"The God Who Died and Lives Again"

The God Who Is There
Written by D. A. Carson
“The God Who Died and Lives Again” – Chapter Ten
Born to Die
The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the center of the Bible’s message.Jesus was born and came to earth to die. “He will save his people from their sins.” (Matt 1:21)This is the unique message of the Christian gospel.
The Ironies of the Cross
“Hail, king of the Jews!”The Man who is mocked as king is in fact the King.“You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself!”The Man who is utterly powerless is transcendently powerful. “He saved others, but he can’t save himself!”The Man who can’t save himself saves others.“He trusts God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him!”The Man who cries out in despair trusts God.
Can God Die?
The Bible never speaks of God the Father dying. He is the eternal Spirit.It does speak of Jesus, who is the Word (=God) in the flesh, dying.It does speak of the cross in terms of God’s sacrifice. It is God’s action in Christ, the man who is also God.
The Resurrection
Overwhelming eyewitness testimonyWhy doubt the resurrection of Jesus?Only the offended party can forgive.“My Lord and my God!”

"The God Who Loves"

The God Who Is There
Written by D. A. Carson
“The God Who Loves” – Chapter Nine
Confused about God’s Love
If someone believes in God today, the one attribute they are likely to ascribe to God is love.However, the world’s definition of love—a love that is non-discriminating, non-judgmental is not the Bible’s picture of the love of God at all.God is also holy, righteous, true, and just.Any definition of God’s love that is true to the Bible must see that his love operates in full harmony with all of the other attributes of his being, without taking away from any of them.
Speaking of God’s Love
The Intra-Trinitarian love of GodGod’s general care and grace for all of creationGod’s moral, inviting, yearning love calling people to turn from sin and destruction.God’s love is sometimes described as selective.Once in relationship with his covenant people—the love of God may be spoken of in a conditional sense:“Keep yourselves in God’s love”Connected with obedienceA relational love (including discipline)
John 3:16-21
 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.  20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.  21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
God’s Love in John 3:16
In the Bible it is simply astonishing that God loves us.The measure of God’s love for us is Jesus.The purpose of God’s love for us is that we might have life.The means by which we come to enjoy this love and life is faith.

"The God Who Grants New Birth"

The God Who Is There
Written by D. A. Carson
“The God Who Grants New Birth” – Chapter Eight
Our Ultimate Need
We are in rebellion against God.Instead of wiping out the whole race, God has mercifully chosen to save a remnant by grace.We deserve death, but God provided atonement-provisionally in animal sacrifices, but finally in Christ Jesus our Redeemer.We have rebelled, and God’s wrath is against us-we need to be reconciled to God.We need to be morally transformed, or we will just go on sinning.We need all of the effects of sin to be overcome and reversed.
The New Birth
The new birth is not a name change, a human decision, or a religious experience.The new birth is a powerful regeneration, by God himself, in the human life, such that those who are born again are necessarily transformed.
What Did Jesus Say?
“No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”“No one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.”“I will sprinkle clean water on you and you will be clean” (Ezek 36:25)“I will put my Spirit in you” (v. 27)The new birth is bound up with the dawning of a new covenant that would be characterized by moral transformation and by the power and life of God to transform and renew.“Spirit gives birth to spirit.”“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”We may not be able to explain exactly how the new birth comes about, but we can see its effects.Where there is genuine new birth, you always see the results.Where the new birth has genuinely come from God, you will see transformation-a changed life.Not perfection, but the beginning of life from God that shapes our existence in a new direction.Christianity is not about ritualism, religious practice, or self-directed morality.The new birth signals more than a profession of faith; it signals transforming power. The new birth transforms, because it is God’s work not ours.
Jesus’ Authority to Speak
“We speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen...No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.”Jesus can speak of the new birth, because it originates in heaven—where he is from.
How Jesus Brings New Birth
We provide the sin, death and destruction; God provides forgiveness and life.We receive life not by ritual or effort, but by looking to God’s salvation in faith.On his cross Jesus provided the means by which we have new birth.In John 3, eternal life is the product of new birth.If you have new birth, you have life, and this life is eternal.New birth causes us to see—looking to the crucified and risen Christ for eternal life.By his death we have life.

