Supplying What is Lacking in Your Faith
Weekly Reading
Monday: Genesis 18, Hebrews 11
Tuesday: Genesis 19
Wednesday: Genesis 20, Hebrews 12
Thursday: Genesis 21, Hebrews 13, James 1
Friday: Genesis 22, James 2
Saturday: Psalm 120-124, Proverbs 28
Sunday: Ezekiel 48, Daniel 1-5
Tuesday: Genesis 19
Wednesday: Genesis 20, Hebrews 12
Thursday: Genesis 21, Hebrews 13, James 1
Friday: Genesis 22, James 2
Saturday: Psalm 120-124, Proverbs 28
Sunday: Ezekiel 48, Daniel 1-5
Sermon Notes
Key Passage: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13
Acts 14:22
Hebrews 10:23-25
Matthew 5:23-24
1. The church is meant to be a relational, dynamic, inter-dependent family.
2. We have a real enemy who wants to rob us of the joy and power that comes from face-to-face interaction.
3. It’s through those interactions that we are established that we may endure affliction.
"Take heed to yourselves, because the tempter will more ply you with his temptations than other men. If you will be the leaders against the prince of darkness, he will spare you no further than God restrained him. He bears the greatest malice to those that are engaged to do him the greatest mischief As he hates Christ more than any of us, because he is the General of the field, the Captain of our salvation, and does more than all the world besides against his kingdom; so does he hate the leaders under him, more than the common soldiers: he knows what a rout he may make among them, if the leaders fall before their eyes (Heb 2:10). He has long tried that way of fighting, neither against great nor small comparatively, but of smiting the shepherds, that he may scatter the flock: and so great has been his success this way, that he will continue to follow it as far as he is able. Take heed, Therefore, brethren, for the enemy has a special eye upon you. You shall have his most subtle insinuations, and incessant solicitations, and violent assaults. As wise and learned as you are, take heed to yourselves, lest he outwit you. The devil is a greater scholar than you, and a nimbler disputant: he can transform himself into an angel of light to deceive:(2 Co. 11:14) he will get within you, and trip up your heels before you are aware: he will play the juggler with you undiscerned, and cheat you of your faith or innocence, and you shall not know that you have lost it; no, he will make you believe it is multiplied or increased, when it is lost. You shall see neither hook nor line, much less the subtle angler himself, while he is offering you his bait. And his bait shall be so fitted to your temper and disposition, that he will be sure to find advantages within you, and make your own principles and inclinations betray you; and whenever he ruins you, he will make you the instruments of ruin to others. O what a conquest will the devil think he has got, if he can make a minister lazy and unfaithful, if he can tempt a minister into covetousness or scandal! He will glory against the Church, and say, "These are your holy preachers! See what their preciseness is, and where it brings them." He will glory against Jesus Christ himself, and say, "These are your champions! I can make your chief servants abuse you; I can make the stewards of your house unfaithful." -Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor
Acts 14:22
Hebrews 10:23-25
Matthew 5:23-24
1. The church is meant to be a relational, dynamic, inter-dependent family.
2. We have a real enemy who wants to rob us of the joy and power that comes from face-to-face interaction.
3. It’s through those interactions that we are established that we may endure affliction.
"Take heed to yourselves, because the tempter will more ply you with his temptations than other men. If you will be the leaders against the prince of darkness, he will spare you no further than God restrained him. He bears the greatest malice to those that are engaged to do him the greatest mischief As he hates Christ more than any of us, because he is the General of the field, the Captain of our salvation, and does more than all the world besides against his kingdom; so does he hate the leaders under him, more than the common soldiers: he knows what a rout he may make among them, if the leaders fall before their eyes (Heb 2:10). He has long tried that way of fighting, neither against great nor small comparatively, but of smiting the shepherds, that he may scatter the flock: and so great has been his success this way, that he will continue to follow it as far as he is able. Take heed, Therefore, brethren, for the enemy has a special eye upon you. You shall have his most subtle insinuations, and incessant solicitations, and violent assaults. As wise and learned as you are, take heed to yourselves, lest he outwit you. The devil is a greater scholar than you, and a nimbler disputant: he can transform himself into an angel of light to deceive:(2 Co. 11:14) he will get within you, and trip up your heels before you are aware: he will play the juggler with you undiscerned, and cheat you of your faith or innocence, and you shall not know that you have lost it; no, he will make you believe it is multiplied or increased, when it is lost. You shall see neither hook nor line, much less the subtle angler himself, while he is offering you his bait. And his bait shall be so fitted to your temper and disposition, that he will be sure to find advantages within you, and make your own principles and inclinations betray you; and whenever he ruins you, he will make you the instruments of ruin to others. O what a conquest will the devil think he has got, if he can make a minister lazy and unfaithful, if he can tempt a minister into covetousness or scandal! He will glory against the Church, and say, "These are your holy preachers! See what their preciseness is, and where it brings them." He will glory against Jesus Christ himself, and say, "These are your champions! I can make your chief servants abuse you; I can make the stewards of your house unfaithful." -Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor
Discussion Questions
1. Any specific highlights from the passage or the sermon?
2. The church is meant to be a relational, dynamic, inter-dependent family. How is this highlighted in the passage? And how has this worked out in your walk with the Lord?
3. We have a real enemy who wants to rob us of the joy and power that comes from face-to-face interaction (verses 2:18 and 3:10). What are ways/lies the enemy takes us away from one another? How do we counteract these lies?
4. It’s through those interactions that we are established that we may endure affliction (3:1-10). What is a time in your life when the presence of Christians has helped you to endure difficulty?
5. Read chapter 3:12-13 again. What are the specific things Paul is praying for the Thessalonians? What lessons can we learn from how Paul prayed for them?
6. Take some time now as a group and pray for one another that love may increase for one another.
2. The church is meant to be a relational, dynamic, inter-dependent family. How is this highlighted in the passage? And how has this worked out in your walk with the Lord?
3. We have a real enemy who wants to rob us of the joy and power that comes from face-to-face interaction (verses 2:18 and 3:10). What are ways/lies the enemy takes us away from one another? How do we counteract these lies?
4. It’s through those interactions that we are established that we may endure affliction (3:1-10). What is a time in your life when the presence of Christians has helped you to endure difficulty?
5. Read chapter 3:12-13 again. What are the specific things Paul is praying for the Thessalonians? What lessons can we learn from how Paul prayed for them?
6. Take some time now as a group and pray for one another that love may increase for one another.
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