The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Thessalonians 1:2-5, “We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; 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; knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you, 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.”

We have all experienced the denial of something only to later discover that what we were denied had been replaced by some?thing better. We did not understand it at the time, but later we were thankful. Sometimes the Lord denies us what we think we want. Ultimately, we find that His way was best.

It was this way with the Apostle Paul. Having been saved and put into the Lord’s ministry, Paul went everywhere telling people about Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:15-16)! Paul had worked his way up through the central part of Asia Minor, an area we know today as Turkey. There was a northern section of Asia Minor known as Bithynia that had not heard the Gospel. Paul wanted to preach the Gospel in Bithynia; but the Holy Spirit told him, “No!” (Acts 16:6-7).

Paul was obedient to the Lord’s will, and the Lord revealed to him in a vision that he was to go instead to Macedonia. The man in the vision said to Paul, “Come over into Macedonia and help us” (Acts 16:9). One of the Macedonian cities Paul visited was Thessalonica. He founded a Church there in A.D. 51.[1] Now, a year later, he writes the first of his two letters to the church and the first of his fourteen New Testament epistles.[2]

Paul identifies the relevant people in his letter: “Paul and Silvanus and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians…” (1:1). One immediately identifiable characteristic of an ancient writer is that they commenced their letters with a signature. If you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. Paul himself is, of course, the author; that is why he names himself first. Yet, he graciously shares identity with Silas and Timothy, his companions. Christian grace always acknowledges the presence of others and their contribution to the work.

The Thessalonian Church is the recipient of the letter. In all but one of Paul’s epistles, he commences with the expression, “Grace to you, and peace.” The Grace of God always precedes the peace of God. You must have received His grace before you can know His peace. God’s grace is the activity of His love through His Son, Jesus Christ. Use your computer and identify the context of the word “grace” throughout the New Testament.

Paul then expressed prayerful thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ experience: “We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers…” (v. 2). Prayer is one means by which we direct our thankfulness to God. Psalm 26:7 says, “That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, and declare all Thy wonders” and Psalm 69:30 says, “I will praise the name of God with song, and shall magnify Him with thanksgiving.”

I’ve heard a lot of people say, “I’m really thankful”; but the actions and attitudes they convey through their lives say the opposite. Paul was truly thankful. He said to the Romans, “For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you” in prayer (Rom. 1:9).

Are you telling people about Jesus regardless of the cost? Are you following the leadership of the Holy Spirit? Are you openly thankful for others who are witnessing? Are you praying for both the lost and those who are sharing the Gospel? If not, what is the LORD’s purpose with you? Let’s get started witnessing! We may not have much time left.

We are praying for you most earnestly,

Nana & Dado III

(Rose Marie & Gene)

P. S. Rose Marie is home from the Jamestown Rehab! No one ever wants to be in hospital. But we can and do testify to

the love and professional competence of the personnel there. (And the food was good, too!) Thank You, LORD!

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.”

________________________________

[1]Coynebeare and Howson, The Journeys of the Apostle Paul….

[2]I have elected to follow Goodwin’s dating of the New Testament books

Dear Grands,

1 Thessalonians 2:13, “And for this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received from us the word of God’s message, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the Word of God,”

Two of the most overlooked, underworked words in the English language are the words, “Thank you.” While Rose Marie has been for some weeks in the Jamestown Rehab, I have heard those two words quite often. And always the staff responded with “You’re welcome.”

When we witness and other people come to faith in Christ, we should always say “Thank You” to God. For the power of the witness we give comes from Him; it is not from us. Sometimes, however, we neglect to witness as we ought. How should we go about witnessing? First, our lives should be lived for Him. How we speak (the language we use); who we fellowship with at work and outside of work; where we go; what we do; how we behave –all of that is a silent witness.

Witnessing more directly need not be difficult. What I call it “the second step” in witnessing is doing something for someone simply out of love. It may be helping a friend without their asking. It may be sharing time or effort or even money with someone who has a pressing need. When they ask (as they surely will) why you’re doing it, you can say, “I just felt that the LORD wanted me to help you in this way.” Then, depending on how the person reacts, you might say, “That’s what the LORD Jesus teaches us to do for our neighbors.”

One of the greatest hindrances to witnessing is simply believing that you will be asked a question you cannot answer. More often than not, the one who would ask the question knows far less than you. Give them your personal testimony. Tell them how you became a believer in Jesus Christ. After sharing your story, simply ask them if they’ve ever had an experience with Jesus Christ. Don’t be surprised if they respond with “No, but I’d sure like to have! How do I do it?”

First, he must recognize that he is a sinner as he stands before God. The Bible says we must repent of our sin. Repentance is admitting to being what God’s Word says we are. Repentance is a change-of-mind and of authority. He acknowledges that he’s not what he ought to be, but wants to be. God can affect the change in his life. Pray with him; lead him to pray to God, asking forgiveness and committing his life to Jesus Christ.

Then pray again and each of you thank Christ for saving him. Then get him into the Bible (New Testament).

Get him into a good Bible-preaching church. “Faith comes by hearing; and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17).

Oh, there’s more! But there’s unlimited joy in leading someone to faith in Jesus Christ! The only failure there is is the failure in witnessing. The LORD is in charge! He wants us to witness, but it’s His power that works in the heart and soul of the unbeliever. Don’t be afraid! He’s leading you and will be with you all the way!

