Living, Loving, and Standing - Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Would you stand as we worship this Would you stand as we worship this morning? Romans chapter 8 says, "For I morning? Romans chapter 8 says, "For I morning? Romans chapter 8 says, "For I am convinced that neither death nor am convinced that neither death nor am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither life, neither angels nor demons, neither life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any the present nor the future, nor any the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor powers, neither height nor depth, nor powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will anything else in all creation will anything else in all creation will separate [music] us from the love of God separate [music] us from the love of God separate [music] us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus." Are you that is in Christ Jesus." Are you that is in Christ Jesus." Are you grateful for the love of Jesus this grateful for the love of Jesus this grateful for the love of Jesus this morning? morning? morning? Let's sing about it today. Let's sing about it today. Let's sing about it today. >> Higher [music] than >> Higher [music] than >> Higher [music] than the mountains [singing] that I face. the mountains [singing] that I face. the mountains [singing] that I face. Stronger [music] than Stronger [music] than Stronger [music] than the power the power the power >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] >> of the grave. And constant And constant in the [music] trial in the [music] trial in the [music] trial >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] >> and the change. >> and the change. >> and the change. This one This one This one thing remains. So, come [music] on, sing that remains. So, come [music] on, sing that again. again. again. Yes, it's higher than Yes, it's higher than Yes, it's higher than the mountains [music] the mountains [music] the mountains [music] [singing] that I face. [singing] that I face. [singing] that I face. Stronger [music] than Stronger [music] than Stronger [music] than the power the power the power of the grave. of the grave. of the grave. And it's constant And it's constant And it's constant in the trial in the trial in the trial >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> and the change.

>> and the change. >> and the change. This one This one This one thing remains. Lift your voice and sing. remains. Lift your voice and sing. This one [music] thing remains. We sing. remains. We sing. Your love Your love Your love >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> never fails. It never gives up. >> never fails. It never gives up. >> never fails. It never gives up. Never runs out [music and singing] on Never runs out [music and singing] on Never runs out [music and singing] on me. me. me. Your love Your love Your love never fails. It never gives up. never fails. It never gives up. never fails. It never gives up. Never runs [music and singing] out on Never runs [music and singing] out on Never runs [music and singing] out on me. me. me. Your love Your love Your love never fails. It never gives [singing] never fails. It never gives [singing] never fails. It never gives [singing] up. up. up. Never runs out on me. Never runs out on me. Never runs out on me. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Your love. Sing on Sing on >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> and on >> and on >> and on because because because on and on and on and on and on and on and >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] >> on and >> on and >> on and on it goes. And it And it >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> overwhelms >> overwhelms >> overwhelms >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] >> and satisfies my >> and satisfies my >> and satisfies my soul. And I And I never ever have to be never ever have to be never ever have to be afraid. remains.

remains. Your love Your love Your love Your love Your love Your love never [music] fails, never never [music] fails, never never [music] fails, never gives up, gives up, gives up, never runs out [singing] on me. never runs out [singing] on me. never runs out [singing] on me. Your love Your love Your love never fails, [music] it never gives up, never fails, [music] it never gives up, never fails, [music] it never gives up, never runs out [singing] on me. never runs out [singing] on me. never runs out [singing] on me. Your love [music] never fails, it never Your love [music] never fails, it never Your love [music] never fails, it never gives up, never runs gives up, never runs gives up, never runs never runs out [singing] on me. never runs out [singing] on me. never runs out [singing] on me. Your love Your love Your love >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> In day, >> In day, >> In day, in night, in night, in night, >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] >> I'm confident >> I'm confident >> I'm confident because of the power because of the power because of the power >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> of your >> of your >> of your great love. And [music] my day And [music] my day is pain, is pain, is pain, there is no there is no there is no nothing nothing nothing could separate could separate could separate >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> my heart >> my heart >> my heart from your from your from your great love. Your love Your love never fails, it never gives up, never fails, it never gives up, never fails, it never gives up, never [music] runs out [singing] on me.

never [music] runs out [singing] on me. never [music] runs out [singing] on me. Your love Your love Your love never fails, it never [music] gives up, never fails, it never [music] gives up, never fails, it never [music] gives up, never runs out [singing] on me. never runs out [singing] on me. never runs out [singing] on me. Your love Your love Your love never fails, it never gives up, never fails, it never gives up, never fails, it never gives up, never runs [music] out on me. Oh, never runs [music] out on me. Oh, never runs [music] out on me. Oh, nothing could separate us from nothing could separate us from nothing could separate us from from the love from the love from the love of the Father. Because on [music and singing] and on Because on [music and singing] and on and on and on and on and on and on and on it goes. Yes, it overwhelms, it satisfies [music] Yes, it overwhelms, it satisfies [music] my soul. And I And I never ever have to be afraid. afraid. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> This one >> This one >> This one thing thing thing it [music] remains. it [music] remains. it [music] remains. fails, never never gives up, [music] never runs out on me. never runs out on me. Your love Your love Your love never fails, never fails, never fails, never gives up, never gives up, never gives up, never runs out never runs out never runs out >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> on me. >> on me. >> on me. Your love Your love Your love never fails, never fails, never fails, never gives up, never gives up, never gives up, never runs out never runs out never runs out on me.

on me. on me. It's your love, [music] It's your love, [music] It's your love, [music] oh Jesus, oh Jesus, oh Jesus, precious love. Your love Your love never fails, never fails, never fails, >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> never gives up, >> never gives up, >> never gives up, never runs out never runs out never runs out on me. on me. on me. Your love Your love Your love never fails, never fails, never fails, >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> never gives up, >> never gives up, >> never gives up, never runs out never runs out never runs out on me. on me. on me. Your love Your love Your love never [music] fails, never [music] fails, never [music] fails, never gives up, never gives up, never gives up, never runs out on me. never runs out on me. never runs out on me. Your love >> [music] >> [music] >> Your love >> Your love >> Your love never fails. >> Blessed [music and singing] are those >> Blessed [music and singing] are those who run to him, place their hope and who run to him, place their hope and who run to him, place their hope and confidence [music and singing] in Jesus.

confidence [music and singing] in Jesus. confidence [music and singing] in Jesus. He won't forsake [music] them. Blessed [singing] are those who seek his Blessed [singing] are those who seek his face, who bend their knee and fix their face, who bend their knee and fix their face, who bend their knee and fix their gaze on Jesus. gaze on Jesus. gaze on Jesus. They won't be shaken. Come on [music] and praise Come on [music] and praise the Lord with me. Lord with me. Sing [music] if you Sing [music] if you Sing [music] if you His grace. Come on and Come on and >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> lift >> lift >> lift your your your voice with me. voice with me. voice with me. He's worthy [music and singing] of all He's worthy [music and singing] of all He's worthy [music and singing] of all our praise. Blessed are those [music and singing] Blessed are those [music and singing] who walk with Him, who walk with Him, who walk with Him, whose hearts whose hearts whose hearts are set are set are set on pilgrimage on pilgrimage on pilgrimage with Jesus. with Jesus. with Jesus. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> They'll see >> They'll see >> They'll see His glory. His glory. His glory. >> [singing] >> Blessed [music] are those who died >> Blessed [music] are those who died to live, to live, to live, whose joy whose joy whose joy it is to give it is to give it is to give >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> it all for Jesus >> it all for Jesus >> it all for Jesus and for and for and for >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Him only.

>> [singing] >> [singing] >> Oh, >> Oh, >> Oh, Jesus, [music] Jesus, [music] Jesus, [music] all all all for Your glory. Come on and praise Come on and praise the the the >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Lord with me. >> Lord with me. >> Lord with me. Sing Sing Sing if you if you if you love love love His [music] grace. Come on and lift Come on and lift >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> your >> your >> your voice with me. voice with me. voice with me. He's worthy [music and singing] He's worthy [music and singing] He's worthy [music and singing] of all of all of all our praise. our praise. our praise. Come on Come on Come on and and and >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> bring >> bring >> bring your offering. offering. Sing if you love Sing if you love Sing if you love >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> His grace. Come on and Come on and >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> lift >> lift >> lift up [singing] your up [singing] your up [singing] your holy hands. holy hands. holy hands. He's He's He's >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> worthy >> worthy >> worthy >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] >> of all >> of all >> of all our praise. Praise God [singing] in the fields of Praise God [singing] in the fields of plenty.

plenty. plenty. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Praise in the darkest valley. [singing] >> Praise in the darkest valley. [singing] >> Praise in the darkest valley. [singing] Every chance I get, I'll bless your Every chance I get, I'll bless your Every chance I get, I'll bless your name. name. name. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Praise God when my hands are empty. >> Praise God when my hands are empty. >> Praise God when my hands are empty. Praise God when the praise they cost me. Praise God when the praise they cost me. Praise God when the praise they cost me. Praise [music] God when nobody's Praise [music] God when nobody's Praise [music] God when nobody's watching. Every chance I get, watching. Every chance I get, watching. Every chance I get, I'll bless your name. Praise God when I'll bless your name. Praise God when I'll bless your name. Praise God when the weapon is formed the weapon is formed the weapon is formed against me. Praise [music] God when the against me. Praise [music] God when the against me. Praise [music] God when the walls are falling walls are falling walls are falling down. Praise down. Praise down. Praise God when He goes before me. God when He goes before me. God when He goes before me. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Every chance I [singing] get, >> Every chance I [singing] get, >> Every chance I [singing] get, I'll bless your name. I'll bless your name. I'll bless your name. Praise God [music] for He won the Praise God [music] for He won the Praise God [music] for He won the victory. victory. victory. Praise God for He's always with me. Praise God for He's always with me. Praise God for He's always with me. Praise God for He's always working me. Praise God for He's always working me. Praise God for He's always working me. Every Every Every >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> chance I get, >> chance I get, >> chance I get, I'll bless your I'll bless your I'll bless your name. Every Every >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> chance [singing] I get, >> chance [singing] I get, >> chance [singing] I get, I'll bless your I'll bless your I'll bless your name. Every chance [music] I get, Every chance [music] I get, come on and praise come on and praise come on and praise the Lord with me.

the Lord with me. the Lord with me. >> [music] >> Sing if you >> Sing if you >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> love His >> love His >> love His name. [singing] Come on [music] and Come on [music] and lift up your holy lift up your holy lift up your holy hands. hands. hands. He's worthy of all our of all our >> [music and singing] >> praise. >> praise. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Come on and >> Come on and >> Come on and lift up your awesome name. Sing if [music] Sing if [music] you love His you love His you love His name. lift lift up your up your up your holy hands. holy hands. holy hands. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> He's worthy of [singing] all our >> He's worthy of [singing] all our >> He's worthy of [singing] all our praise. Come on and Come on and >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> lift up your >> lift up your >> lift up your awesome [singing] [singing] [music] >> We want to thank you today that you are

>> We want to thank you today that you are worthy of our praise. worthy of our praise. worthy of our praise. You're worthy of all honor and You're worthy of all honor and You're worthy of all honor and adoration. adoration. adoration. God, would you search our hearts this God, would you search our hearts this God, would you search our hearts this morning and know us? morning and know us? morning and know us? God, would you reveal to us what you God, would you reveal to us what you God, would you reveal to us what you have for us today? God, we open up our lives to you. God, we open up our lives to you. We hand over our We hand over our We hand over our our being to you. our being to you. our being to you. And we welcome you this morning. And we welcome you this morning. And we welcome you this morning. Have your way in our lives. [music] >> We long for your [singing] presence. >> We long for your [singing] presence. We long for your presence. There's [music and singing] nothing There's [music and singing] nothing worth more worth more worth more that will ever come close. that will ever come close. that will ever come close. [music and singing] [music and singing] [music and singing] No thing can compare. No thing can compare. No thing can compare. You're our living [singing] You're our living [singing] You're our living [singing] [music] hope. Yes, you are. Yes, you are. Your presence, [music and singing] Your presence, [music and singing] Your presence, [music and singing] Lord.

I've tasted [music] I've tasted [music] [singing] and seen [singing] and seen [singing] and seen of the sweetest of loves of the sweetest of loves of the sweetest of loves where my heart becomes where my heart becomes where my heart becomes [music and singing] [music and singing] [music and singing] free free free and my shame is undone. It's in your presence, your [music] It's in your presence, your [music] presence, [singing] presence, [singing] presence, [singing] Lord. Lord. Lord. Would you lift your song and [music] Would you lift your song and [music] Would you lift your song and [music] your voice to the Lord today? your voice to the Lord today? your voice to the Lord today? We sing, Holy [singing] Spirit, you are We sing, Holy [singing] Spirit, you are We sing, Holy [singing] Spirit, you are welcome [music] here. welcome [music] here. welcome [music] here. Come flood [singing] this place and fill Come flood [singing] this place and fill Come flood [singing] this place and fill the atmosphere. [music] Your glory, [singing] Your glory, [singing] God, is what our hearts [music] long God, is what our hearts [music] long God, is what our hearts [music] long for, to be overcome for, to be overcome for, to be overcome >> [music and singing] >> [music and singing] >> [music and singing] >> by your presence, >> by your presence, >> by your presence, Lord. We long [music] for your [singing] We long [music] for your [singing] glory, glory, glory, of your presence, of your presence, of your presence, >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Lord. >> Lord. >> Lord. Yes, Yes, Yes, see, there's nothing Oh, there's nothing [music] worth more Oh, there's nothing [music] worth more that could ever [singing] come close.

that could ever [singing] come close. that could ever [singing] come close. No, see, No, see, No, see, can't compare. [music] can't compare. [music] can't compare. [music] You're our [singing] living hope. You're our [singing] living hope. You're our [singing] living hope. We are alive here today [music] We are alive here today [music] We are alive here today [music] in your presence, in your presence, in your presence, Lord. Lord. Lord. We've tasted [music] We've tasted [music] We've tasted [music] and seen there's no one and seen there's no one and seen there's no one like you, cuz I've tasted [music] and seen cuz I've tasted [music] and seen of the sweetest of [singing] loves, of the sweetest of [singing] loves, of the sweetest of [singing] loves, where my heart becomes [music] where my heart becomes [music] where my heart becomes [music] free, free, free, and my shame is undone. It's in your presence, [music] Lord, It's in your presence, [music] Lord, your presence, Lord. We want to sing. We want to sing. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Singing, Holy >> Singing, Holy >> Singing, Holy Spirit, you are welcome [singing] Spirit, you are welcome [singing] Spirit, you are welcome [singing] here. here. here. Oh, come [music] flood Oh, come [music] flood Oh, come [music] flood this place and fill this place and fill this place and fill the atmosphere. the atmosphere. the atmosphere. >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] >> Your glory, >> Your glory, >> Your glory, >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> God, is what our hearts [singing] >> God, is what our hearts [singing] >> God, is what our hearts [singing] long long long for, to be for, to be for, to be >> [music and singing] >> [music and singing] >> [music and singing] >> overcome by your presence.

