The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep.

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall 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.

18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

I have just completed correspondence with the First Baptist Church of St. Ann, Missouri –a church I formerly pastored. Within that correspondence was a remembrance of her former pastor, the late Dr. Earl L. Pounds. Included, too, were some personal notations regarding my late wife, Rose Marie, who was the first to introduce me to biblical eschatology.

Yes, I was green before green was “in.” All of that led me to explain the passage above, lest you wander in ignorance, as I once did.

The word “asleep” (??????) in this context is a euphonism for the word “death.” It’s a more pleasant-sounding word. We generally grieve when someone we love has died. It’s completely normal that we be sad; however, we are not to grieve like others who have no hope beyond the grave. When I was working for an undertaker, I witnessed a woman pass out three time within less that 30 feet! She had to be revived with smelling-salts. I call that “grieving” –grieving without hope of ever seeing her loved one again. Born-again believers in Christ are to focus on Hope, not on death.

The passage teaches us that Jesus is Returning to gather His Church (all born-again believers, worldwide). He will not come down and touch the Earth; rather, we will be “caught up” to meet Him in the air. There will be some “noise.” The LORD will come with a SHOUT and with the Voice of the Archangel. The Trumpet of God will sound, announcing His Coming; and those who are alive will be “transformed” and those who are “asleep” will arise from their graves. All believers will then receive new bodies. First Corinthians 15:44 (the Resurrection chapter) tells us that the “natural body…is raised a spiritual body,” one that is suited for Heaven.

It will all take place in a nano-second, less than the batting of an eye! We who know the LORD will go Home with Him!

But, what about those who don’t know Him? What will their fate be? They will remain in Sheol, the Old Testament’s name for the place of the dead. The New Testament teaches that Sheol is divided into Paradise, where the believers go and Hell, where the unbelievers go. If ever there is to be grieving, it will be for those who have not believed upon Jesus.

Money and prestige, even worldwide prestige, will mean nothing in that day! All that will matter is what one has done with Jesus. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? If not, please, please do so today! And if you have trusted Him, share Him with those who have not trusted Him! It’s more than a “life-or-death” situation. It’s ETERNITY!

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,

Acts 15:36-40, “And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.’

37 And Barnabas was desirous of taking John, called Mark, along with them also.

38 But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.

39 And there arose such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.

40 But Paul chose Silas and departed, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.”

Colossians 4:10, 14, “Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’ cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him….”

The Apostle Paul was both loving and gracious. In fact, it was the love of Christ that made him gracious. Yet, he was no “push-over.” He had a mind of his own –one that he honestly sought to keep under the control of the Holy Spirit. Still, he was human, and sometimes he got angry. The Acts 15 verses noted above bear all of this out.

The Jerusalem Council had just concluded and almost everyone had gone. Paul and Barnabus were left discussing where they should go to share the Gospel. Barnabus suggested that they take Mark with them. Paul was absolutely opposed to taking Mark! We’re not sure why Mark deserted the ministry back in Pamphylia. Whatever his reason, it was unreasonable to the Apostle Paul, and he stubbornly refused to have Mark in their party. When two partners in any situation disagree, there is risk of a split. And that’s just what happened! Barnabus took Mark and the two of them left Paul standing there alone—well, almost alone. A lone believer named Silas had lagged behind, so he was there.

I’ve often wondered why Silas hadn’t left. It seems everyone was gone except Paul and him. Sometimes we feel that we’re alone, too, don’t we? Yet, we’re not to be discouraged! The LORD has not lost track of who or where we are; nor has He lost track of where He wants us to go. Paul now had to trust the LORD for a partner. Silas is there, so, Paul chose Silas, and they commenced their missionary journey. Have you noticed that there are now two missionary parties going forth with the Gospel? The LORD used the dissention between Paul and Barnabus to create two parties instead of just one.

Time has now passed. The Jerusalem Council convened in A.D. 50. It is now A.D. 61; thus 11 years had gone and Paul is now writing his letter to the Colossians. His letter bears greetings from Aristarchus and “Barnabus’ cousin, Mark.” Whatever the cause of Mark’s earlier departure, Paul has forgiven him and he is now highly commended by the Apostle himself.

Have you ever held a grudge against someone? Are you holding one now? I guess I have to start the confessions and admit that I have held grudges, huge grudges. But that was many years ago now. And I have learned from Scripture that the one who holds the grudge only hurts himself. I remember it because I was the one holding it. I doubt if the other person even remembers the occasion. In any event, the cause of my grudge was nothing when compared to Paul’s. If he can confess and get clean, so can I. And I have!

Have you confessed the sin of your grudge? You say, “But I’m the innocent party!” No, you’re not! Whatever occurred and whoever was at fault, you are at fault, too, because you’re holding a grudge! Get rid of it! The LORD wants to bless and use you. And He won’t until you get “unplugged” of what is hindering the flow of His love through you! May the LORD rescue you from your own dilemma!

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,

Colossians 4:1-4, “Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.

2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;

3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God may open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth

the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;

4 in order that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.”

Paul never lets up! Just previously, he unloaded on wives, husbands, fathers, children, and slaves. Now, he turns on the masters! Maybe they thought they were going to escape unscathed. Not with Paul. Nor do you or I escape. If you are in charge of anything, you are “the master” in that situation. You may be doing something quite menial with others helping, but if you’re in charge of them, you are “the master.” Yes, to be sure, there is someone above you. He is your master. And the the One who is above us all, the LORD, He is our Master.

