While I’m Waiting (Week 18 – Final Week) 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18 “A Father’s Advice”
While I’m Waiting (Week 18 - Final Week) 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18 “A Father’s Advice”
Introduction
Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the Name of our LORD Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister who is idle and does not live according to the tradition received from us. 2 Thessalonians 3:6
Just this past week, I decided that we needed a picnic table in our backyard. When all of our kids come over for a visit, we like to cook out and sit outside together. So, we needed a pretty good-sized table to accommodate all of us. Rather than purchase so a large table, I decided to build it myself. That way I would be ensured of getting the exact dimensions that I wanted. I found some pictures online that were similar to what I wanted, but, of course, no plans. So I had to figure up all of the particulars on my own.
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- 04/25/2021While I’m Waiting (Week 18 – Final Week) 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18 “A Father’s Advice”
While I’m Waiting (Week 18 – Final Week) 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18 “A Father’s Advice”While I’m Waiting (Week 18 - Final Week) 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18 “A Father’s Advice”IntroductionNow we command you, brothers and sisters, in the Name of our LORD Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister who is idle and does not live according to the tradition received from us. 2 Thessalonians 3:6Just this past week, I decided that we needed a picnic table in our backyard. When all of our kids come over for a visit, we like to cook out and sit outside together. So, we needed a pretty good-sized table to accommodate all of us. Rather than purchase so a large table, I decided to build it myself. That way I would be ensured of getting the exact dimensions that I wanted. I found some pictures online that were similar to what I wanted, but, of course, no plans. So I had to figure up all of the particulars on my own.
- 04/18/2021While I’m Waiting (Week 17) 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 “Pray For Us”
While I’m Waiting (Week 17) 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 “Pray For Us”
While I’m Waiting (Week 17) 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 “Pray For Us”
IntroductionBut when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father Who is in secret. And your Father Who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:6Prayer: it is the most powerful thing that a Christian possesses, and yet, it is seldom utilized to its full potential. Jesus gave His life on the cross, so that our connection with God The Father could be reestablished, and once again, we could go to Him in prayer and instantly be heard. And yet, when you ask Believers what area of their Christian walk is the most lacking, most will honestly answer that it is in their prayer life. The Bible is filled with examples of prayers to help us understand just how this works. I personally believe that if a church gets its praying right, then it will see a wondrous work of God in its midst. Prayer is the key to it all, when it comes to being an effective servant of Christ. - 04/11/2021While I’m Waiting (Week 16) 2 Thessalonians 2:7-17 “Satan’s Final Push”
While I’m Waiting (Week 16) 2 Thessalonians 2:7-17 “Satan’s Final Push”IntroductionFor the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the One now restraining will do so until He is out of the way, and then the lawless one will be revealed. The LORD Jesus will destroy him with the breath of His mouth and will bring him to nothing at the appearance of His coming. 2 Thessalonians 7-8As we discussed previously in our study of the first portion of Chapter 2, The Spirit of God has, up to this point, been restraining the antichrist from making his final appearance on the scene. But there will come a day, when “the One Who” is holding him at bay will be taken out of the way. In other words, The Holy Spirit will allow the evil schemes of Satan to run unchecked upon this world. The restraining influence of The Spirit will be lifted so to speak, and the devil will be allowed to do his worst
- 03/20/2021While I’m Waiting (Week 15) 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8 Revelation 6:1-7 “The Restrainer”
While I’m Waiting (Week 15) 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8 Revelation 6:1-7 “The Restrainer”While I’m Waiting (Week 15) 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8 Revelation 6:1-7 “The Restrainer”As we continue our study of 2 Thessalonians, we can see that the church there had been given some bad information by false teachers. This was nothing new to Paul, for he had fought against this his entire ministry. It seemed that everywhere he went, there were those who would come along behind him and try to undo all that he had taught. The Thessalonians had received a letter claiming to be from the apostles, saying Paul had been mistaken in his previous teaching, and that the day of The LORD actually had already arrived. They were, therefore, terrified that they had missed the “parousia” (presence, or rapture of the Church) and were afraid.