>> overcome by your presence. >> overcome by your presence. Holy >> [music and singing] >> [music and singing] >> Spirit, you are welcome. >> Spirit, you are welcome. >> Spirit, you are welcome. Oh, flood Oh, flood Oh, flood >> [music and singing] >> [music and singing] >> [music and singing] >> this place, and fill >> this place, and fill >> this place, and fill the the the atmosphere. atmosphere. atmosphere. Your Your Your >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> glory, God, is what >> glory, God, is what >> glory, God, is what our hearts long our hearts long our hearts long for, to be overcome by your presence. overcome by your presence. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. >> [music] >> We need your >> We need your presence. >> [music] >> [music] >> There's no one like >> There's no one like >> There's no one like in your presence. Yes, Lord. We want Yes, Lord. We want >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> to see your face. >> to see your face. >> to see your face. We make room for you. >> [music] >> [music] >> Yeah. Let us [music] become more [singing] Let us [music] become more [singing] aware aware aware of your presence.

of your presence. of your presence. Let us [music] experience Let us [music] experience Let us [music] experience the glory [singing] of your goodness. the glory [singing] of your goodness. the glory [singing] of your goodness. Let [music] us become Let [music] us become Let [music] us become more aware more aware more aware of your presence. of your presence. of your presence. >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] >> Let us experience [music] >> Let us experience [music] >> Let us experience [music] Oh, come on. Can we sing this as one Oh, come on. Can we sing this as one Oh, come on. Can we sing this as one voice, one body this morning? We sing, voice, one body this morning? We sing, voice, one body this morning? We sing, Let us become [music] Let us become [music] Let us become [music] more aware more aware more aware All we need is to see your glory. All we need is to see your glory. All we need is to see your glory. Let us experience Let us experience Let us experience >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> our souls long for >> our souls long for >> our souls long for you. Let us become Let us become more more more >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> aware >> aware >> aware of your presence. [singing] [singing] [music] [singing]

[singing] [music] >> You may be seated. >> You may be seated. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Ephesians 1 tells us >> Ephesians 1 tells us >> Ephesians 1 tells us that we have the Holy Spirit and [music] that we have the Holy Spirit and [music] that we have the Holy Spirit and [music] he has us. he has us. he has us. Ephesians 1 says we're his. Ephesians 1 says we're his. Ephesians 1 says we're his. He birthed us into his family. He birthed us into his family. He birthed us into his family. He has married us. He has birthed us. He has married us. He has birthed us. He has married us. He has birthed us. You've got the Holy Spirit. You're not You've got the Holy Spirit. You're not You've got the Holy Spirit. You're not getting rid of him, saints. getting rid of him, saints. getting rid of him, saints. That's Ephesians 1. That's Ephesians 1. That's Ephesians 1. But Ephesians 5 says what? Be filled But Ephesians 5 says what? Be filled But Ephesians 5 says what? Be filled with the Spirit. with the Spirit. with the Spirit. And so as Zach just led us, every day we And so as Zach just led us, every day we And so as Zach just led us, every day we need to be praying and asking God, need to be praying and asking God, need to be praying and asking God, "Fill me with your Holy Spirit today. "Fill me with your Holy Spirit today. "Fill me with your Holy Spirit today. Fill me with your Holy Spirit." Every Fill me with your Holy Spirit." Every Fill me with your Holy Spirit." Every day I pray, day I pray, day I pray, "God, would you fill me with your "God, would you fill me with your "God, would you fill me with your spirit?" [music] spirit?" [music] spirit?" [music] And so, as we pray in just a a moment And so, as we pray in just a a moment And so, as we pray in just a a moment here, here, here, we're going to ask the Holy Spirit we're going to ask the Holy Spirit we're going to ask the Holy Spirit not to not to come to us in a way of not to not to come to us in a way of not to not to come to us in a way of salvation, because we have him. He's not salvation, because we have him. He's not salvation, because we have him. He's not letting go of you. You may have let go letting go of you. You may have let go letting go of you. You may have let go of him this week, but he's not letting of him this week, but he's not letting of him this week, but he's not letting go of you. We are secure, go of you. We are secure, go of you. We are secure, but we do need him to fill us.

but we do need him to fill us. but we do need him to fill us. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> And we've got to let him sit in the >> And we've got to let him sit in the >> And we've got to let him sit in the driver's seat and fill the car driver's seat and fill the car driver's seat and fill the car and direct our lives. And so, we're and direct our lives. And so, we're and direct our lives. And so, we're going to pray that we are filled with going to pray that we are filled with going to pray that we are filled with the Holy Spirit when we're giving to the the Holy Spirit when we're giving to the the Holy Spirit when we're giving to the Lord, because we're letting go of the Lord, because we're letting go of the Lord, because we're letting go of the resources that you worked so hard for resources that you worked so hard for resources that you worked so hard for this week. You're letting go and saying, this week. You're letting go and saying, this week. You're letting go and saying, "God, take it. You can have all of me." "God, take it. You can have all of me." "God, take it. You can have all of me." We need the Holy Spirit. We need God's We need the Holy Spirit. We need God's We need the Holy Spirit. We need God's presence in all these events [music] presence in all these events [music] presence in all these events [music] that we're praying over. We've had that we're praying over. We've had that we're praying over. We've had missions trips going out. missions trips going out. missions trips going out. We had the trip from Bahamas just got We had the trip from Bahamas just got We had the trip from Bahamas just got back in, and God used them. back in, and God used them. back in, and God used them. Cody and and our student ministry team, Cody and and our student ministry team, Cody and and our student ministry team, they left yesterday, and 20 of our they left yesterday, and 20 of our they left yesterday, and 20 of our people, our youngsters, are over in people, our youngsters, are over in people, our youngsters, are over in Guatemala. And you need [music] to pray Guatemala. And you need [music] to pray Guatemala. And you need [music] to pray for them all week that God would just for them all week that God would just for them all week that God would just give them power. So, pray for that give them power. So, pray for that give them power. So, pray for that missions trip missions trip missions trip >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> as these 20 are over there just serving >> as these 20 are over there just serving >> as these 20 are over there just serving God and loving God and helping other God and loving God and helping other God and loving God and helping other people to love him as well. [music] people to love him as well. [music] people to love him as well. [music] And you keep praying for our camps. We And you keep praying for our camps. We And you keep praying for our camps. We had our first week of camp, two camps, had our first week of camp, two camps, had our first week of camp, two camps, [music] Hideaway and TRO. We had over [music] Hideaway and TRO. We had over [music] Hideaway and TRO. We had over 240 children and students up at the 240 children and students up at the 240 children and students up at the camps. A lot of our neighborhood friends camps. A lot of our neighborhood friends camps. A lot of our neighborhood friends >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> from around Lynchburg were up there this >> from around Lynchburg were up there this >> from around Lynchburg were up there this past week. Kids that had never been to past week. Kids that had never been to past week. Kids that had never been to camp before.

camp before. camp before. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Uh we had uh dozens of decisions for >> Uh we had uh dozens of decisions for >> Uh we had uh dozens of decisions for Christ up at TRO. We had eight children Christ up at TRO. We had eight children Christ up at TRO. We had eight children accept Jesus at Hideaway. It changed the accept Jesus at Hideaway. It changed the accept Jesus at Hideaway. It changed the trajectory of their life forever. trajectory of their life forever. trajectory of their life forever. And so, we need to keep praying [music] And so, we need to keep praying [music] And so, we need to keep praying [music] for all of those. Pray, as Aaron said, for all of those. Pray, as Aaron said, for all of those. Pray, as Aaron said, pray for VBS this week that God would pray for VBS this week that God would pray for VBS this week that God would fill this room with his presence and fill this room with his presence and fill this room with his presence and children would be drawn. children would be drawn. children would be drawn. Children would be drawn by God Children would be drawn by God Children would be drawn by God uh to um to salvation. uh to um to salvation. uh to um to salvation. And then we do want to pray especially. And then we do want to pray especially. And then we do want to pray especially. We are the church, We are the church, We are the church, uh but we're related to a lot of the uh but we're related to a lot of the uh but we're related to a lot of the family of God all around, right? And I family of God all around, right? And I family of God all around, right? And I know you have been praying since the know you have been praying since the know you have been praying since the other night. We're praying for our other night. We're praying for our other night. We're praying for our friends at East Lake Community Church, friends at East Lake Community Church, friends at East Lake Community Church, aren't we? aren't we? aren't we? And uh just as they were going through a And uh just as they were going through a And uh just as they were going through a week of celebration, week of celebration, week of celebration, and then in just one moment, one wind, a and then in just one moment, one wind, a and then in just one moment, one wind, a tent was lifted up tent was lifted up tent was lifted up and just carried [music] off. and just carried [music] off. and just carried [music] off. And many people were hurt and one dear And many people were hurt and one dear And many people were hurt and one dear saint was taken home to be with Jesus.

saint was taken home to be with Jesus. saint was taken home to be with Jesus. We need to pray for Pastor Troy and the We need to pray for Pastor Troy and the We need to pray for Pastor Troy and the staff over there at East Lake. Today is staff over there at East Lake. Today is staff over there at East Lake. Today is their their meeting right now and just their their meeting right now and just their their meeting right now and just coming [music] to the throne room of God coming [music] to the throne room of God coming [music] to the throne room of God and saying, "Lord, we're here. We've and saying, "Lord, we're here. We've and saying, "Lord, we're here. We've been serving you all week and we've just been serving you all week and we've just been serving you all week and we've just gone through this tragedy." gone through this tragedy." gone through this tragedy." Pray for the Stover family there, Pray for the Stover family there, Pray for the Stover family there, >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> uh Bob and Nancy. Pray for this dear now >> uh Bob and Nancy. Pray for this dear now >> uh Bob and Nancy. Pray for this dear now widow, Nancy, as her husband Bob has widow, Nancy, as her husband Bob has widow, Nancy, as her husband Bob has gone on to to the to be with the Lord. gone on to to the to be with the Lord. gone on to to the to be with the Lord. [music] [music] [music] Uh our friend Daniel Henderson posted Uh our friend Daniel Henderson posted Uh our friend Daniel Henderson posted something really great. He posted a something really great. He posted a something really great. He posted a Vance Havner quote. Vance Havner quote. Vance Havner quote. And I thought it was appropriate. He And I thought it was appropriate. He And I thought it was appropriate. He says, "The just shall live by faith, not says, "The just shall live by faith, not says, "The just shall live by faith, not explanations. explanations. explanations. God marks some of our days. God marks some of our days. God marks some of our days. I'll explain [music] I'll explain [music] I'll explain [music] later." later." later." And so let's just pray around that And so let's just pray around that And so let's just pray around that family. And as I prayed, there's a lot family. And as I prayed, there's a lot family. And as I prayed, there's a lot of names in our church that are hurting of names in our church that are hurting of names in our church that are hurting and just need a touch from God. So, uh and just need a touch from God. So, uh and just need a touch from God. So, uh church family, let's pray for each church family, let's pray for each church family, let's pray for each other, our brothers and sisters, and other, our brothers and sisters, and other, our brothers and sisters, and these on this list. God, we're coming to these on this list. God, we're coming to these on this list. God, we're coming to you right now, to your throne room. you right now, to your throne room. you right now, to your throne room. Thank you, Jesus, for being our savior. Thank you, Jesus, for being our savior. Thank you, Jesus, for being our savior. Thank you, Father, for having a family Thank you, Father, for having a family Thank you, Father, for having a family that you've put us into. And Holy that you've put us into. And Holy that you've put us into. And Holy Spirit, please fill us up. Give us power Spirit, please fill us up. Give us power Spirit, please fill us up. Give us power and protect [music] us all through the and protect [music] us all through the and protect [music] us all through the week and all these events and all these week and all these events and all these week and all these events and all these things we're trying to do for you. And things we're trying to do for you. And things we're trying to do for you. And God, we lift up these people to you to God, we lift up these people to you to God, we lift up these people to you to to you in the hospital. God, we pray for to you in the hospital. God, we pray for to you in the hospital. God, we pray for Rona Batsel and Kayleen Crane and Mike Rona Batsel and Kayleen Crane and Mike Rona Batsel and Kayleen Crane and Mike Lake. Lord, for Barbara Treadwell and Lake. Lord, for Barbara Treadwell and Lake. Lord, for Barbara Treadwell and Deborah Wheeler and Robert Gates and Deborah Wheeler and Robert Gates and Deborah Wheeler and Robert Gates and Ruby Lee and Junior Lloyd. And then God, Ruby Lee and Junior Lloyd. And then God, Ruby Lee and Junior Lloyd. And then God, we pray for these that are sick and they we pray for these that are sick and they we pray for these that are sick and they are recovering or they're going through are recovering or they're going through are recovering or they're going through rehab.

rehab. rehab. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> God, we pray for Wally Alcazar and Gail >> God, we pray for Wally Alcazar and Gail >> God, we pray for Wally Alcazar and Gail Baker and Dan Bearnaum and Baker and Dan Bearnaum and Baker and Dan Bearnaum and >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> we keep lifting up the healing of of >> we keep lifting up the healing of of >> we keep lifting up the healing of of Deborah Bobbitt and Patty Brooks, Deborah Bobbitt and Patty Brooks, Deborah Bobbitt and Patty Brooks, Michelle Brown and Jack Butler and Michelle Brown and Jack Butler and Michelle Brown and Jack Butler and Jonathan Francisco. God, for Brian Holt Jonathan Francisco. God, for Brian Holt Jonathan Francisco. God, for Brian Holt and Dan Lindsey and Brittany Locke and and Dan Lindsey and Brittany Locke and and Dan Lindsey and Brittany Locke and Todd McDowell and Letty Munson and Riley Todd McDowell and Letty Munson and Riley Todd McDowell and Letty Munson and Riley Muse and Muse and Muse and >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Mary Oliveras and Alan Reed, Nicole >> Mary Oliveras and Alan Reed, Nicole >> Mary Oliveras and Alan Reed, Nicole Roques, for Cindy Tanzar and Cindy Roques, for Cindy Tanzar and Cindy Roques, for Cindy Tanzar and Cindy Torrence and Jody Walker and Angel Torrence and Jody Walker and Angel Torrence and Jody Walker and Angel Woods. And then God, for the homegoing Woods. And then God, for the homegoing Woods. And then God, for the homegoing of Kyrie Thomas. Would you come around of Kyrie Thomas. Would you come around of Kyrie Thomas. Would you come around the family the family the family >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> of Kyrie just to know that you are there >> of Kyrie just to know that you are there >> of Kyrie just to know that you are there to comfort. Lord, we need you. to comfort. Lord, we need you. to comfort. Lord, we need you. Thank you, Father. Thank you, Jesus. And Thank you, Father. Thank you, Jesus. And Thank you, Father. Thank you, Jesus. And Holy Spirit, even now in the service, Holy Spirit, even now in the service, Holy Spirit, even now in the service, fill this place, but even more fill this place, but even more fill this place, but even more important, fill each of us. We love you. important, fill each of us. We love you. important, fill each of us. We love you. Amen. Amen. Amen. >> Amen. Would you stand as we sing this >> Amen. Would you stand as we sing this >> Amen. Would you stand as we sing this song to our worthy King Jesus this song to our worthy King Jesus this song to our worthy King Jesus this morning?

