Thank you once
That's good to see you all here and Hello to everyone on zoom
We're going to be looking at first Thessalonians chapter 2, my brother, Ray did Chapter one, last week, and We're going to be looking at the first 12, Verses of Chapter 2 and I'm just going to open up an an Additional word of Prayer before we begin Heavenly, father
Thank you, that we can be here this evening, coming together, and in your name, Lord Jesus and under the yeah being in your word, your living word, and we we thank you that we can know that your word, is truth, and we pray that your word, would transform our thinking our minds, and encourage, us, and
Exhort us and we just pray for our evening tonight, and our time of prayer together that you would bless the teaching of your word, and and I would speak your word in truth and Jesus name amen okay, so last week we studied chapter one of Thessalonians where Paul encouraged the thessling.
Believers, telling them that he gives thanks to God always, for them, for what were the different things for their for their work of faith, right, for their labor, of love, and their patience, of hope, and their steadfast endurance, and paul reminded them that the gospel, came not only in word only but
Also in power, and a and in the Holy Spirit the thessalonies became fileers of Paul's, example and most importantly followers of the Lord and they Filed, the Lord in the Midst, of Much Affliction and with Joy and the Holy Spirit and they and Paul said in the that
The Thessalonians were examined, you said in Macedonia, Aka, and in every place, and paul describes their example, which they demonstrated.
It says, they turned to God from idols, turn to god, from idolson isn't that what repentance is turning to God, from idols you know the unbeliever, turns to whatever they're, trusting and turns to the their Lord and savior Jesus Christ and who is the
Living and true God. So I'm gonna read verse, 10, again, from chapter one and before we go into chapter 2, it says, So they turned from idols to serve the living in 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, yeah, Jesus Christ is delivered us from the wrath to come.
Isn't it comforting you know how did he do that well, God's wrath, God's wrath was poured out on his Son, Jesus Christ for our since and Jesus delivered us from the wrath that is coming for those reject him free in John 300, and
36 it says, he who believes in the sun has everlasting life.
But he who does not believe this shown that see life with the rat of God abides on him.
You know what a tragedy really it's a tragedy.
For those who reject, the Son of God who loved them, and died for their sense, because I mean, there's gonna be so much regret in hell, because Jesus Christ died for their sins, and they could have had eternal life and that's, a tragedy those who reject Jesus Christ will
be, appear before the great White Throne revelation 2,015.
I I think, is one of the most terrifying versus of Scripture, for the person who rejects Jesus Christ his work on the Cross.
It says and anyone not found written in the Book of life, was cast into the lake of fire, that's Wow, but Jesus Christ, not only delivers us from eternal wrath to come in the Lake of fire but Jesus Christ also delivers us from the Wrath, that he is going to Pour, out on this world, during the
Great tribulation. And that is why we wait for the Lord Jesus, the Son of God.
You know God's wrath is gonna be poured on this world, in the tribulation. It's gonna be poured out on Wawa Tulsa, Right where We're standing someday, that's enough to make this wanna Share the gospel Isn't it again, that
brings us to chapter 2,
Says for you yourselves, no brethren that are coming to you was not in vain, but even after we suffered before, and were spitefully treated at Philipi, you know we were bold in our God to speak the gospel, of God, in much conflict you know Paul reviews here that he
Came to the test Tesla and ika when he came there, it was not in vain.
Okay. Let's stop here for a minute. What can we learn from the words?
Not in vain.
Paul's fellowship his visit was not inv vain.
It was not empty, it was not empty, or can you have the idea, of not hollow and in other words, there was substance and purpose for Paul's going To thessalonica.
There's a purpose behind it to see the believers, and we have believers need to make sure that our fellowship with one another is not in vain does our fellowship center at our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Or is it. Around things that are shallow? I think we've all been guilty of that having shallow friendships at times, but is our fellowship at times, around things that are how and passing away in first, John 2 17 it's says the world is passing away and the
Lust of it. But he who does the will of God, abides for forever.
You know the world is passing away, and all the lusts of the world, all the passions of the world, it's, all passing away.
And we need to make sure our fellowship is not caught up with the things of this world, and it's you know, caught up with Jesus, make much of him, and we have a lot.
To have fellowship around with Jesus. Christ. So process is coming with that in vain, even even though he was persecuted at Philippi.
He said we were bold in our guide to speak the gospel in much conflict, in Philippians.
If we want to just turn back to Philippians, 1, 27,
Talks about striving and suffering for Christ. Only.
Let your conduct Flippians, one verse, 27, Only let your conduct be worthy of the Gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs.
