A wife with a pure heart is a witness to her unbelieving husband. Husbands are to respect their wives knowing that believing wives are heirs of an inheritance from God. Love others and do good, even if you suffer from evil acts of others. Water was used to save Noah and his family just as water was used to symbolize the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Everything we do should be to the glory of God. The sins of our past should be left behind. If you suffer as a Christian, commit yourself to God who is faithful to strengthen you. Mature believers and pastors should protect the church spiritually in a loving and humble manner. The devil seeks to devour you. Resist him and hold firm to Jesus who is able to restore you.

Paul wrote on his and other disciples’ behalf to encourage and inform the church at Thessalonica. He complimented their faith and perseverance because word of their good works spread throughout the region. They turned from worshiping idols to worshipping the true God. Paul reminded the church that he and other disciples struggled to share the gospel with them through persecution and they received the Word as truth from God, not from man. Paul’s authority was of God, not of man. He did not seek man’s approval, but God’s alone. God was pleased to allow the Gentiles to hear the gospel and be saved. Paul longed to visit the church at Thessalonica in person but had been prevented.

Paul continued to address false teachers who taught justification through the Law, and that Gentiles must be circumcised to be saved. Paul wrote that false teachers would be under condemnation, and he wished they would emasculate themselves. Freedom in Christ allows believers to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, and believers no longer live according to the flesh. Believers bear one another’s burdens, doing good to one another. Believers are to boast in Christ and refuse to take pride in the flesh. Men who would teach anything according to the flesh boast in themselves.

We must repent or perish. God is patient according to His will. Jesus healed a man and a woman on the Sabbath and condemned legalism. He explained how the kingdom of God grew from a small group of disciples. Jesus taught that God provided one way to enter the kingdom. Jesus left Jerusalem to later return as the sacrificial lamb. The humble will be exalted by God. Jesus reminded His disciples that many would reject the gospel, but disciples should search diligently to reach the lost. Biblical discipleship requires total commitment.

The ways of a hypocrite will be revealed. Jesus warned the disciples of allowing the Pharisees to influence them through hypocrisy. Do not fear man, who has no power over eternity. The unforgivable sin is refusing the call of the Holy Spirit for salvation. Deny Christ before men, and He will deny you before the Father. Jesus told the disciples the Holy Spirit would teach them how to respond when they are persecuted. Place your treasure in eternal things. We must always be ready for the return of Christ. Followers of Christ are set apart. There is a division between believers and others because of the love for God.

Jesus taught the disciples how to pray. He expressed God’s willingness to answer prayers. God hears our prayers and knows how to provide for our needs. Jesus was accused of casting out a demon through Beelzebub (the prince of evil spirits-Satan). A house divided against itself will not stand. Jesus warned of unclean spirits returning with more power to a person if the person they left prepares a place for them to re-enter. Blessed is the man who hears the Word of God and keeps it. If God consumes you, it will be evident in the things you do. Jesus condemned the Pharisees and the lawyers who had a false faith in rituals but did not have love in their hearts. They were pretenders of the faith.

Jesus sent the apostles to preach the gospel and to heal the sick. Herod, a leader appointed by Rome, sought the true identity of Jesus. The apostles returned to share their experiences with Jesus. The crowds learned of their location and went to hear Jesus speak. Jesus fed about five thousand men with five loaves of bread and two fish. Peter confessed Jesus as “The Christ of God”. Jesus told them He would suffer and be crucified, and be raised on the third day. Jesus was transformed in the presence of His disciples. He explained all who follow Him will be required to give their lives. The decision to follow Jesus is one of complete surrender.

Jesus continued to heal the sick and teach the importance of faith. John sent two messengers to see if Jesus was the One who was promised. Jesus sent the messengers back to John to testify of the miracles they witnessed. Jesus explained John’s role of preparing the way for the Messiah to the remaining crowd. He taught Peter about the greatness of forgiveness. God’s Word will not be accepted by all. Those who hear and are obedient to God’s Word perform good works. Believers are called to share the gospel. The believer’s family are those who follow Christ. Jesus continued to show His power by healing and performing many miracles.

Luke was a physician who also wrote the book of Acts. He was a Gentile. He wrote from the knowledge of those who witnessed the life of Jesus. Luke details the announcement of the births of John and Jesus through the angel Gabriel. Zechariah was unable to speak because of his unbelief. Mary and Elizabeth believed what they were told and celebrated the news together. John leaped in his mother’s womb when Mary visited Elizabeth, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. John and Jesus were born, and Jesus was presented in the Temple.

Jesus healed a demon possessed man and sent the demons into pigs. The demons recognized Jesus as the “Son of the Most High God”. A woman who had been sick for many years was healed because she touched His garment. Jesus told the woman she was healed because of her faith. Jesus healed a twelve-year-old girl who died. He was rejected in His hometown, walked on water, and sent the disciples out two by two. He fed five thousand men with five loaves of bread and two fish. Following many of these miracles, Jesus instructed those present not to share what they had experienced. His time to give His life on the cross had not yet.