As we open to I Thessalonians 5, there is one tool God left us above all others that is ours alone to use. We are not forced, we are not obligated, we are just offered the single greatest source of unleashing spiritual power through our lives.
And what is that tool we can take or leave each day? It is the tool that keeps us connected to God, His Word, His plan, His power, and His Presence—the choice we make to talk to Him in prayer!
ZNA-452 890108AM INTRODUCTION TO FIRST THESSALONIANS Welcome again to our study of the epistle of first Thessalonians. We noted as we began our study last Sunday evening 3 things: 1. FIRST, it is EARLY – probably the third of 27 NT books. After First James [45] and Galations [48]. 2. SECOND,IT IS SPECIFIC – It […]
ZNA-448 890122AM “GRACE AND PEACE” I THESSALONIANS 1:1 It is amazing to watch the transfer of power of the greatest political force on earth this week. But 20 centuries ago an even greater power transformed lives. What a thrill to begin this morning plunging into this most special epistle! Paul as he writes is consumed […]
ZNA-447 890129AM THANKS TO GOD I THESSALONIANS 1:2-5 As we come to the middle of this first chapter in v.2-5 we find the theme of the present hope of salvation supported by this section “The Reception of the Gospel”. Their reception demonstrated that hope. Paul told them to live a life holy before Christ’s return […]
ZNA-388 900114AM CHRIST’S COMING I Thessalonians 1 Join me in a place 1900 years ago – Thessalonica… Bustling Seaport City Crossroad of Commerce Astride Egnatian Way Key city of travel Modern and Cosmolitan Cicero called it “The Lap of Roman Empire” It was not only a great city but a vital, growing and loving church […]
ZNA-380 900225AM Take God at His Word Exhortations for Blameless Living #3 I Thessalonians 2:13 As we look for Paul’s blueprint for Blameless Living, turn to Acts 17:1-9 to give us the introduction to this third of Paul’s powerful exhortations. Paul walks to Thessalonia from Philippi: Walks 30 miles to Amphipolis 30 more miles to […]
ZNA-385 900204AM Exhortations for Blameless Living #2 Walk Worthy of God I Thessalonians 2:12 Turn to Heb. 11:2,4,5,39 A life that speaks. Alive or dead…How dowe live in a way each day that prepares us for the unexpected COMING [return] or CALLING [our death] of our Lord Jesus Christ? If he called you home or […]
ZNA-378 900304AM COMMUNION TAKING GOD AT HIS WORD I Thessalonians 2:13 Paul wrote these dear new saints… they were to be commended… In fact, he “gives thanks” – EUXARISTED – 3 times for them. 1. FIRST – [1:2] He gives thanks for “you” – them as trophies of grace saved, changed, headed in the right […]
ZNA-377 900304PM TAKING GOD AT HIS WORD I Thessalonians 2:13 Part #3 Taking God at His Word is a challenge. • For ADONIRUM JUDSON it meant leaving his home, seeing no results for years, sweltering in prison… but then God moved. • For JIM ELLIOTT it meant leaving the popularity and comforts of Bible School […]
ZNA-376 900311AM MEASURING LIFE BY CHRIST’S COMING I Thessalonians 2:19-20 In the height of WW-II as the intensity of conflict produced incredible bravery as well as intense suffering – an incident took place in the Pacific theater of warfare – details sketchy: Navy Pilot on a mission fought, plane hit, went down. The next day, […]
ZNA-329 910714PM HOLY LIVING IN AN UNHOLY WORLD I THESS 5:1-11 When the gospel came to Thess. it was on the lips of a 45 year old man. Born in Tarsus 6 years after Christ, he was born again on the road to Damascus 27 years later. Paul the Apostle knew what needed to be […]
ZNA-317 910908PM Our family obligation to our shared worship I Thessalonians 5:19-22 Part Four “Quench” – Portrays Holy Spirit as fire Isaiah 4:4 Acts 2:3 Rev. 4:5 Think: Fire portrays: Purity, power, light, warmth & destruction. When Holy Spirit working ina persons heart and church He is- 5) Warmth of Love in hearts – Rom. […]
ZNA-172 940410AM INSIGHTS FOR HOLY LIVING: PART TWO I THESSALONIANS 4:1-8 Have you ever wanted to take all the wonderful truth of the Bible you hear on Sundays and Wednesdays and see it in your everday life at work, school, home and so on? Paul writes just how to do that in First Thessalonians chapter […]