I [music] am I [music] am an instrument an instrument an instrument of exaltation. [singing] And I was born to lift [music] the name And I was born to lift [music] the name [singing] above [singing] above [singing] above all names. all names. all names. You hear the melody You hear the melody You hear the melody >> [music] but there's [music] a song of praise but there's [music] a song of praise that only [singing] I can that only [singing] I can that only [singing] I can breathe. breathe. breathe. Who else is [music] worthy? only only you, Jesus. There [music] is no one, There [music] is no one, >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] >> only >> only >> only you, Jesus. you, Jesus. you, Jesus. >> [music] God of the God of the >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] >> ages.

>> ages. >> ages. Yet you [music] chose to make my heart Yet you [music] chose to make my heart Yet you [music] chose to make my heart your [singing] dwelling place. You heal [music] my You heal [music] my brokenness. brokenness. brokenness. Show me your [singing] glory. So [music] I have songs of praise So [music] I have songs of praise [singing] [singing] [singing] not even not even not even angels sing. angels sing. angels sing. But who else's [music] worthy? But who else's [music] worthy? But who else's [music] worthy? Who else's worthy? Who else's worthy? Who else's worthy? There is no one. There is no one. There is no one. There is no one, There is no one, There is no one, >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] >> only >> only >> only >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> you, Jesus. only only >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> you, Jesus. There is no one, There is no one, only [music] only [music] only [music] you, Jesus. Who else's worthy? Who you, Jesus. Who else's worthy? Who you, Jesus. Who else's worthy? Who else's worthy?

>> There is no one, >> There is no one, >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> only >> only >> only >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] >> you, Jesus. There is no one, only you, Jesus. There is no one, only you, Jesus. >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] [music] [music] [music] [singing] >> Would you join [music] heaven today and >> Would you join [music] heaven today and sing this out to your king, Jesus? Oh, sing this out to your king, Jesus? Oh, sing this out to your king, Jesus? Oh, we say we say we say >> [music and singing] >> [music and singing] >> [music and singing] >> Lamb of >> Lamb of >> Lamb of God, the anointed God, the anointed God, the anointed one who was one who was one who was and and and is is is and and and is to come [music] is to come [music] is to come [music] seated seated seated on on on the the the throne above throne above throne above Holy Holy Holy Holy Holy Holy righteous one [music] who shed righteous one [music] who shed righteous one [music] who shed his his his blood blood blood >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] >> to >> to >> to prove prove prove >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> to >> to >> to us the Father's love us the Father's love us the Father's love Jesus Jesus Jesus Christ Christ Christ be lifted be lifted be lifted up up up Holy Holy Holy Holy Holy >> [music] >> Lamb of >> Lamb of >> Lamb of >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] >> God, >> God, >> God, anointed anointed anointed one who was one who was one who was and and and is is is and and and is to is to is to >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] >> come >> come >> come seated seated seated >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> on >> on >> on the the the throne above throne above throne above Holy Holy Holy Holy Holy Holy righteous one [singing] who shed righteous one [singing] who shed righteous one [singing] who shed his his his blood blood blood >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> to >> to >> to prove to prove to prove to us the Father's love us the Father's love us the Father's love Jesus Jesus Jesus >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Christ >> Christ >> Christ be lifted be lifted be lifted up up up Who else [singing] is worthy?

Who else [singing] is worthy? Who else [singing] is worthy? Who else is Who else is Who else is >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> worthy >> worthy >> worthy of your love? of your love? of your love? There There There >> [singing] >> [singing] >> [singing] >> is no >> is no >> is no >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> one only >> one only >> one only Jesus Who Who >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> else is worthy >> else is worthy >> else is worthy of my praise? of my praise? of my praise? There There There is no is no is no one only one only one only >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Jesus Let us Let us say say say >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Lamb of >> Lamb of >> Lamb of God, God, God, anointed anointed anointed one who one who one who was was was and is and is and is and and and is to [music]

[music] [singing] [singing] [singing] [music] >> Let's pray together. Father, today we >> Let's pray together. Father, today we are so grateful that you sent your son are so grateful that you sent your son are so grateful that you sent your son Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. And we stand here today, Father, in all And we stand here today, Father, in all And we stand here today, Father, in all of the challenges and problems and of the challenges and problems and of the challenges and problems and heartaches that we've experienced and heartaches that we've experienced and heartaches that we've experienced and the sins that we have committed. God the sins that we have committed. God the sins that we have committed. God knowing according to your word that knowing according to your word that knowing according to your word that we've all sinned and fallen short of the we've all sinned and fallen short of the we've all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, but because of your great glory of God, but because of your great glory of God, but because of your great love for us, love for us, love for us, you sent your son Jesus who died and who you sent your son Jesus who died and who you sent your son Jesus who died and who was buried and who rose again.

was buried and who rose again. was buried and who rose again. And so we stand here today while broken, And so we stand here today while broken, And so we stand here today while broken, we stand here blessed. we stand here blessed. we stand here blessed. While standing here with the potential While standing here with the potential While standing here with the potential of being hopeless, God, we have all the of being hopeless, God, we have all the of being hopeless, God, we have all the hope we could ever desire because we hope we could ever desire because we hope we could ever desire because we know that through Christ who died for know that through Christ who died for know that through Christ who died for us, who rose again for us, we have us, who rose again for us, we have us, who rose again for us, we have eternal life through Jesus Christ our eternal life through Jesus Christ our eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Lord. Lord. And so Father, I pray that today that it And so Father, I pray that today that it And so Father, I pray that today that it is because of only Jesus is because of only Jesus is because of only Jesus >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> that we stand here, that we lift up your >> that we stand here, that we lift up your >> that we stand here, that we lift up your name, that we worship you. name, that we worship you. name, that we worship you. Lord, as we open your word, I pray that Lord, as we open your word, I pray that Lord, as we open your word, I pray that you would open our hearts. Lord, guide you would open our hearts. Lord, guide you would open our hearts. Lord, guide us in these moments to come that we us in these moments to come that we us in these moments to come that we would learn something from you would learn something from you would learn something from you that would help us in our walk and in that would help us in our walk and in that would help us in our walk and in our journey. our journey. our journey. God, as Matt mentioned a moment ago, so God, as Matt mentioned a moment ago, so God, as Matt mentioned a moment ago, so many individuals who are hurting, so many individuals who are hurting, so many individuals who are hurting, so many who are sick. Lord, we do lift up many who are sick. Lord, we do lift up many who are sick. Lord, we do lift up East Lake Church today. We pray that you East Lake Church today. We pray that you East Lake Church today. We pray that you would bless them. God, so many in the would bless them. God, so many in the would bless them. God, so many in the hospital like Barbara Treadway and many hospital like Barbara Treadway and many hospital like Barbara Treadway and many others who uh today, Lord, just need a a others who uh today, Lord, just need a a others who uh today, Lord, just need a a special touch from you. God, I pray that special touch from you. God, I pray that special touch from you. God, I pray that you would show up and do what only you you would show up and do what only you you would show up and do what only you can do.

can do. can do. And God, I pray that if someone is here And God, I pray that if someone is here And God, I pray that if someone is here today watching or listening today who today watching or listening today who today watching or listening today who doesn't know you as Lord and Savior, doesn't know you as Lord and Savior, doesn't know you as Lord and Savior, I pray that in our time together in your I pray that in our time together in your I pray that in our time together in your word today, word today, word today, Lord, that you would use what has Lord, that you would use what has Lord, that you would use what has already taken place and what you are already taken place and what you are already taken place and what you are about to do through your word. about to do through your word. about to do through your word. Lord, that you would bring them to a Lord, that you would bring them to a Lord, that you would bring them to a point of recognition of their need of a point of recognition of their need of a point of recognition of their need of a savior, savior, savior, that Christ died for them, rose again that Christ died for them, rose again that Christ died for them, rose again for them, for them, for them, and that if they would believe in him, and that if they would believe in him, and that if they would believe in him, trust in him, trust in him, trust in him, and Lord, turn from their sin of and Lord, turn from their sin of and Lord, turn from their sin of rejecting him, that today they would be rejecting him, that today they would be rejecting him, that today they would be saved. And God, we give you the praise saved. And God, we give you the praise saved. And God, we give you the praise in advance of what you you going to do. in advance of what you you going to do. in advance of what you you going to do. In Jesus name we pray. In Jesus name we pray. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Amen. Amen. Today we are in 1 Thessalonians chapter Today we are in 1 Thessalonians chapter Today we are in 1 Thessalonians chapter 2 and 3. I hope all of you have your 2 and 3. I hope all of you have your 2 and 3. I hope all of you have your Bible journals with you. In fact, if you Bible journals with you. In fact, if you Bible journals with you. In fact, if you don't have one, weren't here last week, don't have one, weren't here last week, don't have one, weren't here last week, didn't pick one up, you can raise your didn't pick one up, you can raise your didn't pick one up, you can raise your hand right now. Our ushers are making hand right now. Our ushers are making hand right now. Our ushers are making their way to the front and they'll pass their way to the front and they'll pass their way to the front and they'll pass that to you here today. It is literally that to you here today. It is literally that to you here today. It is literally nothing more than the word of God with a nothing more than the word of God with a nothing more than the word of God with a place to take notes alongside. It's a place to take notes alongside. It's a place to take notes alongside. It's a great resource as we are walking through great resource as we are walking through great resource as we are walking through this summer 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and this summer 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and this summer 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon. And we 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon. And we 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon. And we encourage you to bring this every week, encourage you to bring this every week, encourage you to bring this every week, take notes, and it's a resource that you take notes, and it's a resource that you take notes, and it's a resource that you will be able to keep for the rest of will be able to keep for the rest of will be able to keep for the rest of your days your days your days of understanding and knowing what it is of understanding and knowing what it is of understanding and knowing what it is that God has done for you.

that God has done for you. that God has done for you. Today we're going to be on page six of Today we're going to be on page six of Today we're going to be on page six of our Bible journal. For those of you who our Bible journal. For those of you who our Bible journal. For those of you who want to follow along in your own Bible want to follow along in your own Bible want to follow along in your own Bible or online, whatever it might be, we're or online, whatever it might be, we're or online, whatever it might be, we're going to be in 1 Thessalonians chapter 2 going to be in 1 Thessalonians chapter 2 going to be in 1 Thessalonians chapter 2 and chapter 3 and let's read it if we and chapter 3 and let's read it if we and chapter 3 and let's read it if we can together. can together. can together. Verse 1, "For you yourselves know, Verse 1, "For you yourselves know, Verse 1, "For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not brethren, that our coming to you was not brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. But even after we had suffered in vain. But even after we had suffered in vain. But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at before and were spitefully treated at before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in Philippi, as you know, we were bold in Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of our God to speak to you the gospel of our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. For our God in much conflict. For our God in much conflict. For our exhortation did not come from error or exhortation did not come from error or exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness or nor was it in deceit. But uncleanness or nor was it in deceit. But uncleanness or nor was it in deceit. But as we have been approved by God to be as we have been approved by God to be as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we entrusted with the gospel, even so we entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak. Not as pleasing men, but God who speak. Not as pleasing men, but God who speak. Not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. For neither at any tests our hearts. For neither at any tests our hearts. For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you time did we use flattering words, as you time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness, God know, nor a cloak for covetousness, God know, nor a cloak for covetousness, God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from is witness. Nor did we seek glory from is witness. Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others. men, either from you or from others. men, either from you or from others. When we might have made demands as When we might have made demands as When we might have made demands as apostles of Christ, but we were gentle apostles of Christ, but we were gentle apostles of Christ, but we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother among you, just as a nursing mother among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. So cherishes her own children. So cherishes her own children. So affectionately longing for you, we were affectionately longing for you, we were affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only well pleased to impart to you not only well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own the gospel of God, but also our own the gospel of God, but also our own lives because you had become dear to us.

