You don't know your bible very well if you think that

your already a dead zombie. Christ offers life

This will be returning from next week.

wb

To all members of PaRD.

Grace and peace to you from CPK001. Tonight is the fourth of many series of the book of Thessalonians that we are studying at Church. I have been taking notes and I am going to try and portray what I heard at Church onto here.
The main theme of the book of Thessalonians is Standing Firm and hold fast to the teachings.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 - NIV

The Day of the Lord

1 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 Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Life Changing Events

Let's talk about some Life Changing Events. You may or may not have been around when these happened but others you'll know exactly where you were on the day.

1. Moon Landing.
2. Berlin Wall Falls.
3. September 11, 2001, also known as 9/11.
4. Covid becomes a Global Pandemic.

All of these are life changing events and they are all felt to this very day. Yet in Thessalonians there is a bigger day coming, this is the Day of the Lord.

The Thessalonians had questions about the Day of the Lord, however there is some bad news.

The Bad news

Thessalonians 5:1-2

1 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.

Have you ever received a phone call from a thief saying that they will rob your house in 3 days, be ready for it? I highly doubt it. This is not a day or event which you put on your calendar. Hence it is described like a thief in the night.

Thessalonians 5:3

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.

There is an inevitability, expected event which can't be put off. There is no "Can we do this some other time?" When the time comes it will come very suddenly, it's described as labor pains on a pregnant woman.

Some people think that it will not bother them if they do not believe. There is an issue with that though.

Everyone believed that the Titanic was unsinkable.

"Not even God himself could sink this ship."
-- Employee of the White Star Line, at the
launch of the Titanic, May 31, 1911

Did that belief work out for those who were on the Titanic?

Not believing doesn't help - it's empty denial.

Judgement is coming for everyone and it is inevitable.

The Good News

Yet this is not meant to drive you to fear and despair. There is some good news about the Day of the Lord.

Thessalonians 5:4-5

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.

Here is the division of humanity - We Belong to The Day

You are very different, not in darkness. Our identity is found in Jesus and so we long for the return of Jesus.

Thessalonians 5:9-10

9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.

These verses show that the active party in this exchange is God, not us.

It's not about our set of achievements or our failures. God appointed us, we are God's chosen. It doesn't matter if we are alive or dead.

How often do you try to take back that responsibility from Jesus? There's no point as your future in Jesus is secured.

Thessalonians 5:6

So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.

This fact changes us but I want to talk about the meaning of sober. What does it mean to be sober?

If someone is drunk they have drunkenness, no self control and can't speak clearly.

Being sober is a metaphor for being serious, focused, responsible and careful.

Thessalonians 5:7-8

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.

Arm yourself with faith, hope and love.

The hope of salvation - cloth yourself.

The day of the Lord shapes us, live a life worthy of Jesus. Do you think you can't do enough? It's all done, the future is secured.

So what does it look like how you live for that day, the Day of the Lord? How do you respond as one who Belongs to The Day?

Thessalonians 5:10-11

10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Life is a team sport, spur each other on.

The day is coming, it is inevitable and we have a seat reserved for us so love for that day.

Tune in next week for the next part of Thessalonians.

Also listen to the song that fits the theme of the sermon - We Belong To The Day



LYRICS //
Verse 1
We belong to the day
To the day that is to come
When the night falls away
And our Saviour will return
For the glory of the King is in our hearts
On that day we will be seen for what we are

Verse 2
We belong to the day
Let us journey in the light
Put on faith, put on love
As our armour for the fight
And the promise of salvation in our eyes
On that day the proud will fall, the faithful rise

Chorus
Strong as a mighty rock
Our refuge in the coming wrath
The heart of the bride belongs to Jesus, Jesus
The earth in its turning stops
To marvel at the Son of God
And all of that day belongs to Jesus, Jesus

Verse 3
We belong to the day
We were bought with Jesus’ blood
Soon he comes as the judge
In the power of his word
We must tell of his salvation while we wait
For the day when Jesus comes will be too late

Bridge
Oh, if ten thousand years go by we will wait
Let us tell of his great love, he will come
For his patience means salvation!

To all members of PaRD.

Grace and peace to you from CPK001. Tonight is the final series of the book of Thessalonians that we are studying at Church. I have been taking notes and I am going to try and portray what I heard at Church onto here.
The main theme of the book of Thessalonians is Standing Firm and hold fast to the teachings.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 - NIV

Final Instructions

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.

23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us. 26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

So the theme of this Sermon is: Working with others. For the most part we are able to work with each other, we learn how to deal with certain people. Yet there are some people whom we cannot work with.