ZNA-170 940417AM INSIGHTS FOR HOLY LIVING I THESSALONIANS 4:1-8 PART THREE: CHRISTIAN LIBERTY What is the difference between legalism and Christian Liberty? Let’s define some terms: • Legalism Galatians 2:16. • Libertine I John 2:1-17; 3:3. • Externalism Mt. 6:2-4; 23:5-6. The first century church was faced with this conflict. On one hand was the […]
ZNA-161 940605AM I TH 4.1-8 p. 10 Mind-8 INSIGHTS FOR HOLY LIVING I THESSALONIANS 4:1-8 PART EIGHT: THE CHRISTIAN MIND: BEWARE OF DANGERS Open to Hebrews 12:14: The reality of ones eternal destiny hinges upon the truth of that a radical conversion has started in their very own mind and it is radiating outward to […]
081109PM WNS-8 Rapture.doc WNS-39 Seven Big Events on God’s Calendar for Earth: #1 The Rapture I Thessalonians 4:17-18 Jesus enclosed a snapshot of what life on earth was like–just before He touched down on the Mt. of Olives, the Ground Zero of His Second Coming[1]. Those snapshots are in Matthew. So please open with […]
980111pm WFJ-34 I THESSALONIANS 5:15-28 “LIVING IN GOD’S FAMILY ” 57-34 Imagine you are sitting down to eat a very special family meal. Say, Thanksgiving dinner. That’s not too hard seeihow we just did so 6 weeks ago. But picture these folks around the table: a lifelong Irish Catholic IRA terrorist escaped from Dublin prison […]
971228PM WFJ-33 1TH5.12-15 I THESSALONIANS 5:12-15 “LIVING IN GOD’S FAMILY ” It’s true. Nothing, absolutely1 nothing on this earth is more important to us when the chips are down than the members of our family. Do everything possible to cultivate those relationships. Author, J. Allan Petersen, writing on this very subject, tells of a traumatic […]
971207PM WFJ-32 57.32 END OF DAYS I THESSALONIANS 5:1-11 “HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE END OF THE WORLD” God’s preview of what the end of the world may look like was perhaps best captured in the terrors of WWII. Have you ever thought about the events surrounding the manniacal and demonized reign of Adolph Hitler? […]
971130pm WFJ-31 BUILDING A HEALTHY BODY – TEN WAYS I THESSALONIANS 4:18 One thing for sure, the early church knew how to be comforting and encouraging one another. They faced such a hostile world united against them, they had no where to turn but to God and no one to lean on but each other! […]
971116pm WFJ-30 “Comforting One Another” I Thessalonians 4:18 57-30 Today you and I each spoke an enormous number of words. Talking at normal speeds through a normal day our words would fill a 150 Page Book. In just one years talk we have produced 132 X 400 Page Books! Jesus said in Matthew 12:36-37 “But […]
971019pm WFJ-29 57.27 Snatched up Caught up to be with Christ I Thessalonians 4:13-18 I Thessalonians Sermon Series # 27 On March 9, 19791, nine satellites stationed at various points in the solar system simultaneously recorded a bizarre event deep in space. It was, in fact, the most powerful burst of energy ever recorded. Astronomers […]
971102pm WFJ-28 Rapture 101: When Jesus Returns I Thessalonians 4:13-14 The climax of all human history is coming. The purposes of God long hidden in His eternal counsels are now made clear. Jesus will soon step back into history, no longer the suffering servant, He is Lord of All. Look closely as God pulls back […]
971019pm WFJ-27 57.27 Snatched up Caught up to be with Christ I Thessalonians 4:13-18 I Thessalonians Sermon Series # 27 On March 9, 19791, nine satellites stationed at various points in the solar system simultaneously recorded a bizarre event deep in space. It was, in fact, the most powerful burst of energy ever recorded. Astronomers […]
970914PM WFJ-25 HOW TO REALLY LOVE ONEANOTHER I THESSALONIANS 4:9-10 Read I Th. 4:9-12. In God’s book a lack of love is the worst situation a person could enter. In fact, God considers loveless living much worse than things we consider repugnant. Love is critical to God, a lack of it is fatal. In Ezekiel […]
970907PM WFJ-24 I Th4.5-8 Xian Mind HOW TO HAVE A CHRISTIAN MIND I THESSALONIANS 4:5-8 Do you have a Christian mind? Did you know that researchers say that the average human mind thinks over 10,000 thoughts each day. What you do with all those thoughts will shape your Christian mind! The start of all spiritual […]
970720pm WFJ-23 LIVING PURITY I THESSALONIANS 4:1-8 The city of Thessalonica is a thriving city – the second largest in Greece today. In Paul’s day that meant lots of temptations for the eyes, the mind, and the flesh. What did he prescribe? Abstinence from anything that feeds the lust. What would he say to us […]