lives because you had become dear to us. lives because you had become dear to us. For you remember, brethren, our labor For you remember, brethren, our labor For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil for laboring night and day that and toil for laboring night and day that and toil for laboring night and day that we might not be a burden to any of you. we might not be a burden to any of you. we might not be a burden to any of you. We preached to you the gospel of God. We preached to you the gospel of God. We preached to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses and God also how You are witnesses and God also how You are witnesses and God also how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we devoutly and justly and blamelessly we devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe behaved ourselves among you who believe behaved ourselves among you who believe as you know how we exhorted and as you know how we exhorted and as you know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you comforted and charged every one of you comforted and charged every one of you as a father does his own children that as a father does his own children that as a father does his own children that you who would that you would walk worthy you who would that you would walk worthy you who would that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into his own of God who calls you into his own of God who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. And for this reason kingdom and glory. And for this reason kingdom and glory. And for this reason we also thank God without ceasing we also thank God without ceasing we also thank God without ceasing because when you received the word of because when you received the word of because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you God which you heard from us, you God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men but welcomed it not as the word of men but welcomed it not as the word of men but as it is in the truth, the word of God as it is in the truth, the word of God as it is in the truth, the word of God which also effectively works in you who which also effectively works in you who which also effectively works in you who believe. For you, brethren, became believe. For you, brethren, became believe. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which imitators of the churches of God which imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your also suffered the same things from your also suffered the same things from your own countrymen just as they did from the own countrymen just as they did from the own countrymen just as they did from the Judeans who killed both the Lord Jesus Judeans who killed both the Lord Jesus Judeans who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and they and their own prophets and they and their own prophets and they persecuted us and they do not please God persecuted us and they do not please God persecuted us and they do not please God and are contrary to all men and are contrary to all men and are contrary to all men forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved so as always to that they may be saved so as always to that they may be saved so as always to fill up the measure of their sins but fill up the measure of their sins but fill up the measure of their sins but wrath has come upon them to the wrath has come upon them to the wrath has come upon them to the uttermost. But we, brethren, having been uttermost. But we, brethren, having been uttermost. But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in taken away from you for a short time in taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more presence, not in heart, endeavored more presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great eagerly to see your face with great eagerly to see your face with great desire. Therefore, we wanted to come to desire. Therefore, we wanted to come to desire. Therefore, we wanted to come to you, even I, Paul, time and again but you, even I, Paul, time and again but you, even I, Paul, time and again but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope Satan hindered us. For what is our hope Satan hindered us. For what is our hope or joy or crown of rejoicing? Is it not

or joy or crown of rejoicing? Is it not or joy or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord even you in the presence of our Lord even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For you are Jesus Christ at his coming? For you are Jesus Christ at his coming? For you are our glory and joy. our glory and joy. our glory and joy. Therefore, chapter 3, when we could no Therefore, chapter 3, when we could no Therefore, chapter 3, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to longer endure it, we thought it good to longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone and sent be left in Athens alone and sent be left in Athens alone and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God Timothy, our brother and minister of God Timothy, our brother and minister of God and our fellow laborer in the gospel of and our fellow laborer in the gospel of and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ to establish you and encourage Christ to establish you and encourage Christ to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith that no one you concerning your faith that no one you concerning your faith that no one should be shaken by these afflictions, should be shaken by these afflictions, should be shaken by these afflictions, for you yourselves know that we are for you yourselves know that we are for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. For in fact, we told appointed to this. For in fact, we told appointed to this. For in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we you before when we were with you that we you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it would suffer tribulation, just as it would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. For this reason, happened, and you know. For this reason, happened, and you know. For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent when I could no longer endure it, I sent when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means to know your faith, lest by some means to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and your the tempter had tempted you, and your the tempter had tempted you, and your labor might be in vain. But now that labor might be in vain. But now that labor might be in vain. But now that Timothy has come to us from you and Timothy has come to us from you and Timothy has come to us from you and brought us good news of your faith and brought us good news of your faith and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good love, and that you always have good love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to remembrance of us, greatly desiring to remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, and we also to see you. see us, and we also to see you. see us, and we also to see you. Therefore, brethren, in all your our Therefore, brethren, in all your our Therefore, brethren, in all your our affliction and distress, we were affliction and distress, we were affliction and distress, we were comforted concerning you by your faith. comforted concerning you by your faith. comforted concerning you by your faith. For now we live if you stand fast in the For now we live if you stand fast in the For now we live if you stand fast in the Lord, for what thanks can we render to Lord, for what thanks can we render to Lord, for what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which God for you, for all the joy with which God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, we rejoice for your sake before our God, we rejoice for your sake before our God, night and day praying exceedingly that night and day praying exceedingly that night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is we may see your face and perfect what is we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith. Now may our God lacking in your faith. Now may our God lacking in your faith. Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus and Father himself and our Lord Jesus and Father himself and our Lord Jesus Christ direct our way to you. And may Christ direct our way to you. And may Christ direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in the Lord make you increase and abound in the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as love to one another and to all, just as love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that he may establish we do to you, so that he may establish we do to you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before

your hearts blameless in holiness before your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our our God and Father at the coming of our our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. Chapter 2, chapter 3 of 1 Thessalonians, Chapter 2, chapter 3 of 1 Thessalonians, Chapter 2, chapter 3 of 1 Thessalonians, a letter that Paul writes to the church a letter that Paul writes to the church a letter that Paul writes to the church at Thessalonica. If you were here last at Thessalonica. If you were here last at Thessalonica. If you were here last week, we talked briefly about how that week, we talked briefly about how that week, we talked briefly about how that church came to be, that in Paul's second church came to be, that in Paul's second church came to be, that in Paul's second missionary journey journey in about 50 missionary journey journey in about 50 missionary journey journey in about 50 I'm sorry, about 36 or 37 AD or so, I'm sorry, about 36 or 37 AD or so, I'm sorry, about 36 or 37 AD or so, somewhere in that range, that he somewhere in that range, that he somewhere in that range, that he traveled, made his way to Thessalonica. traveled, made his way to Thessalonica. traveled, made his way to Thessalonica. He planted the church there. You can He planted the church there. You can He planted the church there. You can read about it Acts chapter 16 and Acts read about it Acts chapter 16 and Acts read about it Acts chapter 16 and Acts chapter 17. There that church was chapter 17. There that church was chapter 17. There that church was planted in just three short weeks as planted in just three short weeks as planted in just three short weeks as Paul visited with them. Paul visited with them. Paul visited with them. Now, it's interesting to note that Paul, Now, it's interesting to note that Paul, Now, it's interesting to note that Paul, who came to Christ somewhere in that who came to Christ somewhere in that who came to Christ somewhere in that range of about 32, 33, 34 AD, that just range of about 32, 33, 34 AD, that just range of about 32, 33, 34 AD, that just a few two years later that he already a few two years later that he already a few two years later that he already was out planting churches. He was was out planting churches. He was was out planting churches. He was already out active in his faith. He was already out active in his faith. He was already out active in his faith. He was living out the gospel, making an impact living out the gospel, making an impact living out the gospel, making an impact and making a difference of trying to see and making a difference of trying to see and making a difference of trying to see what it is that God had called him to what it is that God had called him to what it is that God had called him to do. Now, the church had been planted. He do. Now, the church had been planted. He do. Now, the church had been planted. He had left Thessalonica. He had made his had left Thessalonica. He had made his had left Thessalonica. He had made his way back down to Berea and then to way back down to Berea and then to way back down to Berea and then to Corinth. He's found himself in Corinth Corinth. He's found himself in Corinth Corinth. He's found himself in Corinth and now in '51, he writes this letter.

and now in '51, he writes this letter. and now in '51, he writes this letter. And he's encouraged because what he sees And he's encouraged because what he sees And he's encouraged because what he sees is a church that is thriving. What he is a church that is thriving. What he is a church that is thriving. What he sees is a church that is doing all of sees is a church that is doing all of sees is a church that is doing all of the right things in the midst of all the the right things in the midst of all the the right things in the midst of all the persecution that was present within the persecution that was present within the persecution that was present within the day, within the age, within the culture. day, within the age, within the culture. day, within the age, within the culture. And he wanted to encourage them to stay And he wanted to encourage them to stay And he wanted to encourage them to stay the course, to stay strong, to continue the course, to stay strong, to continue the course, to stay strong, to continue doing what God had called them to do doing what God had called them to do doing what God had called them to do because he, as he says very clearly in because he, as he says very clearly in because he, as he says very clearly in this letter and we're going to even talk this letter and we're going to even talk this letter and we're going to even talk about it in a couple of weeks, he made about it in a couple of weeks, he made about it in a couple of weeks, he made it very clear to them there will come a it very clear to them there will come a it very clear to them there will come a day very soon that Christ will return day very soon that Christ will return day very soon that Christ will return and that we will stand before him. And and that we will stand before him. And and that we will stand before him. And as chapter 3, as we just read, as it as chapter 3, as we just read, as it as chapter 3, as we just read, as it ends in that last part of that that ends in that last part of that that ends in that last part of that that chapter, he says, "When we stand before chapter, he says, "When we stand before chapter, he says, "When we stand before him, that you would be found blameless." him, that you would be found blameless." him, that you would be found blameless." You see, that is the goal of the church. You see, that is the goal of the church. You see, that is the goal of the church. Last week we talked about the church Last week we talked about the church Last week we talked about the church we've always wanted. We talked about we've always wanted. We talked about we've always wanted. We talked about that main idea, that main theme that that main idea, that main theme that that main idea, that main theme that when we talk about that kind of church, when we talk about that kind of church, when we talk about that kind of church, it's not about that the church is for it's not about that the church is for it's not about that the church is for us, that the church is for him, that we us, that the church is for him, that we us, that the church is for him, that we are here to honor him, to serve him, to are here to honor him, to serve him, to are here to honor him, to serve him, to bless him. And so today in chapter 2 and bless him. And so today in chapter 2 and bless him. And so today in chapter 2 and chapter 3, I want to point out three chapter 3, I want to point out three chapter 3, I want to point out three main ideas that we can kind of take away main ideas that we can kind of take away main ideas that we can kind of take away from these chapters to help us continue from these chapters to help us continue from these chapters to help us continue to walk through our faith and make sure to walk through our faith and make sure to walk through our faith and make sure that like the church at Thessalonica, that like the church at Thessalonica, that like the church at Thessalonica, that we are remaining faithful, that that we are remaining faithful, that that we are remaining faithful, that we're remaining true, remaining strong we're remaining true, remaining strong we're remaining true, remaining strong in following after Christ. And so, the in following after Christ. And so, the in following after Christ. And so, the three main points. The first one is three main points. The first one is three main points. The first one is this, living out the gospel.

this, living out the gospel. this, living out the gospel. Living the gospel each and every day of Living the gospel each and every day of Living the gospel each and every day of our lives. Look what it says again back our lives. Look what it says again back our lives. Look what it says again back in verse two of this passage. It says in verse two of this passage. It says in verse two of this passage. It says these words, these words, these words, "But even after we had suffered before "But even after we had suffered before "But even after we had suffered before and we were spitefully spitefully and we were spitefully spitefully and we were spitefully spitefully treated at Philippi. You can read about treated at Philippi. You can read about treated at Philippi. You can read about that in Acts chapter 16. As you know, we that in Acts chapter 16. As you know, we that in Acts chapter 16. As you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the were bold in our God to speak to you the were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. For our gospel of God in much conflict. For our gospel of God in much conflict. For our exhortation did not come from error or exhortation did not come from error or exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. But uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. But uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. But as we have been approved by God to be as we have been approved by God to be as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we entrusted with the gospel, even so we entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who tests our hearts." You see, Paul tests our hearts." You see, Paul tests our hearts." You see, Paul understood that he must be an example of understood that he must be an example of understood that he must be an example of living the gospel. He knew very clearly living the gospel. He knew very clearly living the gospel. He knew very clearly what had been revealed to him when he what had been revealed to him when he what had been revealed to him when he met the Lord on the road to Damascus. He met the Lord on the road to Damascus. He met the Lord on the road to Damascus. He made it very clear that that this idea made it very clear that that this idea made it very clear that that this idea that Jesus loves us, that he came, that that Jesus loves us, that he came, that that Jesus loves us, that he came, that he died for us, was buried and rose he died for us, was buried and rose he died for us, was buried and rose again three days later, that that again three days later, that that again three days later, that that elicits in us a response. That it's not elicits in us a response. That it's not elicits in us a response. That it's not just something that we understand and just something that we understand and just something that we understand and that we believe and then we set it on that we believe and then we set it on that we believe and then we set it on the shelves of our lives and continue to the shelves of our lives and continue to the shelves of our lives and continue to walk the rest of our lives doing walk the rest of our lives doing walk the rest of our lives doing whatever it is that we want to do, whatever it is that we want to do, whatever it is that we want to do, living however it is that we want to living however it is that we want to living however it is that we want to live, that we must change how we live live, that we must change how we live live, that we must change how we live and live out the gospel every day.

and live out the gospel every day. and live out the gospel every day. He understood He understood He understood that if we were going to make an impact, that if we were going to make an impact, that if we were going to make an impact, if we were going to truly change the if we were going to truly change the if we were going to truly change the world in which we live, world in which we live, world in which we live, that we can't just use words, that we that we can't just use words, that we that we can't just use words, that we actually have to act it out. That we actually have to act it out. That we actually have to act it out. That we have to indeed serve God and serve the have to indeed serve God and serve the have to indeed serve God and serve the gospel. It says here in verse six, "Nor gospel. It says here in verse six, "Nor gospel. It says here in verse six, "Nor did we seek glory from men, either from did we seek glory from men, either from did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have you or from others, when we might have you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ." made demands as apostles of Christ." made demands as apostles of Christ." He's saying, "Listen, I had every reason He's saying, "Listen, I had every reason He's saying, "Listen, I had every reason to show up and to expect something from to show up and to expect something from to show up and to expect something from you. you. you. I had every reason because I knew that I had every reason because I knew that I had every reason because I knew that my position was something important, but my position was something important, but my position was something important, but I did not come to you for my own glory. I did not come to you for my own glory. I did not come to you for my own glory. I did not come to you for my own I did not come to you for my own I did not come to you for my own desires. I did not come to you for my desires. I did not come to you for my desires. I did not come to you for my own benefit. I came to live the gospel. own benefit. I came to live the gospel. own benefit. I came to live the gospel. To live it out day in and day out. He To live it out day in and day out. He To live it out day in and day out. He said it earlier that we read a moment said it earlier that we read a moment said it earlier that we read a moment ago, not in error, not in uncleanness, ago, not in error, not in uncleanness, ago, not in error, not in uncleanness, not in deceit. In other words, he came not in deceit. In other words, he came not in deceit. In other words, he came preaching the true word of God, preaching the true word of God, preaching the true word of God, preaching the true gospel. That he did preaching the true gospel. That he did preaching the true gospel. That he did not come with some other new gospel or not come with some other new gospel or not come with some other new gospel or some other idea that that some had come some other idea that that some had come some other idea that that some had come up with. And understand that in the up with. And understand that in the up with. And understand that in the context of this time of the time in context of this time of the time in context of this time of the time in which this letter was written, there which this letter was written, there which this letter was written, there were lots of ideas of what the gospel were lots of ideas of what the gospel were lots of ideas of what the gospel was. They had shaped it and changed it was. They had shaped it and changed it was. They had shaped it and changed it and shifted it to make sure that it fit and shifted it to make sure that it fit and shifted it to make sure that it fit their own mold and their own desire. The their own mold and their own desire. The their own mold and their own desire. The Gnosticism that was present in this time Gnosticism that was present in this time Gnosticism that was present in this time was something that that people believed was something that that people believed was something that that people believed that there was this deeper that there was this deeper that there was this deeper understanding, this deeper meaning that understanding, this deeper meaning that understanding, this deeper meaning that only a few would have the opportunity of

