St John chapter 14 consistently ranks very high as a favorite of believers in Jesus. And in many ways it is no surprise. The chapter is filled with hope; both for the present and for the future. But in v. 12 Jesus makes an incredible statement: Those who believe in him will not only do […]
Why would Jesus request “Let not your hearts be troubled…”? Its because human hearts do become troubled. We do fret, worry and become anxious. Jesus himself was ‘troubled’ on more than one occasion. Jim Scullion wanted to let this congregation know that Jesus urges his followers to not let their hearts be troubled because he […]
What do you need to do to “pass the test”? Well, JIm Scullion addresses this question from the letter of St John, chapter 2.
When St Paul uses the word ‘finally’ in 2 Thessalonians 3 he actually means it! This is not always the case with St Paul. And so how does he summarize his letter to the Thessalonian believers? Pray and Obey. List as Jim Scullion walks us through the end of his series on the two letters […]
Lots of crazy things happening here, in the US and around the world. Yes? The same was true for the congregation in Thessalonica to whom St Paul wrote a few letters. Specifically, he wanted to remind the readers that they could trust what they had been taught and that God would not leave them in […]
Jim Scullion starts a new series on the short letter of St Paul to the Thessalonians- his second letter to this church. Perhaps surprising to us, St Paul indicated that persecution was evidence that the church was growing! Maybe not what we want to hear? But maybe its what we need to hear in these […]
We are coming to the end of Jim Scullion’s series on 1 Thessalonians. And as you might imagine, St Paul ends with a flurry of exhortations. Some restate what he has said earlier; others seem to be additional things that he feels necessary to also let the church in Thessalonica hear.
Humans have always been very curious about “the future”. When will X happen? What is going to happen to Y? It seems apparent that the believers in Thessalonica were similarly curious. As much as St Paul cared for this congregation, he rather firmly suggests that they might be asking the wrong question(s) and that there […]
Hmm. Interesting how what we might have experienced in the late 1970s in the US could possibly have been the experience of Christians in Thessalonica in the 1st Century. Uncertainty of what to do in light of the eminent return of Jesus and the death of believers who died before Jesus returned. Hmmm. What to […]
It is very common in St Paul’s letters [in the New Testament] to begin with theology and then double back with practical application of the theological truths he has attempted to present, to teach, to reinforce. Such is the case in his first letter to the Thessalonians. Listen as Jim Scullion preaches from 1 Thess … Continue reading Pleasing God →
Direct. Make. Establish. These three words form the backbone of St Paul’s prayer for his dear church in Thessalonica. They are actions that St Paul prays God will take on behalf of the believers there. Jim Scullion ends by asking if we pray like this for our church.
What “Four Basic Things” might St Paul be trying to get across to his readers in Thessalonica? You’ll have to listen to Jim Scullion’s analysis in today’s sermon.
The prophet Isaiah foretold the coming of “…a child…” and this child was announced as having these names: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. Each has significance, as Jim Scullion explains in today’s sermon.
Isaiah 9 is a well known Bible passage generally believed to be prophesying the coming Savior. But what are the themes of light and joy are very dominant in the passage? Pastor Jim provides some insight in Sunday’s sermon.
Now just what could make St Paul ooze, as it were, with emotion and longing for a group of people he had only spent two or three weeks, maybe four, with? What could be so special about people? That is the subject of Jim’s sermon from 1 Thessalonians.
Ever notice in a family how some children readily respond positively to parents’ wishes or directives, and other are a bit [or a lot] less responsive? And have you ever noticed- or experienced -that the obedient child can be castigated by the others for being to good? Jim Scullion pointed out a similar situation from … Continue reading The Word: Heard, Received, Accepted →
In 1 Thessalonians, St Paul defends his ministry to the Thessalonians. Can we defend our service or ministry in the same way?
Jim Scullion continues his series in 1 Thessalonians on just what is true “Gospel Church”.
We can gain perspective on what a ‘true church’ is by looking at how St Paul addresses the church in Thessalonica. This church was really, really young, yet St Paul suggests that they are a true church.
The sermon title is a good question, don’t you think? People make all kinds of claims about what they have done, how wonderful they are, and to what group they belong. So how do we know who real Christian is? How do we know we are true Christians if we claim we are? Is it … Continue reading Who is a True Christian? →