Author: Mitch Clouse

In our message, THE LABOR OF LOVE (1 Thes. 2:7-12), Paul continued to recount his visit to them, which was “not in vain.”

Paul and his team were “gentle among [them]” as they shared the gospel with the new church at Thessalonica. This “gentleness” came from God inside of them, “Christ the hope of glory,” as they abided in Jesus (Gal. 5:22-23; Col. 1:27; John 15:4-5, etc.), and it was the same kind of gentleness that “a nursing mother [would cherish] her own” baby with (1 Thes.… Continue reading

In our message, STEWARDS OF THE GOSPEL (1 Thes. 2:1-6), the Apostle Paul, after commending the church in Thessalonica for their strong witness, recounts his visit to them.

It was “not in vain” as the believers there themselves knew God had saved them and changed their lives (1 Thes. 2:1; 1 Cor. 4:1-2; 15:58). This change came about through “THE GOSPEL” when Paul and his missionary team came to them (1 Thes. 2:2). The words “coming to you” in 1 Thes.… Continue reading

In last Sunday’s message, SENDING OUT OUR FAITH (1 Thes. 1:6-10), we continued to look at the Apostle Paul’s commendation of the Thessalonian believers. Even though they were a young church (founded in less than four weeks on Paul’s second missionary journey- Acts 17:2), their love for Christ was evident to all as they sought to follow those who had led them to the Lord and Christ Himself (1 Thes. 1:6a; Eph. 5:1-7; 1 Cor. 11:1, etc.).… Continue reading

In our message, PRAYER AND THANKFULNESS (Eph. 6:18-24), we finished our series in the book of Ephesians.

In way of synopsis, Ephesians chapters 1 through 3 deal with doctrine showing how “in Christ” people are saved “by grace… through faith,” and chapters 4 through 6 then urge us (i.e. the church) to “walk worthy” of that truth (Eph. 1-3; 4-6; Eph. 2:5-9; 4:1-2, etc.) This is because all Christians today are also in intense spiritual warfare “against… [the] powers… of the darkness of this age” (Eph.… Continue reading

In our message, STANDING FOR GOD (Eph. 6:10-13), we started to look at the Lord’s “Final” words for us in the book of Ephesians.

Because Christians have been “delivered from the power of darkness… into the kingdom of… His love” by grace through faith, we inherit not only all the love of God but also all the hate of the devil (Col. 1:13-14; Eph. 2:1-9, etc.). We are therefore commanded to “be strong in the Lord and the power of His might” (Eph.… Continue reading

In our message, GOD SHOWS NO PARTIALITY (Eph. 6:5-9), we looked at a third relationship in which the Lord asks Christians to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Not only are husbands and wives to be continually filled with the Spirit as well as parents and children, but slaves and masters also are called to fulfill their roles in a way that honors the Lord (Col. 3:22-4:1, etc.). The principles here in God’s Word applies to any kind of employees and employers as well (1 Cor.… Continue reading

In our message, THE FIRST COMMANDMENT WITH A PROMISE (Eph. 6:1-4), we continued to look at how being filled with the Spirit manifests itself in family relationships. Not only did God establish marriage “at the beginning,” He also established the family and is concerned about restored relationships (Matt. 19:4-6; Mal. 2:15-17; 4:6, etc.). The family unit is a stabilizing and preserving element in nations- much like the church is (Gen. 1:27-28; Eph. 2:18-20, etc.).

In the family, designed by God, “children [are to] obey [their] parents… for this is right” (Eph.… Continue reading

In our message, MARRIAGE- CHRIST AND THE CHURCH (Eph. 5:22-33), we looked at how being filled with the Spirit manifests itself in marriage.

Marriage was established by God “at the beginning,” and it is a covenant- not a contract- “a great mystery” on display for all to see reflecting God’s love to those who will come to Him by grace through faith (John 3:16; Eph. 2:8-9; 5:31-32; Matt. 19:4-6, etc.). The Bible shows us all people “image” God, whether they know Him or not, and this is true also in marriage (Gen.… Continue reading

In our message, WALK IN WISDOM (Eph. 5:15-21), we see God calls us as His children to be alert… to be awake. As children of the light, we are to “walk circumspectly” in this world (Eph. 5:15a; 2 Pet. 1:19; Ps. 119:105, etc.). Circumspect comes from two Latin words that means to be looking around. The Greek word carries the idea of precision and accuracy. The words “See then” in verse 15 show us God is referring to what He just said in verse 14- to paraphrase…

• Don’t walk in your sleep!