only a few would have the opportunity of only a few would have the opportunity of grasping. And so, he made it very clear, grasping. And so, he made it very clear, grasping. And so, he made it very clear, I did not come to you in error. I did I did not come to you in error. I did I did not come to you in error. I did not come to you in uncleanness. In other not come to you in uncleanness. In other not come to you in uncleanness. In other words, I did not come to you as a words, I did not come to you as a words, I did not come to you as a hypocrite. hypocrite. hypocrite. I came to you living out not only what I I came to you living out not only what I I came to you living out not only what I said in public, I lived it out in said in public, I lived it out in said in public, I lived it out in private. private. private. That I lived out the gospel day in and That I lived out the gospel day in and That I lived out the gospel day in and day out. Even when you weren't watching, day out. Even when you weren't watching, day out. Even when you weren't watching, I was doing the right thing. You see, I was doing the right thing. You see, I was doing the right thing. You see, understand this, that if we are going to understand this, that if we are going to understand this, that if we are going to be the church be the church be the church that today is accomplishing what God that today is accomplishing what God that today is accomplishing what God wants us to accomplish, if we're going wants us to accomplish, if we're going wants us to accomplish, if we're going to truly do today what God has called us to truly do today what God has called us to truly do today what God has called us to do, if we're going to be found in to do, if we're going to be found in to do, if we're going to be found in that day of the Lord when he returns that day of the Lord when he returns that day of the Lord when he returns blameless before him, blameless before him, blameless before him, then we've got to make sure then we've got to make sure then we've got to make sure that every single day of our lives that that every single day of our lives that that every single day of our lives that we are living out the gospel, not just we are living out the gospel, not just we are living out the gospel, not just simply speaking it. simply speaking it. simply speaking it. Not just simply using words, but using Not just simply using words, but using Not just simply using words, but using our lives. our lives. our lives. In this statement, it says In this statement, it says In this statement, it says that in all of this, the affliction that that in all of this, the affliction that that in all of this, the affliction that they were facing, all the problems that they were facing, all the problems that they were facing, all the problems that they were having, it says that they were they were having, it says that they were they were having, it says that they were were speaking with boldness. And of that were speaking with boldness. And of that were speaking with boldness. And of that statement, that we were bold, Leon statement, that we were bold, Leon statement, that we were bold, Leon Morris says it this way, that verb Morris says it this way, that verb Morris says it this way, that verb translated we dared or in the NIV it translated we dared or in the NIV it translated we dared or in the NIV it says we dared, it derives from two words says we dared, it derives from two words says we dared, it derives from two words that mean all speech. It points to that mean all speech. It points to that mean all speech. It points to feeling completely at home so that the feeling completely at home so that the feeling completely at home so that the words flow freely. This includes being words flow freely. This includes being words flow freely. This includes being without fear and having complete without fear and having complete without fear and having complete confidence. In other words, it just confidence. In other words, it just confidence. In other words, it just becomes second nature to us that how we becomes second nature to us that how we becomes second nature to us that how we live is that we live according to God's live is that we live according to God's live is that we live according to God's word, we live in righteousness, and then

word, we live in righteousness, and then word, we live in righteousness, and then we practice it day in and day out and as we practice it day in and day out and as we practice it day in and day out and as a result it's just what people see in a result it's just what people see in a result it's just what people see in our lives. our lives. our lives. All of us have heard of the incredible All of us have heard of the incredible All of us have heard of the incredible golfer, the greatest golfer that has golfer, the greatest golfer that has golfer, the greatest golfer that has ever lived, Jack Nicklaus. Some of you ever lived, Jack Nicklaus. Some of you ever lived, Jack Nicklaus. Some of you are sitting there thinking Tiger Woods, are sitting there thinking Tiger Woods, are sitting there thinking Tiger Woods, you're wrong. you're wrong. you're wrong. Jack Nicklaus, the greatest golfer who's Jack Nicklaus, the greatest golfer who's Jack Nicklaus, the greatest golfer who's ever lived. He grew up in Columbus, Ohio ever lived. He grew up in Columbus, Ohio ever lived. He grew up in Columbus, Ohio and as a young kid, he would go out and and as a young kid, he would go out and and as a young kid, he would go out and and he would just start hitting golf and he would just start hitting golf and he would just start hitting golf balls at the young age of three and four balls at the young age of three and four balls at the young age of three and four and five years old. By the time he was and five years old. By the time he was and five years old. By the time he was eight or nine years old, he was walking eight or nine years old, he was walking eight or nine years old, he was walking to the local golf club where his family to the local golf club where his family to the local golf club where his family played golf, where his family were played golf, where his family were played golf, where his family were members. He would walk to that golf club members. He would walk to that golf club members. He would walk to that golf club and he would go out and he would play 36 and he would go out and he would play 36 and he would go out and he would play 36 holes of golf in the afternoon, in the holes of golf in the afternoon, in the holes of golf in the afternoon, in the morning and the afternoon, and then he morning and the afternoon, and then he morning and the afternoon, and then he would spend time taking a lesson from would spend time taking a lesson from would spend time taking a lesson from the golf pro there on the course and the golf pro there on the course and the golf pro there on the course and then he would hit bucket after bucket then he would hit bucket after bucket then he would hit bucket after bucket after bucket of golf balls. after bucket of golf balls. after bucket of golf balls. By the time he was 11 years old, he won By the time he was 11 years old, he won By the time he was 11 years old, he won the the the sub-juvenile boys golf the the the sub-juvenile boys golf the the the sub-juvenile boys golf championship at that club. He went on to championship at that club. He went on to championship at that club. He went on to win 90-plus golf tournaments, majors win 90-plus golf tournaments, majors win 90-plus golf tournaments, majors like crazy, won millions of dollars, the like crazy, won millions of dollars, the like crazy, won millions of dollars, the greatest golfer that has ever lived and greatest golfer that has ever lived and greatest golfer that has ever lived and it did not come because he did well at it did not come because he did well at it did not come because he did well at the Masters, it came because when he was the Masters, it came because when he was the Masters, it came because when he was by himself as a young kid he was showing by himself as a young kid he was showing by himself as a young kid he was showing up there hitting golf ball after golf up there hitting golf ball after golf up there hitting golf ball after golf ball after golf ball. That's what Leon ball after golf ball. That's what Leon ball after golf ball. That's what Leon Morris is talking about. That it's just Morris is talking about. That it's just Morris is talking about. That it's just something that becomes so innate, it something that becomes so innate, it something that becomes so innate, it becomes so natural to us because every becomes so natural to us because every becomes so natural to us because every single moment we are putting it into single moment we are putting it into single moment we are putting it into practice and as we know, practice makes

practice and as we know, practice makes practice and as we know, practice makes perfect. Warren Wiersbe said this, "Some perfect. Warren Wiersbe said this, "Some perfect. Warren Wiersbe said this, "Some Christians think that the church's only Christians think that the church's only Christians think that the church's only responsibility responsibility responsibility is to protect the gospel from those who is to protect the gospel from those who is to protect the gospel from those who would change it." would change it." would change it." But also, we must recognize we must But also, we must recognize we must But also, we must recognize we must share the gospel, otherwise we are share the gospel, otherwise we are share the gospel, otherwise we are protecting it in vain. protecting it in vain. protecting it in vain. You see what he's saying here, what You see what he's saying here, what You see what he's saying here, what Warren Wiersbe is is conveying is that Warren Wiersbe is is conveying is that Warren Wiersbe is is conveying is that we get to the point maybe in our we get to the point maybe in our we get to the point maybe in our Christianity because we've following Christianity because we've following Christianity because we've following Christ for so long, we get to the point Christ for so long, we get to the point Christ for so long, we get to the point where we're we're kind of like, "Man, where we're we're kind of like, "Man, where we're we're kind of like, "Man, I've been doing this and like, you know, I've been doing this and like, you know, I've been doing this and like, you know, God has blessed me and I know that I've God has blessed me and I know that I've God has blessed me and I know that I've got heaven to look forward to." And so got heaven to look forward to." And so got heaven to look forward to." And so we take our Christianity and we kind of we take our Christianity and we kind of we take our Christianity and we kind of we just spend all of our time trying to we just spend all of our time trying to we just spend all of our time trying to fight against the people who are fight against the people who are fight against the people who are attacking our faith. attacking our faith. attacking our faith. When we really have been called by God When we really have been called by God When we really have been called by God not to go out and to defend against the not to go out and to defend against the not to go out and to defend against the attack, attack, attack, but rather to go out and to be on the but rather to go out and to be on the but rather to go out and to be on the offensive offensive offensive and to preach the gospel in how we live. and to preach the gospel in how we live. and to preach the gospel in how we live. You see, we will never change the world You see, we will never change the world You see, we will never change the world by being defensive. by being defensive. by being defensive. We will never change the world by We will never change the world by We will never change the world by defending what we believe. We will defending what we believe. We will defending what we believe. We will change the world by preaching what we change the world by preaching what we change the world by preaching what we believe, and we preach it in word and believe, and we preach it in word and believe, and we preach it in word and indeed.

indeed. indeed. We live the gospel. We live the gospel. We live the gospel. The second point of this passage today The second point of this passage today The second point of this passage today that we're looking at is this. It's not that we're looking at is this. It's not that we're looking at is this. It's not only we live the gospel, we must love only we live the gospel, we must love only we live the gospel, we must love others because of the gospel. Look what others because of the gospel. Look what others because of the gospel. Look what it says in verse 7, "But we were gentle it says in verse 7, "But we were gentle it says in verse 7, "But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother among you, just as a nursing mother among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. So cherishes her own children. So cherishes her own children. So affectionately longing for you, we were affectionately longing for you, we were affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only well pleased to impart to you not only well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own the gospel of God, but also our own the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to lives, because you had become dear to lives, because you had become dear to us. For you remember, brethren, our us. For you remember, brethren, our us. For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil for laboring night and labor and toil for laboring night and labor and toil for laboring night and day that we might not be a burden to any day that we might not be a burden to any day that we might not be a burden to any of you. We preached to you the gospel of of you. We preached to you the gospel of of you. We preached to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses and God also how God. You are witnesses and God also how God. You are witnesses and God also how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we devoutly and justly and blamelessly we devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe. behaved ourselves among you who believe. behaved ourselves among you who believe. And as you know how we exhorted and And as you know how we exhorted and And as you know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you comforted and charged every one of you comforted and charged every one of you as a father does his own children, that as a father does his own children, that as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God who calls you would walk worthy of God who calls you would walk worthy of God who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. What you into his own kingdom and glory. What you into his own kingdom and glory. What Paul goes on to say here in the second Paul goes on to say here in the second Paul goes on to say here in the second part of chapter two is that men he part of chapter two is that men he part of chapter two is that men he absolutely loved this church. He loved absolutely loved this church. He loved absolutely loved this church. He loved them with all of his heart. He even uses them with all of his heart. He even uses them with all of his heart. He even uses the reference there the the illustration the reference there the the illustration the reference there the the illustration there of a mom who loves her her child there of a mom who loves her her child there of a mom who loves her her child or a dad who loves his children how he or a dad who loves his children how he or a dad who loves his children how he was doing everything as a father would was doing everything as a father would was doing everything as a father would for a child to make sure that that child for a child to make sure that that child for a child to make sure that that child is growing up serving God and walking is growing up serving God and walking is growing up serving God and walking with God.

with God. with God. You know, right now three of my four You know, right now three of my four You know, right now three of my four children have have children. And so I children have have children. And so I children have have children. And so I have six grandkids, Jonathan has three, have six grandkids, Jonathan has three, have six grandkids, Jonathan has three, Nicholas has two, and Jessica has one. Nicholas has two, and Jessica has one. Nicholas has two, and Jessica has one. And it's so fun for me because whenever And it's so fun for me because whenever And it's so fun for me because whenever like I'm around all of the grandkids, like I'm around all of the grandkids, like I'm around all of the grandkids, whenever I'm around the different, you whenever I'm around the different, you whenever I'm around the different, you know, the the grandkids while the know, the the grandkids while the know, the the grandkids while the parents are around, it is so much fun parents are around, it is so much fun parents are around, it is so much fun for me to be the one that the kids come for me to be the one that the kids come for me to be the one that the kids come to that they want to get something from to that they want to get something from to that they want to get something from me when the parents have said no. And me when the parents have said no. And me when the parents have said no. And I'm like, "Absolutely." It's so fun. Like yesterday I was around It's so fun. Like yesterday I was around with Nicholas and Abby and with Nicholas and Abby and with Nicholas and Abby and and with Noah and with Landon. And we and with Noah and with Landon. And we and with Noah and with Landon. And we were we actually having dinner together were we actually having dinner together were we actually having dinner together last night. And so as we were sitting last night. And so as we were sitting last night. And so as we were sitting there, you know, Noah is eating his food there, you know, Noah is eating his food there, you know, Noah is eating his food and and they do an incredible job. Abby and and they do an incredible job. Abby and and they do an incredible job. Abby and Nicholas do an incredible job of and Nicholas do an incredible job of and Nicholas do an incredible job of making sure that that that Noah is making sure that that that Noah is making sure that that that Noah is eating very healthy food and Landon's eating very healthy food and Landon's eating very healthy food and Landon's eating very healthy food. In fact, eating very healthy food. In fact, eating very healthy food. In fact, Landon last night was I kept looking I Landon last night was I kept looking I Landon last night was I kept looking I had asked like three times what it was had asked like three times what it was had asked like three times what it was because it was a pancake made out of because it was a pancake made out of because it was a pancake made out of What was it, Nicholas? What was it, Nicholas? What was it, Nicholas? Bananas and and and quinoa and something Bananas and and and quinoa and something Bananas and and and quinoa and something else. Oh, it was a something else that else. Oh, it was a something else that else. Oh, it was a something else that was in it.

