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Category: Epistles – Is his letter to our church?

Epistle of Paul to the Romans 1 - the Apostles sends a church letter to Rome and the local saints of area churches
Epistle of Paul to the Romans

Epistles ἐπιστολή or Letters

I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.

Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians 

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JUNE 2024 – 2025 —

1 CORINTHIANS 

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Letters – Is he writing to me?
The short answer: YES.

In their epistles or 1st century church letters the Apostles and other men sent out by Jesus build up the saints [small – ‘s’] or members of local first century churches.

A Disciple or other witness of JESUS would write it. Messengers then delivered these church letters to many isolated worshipers.

Followers of Jesus Christ receive these letters as a major encouragement to their personal faith. Then leaders read them to worshipers of their church.

Although the Epistles 0r Letters to the Church were originally written to churches of the first century,

Romans through Jude will seem like letters to your 21st century church.

  • What do Peter, Paul, John and others tell us we must do?
  • Is he talking about an issue in your 21st c. church as well?
  • How does the writer’s advice, warning, or encouragement to the 1st c. believers apply to you as well
  • Is the writer of this letter talking about something you need to address in your 21st century ‘christian’ life?

Contemporary Application of the Letters (Epistles)

Most New Testament writers take on specific issues confronting faithful followers of Jesus Christ. These same issues continue to confront believers until the Lord’s coming again in these last days.

Certainly Christ our Lord will come again to those God has chosen for eternal life.

Believers currently suffer more than most of you who know Christ in your local church can imagine.

In other lands Christians continue to suffer by the hand of the ungodly.
Go into all the world

A 21st century Common Era church can see and hear nearly any atrocity of man or artificial imagination of sinful man’s mind, yet ‘christians‘ dare not speak of any absolute truth of the Lord God or talk of JESUS CHRIST.

Will YOU comment on Scripture and share the Gospel?

I invite you to read the inspired word of Scripture written in these LETTERS TO THE CHURCH.

YES, He IS writing to YOU.

Beloved brother or sister in Christ Jesus,

Will you read this ‘CHURCH LETTER’ and talk of JESUS through your comment, sharing and email to me about this ‘Letter to you?”

Roger@talkofJesus.com

  • Padiddle

    Padiddle

    Padiddle

    ‘Padiddle,’ it came to me as I was driving home at dusk one evening. Padiddle, where did that come from? Then I remembered.

    I had not grown up with it, for our family had played other travel games in the car. In fact, as I observed a car in traffic with no lights on at all, the very moment from 45 years ago came to me.

    The car in my rearview mirror had only one headlight, which from a perspective of safety was just a little better than a car with no lights whatsoever. ‘Padiddle,’ I thought. I had first heard it from my first wife (so many years before). She went back to her daddy after just a little more than a year of our young marriage. I was devastated, but recalling some of our happier moments brought a smile to my heart.

    Failures from our past

    I had failed in that marriage forty-five years ago and in other relationships/marriages since. Of course I was part to blame; but I was never the one to give up on my vows or run out on my marriage. I had even had a successful, ‘until death us do part’ marriage which lasted more than two decades. Nevertheless, even after all these years guilt and regrets remain from my marriage to the bride of my youth.

    Why couldn’t I have gotten it right – the first time… or those other times? Why didn’t I see the hurt in store from the most-intimate of relationships?

    “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? – Luke 6:39

    Embarking into the mysterious journey of a dating relationship can be a most blinding experience. We listen to our own hearts and hormones. We look to others for advice, if anyone at all. Seldom do even the faithful seek to be equally yoked; thus we run into the love of a new relationship at different speeds.

    The heart is deceitful above all things,
    and desperately sick;
    who can understand it? – Jeremiah 17:9

    A further examination into this description of our blind hearts will reveal more convicting words than sick. (Who has not been described as ‘love sick?’) Think of it more like  עָקַב beyond cure, exceedingly corrupt or desperately wicked, to name a few.

    Truly, failed relationships recall times of great darkness. Yet in Christ we have a Light brighter than the darkness of the world. … in him is no darkness at all. 

    Relationships often rush forward without tail lights to warn, ‘don’t follow too close.’ An oncoming unexpected one of the opposite sex approaches you with only one dull light, frequently trespassing God’s centerline in their approach to winning your love.

    Will you swerve to miss the impact of the pain ahead? Or will you too cross the center line of God’s will?

    A Promise we can hold

    So what is it we have, if we look to the Lord for hope in our marriages?

    Although Jesus was never married to a woman, for our Lord is married to His church; Christ gives couples a new hope to which we can hold.

    [ctt title=”Christ\’s promise of forgiveness releases us from the deserved guilt for the wickedness of our past and the continued trespasses of our flawed daily lives.” tweet=”https://ctt.ec/EjeI4+” coverup=”EjeI4″]

    “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

    – Hebrews 13:5, quoting Deuteronomy 31:6

    If the Lord is part of our marriage, He will not leave us stranded or deserted or alone once more.

