05/11/2024 – PV – Peace through Strength - “We know only too well that war comes not when the forces of freedom are strong, but when they are weak. It is then that tyrants are tempted.” Ronald Reagan, 07/17/1980. The basis of Reagan’s foreign policy (Reagan Doctrine) was the support of freedom for all people around the world. He was committed to ‘peace through strength’ which led to the modernization of our military forces. During his administration the size of the US Army (All-Volunteer) grew by two divisions and saw the development of new weapons systems. The Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars) was announced as a defense against a nuclear attack. It was Reagan’s hope that his new military initiatives would not only contain communism, but defeat it.
[1 Tim. 3:1-7] – The Character of a Bishop – The higher one rises in an organization the more folks look at your character, lifestyle and family life and make judgments by what they see. Do not fall into the trap thinking that if the church is committed to forgiveness, then leaders who do not live up to ‘standards’ are forgiven - move forward. Thus, Paul’s guidance: a person in church leadership must reflect the church's mission. Christianity is for forgiveness, but it does not mean a relaxation in thwarting sin. God’s forgiving love is meant to transform us into the human beings He hopes to see. Therefore, we are to model the gospel message: there is a different way to be human, a different lifestyle. All people recognize when someone is living with integrity proper to faith in God, they show respect and sneer if failing that standard. “Beyond reproach” jumps to mind.
Bishop in 1st C. means ‘overseer’. [v. 1-2] Today we say it is one who has pastoral and teaching responsibility or ‘main’ leader. Theologians argue gender here. The word ‘he’ can be interpreted from the ancient Greek as male or female. However, words such as wife or husband are more gender specific. Bishop’s having one wife is based on God’s plan for a faithful, life long relationship of one man and one woman. [Mark 10] “Blessed single-ness” is also an option. The goal of the early church was to avoid polygamy. NB - Leaders should live lives that embody and represent the message they are called upon to proclaim. Pride is an easy trap, seeking leaders who possess humility. When the church is persecuted or a threat; people will carefully watch the ‘strange’ group that does not act like others. Are we good neighbors, good friends, good citizens? That is key. We have a central call to preach the gospel and other folks are more likely to listen if they like what they see.
[1 Tim. 3:8-13] - The Character of Deacons – Turning from bishops (senior leaders) to deacons, who are defined as servants. Well, are we not all servants? Subtle distinc-tion: [Acts 6] calls some to be appointed to organize and administer the practical details of daily living within the renewed people of God. One of the very first deacons was Stephen who also was a powerful speaker. So good that he attracted negative attention that he became the first person killed for his Christian stand.
Being serious minded requires no explanation. Paul wants us focused and consistent. He is not against drinking, but is concerned with self-indulgence. Do we drink to excess? At a basic level, if we are irresponsible with our own bodies will we be irresponsible with others and their property. Can they be trusted? Eventually, one will observe the uneasy connection of money and power in the church. With money comes power, and Paul will touch on it again [v. 5:17]. Paul has no objection to someone making money but we begin with those who are restrained, responsible and reliable. Pure conscience is also clear. We all lapse, but we must avoid sending a long list to God. Do not trip over [v.12] we are safe in assuming this is a grammatical practice. We had women deacons in the early church, see, Phoebe [Rom. 16:1] In a general reading of Paul we find women were not silent on-lookers. They had roles to play, responsibilities, be individuals within themselves and of strong moral character. Finally, families – ‘well in charge’ - Paul is suggesting families must be a place of life, joy, fun and of mutual support. This is achieved via appropriate discipline and an emulated respect for others.
[1 Tim. 3:14-16] – The Mystery of Godliness – If nothing else these 31 words could be a creedal prayer. It also reads more powerfully when substituting ‘Jesus’ for ‘we’. Timothy was in Ephesus thus he was called to a community which bubbled with many religions. For the people there, the word mystery indicated something not understood -however in some churches/secret societies built their reputation(s) on secrets/formulae revealed only to the initiated who hoped this hidden knowledge would change their lives. It was into this environment (one of many) that Christians presented themselves.
