A Thoughts about Lust

A Few Thoughts about Lust

Lust is desire

Evil lust

B1 Sex, money, power, anything to satisfy sinful pleasures.

B2 The more one thinks about their pleasureful object, the more they want it, the more they seek it, and the more they will do anything to get it.

C1 They will seek in themselves. Some ways people work to get what they want.

D1 They will love bomb.

D2 They will manipulate.

D3 They will push boundaries.

D4 They will seduce.

D5 They will blackmail.

D6 They will lie.

D7 They will threaten.

D8 They will punish, abuse, use, control, etc.

C2 They will seek out others who have or do these things to help them.

C3 They will seek, even pay money, to pay those who supply such pleasures.

C4 They will turn to the devil and sell their soul.

B3 A list of some sinful pleasures. Galatians 5:19-21 WEL Now the works of the flesh are obvious. They are adultery, sexual sins, moral corruption, unrestrained lust, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strife, provoking jealousy, hot anger, pushing to be first, selfish scheming, dissensions, heresy, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, wild partying, and so on, about which I have told you before, and as I have also told you in the past that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

B4 James 1:14-15 NLT Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

B5 These actions have consequences. No matter how one may justify them, there will be consequences in this life and the next. Romans 6:23 NKJV For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. [Emphasis is mine]

Good lust

B1 Pastor

C1 1 Timothy 3:1 WEL This is a trustworthy saying, if anyone desires the oversight [of the church], he desires a good work.

C2 The qualifications, duties, attitudes, work, methods, etc. are given by God in 1&2 Timothy and Titus. Pragmatic and business models may bring numbers but are not usually in God’s plan. There are wrong motives, wrong goals, and many times fake results.

B2 Kingdom of God

C1 Matthew 6:33 GW But first, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you.

C2 To come. This is the kingdom where God rules. It is the kingdom of His worldview, lifestyle, and rules. It is the kingdom that brings, not necessarily happiness, which is temporary, but joy.

D1 Mark 1:15 EMTV and saying, "The time has been fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."

D2 Galatians 5:22–23 NLT But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

D3 Philippians 2:17–18 NLT But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. 18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.

D4 Isaiah 61:10 GW I will find joy in the LORD. I will delight in my God. He has dressed me in the clothes of salvation. He has wrapped me in the robe of righteousness like a bridegroom with a priest's turban, like a bride with her jewels.

C3 To be lived. We can live a life of living according to sinful pleasures or a life of godly pleasures.

D1 Psalm 16:11 CSB You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures.

D2 2 Timothy 3:4 CSB ...traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God...

B3 Souls be saved. There is pleasure and joy in

C1 God Isaiah 42:11 The LORD says, “Here is my servant, whom I strengthen— the one I have chosen, with whom I am pleased. I have filled him with my Spirit, and he will bring justice to every nation. (GNB92)

C2 Angels (God’s angels) Luke 15:10 GNB In the same way, I tell you, the angels of God rejoice over one sinner who repents.

C3 Humans Jeremiah 9:23–24 CSB This is what the LORD says: The wise person should not boast in his wisdom; the strong should not boast in his strength; the wealthy should not boast in his wealth. 24 "But the one who boasts should boast in this: that he understands and knows me—that I am the LORD, showing faithful love, justice, and righteousness on the earth, for I delight in these things. This is the LORD's declaration.

B4 These derive from pleasures that glorify God and help others with or without gaining anything for ourselves.

Let us find contentment in what we have in this life, in our salvation, and in God’s promises for our future.

B1 1 Timothy 6:8 GNB So then, if we have food and clothes, that should be enough for us.

B2 Hebrews 13:5 NRSV Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you.

B3 1 Timothy 6:6 NLT Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.

B4 Isaiah 26:3 NLT You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

B5 Matthew 6:19-21 NLT Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

B6 John 5:24 NRSV Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life.

A Few Thoughts about Lust

lust, Christian life

Examples of failure and God’s disapproval are what we are NOT to do

I have often stated that the rules in the New Testament have been given by Jesus directly or through the early church Apostles and prophets.

We learn God’s will for many situations by

B1 What we must do

B2 What we must NOT do

B3 Principles on what we we must do

B4 Principles on what we must NOT do

B5 Examples of success and God’s blessing are what we are to do

B6 Examples of failure and God’s disapproval are what we are NOT to do

Some examples of failure and God’s disapproval are what we are NOT to do

B1 People influenced by money

C1 Balaam

D1 His story Numbers 22-24

D2 The result: Joshua 13:22 NIV In addition to those slain in battle, the Israelites had put to the sword Balaam son of Beor, who practiced divination.

D3 The warning

E1 2 Peter 2:15 NIV They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness.

E2 Revelation 2:14 NIV Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality.

D4 A comment. God told Balaam not to go, not to curse them, and not to take money from them, but Balaam did anyway. God refused to let Balaam curse Israel. Balaam, evidently, so covetous for money, instructed Balac to entice Israel with forbidden food and sex. He was slain in battle and is given as an example of what not to do.

C2 Judas

D1 His story is in the Gospels. He spent 3+ years following the Lord Jesus, seeing what Jesus did, and hearing what Jesus taught.

D2 Influenced by money. John 12:3-6 NIV Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

D3 The result: Acts 1:16-19 NIV and said, "Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry." 18 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

C3 Ananias and Sapphira

D1 Their story and greed: Acts 5:1-2 NIV Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.

D2 The result: Acts 5:5, 9-10 NIV When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. ... 9 Peter said to her, "How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also." 10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

D3 The warning: Acts 5:3-4 NIV Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.

D4 A comment. They coveted, they lied, and they stole (they had promised to give all the money). The motive evidently was to gain admiration.

C4 Simon the Great

D1 His story is in Acts 8.

D2 His sin: Acts 8:17-19 NIV Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money 19 and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.

D3 The result: Acts 8:20-24 NIV Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin." 24 Then Simon answered, "Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.

B2 People influenced by sex

C1 Solomon

D1 The start of his reign:

E1 His story begins with his love for God: 1 Kings 3:3 NIV Solomon showed his love for the LORD by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.

E2 What he should have continued in: 1 Kings 3:5, 9-12 NIV At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." ... 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?" 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.

D2 The towards the end of his reign:

E1 His love for sex and women: 1 Kings 11:1-2 NIV King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh's daughter--Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. 2 They were from nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, "You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods." Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love.

E2 1 Kings 11:4-6, 9 NIV As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been. 5 He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. 6 So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD; he did not follow the LORD completely, as David his father had done. ... 9 The LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.

C2 David

D1 His general character:

E1 1 Samuel 13:14 NIV But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command."

E2 Acts 13:22 NIV After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.'

D2 His sin:

E1 His lust arises. He knows she is married: 2 Samuel 11:2-3 WEB And it came to pass in an evening, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. 3 And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

E2 He rapes Bathsheba: 2 Samuel 11:4 WEB And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in to him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned to her house.

E3 Sin has many consequences:

F1 She becomes pregnant: 2 Samuel 11:5 NLT Later, when Bathsheba discovered that she was pregnant, she sent David a message, saying, "I'm pregnant."

F2 He tries to cover up his sin by ordering her husband murdered: 2 Samuel 11:15, 17 NLT The letter instructed Joab, "Station Uriah on the front lines where the battle is fiercest. Then pull back so that he will be killed." ... 17 And when the enemy soldiers came out of the city to fight, Uriah the Hittite was killed along with several other Israelite soldiers.

F3 God knows and sends a prophet to confront David: 2 Samuel 12:7-9 NLT Then Nathan said to David, "You are that man! The LORD, the God of Israel, says: I anointed you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul. 8 I gave you your master's house and his wives and the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. And if that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more. 9 Why, then, have you despised the word of the LORD and done this horrible deed? For you have murdered Uriah the Hittite with the sword of the Ammonites and stolen his wife.

F4 God punishes: 2 Samuel 12:10-12, 14 NLT From this time on, your family will live by the sword because you have despised me by taking Uriah's wife to be your own. 11 "This is what the LORD says: Because of what you have done, I will cause your own household to rebel against you. I will give your wives to another man before your very eyes, and he will go to bed with them in public view. 12 You did it secretly, but I will make this happen to you openly in the sight of all Israel." ... 14 Nevertheless, because you have shown utter contempt for the LORD by doing this, your child will die."

D3 Today we know the principle: James 1:14-15 NLT Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

D4 Thankfully, David repented, that is, confessed his sin and never did anything like this again. Psalm 51 and 2 Samuel 12:13 NLT Then David confessed to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan replied, "Yes, but the LORD has forgiven you, and you won't die for this sin.

C3 Jezebel (the New Testament person)

D1 Her position is prophetess.

D2 Her sin was in her teaching and action: Revelation 2:20 NLT But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols.

D3 Her punishment and the consequences of sin: Revelation 2:21-23 NLT I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to turn away from her immorality. 22 "Therefore, I will throw her on a bed of suffering, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer greatly unless they repent and turn away from her evil deeds. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve.

We have principles of what we must not do. We must not let money and physical pleasures influence our actions and cause us to sin.

Jude 1:24-25 NLT Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. 25 All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.