"The God Who Becomes a Human Being"

The God Who Is There
Written by D. A. Carson
“The God Who Becomes a Human Being”: Chapter Seven
A God Who Is Coming
The prophets speak of a time when God would come to his people.The mystery is that sometimes this coming of God is also linked with the coming of a man, a Davidic kingThe little child is also the Mighty God, Everlasting Father (Is 9:6).
New Testament
Matthew and Luke: a child born of a virgin who is the “Son of God” come to “save his people from their sins.”Jesus is God’s solution to the sin problem begun in Genesis 3.
John 1:1-18
John’s gospel does not begin with the story of Jesus’ birth but by thinking about what the coming of Jesus means.Jesus is the eternal Word, the eternal God who became human and came to us.
John 1:1
OT understanding of “Word” God’s self-expressionGod’s revelationThe agent of God in creation The agent of God that comes to save and transform God’s people.“was with God” – God’s peer“was God” – God himself
The Three-in-One God
John’s Gospel helps us to understand the complexity of the eternal Triune God.Jesus is to be differentiated from God and yet at the same time is God.God (Father, Son, and Spirit) sharing eternal love before time.
John 1:2-13
The Word creates us: The agent of God in creationThe Word gives us light and life: The same light that brought life to creation brings eternal life to this world of corruption and death.The Word confronts and divides.Belief in Jesus by being born of God
John 1:14-18
The Word became a human being. Allusions to Exodus 32-34Tabernacle/TempleGloryGrace & Truth (Love & Faithfulness)Grace & LawSeeing God

"The God Who Is Unfathomably Wise"

The God Who Is There
Written by D. A. Carson
“The God Who Is Unfathomably Wise” – Chapter Six
Two Types of Writings
PsalmsWisdom LiteratureSome overlap between the two:Some psalms are wisdom literatureSome wisdom literature is poeticThese books don’t advance the story, but are a reflection of the life of God’s people “during the story.”Psalms
The God Who Makes His People SingVarious Kinds of PsalmsPsalm 1Psalm 8Psalm 14Psalm 19Psalm 40Psalm 51Wisdom Literature
The God Who Is Unfathomably WiseProverbsJobEcclesiastes

"The God Who Reigns"

The God Who Is There
Written by D. A. Carson
“The God Who Reigns” - Chapter Five
God’s Kingdom Over All
God’s Reign should not be confused with “reduced” ideas of kingship in the modern world.As Creator, God reigns over all. His sovereignty covers every domain in the universe.You cannot not be in God’s kingdom in this sense.
God’s Kingdom Over Israel
God also reigns in a special sense over a subset of his universal dominion.He reigns as king over his redeemed, covenant people.He rescued Israel from slavery in Egypt, covenanted with them, and now reigns over them as their King.
From Moses to David
Moses/Joshua – God appointed leader, mediating God’s law.Judges – vacuum of godly leadership, rebellion and chaos.Saul – a king after the peoples’ heartDavid – a king after God’s heart
The Covenant with David
2 Samuel 7David’s desire to build a “house” (temple) for God.David’s plan rejected. Why?God alone takes the initiative in key moments of his plan.God makes his servants great, not the other way around.God will build a “house” (dynasty) for David.God ensures the continuance of the dynasty in spite of human sin.The Davidic king is to reign as God’s “son” – patterned after him.An everlasting dynasty–eventually fulfilled by an ever-living King.
King David to King Jesus
Kingdom DividedNorthern Kingdom (Israel) – rejected Davidic dynasty, defeated and deported to Assyria.Southern Kingdom (Judah) – mostly wicked kings, eventually defeated and exiled to Babylon.A small remnant returns to JudahTemple is rebuilt, but pales in comparison to Solomon’s.God’s people dominated by succession of world powers – Persia, Greece, & Rome.At the turn of history, Israel ruled by Rome and fake kings like Herod.
Jesus and His Kingdom
Descendant of Abraham & DavidMulti-faceted understanding of “Kingdom” in Jesus’ teachingWheat/tares“Born again”Already here but still more to comeJesus must reign until he defeats all of his foes, the last being death.
1 Corinthians 15:25-26
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
King Jesus will bring final resolution to the problem of sin and death that began in Genesis 3. Jesus atones for sin and conquers death for his people.

