19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
Non-Charismatics (cessationists) …believe the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, tongues and prophecy, healing, miracles, etc., functioned only in the early church and are not to be practiced today.
Charismatics …believe the supernatural gifts are given to every generation and should be practiced today according to the guidelines and principles of Scripture.
Packages of God’s truth always come wrapped in ribbons of great controversy. (Bob Mumford)
The value of the gift of tongues
1. It glorifies God in praise and worship. He who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. (1 Corinthians 14:2; see Acts 2:11)
2. It builds up our spiritual man. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself. (1 Corinthians 14:4)
3. It builds up the church. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. (1 Corinthians 14:4-5)
4. It’s a sign to unbeliever. Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers… (1 Corinthians 14:22; Isaiah 28:11)
John 7:37-39 Thirst! Come! Drink! Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
In the Gospel of John chapter 8 Jesus uncovers the truth to the invisible world and clearly shows that the Devil is a real being. Jesus also tell us that Satan’s plan has always been to destroy human life. And the major weapon that he uses is distorting and twisting the truth. He has the power to blind us from the truth, through ignorance, unbelief, deception and falsehood. His lies have the power to persuade people to think that right is wrong and wrong is right. The enemy loves to distort the truth—and so he often uses half truths work his deception.
A lie that is all of a lie can be fought outright. But a lie that is partly the truth is a harder matter to fight. (Alfred Lord Tennyson)
Lie # 1. God Cannot Be Trusted.
Two fundamental attributes of God that anchor our faith.
God is 100% true (2 Samuel 7:28)
He cannot tell a lie. His truth is absolute and eternal. His word is true, all the time, in every circumstance and for every people and place.
God is completely GOOD! (Nahum 1:7)
“God is good…all the time!”
Lie # 2. Sin Is Only A Mistake.
As human beings, do we only make mistakes or, are we guilty of real sin?
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Lie # 3. Sin Is Harmless.
Ephesians 4:27 “…make no room for the devil.”
Lie # 4. Satan Has Too Much Power.
Three things the devil doesn’t want you to know
1. He’s outnumbered (2 Kings 616)
2. He’s been defeated at the Cross (1 John 3:8)
3. His power is limited (1 John 4:4)
Bruce and his wife Becky are founders of Regions Beyond International (www.RegionsBeyond.org). To accomplish the great commission, Regions Beyond International is dedicated to establishing churches in the unreached areas. In doing so, they conduct crusades to lead people to Christ, work to train up new pastors, and provide training and education to current pastors. Since its beginning, Regions Beyond has ministered on four continents, reaching hundreds of thousands of lost souls.
“It is not in the moving of the lips that is the essence of prayer. It is in the elevation of the heart to God.” (J.B. Lightfoot)
The key to unceasing prayer is DEPENDENCE UPON GOD! When we are truly dependent on God, prayer is the normal response. No matter what happens, you recognize your complete dependence on God’s power and grace. Clearly, the text says that. This is a way of life, just like always rejoicing and always giving thanks; you are always praying. This is the will of God for you. And you respond because you understand that no matter what happens, you have reason to rejoice; you have reason to be thankful; you have reason to pray…because God overrules all the bad things to produce good.
Examples of unceasing prayer
Jesus (Luke 22:42)
The early church
The New Testament
Ways that God motivates us to pray!
1. God has sent us the Holy Spirit to lead us into intimate relationship through prayer.
Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
2. God loves to deliver us from trouble.
Psalm 20:1 May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble…
3. God wants to give us compassion for the lost.
Romans 10:1 my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.”
Romans 9:1 -2 With Christ as my witness, I speak with utter truthfulness. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it. My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them.
In these verses we find a list of staccato commands that the Apostle Paul gives to help us understand how we are to yield to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives.
16 Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing,
18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit.
20 Do not despise prophecies.
21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.
22 Abstain from every form of evil.
I believe there is a beautiful connection in this list of commands and the key statement that ties them all together is verse 19 “Quench not the Spirit.” Not only does it reference the verses that follow, but it references the verses that precede it. And it also indicates the wonderful balance of the Spirit’s work and ministry in our lives 1) to develop our character through the fruit of the Spirit and 2) empower us for service with the gifts of the Spirit. The first three commands refer to the Spirit’s work of character transformation, and the last three refer to the Spirit’s release of supernatural gifts.