    Although the intent of this quote of the Law in the letter of Hebrews is not specific to marriage, it applies to the character of Christ. Taken in context, a look a the preceding verse will also encourage.

    Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.

    [ctt title=”Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” tweet=”Hebrews 13:4 https://ctt.ec/b6Qkc+” coverup=”b6Qkc”]

    May I remind us of Jesus’ words to the Apostle Philip, who followed Him three years?

    Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? – John 14:9

    I find it most encouraging in our marriage that Jesus, who said,

    ‘Let your yes be yes and your no be no;’

    Jesus, who watches over the lost sheep and our Lord who teaches that ‘the two become one;’

    He who IS and was, the One judge of all souls at the end of the age assures us:

    “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

    In Him there is no darkness at all

    Matthew 5:

    14“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

    31“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

    1 John 1:5

    This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

    To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” – Acts 10:43

    [ctt title=”A marriage without forgiveness is one soul without light.” tweet=”Love forgives, as the Lord lifts guilt from the forgiven.” coverup=”Va0Wr”]

    Have you replaced your missing Light?

    In Christ Jesus we have forgiveness of sins.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned. John 3:18a 

    This includes your partner in marriage. Jesus includes you, as well. Believe in the forgiveness of of your sins of the past. Just replace the light and turn back to your Lord and Savior.

    John 3:19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

    Padiddle, I say. We cannot have just half the light the Lord intends for our marriage.

    21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

    Replace the darkness of the broken light of your failing love. For He IS our Light. Our love cannot shine clearly for others, even the one we love, without Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Each husband and every wife need the complete Light of Christ in the oneness of their marriage; for He IS the One who says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

     

  • Do not lose heart over tribulations & sufferings – 2

    Paul’s encouragement for the church at Ephesus

    ‘Faint not at my tribulations or do not ‘lose heart over what I am suffering for you.’  The Apostle Paul writes these words differing some by translation [KJV or ESV].

    διὸ αἰτοῦμαι μὴ ἐκκακεῖν ἐν ταῖς θλίψεσίν μου ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν ἥτιςἐστὶν δόξα ὑμῶν – Ephesians 3:13

    Do you lose heart when you or a loved one suffers? Do you faint at the thought of a loved one experiencing tribulations before their death?

    Most of us have at least one hurting loved one who comes to mind. A leader esteemed by like-minded followers does not want them to give up over any trial he must endure. Understand Paul’s heart is compassion for his followers.

    Tribulations θλῖψις

    Paul’s choice of words from the Greek, thlipsis, paints familiar imagery to those who suffer. He chooses a metaphor for oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits; the picture of a pressing, pressing together or pressure. We recognize the tension of relationship when one suffers and another can do nothing about it.

    Paul and the Apostles knew the pressure and persecution, as did the saints of the church. In fact, Jesus had used the same word of prophesy to the Apostles before His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. Our Lord tells of the signs of the end of the age.

    Prophesy of Christ Jesus

    Matthew 24:

    9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

    Fellow believer and saint, do you sense this in these last days? What encouragement for the saints of the church of Ephesus at the beginning of these last days!

    Jesus continues with the description a great tribulation:

    21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand.

    Therefore, do not lose heart.

    Paul, Peter, John, even our Lord Jesus Christ have written what must take place. Returning to Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus, let’s close with the encouragement of his meaning.

    ‘Wherefore I desire that ye faint not… Ephesians 3:13a KJV

    And what is it to faint from an enormous undertaking of faith? Faint ἐκκακέω  ekkakeō – to be utterly spiritless, to be wearied out, exhausted.

    Does this describe your battle? Paul, the one who has suffered for his witness of Christ calls on the saints of Ephesus to faint not. In Christ we must persevere, winning over the defeat of sin, suffering and death. Our suffering indeed becomes our glory through the Lord. Paul goes on to urge us to prayer.

    Jesus speaks of it as well, adding in the same way that we must faint not and calling us to prayer.

    Tribulations and the Dishonest Judge

    Luke 17:33 Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.

    [ctt title=”And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” tweet=”And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” coverup=”9eI20″]

    2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man.

    3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’

    4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’”

    6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says.

    7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?

    8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

    Our glory in Christ

    When Jesus comes, will he find faith on earth? Will Christ find faith in Ephesus or in your city? Surely the Lord has declared your tribulations and suffering will come to an end.

    The Revelation of Jesus Christ to John 21:3-5a [KJV]

    And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying,

    Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them,

    and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

    And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death,

    neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

    And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.

    [ctt title=”Beloved saint, do not lose heart over tribulations and sufferings. For the Lord redeems His own and the glory of the Lord reigns forever.” tweet=”Beloved saint, do not lose heart over tribulations and sufferings. For the Lord redeems His own and the glory of the Lord reigns forever.” coverup=”EbKeq”]

    Amen.

     

     

     

     

  • Do not lose heart over tribulations & sufferings – 1

    Faint Not

    Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. – Ephesians 3:13 KJV

    The Apostle Paul encourages a church of central importance with a letter written to followers looking toward an uncertain future. His comforting call from one saint to another urges them to not lose heart over his tribulations.

