The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Corinthians 1:10-17, “Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.
11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you.
12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.”
13 Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius,
15 so that no one would say you were baptized in my name.
16 Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other.
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.”

Were you ever a part of a group whose members weren’t friendly with each other? If so, you understand how difficult it is to bring opposing sides together. That’s exactly what Paul was experiencing with the church at Corinth.

Thinking that they might all argue with him that he didn’t have his facts straight, Paul cited “Chloe’s people” as his source of information. “Chloe’s people” always had the correct information on difficult situations.

This church was divided four ways: those who said they followed Paul, those who said they followed Apollos, others who said they followed Cephas (Peter), and those who said they followed Christ. Paul argued that Christ was not divided. If any of them truly followed Christ, they would not have been at odds with all the others. The LORD’s people must not be divided!

It would seem that Paul had to do some quick and careful thinking about whom he himself had baptized, because baptism was not what Christ called him to do! He was sent by the LORD Jesus to preach the gospel, and not even with “cleverness of speech.” He had been called to share Christ Jesus with others.

If you have trusted Jesus as your LORD and Savior, it is His will that you then share your Savior with others. Are you doing that? If you’ve yet to trust Him, He urges you to trust Him quickly. The only division the LORD wants is our separation from the devil and all of his nefarious ways.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

1 Peter 5:1 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,
2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;
3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”

There may never have been a more necessary time for us to spiritually grasp the sufferings of our LORD Jesus Christ than today. Believers throughout the world are being called to stand against the rigorous opposition of Satan. Temptations abound as wars increase! Yet, we are assurred that our Chief Shepherd, the LORD Jesus Christ, is with us all as our Protector and our Guide in every situation.

He notes for us His sufferings, as He sets forth His ministers’ responsibility to watch over His congregations. We who have served in that capacity, understand the need of His guidance and protection. Those of us, who are no longer in that specific capacity, recognize the need our pastors and leaders have of our earnest, consistent prayers.

Jesus is coming back and will summond His own to meet Him in the air! At that time, that those who have been faithful will receive from Him that “unfading crown of glory.” (Remember those five crowns?) We ought not to worry about things. Christ is in full control. What ought to concern us is whether we are obeying His directives, as set forth in Holy Scripture.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

1 Peter 4:15-19, “Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;
16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.
17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
18 AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER?
19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.”

When was the last time you sat in judgment over someone else? Easy, isn’t it? We can pick out their faults with no trouble at all. We can even be correct in what we say about them; but when was the last time we looked in the mirror? That’s exactly what Peter is insisting that we do.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall;
Is there more or is that all?

“I’ve never murdered anyone,” you say. Yet the Scriptures tell us that when we wish others dead, or hate them passionately, we have in effect murdered them in our hearts. Judgment, Peter says, starts with us as Christians. Furthermore, if it is difficult for us to surrender our evil intentions in order to be saved, how much more difficult it is for the “godless man and the sinner?”

Never be ashamed to suffer as a Christian. Such suffering actually glorifies the LORD. Trust Him with everything, including your eternal soul. For as you do things correctly, your faithfulness reflects His faithfulness; and that challenges others to do what is right. As a clean house speaks well of those living there, so a clean life reflects the presence of the LORD.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Please continue to pray for the Ukrainians. And in keeping with the teaching
above, pray for the salvation of Mr. Putin, too. There are many true believers in both countries; pray that they all will trust the LORD in this time of tragedy.

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

1 Peter 4:12-14, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.
14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”

We live in world that is full of surprises. Not all surprises, however, are to our liking or to our benefit. Simon Peter had experienced both. You and I have doubtlessly experienced both, also. “Fiery ordeal” may be something internal –something that requires medical examination. Yet, it may also mean external circumstances –something originating with or caused by the attitude or activity of another person.

What exactly are we to do in either situation? Peter’s instruction is to “keep on rejoicing.” Rejoicing, strange as it may sound, unveils “the revelation of His glory.” In other words, don’t allow negative experiences to drown out the excitement of the LORD’s presence. Just keep your eyes and thoughts on the LORD Jesus Christ!

I read recently an author’s self-assessment of Paul’s execution in Rome. Paul was not dragged “kicking and screaming” against his antagonists. Rather, he was praising the LORD for the privilege of giving his life for the One who gave His life for him.

That’s what Peter meant when he argued that we should rejoice when we are reproached, denounced, insulted, because we follow Christ. Is that your response to your critics, when they make fun of you for following Jesus? It should be, and it can be; but it comes from a day-by-day closeness with Him. Stay focused on His Word. Stay dependent on Him through prayer. He will then be your Guard and your Strength.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

P. S. Please Pray for Ukraine. There are many believers there, many of whom are
risking their lives and those of their children in the effort to save their nation!

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

1 Peter 4:8-11, “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint.
10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

It’s normal for us to think of “love” (agape) more in connection with the John’s Gospel than with that of any other writer of the New Testament. Still, Simon Peter emphasized love and its maintenance in his writings, too. The word “fervent” (??????? ektenes) literally means “stretched, zealous, or earnest.” No “put-on” or disguise here. When the Scripture says “love,” it means love.”

Hospitality (????????? philoxenos) is an active form of love. It literally means
“loving strangers.” How could the Church ever hope to reach those outside of Christ, if the ones who possessed this gift, neglected expressing to others the love that Christ had displayed in them? So it is with us!

Whatever “gift” (special ability) the LORD has given to you, be sure to manifest it in the presence of others –not “showing off,” but that the LORD might be blessed and His people encouraged beyond measure.

Speaking (????? laleo) is the external expression of the Gospel. This is the core, the central aspect of the Good News of Jesus Christ. People who have not committed themselves to Jesus Christ need to be told how to do it.

Doubtlessly, those who commit themselves to Jesus for salvation, will, in time, be given spiritual gifts themselves. The gifts must never be abused. They must always glorify God the Father through His Son, the LORD Jesus Christ. What is your spiritual gift? Is it bringing others closer to Him? It will, if it is truly a gift of His Holy Spirit, and if it glorifies Christ as He intends it to do.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom