1 / 9

Revolution Now!

People want to know what to do “next”, but Paul says a revolutionary thinks about what to do “now” instead. The pagans fear the future: it’s uncertain, it’s full of foreboding. So everyone’s in a panic to ward it off.

jenn
Télécharger la présentation

Revolution Now!

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. People want to know what to do “next”, but Paul says a revolutionary thinks about what to do “now” instead. The pagans fear the future: it’s uncertain, it’s full of foreboding. So everyone’s in a panic to ward it off. Christians have different prospects: if you know where you’re going, you don’t have to get all confused & upset about things. You can set your hands to the plow in the here & now. Revolution Now! 1 Thessalonians 4:9-5:11

  2. A “Revolution of Joy” Means: • Significance: Victorious Joy • “Our hope / joy / crown of exultation” 2:19 • “Our glory and joy.” 2:20 • “All the joy with which we rejoice” 3:9 • Strength: Confidence & Joyful Freedom • “So that He may establish your hearts” 3:13 • A heart that is: stable, strengthened, courageous. • Knowing “how to live…pleasing God.“ • “In sanctification and honor” 4:4 • “Not in lustful passion like the pagans” 4:5

  3. A “Revolution of Joy” Means: Inter-Dependant

  4. Our Two Greatest Needs But we don’t need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another. Indeed, you already show your love for all the believers throughout Macedonia. Even so, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you to love them even more. 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

  5. Today Keep Loving; Keep Working • Applies to any crisis, moment, etc. • Forgiving; Concerned; eschew Bitterness, Critical, Caustic • If you offend, correct it… • Repentance is vital=Taught by God • “Profitable Labor” – Eph. 4:xx We don’t need to be taught this • The love of the Spirit is already groaning inside • Just give the HS a chance • The love is there to show kindness & grace • We’re enabled: a new capacity • World doesn’t have this • But loving people is the most difficult thing we do Some are so miserably unlovable! • Examples: neighbors, liars, stinky, dirty • Justified desire to have nothing to do with them!! • But God’s set us free from our feelings & reactions; • We can revolt against those feelings! • I don’t‘ have to look at them as a rival; I can see them as a victim • Then, by the power of the HS, we can draw on the grace God’s given us & act lovingly; • Love is a decision: the strength to draw on another’s strength; more & more, spreading the revolution.

  6. Keep Busy • Reach OUT, KEEP BUSY! • Morass of Self-Pity • Think of someone else’s problems! • They thought the Lord was coming right away, • So they stopped working; they became a burden to others. • But this revolution doesn’t produce fanaticism! • “Occupy ‘till I come” JC said. • JC didn’t know ‘how long’ • He left it safely in G’s hands • They were making fools of themselves: • Stopped working • 1846 people sold their homes, waited for JC to come… • Keep steady… • Keep busy • “providing for your own needs” • So you won’t be a burden Building Substance

  7. The Problem of Tomorrow v.13-15 • 2x says, “Fall asleep” • IL: fall asleep on couch, just quietly resting; will see again • This is everywhere in the NT: Jairus’ daughter, etc. • Great encouragement! • Will we see our dear ones again?

  8. Today • Keep Loving • Keep Working • Applies to any crisis, moment, etc. • Forgiving; Concerned; eschew Bitterness, Critical, Caustic • If you offend, correct it… • Repentance is vital • “Profitable Labor” – Eph. 4:xx We don’t need to be taught this • The love of the Spirit is already groaning inside • Just give the HS a chance • The love is there to show kindness & grace • We’re enabled: a new capacity • World doesn’t have this • But loving people is the most difficult thing we do • Some are so miserably unlovable! Justified desire to have nothing to do with them!! • But God’s set us free from our feelings & reactions; we can revolt against those feelings! • Then, by the power of the HS, we can draw on the grace God’s given us & act lovingly; the strength to draw on another’s strength; more & more, spreading the revolution.

More Related