What is the solution when you can't work together? How do you resolve the issue? Two solutions you might think of are: Don't mention it or try to destroy it. You might get this reference:



1 Thessalonians 5:12

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.

This verse talks about the leaders of the Church. What do the leaders of the Church do? They work, care and admonish.

In this day and age we have a sense of entitlement. What are our rights? The Bible doesn't talk much about our rights, it talks about our responsibilities. It is very dangerous to take the mentality of entitlement everywhere. Have you seen those signs that are everywhere? You may have seen them: "Please do not be rude or abusive towards our staff. We are doing our best"

1 Thessalonians 5:13

Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

Does the term autocratic leader come to mind in light of this verse? There is no reason you can't call your leaders into account.

Above all else we are called to live in peace with each other. The Church will have issues but the most important thing in the Church is to promote peace and harmony with each other.

The following story is not a true story but has bits and pieces which are true. Let's call this Church St. Frederick.

This Church had a thread carpet that covered most the hall. The hall had to be refurbished and there was a discussion on what to do. One group said to rip up the carpet and replace it with wooden floor boards. Another group said to throw more carpet and cover the entire hall. Yet another group said that the entire hall needed more decorations to look better. Yet another group said the outside of the Church needed some work done. There was an argument among these different groups and they couldn't decide. In the end this was destructive enough to cause families to leave the Church because their solution wasn't implemented and they couldn't stand all the in fighting.

It is important to live in peace with each other.

1 Thessalonians 5:14

14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

What does it mean to be idle? To be idle means to pass the burden. We are called to be busy. We are called to care for one another without being idle. We must admonish those who are idle.

Same with those who are disruptive, those who are disheartened? Encourage them. We are called to help the weak, however Paul doesn't define weak in this context. We are called to care and be patient.

1 Thessalonians 5:15

15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

There will be people in the Church who wrong you and you will wrong others. The pay back scheme will end in disaster. Do speak the hard words but speak them in love.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Rejoice always, Paul will find out just how harsh this world can be when he writes to the Philippians in prison. Yet he rejoices. Why? It's because of the first 5 chapters in Thessalonians, God has secured eternity, so rejoice!

Keep praying to the God who gives generously.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.

We must define what is Prophecy? Let's look at the Old Testament.

What is Prophecy? In the Old Testament the Prophets always say: "The Word of the Lord" and "Says the Lord".

We are called to obey the Bible but test Prophecy.

This is the definition of Prophecy given from the Sermon but is not the final product. We're all still trying to work it out.

"Prophecy - Applying the word of God to current local circumstances with insight given by the Spirit of God, for the edification of his people."

Do not dismiss the Prophecies but test them. How do we test the Prophecies? There are two ways to do this:

- Test their authenticity by bringing it to the word of God.
- Ask what is it for? Is it good for God's people?

Christian Community is a community of love.
- Care for one another
- Be grateful, rejoicing people
- There are a lot of do's in this passage
- How does it all hang together?

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

This is all the work of the one who called you.

1 Thessalonians 5:25-28

25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us. 26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

All the way through Paul says you are a family.
- Greet each other as family - NOT the dysfunctional kind.

Above all else, live in peace with each other.

This marks the end of 1 Thessalonians. We are continuing with 2 Thessalonians but I will end this series here unless I hear that people want me to continue. Thank you for joining me in this journey through 1 Thessalonians.

To all members of PaRD.


Grace and peace to you from CPK001. Due to popular demand, I will be continuing the Thessalonians Series with 2 Thessalonians. Tonight is the first of many series of the book of 2 Thessalonians that we are studying at Church. I have been taking notes and I am going to try and portray what I heard at Church onto here.

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 - 2:1-12

1 Paul, Silas and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

2 Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.

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, because you believed our testimony to you.

11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. 12 We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Man of Lawlessness

2 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

5 Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? 6 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

The Final Gambit

We will start off with 3 questions:

1. What is Paul saying about the return of Jesus?
2. Why does he say it?
3. How does that help us?

2 Thessalonians 2:5

5 Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things?

The Thessalonians know what Paul was talking about but we do not know. If we try to speculate or guess that is not helpful to us. It is not worth the effort. So instead let's focus on what we do know.

2 Thessalonians 2:3

3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.

Paul will make it clear that:

1. Those who died have not missed out.
2. Those who are alive will not miss out.
3. We are not told anything more than 2 words: "The Rebellion" - Paul does not expand on this.
4. Things must happen before the day.
5. Probable definition of Rebellion: People who claim to be believers but then turn away.
6. Again, we must not speculate.

