Is Paul Speaking to Us?

Are we living in a “bubble”? That is, are we interacting every day in a protected state - a sort of rubber room where all things are insulated? Or are we living as a Christian - a true believer and God is protecting us?

We would like to believe that’s true and that the reason is that our faith and Christian lifestyle with God protecting us. I am sure that by being in the church, some parts of our lives are protected and we can enjoy some peace and comfort.

Well, that very well may be true… Today, however, I want to ask you a tougher question. Are the supports and inputs into your daily life making you dependent or expectant? O.K., just what do I mean? Do you live in a house or apartment?  Do you have a car or transportation available? Do you have a refrigerator?

Is this something new when you look back in history and are we exercising faith with it or does it build its own faith through our pocketbook? Kind of a hard question to evaluate – let me help here. Do you realize that keeping milk cold, meats frozen and eggs from rotting is something that only happened in the last 200 years? Before that, it was ice blocks from ice houses that kept ice from frozen lakes in the Winter, or root cellars, smokehouses, or eating everything fresh.

How about motorized transportation that we have today with cruise control and air conditioning and lumbar support heated or cooled seats? Even back then, carts or chariots could be pulled by animals that “moo’ed” and “whinnied” to get places or “bayed” like donkeys and instead of catalytic converters they had a fertilizer distribution system that gave a whole new meaning to the term “Step On It” .

Now we are starting to get to the heart of the matter, we have very comfortable lives that supply our every need! In that process of supplying our every need and supporting our imaginations we just can’t see something right in front of us – THE TRUTH OF GOD and LIVING HIS WAY.

Now I’m not advocating living as a hermit in the mountains or growing our hair long and not taking a bath for 365 days – eeewwwww that can stop a tank! Now what I am saying is that we are spoiled, spoiled, spoiled. Our phones, food, internet, TV and recliner vibrator couch has us right where Satan wants us….blinded by the constant comfort and ease of everything!

Why do we need God, the world supplies everything – can you see that? Can you see how it sets our expectations and our commitment to more, more, more.  

You don’t have to kill the cow out back at 4:00, gut it, which is a feat in itself and then cut a steak out of it so you can have a steak dinner and feed your family. Imagine the mess and the smell? What do you do with the raw meat after? No freezers or refrigerators. Now we just take a steak out of the freezer, cook it up on our stove or grill it up and we are fed! Don’t have to cut or gather wood to start a fire with nothing but flint. Again, why do we need God when life is so clean that you can dress in any modern style and life supplies everything? Any kind of shoe you can think of, even ones with a phone in it or Michelle Obama’s $2000 trendy sneakers.

Now I hope I have gotten you to see that God has truly blessed our lives, but do we really see the GOD part or do we see just the blessings part?

To help us get the God part, I want us to examine a simple greeting from the first-century church - a time with none of the conveniences we have today except maybe running water in the town square. It’s a time when even schooling for everyone, you know like grades 1-12 didn’t exist. News traveled literally by animal or foot, not Fiber Optics. There wasn’t a King James Bible in every house. You had to go the Synagogue to hear the scriptures. You had to rely on the weather because it affected your crops, food, and water. Today we get upset if it rains, which usually has no impact on us anyway.

So when a letter came to town it meant news… real news. First, who was it from, second, what message did the person bring, and third what was its impact?

Paul wrote 13 letters back in those days, to the churches that God was raising up in the name of Jesus Christ. What was Paul? A man who never knew what a laptop or cell phone was and yet was expected to share with the Churches he was shepherding. What were his first words, his first thoughts for them? Did he set a standard for them to live by? Did he communicate a new type of world to them that was coming? You know we talk about the Last Frontier – SPACE, ie: space stations in orbit, space stations on the Moon, Mars, and hopes of new technology and breakthroughs in medicine. We like to pretend we live in that world by wearing pointy ears and green skin, having communicators attached to our clothing that we touch to talk, and all sorts of clothing with words like “beam me up” and so on. Many of you are aware of these types of shows and trends in our society.

My point is simple, the Apostles, and in this case, Paul were living as though they were already in the Kingdom of God because they either were with Jesus the bridegroom of that Kingdom or were directly impacted spiritually by the power of God at that time.  They knew how to live a healthy spiritual life because they were exposed to the message and beliefs of that lifestyle.

