The Body of Christ

Backstory:
Paul’s 2nd missionary journey also took him to Corinth (see Acts 18:1-28), a large and prosperous city rife with idolatry and immorality. Paul stayed in Corinth a year and a half, much longer than was his typical practice. A couple of years later, Paul received information concerning problems in the church at Corinth, particularly in regard to conduct — problems he attempted to resolve with this letter. He also gave instructions on public worship, including the use of spiritual gifts.

God’s Story:
My Son could not teach everyone in the short time he was on earth, so his believers are to continue the work he started. Believers are the body of Christ. They represent Christ. They have been given gifts by the Holy Spirit to enable them to minister to the needs of the body and to proclaim  my message to the ends of the earth. They are my chosen instruments to show my love to the world.

Read 1 Corinthians 12:1 -13:13
Your Story:
You are part of the body of Christ. You are being changed by God’s Spirit to become more like Jesus every day: to think like Jesus, to act like Jesus, to treat other people like Jesus would treat them. When you walk into a room, you represent Jesus. It’s as though Jesus himself walked into the room. Even if you don’t feel called to be a preacher or teacher, you are called to proclaim Christ through a life of love and Christ-like living.

Waiting For Christ’s Encore

Backstory:
Paul wrote a 2nd letter to the Thessalonians just a few months after writing the first one. After receiving his 1st letter, the people continued to progress in their faith. But they had been unsettled by a false teaching that the day of the Lord had already come, which obviously was untrue. Paul wrote this 2nd, more commanding letter to correct those teachings and inform the people about what they had to look forward to.

God’s Story:
My Son will return suddenly, when no one is expecting it. Before that time, there will be great spiritual rebellion and upheaval, but those who trust me have no reason to worry. If they live each day according to my will and follow the teachings of Jesus, it does not matter when that day arrives — they will be ready & that’s all that matters!

Read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17

Your Story:
Because the events surrounding it are so mysterious, talk of Christ’s second coming can be disconcerting. While the Bible offers some signs of what to expect, much of it is one to interpretation and speculation. But you can be sure of this: Jesus WILL return in victory! There will always be those who teach error and persecute believers. Remember what Paul told the Thessalonians — it is important to “stand firm” in your faith (2 Thessalonians 2:15). God loves you, and by his grace he gives you encouragement as you await his Son’s return.

Living to Please God

Backstory:
On his 2nd missionary journey, Paul visited Thessalonica, where some Jews, a large number of “God fearing” Greeks (Gentiles who were not converts to Judaism but who believed in one God and respected the moral and ethical teachings of the Jews) and quite a few prominent women, opened their hearts to Jesus the Messiah. After a rather brief stay, Paul fled Thessalonica when opposition to his message became threatening. He wrote 1 Thessalonians from Corinth not long after that. One reason Paul wrote this letter was to address some confusion among the Thessalonian Christians concerning Christ’s second coming.

God’s Story:
Patience. At the time of my choosing, my Son will return to earth in glory. Only I know when that will be, so there is no use trying to guess. Human measurements of hours, days and years are of little value when it comes to my divine plan and kingdom. Rather than trying to figure out times and dates, my people ought to live in faith, hope and love in preparation and anticipation of Christ’s return.

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1 – 5:28

Your Story:
Paul’s appeal for living a holy life is timeless. What he wrote to the church long ago continues to be true for you today. Make a list of how Paul advises Christians to live. Then do a self-evaluation and ask God to strengthen you in your areas of weakness.

Adapting the Approach

Backstory:
On his 2nd missionary journey, Paul visited the cities of Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens. A traveling preacher was a new experience for the residents of these cities, and they responded in different ways to Paul’s teachings. Many believed, while others rejected what they heard.

God’s Story:
The Good News of salvation is for all people in every nation. Some will hear the message and receive it with great joy and thanksgiving. Others will hear it and rebel against it. Still others will listen, analyze and question it. I will never stop seeking my lost children. Through my servant who tell my story, I will steadfastly call people back to me.

Read Acts 17:1-34

Your Story:
Paul received different responses to his preaching in different cities. He even changed his approach to relate to different people, especially in Athens. Which group would you say you were most like when you first heard the gospel message? Did you rebel against? Analyze and question it? Or did you feel great joy? How have you changed since that time?

It’s All About Attitude

Backstory:
Years after establishing a church in Philippi, Paul wrote a joyful letter to the believers there while he was imprisoned in Rome. Philippians 2:6-11 may have been an early Christian hymn.
God’s Story:
Rejoice! My Son is a shining example for all believers to follow. His life and death were part of my plan to bring my people close to me and show them how to live lives of humility, compassion and love. When they live in harmony, they align their lives with my plan for my kingdom.

Read Philippians 2:1-30

Your Story:
Living as Jesus lived is a daily challenge. Your “flesh” (sinful nature) always gets in the way. Pride, ambition and conceit want to triumph over humility. The priorities of the world overshadow those set by Christ. Extremes lead to self-loathing rather than self-worth as a child of the King of kings. How can you “shine . . . Like stars in the sky” (Philippians 2:15), yet remain humble like Christ?

The Gospel Spreads to Europe
Backstory:
Paul had preached in numerous cities throughout Asia Minor (modern western Turkey), bring the gospel to both Jews and Gentiles. Prevented by the Holy Spirit from ministering in the Roman provinces of Asia and Bithynia, Paul and his companions kept traveling west to the city of Troas on the coast of Asia Minor. Throu a vision, God called them to go to Macedonia (the northern part of modern Greece). At Philippi, Paul founded the first church on the continent of Europe. Paul’s preaching brought many to believe in Jesus, but it also caused major opposition.

