God's Word is God's will. In this text of 1 Thessalonians, we see that God's will for His people is to abstain from sexual immorality.

This study specifically deals with Paul's instruction to the Corinthians about a particular collection for the saints in Jerusalem. We explain the the rich model of Christian giving that is taught in the New Testament. It is not legal in nature, but rather has the gracious and generous quality of a freewill offering.

Our Scripture reading was found in Proverbs 10:1-32.

In answer to their query about how they have deviated from God's way and need to return, the prophet picked an illustration of their spiritual defection that is very visible and undeniable. The Lord pointed out that they had not brought the required tithes and offerings, those used to fund the theocracy by sustaining the Levites, the national religious festivals, and the poor. But in not paying their taxes, and so robbing God, they had robbed themselves, for God had withheld His blessing.

Our Scripture reading was found in Numbers 5:1-31.

The closing section of the Sermon on the Mount is a gospel application. Here are two gates, two ways, two destinations, and two groups of people; two kinds of trees and two kinds of fruit; two groups at the judgement; and two kinds of builders, building on two kinds of foundations. Christ is drawing the line as clearly as possible between the way that leads to destruction and the way which leads to life.

Instead of being able to travel to Thessalonica, Paul was forced to minister to them by means of letter. So he instructs them about how to live so as to please God. We only began to see the specifics of this, but we did emphasize the idea that Paul was giving them a command from the Lord Jesus.

We had a question earlier in the day about the chronology of Saul's interaction with David. In 1 Samuel 17 when David killed Goliath, did Saul know him? We examined a number of approaches to handle this question. A second question arose about the proper method of interpreting Zechariah 11 and how Old Testament prophecies are used in the New Testament. We were able to understand the importance of taking the text literally and take caution about how we use analogies in various Scriptures.

Then we quickly examined a list of the coworkers of the apostle Paul and emphasized the need for teamwork in the ministry of the church. This idea is essential for the work of the ministry.

Scripture reading was from Proverbs 9.

We read in Malachi 3:1-7 of a way-preparing messenger, who comes before the messenger of the covenant. The Lord Jesus, the Messiah, is that messenger of the covenant. He will suddenly appear at His temple and will bring with him a fearful day of judgment and refining. The events surrounding His coming locate the fulfillment in the future at the second coming of the Lord--not the first coming.

Scripture reading was in Numbers 4.

Our teacher reviewed much of the latter half of Ephesians 6 about the spiritual battle in which Christians find themselves. We were reminded again about what is most dangerous to our walk, and what resources we need to have around ourselves to win the battle and "stay on point" with respect to sharing the gospel. Then we looked at the necessity for frequent prayer.

Paul tells us how he responded to Timothy's report of the good spiritual condition of the Thessalonians. Then he reports a prayer in which he prays that the believers would be established blameless in holiness by the end when Christ returns.

No, the title of this message is not intended to suggest that the two types of worship are in competition with one another! Rather, the point of our message was to understand a bit more about what the future millennial worship looks like, and to set that over against how we presently worship at the table of the Lord. Each estate is blessed by God, and we thank Him for what we have today. But there will be a time of much different worship in the future.

The Scripture reading was from Proverbs 7.