The Surprising God

  This post exegetes 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 , providing context for the Epistle reading on 11/15/2026. Insights are drawn from John Stott's commentary on this passage. Billboard (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction In this epistle, Paul is addressing fainthearted Christians in Thessalonica. In 1 Thess 4:13-18, he offers hope in the midst of grieving for certain believers who had unexpectedly died. Now in 1 Thess 5:1-11 he offers hope to counter insecurities regarding the coming judgment at Christ's return. Paul had evidently taught the Thessalonians about this *day of the Lord* (2), explaining from the Old Testament that it would be a day of judgment. Amos, the great eighth-century prophet, had made that plain. 'Woe to you who long for the day of the Lord!' he had  proclaimed. 'Why do you long for the day of the Lord? That day will be darkness, not light...pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness' (Am.5:18-20; cf.Is.13:6). Joel had called it 'th...

This post exegetes 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, providing context for the Epistle reading on 11/8/2026. Insights are drawn from John Stott's commentary on this passage. "Resurrection of the Dead" (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction The death of a loved one always raises painful and anguished questions. What has happened to them? Are they all right? Shall we see them again? These were questions for which the young believers in Thessalonica were unprepared. Expecting Jesus' immediate return ( parousia ), they were shocked when some believing friends and family died before this anticipated event. This turn of events greatly disturbed them and left them with many nagging questions that they addressed to Paul (perhaps through Timothy): How would the Christian dead fare when Jesus returned? Would they stand at a disadvantage? Would they miss the blessing of the parousia? Were they even 'lost'?   The state of the dead Paul begins his answer with two negati...

This post exegetes 1 Thessalonians 2:1-13, providing context for the Epistle readings on 10/25/26 and 11/1/26. Insights are drawn from John Stott's commentary on this passage. "Saint Paul" by Rembrandt (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction Christian leaders are called to follow Christ's example of servant-leadership. And here in Paul's first letter to the Christians in Thessalonica, we are given an example of the way Paul and his traveling companions did just that.  Paul's brief mission in Thessalonica had been brought to an ignominious end. A public riot and the legal charges leveled against Paul and his companions were so serious that they had to flee the city by night.  Paul's critics took full advantage of his sudden disappearance to try to discredit his leadership and his gospel. Paul was accused of being a charlatan--out to enrich himself. "Look at him" they said, "he took to his heels and ran--he doesn't care about th...

This post exegetes 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10 , providing context for the Epistle reading on 10/18/26. Insights are drawn from John Stott's commentary on this passage. "St Paul preaching to the Thessalonians" by Dore (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction  In Paul's first letter to the Christians in the city of Thessalonica, Paul shows how the church and the gospel are inseparably interrelated. The gospel forms the church and the church spreads the gospel. In discussing this interrelationship, Paul begins with the church's evangelism . In 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10 he outlines in three stages the progress of the gospel in Thessalonica. First, 'our gospel came to you' (v5). Secondly, 'you welcomed the message' (v6). Thirdly, 'the Lord's message rang out from you' (v8). Thus it came to you, you received it, and you passed it on. This sequence is God's continuing purpose, worked out through the church. The gospel came to you The ...

This post exegetes Matthew 21:28-22:14), providing context for the Gospel reading on 10/11/26. Insights are drawn from "Kingdom, Grace, Judgment"  by Robert Capon; "New Bible Commentary" by RT France; and "Bible Knowledge Commentary" by Louis Barbieri. "The Wedding Feast" (author unknown) Introduction In Matthew 21:1-7, Jesus has been showing who God's people are not (they are not the Jewish religious authorities). But that leaves us asking, who are God's true people? In Matthew 21:28-22:14, Jesus answers with three parables. Each one speaks of one group of people who are losing their privileged position and being replaced by those whom they despise. The point is that a fundamental change in the identity of the true people of God is taking place. Parable 1: The two sons  Matthew 21:28-32 28 "What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.' 29 "...

This post exegetes Philippians 3:1-16, providing context for the Epistle reading on 10/4/26. Insights are drawn from commentary by Warren Wiersbe ("Bible Expository Commentary") and Francis Foulkes ("New Bible Commentary"). "Lost and Found" by Greg Olsen (used with artist's permission) Introduction  In Philippians chapter 3, Paul begins a new section of his letter with this promise and exhortation: “ All joy be yours in your union with the Lord ” (Phil 3:1 TCNT).  Believers have great joy because they know Jesus—they know of and participate in the union that all humanity has with the incarnate Son of God, Jesus Christ. Sadly, some Philippian believers were undervaluing this union—failing to understand that their true citizenship is in heaven (Phil 3:20).  As a Roman colony, Philippi was a sort of “Rome away from Rome.” Its citizens, though living in Philippi, rightfully saw themselves as citizens of Rome. In similar fashion, though we are earth-bound, ...