prays prayers that are pleasing to God - that the Gospel be advanced that the effort be "effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ."  V7: We are to be encouraging to our fellow believers - use our words to build one another up - see also 1 Thessalonians 5:11. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Claim the promise that God is full of an inexhaustible supply of grace and that He provides a peace that surpasses understanding. Follow the example of Philemon whom Paul praises for his love and faith and leadership in the church.  Be an encouragement to other believers.   

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and for the tremendous encouragement they offer me.  Thank You also for the inexhaustible supply of grace You provide, and for the peace that surpasses understanding. I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

[F]ulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.

Colossians 4:7-18

[F]ulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord. Colossians 4:17

I continue my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Today my focus is Colossians 4:7-18, as Paul concludes his letter to the church in Colosse by sending final greetings and sharing many examples of church members working to encourage and support one another.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God draws people to Himself and knits together via divine appointment both the local and global church - and He holds all of it together via love (see also Colossians 3:14).          
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Paul specifically names nine individuals who are actively supporting others in the church - with examples of serving alongside one another, encouragement, sharing in suffering (e.g. imprisonment), sending greetings, praying, working hard on one's behalf, etc. These examples demonstrate how Christ seeks for the church to function - first and foremost how we are one body working together for the same purpose - to advance the gospel and bring glory to God. When one part of the body needs help, the other parts of the body come to assist. See also Romans 12:4–5, and 1 Corinthians 12:12–27.  Church unity and all the parts of the body working together (including other churches) in unison drive the gospel.  Love of God and of one another holds it all together.
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Claim the promise of how God holds all things together in love and our love of God and for others will advance the gospel. Follow the examples of those described here in the text today who love, serve and support one another in ministry.  Identify your role in the Great Commission - the church's work - and faithfully serve and fulfill this role. 

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You for my salvation, and for providing me a local church home where I am loved, discipled to, encouraged, etc.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

[P]ray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

Colossians 4:2-6

[P]ray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Colossians 4:3-4

I continue my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Today my focus is Colossians 4:2-6, as Paul begins to wind down his letter to the church in Colosse. Here, he asks for prayer and urges the church to be a light to others, not wasting any valuable time.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: V3: God is in complete control - go back to chapter 1:15-17 - where God holds all things together.  For more on God's sovereignty, see John Piper's book Providence.  In light of God's sovereignty, it is God alone that opens and closes doors, giving us opportunity to advance the gospel.  V3: The fullness of God contains mysteries that are only completely known upon a believers arrival in Heaven (or upon Jesus' 2nd coming) - see Isaiah 55:8 and this post on the mystery of Christ.  As we hunger and thirst for righteousness and draw near to Him (Matthew 5:6 and Jeremiah 29:13), He promises to fill us and that we will find Him, essentially that He will reveal Himself to us (not fully but progressively until glorification).       
• What do we learn from the text about people?: V2: Because God is in complete control and only He knows what is to occur, believers must be watchful (or alert for changing circumstances that need to be addressed via prayer or otherwise accounted for).  At the same time, we know that God is at work hearing and responding to our prayers and He is SO good - as a result we should be thankful in our prayers, assuming a posture of gratitude (in all circumstances - see 1 Thessalonians 5:18). V3: Paul wants believers to understand how difficult circumstances are used by God to advance the gospel - he goes as far to effectively say, please use my difficult circumstances to advance the gospel....and v4 to make the gospel presentation clear giving him the words to say. V5: Believers are to "walk in wisdom" to the outside world, "making the best use of time."  My read here is that walking in wisdom - or abiding (saturating self in) in God's Word IS the best use of time.  Spending time with God in study of His Word and prayer are two of the best uses of your time.
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Claim the promises that God reveals Himself to those that believe and to us He is progressively revealing the mystery of Christ.  Follow the example of Paul to seek that God use our difficult circumstances to advance the gospel and that we be effective in doing so.  Draw near to God and abide in His Word in study and prayer - daily. Be gracious with your speech. 

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You for my salvation, and for progressively revealing Yourself to me.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3:18-4:1

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24

I continue my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Today my focus is Colossians 3:18-4:1, where Paul pivots to commands for Christian households, including wives, husbands, children, bondservants, and masters.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: All commands in the text today are rooted in the Lord, including v18, v20 (pleases the Lord), v22 (fearing the Lord), v23 (for the Lord), v24 (serving the Lord Christ). and 4:1 (Master in Heaven).  All Biblical commands from are the divine words of God as recorded by Paul.  All the roles we assume in our earthly life are given to us by God for His purpose and glory - vv23-24 makes this clear.  V25: We are reminded that God will hold all accountable for what they have done - good and bad. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Vv18-23 and v:1 give us commands for wives, husbands, children, fathers, employees and employers.  In all of these roles we serving and working on behalf of the Lord (vv23-24).  V24: We have an eternal inheritance as our reward - for more on this inheritance see this podcast.  V25: We should fear God lest we not please Him and suffer punishment - fear should act as a preservative.   
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?):  As a father, I must not provoke my children, and as an employee not be a "people pleaser" - serving for appearances only. All believers should claim their eternal inheritance. Follow the example of Paul who tirelessly served the Lord as did many throughout scripture and redemptive history.  Work heartily for the Lord.  

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You for my salvation, and for giving me Your Word to understand how I am to serve You in my various roles as husband, father, employee, employer, etc.  Thank You also for my eternal inheritance.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Colossians 3:12-17

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:14

I continue my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Today my focus is Colossians 3:12-17, where Paul continues his exhortation to "set your minds on things that are above," providing more affirmative examples.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: V12: Just like Israel was God's chosen people in the Old Testament, believers are God's "chosen ones, holy and beloved" - those to whom He has revealed Himself and given them faith and eternal life.  This reinforces text where faith is a gift from God - not an earned gift - as well as how God chose us while still sinful and hostile to Him - see also Romans 5:10 and Ephesians 2:8-9. These are both reminders that should cause us to fall to the ground in worship and humility. V13: God forgives. V14: Love - a core attribute of God (see also 1 John 4:8 and 16) "binds" and holds everything together "in perfect harmony" - see also Colossians 1:17.
• What do we learn from the text about people?: V12: As a response (see use of "then") to how God has chosen and saved us and in response to how we are alive in Christ (reborn), Paul exhorts us to vv13-17 "put on then "compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience" - see also these same attributes of Godliness as "fruit of the Spirit" from Galatians 5:22. V13: We are to "bear with one another," and forgive just as God forgives us - unity in the church is very important, so we should not allow minor and petty disagreements and complaints to fester into conflict and strife.  Churches are full of sin just as the world is so we should - again - forgive our brothers and sisters in Christ just as God does. V14: We must love - both of God first and foremost and then others - reflecting the two most important commandments.  V15: The peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:6-7) - that which only comes from God - should "rule in our hearts" as Christ renews and transforms us into more of His image.  This peace of Christ calls us together as a church body - it also causes us to be thankful. V16: We must read and meditate on God's Word - the Bible - and allow it to "dwell in [us] richly," such that we can teach and admonish "in all wisdom" with a posture of worship and gratitude. V17: All of our very being, in actions and words, should reflect love and glory of the Lord (see also 1 Corinthians 10:31).      
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We are to avoid allowing complaints and sin among our brothers and sisters in Christ to fester into major disagreements and conflict.  We should claim the promise that God forgives and gives us a peace that surpasses understanding.  Follow the example of Christ who forgives us.  Put on love - of God, and of others.  

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You for my salvation, for loving and choosing me while still hostile to You and in sin, and forgiving me with grace upon grace. I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.