Bible Study

 

A1 Scripture

B1 And for this reason when we could no longer take it, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother minister of God, and our fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and comfort you in your faith, so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions, for you yourselves know that we all are placed into this. For truly, when we were with you, we told you ahead of time that we would suffer afflictions, even as it happened and as you know. For this reason when I couldn't put it off any longer I sent so that I might know about your faith, lest somehow the tempter having tempted you and our labor turn out to be futile. (1 Thessalonians 3:1-5, WEL)

B2 Therefore, when we could bear it no longer, we were well pleased to be left behind at Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, in order to establish you and exhort you concerning your faith, that no one should be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this. For even when we were with you, we were telling you in advance that we were going to be afflicted, just as it has come to pass, and as you know. Because of this, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, lest somehow the tempter had tempted you, and our labor be in vain. (1 Thessalonians 3:1-5, EMTV)

 

A2 Outline

B1 Curiosity

 

A3 Notes

B1 1 Thessalonians 3:1

C1 Paul longs to see them again.

C2 He was growing impatient from concern about their wellbeing

C3 He stayed in Athens

B2 1 Thessalonians 3:2

C1 Timothy sent to them.

D1 Described

E1 Brother in Christ

E2 Minister of God

E3 Fellow worker in the Gospel of Christ

D2 Purpose

E1 To strengthen you

E2 To encourage you

F1 The Greek word is parakaleo.

F2 Means

G1 Comfort them in their trials

G2 Encourage them to continue thus this would include comfort as well. This is the most likely meaning.

B3 1 Thessalonians 3:3

C1 Disturbed

D1 The Greek word is saino.

D2 It means

E1 Shaken up--to cause mental/emotional agony

E2 Disturbed

D3 His concern was that the trials and persecutions they were facing would cause them to abandon the faith.

D4 We need to encourage one another.

C2 Afflictions

D1 The Greek word is thlipsis.

D2 It means

E1 Pressure

E2 The type of pressure that would be emotional, physical, mental, etc. that would cause pain.

E3 Persecution

F1 Soft as in loss of job or denial of benefits that all others receive.

F2 Hard as in jail or torture

D3 Application

E1 Paul forewarned them.

E2 It is common in the Christian life.

E3 Jesus, the Apostles, and other believers experienced it.

C3 Appoint

D1 The Greek word is keimai.

D2 It means

E1 To lie as in to be placed down on something.

F1 The spoon lies on the table.

F2 "He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." (Matthew 28:6, NKJV)

E2 Figurative it means appoint

F1 "Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against." (Luke 2:34, EMTV)

F2 "Then they will hand you over to tribulation and they will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations, on account of My name." (Matthew 24:9, EMTV)

F3 "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word which I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me." (John 15:19-21, EMTV)

B4 1 Thessalonians 3:4

C1 We may be appointed for difficulties from non-Christians here, but "...God did not appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Chris." (1 Thessalonians 5:9, EMTV)

C2 The Thessalonians had seen and experienced persecution of the brethren when they were there preaching the Gospel.

C3 This is different than the easy, soft, false Gospel they is regularly preached today.

B5 1 Thessalonians 3:5

C1 The Tempter

D1 The Greek word is peirazo.

D2 It means

C1 Test--as a teacher would test to know the pupils knowledge, what they have learned. Satan is this tempter and wishes to cause affliction and trouble of all sorts to try and break us down--to abandon the faith. Consider Job in Job 1:1 and the Lord Jesus--"And approaching Him, the tempter said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones may become bread." (Matthew 4:3, EMTV)

C2 Examine

D3 He does this by

E1 Lying

E2 Twisting the truth

E3 Appealing to lusts of the flesh and mind

E4 Pain

E5 Fear

E6 Physical, mental, emotional, financial, religious, etc. abuse

D4 The best ways to avoid and stay true to God is to

E1 Read and study the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15)

E2 Pray (Matthew 26:41)

E3 Encourage others (Galatians 6:2)

E4 Allow others to encourage you. Have another person you can talk to. You don't need to tell all, just ask for prayer and for the person to listen and for you to listen in return. (Galatians 5:13-14)

E5 Confess failures and sin (James 5:16)

E6 Know your weaknesses, so then you can flee temptation, avoiding it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

E7 Resist, so leave the area, start doing something else, etc. (James 4:7)

E8 When you sin, do not blame others but take the responsibility. Compare Adam who failed by blaming his wife and God (Genesis 3:12). Compare Aaron who made the golden calf (Exodus 32:24).

E9 Be persistent and consistent. (Colossians 1:23 and James 1:12)

E10 When you sin, do not be discouraged or give up. Consider Peter who denied Jesus. He was forgiven and still used of God (John 18:25-27 and John 21:17).