That you may stand fast in one spirit with one mind, striving together for the faith of the Godspel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof, of perdition but to you of salvation, and that from God for to you it has been granted on behalf
Of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now here is in me, so when the world so when the world does not like truth, what do we do do we water it down make it less offensive to the world, no we speak
The truth in in love, we do it in season and out of season, when people love our message, and when they want to persecute us, for the message like call experience, in Philip Philip, I speaking the truth often brings conflict in our lives I'm sure everyone here has had conflicts by
Speaking truth, maybe we didn't have face death. But we face conflict of our own.
Verse, 3, it back in first the Slillians, too, for our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.
Now, Paul mentions 3 things, that their message did not come from it.
Did not come from error literally from the same of error, past spoken truth this the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth right, be be aware of those who teach the word without substance, by Watering it down there is an attack, and we see it all the time, attack on the Word, of God you know the outward, search
Of Jesus Christ. You know many Christian Churches are tampering with the word of God.
Aren't they that Christian Church in America is not only tolerating, sin, but beginning to to celebrate it.
We are losing our our light. We are no longer reflecting the light of our Lord Jesus Christ.
When we start tolerating sin and celebrating it you know it's gotten to the point that the Lord is going to start sending missionaries to the U.S.A. like want us if you check the gospel.
Message of All, the local Churches in Milwaukee.
I'm afraid you will find very few that really understand the Gospel they don't preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified died, for our Sins Buried and rows again.
Instead, you hear about politics, social issues, social justice, condoning of things that the Bible call Sin when the Church of Jesus Christ America not only Condones, him, but begins to celebrate it, we totally lose our witness you know they come together, we come together, in vain, you know religion, is Vanity it's.
Useless. It's all it does is puff up people in their sin.
You know, church, leaders, in religion are nothing more than cheerleaders, for people going to hell that's what they are what a tragedy would an utter waste of time to have a form of godliness, but to deny its power you know the power, of Jesus Christ to transform our lives.
Is something that world can't produce. Jesus Christ transforms us by the renewing of our mind through his word right we need to be in his word
That's how he does it
So Paul's coming was firstly, not an air secondly, it was not an uncleanness.
You know the error of Tolerating false teachings, and towering sin will always lead to uncleanness.
Paul did not have unclean motive in bringing the truth?
Now, what have we heard for the past 50 years here in America, those in positions of authority, instead of protecting the Flack?
What do they do? They take advantage of the flak, use their presence, to take advantage of the youth?
Take Advantage of women for the past 50 years We've heard of instance, after Instance of Church, Leaders who will you who are patterns Church leaders who have affairs with women in the Chat of Church Leaders who Proclaim, themselves, as outwardly homosexual and say it's okay, you know all
these leaders are causing people to stumble. You know the end.
They're taking away the Witness of Jesus Christ in the Church, and by other way.
This is advertising here in America, it's happening everywhere in the world it's like more and more, like we are in the last days and if the Lord does not come soon I think we could very well, see start seeing physical persecution, even here in in our country you know we're getting to the point that
The world thinks a Bible truth, as hate, speech. Do you ever think of that that that the Bible is actually some people consider it hate speech.
And so we need to be ready for that. So Paul did not give exhortation from error, or uncleanness, and then it says, nor was it in deceit, or can be translated in trickery or guyial in gile the word has the meaning of date, or trap you know we don't
Use Deceitful strategies to try, to get people into the church.
Now, there are plenty of churches that do this they lure people for through giving them, things.
Through music, through social, programs, through all types of things and these things are not necessarily bad.
We, love. We it's wonderful to have good music, ministry.
That's a good thing it's good to help the Port to Care for community social needs.
All these things are good. But if these things are the focus of the Church, instead of Jesus Christ and Him, crucifix, if Jesus Christ is not pre eminent in everything that we do it's all meaningless, and these things, can actually become idolatry, in the Church, if they replace Jesus Christ, and him
Crucified, so then, so then verse, 4, but we, but as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak not as pleasing men, but God, who tests our hers okay.
So Paul was approved by got to be entrusted with the gospel.
He received the gospel from the Lord Jesus Himself
And we're exhausted, aren't we?
Also to in Jude, it says, to content, earnestly, for the faith, which was once for all delivered to the saints you know we've been given a to pass it what are we gonna do with it it's a privilege really so Paul received the message from Jesus Christ Himself and
That is, why he was bold in his speech. You know Paul was not a man pleaser.
He was not a man pleaser, but wanted to please God, who tests our heart hearts.
You know, Paul said, he can't even judge his own heart.
Turn with me to first Corinthians, 4 first Corinthians.
Chapter 4,
Risk one to 5,
This is it? Yeah, let a man so consider us as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Moreover, it is required, if this
Oh, yeah. Is required stewards, that one be found faithful.