970608PM WFJ-22 Exploding Myths that make us miserable Myth # 1 THE MYTH OF LUST: YOU ONLY GO AROUND ONCE SO GO FOR THE GUSTO! I THESSALONIANS 4:1-8 Researchers have found that even in the world of nature the myth persists that bigger is better. One group of scientists made a cardboard version of a […]
970601PM WFJ-21 I Thes. 3:11-13 “How to have a Quake-Proof Life? Trust your Father!” Seven steps to confident living EARTHQUAKES. The total instability of things counted upon as stable is an earthquake. Life is filled with earthquakes. In a non-geological way we could say, our lives have tremors, quakes and shocks and aftershocks, don’t they? […]
970518PM WFJ-20 I Thessalonians 3:11-13 “How to have a Quake-Proof Life? Trust your Father!” EARTHQUAKES… The most awesome release of energy on our planet. One quake can rival all atomic weaponry combined. Yet 20,000 times each day the earthquakes somewhere on the planet. . . . When we lived in California earthquakes became a way […]
970511PM WFJ-19 52.19 SPARE TIME THOUGHTS OF A FULL-TIME PAUL: HOW TO TURN SPARE TIME INTO GOLD I THESSALONIANS 2:17 – 3:10 PART TWO We have learned that the theme of this book is EXPECTANT LIVING – A life awaiting Christ that pleases Him. In 5 chapters Paul gives the five aspects of this kind […]
970413PM WFJ-18 SPARE TIME THOUGHTS OF A FULL-TIME PAUL I THESSALONIANS 2:17 – 3:10 We have learned that the theme of this book is EXPECTANT LIVING – A life awaiting Christ that pleases Him. In 5 chapters Paul gives the five aspects of this kind of living. 1. Ch. 1 – It starts by being […]
970406PM WFJ-17 “HABITS OF (HIGHLY USEFUL SERVANTS OF GOD #6) A PASSION FOR CHRIST’S COMING I THESS 2:8 (52-17) What are you doing in your life that will last forever? The stock market fluctuates, real estate bottoms out, companies down size, federal funding dries up, houses wear out, bodies get sick, minds fail . . […]
970316PM WFJ-16 LOVE OF GOD First Thessalonians 2:8 Tonight as you turn to 1 Thessalonians 2:8 We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. (NIV). Let’s contrast that love with the […]
970302pm WFJ-15 “HABITS OF HIGHLY USEFUL SERVANTS OF GOD #5: LOVE FIRST THESS 2:7 (52-14) I. A Brief survey of Paul’s Life. A. He was born about AD 4. B. He was born again or saved at about age 28. In AD 32 (Acts 9) records this event with all the excitement of angry citizens, […]
970302pm WFJ-14 “HABITS OF HIGHLY USEFUL SERVANTS OF GOD #5: LOVE FIRST THESS 2:7 (52-14) I. A Brief survey of Paul’s Life. A. He was born about AD 4. B. He was born again or saved at about age 28. In AD 32 (Acts 9) records this event with all the excitement of angry citizens, […]
970209PM WFJ-13 “HABITS OF HIGHLY USEFUL SERVANTS OF GOD #4: THE HABIT OF LOVE FIRST THESS 2:7 (52-13) William James, in his classic Principles of Psychology, put it this way: Could the young but realize how soon they will become mere walking bundles of habits, they would give more heed to their conduct while in […]
970119PM WFJ-12 Humility .DOC “HABITS OF HIGHLY USEFUL SERVANTS OF GOD #4 HUMILITY” First Thess 2:6 (52-12) The greatest plague on earth is pride. More people miss heaven for pride than any other sin. Wanting our own way is how God described our pitiful condition as lost ones. Isaiah 53: 6 All we like sheep […]
970105PM WFJ-11 “Honestly Speaking” First Thess 2:5-6 (52-12) We must never be careless about the truth. We must measure our words. If we deceive we must immediately admit it, because deception can become a habit. William James, in his classic Principles of Psychology, put it this way: Could the young but realize how soon they […]
961229PM WFJ-10 “Honestly Speaking” First Thess 2:5 (52-11) When Paul looked back on his work among the Thessalonians? A life on a daily basis that was: 1. FEARLESS [2:1] 2. GENUINE [2:3] 3. HONEST [2:5] 4. HUMBLE [2:6] 5. LOVING [2:7] 6. PASSIONATE [2:8] 7. DEDICATED [2:9-11] Have you ever thought how powerful words can […]
961222PM WFJ-09 “Serving God in Tough Times” First Thess 2:1-12 (52-10) Cripple him, and you have a Sir Walter Scott. Lock him in a prison cell, and you have a John Bunyan. Bury him in the snows of Valley Forge, and you have a George Washington. (In a small prayer book written when he was […]