was in it. was in it. And sweet potato. Sounds great, doesn't And sweet potato. Sounds great, doesn't And sweet potato. Sounds great, doesn't it? it? it? Yeah, Waffle House hasn't picked up on Yeah, Waffle House hasn't picked up on Yeah, Waffle House hasn't picked up on that yet. But that that's what Landon that yet. But that that's what Landon that yet. But that that's what Landon was eating. And so, you know, he was was eating. And so, you know, he was was eating. And so, you know, he was eating that and I kept looking at him eating that and I kept looking at him eating that and I kept looking at him saying, "Tell me again, what's in that saying, "Tell me again, what's in that saying, "Tell me again, what's in that thing, you know?" Tell like seriously, thing, you know?" Tell like seriously, thing, you know?" Tell like seriously, "What's in that thing again?" You know, "What's in that thing again?" You know, "What's in that thing again?" You know, they were explaining it to me. Noah was they were explaining it to me. Noah was they were explaining it to me. Noah was sitting over there and he's eating sitting over there and he's eating sitting over there and he's eating healthy. healthy. healthy. I was not. I was not. I was not. And so, I'm sitting over there and I'm And so, I'm sitting over there and I'm And so, I'm sitting over there and I'm having I believe I had a I had a I having I believe I had a I had a I having I believe I had a I had a I forget what I had. I had french fries, I forget what I had. I had french fries, I forget what I had. I had french fries, I know that. And so, I had french fries know that. And so, I had french fries know that. And so, I had french fries there. And so, I'm I'm hiding the fries there. And so, I'm I'm hiding the fries there. And so, I'm I'm hiding the fries because I know that Nick and Nicholas because I know that Nick and Nicholas because I know that Nick and Nicholas and Abby don't want me to like show the and Abby don't want me to like show the and Abby don't want me to like show the fries to the kids cuz they're going to fries to the kids cuz they're going to fries to the kids cuz they're going to want the fries, you know? And so, they want the fries, you know? And so, they want the fries, you know? And so, they want me to kind of you know, kind of want me to kind of you know, kind of want me to kind of you know, kind of hold them back and kind of keep them. hold them back and kind of keep them. hold them back and kind of keep them. And so, what I'm doing is I'm sitting And so, what I'm doing is I'm sitting And so, what I'm doing is I'm sitting there and and every time, you know, there and and every time, you know, there and and every time, you know, Nicholas and Abby would kind of look the Nicholas and Abby would kind of look the Nicholas and Abby would kind of look the other way, I'd kind of hold up a fry, other way, I'd kind of hold up a fry, other way, I'd kind of hold up a fry, you know, I'd kind of show it around. you know, I'd kind of show it around. you know, I'd kind of show it around. And so, you know, we were able to And so, you know, we were able to And so, you know, we were able to actually and it's so much fun for me to actually and it's so much fun for me to actually and it's so much fun for me to do that, right? Now, what I know is this do that, right? Now, what I know is this do that, right? Now, what I know is this is that that Nicholas and Abby are doing is that that Nicholas and Abby are doing is that that Nicholas and Abby are doing those things to make sure that their those things to make sure that their those things to make sure that their children are healthy. And even though children are healthy. And even though children are healthy. And even though I'm kind of the devil in the moment, I I'm kind of the devil in the moment, I I'm kind of the devil in the moment, I get it. But, Nicholas and Abby, man, get it. But, Nicholas and Abby, man, get it. But, Nicholas and Abby, man, they're like a mom and a dad who are they're like a mom and a dad who are they're like a mom and a dad who are absolutely doing everything right.

absolutely doing everything right. absolutely doing everything right. Jessica over here with her daughter Jessica over here with her daughter Jessica over here with her daughter Elizabeth. We call her Lizzie. And man, Elizabeth. We call her Lizzie. And man, Elizabeth. We call her Lizzie. And man, I mean, she's teaching her how to walk I mean, she's teaching her how to walk I mean, she's teaching her how to walk and she's teaching her how to talk and and she's teaching her how to talk and and she's teaching her how to talk and she's calling me every single day like, she's calling me every single day like, she's calling me every single day like, "Dad, here's a new word." And I've say "Dad, here's a new word." And I've say "Dad, here's a new word." And I've say the new word to me and say the new new the new word to me and say the new new the new word to me and say the new new thing and and do the different things thing and and do the different things thing and and do the different things and all the different things that Lizzie and all the different things that Lizzie and all the different things that Lizzie can do. And it's so cool watching that can do. And it's so cool watching that can do. And it's so cool watching that that my daughter Jessica and her husband that my daughter Jessica and her husband that my daughter Jessica and her husband Matt and that they're pouring their Matt and that they're pouring their Matt and that they're pouring their lives into that beautiful little girl. lives into that beautiful little girl. lives into that beautiful little girl. Jonathan Paige are doing the same thing Jonathan Paige are doing the same thing Jonathan Paige are doing the same thing with Olivia and with Jay and and with with Olivia and with Jay and and with with Olivia and with Jay and and with Cooper. And it's just so fun to watch. Cooper. And it's just so fun to watch. Cooper. And it's just so fun to watch. That's the kind of idea That's the kind of idea That's the kind of idea that Paul is writing here about how that Paul is writing here about how that Paul is writing here about how we're to love others. we're to love others. we're to love others. Paul's saying, "Man, I loved you like a Paul's saying, "Man, I loved you like a Paul's saying, "Man, I loved you like a mom loves her children. mom loves her children. mom loves her children. I loved you like like like a dad would I loved you like like like a dad would I loved you like like like a dad would love his kids." And he uses a couple of love his kids." And he uses a couple of love his kids." And he uses a couple of words here that are so impo- words here that are so impo- words here that are so impo- He uses the words here, devoutly and He uses the words here, devoutly and He uses the words here, devoutly and justly, and blamelessly. justly, and blamelessly. justly, and blamelessly. Walter Elwell writes this, Paul uses Walter Elwell writes this, Paul uses Walter Elwell writes this, Paul uses three words to describe their manner of three words to describe their manner of three words to describe their manner of life.

life. life. Tim Shenton describes these three words. Tim Shenton describes these three words. Tim Shenton describes these three words. Listen to this. And uses the word Listen to this. And uses the word Listen to this. And uses the word devoutly, and that's really the word devoutly, and that's really the word devoutly, and that's really the word holy. holy. holy. It says they behaved as men who had been It says they behaved as men who had been It says they behaved as men who had been separated to God and to his service. In separated to God and to his service. In separated to God and to his service. In other words, that that Paul and Timothy other words, that that Paul and Timothy other words, that that Paul and Timothy and Silas and were with the people at and Silas and were with the people at and Silas and were with the people at there at Thessalonica, that they were there at Thessalonica, that they were there at Thessalonica, that they were serving God as if they were set apart serving God as if they were set apart serving God as if they were set apart for his service. That they were for his service. That they were for his service. That they were consecrated to do exactly what it is consecrated to do exactly what it is consecrated to do exactly what it is that God had called them to do. And they that God had called them to do. And they that God had called them to do. And they were challenging the people to do the were challenging the people to do the were challenging the people to do the exact same thing. In other words, what exact same thing. In other words, what exact same thing. In other words, what they were doing, hear me on this, they they were doing, hear me on this, they they were doing, hear me on this, they were living differently. were living differently. were living differently. I would say to you today I would say to you today I would say to you today that there's not a person in this room that there's not a person in this room that there's not a person in this room that doesn't have a responsibility that doesn't have a responsibility that doesn't have a responsibility before God to live differently than the before God to live differently than the before God to live differently than the world in which we live. world in which we live. world in which we live. And you know as well as I do And you know as well as I do And you know as well as I do that the norms in our world today that the norms in our world today that the norms in our world today that the the regular things that the that the the regular things that the that the the regular things that the world sees as normal and even at times world sees as normal and even at times world sees as normal and even at times healthy and good are things that go healthy and good are things that go healthy and good are things that go against God's word. Counter to the truth against God's word. Counter to the truth against God's word. Counter to the truth of God's word. Counter many times to of God's word. Counter many times to of God's word. Counter many times to common sense.

common sense. common sense. And we as people of faith do not have And we as people of faith do not have And we as people of faith do not have the right, we do not have the the right, we do not have the the right, we do not have the opportunity, we do not have the luxury opportunity, we do not have the luxury opportunity, we do not have the luxury of giving in to the world on these of giving in to the world on these of giving in to the world on these topics and these issues. We don't have topics and these issues. We don't have topics and these issues. We don't have the luxury of compromising our faith and the luxury of compromising our faith and the luxury of compromising our faith and compromising our values, compromising compromising our values, compromising compromising our values, compromising our beliefs according to the word of our beliefs according to the word of our beliefs according to the word of God. We have a responsibility to be set God. We have a responsibility to be set God. We have a responsibility to be set apart, to be consecrated, to be apart, to be consecrated, to be apart, to be consecrated, to be different than the world. different than the world. different than the world. And so Paul uses that word devoutly or And so Paul uses that word devoutly or And so Paul uses that word devoutly or holy, uses a second word justly or holy, uses a second word justly or holy, uses a second word justly or righteously. righteously. righteously. That they always strove to do what was That they always strove to do what was That they always strove to do what was right according to the law of God, right according to the law of God, right according to the law of God, living the word of God. It is impossible living the word of God. It is impossible living the word of God. It is impossible to live the word of God if you don't to live the word of God if you don't to live the word of God if you don't know the word of God. know the word of God. know the word of God. So often we are challenged, churches, by So often we are challenged, churches, by So often we are challenged, churches, by pastors and by leaders and by, you know, pastors and by leaders and by, you know, pastors and by leaders and by, you know, podcasts that you may listen to or books podcasts that you may listen to or books podcasts that you may listen to or books that you may read, that you have a that you may read, that you have a that you may read, that you have a responsibility to live out the word of responsibility to live out the word of responsibility to live out the word of God. That you have a responsibility to God. That you have a responsibility to God. That you have a responsibility to live holy lives. It is impossible for us live holy lives. It is impossible for us live holy lives. It is impossible for us to live holy lives and to live out the to live holy lives and to live out the to live holy lives and to live out the word of God if we are not spending time word of God if we are not spending time word of God if we are not spending time in the word of God to see what it says.

in the word of God to see what it says. in the word of God to see what it says. We must live justly and righteously. The We must live justly and righteously. The We must live justly and righteously. The last one, blamelessly. last one, blamelessly. last one, blamelessly. Their conduct was irrepla- uh Their conduct was irrepla- uh Their conduct was irrepla- uh irreproachable before men. irreproachable before men. irreproachable before men. They lived without giving cause for They lived without giving cause for They lived without giving cause for scandal or offense. scandal or offense. scandal or offense. In other words, they were not In other words, they were not In other words, they were not hypocrites. They were not people who hypocrites. They were not people who hypocrites. They were not people who were doing the wrong thing on Monday were doing the wrong thing on Monday were doing the wrong thing on Monday through Saturday and doing the right through Saturday and doing the right through Saturday and doing the right thing on a Sunday. thing on a Sunday. thing on a Sunday. The challenge to each and every one of The challenge to each and every one of The challenge to each and every one of us is we must be called to do that as us is we must be called to do that as us is we must be called to do that as well. well. well. That we must be living out our faith That we must be living out our faith That we must be living out our faith every single day of our lives. That we every single day of our lives. That we every single day of our lives. That we must live our lives blamelessly and must live our lives blamelessly and must live our lives blamelessly and righteously and wholly. That we must do righteously and wholly. That we must do righteously and wholly. That we must do all that we can to serve God and to walk all that we can to serve God and to walk all that we can to serve God and to walk in the word of God so that the world, in the word of God so that the world, in the word of God so that the world, when they see us, they see something when they see us, they see something when they see us, they see something that is different than the rest of the that is different than the rest of the that is different than the rest of the world. It's interesting in this passage world. It's interesting in this passage world. It's interesting in this passage that if you read here in that if you read here in that if you read here in in the verses that we just shared, those in the verses that we just shared, those in the verses that we just shared, those three statements were given three statements were given three statements were given about what it is that uh about what it is that uh about what it is that uh that they were to what they were to do. that they were to what they were to do. that they were to what they were to do. The statement statement that was given The statement statement that was given The statement statement that was given is this. Paul says, "Your witness is God is this. Paul says, "Your witness is God is this. Paul says, "Your witness is God also about how devotedly, justly, and also about how devotedly, justly, and also about how devotedly, justly, and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among blamelessly we behaved ourselves among blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believed. And as you know, how you who believed. And as you know, how you who believed. And as you know, how we exhorted and comforted comforted and we exhorted and comforted comforted and we exhorted and comforted comforted and charged." That's an interesting dynamic.

charged." That's an interesting dynamic. charged." That's an interesting dynamic. Six different words. Three have to do Six different words. Three have to do Six different words. Three have to do with the actions of how they lived and with the actions of how they lived and with the actions of how they lived and three have to do with the the impact three have to do with the the impact three have to do with the the impact that they hope to have. that they hope to have. that they hope to have. And I would challenge you all to And I would challenge you all to And I would challenge you all to underline that on on uh page six about underline that on on uh page six about underline that on on uh page six about what it is that God has called you to what it is that God has called you to what it is that God has called you to do. Because God has called you to be do. Because God has called you to be do. Because God has called you to be devout and to be just and to be devout and to be just and to be devout and to be just and to be blameless so that then you can exhort or blameless so that then you can exhort or blameless so that then you can exhort or encourage and comfort and it charged you encourage and comfort and it charged you encourage and comfort and it charged you to do the right things. In other words, to do the right things. In other words, to do the right things. In other words, we must if we're going to impact the we must if we're going to impact the we must if we're going to impact the world, we've got to do the first three. world, we've got to do the first three. world, we've got to do the first three. Because the first three allow us to do Because the first three allow us to do Because the first three allow us to do the second three. the second three. the second three. And that's the point that Paul is trying And that's the point that Paul is trying And that's the point that Paul is trying to make here that we must love others to make here that we must love others to make here that we must love others according to and because of the word of according to and because of the word of according to and because of the word of God. God. God. And then the last part of this statement And then the last part of this statement And then the last part of this statement that we read in chapters two and three that we read in chapters two and three that we read in chapters two and three is not only do we live out the gospel, is not only do we live out the gospel, is not only do we live out the gospel, not only do we love others because of not only do we love others because of not only do we love others because of the gospel, we stand strong in the power the gospel, we stand strong in the power the gospel, we stand strong in the power of the gospel. Look what it says in of the gospel. Look what it says in of the gospel. Look what it says in verse 14. For you, brethren, became verse 14. For you, brethren, became verse 14. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which imitators of the churches of God which imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your also suffered the same things from your also suffered the same things from your own countrymen just as they did from the own countrymen just as they did from the own countrymen just as they did from the Judeans who killed both the Lord Jesus Judeans who killed both the Lord Jesus Judeans who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and have and their own prophets and have and their own prophets and have persecuted us. And they do not please persecuted us. And they do not please persecuted us. And they do not please God and are contrary to all men God and are contrary to all men God and are contrary to all men forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved. So as always to that they may be saved. So as always to that they may be saved. So as always to fill up the measure of their sins but fill up the measure of their sins but fill up the measure of their sins but wrath has come upon them to the wrath has come upon them to the wrath has come upon them to the uttermost. Now that's the New King James uttermost. Now that's the New King James uttermost. Now that's the New King James version of saying this, "Hey, we have version of saying this, "Hey, we have version of saying this, "Hey, we have lived out our faith and as a result we lived out our faith and as a result we lived out our faith and as a result we are under attack."

are under attack." are under attack." And you know that people have come after And you know that people have come after And you know that people have come after us, they've attacked us, they've thrown us, they've attacked us, they've thrown us, they've attacked us, they've thrown us in jail, they've tried to stop us at us in jail, they've tried to stop us at us in jail, they've tried to stop us at every turn, they've tried to kill us every turn, they've tried to kill us every turn, they've tried to kill us when the chance was there. when the chance was there. when the chance was there. And what I would say to you today is And what I would say to you today is And what I would say to you today is man, today nothing has changed. Now man, today nothing has changed. Now man, today nothing has changed. Now granted, very few of us in this room are granted, very few of us in this room are granted, very few of us in this room are being thrown in jail for what we being thrown in jail for what we being thrown in jail for what we believe. But persecution remains still believe. But persecution remains still believe. But persecution remains still the same. the same. the same. That we do face the opposition in our That we do face the opposition in our That we do face the opposition in our culture. Many times we face it as a culture. Many times we face it as a culture. Many times we face it as a result of or flowing from governmental result of or flowing from governmental result of or flowing from governmental edicts, from statements that the edicts, from statements that the edicts, from statements that the government says that if you do this that government says that if you do this that government says that if you do this that that therefore you can't have this that therefore you can't have this that therefore you can't have this right. And they're trying to attack us right. And they're trying to attack us right. And they're trying to attack us by saying you can't do this and you by saying you can't do this and you by saying you can't do this and you can't do that this fall coming up in can't do that this fall coming up in can't do that this fall coming up in just a few months. just a few months. just a few months. That Richmond has sent out two That Richmond has sent out two That Richmond has sent out two constitutional amendments. You've heard constitutional amendments. You've heard constitutional amendments. You've heard me talk about them before. One of them me talk about them before. One of them me talk about them before. One of them is the marriage amendment. Celebrating is the marriage amendment. Celebrating is the marriage amendment. Celebrating marriage and basically what it says is marriage and basically what it says is marriage and basically what it says is just simply this is that we cannot just simply this is that we cannot just simply this is that we cannot discriminate discriminate discriminate when it comes to marriage based on sex when it comes to marriage based on sex when it comes to marriage based on sex or gender or or gender expression or or gender or or gender expression or or gender or or gender expression or sexual orientation that anyone can marry sexual orientation that anyone can marry sexual orientation that anyone can marry anyone and no one can stop it and anyone and no one can stop it and anyone and no one can stop it and they're saying, "Well, all we're doing they're saying, "Well, all we're doing they're saying, "Well, all we're doing is we're codifying what the Obergefell is we're codifying what the Obergefell is we're codifying what the Obergefell decision of the Supreme Court, what it decision of the Supreme Court, what it decision of the Supreme Court, what it said. We're just trying to put that into said. We're just trying to put that into said. We're just trying to put that into our constitution." What they're not our constitution." What they're not our constitution." What they're not telling you is that within that same telling you is that within that same telling you is that within that same amendment that they're trying to get to amendment that they're trying to get to amendment that they're trying to get to the Virginia constitution, it will mean the Virginia constitution, it will mean the Virginia constitution, it will mean that churches like this one, schools that churches like this one, schools that churches like this one, schools like LCA, schools like Liberty like LCA, schools like Liberty like LCA, schools like Liberty University will no longer be able to University will no longer be able to University will no longer be able to have two separate sets of bathrooms in

have two separate sets of bathrooms in have two separate sets of bathrooms in our in our buildings, one for men and our in our buildings, one for men and our in our buildings, one for men and one for women, that if we try to one for women, that if we try to one for women, that if we try to restrict them to only one gender and restrict them to only one gender and restrict them to only one gender and another gender, that if someone comes in another gender, that if someone comes in another gender, that if someone comes in and says, "Well, I feel like I'm a woman and says, "Well, I feel like I'm a woman and says, "Well, I feel like I'm a woman today, so I want to use this bathroom." today, so I want to use this bathroom." today, so I want to use this bathroom." That that constitutional amendment in That that constitutional amendment in That that constitutional amendment in theory will not give us a religious theory will not give us a religious theory will not give us a religious exemption to say, "No." exemption to say, "No." exemption to say, "No." In other words, the idea is just simply In other words, the idea is just simply In other words, the idea is just simply this. this. this. The government is trying to oppress or The government is trying to oppress or The government is trying to oppress or to attack or to to stop what is a deeply to attack or to to stop what is a deeply to attack or to to stop what is a deeply held religious belief by us as a church. held religious belief by us as a church. held religious belief by us as a church. And what I say to you today is that the And what I say to you today is that the And what I say to you today is that the Church of Jesus Christ must stand up and Church of Jesus Christ must stand up and Church of Jesus Christ must stand up and say, "No, we will not allow that to say, "No, we will not allow that to say, "No, we will not allow that to happen." That we must be firm in what we happen." That we must be firm in what we happen." That we must be firm in what we believe, be firm in what we stand for. believe, be firm in what we stand for. believe, be firm in what we stand for. The other constitutional amendment is The other constitutional amendment is The other constitutional amendment is one that deals with abortion. one that deals with abortion. one that deals with abortion. And it's one that in our constitution in And it's one that in our constitution in And it's one that in our constitution in the Commonwealth of Virginia, if it the Commonwealth of Virginia, if it the Commonwealth of Virginia, if it passes in November, will state that then passes in November, will state that then passes in November, will state that then abortion would be legal all the way up abortion would be legal all the way up abortion would be legal all the way up to the point of birth and that abortions to the point of birth and that abortions to the point of birth and that abortions can be performed by anyone, not just can be performed by anyone, not just can be performed by anyone, not just medical professionals. That means that medical professionals. That means that medical professionals. That means that you maybe work at a McDonald's and you you maybe work at a McDonald's and you you maybe work at a McDonald's and you would be able by law to perform an would be able by law to perform an would be able by law to perform an abortion.

abortion. abortion. That you could work at a at a business, That you could work at a at a business, That you could work at a at a business, that you could be a school teacher and that you could be a school teacher and that you could be a school teacher and that you could perform an abortion up that you could perform an abortion up that you could perform an abortion up until literally the moment that the baby until literally the moment that the baby until literally the moment that the baby takes its first breath. takes its first breath. takes its first breath. That is the government That is the government That is the government coming after the church, coming after coming after the church, coming after coming after the church, coming after what we believe, coming after life what we believe, coming after life what we believe, coming after life begins at conception according to the begins at conception according to the begins at conception according to the word of God. And I would say to you word of God. And I would say to you word of God. And I would say to you again that we, the church of Jesus again that we, the church of Jesus again that we, the church of Jesus Christ, must stand up and we must say Christ, must stand up and we must say Christ, must stand up and we must say no. And how we say no is we vote and we no. And how we say no is we vote and we no. And how we say no is we vote and we get everybody we can to vote to say no get everybody we can to vote to say no get everybody we can to vote to say no that we will not allow that. Paul is that we will not allow that. Paul is that we will not allow that. Paul is writing about that here. You know that writing about that here. You know that writing about that here. You know that we have been oppressed, Paul says. We we have been oppressed, Paul says. We we have been oppressed, Paul says. We have suffered the same things because of have suffered the same things because of have suffered the same things because of our belief. We have preached the gospel our belief. We have preached the gospel our belief. We have preached the gospel and people have come after us and and people have come after us and and people have come after us and they've tried to stop us and they've they've tried to stop us and they've they've tried to stop us and they've tried to a jail us, they've tried to to tried to a jail us, they've tried to to tried to a jail us, they've tried to to kill us and they will continue doing it. kill us and they will continue doing it. kill us and they will continue doing it. And what he says is stand strong anyway. And what he says is stand strong anyway. And what he says is stand strong anyway. Continue to walk because of the gospel Continue to walk because of the gospel Continue to walk because of the gospel of God. Remain faithful because of what of God. Remain faithful because of what of God. Remain faithful because of what God has done.

God has done. God has done. In chapter 3, verse 1, it says therefore In chapter 3, verse 1, it says therefore In chapter 3, verse 1, it says therefore when we could no longer endure it, when we could no longer endure it, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens we thought it good to be left in Athens we thought it good to be left in Athens alone to send Timothy to you, our alone to send Timothy to you, our alone to send Timothy to you, our brother and minister of God and our brother and minister of God and our brother and minister of God and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ. fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ. fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ. Why? To establish you and to encourage Why? To establish you and to encourage Why? To establish you and to encourage you concerning your faith. That no one you concerning your faith. That no one you concerning your faith. That no one should be shaken by these afflictions should be shaken by these afflictions should be shaken by these afflictions for you yourselves know that we are for you yourselves know that we are for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. What Paul says, I'm appointed to this. What Paul says, I'm appointed to this. What Paul says, I'm sending Timothy to you to encourage you sending Timothy to you to encourage you sending Timothy to you to encourage you and to challenge you to do the right and to challenge you to do the right and to challenge you to do the right thing, to lift up your arms, to stand thing, to lift up your arms, to stand thing, to lift up your arms, to stand behind you, and to support you, that behind you, and to support you, that behind you, and to support you, that when the world is trying to attack you when the world is trying to attack you when the world is trying to attack you for what you believe, that you will not for what you believe, that you will not for what you believe, that you will not feel alone, that you will be able to feel alone, that you will be able to feel alone, that you will be able to stand firm, to stand strong. stand firm, to stand strong. stand firm, to stand strong. We, the church of Jesus Christ in 2026, We, the church of Jesus Christ in 2026, We, the church of Jesus Christ in 2026, we've got to do the same thing for one we've got to do the same thing for one we've got to do the same thing for one another. another. another. That we have to encourage one another, That we have to encourage one another, That we have to encourage one another, stand with one another in the midst of stand with one another in the midst of stand with one another in the midst of afflictions, in the midst of suffering, afflictions, in the midst of suffering, afflictions, in the midst of suffering, in the midst of pain. in the midst of pain. in the midst of pain. On Friday night, On Friday night, On Friday night, when that storm came through and and when that storm came through and and when that storm came through and and ripped that tent at East Lake from the ripped that tent at East Lake from the ripped that tent at East Lake from the ground and and injured so many and ground and and injured so many and ground and and injured so many and killed one, killed one, killed one, we're sitting here in Lynchburg.

we're sitting here in Lynchburg. we're sitting here in Lynchburg. One of the first things that I did is to One of the first things that I did is to One of the first things that I did is to pick up the phone and to call Troy pick up the phone and to call Troy pick up the phone and to call Troy Keaton, the pastor at East Lake Church. Keaton, the pastor at East Lake Church. Keaton, the pastor at East Lake Church. And I talked with him and let him know And I talked with him and let him know And I talked with him and let him know that we're praying for him, let him know that we're praying for him, let him know that we're praying for him, let him know anything that he needs, that we will anything that he needs, that we will anything that he needs, that we will stand with him. We talked several times stand with him. We talked several times stand with him. We talked several times Friday night. We talked again this Friday night. We talked again this Friday night. We talked again this morning. morning. morning. And that is the church coming together And that is the church coming together And that is the church coming together to encourage one another, so that when to encourage one another, so that when to encourage one another, so that when the afflictions come, that we will know the afflictions come, that we will know the afflictions come, that we will know that we are not standing alone, that that we are not standing alone, that that we are not standing alone, that we're standing together. we're standing together. we're standing together. When we stand together, we will not be When we stand together, we will not be When we stand together, we will not be moved. moved. moved. And that's what Paul is trying to And that's what Paul is trying to And that's what Paul is trying to encourage all of us to do. encourage all of us to do. encourage all of us to do. Trying to challenge all of us to Trying to challenge all of us to Trying to challenge all of us to recognize the importance that we have of recognize the importance that we have of recognize the importance that we have of of coming alongside because we know that of coming alongside because we know that of coming alongside because we know that the attacks are coming, and so that we the attacks are coming, and so that we the attacks are coming, and so that we must do what we can to help people stand must do what we can to help people stand must do what we can to help people stand up for truth, to stand up for what is up for truth, to stand up for what is up for truth, to stand up for what is right. right. right. J. Vernon McGee said it this way, this J. Vernon McGee said it this way, this J. Vernon McGee said it this way, this statement to establish you, talking statement to establish you, talking statement to establish you, talking about Timothy going to the church in about Timothy going to the church in about Timothy going to the church in Thessalonica, concerning your faith. Thessalonica, concerning your faith. Thessalonica, concerning your faith. This same wonderful word was used back This same wonderful word was used back This same wonderful word was used back in the book of Exodus when Moses went up in the book of Exodus when Moses went up in the book of Exodus when Moses went up to the mountain to hold up his hands in to the mountain to hold up his hands in to the mountain to hold up his hands in prayer to assure Israel's victory. That prayer to assure Israel's victory. That prayer to assure Israel's victory. That statement stayed up is the same word as statement stayed up is the same word as statement stayed up is the same word as establish. And so Paul sent Timothy over establish. And so Paul sent Timothy over establish. And so Paul sent Timothy over to them to stay them up, to hold them to them to stay them up, to hold them to them to stay them up, to hold them up, to establish them. People still need up, to establish them. People still need up, to establish them. People still need the same thing today. They need to be the same thing today. They need to be the same thing today. They need to be established in the faith. It's that idea established in the faith. It's that idea established in the faith. It's that idea that we need to stand side by side and that we need to stand side by side and that we need to stand side by side and to hold each other's arms up in the to hold each other's arms up in the to hold each other's arms up in the midst of battle. So, when the world

midst of battle. So, when the world midst of battle. So, when the world comes after us, when the the pain and comes after us, when the the pain and comes after us, when the the pain and oppression comes, when the suffering oppression comes, when the suffering oppression comes, when the suffering shows up, when the affliction is real, shows up, when the affliction is real, shows up, when the affliction is real, that we know that there are people with that we know that there are people with that we know that there are people with us every day to hold up our hands in us every day to hold up our hands in us every day to hold up our hands in victory. victory. victory. And that's what Paul is writing here. And that's what Paul is writing here. And that's what Paul is writing here. Verse 12, "And may the Lord make you Verse 12, "And may the Lord make you Verse 12, "And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one increase and abound in love to one increase and abound in love to one another another another and to all, just as we do to you, so and to all, just as we do to you, so and to all, just as we do to you, so that he may establish your hearts that he may establish your hearts that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and blameless in holiness before our God and blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all of his saints." Christ with all of his saints." Christ with all of his saints." Last week we talked about the church Last week we talked about the church Last week we talked about the church you've always wanted. you've always wanted. you've always wanted. This week we're talking about this idea This week we're talking about this idea This week we're talking about this idea of living and loving and standing. of living and loving and standing. of living and loving and standing. And what it really comes down to is just And what it really comes down to is just And what it really comes down to is just simply this, simply this, simply this, is making the mission of the church our is making the mission of the church our is making the mission of the church our mission. mission. mission. That the mission of the church is to That the mission of the church is to That the mission of the church is to change our world by developing Christ change our world by developing Christ change our world by developing Christ followers who love God and who love followers who love God and who love followers who love God and who love people. people. people. And that we don't look at that just And that we don't look at that just And that we don't look at that just simply as a corporate mission statement.

simply as a corporate mission statement. simply as a corporate mission statement. We look at it as a personal mission We look at it as a personal mission We look at it as a personal mission mission statement. That our mission statement. That our mission statement. That our responsibility is to change my world responsibility is to change my world responsibility is to change my world by by by being a Christ follower who loves God being a Christ follower who loves God being a Christ follower who loves God and who loves people. and who loves people. and who loves people. That I understand that that's God's That I understand that that's God's That I understand that that's God's calling on my life and make no mistake, calling on my life and make no mistake, calling on my life and make no mistake, that's God's calling on yours as well. that's God's calling on yours as well. that's God's calling on yours as well. Living, Living, Living, loving, standing. loving, standing. loving, standing. Make that your mission. Make that your mission. Make that your mission. Let's pray together. Let's pray together. Let's pray together. Father, today, Father, today, Father, today, Lord, as Paul writes in this passage, Lord, as Paul writes in this passage, Lord, as Paul writes in this passage, a challenge, a challenge, a challenge, a statement of a statement of a statement of a call to action a call to action a call to action for all of us, God, that we must for all of us, God, that we must for all of us, God, that we must recognize that we must be set apart. recognize that we must be set apart. recognize that we must be set apart. That we have to live the gospel each and That we have to live the gospel each and That we have to live the gospel each and every day, that we have to point people every day, that we have to point people every day, that we have to point people to the hope of the cross to the hope of the cross to the hope of the cross and the empty tomb. and the empty tomb. and the empty tomb. That we must make sure that by doing That we must make sure that by doing That we must make sure that by doing that, Father, that we're doing it that, Father, that we're doing it that, Father, that we're doing it because of our love for others. because of our love for others. because of our love for others. Just as you've told us that you love the Just as you've told us that you love the Just as you've told us that you love the entire world, God, we must love others.

entire world, God, we must love others. entire world, God, we must love others. And that we must do all that we can to And that we must do all that we can to And that we must do all that we can to point them to you. point them to you. point them to you. And in the midst of all of it, And in the midst of all of it, And in the midst of all of it, regardless of what Satan might try to do regardless of what Satan might try to do regardless of what Satan might try to do to stop us, to stop us, to stop us, that we stand strong because of the that we stand strong because of the that we stand strong because of the gospel, because we know the hope that we gospel, because we know the hope that we gospel, because we know the hope that we have. And the hope that we have is that have. And the hope that we have is that have. And the hope that we have is that you have already overcome the world, you have already overcome the world, you have already overcome the world, John 16:33. John 16:33. John 16:33. Yes, there will be tribulations. Yes, Yes, there will be tribulations. Yes, Yes, there will be tribulations. Yes, there will be pain, but be of good there will be pain, but be of good there will be pain, but be of good cheer. Don't worry, John 16:33 says, cheer. Don't worry, John 16:33 says, cheer. Don't worry, John 16:33 says, because you have overcome the world. because you have overcome the world. because you have overcome the world. God, help us to walk in that kind of God, help us to walk in that kind of God, help us to walk in that kind of faith. faith. faith. And God, as a result, that we would see And God, as a result, that we would see And God, as a result, that we would see the world changed. the world changed. the world changed. With their heads bowed, with their eyes With their heads bowed, with their eyes With their heads bowed, with their eyes closed, closed, closed, as we come to this moment of invitation, as we come to this moment of invitation, as we come to this moment of invitation, our team is gathering here at the front. our team is gathering here at the front. our team is gathering here at the front. And today, maybe you're here and and And today, maybe you're here and and And today, maybe you're here and and maybe you have not been walking in maybe you have not been walking in maybe you have not been walking in faith. Maybe you've been living a life faith. Maybe you've been living a life faith. Maybe you've been living a life that you know, cuz you know this is true that you know, cuz you know this is true that you know, cuz you know this is true if it is true. You've been living a life if it is true. You've been living a life if it is true. You've been living a life that's been hypocritical on its face. that's been hypocritical on its face. that's been hypocritical on its face. Yeah, you'll show up here on a Sunday Yeah, you'll show up here on a Sunday Yeah, you'll show up here on a Sunday morning, but let's be honest, during the morning, but let's be honest, during the morning, but let's be honest, during the week, you're doing things that you know week, you're doing things that you know week, you're doing things that you know dishonor God.

dishonor God. dishonor God. Maybe today you want to come to this Maybe today you want to come to this Maybe today you want to come to this altar and just kneel here and say, "God, altar and just kneel here and say, "God, altar and just kneel here and say, "God, I'm sorry. I want to change it now. I'm sorry. I want to change it now. I'm sorry. I want to change it now. Forgive me." Forgive me." Forgive me." Maybe today you're here and you don't Maybe today you're here and you don't Maybe today you're here and you don't know Christ as your Lord and Savior. know Christ as your Lord and Savior. know Christ as your Lord and Savior. Man, the greatest thing that you could Man, the greatest thing that you could Man, the greatest thing that you could ever hear is that God loves you. ever hear is that God loves you. ever hear is that God loves you. And God loves you with an everlasting And God loves you with an everlasting And God loves you with an everlasting love. love. love. The Bible tells us, "For God so loved The Bible tells us, "For God so loved The Bible tells us, "For God so loved the world." That means you. That he gave the world." That means you. That he gave the world." That means you. That he gave his only son, Jesus, who came and who his only son, Jesus, who came and who his only son, Jesus, who came and who died and who rose again. And because he died and who rose again. And because he died and who rose again. And because he did, that we will not perish, but we did, that we will not perish, but we did, that we will not perish, but we will have everlasting will have everlasting will have everlasting life. And that's what this letter to the life. And that's what this letter to the life. And that's what this letter to the Thessalonian church really is all about, Thessalonian church really is all about, Thessalonian church really is all about, the hope the hope the hope of eternity. [music] of eternity. [music] of eternity. [music] But the hope of eternity is not found in But the hope of eternity is not found in But the hope of eternity is not found in something that we just simply wish would something that we just simply wish would something that we just simply wish would be. be. be. The hope for eternity is found in The hope for eternity is found in The hope for eternity is found in believing and trusting that Jesus is the believing and trusting that Jesus is the believing and trusting that Jesus is the son of God who died and who rose again, son of God who died and who rose again, son of God who died and who rose again, turning from our sin of rejecting Christ turning from our sin of rejecting Christ turning from our sin of rejecting Christ and accepting him [music] as Lord and and accepting him [music] as Lord and and accepting him [music] as Lord and Savior. Today, maybe you've not done Savior. Today, maybe you've not done Savior. Today, maybe you've not done that. that. that. Today, I would challenge you before you Today, I would challenge you before you Today, I would challenge you before you walk out of this room to come down to walk out of this room to come down to walk out of this room to come down to talk with one of our team members here talk with one of our team members here talk with one of our team members here just say, "Listen, I need to meet that just say, "Listen, I need to meet that just say, "Listen, I need to meet that that Christ."

that Christ." that Christ." Maybe you want to come and join our Maybe you want to come and join our Maybe you want to come and join our church family. Maybe you want to come church family. Maybe you want to come church family. Maybe you want to come and pray for a loved one. Maybe you want and pray for a loved one. Maybe you want and pray for a loved one. Maybe you want to come for baptism. to come for baptism. to come for baptism. Today, Today, Today, whatever God is speaking to you and whatever God is speaking to you and whatever God is speaking to you and encouraging you to do, man, I just encouraging you to do, man, I just encouraging you to do, man, I just challenge you to do it. So, we're going challenge you to do it. So, we're going challenge you to do it. So, we're going to stand. to stand. to stand. Zac's going to lead us through one Zac's going to lead us through one Zac's going to lead us through one chorus of this song, and as he does, chorus of this song, and as he does, chorus of this song, and as he does, this altar is open. this altar is open. this altar is open. Don't wait. [music] Don't wait. [music] Don't wait. [music] If God is telling you to move, move. If God is telling you to move, move. If God is telling you to move, move. Come to this altar. Zac, would you lead Come to this altar. Zac, would you lead Come to this altar. Zac, would you lead us today? us today? us today? >> Holy, [singing] >> Holy, [singing] >> Holy, [singing] there is no one like you. there is no one like you. there is no one like you. There is [singing] none beside [music] There is [singing] none beside [music] There is [singing] none beside [music] you. you. you. Open up my eyes in wonder. Open up my eyes in wonder. Open up my eyes in wonder. Show [singing] me who you are and fill Show [singing] me who you are and fill Show [singing] me who you are and fill me with your heart [singing and music] me with your heart [singing and music] me with your heart [singing and music] and lead me and lead me and lead me in your in your in your love love love to those to those to those around me. Holy, [singing] around me. Holy, [singing] around me. Holy, [singing] there is no [music] one like you.

there is no [music] one like you. there is no [music] one like you. There [singing] is none beside you. There [singing] is none beside you. There [singing] is none beside you. Open [music] up my eyes in wonder. Open [music] up my eyes in wonder. Open [music] up my eyes in wonder. [singing] [singing] [singing] Show me who you [music] are and fill me Show me who you [music] are and fill me Show me who you [music] are and fill me with your heart [singing] and lead me with your heart [singing] and lead me with your heart [singing] and lead me >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> in your love to those around me. >> in your love to those around me. >> in your love to those around me. around me. around me. around me. >> And God, today we [music] thank you that >> And God, today we [music] thank you that >> And God, today we [music] thank you that we can stand strong because of the we can stand strong because of the we can stand strong because of the gospel. gospel. gospel. And so God, help us as we leave this And so God, help us as we leave this And so God, help us as we leave this place [music] today that we would live place [music] today that we would live place [music] today that we would live wholly. wholly. wholly. That we would live blamelessly. That we That we would live blamelessly. That we That we would live blamelessly. That we would live righteously. [music] would live righteously. [music] would live righteously. [music] So that then we can exhort, that we can So that then we can exhort, that we can So that then we can exhort, that we can encourage, that we can comfort, and then encourage, that we can comfort, and then encourage, that we can comfort, and then we can [music] challenge others to live we can [music] challenge others to live we can [music] challenge others to live their lives for you as well. God, I pray their lives for you as well. God, I pray their lives for you as well. God, I pray that we would live for the gospel. That that we would live for the gospel. That that we would live for the gospel. That we would love others because of the we would love others because of the we would love others because of the gospel. And as a result, that we would gospel. And as a result, that we would gospel. And as a result, that we would change the world. And God, for that we change the world. And God, for that we change the world. And God, for that we give you the praise. We give you the give you the praise. We give you the give you the praise. We give you the glory in what you're going to do. In glory in what you're going to do. In glory in what you're going to do. In Jesus' name we pray.

Jesus' name we pray. Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. Amen. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> The altar remains open. I encourage you >> The altar remains open. I encourage you >> The altar remains open. I encourage you today, if God is speaking to you, come today, if God is speaking to you, come today, if God is speaking to you, come down. Our team is here. We would love to down. Our team is here. We would love to down. Our team is here. We would love to [music] talk with you. God bless you. [music] talk with you. God bless you. [music] talk with you. God bless you. We'll see you next week. >> Thank you for worshipping with us today. >> Thank you for worshipping with us today. We're so glad that you've joined us. If We're so glad that you've joined us. If We're so glad that you've joined us. If you prayed to receive [music] Christ you prayed to receive [music] Christ you prayed to receive [music] Christ today, we'd love to hear from you. today, we'd love to hear from you. today, we'd love to hear from you. We want to help you as you begin your We want to help you as you begin your We want to help you as you begin your new faith journey in Christ. Simply send new faith journey in Christ. Simply send new faith journey in Christ. Simply send an email to [email protected]. [music] If you've never accepted God's free gift If you've never accepted God's free gift of salvation, the forgiveness of sins of salvation, the forgiveness of sins of salvation, the forgiveness of sins made possible by the death and made possible by the death and made possible by the death and resurrection of Jesus, you can do that resurrection of Jesus, you can do that resurrection of Jesus, you can do that today by simply asking him to save you. today by simply asking him to save you. today by simply asking him to save you. If you'd like to know more, [music] If you'd like to know more, [music] If you'd like to know more, [music] we're here to help you. Just reach out we're here to help you. Just reach out we're here to help you. Just reach out to us and we'll provide you with some to us and we'll provide you with some to us and we'll provide you with some next steps. next steps. next steps. Here at Thomas Road, our mission [music] Here at Thomas Road, our mission [music] Here at Thomas Road, our mission [music] is to change our world by developing is to change our world by developing is to change our world by developing Christ followers who love God and love Christ followers who love God and love Christ followers who love God and love people. [music] people. [music] people. [music] If you'd like to help us fulfill that If you'd like to help us fulfill that If you'd like to help us fulfill that mission by giving to our ministry, go to mission by giving to our ministry, go to mission by giving to our ministry, go to trbc.org trbc.org trbc.org and make [music] your contribution and make [music] your contribution and make [music] your contribution today. Your gifts make it possible for today. Your gifts make it possible for today. Your gifts make it possible for us to share the life-changing message