We will be praying for you,

Nana & Dado III

(Rose Marie & Gene)

P. S. Rose Marie is scheduled to come home tomorrow! We are excited! There are some added steps to take,

but the LORD has led us this far, and He will continue to lead! Thanks for your continuing prayers.

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,

1 Thessalonians 2:10-13, “You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers;

11 just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children,

12 so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

13 And for this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received from us the word of God’s message, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.”

False prophets were everywhere in Paul’s day. Moreover, wherever they discovered someone proclaiming

Jesus as the Christ of God, they went into attack mode. Paul clearly differentiates himself from the false

prophets by citing his pattern toward them. The believers in Thessalonica had witnessed Paul’s conduct and his message. He was thereby cleared of any charges that he behaved or proclaimed what the false prophets did. Not only did the Thessalonian believers know it, God Himself was witness to Paul’s upright conduct and message. His message was one of a loving appeal, encouragement and solicitation to join him in the work.

His purpose with them was that they might walk worthy of God who reached out to them in salvation. At the same time, Paul engaged in prayerfulness for these believers. He constantly exercised prayerfulness for them, and for their acceptance of the Word as being from the LORD and for performing His work in them.

Isn’t this what we want for those to whom we witness? Don’t we want them to accept our words of witness as

being from the LORD Himself and not just from us? Don’t we truly in our hearts want to walk acceptably before the LORD? Don’t we want Him to be glorified by our conduct? This is what all true believers want!

So, let’s get started. Dig into the Word of God! Believe what is said in His Book, the Bible! Pattern yourself

according to Christ Jesus’ life. That is the “covering witness” to the truth that we share. Mankind is lost! Mankind is looking for hope and a way out of his darkness. We have the Light! How shameful that we do not share it!

Earnestly seeking to lay a pattern for you,

Nana & Dado III

(Rose Marie & Gene)

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,

1 Thessalonians 2:3-7, “…but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.

3 For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit;

4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who examines our hearts.

5 For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed– God is witness–

6 nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority.

7 But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.”

Recently a tenured professor was dismissed from a Christian university alledgedly for revealing that some of his colleagues were teaching heresy instead of truth. The professor alleges that they were teaching annihlism, which is that Hell is not forever and those thereto assigned will suffer only a short time until they eternally die. The British Anglican scholar, the late John Stott, taught this as truth and has garnered some disciples who now avow the same, despite its contradiction with the Scriptures.

Paul, however, said that his exortation did not come from error or impurity or deceit. It was pre-approved by God; and further, he did not preach to please men, but to glorify the LORD who saved and called him into the ministry. His speech was not intended to flater and please his hearers. In fact, it often caused him difficulty, as his hearers did not want to hear what he had to say. Some pastors today move from church-to-church in the effort to increase their salaries.

God is Paul’s witness that he did not do any of that! In fact, Paul often suffered loss of material possessions and refused to call upon his fellow-believers for help, although as an Apostle, he could have easily exercised his authority and done so. Instead, Paul dealt with other believers in a gentle fashion, like a nursing mother cares for her child.

It has been a long time since anyone became angry at me for sharing the Gospel. Perhaps it’s because I’ve learned how to share it more lovingly and less obtrusively. Maybe, too, its because I’ve passed up opportunities that the LORD put in my pathway. In any event, we must endeavor to clearly understand the teaching of Scripture and share it carefully, so that no one outside of Christ could misunderstand. Whatever happens as a result is then in the LORD’s own hands. Yet, we must not fail to do His will in reaching others.

Do you miss opportunities the LORD has given you? Is reaching the lost the most important thing in your life? If not, why not? I read the obituaries every day, and there are notices of the deaths of all ages. The worst “hell” a believer can suffer is hearing the ones we missed shouting, “No man cared for my soul.”

Prayerfully endeavoring to witness and win,

Nana & Dado III

(Rose Marie & Gene)

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,

1 Thessalonians 1:6-10, “You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the Word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

8 For the Word of the LORD has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.

9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,

10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

“What are you doing dressed in those clothes? Those aren’t yours!” Most of us have, at some time, heard a question like this. We had dressed up in some of Dad’s (or Mom’s) clothes. Why? because we wanted to be just like them; and the closest we could get was to don some of their clothes.

Paul was reminding the Thessalonian Christians that they had been imitators (mimetes, mimics) first of Paul and his companions, but then of LORD. That’s how it should be. If we are living closely to Christ, we will absorb His attributes. Those who see us will see Him in us and will want to be like Him themselves. At that point, they will themselves become examples of Christ and bring others to faith in Him.

When we become examples of Jesus Christ, the lost don’t need anyone to tell them of the change in our lives. They can see it for themselves. And what joy when we see those who have served idols (money, pleasure, drinking, sex) –when we see them turn from the evil pleasures of this world to serve the true and living God. For they have learned that He is Coming, the very One who was crucified and buried and raised from the dead. And He is the very One who delivers us from “the wrath to come.”

We don’t need to dress up and pretend we’re anyone. We have a totally new life and are dressed in the righteousness of the LORD Jesus Himself. We want others to see Him in us and come to know Him as their LORD, too. Believe me, there is no greater joy!

We pray that you may know Him fully,

Nana & Dado III

(Rose Marie & Gene)

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.”