But with me it is very small thing, that I should be judged by you, or by a human court.
In fact, I do not even judge myself, for I know of nothing against myself.
Yet I am not justified by this, but he who judges me is the Lord.
Therefore judge nothing before the time until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts, then each One's Praise will come, from God, okay.
So the Lord Jesus Himself will determine before his judgment, seat what works of ours are.
Would, he and stubble and what works, are gold, silver, and precious stones.
You know, Paul says stay in Corinthians it goes the chapter before in chapter 3
First Corinthians, chapter, 3, verses 11, starting at 11 for no other Foundation.
Can anyone lay than that which is laid which is Jesus Christ.
Now, if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood Hate and straw, each one's work will become clear for the day, we'll declare it because it will be revealed by fire and that fire, will Test each One's work, of what Sort it is if Anyone's Work which
She has built on it endures he will receive a reward.
If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved.
Yet as through fire, so so God test the hearts, and back in first Thessalonians, he goes and to say in verse, 5, for Nether, at any time did we use flattering words, as you know but nor a cloak of Covetousness, goddess, witness okay, so
Paul, did not use flattering words, flattering words, there are preachers who gain a following by constantly flattering people, beware of such people, that is deceptive, talk and his selfish ants, you know I'm not talking about someone that you know that is thanking you for work, that you do
A work of service, or for a service. You did for another person, you know, they see that and they say, Thank you, that's that's not flattering that's thanking a person, out of a grateful heart, I'm talking about someone who does not have any basis to say anything, nice to you
But oozes with flattery. I'm sure we've all seen people like this.
They ooze with flattery and praise, and they usually do this to gain, a following, and beware of such people, Absalom David's son, is an example of this in the old testament, you know Absalom was such a person, who put himself in Authority first of all
And of leadership in any Uz with flattery, for the people and won their heart stinting out of self-interest turn to second, Samuel 15. Just want to read this, because this is really something, so just see it and learn from it, to not
Do it ourself, but also to be on guard for people like him, second, Samuel 15,
15 versus one to 6, this is Solomon or I not Solomon, Epsilon.
Did I say saw on them before okay, epsilon.
Yeah, so Epsilon, David's son, the tile, this section Absalom's treason.
Okay, so says, in second, Samuel 15, versus, one, after this, it happens that Absalom provide himself with chariots and horses, and 50 men to run before him wow, pretty amazing here, now Absalom would rise early and stand Beside the way, to the gate so it was whenever anyone had a
Lawsuit, who had a loss who came to the king for a decision that absolute Absalom would call to him and say, what city are you from and he would say your servant is from such and such a tribe of Israel then Absalom would say to him look you're cases good and rights but
There is no deputy of the king to hear you moreover absent would say, Oh, that I were made judge in the land.
And everyone who has any suit or case would come to me.
Then I would give him justice, and so it was. Whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, they would put out his hand and take him and kiss him.
Oh, wow! Can you just imagine, I'd like to see a movie about this that'd be sick.
Okay in this manner, absalom acted toward all Israel who who came to the king for judgment.
So absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel, he stole their hearts, and he did it through flattery
Okay, so back in Firstssalonians, so Paul said so in verse 5 again for neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak of covenantness, got as witness so nora Cloak for covetousness you know the word cloak can
also be translated, pretext or cover up. Yeah, Paul didn't come to them in a cover up for a covetousness.
Yeah, this is the church in America isn't it? When you think of it, you know, there are many a pastor, that make their fortune, by the offerings, they demand from their Church no, God, is not against wealth, is he no there's many wealthy Christians, and that's.
Not wrong, but a pastor who does things in ministry, in order, to gain personal wealth, using ministry as a cloak, or cover up for righteousness. This is what we're talking about here, you know there are many mega, Church pastor, who would go on who could go on
Lifestyles of the rich and famous in America. I'm serious.
It! I I've had that opportunity to talk to this young man, that I work with he's in his twenties, and He's been a strange he grew up in that in a Christian church he's, been estranged from the church for this very recent you know his pastor was always begging
For money, begging for money, from the from the for the shirt, for the Church, right, it's for the Church, for God's, work in his messages, and he would drive up in a car that was worth probably 2 Times, the Valley, of the people, of his church's House you know just you know this
Man said that these types of pastors in Milwaukee, so they're all over.
And he says they were porter, just like everyone else.
And they got into ministry and started flashing Money flashing clothes, money and cars and you know, there's a lot of Prosperity, Gospel out, there, you name it claim it, did you ever hear that one name, it, claim it which is actually a cover Up for Covetousness, and Paul's.