E11 Remember that Jesus himself was tempted, and how He resisted. (Hebrews 2:18, Hebrews 4:15)

E12 Do the Scriptures, that is, obey God's rules. (James 1:22)

E13 Stop sinning (Ephesians 4:28)

E14 Avoid evil people who may encourage you to sin (2 Corinthians 6:14)

E15 There are rewards for not sinning.

F1 First, you don't sin.

F2 Secondly, a crown from God. This is something we receive on our judgment day. (James 1:12)

E16 Be aware that the devil wants you to sin and will try anything to get you to sin. (1 Peter 5:8)

C2 Futile/in vain

D1 The Greek word is kenos.

D2 It means

E1 Vain as in unsuccessful

E2 Empty as in what you have is now gone.

D3 In this case it would mean the Gospel was preached, the people believed and led a Christian life, then totally fell away. This would be Paul's worst fear.

D4 The Holy Spirit was sent by Jesus to be our helper.

E1 "My little children, these things I write to you, that you may not sin. And if someone should sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." (1 John 2:1, EMTV)

E2 How God helps us

F1 Helps us to remember Scripture

F2 Does not leave or forsake us

F3 Prays (intercedes for us)

F4 Loves us

F5 Chastens us (to correct our wrong behavior and for us to repent)

F6 Strengthens us (Philippians 4:13)

F7 Gives grace, that is, something we do not deserve to help us resist and flee temptation. (Hebrews 4:16)

F8 Reminds us that He is stronger than the devil (1 John 4:4)

F9 Given us a Psalm to help us (Psalm 23)

G1 Gives peace and rest

G2 Restores

G3 Leads on the righteous path

G4 Remains close beside us even while we are dying

G5 Stays with us when trouble comes

G6 Blesses us even when our enemies surround us

G7 God's goodness and mercy are applied to me

Some Ways God Helps Us

Let your way of life be without loving money, being satisfied with what you have. For He Himself has said, "By no means shall I desert you, nor in any way shall I forsake you;" so that being confident, we may say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:5-6, EMTV)


 




 

How God helps us

1. 
   
   Helps us to remember Scripture
   
   
   
   
   
   1. The importance of Scripture cannot be understated.
      
   
   
   2. 
      
      Gives us guidance to know our way.
      
      
      
      
      
      1. Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. (Psalms 119:105, NKJV)
         
      
      
      2. There are many decisions to make. We need to use our mind, reason, and logic, but there still is the unknown. Things happen and best decisions might not turn out as we expect. The Bible gives many rules, principles, and examples of good and bad decisions.
         
      
      
      
      
   
   
   3. To know what is true and/or false (John 17:17)
      
   
   
   
   


2. Does not leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5)
   


3. Prays (intercedes for us) (Romans 8:26)
   


4. 
   
   Loves us (Romans 8:37-39, 1 John 4:9)
   
   
   
   
   
   1. The description of love is found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
      
   
   
   2. This love, God's love, is a choice, not necessarily a passion. True love whether in marriage or family or friends may or may not have passion. True love is a choice.
      
   
   
   
   


5. 
   
   Chastens us (to correct our wrong behavior and for us to repent) (Psalm 94:12)
   
   
   
   
   
   1. This is just not rough times in our lives.
      
   
   
   2. It is to get us to repent and to do things God's way, according to His rules (1 Corinthians 11:32).
      
   
   
   3. He does this because He loves us.
      
   
   
   
   


6. Strengthens us (Philippians 4:13)
   


7. Gives grace, that is, something we do not deserve to help us resist and flee temptation. (Hebrews 4:16)
   


8. Reminds us that He is stronger than the devil (1 John 4:4)
   


9. 
   
   Given us a Psalm to help us (Psalm 23)
   
   
   
   
   
   1. Gives peace and rest
      
   
   
   2. Restores
      
   
   
   3. Leads on the righteous path
      
   
   
   4. Remains close beside us even while we are dying
      
   
   
   5. Stays with us when trouble comes
      
   
   
   6. Blesses us even when our enemies surround us
      
   
   
   7. God's goodness and mercy are applied to me
   
   
   
   

Some Financial Advice

Bob at Christian Personal Finance has been writing financial advice from a Christian perspective for a long time. He has a newsletter, blog, courses, books, and lots of personal advice. I find his advice timely and useful.



Photo credit: Ken Wilcox. / Source / CC BY-ND


He wrote a column in 2007 entitled The one thing I would teach a recent college Grad.

This road can sometimes feel like a lonely road, when everything and everyone around you is yelling, "Spend! Spend! Spend!" But, be assured, those who go down this road get the last laugh. They experience freedoms that most people only dream of.

