1 & 2 Thessalonians: Hope In Trying Times

A Busy Body vs. Busybodies

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 18:22:29 +0000

Followers of Jesus are called to work hard to support themselves and be diligent in good works, and to warn lazy freeloaders who meddle in the affairs of others. In part 13 of 1 & 2 Thessalonians: Hope In Trying Times, Pastor Dan Cox reads from 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18.

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Study Notes

Some Context First…

Understanding the Text

Prayer (3:1-5)
- God’s Word
- Deliverance
- Protection
- Confidence
- Love and Steadfastness
Commands (3:6-15)
- Work hard
- Don’t grow weary of doing good
- Warn the lazy
Benediction (3:16-18)
- Peace
- Authenticity
- Grace

Applying the Text

Be a busy body
Don’t be a busybody!

Give Thanks in All Circumstances

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 18 Nov 2018 18:37:23 +0000

The follower of Jesus is commanded to give thanks in all circumstances. In part 12 of 1 & 2 Thessalonians: Hope In Trying Times, Pastor Dan Cox reads from 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

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Study Notes

WHY should I give thanks?

God commands it
God is worthy of it
It is good for the soul
It is good for the body
It is good for the Body

WHEN should I give thanks?

In good times
In bad times
In ordinary times
In other words… in ALL times

HOW should I give thanks?

In private worship
In public worship
In the spirit
In the Spirit
In words
In deeds

Applying the Text

Cultivate an “attitude of gratitude”
Begin your prayers with, “God, I thank You…”

The Ultimate Justice Warrior

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 18:31:57 +0000

When Jesus returns, He will judge those who have opposed Him, and honor those who have honored Him. In part 10 of 1 & 2 Thessalonians: Hope In Trying Times, Pastor Dan Cox reads from 2 Thessalonians 1:1-2:12.

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Study Notes

Some Context First…

Understanding the Text

Introduction (1:1-4)
The Righteous Judgment of God (1:5-12)
The Coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ (2:1-12)

Applying the Text

Be thankful for ultimate justice
Pray for the lost and witness faithfully
Honor Christ

Building One Another Up

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 17:11:36 +0000

Followers of Jesus are called to encourage and edify one another because they are destined to obtain salvation. In part 9 of 1 & 2 Thessalonians: Hope In Trying Times, Pastor Dan Cox reads from 1 Thessalonians 5:11-28.

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Study Notes

Some Context First…

Encourage and Edify One Another…

Respect and love spiritual leaders (5:12-13a)
Be at peace with one another (5:13b)
Admonish the idle (5:14a)
Encourage the fainthearted (5:14b)
Help the weak (5:14c)
Be patient with all (5:14d)
Do not repay evil with evil (5:15a)
Seek to do good to all (5:15b)
Rejoice always (5:16)
Pray without ceasing (5:17)
Give thanks in all circumstances (5:18)
Do not quench the Spirit (5:19)
Do not despise prophecies (5:20-21a)
Hold fast to what is good (5:21b)
Abstain from evil (5:22)
Rest in God’s faithfulness and grace (5:23-28)

Applying the Text

Just do it…. Encourage and edify one another!

The Day of the Lord

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 21 Oct 2018 17:01:42 +0000

Followers of Jesus are called to live sober, upright lives in light of the sudden, unexpected coming of the day of the Lord. In part 8 of 1 & 2 Thessalonians: Hope In Trying Times, Pastor Dan Cox reads from 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10.

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Study Notes

The Day of the Lord

Some Context First…

The Day of the Lord…

will come unexpectedly (5:1-2)
will bring sudden, inescapable destruction (5:3)
should not surprise believers (5:4-5)
should motivate believers to live sober, upright lives (5:6-7)
will bring salvation for believers in Christ (5:9-10)

Applying the Text

Are you awake?
Are you leading a sober and upright life?

Caught Up

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 14 Oct 2018 17:33:14 +0000

Followers of Jesus need not grieve death like those who have no hope. In part 7 of 1 & 2 Thessalonians: Hope In Trying Times, Pastor Dan Cox reads from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

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Study Notes

Hope…

Some Context First…

Don’t be uninformed…

We need not grieve death like those who have no hope (4:13)
The dead in Christ will rise first at the coming of the Lord (4:14-16)
The last generation will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air (4:17a)
We will always be with the Lord (4:17b-18)

Applying the Text

Be encouraged
Be prepared

Walking in Love

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 07 Oct 2018 18:28:08 +0000

Followers of Jesus are called to excel more and more in their love for one another. In part 6 of 1 & 2 Thessalonians: Hope In Trying Times, Pastor Dan Cox reads from 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12.