2 Thessalonians 2:4

4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

The antichrist is coming. If you know your Bible these words sound very familiar. Let's take a look at Daniel 11:36

36 The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place.

Can you see the similarity? These words has echoes of Thessalonians. There is someone who will take their stand against God.

However, the words from Daniel from the Thessalonian's point of view are from ancient history. Paul's words are referring to an upcoming event. To us it may seem the same but there's one problem - the antichrist has not shown up yet. This is still a future event even in our time. This is apocalyptic language.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-10

9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

The lawless one will use signs and wonders. The lawless one will tap into our favorite theme: We are God. This is NOT anything new, The theme of we are God can be dated back to Genesis 3:4-5

4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

2 Thessalonians 2:7

7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.

This power is already at work. We see it in our world today.

Why does Paul say these things?

1. Paul says these things as encouragement at a time of persecution.
2. Reject a false claim.

1 Thessalonians 1:3-4

3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.

Persecution at this time is not only bad but it is not over. Just how bad is persecution in this day and age? There are some places on this Earth where it is very dangerous to be a Christian, to the point of death.

Persecution is part of the wicked work of the enemy.

1 Thessalonians 1:5

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.

All this persecution is evidence that God's judgement is right.

1 Thessalonians 1:6-7

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.

This verse tells us that those who take their stand against God do NOT get away with it. It is hard seeing those who seem to get away with all the wickedness but in the end, God will repay.

1 Thessalonians 1:8

8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

To a world who is rebellious against God, they will suffer the consequences of their actions.

2 Thessalonians 2:11-12

11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

Does this sound weird? God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie? Why would God to that?

The deceived are being handed over to deception.
The Illusionists are being handed over to illusion.

See the end of verse 12: they have delighted in wickedness. This is what we also read in Romans 1:24-25

24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 1:5

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.

Endure the persecution so you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God.

God uses the enduring and suffering to call people home.

1 Thessalonians 1:6-7

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.

God will comfort you.

The world does not like the language of judgement. If you take away the language of judgement then you also take away the hope.

Those who are enduring persecution find these words of judgement comforting. Those who live a life of luxury and doing the persecution are the ones who do not like these words.

Paul is also correcting a false claim.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3

Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.

Apparently there are people who took Paul's words and told the Thessalonians that Paul said that Christ has already come a second time. This is what Paul is correcting.

2 Thessalonians 2:6-7

5 Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? 6 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.

We do not know what Paul is referring to.

What we know is that people were taking Paul's words and twisting them to fit some scenario.

How does that help us?

There are two mistakes one can make.

1. Believe the lie - The world says you can do anything you set your mind to. Is this true? Can I walk through walls if I will it hard enough? Can I fly like Superman if I will it hard enough? I don't mean in a plane or with equipment.

2. Fear the foe - Paul's words are there to comfort.

2 Thessalonians 2:8

8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.

Yes, things are bad but it is all in preparation for the coming of Christ.

Why is this called the Final Gambit?

This is the final gambit of an utterly overmatched and doomed foe.

Tune in next week for more 2 Thessalonians.

To all members of PaRD.


Grace and peace to you from CPK001. Tonight is the second of many series of the book of 2 Thessalonians that we are studying at Church. I have been taking notes and I am going to try and portray what I heard at Church onto here.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 - 3:1-5

Stand Firm

13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

Request for Prayer

3 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

The Thessalonians are suffering from persecution, they are surrounded by severe persecution. The defeat of the evil one is assured but here they stand in the middle of the storm. The question is how can the Thessalonians stand firm?

This is something we can empathise with.

This is how the Gospel helps us to endure the hardship:

1. Present Harvest that leads to Thanksgiving.
2. A Future Hope that leads to Steadfastness.
3. An Eternal Encouragement that leads to Strength.

Paul is not telling the Thessalonians to smile and keep their heads held high. He is telling them to be thankful.

2 Thessalonians 2:13

13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

The ultimate hope here is the truth. Those who persecute may be winning short term but they are caught up in their dillusions. God chose you as the firstfruits, to be saved.

Deuteronomy 26:10-11

10 and now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, Lord, have given me.” Place the basket before the Lord your God and bow down before him. 11 Then you and the Levites and the foreigners residing among you shall rejoice in all the good things the Lord your God has given to you and your household.

In Deuteronomy we read of the firstfruits of the soil that the Lord has provided. The Levites and foreigners are rejoicing in all the good things the Lord has given to you and your household.

