ing which he received at Philippi. He came in mental tension, which was due to the opposition at Philippi and again at Thessalonica. He came in social un easiness because of the conflict of the Gospel with the customs of the day. Paul’s plan of attack was first to present the Gospel to the Jews from their own Scriptures; then, to declare the glad tidings unto the Gentiles, and to teach from house to house. This con stituted the accepted means of making the Gospel known in that day. Some theologians have suggested that Paul had not yet developed his theology when he wrote the Book of Thessalon- ians, but we must accept the fact that Paul had already preached for fifteen years, and was more than halfway through his entire ministry at this point. A close scrutiny of this Book will find that St. Paul declared the full doc trine of the Trinity, for example — greeting the church which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ, and declaring the ministry of the Holy Spirit (I Thess. 1:1, 5). Paul unequivocally declares the work of the Holy Spirit in ministering the truth; He acknowledges their election of God (I Thess. 1:4); he points out the fact of their conversion, or turning from idols to God (I Thess. 1:9). He warns them about the wrath of God to come upon the Jews and all men (I Thess. 2:16); he describes the afflic tion of the Church (I Thess. 3:3); he exhorts to holiness (I Thess. 5:23); he expounds the second coming and the resurrection both of Christ and of the Believers (I Thess. 4:13-17); he points out the necessity of practical work in order to live, and of prayer and per severance. If this is an undeveloped Gospel, it is, at least, a sufficient Gos pel to transform the lives of men! * "The way to be angry and sin not, is to be angry only at sin." * * * "When we get to heaven, we'll see God's caught our tears in His bottle and crystallized them into shin ing jewels for His crown." * *
"A Bible in the hand is certainly worth two on the shelf."
A Minister Who Pleases God! I've never heard a sermon preached That means so much to me, As one that's lived across the years By preachers that I see. They've walked and talked with Heaven's King, Obeyed His Holy Word, And told the Good News all around— The sweetest ever heard. They've prayed the prayers that reached the Throne, That God was pleased to hear. And thus because they loved Him so To them He drew quite near. They've blessed the needy, helped the sick, And moved in human form— Like guardian angels, sent of God To lead men through the storm. And though the sermons that fhey preached Whether good, and great, or poor, Yet, living true to God and man Is all that will endure. — Walter E. Isenhour "God seldom speaks to a man while man himself is talking." * * * "No enemy can come so near that God is not nearer." * * * "Keep looking toward the sunshine of God's love and the shadows will all fall behind you." * * * "Faith honors God . . . and God honors faith!"
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