- 03/13/2021While I’m Waiting (Week 14) 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 “Walk Worthy”
While I’m Waiting (Week 14) 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 “Walk Worthy”While I’m Waiting (Week 14) 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 “Walk Worthy”IntroductionWill not God grant justice to His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay helping them? I tell you that He will swiftly grant them justice. Nevertheless, when The Son of Man comes, will He find that faith on earth? Luke 18:7-8 After Paul reminded the Thessalonians that God would set things right when Jesus is revealed to this fallen world in all His glory, He continued by telling them how he prayed for them as they awaited that glorious day. God will make certain that His children shall one day see His justice brought down upon those who have caused their suffering. When Jesus returns in His splendor, He will glorify those who have believed in Him and pour out His wrath upon those who have caused one of His “little ones” to stumble (Matthew 18:6). Justice is coming with the return of Christ. Rest assured. So the only thing that we need to do in the meantime is ready ourselves for that day.
- 03/07/2021While I’m Waiting (Week 13) 2 Thessalonians 1:1-10 “When Christ Sets Things Right”
While I’m Waiting (Week 13) 2 Thessalonians 1:1-10 “When Christ Sets Things Right”While I’m Waiting (Week 13) 2 Thessalonians 1:1-10 “When Christ Sets Things Right”Introduction I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world. John 16:33 A few months after Paul had written his first epistle to the Thessalonians, he sent a second. For it seems that there was still a great deal of confusion regarding some of the questions and concerns that the church had expressed to Timothy, when he came to see about them. Paul wanted to make certain that the church remained on solid footing, when it came to their doctrine, so he quickly dispatched another letter to address their concerns and clarify any misconceptions.
- 02/28/2021While I’m Waiting (Week 12) 1 Thessalonians 5:19-28 “The To-Do List… Conclusion”
While I’m Waiting (Week 12) 1 Thessalonians 5:19-28 “The To-Do List… Conclusion”While I’m Waiting (Week 12) 1 Thessalonians 5:19-28 “The To-Do List… Conclusion”Introduction Now may The God of peace Himself sanctify you completely. And may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ. He Who calls you is faithful; He will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 As we come to the close of Paul’s first letter to the church at Thessalonica, we see that he was reminding them to follow the direction of The Holy Spirit in all things. In fact, it was with this admonition that he concluded his “to-do” list for the church. Paul wanted to be certain that the great work of The Spirit that had begun in the city was not hindered in any fashion. For you see, apart from the Holy Spirit, the church was/is just another social club. It is only by God’s Spirit that anything of lasting significance shall be accomplished. As Christ Himself has warned us:
- 02/20/2021While I’m Waiting (Week 11) 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “The To-Do List… Part Two”
While I’m Waiting (Week 11) 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “The To-Do List… Part Two”While I’m Waiting (Week 11) 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “The To-Do List… Part Two”IntroductionBut you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9As we have previously discussed, when Paul closes out his letter to the Thessalonians, he gives them an extensive “to-do list”. The first section of the list tells us how we are to love and be patient with one another. The child of God, who has been filled with The Spirit of God, will naturally love. In fact, when we read the lists of The Spirit’s “fruit” that will be manifested in every believer, love tops the list.
- 02/06/2021While I’m Waiting (Week 10) 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 “The To-do List… Part One”
While I’m Waiting (Week 10) 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 “The To-do List… Part One”While I’m Waiting (Week 10) 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 “The To-do List… Part One”Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9 As we have learned the course of this study, The church at Thessalonica was only a few months old when Paul wrote them his first epistle. He had not been able to stay there with them as long as he would have liked. And that, I believe, is the reason that he so carefully prepared this letter for them. He wanted to make sure that he was perfectly clear about everything so that those who had not been brought up on sound doctrine all their lives would be able to completely understand what he was telling them.