What was Paul’s message? His message was how to behave like a member of the soon coming Kingdom of God. Not like a robot driven world run by computers! No, a new world based on a new philosophy of “give” not “get”, peace, not war, love not hate and selfishness and new world that will grow in love for eternity. Not our self-destructing world we have today, no matter what advancements technology brings or the new design of the pillow to help you sleep! I am saying all this to help you see the differences in perspective, something we have touched on in the past here and will continue to show you, how our minds are almost “of the world” if we let them. As such, I want to explain that the churches that Paul wrote to were all in the world and had many issues and were not fully converted. Sounds like us doesn’t it? I don’t think we are proud enough to say it doesn’t.

Here is where I am going with this, Paul’s message, his greeting, is also for us today too. Aren’t we His church too? Don’t we believe in Jesus Christ, don’t we read Paul’s writings and try to practice them in this world?

Let us examine Paul’s greetings to his churches as if he is speaking to us! In the first 10 writings, chronologically, Paul says to them, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”. He greets every church this way. What is he trying to convey?

Gal 1:1-5 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), 2 and all the brethren who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia:

3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

1Thess 1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.[a]

2Thess 1:1-2Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Cor 1:1-3 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2Cor 1:1-2 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Rom 1:1-7 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Eph 1:1-2 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,

To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Phillip 1:1-2  Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops[a] and deacons:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Col 1:1-2  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.[a]

Phile :1-3  Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer, 2 to the beloved[a]Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Tim 1:1-2 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,

2 To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

Titus 1:1-4  Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, 3 but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;

4 To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ[a]our Savior.

2Tim 1:1-2 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ[a] by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

2 To Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Now Paul’s letters say exactly the same phrase 10 times. You know God repeats things 3 times when He really means it to what does 10 times tell us?

Let’s break this down, Grace to you: And Peace from God the Father: And Christ Jesus our Lord:

Sounds simple enough but simple things sometimes can be very complex.

Let’s Start with Paul Saying “Grace to You”.

Before I do, please be aware the concept of “Grace” in today’s theology has taken on meanings that exceed biblical intent. They separate it from repentance and obedience and the Law. Please refer to the UCG Website for Dr. Donald Ward’s Sermon “Understanding the Grace of God” for the best understanding of Grace. Also, refer to the UCG article “Grace, Works, and Obedience” posted on Feb 9th.

We will not be discussing that aspect of the word Grace. I am focusing today only on Paul’s use of the word in greetings to clearly understand his overall intent towards the first Century churches and us today when he wrote to them.

So with that statement, we will move on to the Greek word for Grace used in Paul’s Greetings

Grace here in the greetings is the GK word “Charis”.

The New International Standard Bible Encyclopedia says the word Grace here was used in the Greek world as a common form of greeting and could also be used as REJOICE and could mean gift or favor as well in common usage.

In the Louw Nida Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament the word: 25.89 χάριςd, ιτος f: a favorable attitude toward someone or something—‘favor, goodwill.’[1]

Strongs Concise Dictionary of the words in the Greek Testament and Hebrew Bible

It’s  Strongs  5485.  χάρις charis, khar´-ece; from 5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstr. or concr.; lit., fig. or spiritual; espec. the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude):—acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace (-ious), joy liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, -worthy).[2]

Paul here is conveying the Grace which comes from God unto the people he is writing to. Paul was obviously practicing the reflection of Grace in his life given by God and wanting to share it with all he greets!

With this, it can be possibly worded this way. Rejoice in the favor, graciousness and good will of God the Father and Jesus Christ The reason for this is apparent. Paul’s attitude was in the Grace of God and he shared it with the recipients of the letters and expected them to demonstrate it as we read from Strong’s by reflecting it in their lives or just as important for us today, reflecting it in our lives! Letting God work through us.

Gal 2:20 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

So with this understanding and the fact that we concluded Paul’s message can be for us today, we can ask ourselves, do we bring favor and graciousness to others? Do we share it with each other as Paul did? Do we rejoice in our relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ and share the joy of that with others, especially when we greet people? Can we start growing it with each other here every Sabbath? Just some questions to think on and now let’s turn to the second half of Paul’s greeting.