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Study Notes

Walk in Love

Excel in love for one another (4:9-10)
Mind your own business (4:11a)
Work hard to support yourself (4:11b-12)

Applying the Text

The fruit of the Spirit is love…

Walking in Purity

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 17:19:19 +0000

The follower of Jesus is called to walk in holiness. In part 5 of 1 & 2 Thessalonians: Hope In Trying Times, Pastor Dan Cox reads from 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8.

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Study Notes

Build the Wall

Abuse
Pain
Scandal
Destruction

Some Context First…

Do this more and more…

Walk in purity (4:1-8)
Walk in love (4:9-12)

Walk in Purity

God’s command: Keep going and keep growing (4:1-2)
God’s will: Your sanctification (4:3-5)
God’s warning: He will judge sin (4:6-8)

The Pursuit of Holiness

Applying the Text

Pursue holiness
Rely on the Holy Spirit
Thank God for His grace

Standing Fast in the Lord

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 17:18:11 +0000

As the follower of Jesus stands fast, the Lord will establish the believer’s heart blameless in holiness. In part 4 of 1 & 2 Thessalonians: Hope In Trying Times, Pastor Dan Cox reads from 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13.

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Study Notes

Some Context First…

Understanding the Text

Joy and Thanksgiving for Standing Fast (3:6-9)
Prayer for Fellowship, Love and Holiness (3:10-13)

Applying the Text

Are you standing fast in the Lord?

Speaking the Word in the Face of Opposition

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 16 Sep 2018 18:08:40 +0000

Though consistently opposed, the follower of Jesus must consistently speak the truth of God’s Word. In part 3 of 1 & 2 Thessalonians: Hope In Trying Times, Pastor Dan Cox reads from 1 Thessalonians 2:13 - 3:5.

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Study Notes

Some Context First…

The Word of God…

is at work in believers (2:13)
is opposed by human agents (2:14-16)
is opposed by Satanic schemes (2:17 – 3:5)

Applying the Text

Know the Word
Put on the armor of God daily
Speak the Word in love with gentleness and respect

Declaring the Gospel in Word and Deed

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 09 Sep 2018 17:44:27 +0000

The follower of Jesus is called to faithfully proclaim the truth of the gospel with pure motives in both word and deed. In part 2 of 1 & 2 Thessalonians: Hope In Trying Times, Pastor Dan Cox reads from 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12.

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Study Notes

Some Context First…

The Gospel

Declare the gospel…

with pure motives (2:1-8)
in word and deed (2:9-12)

Applying the Text

Understand the gospel
Proclaim the gospel in word and deed
Receive God’s grace today

Serving the Living and True God

Pastor Dan Cox — Sun, 02 Sep 2018 17:24:58 +0000

The follower of Jesus has been called to turn aside from idols and serve the living and true God. In part 1 of 1 & 2 Thessalonians: Hope In Trying Times, Pastor Dan Cox reads from 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10.

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Study Notes

1 & 2 THESSALONIANS: HOPE IN TRYING TIMES

The blessed hope of the believer is the second coming of Jesus Christ when He will transform the mortal bodies of believers into glorious resurrection bodies, defeat all His enemies and establish everlasting righteousness as He makes all things new. This hope can sustain us in trying times as we seek to faithfully follow Jesus here and now, and live in confident expectation of His certain return.

A Brief Introduction to 1 Thessalonians

Author: Paul
Date: About AD 52
Recipients: Followers of Christ in Thessalonica
Purpose: To commend and encourage them in their faith, address problems in the church, and clarify teaching regarding the second coming of Jesus.

Some Context First…

Good Examples

Persistent prayer (1:1-2)
Faith, love and hope (1:3-4)
Imitation of Christ (1:5-6)
Powerful witness (1:7-8)
Serving the living and true God (1:9)
Patient hope (1:10)

Applying the Text

Are you turning aside from dead and false idols to serve the living and true God?