- 01/30/2021While I’m Waiting (Week 9) 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 “As Different as Night and Day”
While I’m Waiting (Week 9) 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 “As Different as Night and Day”While I’m Waiting (Week 9) 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 “As Different as Night and Day”This week's message will contrast how the end will be for Believers (the children of light)as opposed to non-believers (children of darkness). Highlighting the differences in how We (God's Children) are awake, they are asleep; We are sober, and they are drunk; We are not appointed to wrath, but the wrath of God remains upon them (John 3:36)
- 01/23/2021While I’m Waiting (Week 8) 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 “We Believe in The Rapture”
While I’m Waiting (Week 8) 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 “We Believe in The Rapture”
While I’m Waiting (Week 8) 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 “We Believe in The Rapture”
Believers Often need to be reminded that we do not simply have faith in Jesus, but by the power of The Spirit, we are placed IN Jesus! And as such, we are inseparable from the Love of God (Romans 8:35). Paul says, "encourage one another with these simple truths, that we believe:1. Christ died to save us. 2. Christ lives to Keep us. 3. Christ is coming back to take us.Join us to hear God's message delivered by Pastor Scott Childs this Sunday at 10:30. - 01/17/2021While I’m Waiting (Week 7) 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 “A Closer Walk”
While I’m Waiting (Week 7) 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 “A Closer Walk”Introduction Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the LORD requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 When God gave the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, He knew that we would never be able to live up to the standard set by them in our own human weakness. In fact, very shortly after The List was given to the people, a man was executed for picking up sticks to build his fire on the Sabbath (Numbers 15:32-36). He had blatantly disregarded The Law, and therefore, displayed his own contempt for the Word of God just days after he had been instructed to obey! It is the sinful nature of man to disobey God. And we must always remember that it is not The Commands that save us. No. It is by Commands that we are made aware that we NEED saving. As a privacy courtesy, our live feed of the Sunday service will no longer show the prayer before worship. We respect everyone's privacy, and while some are willing to share freely with the church, they may not wish to have those requests known to everyone. Therefore if you would like to have a request posted on our page please, Message the page or email us at freedomgreenevillelive@gmail.com You can also see Cameron Abelseth before or after the service. Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We love you all and may God bless you.
- 01/10/2021While I’m Waiting (Week 6) 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 “A Prayer For The Church”
While I’m Waiting (Week 6) 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 “A Prayer For The Church”While I’m Waiting (Week 6) 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 “A Prayer For The Church”Introduction
Now may our God and Father Himself, and our LORD Jesus, direct our way to you.
And may The LORD cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another
and for everyone, just as we do for you. May He make your hearts blameless in
holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our LORD Jesus with all His
saints. Amen. 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13At the beginning of every year in our church, we serve communion to families individually, and we
pray together for their specific needs. It is actually my favorite thing that we do here at Freedom
Fellowship, for it, gives me, as your pastor, the opportunity to pray with each of you and get to know you
on a more personal level. Nothing will unite a church more than praying together and lifting up one
another’s burdens before the throne of God. I believe that it is vital that believers love and pray for one
another, but I also believe that believers should be constantly in prayer for the LORD’S guidance and
provision for the church.
Prayer is the most powerful weapon that a believer possesses, and this is the reason that we are
commanded in scripture to be in a constant state of communication with God. - 11/22/2020While I’m Waiting (Week 5) 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:10 “Thank God”
While I’m Waiting (Week 5) 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:10 “Thank God”While I’m Waiting (Week 5) 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:10 “Thank God”IntroductionHow can we thank God for you in return for all the joy we experience before our God because of you, as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face and to complete what is lacking in your faith? 1 Thessalonians 3:9-10What a joy it must have been for the Thessalonian Church when they received their first correspondence from the Apostle Paul! After all, he had only been with them a very short while before he had been run out of town. After his departure, wicked men came in and tried to discredit him by casting doubt upon his motives for coming to Thessalonica in the first place. Paul was used to this kind of persecution and would have never left the city, had it not been for his concern for Jason, the Jewish convert who had so kindly allowed Paul and his companions to stay with him. You see, the city officials had forced Jason to put up collateral that would be seized if Paul remained in Thessalonica. Not to mention the fact that Jason more than likely would have been arrested for harboring “criminals”.As a result, Paul and his companions departed much earlier than they had intended, all the while consumed with concern that the fledgling church that they had planted would not survive in the face of such tremendous opposition. But God… is faithful. It is HE, and He alone, that always finishes what He begins. I cannot help but wonder if seeing God complete the work in Thessalonica without Paul’s assistance was the catalyst that would strengthen the apostle’s own faith and enable him to write these words years later in his letter to the church at Philippi.I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6
- 11/14/2020While I’m Waiting (Week 4) 1 Thessalonians 2:13- 16 “The Power of The Word”
While I’m Waiting (Week 4) 1 Thessalonians 2:13- 16 “The Power of The Word”While I’m Waiting (Week 4) 1 Thessalonians 2:13- 16 “The Power of The Word”Abram believed The LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:6 Just this past week, I was contacted by a dear friend in the faith, who called me up for some advice. It seems that she, in her current position in life, finds herself surrounded by atheists from every possible direction. She is under a constant barrage of attacks upon her Christian beliefs. She does not want to shirk from her responsibilities as a believer to witness to those who are persecuting her. But she is struggling with maintaining her composer in the face of such verbal attacks. Her question to me was simple: “How can I continue to witness to these people without losing my temper?” I had to stop and ask God how to answer. After a quick moment of prayer for discernment, I suggested to her that she try a new approach. When they come to you and in their normal argumentative fashion attack you with their secular humanistic nonsense, listen politely until they have finished. After they are through beating you down with their ridiculous beliefs, ask them this simple question in a polite tone of voice; “May I tell you now what I believe?” If their answer is “No", then politely walk away. But if they say “Yes”, then begin your reply with, “The Bible says…”. After you say this, quote from the scriptures and then explain what those scriptures mean. Why did I tell her to approach them in this manner? Because our words alone have no power in them, but God’s word does, my friends. The word of God is packed with wonder-working power. The word in Greek that Paul uses to describe the working of God’s Word is “energeo” (pronounced en-ergeh’- o), and it is where we derive our word “energy” from. When God talks, there is immense power in His Words. That is why believing in what He tells us empowers us to be saved in the first place.