That being said, we are to devote ourselves to earnest prayer –not “blind” prayer—alert prayer, accompanyied with thanksgiving and focused. I can remember the prayers of some, who prayed, “Lord, bless all for whom it is our duty to pray.” Now, think about that for a minute. What’s wrong with prayer like that? It’s not truly focused! Of course, no one can know of whom the one praying is thinking. It may be potentially injurious to mention the name. Still, true prayer should be focused and personal!

Paul, too, emphasizes prayer that gives entrance of the Gospel into the human heart. Open to us a door for the Word.

My daughter and I went shopping together this week. I had been praying for a girl I met at Walmart. She was not where I expected her to be when we entered the store. I completed my shopping before Teri, and I was waiting for her when suddenly, right before my eyes was the girl! I had promised her something I had written, something I had forgotten to bring on my previous trip to the store. She was very pleasant and received it warmly. What I learned about her gives more focus to my prayers. But, seeing her again was the LORD’s opening of the door for the Gospel!

If you’re not “into” witnessing to lost people, you will surely want to pray as Paul did when he asked that he might make

the Gospel “clear” as he presents it to those who have yet to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior. You don’t have to be

a scholar to share the glory of Christ. You just have to be “clean” and “loving” as you tell others what Jesus means to you. Just remember, “No one learns to swim by sitting at the edge of the pool.” Nor do they start by jumping into the pool at the deeper end. We’re not pushing “religion!” We’re pushing a “relationship”: Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave Himself on the Cross for our sins. Paul closes with three words, “I ought to speak.” We ought to speak, too. May the LORD be with you as you faithfully share Him with others.

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,

Colossians 3:18-24, “Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be embittered against them.

20 Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.

21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children, that they may not lose heart.

22 Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men;

24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”

In the above verses, Paul covers everything that constitutes a family and more. Paul was in prison in AD 61-62, when he wrote the verses above. He then was freed for a short period of time before being imprisoned again in AD 67, when he wrote the first letter to Timothy. What struck my interest is that he named wives first in Colossians; but, in 1 Timothy 2:13, he names Adam before he names Eve.

What’s actually important is the instruction he gives to all five groups. Wives are to obey their husbands, and husbands are to love their wives. Generally speaking, if the husband truly and consistently loves his wife and treats her well, she will lovingly follow his leadership. Children are the products of their parents’ love and they are to be obedient. I suppose we could say that the children’s obedience is something of a “pay-back” to the parents who gave them life. More than that, however, their obedience pleases the LORD; and pleasing the LORD is foremost in everything!

Fathers can sometimes (sometimes?) exasperate their children. Paul doesn’t identify any viable reason behind those exasperations; he just says, “Dads, don’t do it!” Note, too, that he doesn’t call the children’s response “psychological,” he just says that a father’s attitude might cause them to “lose heart.”

(“Awe-oh, here comes dad. He’s always cross when he comes home from work. It won’t do any good

to ask him anything. He never lets us do it!”)

There were slaves everywhere in Paul’s era. Interestingly, neither he nor Jesus ever spoke on the issue of slavery. The word for salve in Greek is doulos. The word carries the idea of his possessing a mind, but always smothering his will and relinquishing his rights in favor of his master. That’s precisely what we are to do! If we yield to the LORD, we will spare ourselves the grief and embarrassment of being wrong. Furthermore, His will is always superior to our own.

Verses 23 and 24 instruct us to work heartily because the work we are doing (whatever it is) is for the LORD! Maybe you hate cutting the grass; but if someone important is coming to your house, you want to do it and do a good job. Just remember that the LORD is always where you are, and He’s watching to see how carefully you are doing your work.

Why does He care? He cares because it is HE whom you are serving! He is Coming Again someday, and He is the One who will distribute your reward. So, do a good job! Always “unto 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,

Colossians 3:14-17, “And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

Are you old enough to remember those “final reminders” your parents gave you when, say, you were off to summer camp? “Now, son, don’t act like a hog when you eat! People will notice and it will reflect on the family.” And, “Daughter, please wear your teeth retainers. I know what you think about how they look, but one day you’ll be very glad you listened to me.”

Remember things like that? Well, times haven’t changed a lot from New Testament times. Paul has just admonished the Colossian believers, telling them what to do and what not to do. But before he concludes his lecture, he says, “And beyond all these things…”; then he launches into deeper water, saying, “…put on love,” ????? (agape). Agape is godly love, love that totally resigns all “self” in the effort to aid another. What’s more, the person showing love never expects to receive anything in return. Such love bonds people like superglue!

Simultaneously, Paul urges us (as well as the Colossians) to allow the LORD’s peace to “sit as an umpire” and rule over our hearts. This is what true, pure Christianity is all about. It’s what binds us together in unity, as in the Church. It’s all the LORD’s original intention for us. We should never kick against it; we should be thankful.

Remember, too, Paul says to let the Word of Christ flow into your heart. That Word is there to teach and discipline us, along with music that warms our hearts and the heart of Almighty God as well. Such makes us thankful that we belong to Him. His Word guards our words and deeds, producing love in others. And don’t forget that it is the LORD who produces all of this within you, so be sure to tell Him “Thank You.” He will be glorified as we demonstrate His likeness.

If you remember to apply all of this to your life, you will have a glorious time at camp –and everywhere else!

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.”