God’s Story:
The vision I am giving my servant Paul of a man  in Macedonia will change history. Because of Paul’s obedience, the gospel will spread westward; ultimately, all of Europe will hear the Good News! Response to my call is never a trivial thing. Indeed, as in this instance, untold blessings may depend on it.

Read Acts 16:1-40

Your Story:
We don’t know how the Holy Spirit told Paul that he and his companions should not go into Asia or Bithynia. It may have been through a prophet, a vision, an inner conviction or some other circumstance. To know God’s will does not mean you must hear his voice. He leads in different ways. When seeking God’s will, make sure your plan is in harmony with God’s Word. Ask mature Christians for advice, and check your motives — are you seeking to do what you want or what you think God wants? Also, pray for God to open and close doors as he desires — not as you desire.

Live By Faith, Not By the Law

Backstory:
After Saul (Paul) converted to Christianity, he became a formidable preacher. He later wrote letters to the churches he helped establish on his missionary journeys. After Paul’s successful ministry in Galatia, legalistic Jewish Christians began telling Gentile converts that they had to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses in order to be saved. Paul addressed this situation head-on in his letter to the churches in Galatia.

God’s Story:
My people are struggling to make the transition from the old covenant to the new. Some want to rely on keeping the Law of Moses but live in the promise of the Spirit. They cannot reconcile obedience to the law with obedience to Christ. Paul will help them see that it was the law that led them to Christ, but they now must live by faith in my Son, who redeems the true children of Abraham from the crust of the law. Works (adhering to the law) won’t save them; faith in Jesus will.

Read Galatians 3:1-29

Your Story:
Christians today often get bogged down in superficial details about church order, style of worship, methods of preaching and ministry, and who’s in charge of the kitchen, nursery, food pantry ministry or sound equipment. Many of the details that spark disagreements among believers really don’t matter at all, but believing in God’s love does. The law teaches you about your need for salvation; it is through God’s grace that you receive it. True faith means believing in the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved.

A Radical Change

Backstory:
The church grew rapidly as news about the Messiah spread. Some who heard the teachings of Jesus were filled with joy, while others were overcome with hate and ferociously persecuted those who believed. Stephen, one of the 7 leaders of the early church chosen to help with food distribution to widows, became the first martyr. The fight was on for many, but one major persecutor got the visit of his life — and it dramatically changed his outlook about whom and what he was fighting for.

God’s Story:
I have a zealous fighter in Saul, but unfortunately, his energies are being used for evil. Well, he certainly has a surprise waiting for him down the road! I have a great plan for Saul — one he could never have imagined! He has been running his life according to his plan, which he believes is something great. But soon, he will align his life with my plan, and then he will witness something truly spectacular!

Read Acts 9:1-31

Your Story:
Some Christians ease their way into believing in Christ, while others experience a sudden radical change (a “Damascus road” experience) like Saul had. Throughout the Bible, God often selected unlikely candidates to work for Him (people like Moses, Rahab, David). By doing so, others saw God at work, rather than the individual. Saul (later called Paul) may be the most memorable Biblical character because of his murderous past. However, remember that none of that matters to God. God calls ordinary — like you — to do his work. What is most important is how you respond to his call.

Mission Possible

Backstory:
One day at the temple, Peter healed a lame man in the name of Jesus, resulting in an opportunity for Peter & John to preach to a crowd. This stirred up the jealous anger of the religious leaders, but they failed to stifle the apostles’ courageous ministry. The members of the infant church learned how to live in fellowship with one another, voluntarily sharing their possessions. However, one couple’s desire for praise and their love for money led to the first recorded sin in the life of the church and how it was handled.

God’s Story:
My people must guard their hearts, for although my church has started strong, evil still lurks everywhere. Focus is the key right now. They must remain dedicated to their task of spreading the gospel. If they keep the spotlight on Jesus and his message of salvation, my Spirit will be free to work as I intended.

Read Acts 5:1-42

Your Story:
The members of the early church faced complications and struggles from both inside and outside of the body of believers. From within the church, greed and dishonesty were insidiously wreaking havoc. From outside, the religious leaders and others, distraught by the shake-up Jesus triggered, were poised and ready to quash any hint of his legacy. 2000 years later, the church is still susceptible to many of the same threats. How do the problems of your church and the Church as a whole today, compare to the problems of the early church? What are some ways you can initiate and effect change and guard against future problems?

The Spirit Explosion

God’s Story:
Yes! I cannot contain myself any longer! I want my people to feel my presence burning within them. I want them to feel the passion and love that has kept me fighting for them for so long. I will make my presence available to all who believe in me. My fire will scorch the sin and doubt from their souls and ignite within them a yearning and need like they have never known. The Holy Spirit will create an explosion within my church, and my people will spread the Good News to the ends of the world. Through the church, the voice of my Son will echo across the nations and throughout the centuries, calling all my people back to me.

Read Acts 2:1-47

Your Story:
The Holy Spirit now indwells every follower of Jesus. Each one of them is the new temple — the dwelling place for God on earth. The disciples began to meet together in homes all over Jerusalem. They devoted themselves to belonging to each other, growing together in their faith and serving the needs of the people around them. They extended the presence of Jesus on earth, and many people were added to their numbers.