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2 Thessalonians 1 - Is Hell A Real Place?

2 Thessalonians 1 Introduction to 2 Thessalonians Chapter 1: Encouragement in Persecution: Paul thanks God for the growing faith and love of the Thessalonians, assuring them that God will bring justice and relief when Jesus is revealed from heaven. (Bible Project) 5 All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. 6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might 10 on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, becaus...
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1 Thessalonians 5 - How Should You Get Ready for Jesus' Second Coming?

  1 Thessalonians 5 Synopsis of 1 Thessalonians 5 The Day of the Lord 5 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Je...
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1 Thessalonians 4 - How To Live a Life Pleasing to God and Avoid Sexual Immorality!

1 Thessalonians 4 - NIV 1 Thessalonians 4 Overview Paul now moves to practical matters the church of Thessalonica needs to heed as those who have been set apart for Christ. Paul prefaces this by saying, "In order to live a life pleasing to God." At the heart of being a Christian is living a life that is " pleasing to God" . Yesterday I talked about being a " people pleaser ", but we need to transform that desire into being a " God pleaser ". If we can lead a life " pleasing to God ", we can also lead a life that is not pleasing to God. Which life do you want to live?  Paul starts by saying we need to be " sanctified ". This means, " the process by which we are made holy. " As believers we are not called to be conformed to the world, but transformed by the renewing of our mind.  Romans 12:1-2   We often think the word "holiness " has a negative connotations like, " holy roller" or " holier th...
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1 Thessalonians 3 - Who Do You Lean On?

1 Thessalonians 3 Insights into 1 Thessalonians 3 3 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain. Paul once again shows the deep love he has for every church he has planted. But since he felt he needed to stay in Corinth, he sent Timothy to make sure they church in Thessalonica would not get discouraged by the intense persecution they were facing.  1. Timothy went to s...
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1 Thessalonians 2 - Preaching the Gospel Free of Charge!

1 Thessalonians 2 - NIV   Key Themes in 1 Thessalonians 2 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. Effective evangelists, pastors, and preachers often take a lot of criticism from their churches or the world in general. They are sometimes accused of being in it for their own glory, or just looking for worldly accolades. Of course, a Christian leader is not immune to temptation, pride, and sin. But sometimes others who might be jealous take " pot shots " at Christian leaders rather than focusing on the good God is doing in and through them. Paul was not immune from criticism from all the churches he started. Because he was only...
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1 Thessalonians 1 - What Does A Model Church Look Like?

1 Thessalonians 1 - NIV   Introduction and Background of of 1 Thessalonians 4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.  As you might have read, the church in Thessalonica was a church of young believers, mostly made up of Gentiles. Paul reflects on the fact that when the church heard the gospel from he and Silas, the Holy Spirit came upon them in powerful ways. The Holy Spirit led them to a deep conviction of their sin and their need for Christ. Indee...
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Colossians 4 - Prayer is the Boiler Room of the Church!

Colossians 4 - NIV Summary of Colossians 4 2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. These are Paul's last words to the church at Colossae. He reminds them of the importance of prayer. When we pray, we are reminded of God's presence in our lives. We are reminded of the peace He gives us through the Holy Spirit. As we pray we remember how God has been faithful in the past with thanksgiving.  We give thanks giving for prayers answered and even for prayers that aren't answered. We know God always hears us and gives us what " we need when we need it ". Notice I didn...
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