Ministry? Was not such. In fact, what was Paul known?
For he was the intent maker, minister, you know.
He received gifts from the churches, but often supplied his own needs.
And sometimes when you got those gifts, you would give to the poor right, but he supplied his needs through working, so that the gospel would not be compromised by people, thinking that his message, was given for financial games and so just some things to think about and then verse 7 or verse.
6 says, Nor did we seek glory. From men either from you, or from others.
When we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.
So Paul wasn't looking for glory and praise from men, even though he could have used his apostleship in such a way, but in Contrast instead of being a glory grabber verse 7.
But we were gentle, I'm on you just as a nursing mother cherishes, her own children.
Now what a beautiful picture of gentleness, isn't it?
How does the mother act with a nursing infant?
Not hurt, they're very jealous. They keep them calm contents.
Shh don't make so much noise, you know, just like they they wanna be quiet with them.
They don't throw them around, or treat them harshly.
They're quiet, and they use a quiet voice, a gentle touch.
And this is how Paul was with them. He was gentle, very gentle, not acting in ways.
That would harm them, pulsal sought to elevate Jesus Christ and at Himself.
Ministry should all be about Jesus, and that about us you know, then verse 8, so affectionately longing for you, we were well, pleased to impart to you, not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear, to us, you know Paul not only gave them the
Gospel but poured out his life for them, the that's only believers were very dear to Paul, very dear to Paul he affectionately longed for them.
You know, when he thought about them, he thanks, the Lord he had the love for for the people, that's how we should have love for one, another, and the people, we minister to verse 9 for you remember brethren, our labor and toil, for laboring night and day that we might not be a
Burden to any of you, we preach, you the gospel of God, Paul reminds him that he worked day and was not a burden stuff I think he's talking here about not being a Financial Burden possibly he worked to Supply, his needs administered to them so we Work, Day and Night during the days, or I
Don't know. Whenever he was he was doing his tenth.
Maybe he was doing that at night, and working with them during the day.
I don't know. But Paul continues with this thought, then in verse 10, he, says you are witness and God also.
How devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you.
Who, believe, yeah, he he reminds them that he wasn't with them.
To take advantage them as advantage of them, as believers, instead of taking advantage of them.
What did Paul do? We see in verse 11, as you know, how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you as a father does his own children, you know so he Paul treated them like they were his own children, you know that's how much care and Godly affection.
He had for the believers in Thessalonica and He exhorted and comforted them.
You know the word has the idea of encouraging and consoling in a particular line of conduct, and then Paul also comforted them, comforted them.
Now, this word has the idea of encouraging to continue in a in a course in a don't give up, you know, and then Paul chose them he soundly charged them.
How it says as a father does his own children. You're not to lord it over them, but being gentle right, and gentle with them, because you want your children to go in the right direction and why did Paul, do this verse 12, that you would walk worthy, of God who calls you into his own kingdom, and
Glory and We're being called recalled into His kingdom and glory you know that's that's the end, you know right now is the Walking by faith, or we're going to God's, kingdom or called into god's, kingdom, and glory all these things.
That we go through right now are temporary and we're gonna be you know, walking in God's kingdom and glory.
That's amazing part one of the believers to walk Worthy of God and his kingdom, let's one final person, I want to look at is Ephesians, for 4 versus, one. To 3.
Where Paul tells them, he says, I therefore efficiency for one to 3.
I therefore the prisoner of the Lord be seats you to walk worthy of the calling which you have, with which you were called you know, he says he's a prisoner, and He's prisoner of the Lord in that state He's saying, walk worthy of the calling which you were with which you
Were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with long suffering, bearing with one, another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit, in the band, of peace and we are called to represent Jesus Christ in this fallen world, we all have a different area that we do this whether it's in
Our homes, in our in our neighborhoods, at our workplace doesn't matter, where all representing Jesus Christ in this fallen world, you know, in a way we're all really in you should think of ourselves, and Feel full time, Christian ministry you really should you know even if we have a job, it
Doesn't matter. We represent Jesus Christ. Wherever we are, and we have to remember that we need to walk worthy of this calling we are ambassadors, for Jesus Christ and let's.
Represent him. Well, you know when people see us hopefully, they develop a desire to know God more through our lives and our testimony, so let me see what time is that and just see if I have a few minutes I had written out a few questions I thought maybe we could talk about okay.
We have a little time yet, so I just wanna we'll see how many of these questions we get to.
But just maybe to get a little discussion going the first one.
Let's see what you have to say. What are some examples in Scripture of Jesus demonstrating gentleness.