This is a celebration of abundance, prosperity and grace. To live in the truth is the most remarkable side of God's provision.

2 Thessalonians 2:14

14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The future hope from the Gospel leads to steadfastness. We get to share in Christ's glory.

2 Thessalonians 2:15

15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

Withstand the suffering because the truth is much greater than the reality. The suffering becomes small in the reality of the greater hope. Yet this seems kind of strange, is Paul offering theology as a solution?

We are equipped with the best tools to withstand persecution. We are given the incomparable future glory to look forward to.

2 Thessalonians 2:16

16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope

The Thessalonians are not in this alone. God himself who has loved us by his grace provides us with eternal encouragement.

2 Thessalonians 2:17

17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

Our hearts are to be encouraged and strengthened in every good deed. This affects all we say and do. How do we do such a thing? God will see this through, we rely on God to pull us through.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-3

3 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

This is the prayer that draws the whole thing together, the Gospel and its spread. Without the Gospel there is no hope. There are 3 prayers.

1. Pray that the message of the Lord spreads rapidly and be honored.
2. Pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people.
3. Pray that the Lord will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

2 Thessalonians 3:4-5

4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

Stand firm to the end as the task is in God's hands. The Gospel assures us in the right relationship with God. The truth of the Gospel is yours to hold fast so stand firm in the Gospel.

Tune in next week for more 2 Thessalonians.

To all members of PaRD.

Grace and peace to you from CPK001. Tonight is the third of many series of the book of 2 Thessalonians that we are studying at Church. I have been taking notes and I am going to try and portray what I heard at Church onto here.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

Warning Against Idleness

6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.

14 Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. 15 Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.

Final Greetings

16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

17 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Let's first review and see the progress so far from 1 and 2 Thessalonians.

Progress: Everyone is talking.
Suffering: The Thessalonians are holding fast.
Conclusion: Jesus WILL return and your future is secured.
Growing Threat: Brings us to tonight.

1 Thessalonians 5:14

And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

In the first letter to the Thessalonians Paul mentions very briefly to warn those who are idle and disruptive.

2 Thessalonians 3:6

6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.

In Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians, the language has ramped up. The issue with those who are idle and disruptive is they are not living out the gospel. We don't know exactly what they are doing but it's something we need to reconstruct - in pencil.

2 Thessalonians 3:11

11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.

Do these people sit and cruise? Are they using the generosity of God's people to support their ideas?

What is at stake?

- Reversing the Gospel focus.

2 Philippians 2:3-5

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Christians using Christians inverts the work of Jesus. We who have been given everything by God are called to serve.

2 Thessalonians 3:7-9

7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.

What are Christians best known for? We must set that aside and become servants. Paul was not idle when he was with them.

The Servant King shapes us for service. Our attitude therefore is the same as Jesus. From the book of Philippians, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.

What is at stake?

- Using one another

2 Thessalonians 3:11

11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.

The number 1 problem that people have with Christianity isn't the belief, or Jesus, the biggest problem people have with Christianity is Christians.
- Christians have been using one another
- There has been assault cases
- What this is doing is giving a lie to the message, new people who come in will see that the actions do not add up to the message.
- Allow those who are generous to carry all the weight. Has anyone ever done a group assignment? Ever have that one member who does nothing and yet gets credit for the work everyone else put in?

2 Thessalonians 3:13

13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.

What is the solution?

- Not a light matter

2 Thessalonians 3:10

10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

There are those who can't do something and there are those who won't do something. Who uses their can't for won't?
- Don't stretch the use of can't.
- You are reliant on your community.
- If you take that generosity because you are unwilling - you shall not eat.
- Paul treats this matter very seriously.

What is the solution?

- Disconnect

2 Thessalonians 3:14

14 Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed.

Do not associate with those who do not obey the instruction in the letter. Remember that the Thessalonians are getting persecuted. The last thing they need is to have other Christians feeding off their generosity. Do not sponge off fellow believers.

What is the solution?

- Redemption

2 Thessalonians 3:12

12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat.

Paul's goal is not to get rid of these people. Paul's goal is for them to take part.

2 Thessalonians 3:14

14 Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed.

They ought to feel ashamed but this is so that they will act. If they feel ashamed, this should drive them to action.

2 Thessalonians 3:15

15 Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.

This is why we don't see them as an enemy. We are to treat them as Brothers.

Tune in next week for more 2 Thessalonians.

Since we're doing a Christmas series we will be taking a break from Thessalonians until we return in January.