One of the main values to our Christian faith here at GracePoint is to live under the influence of the Holy Spirit’s transforming power. (Ephesians 5:18-21).
Wherever the Spirit of God is received for who He is and the work that He has been sent to do, there is always a two-fold work and manifestation of God.
1) Life and character transformation into the image of Christ
2) A release of the supernatural gifts that come from Christ Himself.
Yielding To The Fruit Of The Spirit
“Rejoice Always”
Christian joy is…
A command with no exceptions
A supernatural response
A response of our will
Christian joy is the emotion springing from the deep-down confidence in our life that God is in perfect control of everything and will bring from it our good for His glory.
Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. (1 Thessalonians 5:14 The Message)
Every Church Needs A Strong Immune System
Medical science tells us that when a virus enters our physical body our immune system springs into action by sending out what are called “marker cells” to isolate the problem. These “marker cells” locate the virus and study it so they can identify it. Once they determine what it is, they send out a signal to the rest of the body for the other cells to come and surround it in order to neutralize it. In this way the body heals itself.
The Ministry of Encouragement!
The Greek word for “comfort” here means to encourage and it is made up of two words, meaning “near” and “speech.” So the idea is that of drawing along side the person, so we can get close enough to speak into their life and bring encouragement.
God is an Encourager
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)
Learning to Encourage Like Jonathan (1 Samuel 23:13-18)
1. Everyone Needs Encouragement. 2. True Encouragement Is Hard Work. 3. Our Encouragement Should Always Be “IN GOD!” 4. The Best Encouragement Is Found In A Promise.
“… but the people who know their God will display strength and take action.”
Three types of baggage that need to be checked:
1) Unforgiveness for ourselves.
2) Unforgiveness for others
3) Unforgiveness for God
Jim Newsom is founder and executive director of Outward Focused. Since 1984, Outward Focused has had a hand in establishing 5 churches, 5 prison ministries, and has helped train 14 men for full-time ministry. This ministry has had an impact in 70 schools, 55 prisons, and over 100 churches.
In Jim resides in Louisville, Kentucky with his wife, Diane, and their two children, Jessica & Jason.
The Briles Family http://brilesfamily.blogspot.com/
“We are a family of 5: Chris 46 years young, Vonda 43, Aaron 17, Jessica 15, and Carmen 7. We are a missionary family that spent 9 years in Altotonga, Veracruz, Mexico. We have recently moved to New Braunfels, TX so Chris can assume the responsibilities of Director of Operations for World Indigenous Missions. Our passion is reaching the lost and discipling the found.”
The church is not a gallery for the exhibition of eminent Christians, but a school for the education of imperfect ones. (Henry Howard Beecher)
Christ offers hope for every person to grow and make progress. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. (Colossians 1:28)
Paul identifies five different areas of need in the Body of Christ. The wayward, the worried, the weak, the wearisome and the wicked
God provides great resources for our growth and health.
The Spirit empowered Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Gifted leaders (Eph. 4:11-12)
The Body of Christ (1 Thess. 5:14-15)
When it comes to ministry, one size does not fit all! (Jim Newsom)
And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
Although the church in Thessalonica was just a few months old and lacked the direct involvement of Paul, Silas & Timothy, it is clear from these verses that a group of men from within the congregation was providing leadership. We are not sure whether these leaders were appointed by Paul before he had to flee the city because of persecution; or if these men simply began to assume the responsibilities of leadership, based on the Spirit’s prompting’s to meet the needs of the people as the church began to grow. But what is obvious is that some form of New Testament Church leadership is in place. Paul affirms their leadership and calls upon the congregation to recognize their work among them. These two verses are important because they outline the important relationship between the shepherds and sheep in God’s house. Nothing is more important to the spiritual progress of the church than a healthy relationship between the leaders and the congregation.