If you are like I was, you will think, "oh, I can spend now, because I will be making more money later." Well, the truth is that it doesn't matter how much money you make. Expenses rise to meet income. So, as your income increases, you can be sure that, by default, your expenses will increase as well. Believe it or not, there are people out there with $500K annual salaries filing bankruptcy and in the same moment, you have people who never...

The article deals with some timely advice for the recent graduate but even people who are older. It truly is never too soon to start.

God has much to say about finances in the Scriptures. If we heed God's advice, we will be much better off. You and I know some things never seem to work out and tragedies do happen but generally we will be better off. Not only do we learn, but we can pass this information to our children, friends, and neighbors.

Tips on avoiding sin

No true Christian wants to sin and displease God. The Scriptures truly state that "…you will know them by their fruit," that is, what kind of life they live.

How do we avoid sin?



Photo credit: I am marlon / Loveseat Deals / CC BY-NC-ND

We will be tempted.

Some tips:

1. 
   
   Read and study the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15)
   
   
   
   
   
   1. Reading the Bible should be no difficulty. Just read it. Need some help search for a reading plan. The YouVersion Bible app (or here) has many short, long, topical, chronological reading plans. Another is the Blue Letter Bible reading plans.
      
   
   
   2. Studying the Bible. The best is to use the cross references and a topical Bible as Nave's or Torrey's. Online there is Blue Letter Bible, Bible Hub, Precept Austin, and others.
      
   
   
   
   


2. 
   
   Pray (Matthew 26:41)
   
   
   
   
   
   1. Praying is simply talking with God. Jesus prayed (Mark 1:35 and many other places).
      
   
   
   2. 
      
      Some things to pray for are
      
      
      
      
      
      1. Things to be thankful for
         
      
      
      2. Others needs for spiritual health, emotional health, and physical health, etc.
         
      
      
      3. Leaders of your country, religious leaders, and all (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
         
      
      
      
      
   
   
   
   


3. 
   
   Encourage others (Galatians 6:2)
   
   
   
   
   
   1. "Don't give up." "We can make it with God's help."
      
   
   
   2. It is part of bearing one another's burdens.
      
   
   
   
   


4. 
   
   Allow others to encourage you. Have another person you can talk to. You don't need to tell all, just ask for prayer and for the person to listen and for you to listen in return. (Galatians 5:13-14)
   
   
   
   
   
   1. Not only are we to be an encouragement to others, but we are to let others encourage us.
      
   
   
   2. It is OK to ask for help.
      
   
   
   
   


5. 
   
   Confess failures and sin (James 5:16)
   
   
   
   
   
   1. All of us from Peter to us today have sinned and need to confess our sins and ask God for forgiveness.
      
   
   
   2. If we sin and only God knows, confess it to Him alone.
      
   
   
   3. If we sin against one, then confess to God after you have gone to the other person, confessed your sin, and ask for their forgiveness. When we forgive others, we then allow God to handle it. That others person still needs to confess and ask God for forgiveness.
      
   
   
   
   


6. 
   
   Know your weaknesses, so then you can flee temptation, avoiding it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
   
   
   
   
   
   1. Have the addiction gene? Then stay away from any addiction as gambling, alcohol, drugs, etc.
      
   
   
   2. Always and everyone needs to stay away from porn.
      
   
   
   
   


7. 
   
   Resist, so leave the area, start doing something else, etc. (James 4:7)
   
   
   
   
   
   1. If tempted, then leave the area and get busy with something—work, exercise, helping others, washing dishes, anything to occupy your time.
      
   
   
   2. Walk away and memorize Scripture, pray, go out and help someone.
      
   
   
   
   


8. When you sin, do not blame others but take the responsibility. Compare Adam who failed by blaming his wife and God (Genesis 3:12). Compare Aaron who made the golden calf (Exodus 32:24).
   


9. 
   
   Be persistent and consistent. (Colossians 1:23 and James 1:12)
   
   
   
   
   
   1. People are not just tempted once. It will happen again and again.
      
   
   
   2. If we give in, it will be easier to give in the second time.
      
   
   
   
   


10. 
    
    When you sin, do not be discouraged or give up. Consider Peter who denied Jesus. He was forgiven and still used of God (John 18:25-27 and John 21:17).
    
    
    
    
    
    1. All of us sin.
       
    
    
    2. All of us are forgiven.
       
    
    
    3. All of us need God's help.
       
    
    
    4. Peter sinned a grievous sin and still was used by God (see the verse above).
       
    
    
    
    


11. 
    
