The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Corinthians 5:9-13, “I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; 10 I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. 11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? 13 But those who are outside, God judges. REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES.”

If you are a pastor reading this Grands Letter, you know how difficult it is to pastor a church. Can you imagine how difficult it would be to pastor a church from a considerable distance?

Robert Lee, author of The Outlined Bible, is careful to note how the Apostle Paul had to care for received notice of a non-spiritual outbreak that drew his attention back to the church from which he had just departed. Nor was transportation convenient in those days. He was often forced to write letters—letters that took a long time for delivery, as they were carried via ships.

“The clue to the message and understanding of this epistle is the mental, moral, and spiritual condition of the Corinthians… The members of the Corinthian Church were chiefly drawn from the lower classes (1 Cor 1:26), and they were not free from the peculiar tendency of the Greeks to intellectual pride. Corinth was the rival of Athens. The Greeks were proud of their language, literature, learning, and logic. Paul prepared this epistle to meet the Greek mind, and he commences by renouncing what is called “human wisdom” (1 Cor. 1:17).

The Corinthian Church suffered from various church disorders (1:10-4:21), as well as numerous social irregularities, such as modesty in dress and disorder at the LORD’s Table (5:1-6:8). May we all be careful to study and learn and obey all that Paul has written.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

Gene

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

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

Dear Grands,

Romans 1:16-20, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘BUT THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.

20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”

When was the last time you had something really spectacular take place in your house? Maybe it was Mother’s Day or Father’s Day celebration? Maybe it was a Thanksgiving dinner or some “long-time-no-see” relatives? Did you have fun? Did you enjoy knowing what they had been doing all these years?

Well, it’s just my guess, but I truly believe you would be more joyous listening to the adventures of the Apostle Paul.

Paul, you say? What would I learn from him? Just re-read the five short verses above and let them speak for themselves. I will put them up against any other venturesome dialogue from any other party!

These 16 chapters were written by the Apostle Paul in Corinth, in the home of a believably wealthy believer, sometime in February of A.D. 58. It is a strong, doctrinal letter whether viewed from an intellectual or a theological standpoint; it answers the query of the ages: “How can man be justified before God?”

In spiritually calculated wisdom, the Apostle Paul cites first the doctrine (chapters 1-11); then, the application (chapters 12-16). When the LORD gets through to us, we ought to rejoice and believe in His Name!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

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

Dear Grands,

Acts 1:6-9, “So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, ‘Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?’ 7 He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.’ 9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.”

According to one writer, the Book of Acts is “the only unfinished book in the Bible. Yet in this unfinished book, there is unmistakable system and order.” As the Gospels speak of the work of the LORD Jesus Christ, the Book of Acts speaks of the work of the Holy Spirit. Certain factors in the Book of Acts show themselves contiguous with the Gospels, except that the Holy Spirit is now the featured, primary spiritual member of the Godhead.

The initial work itself reaches from Pentecost to the death of Stephen, with the Lord at work in Jerusalem (1-7). Then, events move to show the Lord at work in Judea and Samaria (8-9). The final work of the Spirit cites “even unto the Uttermost Parts” (10-28).

The overall demonstration of the Holy Spirit’s work should inspire us to undertake the work the LORD has designed for us. Too often, however, we find ourselves given more to observation than to labor. We would do well to ask ourselves where we would be today had the Holy Spirit elected to observe rather than to labor.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

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

Dear Grands,

John 20:26-31, “After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, ‘Peace be with you.’

27 Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.’

28 Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’

29 Jesus said to him, ‘Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.’

30 Therefore, many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;

31 But these have been written, so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.’” that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and so that, having this faith, you may have life in His Name.”

“John, the writer of this Gospel, was the son of a master fisherman, who had, according to Mark’s gospel, additional “hired servants” (Mark 1:20), and a home of his own in Jerusalem (19:27). Young John, who ultimately became one of Jesus’ disciples, also had a quick and sharp tongue, whereupon he was noted and called “a son of Thunder.”

“According to the early fathers, the Gospel of John was written and published at Ephesus, at the request of the Apostle Andrew in his effort to combat certain errors concerning the Deity of Christ.” Simultaneously, the word Jew occurs numerous times in this Gospel. It is only found once in Matthew, twice in Mark, twice in Luke, but over sixty times in John!

Dr. Robert Lee, in his Outlined Bible, emphasizes the following: 1) Jesus as the Son of God before His incarnation; 2) that Jesus is revealed as the Son of God by His deeds and by His words; 3) that the Son of God reveals Himself still more completely to His own than to anyone else; and 4) this gospel views Jesus as the Son of God, who is slain for the sins of all mankind, and arises from the dead as His claim to deity.

Believers also see Jesus as the Father’s only Supreme Sacrifice for man’s sin, as proven in His death, and in His Son’s literal, physical resurrection as prophesied on the third day subsequent to His death on the cross.

If you know Him as your LORD and Savior, share Him with those who do not. If you don’t know Him, renounce your sins and trust Him today! He will prove to be your best friend ever!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

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

Dear Grands,

Luke 23:33-43, “When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. 34 But Jesus was saying, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. 35 And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, ‘He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.’ 36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, ‘If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!’ 38 Now there was also an inscription above Him, ‘THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.’ 39 One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, ‘Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!’ 40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, ‘Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.’ 42 And he was saying, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!’ 43 And He said to him, ‘Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.’”

According to Eusebius, Luke, the author of this gospel, was a Gentile. His true, full name was Lucanus because he was of Greek origin, and his profession was that of a doctor. Luke’s gospel was written for Greek readers. The Grecian ideal of perfect manliness differed from that of the Romans. According to Robert Lee (author of the Outlined Bible), “the Romans felt it to be their mission to govern, the Greeks felt it theirs to educate, elevate, and perfect man. The ideal of the Roman was military glory and governmental authority, but the Greeks’ was wisdom and beauty.”

Thus, Luke, the Gentile, draws a portrait of Jesus as “the perfect man, the One who more than meets the highest ideals of the Greeks.” Militaries are also often needed, even by Christians; however, the visible, living likeness of the Christ will always exceed the highest excesses of humanity.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

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