- 11/07/2020While I’m Waiting (Week 3) 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 “The Marks of a True Pastor”
While I’m Waiting (Week 3) 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 “The Marks of a True Pastor”
While I’m Waiting (Week 3) 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 “The Marks of a True Pastor”
You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly, righteously, and blamelessly we
conducted ourselves with you believers. 1 Thessalonians 2:10
In the first section of his letter to the Church at Thessalonica, Paul reminds the people of just how
he knows that their fellowship there is a work of The Holy Spirit and not of men. He knew that they were
the genuine article, because of the evidence that came as a result of their conversion.
We recall, in the presence of our God and Father, your work produced by FAITH,
your labor motivated by LOVE, and your endurance inspired by HOPE in our LORD
Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:3 (emphasis added)
You see, it was their faith, hope, and love that identified them as true believers. Their witness,
that came as a result of these three things, was in itself living proof that God had done a mighty work in
the city of Thessalonica. In spite of severe pressure and persecution, the church had “kept the faith”, as it
went about boldly proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ.
Contrary to what some may think, it is not the work of the church to change the government, enforce
the law, or right every wrong in society. Paul did not journey to Thessalonica in order to bring about some
social change or right some societal wrong. He went there to plant a church! Our commission is to
MAKE DISCIPLES, wherever we go. The more people that we win to Christ, the better the place in which
we live will become. As I am writing this, I cannot help but be saddened by the state of America today. It
has become a haunt for every demonic spirit imaginable. We will not solve this tragedy by voting for the
right politician. The state of our nation can only be made right by genuine remorse for our sin and
humbly turning to God in repentance. - 10/24/2020While I’m Waiting (Week 2) 1 Thessalonians 1:5b-10 “We’ll Work ‘Til Jesus Comes”
While I’m Waiting (Week 2) 1 Thessalonians 1:5b-10 “We’ll Work ‘Til Jesus Comes”
Introduction Therefore, we don’t need to say anything, for they themselves report what kind of reception we had from you: 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 — Jesus, Who rescues us from the coming wrath. 1 Thessalonians 1:8b-10 Have you ever wondered what you would do if you knew for a fact that Jesus was coming back this afternoon? I imagine that folk's plans for the day would change dramatically, if they knew. Some would spend the day in constant prayer, repenting for the things that they should not have done, and for not doing the things that they should have done. Others would immediately pick up the phone and try to witness to those lost friends, neighbors, or relatives in the hope that they would receive Christ, before it’s too late. Still others would, more than likely, ignore the news altogether and just go living as normal. But the question is; what would you do?
- 10/03/2020While I’m Waiting (Week 1) 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5a “How Can I know if it’s Real”
While I’m Waiting (Week 1) 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5a “How Can I know if it’s Real”
While I’m Waiting (Week 1) 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5a “How Can I know if it’s Real”
Introduction There are lots of religious people out there, and amongst them, plenty of false teachers to go around. The doctrines we hear are as diverse as snowflakes, it seems. There are many who “claim” to be Christian, but their actions prove those claims to be false. So, just how can you tell if someone is “real” or not? This would seem to me to be an important question, as we live in these perilous times. After all, we are commanded in Scripture to avoid that which is false. So, wouldn’t it be important to separate truth from falsehood in order to be able to avoid those who would lead us astray? I believe so. And so did the Apostles of Christ.Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out in the world. 1 John 4:1And also:Now I urge you brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them, because such people do not serve our LORD Christ but their own appetites. They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words. Romans 16:17-18