...and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the Jewish Culture, it was as common greeting Shalom or Peace

The New Bible Dictionary Third Edition = PEACE. Basically, the OT word for peace, šālôm, means ‘completeness’, ‘soundness’, ‘well-being’. (See BDB.) It is used when one asks of or prays for the welfare of another (Gn. 43:27; Ex. 4:18; Jdg. 19:20), when one is in harmony or concord with another (Jos. 9:15; 1 Ki. 5:12), when one seeks the good of a city or country (Ps. 122:6; Je. 29:7). It may mean material prosperity (Ps. 73:3) or physical safety (Ps. 4:8). But also it may mean spiritual well-being. Such peace is the associate of righteousness and truth, but not of wickedness (Ps. 85:10; Is. 48:18, 22; 57:19–21).

Because of the world’s chaos through man’s sin, and because peace comes only as God’s gift, the Messianic hope was of an age of peace (Is. 2:2–4; 11:1–9; Hg. 2:7–9), or of the advent of the Prince of peace (Is. 9:6f.; cf. Je. 33:15f.; Ezk. 34:23ff.; Mi. 5:5; Zc. 9:9f.). The NT shows the fulfillment of this hope. In Christ peace has come (Lk. 1:79; 2:14, 29f.). By him, it is bestowed (Mk. 5:34; Lk. 7:50; Jn. 20:19, 21, 26), and his disciples are its messengers (Lk. 10:5f.; Acts 10:36).

In classical Greek eirēnē had a primarily negative force; but by way of the lxx, the word in the NT has the full content of the OT šālôm, and nearly always carries a spiritual connotation. The breadth of its meaning is especially apparent from its linking with such keywords as grace (Rom. 1:7, etc.), life (Rom. 8:6), righteousness (Rom. 14:17), and from its use in benedictions such as 1 Thes. 5:23 and Heb. 13:20f. (cf. 2 Pet. 3:14).

For sinful man, there must first be peace with God, the removal of sin’s enmity through the sacrifice of Christ (Rom. 5:1; Col. 1:20). Then inward peace can follow (Phil. 4:7), unhindered by the world’s strife (Jn. 14:27; 16:33). Peace between man and man is part of the purpose for which Christ died (Eph. 2) and of the Spirit’s work (Gal. 5:22); but man must also be active to promote it (Eph. 4:3; Heb. 12:14), not merely as the elimination of discord, but as the harmony and true functioning of the body of Christ (Rom. 14:19; 1 Cor. 14:33).[3]

So to summarize, our hope for the coming Kingdom should transcend our real life in this world of strife and we should practice to be in harmony and one accord together at Sabbath Services where we are sharing this hope and the benefits of living Christ’s way with each other!

With Jesus, it carries even more weight than just a greeting: Giving and receiving Peace

Matt 10:13-15 13 If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!

Luke 10:4-12 4 Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. 5 But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. 8 Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. 9 And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘The very dust of your city which clings to us[a] we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.’ 12 But[b] I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city.

It’s clear here that Jesus felt Peace was a principle requirement to share in His Kingdom

Heb 13:20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Heb 7:1-3 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” 3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.

Isaiah 2:4 He shall judge between the nations,
And rebuke many people;
They shall beat their swords into plowshares,
And their spears into pruning hooks;
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
Neither shall they learn war any more.

Brethren, Paul was speaking to us here today and was sending us his greetings of the soon coming Kingdom of Grace and Peace. He shared that with the first Century church and is sharing it with us today! Now we have the responsibility to share that same message with each other and all those we meet.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Turn with me to the LAST scripture in the Bible that God left for us to ponder.

Rev. 22:21 – “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

 

 

[1] Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 298). New York: United Bible Societies.

[2] Strong, J. (2009). A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (Vol. 1, p. 77). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

[3] Foulkes, F. (1996). Peace. In D. R. W. Wood, I. H. Marshall, A. R. Millard, J. I. Packer, & D. J. Wiseman (Eds.), New Bible dictionary (3rd ed., p. 891). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.