However, Paul, other apostles, and other disciples were able to tell Jesus’ story. The clear fulfilment of the promises made by the one true God of Israel. This revelation simply towered over the usual array of pagan mysteries. Remember we are all eager to hear a secret, a mystery. (This is often called esoteric knowledge – designed for or understood by the specially invited alone, restricted to a small group. Beware!) However, the mystery of Jesus is being revealed to the entire world. Think about that for a moment the complete mystery of Jesus in 31 words, and available to all, Think also that belief in this mystery, in not in some secret cult. This mystery will change your life by leading you into a new way of life, a way of service, a way of discipleship filled with faith and hope.
This mystery is the story of Jesua Christ in a brief poetic form, no way as detailed as we find in [Phil. 2:6-11]. In six lines we find clues to the mystery: flesh/spirit – tye divine appears in human flesh, genuinely human capable of suffering and dying. Two lines cover the central point of Christian faith; Christ’s death for our sins and His resurrection. Angels/Gentiles – angels announced Jesus on more than one occasion, especially at the tomb. He is also announced to the Gentiles, the pagan nations, the non-Jewish people in a different way: as a king, to be obeyed and worshipped. Paul nudges us toward Hello All,
05/11/2024 – PV – Peace through Strength - “We know only too well that war comes not when the forces of freedom are strong, but when they are weak. It is then that tyrants are tempted.” Ronald Reagan, 07/17/1980. The basis of Reagan’s foreign policy (Reagan Doctrine) was the support of freedom for all people around the world. He was committed to ‘peace through strength’ which led to the modernization of our military forces. During his administration the size of the US Army (All-Volunteer) grew by two divisions and saw the development of new weapons systems. The Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars) was announced as a defense against a nuclear attack. It was Reagan’s hope that his new military initiatives would not only contain communism, but defeat it.
[1 Tim. 3:1-7] – The Character of a Bishop – The higher one rises in an organization the more folks look at your character, lifestyle and family life and make judgments by what they see. Do not fall into the trap thinking that if the church is committed to forgiveness, then leaders who do not live up to ‘standards’ are forgiven - move forward. Thus, Paul’s guidance: a person in church leadership must reflect the church's mission. Christianity is for forgiveness, but it does not mean a relaxation in thwarting sin. God’s forgiving love is meant to transform us into the human beings He hopes to see. Therefore, we are to model the gospel message: there is a different way to be human, a different lifestyle. All people recognize when someone is living with integrity proper to faith in God, they show respect and sneer if failing that standard. “Beyond reproach” jumps to mind.
Bishop in 1st C. means ‘overseer’. [v. 1-2] Today we say it is one who has pastoral and teaching responsibility or ‘main’ leader. Theologians argue gender here. The word ‘he’ can be interpreted from the ancient Greek as male or female. However, words such as wife or husband are more gender specific. Bishop’s having one wife is based on God’s plan for a faithful, life long relationship of one man and one woman. [Mark 10] “Blessed single-ness” is also an option. The goal of the early church was to avoid polygamy. NB - Leaders should live lives that embody and represent the message they are called upon to proclaim. Pride is an easy trap, seeking leaders who possess humility. When the church is persecuted or a threat; people will carefully watch the ‘strange’ group that does not act like others. Are we good neighbors, good friends, good citizens? That is key. We have a central call to preach the gospel and other folks are more likely to listen if they like what they see.
[1 Tim. 3:8-13] - The Character of Deacons – Turning from bishops (senior leaders) to deacons, who are defined as servants. Well, are we not all servants? Subtle distinc-tion: [Acts 6] calls some to be appointed to organize and administer the practical details of daily living within the renewed people of God. One of the very first deacons was Stephen who also was a powerful speaker. So good that he attracted negative attention that he became the first person killed for his Christian stand.