You know, we talked about Paul being gentle with them well, our best example is Jesus Christ.
How was Jesus Christ himself, when he was here gentle with people.
Yeah
I was thinking of the same one, too. So he was saying, did everyone hear from Zoom that the woman caught in adultery.
Jesus was gentle, but they were all getting ready to stone, or or what how to oh, you said Heath, that it was without send the first castle, stone and he he then I don't know he was that that is a beautiful example, and they are one?
By one left, didn't they? And then he was there with her
Yeah, that that he was very gentle there, anything else that you can think of Jesus being gentle.
Yeah, Mike, he was very channeled with Peter, as he's from rainy.
Come back down after his Styles why, is that yes.
Yeah, and breakfast included. Yeah, like, yeah, yeah, he was very gentle with Peter, wasn't he
I love that that he touched the lepers, because they would never be touched by anyone. Again he touched them
I think
Yes, alright, that was good. So, what and then 2, it's another question that just came what are ways we, as a local assembly, can guard against accepting the ways.
Of the world, that kind of touched on this, in, in, in this section, what are ways we as a local assembly can guard against accepting the ways of the world, and I'll just tell you, the next question because kind of relates how can we keep from being self-righteous while we contend for
The faith, so I'll start with the first, because when we guard against it, we can sometimes get self right, just too.
So we get a guard. So what do you think for the first one, what are ways.
We can guard against accepting the ways of the world. Yes, right, teaching the whole concept of God that's right, not shying away from certain parts, you know sometimes people wanna hear what they're itching years, you know wanna hear that just speaking, the whole Council, I like that not Sighing away.
From what the word of God says.
Anything else.
About not Compromising Barrel Personal Lives, Umhm, that's right okay.
So no compromise, yeah starts with ours in our own personal life.
Yeah, but those on zoom. He says, might say that again, not compromising.
In our own personal walk.
Yes,
We look at culture, rewards, that are going on you're not alright, one of those that's right to to choose one or choose the other.
And if we, do that and we might support that team on things where it's a violation
Yeah, that's right.
Yeah, that's right it's not that's
Okay, Matt.
I'm mad to hear. Yes, we we need to know the Word of God.
So we don't won't be disused.
Exactly.
If we don't know the word of God is is it to be deceived by the one
That's right. Very good. Point. We need to know the word of God.
Yes.
So it needs to be proclaimed in the our church, and and we need to study it.
So we know what it says
And we need to be very honest to check with the world of God.
This is true
Yes, hmm, hmm, I check.
Yes.
Is that you said bereans right. Yeah, bereans, that's.
What I, thought, you said, eyes looking up, when people, say, something from the word of Guy.
We we we check to see if it matches up with what the word of God says the whole Council. Look at
Sometimes you sound through, but it's not
That's right. Yeah.
Thanks, Matt, okay. And then that the third question, I had.
How can we keep from being self-righteous while we contend for the faith.
How can we keep from becoming self righteous while we contend for the faith
Yes. Ray, so I think as a maturing price.
We get much more.
That's right. We love, because we've been forgiven much.
And yeah, yeah. Never forgetting what the Lord Jesus Christ has saved us.
From you know our own personal testimony, and how the Lord has is so merciful to us.
And so you know take the plank out of our own.
I then we see clearly to take the spec out of someone else's eye, anything else ways to keep from being self, righteous
We're, following, we Need Him. All the time, okay, Umhm, excellent, okay, and then The last question I had was, should we avoid talking about certain Topics in order to Shield, ourselves. From persecution.
Yeah, so yeah, we speak the truth and love and why is this serpent's homeless stuff.
Yeah, Paul definitely, didn't, avoid talking about certain topics, he that that's why I got persecuted all the time.
And you think of Noah, he was a preacher of righteousness in the midst of all that evil I mean a 100.
Was it a 120 years that he built the Eric.
I'm sure he had a chance to talk to people while he was building the Eric
So any other thoughts or about anything that we Dr. About
Alright well, we close in prayer and then we'll have it.
Prayer Requests, heavenly father we thank you for the things that we looked at this evening, and Lord, we we thank you for delivering us from your eternal judgment, and Lord there may come times that we have to endure hardship for for the things we believe about you
but Lord you entered so much for us, and thank you for for for giving us freedom in in you, Lord Jesus that we can walk in newness of life, and without fear, and with all boldness, in your your word, and we do just thank you for this time and your word and pray that
we would have that love for one, another, tenderness and gentleness, that harshness, and and to bear one another's burdens, and as we wait for your Return, Lord and we look forward to seeing you face to face some Day and we know that will happen, and we pray these
things thanking you for this time in your word. we pray this, is Jesus, name Amen.