Joy and rejoicing were at the forefront of Paul’s mind, as he sat in detention awaiting trial.  What did he have to be so joyful about?

Here’s a hypothesis:  The miracles Jesus did were previews of the Kingdom, and/or parables of the Kingdom no less than the spoken parables.  Let’s kick this around and see if it holds up.

What an absolute privilege it is to be in his flock! 

What portion of our lives is given to things that don’t last, things that are gone in a few years, or gone next year, or gone tomorrow?  A lot, I’m guessing.  Over 90%?  95%?  98%?

Is Jesus coming like a thief or not like a thief?  At an expected time or not expected?  Will we be surprised or not surprised? 

The one hope provided by God has always been the hope of resurrection.

Paul has some sharp words for the Church in Corinth. And for us.

Who do you want to meet in the Kingdom? What do you think that will be like? Young people from around the world have answered these questions.

What are you most looking forward to in the Kingdom?

What might grudging look like in us?

Jesus is saying that being at peace or being troubled, isn’t a matter of external circumstance. Peace, Jesus says, comes from him

“So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.” (1 Peter 2:1) This stuff needs to be put away, or somebody is going to get hurt.