    Ephesians

    Paul writes to believers of perhaps the most important church of the first century, the church at Ephesus. Hearers of Paul’s letter know it is from a leader viewed as defeated, banished and vilified by former power-brokers of the faith. Yet we hold up examples of Paul and the Apostles with little consideration of their tribulations at the time. Paul was once a jew among jews. Saul of Tarsus confesses his conversion by the grace of the Messiah Jesus.

    Who do you follow? What do you hope to hear from your leaders? Do they have concern for your issues? Are you overconcerned for the tribulations of a leader in whom you place your faith?

    When our mortal leaders in faith or politics suffer setbacks or defeats, how quickly we abandon our faith for what we once so zealously affirmed. Such was the plight of Paul, so frequently persecuted, so intentionally discredited, suffering pain, disgraced in the synagogues and the courts of public opinion. The Apostle held dearly to fellowships of the church, those who risked all to stand before an unbelieving world proclaiming Jesus Christ is Lord.

    He lived in nearly three years in Ephesus, capital of its Roman state, home to a half-million people at about AD 53-57 and probably wrote his Letter to the Ephesians from prison, having it delivered to Ephesus as encouragement for believers. Would you listen to a letter from a leader in prison?

    So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. – Ephesians 3:13 ESV

    Ephesus – place of the addressees of Paul’s letter

    Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians would bless you with a wonderful overview of the Christian faith by reading it in its entirety, a brief, letter-length book of just six short chapters. (I might also mention here one of my favorite ways to hear the Bible is to listen to a good reading, this one of Ephesians by Max McLean.)

    ephesus-map-where-is-ephesusThe people of Ephesus live far from Syria, Galilee, Samaria, Judea and Idumea, more than 1000 miles [1600 km] by road and ferry. Ephesus  [pictured above], Roman capital of Asia, overlooks the Aegean Sea and eastern trade routes beyond Asia Minor in modern day Turkey.

    Introduction to Paul’s letter

    Paul begins:

    To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:

    Paul does not send a political proclamation to everyone in this important Roman capital city. He does not ask them to send money for his well-known missionary journeys. Paul does not address those in the city with pagan beliefs where most of them worshiped idols. In fact, Christianity was a small, minority religion, as it is in Turkey even today.

    Paul thanks God for his spiritual blessing in Jesus Christ. He tells these Ephesians,

    “Eph. 1:15.. I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers..

    Do we do that? Do we have faith in Jesus as our Lord, showing His love toward all the saints of the church? Surely we are a church of troubled souls and differing tribulations.

    The church in Ephesus and all churches consist of men, women and children of a multitude of backgrounds and everyday trials. Paul opens his loving letter to those members of the church in Ephesus with praise and confirmation of prayer on their behalf.

    Paul continues to remind us:

    Eph 2: And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world,

    … following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— …

    But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—

    – by grace you have been saved— Ephesians 2:5b

    God did not have to save everyone.

    God did not have to save foreigners (like Greeks and Romans or like me and you). Paul includes himself with you and me in reminding us that we all sin. If God wants to save us He will, even though we do not deserve it. If God does not choose to save us, no work or sacrifice can redeem us from a single sin or our continual unfaithfulness.

    Paul reveals the mystery that God has chosen him to preach the good news (gospel) to the gentiles (non-jews).

    Eph. 3:10 … so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

    Paul then states the reason for his letter:

    13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

    He then assures the church members at Ephesus that he prays for those he has led to Christ. His reason:

    “..so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints.. and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

    Unity in the church, love & relationships

    The Apostle outlines God’s plan of love for the church, including our family and social relationships. Paul begins in

    Ephesians 3: I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

    • Humility
    • Gentleness
    • Patience
    • Bearing with one another in love
    • Eager to maintain the unity of the Holy Spirit in the bond of peace.

    Without elaboration on the identifiable characteristics of the saints (Christians), this short list suffices for a start to ‘equip the saints for the work of ministry’ [v.12].

    The Apostle instructs us in the love of Christ as it relates to believers and unbelievers, husband and wife, parent and child, masters and servants. Most importantly Paul tells us how our redeemed lives ought to look:

    Ephesians 4: 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

    Some questions for the saints

    Have you sweetened the bitterness of your sufferings? Has the wrath of self-righteousness and pressed-down anger of your tribulations been quenched in the love of our Lord?

    I was never kind nor did my heart show tenderness toward those who trampled my fragile esteem. Paul reminds the saints of God that the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, descended to us.

    Who does not have tribulation and suffering? For even Christ suffered for our sakes, that we might be redeemed by the blood of His sacrifice.

    Ephesians 5:

    “Awake, O sleeper,
        and arise from the dead,
    and Christ will shine on you.”

    15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

    Paul closes suggesting the whole armor of God for the saints of the church.

    Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

    Heed the imagery of righteousness before the Lord. For few events of life turn one so quickly against God as our own tribulations and sufferings.

    To be continued