1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 | Means and Ends

1Thessalonians 2: 1-12 Means and Ends

Setting:

• We live in a culture where, “the ends justify the means”.
• What about God’s Kingdom? We will see that God’s Kingdom is different. In God’s Kingdom the paramount concern is the “means”, and God is always in charge of the “ends”.

Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away. Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life. The one who conquers will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son. But the cowards, faithless, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars ​— ​their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” — Revelation 21:3-8 (CSB)

EXPECTATIONS AND BEHAVIOR:

1. Expect .

Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. — 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (CSB)

This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come — Matthew 24:14 (CSB)

2. Expect .

You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” — John 16:33 (CSB)

You will be hated by everyone because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to another. For truly I tell you, you will not have gone through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. A disciple is not above his teacher, or a slave above his master. It is enough for a disciple to become like his teacher and a slave like his master. If they called the head of the house ‘Beelzebul,’ how much more the members of his household! — Matthew 10:22-25 (CSB)

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. — Ephesians 6:12 (CSB)

3. Our are important.

* Exhorting

* Pure

* Truthful

* Not to please man

* Never manipulating

* Never self-seeking

Why don’t you understand what I say? Because you cannot listen to my word. You are of your father the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies. — John 8:43-44 (CSB)

No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear. And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by him for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. — Ephesians 4:29-31 (CSB)

4. We have been given of the Gospel.

For if we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion, that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised. –– 2 Corinthians 5:13-15 (CSB)

5. Our is important.

* Gentle

Tell Daughter Zion, “See, your King is coming to you, gentle, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” — Matthew 21:5 (CSB)

* Caring

* Laboring

* Devout

* Righteous

* Blameless

* Encouraging

* Comforting

* Imploring

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. — 1Corinthians 16:13 ESV

“There are five Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the Christian. Most people will never read the first four.”— Rodney “Gipsy” Smith

GROW GROUP QUESTIONS:

1. Have you seen spiritual results in your life? What areas would you like to grow more?

2. How is your behavior and speech compared to the list in the text?

3. What influences in your life lead you away from these behaviors?

4. Are you interested in learning how to share your faith?

https://www.theword121.com/how-it-works

https://www.theword121.com/prepare

https://vimeo.com/showcase/10798358/video/277623654