Being serious minded requires no explanation. Paul wants us focused and consistent. He is not against drinking, but is concerned with self-indulgence. Do we drink to excess? At a basic level, if we are irresponsible with our own bodies will we be irresponsible with others and their property. Can they be trusted? Eventually, one will observe the uneasy connection of money and power in the church. With money comes power, and Paul will touch on it again [v. 5:17]. Paul has no objection to someone making money but we begin with those who are restrained, responsible and reliable. Pure conscience is also clear. We all lapse, but we must avoid sending a long list to God. Do not trip over [v.12] we are safe in assuming this is a grammatical practice. We had women deacons in the early church, see, Phoebe [Rom. 16:1] In a general reading of Paul we find women were not silent on-lookers. They had roles to play, responsibilities, be individuals within themselves and of strong moral character. Finally, families – ‘well in charge’ - Paul is suggesting families must be a place of life, joy, fun and of mutual support. This is achieved via appropriate discipline and an emulated respect for others.
[1 Tim. 3:14-16] – The Mystery of Godliness – If nothing else these 31 words could be a creedal prayer. It also reads more powerfully when substituting ‘Jesus’ for ‘we’. Timothy was in Ephesus thus he was called to a community which bubbled with many religions. For the people there, the word mystery indicated something not understood -however in some churches/secret societies built their reputation(s) on secrets/formulae revealed only to the initiated who hoped this hidden knowledge would change their lives. It was into this environment (one of many) that Christians presented themselves.
However, Paul, other apostles, and other disciples were able to tell Jesus’ story. The clear fulfilment of the promises made by the one true God of Israel. This revelation simply towered over the usual array of pagan mysteries. Remember we are all eager to hear a secret, a mystery. (This is often called esoteric knowledge – designed for or understood by the specially invited alone, restricted to a small group. Beware!) However, the mystery of Jesus is being revealed to the entire world. Think about that for a moment the complete mystery of Jesus in 31 words, and available to all, Think also that belief in this mystery, in not in some secret cult. This mystery will change your life by leading you into a new way of life, a way of service, a way of discipleship filled with faith and hope.
This mystery is the story of Jesua Christ in a brief poetic form, no way as detailed as we find in [Phil. 2:6-11]. In six lines we find clues to the mystery: flesh/spirit – tye divine appears in human flesh, genuinely human capable of suffering and dying. Two lines cover the central point of Christian faith; Christ’s death for our sins and His resurrection. Angels/Gentiles – angels announced Jesus on more than one occasion, especially at the tomb. He is also announced to the Gentiles, the pagan nations, the non-Jewish people in a different way: as a king, to be obeyed and worshipped. Paul nudges us toward recognizing that supersedes all others and even Caesar announced that He was King of the Jews. That phraseology by Caesar means that Jesus was to be obeyed and in some parts of the empire worshipped. World/glory – we have earthly and heavenly stories nestled side by side. For Paul 'believe' was powerful, meaning trust and loyalty. The writer of these words was saying That Jesus was more than being announced, He was being given believing allegiance. We must ponder these words in prayer and reflection: they are Christian spirituality and believe they are reshaped and live with a living God. If the church is founded on God’s truth, then what people know of God’s truth will be based on the life and witness of God’s people. [v. 14-15] We are to go without Paul’s presence to share a common life, grounded in the mystery of Christ. The world is watching. AMEN
Love, hank
Cell: 541-973-5442
hankhohenstein@gmail.com that supersedes all others and even Caesar announced that He was King of the Jews. That phraseology by Caesar means that Jesus was to be obeyed and in some parts of the empire worshipped. World/glory – we have earthly and heavenly stories nestled side by side. For Paul 'believe' was powerful, meaning trust and loyalty. The writer of these words was saying That Jesus was more than being announced, He was being given believing allegiance. We must ponder these words in prayer and reflection: they are Christian spirituality and believe they are reshaped and live with a living God. If the church is founded on God’s truth, then what people know of God’s truth will be based on the life and witness of God’s people. [v. 14-15] We are to go without Paul’s presence to share a common life, grounded in the mystery of Christ. The world is watching. AMEN
Love, hank
Cell: 541-973-5442
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