"The God Who Legislates"

The God Who Is There
Written By D. A. Carson
“The God Who Legislates”: Chapter Four
Truth, Inclusion & Exclusion
Is it possible to be completely open and inclusive?Is it possible to have a “group” without any boundaries?What is truth and where do we find it?Is freedom completely without boundaries?
God and Truth
If we reject God as Creator, then our search for truth and meaning will be elusive.God has spoken and has legislated. He lays down laws…for our good.God’s law is bound up with the joyous freedom of life lived under the God who made us.
From Eden to Sinai
CreationFallCall and Covenant with AbrahamAbraham’s DescendantsSlavery in EgyptCall of Moses and God’s deliveranceThe Sinai Covenant
The Ten Commandments
First Four: Relationship with GodSecond Six: Relationship with PeopleThe Ten Commandments are not the whole Law but serve as its foundation and core.The other commandments stand in relationship to these Ten.
The First Four
1: No other gods: God’s exclusivity2: No idols: God’s transcendence3: Not using God’s name in vain: God’s importance/honor4: Honor the Sabbath: God’s right of reign, including over our use of time
The Second Six
5: Honor Parents: Respect God-appointed authority6: No Murder: Respect human life made in God’s image7: No Adultery: Respect marriage and family and covenants made8: No Theft: Respect others’ property9: No False Witness: Respect truth and justice10: No Coveting: Respect and guard your own heart by learning contentment with God’s good gifts
Observations
God speaks and commandsCentral in Old TestamentFirst four lead to the next sixFlow out of God’s deliverance of his peopleDon’t introduce a new morality, but codify God’s expectations for his covenant people
Ceremonial Law
Tabernacle and FurnishingsMost Holy PlaceArk of the CovenantPriests and SacrificesDay of AtonementGod holds his people to account.How can you be reconciled to God?
Exodus 32-34
God cannot be worshiped other than in the way he has prescribed.God is holy and must judge sin, but he is also merciful and forgiving.The Day of Atonement holds these aspects of God’s nature in tension…Until they reach final resolution in the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus.

"The God Who Does Not Wipe Out Rebels"

The God Who Is ThereWritten by D. A. CarsonChapter Two: “The God Who Does Not Wipe Out Rebels”Introduction"You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die."  (Genesis 2:16-17, NIV)What happens in Genesis 3 is foundational for understanding the rest of the Bible.Understanding Genesis 3Genesis 3 contains symbols that must be interpreted, but the story and its main point are clearly understood.Genesis 3 records the disobedience of our first human parents, which had consequences for all humanity and the world.Deception and RebellionSatan questions God’s words.Satan exaggerates God’s restriction.Satan causes the woman to doubt God’s goodness.Satan lies about God’s judgment.Satan entices with self-determination and self-worship.ConsequencesInversion of Created OrderDeathShame and GuiltLoss of innocence w/ no returnBroken relationship w/ GodBroken relationship w/ peopleDenial of personal responsibilityAttempted self-justificationCursesSerpentCast out and rejectedUltimate defeat predictedWomanPain and difficulty in childbirthDisharmony in marriage relationshipManToil and frustration in workWhole created order suffersLong-Term EffectsSin has consequences.Guilt must be covered by atonement.Atonement comes by death and the shedding of blood.Animal sacrifice was provisional and typological, preparing way for Christ’s ultimate atoning sacrifice.ImplicationsRight and Wrong: moral consciousness or evolutionary aid?Evil: horizontal and verticalOur problem: idolatry and alienation from GodOur need: to be reconciled to God-we need a Savior.

"The God Who Made Everything"