When you study the names of the Lord you come to realize that a revelation of God’s name is also a revelation of His character. God’s name reveals all that He is and all that He is willing to be for us. The Bible is full of many names for God Joshua chapter 5 we come across a wonderful title that Scripture gives to the Son of God: The Captain of the Host of the Lord (Joshua 5:14).
Jesus is our Captain!
For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the author (Greek word is archegos, meaning “leader or captain”) of their salvation perfect (complete) through sufferings (Hebrews 2:10).
Jesus is the Lord of Hosts, Jehovah Sabaoth (James 5:4)
Never go into battle without the Captain’s plan! Joshua 5:14 “I am at Your command,” Joshua said. “What do You want Your servant to do?”
Never go into battle without cultivating a heart of worship!Joshua 5:14 … And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped,
Never go into battle without complete surrender! Joshua 5:14…”What does my Lord say to His servant?”
Never go into battle without clothing yourself in armor! Joshua 5:15 Then the Commander of the LORD’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.
When we come to these last two chapters of 1 Thessalonians, Paul focuses on two major events; The Rapture of the Church and the Day of the Lord. Having spoken about the Rapture in chapter 4, he begins to address the subject of “The Day of the Lord” which is the event of Christ’s coming the earth to judge the world. The purpose in writing about these dramatic events is to comfort the Thessalonians and give them security as to their eternal destiny. He addresses the security of the believer’s future through a series of contrasts. All of these contrasts serve to show the complete and total distinction that exists between believers and unbelievers and the implications it brings to bear upon our lives.
1. The contrast of knowledge and ignorance
1 Thessalonians 5:1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.
2. The contrast of expectancy and surprise
1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.
3. The contrast of nature
1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.
4. The contrast of behavior
1 Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.
Jonathan Mudenyo pastors New Hope Church in Webuye, Kenya and is also the overseer of the School of Ministries that serves to train pastors and leaders in that part of Kenya.
Scripture: Luke 5:1-10
“One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.’ When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’ For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.”
In this story out of Luke we see Jesus tell Peter to begin again. Even though the fishermen returned to the same waters they had been fishing, with Jesus’ direction they were successful.
There are five power principles to learn from this passage:
Prayer – God speaks to us through prayer. A prayer cannot be answered until it is prayed.
Open heart - Be open to act on what God is telling us to do. Take in the instructions He gives us.
Worship – God shows up when we worship Him.
Evangelism – We need to bring others to see what God is doing. We have a responsibility to share the experience with our neighbors, family and friends.
Rid sin from our lives - Lay aside anything that gets between us and our relationship with God.
These Christians that Paul writes to believed Christ could come at any moment. But they were especially worried that their believing loved ones who had died, might be cheated out of eternity? Paul assures them of God’s two fold promise to both resurrect the dead and “catch away” those who are alive in Christ. He bases his assurance on two essential truths–Jesus’ death and His resurrection. In Christ’s death we have the triumph over sin, and in His resurrection we have the triumph over death.
1. The resurrection is a triumph over despair! 1 Thessalonians 4:13 “that you may not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.”
1 Corinthians 15:19 “If in this life only we have hop in Christ we are of all men the most to be pitied.”
2. The resurrection is a triumph over depravity! 1 Corinthians 15:3 “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,” Romans 7:24-25 “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God-through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
3. The resurrection is a triumph over destiny! 2 Thessalonians 1:7 “…Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, and in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,”
In this section of Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians we find great promise and comfort concerning the return of Christ and hope of our future glory. These Christians believed Christ could come at any moment. But they were especially worried that their believing loved ones who had died, might be cheated out of eternity? Paul assures them of God’s two fold promise to both resurrect the dead and “catch away” those who alive in Christ. He bases his assurance on two essential truths–Jesus’ death and His resurrection.
1. Jesus’ suffering and death was God’s purpose for His life! John 12:27-28 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.”
2. Jesus’ death was a gross act of injustice. He was murdered! Act 4:27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together.”
Isaiah 53:10 “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief”.
3. His death became our sin substitute. Jesus died for us! Isaiah 53:6 “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—everyone—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
4. Jesus died as an example of how we should live before God. Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Click photo to go to the Chulicks' page on GlobalMessenger.org
Scripture: Romans 8:26 & 1 Corinthians 14:14
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us[a] with groanings which cannot be uttered.
