It is no surprise to the working Christian that when you speak the oracles, the mind of Christ you will be called a fool. . . among other things. God has in some way defined what a fool is for example David said, “The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good”  (Psalm 14:1). Concerning one who cannot fathom the great works and deep thoughts of God is, “A senseless man does not know, nor does a fool understand this” (Psa. 92:6). Solomon wrote, “The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom” (Prov. 10:21). The only reason the “lips of the righteous feed many”, is because they are “spiritually discerned” or able to understand spiritual things which come solely from the written word of God (Rom. 10:17). The majority of the religious world today must feel or think that God’s word, and even God Himself is just is out of date, old fashion or not up with the times, for what other reason could they have for making adjustments to “improve” God’s plan? 

Of course, we know better, because we have the mind of Christ Paul wrote to the Philippians, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5). From here we will learn from three scriptures that tell the beloved in Christ what to imitate. . . 

Because Jesus rose to life from death, defeating death, we have confidence that so shall we who are in Christ—rise also at His coming. And so, we live in this world, but not as the world, rather as victors in Christ—awaiting the Day that Jesus will deliver the church to the Father in heaven—and put an end to everything that is connected to sin. Please in your bibles follow along beginning at the first verse of chapter 5 where Paul reminds the Thessalonians, “But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.” (1 Thess. 5:1) but, most important, Paul turns their attention to the things they must be doing to prepare for that Great Day when the Lord does come. Prepare Yourselves. For it is not “When” but How Christ Will Come, “2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.” (1 Thess. 5:2-3).

Are you ready?

Living for the things of this world are fleeting and temporary, because we will all face death, and we all know, you can’t take it with you! But, living for eternity offers what this world cannot, a place in Heaven. That faith is powerful—and when we walk worthy, when we walk to please God, we have confidence and will not easily be shaken by the troubles we face because of our faith. We rejoice because we know we will be lifted into eternity, and finally see the face of the of God our Father.
“16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:16-17).
Please listen in as this thought is expanded. . . 

On the day of Pentecost God poured out His Spirit and the early Christians received the Salvation Spirit by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.” (Acts 2:21-22). In Acts 22:16 Paul “…arise and be baptized washing away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” 

WALK TO PLEASE GOD
Paul wrote, “Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God” (1 Thess. 4:1). To please God we must live holy and blameless. To please God we must abstain from sexual immorality, from adultery, from the everyday filthy language. We must seek the will of God, which is our sanctification, we must be holy as He is holy, putting all manner of sin away from us. To make certain your spirit, is aligned with God’s will concerning everything you read, you watch, and do. Make war against the television—which society is used by our enemy the devil, especially focused at our young people. Reality shows like Too Hot to Handle, Love Island, Big Brother, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, Keeping Up With the Kardashians.  Or cartoons, the Family Guy, the Simpsons… “Family Games Shows”, like Survivor, Hell’s Kitchen, or the RuPaul’s Drag Race that has nothing whatsoever to do with drag cars racing. Shows, that portray adults as fools, pour filth down the throats of young people, attitudes of laziness, sensual dress, introduce homosexuality as normal, and sensual relationships between the unmarried, drugs, alcohol, and disrespect for God just to name a few.

In this second lesson we continue in chapter 2 where Paul wrote his statement of joy, “19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy” (1 Thess. 2:19-20). Like every evangelist Paul’s joy was—their success. Oh, what is our hope—your spiritual success, Oh, what is our joy—your spiritual success, Oh, what is our crown of rejoicing—your spiritual success! Paul says it is you—your spiritual success—your being in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ with us.

We have been studying Paul’s letters to the saints in Thessalonica who are under much affliction when they received the word of God (1 Thess. 1:6).  Paul refers to a time when he and Silas came to Thessalonica and suffered and were shamefully treated (Acts 17:1-8: 1 Thess. 2:2) and in the 14th verse Paul noted the saints there now “suffered the same things” from their own countrymen (2:14).

Now, we are in the third chapter of this first letter and Paul says to them, “that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this” (1 Thess. 3:3). When, for your faith, you are despitefully treated, suffer much persecution, face various trials, you should not be shaken, rather keep your heart, your eyes focused on eternity, on the coming of Christ. This can only be accomplished if we first accept the word of God “…as it is in truth…”

This is first of three lessons called, “The Mind of Christ”. Here we are seeking to know the mind of Christ, as our King, Lord, and Savior. We have begun a journey and together we will travel through the gospels learning along the way what we can about our Christ, His humanity, His interaction with man, how Jesus handled the approaches of sinners, and how He used scripture to answer their often-foolish questions.

How, many with good and honest hearts came to Jesus for wisdom, for healing, for comfort and chose to become His disciples.
On this journey, we will learn of His compassion, His power, and His love! How Jesus interacted with people who had genuine need of His power to heal the sick, the lame, the blind, the deaf, and even raise some from the dead.

Most important written on the pages of your God breathed, Bible are the holy inspired scriptures that reveals truth concerning Jesus, His life and His ministry. To know the mind of Christ, means that we have received the message directly from God, and that message came into the world, out of the love of God, who is our redemption, Savior and Friend in Jesus.

What a better place to begin, than in the gospel account of John. . . 

Note how Paul exhorts them, “11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and [c]charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory” (1 Thess. 2:11-12).  As Paul begins this chapter, he is going to teach them, “How to Walk Worthy” and connects that to suffering that will come to every Christian who so walks.  Verse 1 and 2 “1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But [a]even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict” (1 Thess. 2:1-2). Remember as recorded in Acts 16, what happened to Paul and Silas? (vs.22-24) Their clothes were torn off—they were beaten with rods, with many stripes—thrown into the inner prison—feet fastened with stocks. How then do the saints walk worthy? With Boldness, with Purity, with Desire to Please God not man, and with Affection and Love. . .

The Text of Psalm 29:1-2 “Give[a] unto the Lord, O you mighty ones, give unto the Lord glory and strength. 2 [b]Give unto the Lord the glory [c]due to His name; Worship the Lord in the [d]beauty of holiness.” (Psa. 29:1-2). David’s message: You “mighty ones” should be careful to attribute strength and glory to Jehovah, You should worship Him and Him alone, and remember that angels are messengers, ministering servants in God’s scheme of salvation (Heb. 1:14), and owe God their complete loyalty.

In the same way dividing our service with another master means condemnation, “For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to [a-Tatarus]hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment” (2 Pet. 2:4). How much more then should we reverence and fear God – and keep ourselves from idols? “In the beauty of holiness” means simply give God your undivided and un-spoiled loyalty. No wonder John warns us all to “keep ourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21).

God demands our all in worship, every ounce, and He is a jealous God—and make no mistake, as the Creator, sustainer and Savior—God has every right to receive our reverence in the beauty of holiness. God is Not a Man!