The God Who Is ThereWritten By D. A. CarsonChapter One: “The God Who Made Everything”IntroductionRise of biblical illiteracyBible: collection of Christianity’s foundation documentsBible is a diverse collection of documentsThe Bible reveals “the God who is there”Genesis 1-2Record of the creation of the universe by GodGod creates an orderly world and fills it with living creaturesThe climax of God’s creation is human beings, made in His imageGenesis 1-2 & ScienceMore ambiguity in the interpretation of these chapters than some Christians recognizeMore ambiguity in claims of science than some scientists realizeChallenge of “irreducible complexity” points to Designer“However complex the debates over Genesis 1-2…there is an irreducible minimum that these chapters must be saying for the Bible to have any coherence at all…”Some Things about GodGod simply is.God made everything that is non-God.There is only one of Him.God is a talking God.Everything God makes is good.God comes to an end of his creative work, and he rests.The creation proclaims his greatness and glory.The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. (Psalm 19:1, NIV)Some Things about PeopleWe are made in the image of God.In a finite way, we reflect God.CreativityCapacity to workCapacity to ruleCapacity to serve as God’s stewardsWe were made male and female.The man and his wife were innocent.Some things about How Genesis 1-2 Fits into the BibleForm necessary background to Gen. 3 and rest of BibleDoctrine of creation recurs throughout the rest of the Bible and finds fulfillment in “new creation”Shapes our worldviewGrounds human accountability

"Everyday Christian Ethics" (1 Thessalonians 5:12-28)

"Everyday Christian Ethics" (1 Thessalonians 5:12-28)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchWednesday PM, February 3, 2016
1 Thessalonians 5:12–28 (NIV)


12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.

23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us. 26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

"Sons of the Light" (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)

"Sons of the Light" (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchWednesday PM, January 27, 2016
1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 (NIV)

5 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

"The Christian Hope" (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

"The Christian Hope" (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchWednesday PM, January 20, 2016
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (NIV)


13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

"Living to Please God" (1 Thessalonians 4:1-12)

"Living to Please God" (1 Thessalonians 4:1-12)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchWednesday PM, January 13, 2016
1 Thessalonians 4:1–12 (NIV)

4 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body  in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.  The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

9 Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

"Is Anything Too Hard for the LORD?" (Genesis 18:1-15)

"Is Anything Too Hard for the LORD?" (Genesis 18:1-15)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday PM, January 10, 2016
Genesis 18:1–15 (NIV)

18 The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.

3 He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. 4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. 5 Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.”

“Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.”

6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.”

7 Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. 8 He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.

9 “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him.

“There, in the tent,” he said.

10 Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”

Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. 11 Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”

13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

15 Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.”

But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”
1. God assures his people of a relationship of peace through a covenant meal (1-8). 2. God calls his people to trust in him, because nothing is impossible with God (9-15).

"Growing in Faith and Love" (1 Thessalonians 3:6-13)

"Growing in Faith and Love" (1 Thessalonians 3:6-13)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchWednesday PM, January 6, 2016
1 Thessalonians 2:17–3:13 (NIV)


17 But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

3 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.

6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

"Fruitful Labor" (1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:6)

"Fruitful Labor" (1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:6)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchWednesday PM, December 16, 2015
1 Thessalonians 2:17–3:13 (NIV)


17 But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

3 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.

6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

"Sharing the Word and our Lives" (1 Thessalonians 2:7-16)

"Sharing the Word and our Lives (1 Thessalonians 2:7-16)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchWednesday PM, December 9, 2015
1 Thessalonians 2:1–16 (NIV)

2 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children among you.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. 9 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. 14 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews 15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.

"A Genuine Message Proclaimed with Genuine Motives" (1 Thessalonians 2:1-7a)

"A Genuine Message Proclaimed with Genuine Motives" (1 Thessalonians 2:1-7a)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchWednesday PM, December 2, 2015
1 Thessalonians 2:1–7 (NIV)


2 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children among you.

"Transformed by the Gospel" (1 Thessalonians 1:4-10)

Eastside Baptist ChurchPastor Cameron JungelsWednesday PM, November 18, 20151 Thessalonians 1:1-10 (NIV)          1 Paul, Silas and Timothy,            To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:            Grace and peace to you.            2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.  3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.           4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you,  5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.  6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.  7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.  8 The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia-- your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it,  9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,  10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead-- Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

"Living the Christian Life Together" (1 Thessalonians 1:1-3)

Eastside Baptist ChurchPastor Cameron JungelsWednesday PM, November 4, 2015
Acts 17:1–15 (NIV)

17 When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. 4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.

5 But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. 6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, 7 and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.” 8 When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. 9 Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go.

10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.

13 But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. 14 The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. 15 Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.

1 Thessalonians 1:1–3 (NIV)

Paul, Silas  and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace to you.


2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.