Thessalonians and Work

I Thessalonians 4:10-12
Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more.

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.(NIV)

The Sinful Woman and Work

Here is an observation on Luke 7:36-50. Notice that the sinful woman broke open an alabaster flask of ointment. According to Brooks who may have gotten it from Tim Keller(?), this flask was worn around her neck and was a tool of her trade (prostitution). She gave up her sinful life work in one beautiful act of repentance.

Acts and the building of the Church (Hall of Tyrannus)

I've been reading through Acts and thinking about Church growth. Here are some key passages. Notice the amount of time Paul spends training people. Notice how he changes tactics.

and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.(Acts 5:40-42 (ESV))

"You know that I [Paul] have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house." (Acts 20:20)

But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.(Acts 19:9-10)

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God. (Acts 18:9-11) (ESV))