I have avoided teaching on this passage for years because it seemed to me to be the least Christmas friendly passage in the Bible. Apparently, Matthew wrote his account of Jesus’ early life before Christmas was invented. But it is … Read more
Category: Advent
2 Thessalonians 3.1-18. Deliver us from evil (Advent 4)
Paul wants the Thessalonians to be protected from evil from within and without. The evil they face takes the forms of persection (chapter 1), false teaching (chapter 2) and false living (chapter 3). What Paul writes about church discipline in … Read more
2 Thessalonians 2.1-17. The power of lawlessness (Advent 3)
Many look for signs of the return of Christ and the rise of the man of lawlessness. Many names throughout church history have been associated with the title: ‘Antichrist’. Paul gives us and the Thessalonian Christians practical guidance on how … Read more
2 Thessalonians 1.1-12. The justice of God (Advent 2)
Paul is writing to a persecuted church awaiting the advent of Jesus Christ. According to the British Foreign Office, Christians are the most persecuted people on earth today. What encouragements does Paul give the Thessalonian Christians about God’s justice in … Read more
1 Thessalonians 5.12-28. Rejoice always, Pray continually (Advent 1)
What will grow the church in Melbourne today? There have been many ideas suggested on which we have spent a great deal of effort but our work seems only to have strengthened the headwinds. 1 Thessalonians reminds us there are … Read more
1 Thessalonians 5.1-11. Learning to wait for Christ (Advent preparation)
We are anxious about many things at the moment. Our anxieties are overwhelming many people – yet Paul writes to the Thessalonians who were anxious in their day, that Christ has the future. Advent means that Christ is coming again … Read more
Luke 21.5-38. The end of time
A friend recently said that we live in times that feel apocalyptic. He was right, these are the last days and they have been so since the resurrection of Jesus. Of course, false prophets arise in times like ours to … Read more