The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, “Paul and Silvanus and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers;

3 constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father,

4 knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you;

5 for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

A work of faith is more than doing what the believer thinks to be right; it’s doing what the Holy Spirit has directed him to do. The Thessalonian Christians were following the Spirit’s leadership, and it was for this that Paul was expressing thanks.

Paul is also thankful that their labor is a labor of love. The word Paul uses for labor, kopos, means “work to the point of exhaustion.” There is a sense in which we are to let the Holy Spirit work through us. “Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us…” (Ephesians 3:20).

The priests in the Old Testament were to wear linen garments while ministering before the Lord (Ezekiel 44:19). Woolen garments made them sweat. And sweat symbolizes human effort. Sweat is first mentioned in Genesis 3:19, and is connected with how man is to live under God’s judgment for sin. One principle of Biblical interpretation is the “first mention” principle. The manner in which something is first mentioned in Scripture has been noted to be the manner in which it is mentioned throughout. For example, the first mention of light occurs in a good sense, and the usage of the world light throughout the Scripture is in that same good sense. The first mention of the serpent, however, is bad, and all subsequent references to serpents are also bad. In this sense, “labor” is a negative factor.

But, there is another sense in which we are to be physically and emotionally involved in the work the Lord assigns us. It’s not always easy to serve the Lord; but He promised, “My yoke is easy, and My load is light” (Matthew 11:30).

Above all, spiritual work must be motivated by our love for Jesus Christ. This is the way it was with the Thessalonians.

Paul is thankful, too, that their steadfastness rested in the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“…and steadfastness of hope in our

Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our

God and Father…” (v. 3c).

What the Thessalonian believers did, they did with the anticipation and expectation of the Coming Again of the LORD Jesus! Their hope was rooted in His coming again. When the Bible speaks of “hope,” it is always future, yet it is always completely certain. Elpis signals “expectation of a divinely provided future…”

Nothing prophesied in Scripture concerning the LORD’s return is more phenomenal than the prophecies surrounding the nation Israel. Scattered among the Gentile nations as an act of judgment from God, Israel has now been brought back into her Promised Land by the hand of the Lord.

Jeremiah prophesied,

“‘As the Lord lives, who brought up the

sons of Israel from the land of the north

and from all the countries where He had

banished them.’ For I will restore them

to their own land which I gave to their

fathers” (Jeremiah 16:15).

Israel has hope today in the Lord’s remembrance of her. Does America have hope? I certainly pray that she does! But what about you? Is your hope certain? Are you ready for the Coming of the LORD? Are you ready to meet Him whether at His Coming or in death? You are if you are a committed believer in Jesus Christ. Nothing in this life is more important!

Remember that it is the Holy Spirit’s leadership and power that brings lost souls to Jesus Christ. We are merely His messengers. Yet, the messengers are important; otherwise, He would not have commissioned us to witness.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Mark 14:27-31, “And Jesus said to them, ‘You will all fall away, because it is written, “I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.”

28 ‘But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.’

29 “But Peter said to Him, ‘Even though all may fall away, yet I will not.’

30 “And Jesus said to him, ‘Truly I say to you, that you yourself this very night, before a cock crows twice, shall three times deny Me.’

31 “But Peter kept saying insistently, ‘Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!’ And they all were saying the same thing, too.”

Did you ever tell a lie? What is a lie, anyway? A lie is a purposeful denial of something, so as to exonorate ourselves from an action or attitude that would otherwise condemn us.

Think about the verses you’ve just read. Did Peter lie? In my estimation, Peter did not lie, although as we will see, he veered away from his original intention. We’ve all probably done that in the heat of the moment.

Jesus had just told His disciples that they would “fall away” from Him and from the Truth. Impetious Peter insisted that he would not! He would not deny his LORD even if it cost him his life. Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, that you yourself this very night, before a cock crows twice, shall three times deny Me.” Peter then even denied the truth spoken by Jesus Himself, when again he said, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You” (v. 31).

Later that same night, Peter was approached by some who challenged his affiliation with Jesus. Each time, Peter denied even knowing Jesus. In verse 71, Peter “began to curse and swear, ‘I do not know this man you are talking about!’” Let me assure you that although Peter was then lying, he was not cursing and swearing in the way we think today. His “swearing” was like taking an oath, as in a court of law; and his “cursing” was a strong declaration of that oath. He was “putting himself under a curse,” if his oath were not true. Peter was not “cussing.” There was no profanity from the lips of Peter. But when the cock crowed, Peter remembered the LORD’s words, and he wept profusely!

When we accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and LORD, we pledged to stick with Him in every situation of life. When we veer from that pledge, we are denying Him much like Peter did. No, a true believer can never again be spiritually lost; but he can sin by denying he belongs to the Savior. I endeavor every day to be true to Jesus, my LORD and Savior. I’m sure you do, too. But may we never become arrogant, just because we can never be spiritually lost.

Jesus wants us to be open and honest about our relationship with Him. That’s what witnessing is all about. We witness with our lives and with our voices.

May the LORD bless and care for you always.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Mark 13:4-13, “”Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?”

5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.

6 “Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He!’ and will mislead many.

7 “And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end.

8 “For nation will arise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

9 “But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them.

10 “And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.

11 “And when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not be anxious beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit.

12 “And brother will deliver brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.

13 “And you will be hated by all on account of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved.”

I have been blessed to have had sound teaching on the “end times.” In these verses, Peter, James, John and Andrew were questioning Jesus about when

the “end times” would come.