Pleasing God

Theme: Walking in Godliness

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Objectives (from the D6 Fusion Sunday School Lesson Book)

Know: Paul instructed the Thessalonians to be a contrast to their self-serving sinful culture by living godly lives.

Think: Be so focused on pleasing God that it guides everything I do.

Do: Seek to please God by controlling my bodily appetites, loving others, and living a quiet and productive life.

Notes and questions

B1 Background

C1 Map

C2 Main road

C3 Paul

D1 Preached there on second missionary journey (Acts 17:1)

D2 Went to synagogue and preached for three consecutive Sabbaths

D3 The Jews became jealous and attacked Jason’s house.

D4 Because of the opposition, Paul and his companions went to Berea.

B2 Main point: We are Christians. Christians want to please God. Obedience to God is one way to please God. God requires, commands, us to live our life to please Him.

B3 God’s rules in our passage:

C1 Do not be sexual immoral.

C2 Love one another.

C3 Live without butting into everyone’s life.

B4 Translation note

C1 In 1 Thessalonians 4:4, the word body is sometimes translated wife.

D1 Mopsuestia, Augustine, rabbinical usage, and others understood this to be wife. They would point to 1 Peter 3:7, where the wife is described as the weaker vessel. The word for wife in 1 Peter 3:7 is γυναικεῖος gunaikeios (wife).

D2 Tertullian and Chrysostom and others understood this to be body. They would point to the context of our passage.

C2 The Greek word is σκεῦος skeuos. This means vessel. It is translated in 5 main ways.

D1 Belongings (as in Matthew 12:29)

D2 Container (as in John 19:29)

D3 Body (as in 2 Corinthians 4:7, 2 Timothy 2:21)

D4 Useful tool (as in Acts 9:15, speaking of Paul)

D5 Objects (as in Romans 9:21-23, speaking of people)

C3 The wife is not being discussed.

C4 If it is wife, how can a Christian woman obey this command?

C5 Possess (acquire, get) has the idea of having a mastery over, control of.

C6 In this passage we are not told to get a wife, but to control our body desires.

C7 Ray Stedman writes: At puberty, new hormones pour into the bloodstream and we experience sexual changes, along with which come very powerful drives that urge us, and almost seem to compel us, to certain sexual activities. Society tells us that those urges that boys and girls feel in their bodies are natural and therefore ought to be satisfied whenever opportunity affords. They argue that the sexual appetite should be satisfied just like the urge to hunger, thirst, sleep, or any other natural function. By extension, this argument says that there is nothing wrong with the fulfilling of sexual desires.

C8 But Stedman and Emerson tell us that God has a different opinion.

B5 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2,

C1 The choice of rules to follow

D1 God’s rules

E1 For Israel

E2 For the Church. The church is not a particular denomination. It is the group of all believers and is called the body of Christ.

F1 So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. (Romans 12:5, NKJV)

F2 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also [is] Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body–whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free–and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many. (1 Corinthians 12:12-14, NKJV)

F3 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. (1 Corinthians 12:27, NKJV)

F4 A list of a few as an example. Do not be

G1 Conformed to the world (Romans 12:2)

G2 Slothful in business (Romans 12:11)

G3 Conceited (Romans 12:16)

G4 Overcome with evil (Romans 12:21)

G5 Mere servants of men (1 Corinthians 7:23)

G6 Children in understanding (1 Corinthians 14:20)

G7 Deceived by evil companions (1 Corinthians 15:33)

G8 Unequally yoked together with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14-15)

G9 Entangled again with law keeping (Galatians  5:1)

G10 Deceived, because we will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7-8)

D2 Anything else

C2 What does the word walk mean? Consider: Finally, our friends, you learned from us how you should live in order to please God. This is, of course, the way you have been living. And now we beg and urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to do even more. (1 Thessalonians 4:1, GNB92)

B6 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8,

C1 What is sanctification?

D1 It deals with holiness. Holiness is to be compared to a scale.

E1 Light--from 100% to 0%. 0% is absolute darkness.

E2 Heat--from 100% to 0%. 0% is absolute zero, cold.

E3 Good--from 100% to 0%. 0% is absolute evil.

E4 Holiness--from 100% to 0%. 0% is no holiness.

E5 Thus, whatever is 100% God’s way, thoughts, desires, words, and deeds is holiness. Anything less, no matter how small a difference is not holiness. Only 100% is holiness. No one is holy except God.

D2 The standard to measure what is holy or not is God Himself. But as He who called you [is] holy, you also be holy in all [your] conduct, (1 Peter 1:15, NKJV)

D3 Jesus’s life was and is holy. And the angel answered and said to her, “[The] Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35, NKJV)

D4 Sanctify is to separate, not to make holy. “And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. (John 17:19, NKJV). The more we live, know, and accept truth, the more we are sanctified. God is the only source of 100% truth.

