Author page: Parish Presbyterian

In his letters to the Ephesians and the Colossians, the Apostle Paul discusses the role of singing in worship, instructing his readers to sing not only to the Lord but also to “one another” (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Well this morning, in several of the hymns we sing, we are actually singing to each other. In O Put Your Trust…

In today’s sermon text, Paul writes to the Thessalonians so that they might not grieve “as others do who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). He details the glorious “coming of the Lord” (vs.15), in which Christ returns with the sound of the trumpet (vs. 16), and all His people, living and dead, “will always be with the Lord” (vs.…

The pairing of the three-fold “Holy, Holy, Holy” from Isaiah 6 with “Hosanna in the highest” from Matthew 21 is one of the oldest liturgical formulae in the history of the church. The Sanctus & Benedictus (or just Sanctus), a name derived from the first words of the text in Latin, has been used as part of the communion liturgy…

Towards the end of 1 Thessalonians 2, Paul makes a short diversion from the narrative of his ministry in Thessalonica to deliver some shockingly harsh words for the unbelieving Jews of his day (2:14-16). They “oppose all mankind” specifically by attempting to prevent him from taking the message of salvation to the Gentiles (2:16). With that in mind, notice all…

In his first letter to the church at Thessalonica, Paul is relentlessly positive. He has no words of correction for them, and again and again expresses care and encouragement: “We give thanks to God always for all of you” (1:2), “you had become very dear to us” (2:8), “Encourage one another” (4:18, 5:11). The Thessalonians had proven to be stalwarts…