1. In verses 4 through 9, Jesus speaks of International conflicts.

Be certain, He says that you be not deceived. Many will come in the LORD’s Name and boldly say, “I AM THE CHRIST.”

In preaching, I used to list quite a number of persons who had already said that of themselves. Don’t be surprised! And don’t be misled!

Additionally, there will be wars and rumors of wars. When was the last time you watched the evening news? We’ve got that now! Hamas is trashing Israel! Iran is “feeding” material to terrorists, enabling them to carry on their warfare. All of these things that Christ predicted are now literally coming to pass. Just don’t panic! All of this has to come to pass; but the end is not yet.

Earthquakes will occur in various places, some of which have not previously had earthquakes. Still, this is not the end. It is the beginning of the end.

2. In verses 10 through 13, Jesus speaks of Interpersonal conflicts.

Christian people are being held in prisons throughout the world, not because they have broken laws, but because they have been accused of being Christians. Even some groups, who do not qualify as Christians, are being held because they have religious services and read the Bible.

As terrible as all of this is, those being held in prison for their faith have the opportunity to share the Gospel with those who have never heard.

Jesus said not to be afraid and not to worry about what you will say in your defense. The Holy Spirit will put words in your heart and mind at that time.

Brothers in the same family will arise against each other, and one will cause the other to be put to death. Fathers will kill their own children; and children will cause their parents to be put to death. These things are occurring today –in today’s news!

And you will be hated simply because you stand for Jesus! BUT, “the one who endures to the end…shall be saved.”

Go back and read the Scripture verses above one more time. There has never been a more opportune time for sharing the Good News of Jesus than today!

Are you sharing the Gospel with others, who do not know it? These verses should stir you up and make you want to share! They are, if you know Him!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Mark 10:35-37, 41-45, “And James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Him, saying to Him, ‘Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.’

36 “And He said to them, ‘What do you want Me to do for you?’

37 “And they said to Him, ‘Grant that we may sit in Your glory, one on Your right, and one on Your left.’

“And hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James and John.

42 And calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, ‘You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them.

43 “’But it is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;

44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.

45 “’For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.’”

Don’t deny it! I’m already convinced that as sure as you’re reading this letter, you have said something like that to your parents. “Say, ‘yes,’ dad. Please!”

“Yes to what?” he asked.

“Oh, just say ‘yes,’ and I’ll tell you,” you pleaded.

Neither James nor John could have witnessed that little trick you tried to play on you dad, but they didn’t need to. They had a trick of their own. You didn’t want much; they didn’t either. They just wanted to sit in the place of prominence on either side of Jesus when He came into His Heavenly Kingdom. Not much at all, huh?

It was as selfish a question as it was impossible. Jesus said it was not His place to award seating in the Kingdom. “…it is for those for whom it as been prepared,” He said, indicating that even He did not know to whom such dignity was to be awarded.

As if that weren’t enough, the ten disciples became indignant against James and John for their even asking such a thing. Jesus’ rebuke accused them of “acting like Gentiles…, but it is not so among you.” If you want to be great, become a servant (????????, minister), He said. If you wish to be first in something, become a slave (??????, bond-servant). For even Jesus didn’t come to be served, but to serve others, “and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Just face it: some of us simply cannot be content to do the menial things the LORD has set our for us to do. We want to run the whole show! It’s not going to work unless we fall into line with His will. Besides, He never assigns menial

tasks. They’re all vitally important! What did He want you to do yesterday? What did He want you to do today? Did you do it? Don’t you know how important Jesus’ assignments are? Oh, by the way, there’s a vacant seat. It’s for you! And it w-a-y b-a-c-k on the very last row.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Mark 10:1-9, “And rising up, He went from there to the region of Judea, and beyond the Jordan; and crowds gathered around Him again, and, according to His custom, He once more began to teach them.

2 And some Pharisees came up to Him, testing Him, and began to question Him whether it was lawful for a man to divorce a wife.

3 And He answered and said to them, “What did Moses command you?”

4 And they said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.”

5 But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment.

6 “But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.

7 “For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother,

8 and the two shall become one flesh; consequently they are no longer two, but one flesh.

9 “What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”

I can recall several instances when I was asked questions that I knew to be the questioner’s trap.

Remember that the Pharisees who asked the question of Jesus were religious ritualists. They always added to the Word of God. So here they are again, questioning Him about the law of divorce.

In theory, the Jews of Jesus’ day highly revered chastity and the sacredness of marriage. In practice, however, they fell quite short of the standards to which they claimed to hold.

Jesus’ reply concerning Moses was that Moses permitted divorce because the hearts of the Israelites were cold and hard. Divorce was rampant, and Moses’ permission was temporary. But Jesus said that “from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female (no LGBTQ here!), and they became “one flesh” in the act of marriage. God thus intended marriage to be permanent: “until death do us part.”

We all need to hear and heed what Scripture teaches about the permanenc y of marriage. My purpose in this letter, however, was not the subject of marriage, but how we need to be alert to questions that intend to trap us. Is it possible to be prepared for every question we are asked? Possibly not. We can, however, and must always be loving in our replies. Jesus did not need to ask the Pharisees what Moses said in the Old Testament Law. He already knew. We, however, might want to ask a question that would segue into the Gospel instead of falling into an argument that is intended simply to trap or embarrass us.

One way to forestall embarrassment in witnessing is just not to witness. But those who chose this pathway will encounter far greater embarrassment on that Great Day when we stand before the Judgment Bar of God! We, uh, just better do what He says now.

I love all of you and pray for your spiritual and physical welfare. God bless you abundantly!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”