WestGate Church Teaching

So what exactly happens at the end of time? When Jesus comes back, how will that work, exactly? Perhaps no other Christian doctrine has generated more controversy than the question of end times. And in this episode, Steve Clifford and Jay Kim stop by to talk about the historical and Biblical roots of what 1 Thessalonians 4 calls “being caught up in the air.” They discuss the implications, why Paul wrote what he wrote, and why we should focus not on what the Bible *doesn’t* tell us, but what it *does.”

There’s a common cultural misconception that Christians are supposed to live in a perpetual state of happiness or ignorant bliss. But for those of us who are followers of Jesus, we know from experience that this isn’t true. But instead of fearing death, or running away from it, or pretending that death means failure, Paul calls these early Christians to live differently. Buoyed by this hope, followers of Jesus must embody and express in the present our hope for the future. This means we lean into ENGAGEMENT, not ESCAPISM

Before we focus on a time of revival for the church, let us first use Lent as a time of personal renewal. As we journey to the Cross of Good Friday, we admit our utter dependance on Jesus to rescue and heal us.

Let me see you work, work, work, work, work. There’s no doubt that COVID-19 has changed the way so many of us work. But is the way we’re working also changing us? Dave and South Hill Campus Pastor Andy Gridley chat about Paul’s advice and guidance to the early church at Thessalonica about work. Andy pulls out Paul’s fascinating (and counter-cultural) insights, and we explore what implications that has for our new COVID-19 work pressures and realities - (both paid and non-paid, amiright, parents?)

A large part of the book of 1 Thessalonians is Paul encouraging the early Christians to keep becoming more like Jesus. This is sometimes called sanctification, and, as Paul explains, it’s both something we do, and something God does: or put another way, it’s a work of God that we (can) participate in. Paul’s advice is about sex, generosity and work - and his guidance is just as helpful today.

What is prayer? How do we pray? We'll be talking about how to hear the Voice of God more clearly in our lives through the gift of prayer.

Jay and Dave talk about the social dynamics the Bible gives us regarding the early church - especially at Thessalonica, and how they experienced persecution - and how that relates to (and is different from) what some Christians in the West, especially the US, refer to as persecution today.

Urgency, uncertainty, and concern are not always helpful. But there is a constructive and caring sort of urgency and uncertainty born out of love and sense of responsibility for those we love. Are they going to be okay? Can I help them? In 1 Thess. 3, we see Paul’s pastoral concern as he attempts to stabilize this fledgling church and their faith for the difficult realities they’re about to face, and as we examine his tactics, we see they’re helpful not only to the ancient church, but provide hope for us today, too.

What is fasting and why is it a GIFT to YOU during Lent?

Dana Clifford stops by to talk about 1 Thessalonians 2 and the two major ideas that pop off the page in 1 Thessalonians 2. First, that Paul uses such dramatic, familial language about this group (how did this level of bond happen in a few months??). And second, the way Paul insists he wasn’t a celebrity leader on a pedestal, but a humble servant who was like family (and the implications of this for churches). Dave also rants for a few minutes about the theological term “vindication” - and how Paul’s closing words in this chapter hint that we (you and I) can “vindicate” Jesus as the True King by our lives.