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
In this section Paul gives us specific exhortations that direct believers toward spiritual excellence in their Christian walk.
1 Thessalonians 4:1 – “Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;” There are five key thoughts expressed in these opening verses that help us understand how we can excel in our Christian walk and bring pleasure to God.
Progress
Verse 1 – “that you should abound more and more,”
Priority
Verse 1 – “just as you received from us”
Power
Verse 1 – “we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus”
Principle
Verse 2 – “For you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.”
Purity
Verse 3 – “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;”
Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness. (Westminster Shorter Catechism)
Know the will of God. Verse 3 – “For this is the will of God”
Learn “self control” Verse 4 – “that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,”
Don’t take advantage of others. Verse 6 – “that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all…“
This introduces a new section in the epistle that carries through to the end of the letter. Paul gives us specific exhortations that direct believers toward spiritual excellence in their Christian walk.
1 Thessalonians 4:1 – “Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;“ It is this exhortation that the rest of letter is built upon. There are five key thoughts expressed in these opening verses that help us understand how we can excel in our Christian walk and bring pleasure to God.
Progress
Verse 1 – “that you should abound more and more,”
Priority
Verse 1 – ” just as you received from us”
Philippians 3:13-14 – “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Power
Verse 1 – “we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus”
By virtue of being “in Christ” our life is now totally immersed in all that Christ has accomplished on the Cross. So that our Christian walk and experience becomes an extension of God’s grace and power in our lives..
Principle
Verse 2 – “For you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.”
Purity
Verse 3 – “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;”
Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness. (Westminster Shorter Catechism)
Listeners Note: There was a power failure due to a passing storm a few minutes into the recording. The audio degrades for a minute or two but returned to normal when power was restored.
1. God wants to heal our nation by exposing hidden sin and bringing us to repentance.
2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
2. God wants to fill us with compassion for a world that in many places only knows recession of the worst kind.
Matthew 9:36 – “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.”
3. God desires that we make Him our joy and treasure rather than trying to find it in our goods, money and wealth.
1 John 2:15 – “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
4. God intends to accomplish His mission in the world even at a time when human resources might seem low.
2 Corinthians 8:2 – “That in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.”
5. God calls the church to care for those in need especially its hurting members.
Galatians6:9 – “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Of all the disciplines of the Christian life, prayer can be one of the least understood. Most of us understand what is involved in reading the Word, witnessing, church membership, giving, and serving. But when it comes to this thing called prayer, many Christians are not sure how to pray or why we should pray. In these verses Paul helps us understand both ‘why’ and ‘how’ about prayer.
Prayer Is About Relationship
1 Thessalonians 3:11- “Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you”
John 14:12-13 – “Most assuredly,… And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”
John 16:23 – “…Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.”
Prayer Is Working With God To Accomplish His Plan
The same God who determines the outcome also determines the plan and method to achieve the outcome. When God wants to accomplish something, He works a prayer in someone’s’ heart and then through their prayer He begins to accomplish His plan.
Prayer Must Become A Habit
1Thessalonians 3:10- “night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith”
Prayer Is For People
1 Thessalonians 3:10 – “and perfect what is lacking in your faith?”
1 Thessalonians 3:12 – “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you.”
1 Thessalonians 3:13 – “so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.”
But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted into the Lord’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. They will declare, “The Lord is just! He is my rock! There is nothing but goodness in him!”
In chapter 3 Paul’s concern is focused on the “faith” of the Thessalonians. Paul’s great desire was for all believers to being strong and stand firm in the faith. He wrote to the Colossians and said, “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6-7). The key word is “faith” and Paul mentions it five times in this passage.
1. He sacrificed and sent Timothy to them.1 Thessalonians 3:1 – “Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone,”
2. In sending Timothy, he sent them the best.1 Thessalonians 3:2 – “and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ,”
3. Timothy went to “strengthen and encourage.”1 Thessalonians 3:2 – “…to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,”
4. Three components of powerful faith.
Knowledge Acceptance Trust
5. Faith strengthens us for two important things! 1 Thessalonians 3:3-5 – “that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.”
