A teaching class for the Thames Valley and Watford churches of Christ

No complacency, room for growth

  1. Purity
    • Immorality was as part of the culture then as now. Expected, allowed. “Continence was regarded as an unreasonable demand on a man. Leon Morris, NICOTNT
    • “Pagan temples regularly doubled as brothels, and sexual practices of all sorts were at least tolerated if not actively encouraged within the society as a whole.” Wright, Everyone
    • “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your bodies.” (1 Corinthians 6:18–20 NIV11)
    • Self-control – about habits, not instances
    • ‘a holy life’ – it is possible. Reassuring! We breath ‘holy air’.
  2. Love
    • God-taught: ““This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Jer 31.33-34
    • Beyond local church
    • urge – more and more – increase and overflow (3:12)
    • work – expecting second coming? Evangelism is more important?!

Conclusion

  • Purity and love marked Christians out i those times. Same today?
  • Question: What makes it clear we are Christians to other people even if we do not tell them?
  • Question: What helps your purity? Do your friends know?
  • Question: What inspires you to love others such that you are a blessing to them, not a burden?

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

In this class, we take note of the delight Paul has for the Thessalonians and they have for him. What is the connection between the depth of relationships, and faith and love?

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm