Laboring Together (1 Th. 5:12-14)

 

"Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone." - 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14

 

Is our church going to exist as something that happens at times we can mark on a calendar or are we going to live as God’s people, covenanted together to live out our calling here in Stephens, Arkansas?

This week began our "Everyday Church" (based on 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24) with a look at verses 12-14, which teach us how we are to treat one another as we labor together every day for the Lord's purpose.

 

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Holy Desires

What do others have that you want?

 

That question seems to form the basis for any sort of ambition, goal-setting, or purchase that you make. The American way of life sort of runs on that very question. Yet a simplified version of the last

of God's Ten Commandments could be, "Do NOT want what others have." How can this be?

We finish our holiness series with the 10th Commandment, which shows us that God intends to complete His work of holiness in us all the way inward to our hearts and desires.

  

 

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Who Is God?

It's one of the most basic questions of life: "Who is God?"

God has given us His answer:

"The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.  Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished..."  (Exodus 34:6-7)

This God who described Himself to Moses on the mountain revealed Himself ultimately in Jesus Christ.  Who Is God?  Whether you look in the Old Testament or New Testament, you find the same answer.

http://suffronpreachingproject.podbean.com/mf/web/rhwfh2/WhoIsGod.mp3

Sanctified by Truth

We all know that God doesn't want us to be liars, but "walking in the light" is as much about being honest with yourself as being honest with others.  And most importantly, being sanctified by truth means walking with the One who is the Truth...

“Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world,
I also have sent them into the world.  I sanctify Myself for them, so they also may be sanctified by the truth.”

—John 17:17-19 (HCSB)

 

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Holy Stewardship

"Thou shalt not steal" seems like a pretty easy commandment to follow (unless you're a thief).  But the Ten Commandments all point to deeper issues of God's lordship over our lives.  What statement is God making with this command?  What does it take to keep from breaking this command in our hearts?  These are the questions we looked at this past Sunday.

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Ed Stetzer: The State of the Church in America (Hint: It's Not Dying)

I've said it for at least a decade: it's becoming culturally harder to be a Christian, so we will see fewer and fewer nominal Christians. This is a great article that cuts through panic and propaganda and reveals the truth to be that this is just what is happening in in America. 

Ultimately, in my opinion, this is good for the vibrancy of the church... and the number of true believers is even likely to grow.

Ed Stetzer: The State of the Church in America (Hint: It's Not Dying)