When we come to this latter portion of chapter 2 we see Paul responding to a different criticism. Apparently some of his critics were saying, “Paul doesn’t really care, and the proof is that is that he’s never coming back.” In other words “He has deserted you.” And the reason is pretty obvious. You have to remember that he only left because he was forced out. In Acts chapter 17, we are told the Jews became jealous of Paul’s ministry and influence – and so they stirred up a riot. This is where we find we find that statement about the apostles. “These men who have upset the world have come here also.” And it is here, Paul illustrates two important aspects of effective ministry.
1. We must love God’s people
But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again…
“Taken away”
“in presence, not in heart”
“endeavored”
“more eagerly”
“see your face”
“with great desire”
2. Satan opposes God’s work
1 Thessalonians 2:18 …but Satan hindered us.
He hinders us in every opportunity (C.H. Spurgeon)
He hinders the church (Revelation 2-3)
He hinders leaders (Job 1; Peter Lk. 22:31; Paul 2 Corinthians 12)
Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received His message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the word of God – which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.
The Bible is not just any book. It is THE BOOK that gives life, creates faith, produces change, causes miracles, frightens the devil, heals our hearts, builds our character, gives us joy and peace, defeats temptation, is eternal, indestructible and is 100% reliable and without any error.
God’s Word doesn’t contain errors — but we sometimes make mistakes in our interpretation of His word. (The Children’s Bible In a Nutshell)
We need listening ears and receptive hearts!“To him who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matthew 13:9 The Parable of the Sower)
Receptive hearts release the power of God’s Word.“the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13)
Paul cared enough to reach people for Christ! (1 Thessalonians 2:1-6)
Paul cared enough to accept people! (1 Thessalonians 2:7-9)
Acceptance is key to our growth!
It empowers us to accept others
It frees us from “works and performance mentality”
It builds trust in relationships
It provides for healing and growth
Paul cared enough to challenge people! (1 Thessalonians 2:10-12)
“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13 NASB)
The example of Joshua and Moses (Joshua 1:1-9; Deuteronomy 31:6)
How do (fathers) leaders build strength and courage into their children?
A model of integrity!
You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; (1 Thessalonians 2:10)
A witness of life and words!
as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged* every one of you, as a father does his own children, (1 Thessalonians 2:11)
Fathers must be willing to say the hard things! Everyone one of us needs a few people to tell us the truth about our hearts and souls. We all have weak spots and blind spots that we cannot navigate on our own. We need someone to remind us of our deepest aspirations and values and to warn us when we may be getting off track. We need someone to help us question our motives and examine our hearts. We need someone to perform spiritual diagnosis on us when our hearts get hard and our vision gets dim.
Paul believed in the power of care. “besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.” (2 Corrinthians 11:28 )
Paul cared enough to reach people for Christ! (1 Thessalonians 2:1-6) “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:7-8 )
Paul cared enough to accept people!(1 Thessalonians 2:7-9)…just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:4-6) Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.(Romans 15:7)
Paul cared enough to challenge people!(1 Thessalonians 2:10-12)
“For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10)
Scripture repeatedly states that Jesus will return to earth suddenly and visibly in his glorified, resurrected body.
This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go.(Acts 1:11)
Jesus will judge everyone who has ever lived.
But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,(Romans 2:5)
Jesus will punish non-Christians in hell… And he will reward Christians in heaven…
…when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,(2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)
Jesus will lift the curse and all its affects.
“Consider the work of God; For who can make straight what He has made crooked?” (Ecclesiastes 7:13)
Jesus will restore perfect peace and harmony.
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
How should we live until Jesus returns?
Oh, that You would rend the heavens! That You would come down! That the mountains might shake at Your presence— (Isaiah 64:1)
Pastor Dru Johnson’s last message at GracePoint before he and his family move to Scotland. (or click here to download)
Judges 2:10 – “Eventually that entire generation died and was buried. Then another generation grew up that didn’t know anything of GOD or the work he had done for Israel.”
Matthew 2:11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
What is worship?
Worship is not a style of music. Worship is not something that is connected to time and space. Worship is not something that starts or stops. Worship is not confined to Christians.
