This post is also available as a podcast: https://anchor.fm/teague-mckamey/episodes/To-Live-Is-Christ-e1pgu38 *** In the opening chapter of Philippians, Paul talks about how his chains advanced the gospel since the palace guard knew he was jailed because of Christ (Php. 1:12-13). Paul notes this made others more bold to preach. How remarkable that the early church’s response to…
Tag: Apostle Paul
Oh Behave!
I had the following published in the religion column of our local paper, though they changed my fun title into something pedestrian. This was adapted from a previous blog post, ”In.” *** In First Thessalonians chapter four, Paul discusses behavior and growing in separation to the Lord. For many—Christians and non-Christians—following rules and behaving is…
Weakness: Escape it or embrace it?
Two weeks ago, my friend, James Acree, preached at his church on 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. This has been a precious passage to me the last 10 years or so. Among others, the Lord has used it to completely reorient my faith. (For my thoughts on these verses, click here and here). I really appreciated what…
The Resurrection of the Dead
The Resurrection of the Dead* Sown: thrown away into the worm-infested (you ain’t nuthin’ but) dirt Corruption: third-world police, a computer with a virus, a bike chain in the rain. Dishonor: a soldier discharged, a kamikaze who lived, an effigy smoldering. Weakness: addiction’s reason, indecision’s fancy, the thread we hang by. Raised: a flower bursting…
Safe Harbor
“But we must always thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God has chosen you into salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth. Into this He also called you by our gospel—into obtaining the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and…
Have You Missed the Train?
Paul opens 2 Thessalonians chapter two by expounding on the revelation of Christ and the gathering of believers into Him. Apparently, some claimed the day of the Lord had come. It’s not a stretch to imagine these same people suggested the Thessalonians were suffering because God rejected them and was judging them. Paul urges…
Love, not Law
The following appeared in our local paper’s religion column last weekend. It is a revision of a previous post, “Love, not Law”. The paper re-titled it “What Complete Freedom Means.” *** “Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Gal. 5:1). Most Christians know…
Big Reveal
“To the called out Thessalonians in God our Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess. 1:1). Paul starts his first and second letters to the Thessalonians with an almost identical address. He is writing Thessalonians who were called out, who are now in God and Jesus. Called out of the world and into…
Jesus Is Coming. Look Busy.
Paul ends his letter to the Thessalonians with final instructions for the community. His directives culminate in verses 23 and 24: “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely. And may your spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will…
Dead or Alive
“Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring in union with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus” (1 Thess. 4:14). Paul has been talking with the Thessalonians about what they have suffered because of their belief in Jesus. His aim in writing is to connect the Thessalonians’…
The Voice of One 