Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 1:1
Mon, 7 February 2022

The Church’s Fundamental Twofold Nature

Observation:

What is the significance of the Thessalonians being described by Paul as “the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”?

Deeper Reflection
PAUL INCLUDED SILVANUS (SILAS) AND TIMOTHY IN HIS epistolary greeting (v.1), because they were his fellow-workers in his ministry, who accompanied him in his travels (Acts 15:40-20:2; note 15:40 and 16:1-3), preached the Word of God alongside him (2 Cor 1:19) and “may have had some part in writing this letter”18. The theological expression, “the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (v.1), points to the fundamental twofold nature of the church, which is reflected in another similar way: “the church of God that is at Corinth” (1 Cor 1:2). This means the church of God was living in Thessalonica/Corinth and the Thessalonian/Corinthian church was living in God. “Every church has two homes, two environments and two habitats”: It lives in God and it lives in the world.19 The church “in” God and Christ points to the “vital, organic union” the church has with God and Christ “which makes possible the sharing of a common life”20 between the two. It means the church is “rooted in” and “living in” God and Christ, and “drawing its life from” Them.21 Paul was keenly aware of the insecurity felt by this young church suffering “much affliction” in being persecuted by their own countrymen (1 Thess 1:6; 2:14). He wanted to remind them that in the midst of their fiery trials, their security, strength and stability were “in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”, that they were “now standing in the realm where God and Christ dominate”22.
18 G. K. Beale, 41 19 John R. W. Stott, The Message of Thessalonians, The Bible Speaks Today (IVP, 1991), 28 20 John R. W. Stott, 28 21 John R. W. Stott, 28 22 G. K. Beale, 43
Application:

What does it mean for me to live in God and Christ, and in the world?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You have placed Your Church in the world. Keep Your Church from loving and conforming to the world. Sanctify Your Church by Your Word and the Spirit, that You may present her to Yourself in splendour, and as holy and without blemish.17 This is Your commitment of love to Your Church. Let Your life flow to the world through Your Church.
17 Ephesians 5:26-27
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Leaders
  • Significant people
  • Those in need
  • Self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 10:11-12, 14-19
Tue, 26 September 2023

A Man of High Esteem

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about Daniel being called “man of high esteem” (vv.11, 19)?

Deeper Reflection
One of the heavenly beings called Daniel “man of high esteem” (v.11). This honour was bestowed on Daniel emphatically, in that it was repeated twice (v.19). This “high esteem” did not come from man, but from God Himself. God gave this honour to Daniel toward the end of his life when God called him to “enter into rest” (Dan 12:13). As a youth, Daniel “made up his mind not to defile himself with the king’s choice food” (Dan 1:8), and as an old man, he was faithful to God in spending time with Him in his “three times a day” devotion, even if it means to be thrown into the lions’ den (Dan 6:10). Daniel was finishing well in his life with “humbling yourself before your God” (v.12). When we think of finishing well in terms of successful accomplishments, we must be careful that we are not exalting ourselves.It is not for us to see ourselves in any way as a person of high esteem before God. It is for God to say that to us (2 Cor 10:17-18). Daniel never saw himself as a “man of high esteem”. A key emphasis in Daniel 10 is Daniel being greatly overwhelmed by the holiness and glory of God represented by the heavenly being with an awesome appearance (Dan 10:5-10, 15-18). And it was in this encounter with God when he was called “man of high esteem” that Daniel said, “How can such a servant of my Lord talk with such as my Lord?”50 (v.17). The man highly esteemed by God saw his unworthiness before God.
50 I have theologically translated “my lord” to “my Lord”, since the heavenly being is a representation of God.
Application:

What does being highly esteemed by God mean to me?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for pastors and staff: To be able to see oneself as God sees
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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