961208PM WFJ-08 “The Worthy Walk” First Thess 2:1-12 (52-9) As you follow Paul from country to country (Rom. 15:19), mark how he suffered for Christ’s sake in his missionary labors. Here is a list for you to ponder over with your open Bible- • Enduring every species of hardship, encountering every extreme danger (II Cor. […]
961110PM WFJ-07 “WAITING FOR JESUS” I THESSALONIANS 1:10 (52-7) What are you doing in your life that will last forever? All of the magnificent buildings of Solomon, including the Temple are gone. All of the wonderful buildings of Herod are rubble. The Pyramids are crumbling, the Tower of Pisa is leaning . . . Paul […]
961103PM WFJ-06 New Life in Christ “Turned to God” OUR FALL WARDROBE I Thessalonians Series # 7 What happened when normal people like you and me turned around and came into contact with God? 1. Adam and Eve HID. Genesis 3:8-10 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in […]
961020PM WFJ-05 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST “TURNED TO GOD” OUR FALL WARDROBE I THESSALONIANS SERIES # 6 This morning I want you to ponder with me what its like to come into the presence of God. Through the inspired eyes of the Scripture writers, look upon our Awesome and Majestic Lord Almighty. Enter into the […]
960929PM WFJ-04 New Life in Christ “Turned to God” I Thessalonians Series Part # 5 Paul entered one of the largest cities in the world in the middle of the 1st Century. There at that cross road of land and sea trading routes he nurtured a group of believers that literally turned the world upside […]
960915PM WFJ-03 New Life in Christ I Thess Intro #3 They love one another. They never fail to help widows; they save orphans from those who would hurt them. If they have something they give freely to the man who has nothing; if they see a stranger, they take him home, and are happy, as […]
960421AM WFJ-02 1Th2.12 WALK WORTHY OF GOD I Thessalonians 2:12 I sing a new song [they echo repeat] Since Jesus came [they echo repeat] Serve a new Master [they echo repeat] Wear a new Name [they echo repeat] Walk a new Road [they echo repeat] Have a new Goal [they echo repeat] I Know a […]
960414AM WFJ-01 Living Unashamed I Thessalonians 3:13 The afternoon sun glinted off the polished steel of their 45’s as six State Troopers emerged from their cruisers. I knew this was going to be an interesting evening service. Baptisms and testimonies usually didn’t warrant such a display of civil authority. This evening Frank was among the […]
EBG-15 WWJ-71 041121AM On this Thanksgiving week, are you thankful? Most of us are thankful for the good things (as we measure them). Think of all many of us have to be thankful for today– like a safe and comfortable home, a secure and providing job, an insured savings account and an assured retirement plan, […]
Do we as present day believers get to escape all of the dangerous times of death and destruction of the Tribulation? In a precise, accurate, Biblical, and theological way the true answer is: YES. Christ’s church is not destined or appointed to go through that wrath (I Thessalonians 5:9).
However, if we go though just the normal struggles that many face today, and most have always faced—it may seem like the Tribulation to those of us in the English-speaking world. In historic perspective, we Americans are living in a bubble, and I believe the bubble—is already starting to pop.
Are we to prepare for the demonic invasion of Satan’s rampage through the earth in the Tribulation? No, but are you prepared this evening for what most believers alive on earth today, and throughout the past six thousand years, have faced? Probably not!
As we open to I Thessalonians 5, there is one tool God left us above all others that is ours alone to use. We are not forced, we are not obligated, we are just offered the single greatest source of unleashing spiritual power through our lives.
And what is that tool we can take or leave each day? It is the tool that keeps us connected to God, His Word, His plan, His power, and His Presence—the choice we make to talk to Him in prayer!
Prayer is how we can open our lives to God’s plan and then be used by Him to penetrate the lives of our marriage partner, our children, and our dearest friends with God’s truth.
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