If you do not worship God seven days a week, then you do not worship Him one day a week. (A.W. Tozer)
Worship then is living our life individually and corporately as continuous living sacrifices to the glory of a person or thing.
There is a close connection between glory and worship. Romans 11:36-12:1Glory means weightiness, importance, value preeminence, priority, or that which is our greatest treasure, deepest longing, and fountain of hope. Glory is simply the biblical word for value.
We worship God through Jesus. Ephesians 2:18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
We worship God like JesusJohn 17:24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.”
We worship God in JesusJohn 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Jesus repeatedly said that He was sent from heaven to earth on a mission by God the Father. Scripture describes His mission in the several ways; a humble servant (Mark 10:45), a Savior to the lost (Luke 19:10), a destroyer of the enemy (1 John 3:8).
One of the most important statements that Jesus made in speaking of His mission on earth is found in Matthew 5:17-18 where Jesus said; “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. ”For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”
1.He came to be our Prophet Matthew 1:22-23So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, “God with us.”
2.He came to be our Priest Matthew 1:21 “And she (Mary) will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”
3.He came to be our King!Matthew 1:1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.
“There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry ‘Mine.’” (Abraham Kuyper)
A Savior is someone or something that delivers us or resuces us form a terrible plight. The idea or concept of “Savior” has always been a popular theme in human history. But the Savior theme is not just an ancient concept. It is still very popluar in our current pop culture. You see in movies, songs, software, video games, comics, clothing, advertising. Most religions teach you that there are “things” that you should or should not do in order to receive their promised salvation. They basically teach that you are the savior. But this is the exact opposite to Christianity. Christianity says that we cannot save ourselves. Our ruin is too great and our corruption is too deep. The Bible declares that we need a Savior and that Savior is no one less than Jesus Christ.
1.God Alone Is Our Savior.Isaiah 49:26 “All flesh shall know that I, the LORD, am your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”
2.Jesus Is Our Savior God.Luke 2:11 “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior…”
3.Jesus Saves Many People. Luke 2:10 ”Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.”
4.Jesus Saves Us From Many Things. Matthew 1:21“And she (Mary) will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”
5.Jesus Is Our Only Savior.Luke 2:11 “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, 1 Thessalonians 1:2
Marks worthy of thanksgiving!
Works produced by genuine faith!
Labor motivated by God’s love!
Endurance sustained by eternal hope!
A powerful message given by powerful preachers!
People who receive and welcome the Word of God
“having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,” (1 Thessalonians 1:6)
People who become immediate disciples!
“And you became followers of us and of the Lord,” 1 Thessalonians 1:6
People who become powerful examples!
“so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.” (1 Thessalonians 1:7-8
We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers… (1 Thessalonians 1:2 NKJVT)
“We must avoid the cynicism of our day! The church is like Noah’s Ark. If it weren’t for the storm outside, we couldn’t stand the stink inside.” Reinhold Niebuhr
Marks worthy of thanksgiving!
1.Works produced by genuine faith!remembering without ceasing your work of faith, 1 Thessalonians 1:3 NKJV
2.Labor motivated by God’s love! remembering without ceasing your …labor of love 1 Thessalonians 1:3 NKJV
3.Endurance sustained by eternal hope! remembering without ceasing your … patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Thessalonians 1:3 NKJV
4.A powerful message given by powerful preachers!For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. 1 Thessalonians 1:5 NKJV
John 17 records what has been call the High Priestly prayer of Jesus. It is the greatest prayer every recorded in Scripture because it is the powerful prayer of an Overcomer. Even though Jesus is about to go to the Cross and face horrible suffering and shame. He is not a victim–He was and is the Ultimate Victor! He has just finished saying to His disciples, “Be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.”
Jesus prays that we would be kept! – John 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
Jesus prays that we would have joy in Him! - John 17:13 But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.
Jesus prays that we would be missionaries! – John 17:15-18 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one… Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
Jesus prays for our unity! – John 17:20-21 I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
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Posted by dpiehl 
Posted by dpiehl 
Posted by dpiehl 
Scripture: Psalm 92:12-15
