LIVING IN LIGHT OF CHRIST’S RETURN

2 Thessalonians 1:3-12

3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.

4 Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.

5 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering-

6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you,

7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels

8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,

10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.

11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,

12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

A vision of Christ’s future return shapes how we live now.

The persecution of believers is evidence of belonging. (1:4-5)

• Christianity isn’t an escape from suffering. It’s an invitation to suffering.

The return of Jesus brings final judgment and salvation. (1:6-10)

• The Bible doesn’t portray an unbelieving world in a uniform way.

• The Bible doesn’t portray God’s response to an unbelieving world in a uniform way.

• In the Gospels, we see God in flesh, opposing the proud and giving grace to the humble.

• Before we denounce evil too quickly, we must realize that, in our fallen condition, we’re on the inside of the

problem of evil, not the outside.

The mission of the Church necessitates divine empowerment. (1:11-12)

• He doesn’t just call us to walk in a manner

worthy of the call, he is making us worthy of the call!

The reward that awaits us is worth it all. (2:13-14)

• We can’t live in the light of the Day, if we never contemplate the Day.

Thanks Matt!!

THE GOSPEL EXCHANGE

2 Timothy 1:15-2:7

15 You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.

16 May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains,

17 but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me-

18 may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that Day!-and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.

1 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,

2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.

5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.

7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

A Making the hand-off...

• Our Inspiration – Who do we emulate?

(2 Timothy 1:15-18)

People who live for the gospel

People who die for the gospel

• Our Instructions – What do we do?

(2 Timothy 2:1-3)

Rely on the resource of grace. (2 Timothy 2:1)

Develop devoted disciple-makers. (2 Timothy 2:2)

Share in suffering for the gospel. (2 Timothy 2:3)

• Our Illustrations – How do we live? (2 Timothy 2:4-6)

A life of denial (2 Timothy 2:4)

A life of discipline (2 Timothy 2:5) 

A life of diligence (2 Timothy 2:6)

Thanks Jim!

Breaking Free From the Comparison Trap

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:6

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Have you ever noticed that we buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t even like? We try to keep up with the Jones family, but when we finally catch up with them, they refinance! Let me exhort you to get off that comparison treadmill and onto the pathway of serenity. You are accepted right now in Christ. God does not change you so He can love you. He loves you so He can change you! God loves you as much as He loves Jesus. If you are saved, you are in Christ. And where is He? He is seated in the heavenlies. You are also seated in those heavenly places, even though you still have your address on planet Earth. You are enthroned with Him.

ACTION POINT:
When was the last time you compared yourself with someone else? It’s time to get yourself unharnessed from the comparison yoke and break free as a child of the King! 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

What Is True Humility?

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.” James 4:10
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Have you ever wondered what humility is all about? True humility is not thinking negatively about yourself. It is agreeing with what God says about you. The grace of God will exalt a person without inflating him and humble a person without debasing him. I am what I am because of Christ. In this life, you are not going to be sinless, but as you deal with sin in your life, you can come closer to being free from sin. Sinless? No. Blameless? Yes. As you confess and stay prayed up, you can be blameless.

ACTION POINT:
Do you have a concordance in your Bible? Do a study on the subject of “humility.” Start with Philippians 2:5-11. 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Understanding the Spirit of Adoption

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:15

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
It is tragic, but many will never accept their sainthood. A while back, it was in vogue for believers to make comments like “I’m saved, but I’m not a Christian.” Then the person would explain, “Well, I’m not worthy to call myself a Christian because I’m not living like one.” Let me nail this down for you. Have you believed upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and repented of your sins? Have you called upon Him to save you from the judgment of hell? If so, then you are the next of kin to the Trinity. You are a child of the King! Since you are part of God’s family, Jesus is not only your Lord and Savior, but He is your Friend and Brother.

ACTION POINT:
Have you felt like you couldn’t call yourself a Christian because of your sin? Then get on your knees and repent of the sin of unbelief that keeps you from knowing you are a child of the King! 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

The Joy and the Sorrows of the Holidays

All of us have experienced the loss of loved ones, whether family members or friends. It is a never ending hurt that time eases but that hurt never really leaves you. You will be forever wounded!! This sorrow is deeply felt when the holiday season rolls around because it is when family and friends gather. But I will say this, if you belong to Christ, you can go to His word for a supernatural comfort. Sorrow is a part of life but it can't steal your real joy which is only found in your relationship with Christ! We have no hope other than our obedience to Christ and our acceptance of His precious salvation! The things of this world pass away but Christ will stand for eternity!!! Are you searching for peace? Are you longing for a supernatural comfort in your life struggles? I am not saying you will never stumble for Satan will throw many fiery darts. You will have trials, but if you belong to Christ, you will never face them alone. Christ alone is your deliverer! Who will you trust for your deliverance? Some will trust in self. Others will trust Christ. 

1 Peter 1:

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,

7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,

9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1 Cor.15:

25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

27 For "God has put all things in subjection under his feet." But when it says, "all things are put in subjection," it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him.

28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.

1 Tim.4:

4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,

5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

Is.65:

17 "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. 

18 But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. 

19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress. 

20 No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed. 

21 They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 

22 They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. 

23 They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity, for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the LORD, and their descendants with them. 

24 Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear. 

25 The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent's food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain," says the LORD. 

Rev.21:4

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

Being a Disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:9
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
John Calvin was one of the greatest theologians who ever lived. He said, “I gave up all for Christ and what have I found? I have found everything in Christ.” Do you wish you could say that too? You can. Just don’t get confused about what it means to “give up all” to find Christ. So many think that being a disciple means they must get into a movement or go to the mission field or attend seminary. Friend, being a disciple is fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ — knowing Jesus intimately and following Him wherever He leads. Fellowship with Christ comes before service for Christ. We must minister to Jesus before we can minister to anyone else.

ACTION POINT:
Are you praying about where you fit in the body of Christ as His disciple? Spend some time fellowshipping with Him this week and the answer will come. 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers