1 Thes.

The Christian who is expecting the return of Christ has no room for:

 

1.  Idols in his heart (1:9-10)

 

2.  Slackness in his service (2:9, 19)

 

3.  Divisions is his fellowship (3:12-13)

 

4.  Depression in his mind (4:13-18)

 

5.  Sin in his life (5:23)

 

 

1 Thes. 3:4

Trials form a necessary discipline in our life:

 

1.  They prove the reality of our faith, and weed out those who are mere professors (1 Pet. 1:7)

 

2.  They enable us to comfort and encourage others who are going through trials (2 Cor. 1:4)

 

3.  They develop certain graces, such as endurance, in our character (Rom. 5:3)

 

4.  They make us more zealous in spreading the gospel (Acts 4:29; 5:27-29; 8:3-4)

 

5.  They help to remove the dross from our lives (Job 23:10)

 

 

2 Thes. 3:1&2

The Elements of Prayer Support

 

Intro.:  During Desert Storm, Iraq's forces were finally brought to their knees by one hundred hours of ground fighting.  But domination of the skies was necessary prior to the ground war.  The allied forces relied heavily on air support

            Pray is in the present-imperative.  No spiritual battle is ever won today without "Prayer Support."

 

1.  Pray for Forward Movement--"That the Word may have free course"

            -The Power

                        -tou kuriou

                        -Acts 16:16 ff

                        -Acts 19:13 ff

            -The Pace

                        -trech

                        -LXX:  the running of a warrior in battle

                        -Hebrews 12:1&2

                        -The Lord's prophets are His runners

            -Normandy/Chesty Puller/etc. (draw map)

 

2.  Pray for Campaign Success--"That the Word may be glorified"

            -The Prestige

                        -doxazhtai-to have a good opinion of

                        -It is God Who spreads the gospel and brings it to success

            -The Pattern

                        -kaqwV--as in your case

                        -2 Thes. 1:3&4

            -Desert Storm--Marines and Schwartzkopf (draw map; everyone did their job so that Bush could take his bow.)

 

3.  Pray for Search and Rescue--"That we may be delivered"

            -C-130 flare crew

            -The Help

                        -rusqwmen (John 17:14)-to rescue or deliver

                        -it's OK to ask for help (Heb. 10:25)

            -The Hindrance

                        -atopwn-out of place; unbecoming

                        -"unreasonable"

                        -ponhrwn-base; worthless

                        -Fran Brown's husband killed in Peru, etc.

 

Conclusion:  Pray for forward movement, campaign success, and search and rescue.  For without "Prayer Support" the battle cannot be won.  Read Missionary prayer letters.