C2 We become sanctified by

D1 Truth--“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. (John 17:17, NKJV)

D2 A work of God--Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23, NKJV). This is wholly of grace and as long as we do not resist God. An example of resisting the Holy Spirit: Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; (2 Timothy 3:8, NKJV)

D3 The blood of Jesus Christ crucified. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. (Hebrews 13:12, NKJV)

D4 Not sinning with our body. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; (1 Thessalonians 4:3, NKJV)

C3 Dangers of lust

D1 Choke the word, that is, the conviction of the Holy Spirit on our thoughts, desires, words, and deeds. “...and the cares of this age, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.”  (Mark 4:19 WEB)

D2  Leads to many sins. Now these things took place as examples for us, in order that we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.  Nor be idolaters, just as some of them; as it is written, "THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND ROSE UP TO PLAY."  Nor let us commit fornication, just as some of them fornicated, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell;  nor let us tempt Christ, just as also some of them tempted Him, and were destroyed by serpents;  nor murmur, just as also some of them murmured, and were destroyed by the destroyer.  Now all these things happened to those people as examples, and they were written for our instruction, to whom the ends of the ages have come.  So then, let him who thinks he stands take heed, lest he should fall!  No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not permit you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation, He will also make the way out, so as for you to be able to bear it.  Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. (I Corinthians 10:6-14 [EMTV])

D3 Leads to a return to our unconverted mind and life. That you put off, concerning your former way of life, the old man which is being corrupted according to the deceitful lusts, (Ephesians 4:22 [EMTV])

D4 Leads to destruction and perdition. These two words show the loss of Christian life and testimony. But those desiring to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and many senseless and harmful lusts which sink men into destruction and perdition. (I Timothy 6:9 [EMTV])

D5 Leads to a loss of wanting truth and godly teachers who teach truth. Because the time will come when they will not tolerate the sound doctrine; rather, they will accumulate for themselves a great many teachers who will tickle their ears according to their lusts (2 Timothy 4:3, WPNT)

D6 Leads to fighting. Where do fights and quarrels among you [come] from? [Don't they come] from your lusts that are at war in your bodies. You set your heart on something and do not get [it], so you kill. You long [for things] but cannot obtain it, so you quarrel and fight. You do not get things, because you do not ask. You ask, and do not receive, because you ask with wicked motives, in order to squander it on your lusts. (James 4:1-6, WEL)

D7 Leads to injury of our souls. Beloved, I beg [you] as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, (1 Peter 2:11, NKJV)

D8 Losing God’s helpful restraint. “But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not obey me. So I let them go their stubborn ways and do whatever they wanted. (Psalms 81:11-12, GNB92)

C4 How do we “control our bodily lusts?”

D1 Know and do the will of God. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that [is] in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15-17, NKJV). How and where do we know the will of God?

D2 Be serious about self discipline. We need to avoid sin. Surely you know that many runners take part in a race, but only one of them wins the prize. Run, then, in such a way as to win the prize. Every athlete in training submits to strict discipline, in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last; but we do it for one that will last forever. That is why I run straight for the finish line; that is why I am like a boxer who does not waste his punches. I harden my body with blows and bring it under complete control, to keep myself from being disqualified after having called others to the contest. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, GNB92)

D3 How does reading and studying the Bible help us?

D4 How does our prayer and the prayer of others help us?

D5 How does God’s chastening help us?

D6 How does self discipline help us? But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to [fulfill its] lusts. (Romans 13:14, NKJV). Putting on the Lord Jesus refers to The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. (Romans 13:12, NKJV)

D7 How do we build ourselves up in the faith? How do we keep ourselves in the love of God? But you, my friends, keep on building yourselves up on your most sacred faith. Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and keep yourselves in the love of God, as you wait for our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy to give you eternal life. (Jude 1:20-21, GNB92)

D8 How do we give up ungodly things? For God has revealed his grace for the salvation of all people. That grace instructs us to give up ungodly living and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this world, (Titus 2:11-12, GNB92)

D9 What else can we do?

B7 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12,

C1 How has God taught us to love one another?

C2 Why are living a quiet life, minding our own business, and working to earn our own living important? How do we do this?

C3 What are 2 good reasons for doing so? See 1 Thessalonians 4:12

B8 How to avoid being deceived.

C1 Know the truth.

C2 Be honest.

C3 Be humble.

C4 Be aware, that is, be alert for deception.

C5 Be aware of statistics. See 5 Ways to Avoid Being Fooled by Statistics.

C6 Be a little skeptical.

B9 Next week

C1 He is coming

C2 Theme: Waiting in faithfulness

C3 Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11