    Remember that Jesus himself was tempted, and how He resisted. (Hebrews 2:18, Hebrews 4:15)
    
    
    
    
    
    1. He knew the Scriptures.
       
    
    
    2. He applied the Scriptures.
       
    
    
    3. He lived the Scriptures.
       
    
    
    
    


12. 
    
    Do the Scriptures, that is, obey God's rules. (James 1:22)
    
    
    
    
    
    1. If we busy ourselves obey God's laws, we will know what they are and be practiced in obeying them.
       
    
    
    2. There are over 1,000 rules in the New Testament.
       
    
    
    
    


13. Stop sinning (Ephesians 4:28)
    


14. Avoid evil people who may encourage you to sin (Proverbs 1:10, 2 Corinthians 6:14)
    


15. 
    
    There are rewards for not sinning.
    
    
    
    
    
    1. First, you don't sin.
       
    
    
    2. Secondly, a crown from God. This is something we receive on our judgment day. (James 1:12)
       
    
    
    
    


16. Be aware that the devil wants you to sin and will try anything to get you to sin. (1 Peter 5:8)

Sin is a constant danger. God knows we are frail. God will help us. Don't give up, that's what the Tempter, the devil, wants.

Scientific Truth?

A new post at the Discovery Institute's Evolution News deals with the total nonreality of some evolutionists and the warping of truth or ignorance of it. Consider:

We are often told that "nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution." The statement was first made in 1973 by neo-Darwinist Theodosius Dobzhansky. (Neo-Darwinism is the view that evolution is due to the natural selection of variations that originate as gene mutations.) Dobzhansky's statement is false. Nevertheless, it has become the majority opinion ("consensus") of the scientific establishment. Sometimes, it is carried to absurd extremes.

For example, in a blog post last week defending that reliability of "scientific consensus," theoretical astrophysicist Ethan Siegel wrote:

[E]volution was the consensus position that led to the discovery of genetics...

What a hoot! The truth is that Gregor Mendel discovered genetics with no help from evolution. Mendel published his theory…

For too many people truth is "what I say," as if they are the final authority in life. What people believe to be true, and what is reality are two different things.

1. Truth corresponds to reality. This would be seen when a cashier hands you the wrong change. Immediately people will say, "Wait a minute. This is not the correct change." No theories allowed here; it is reality.


2. Truth is fact. An example of this would be 1+1=2. No theory really needed. Someone may explain it away, but 1 $(USA) plus 1 $(USA) does equal 2 $(USA).

An article on truth.

Christian and non-Christians understand this.

1. "If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything." Mark Twain


2. "Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." Aldous Huxley, Complete Essays 2, 1926-29


3. "In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act." George Orwell


4. "Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies because they become fashions." G. K. Chesterton


5. "The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion, but, on the contrary, of its liberality and humanity. It is shorter to state the things forbidden than the things permitted: precisely because most things are permitted, and only a few things are forbidden." G. K. Chesterton


6. "Never speak against the truth, but be ashamed of your ignorance." (Sirach 4:25 NRSVA)


7. "A reliable witness always tells the truth, but an unreliable one tells nothing but lies." (Proverbs 14:5 GNB)

The above article explores what is true. It is a good read for sure. Check out the facts before you believe something.

Let us not be led away by "experts," government, salespeople, or someone we know.

Reality

 



Photo credit: JFXie / Foter / CC BY

Doublethink--the acceptance of two contradictory ideas or beliefs at the same time. (doublethink. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved April 27, 2015, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/doublethink)

Nancy Pearcey writes an article in Evolution News entitled Darwin's Robots: When Evolutionary Materialists Admit that Their Own Worldview Fails. A couple of quotes from her article are telling

1. 
   
   In What Science Offers the Humanities, Edward Slingerland, identifies himself as an unabashed materialist and reductionist. Slingerland argues that Darwinian materialism leads logically to the conclusion that humans are robots -- that our sense of having a will or self or consciousness is an illusion. Yet, he admits, it is an illusion we find impossible to shake. No one "can help acting like and at some level really feeling that he or she is free." We are "constitutionally incapable of experiencing ourselves and other conspecifics [humans] as robots."
   
   
   And
   
   A dual consciousness is a signal that contrary evidence from general revelation is being suppressed.
   
   
   Slingerland acknowledges that his reductionist view of humans as essentially robots is contrary to ordinary experience. Gesturing toward his own daughter, Slingerland writes, "At an important and ineradicable level, the idea of my daughter as merely a complex robot carrying my genes into the next generation is both bizarre and repugnant to me." Such a reductionistic view "inspires in us a kind of emotional resistance and even revulsion."


2. 
   
   Marvin Minsky of MIT is best known for his pithy phrase that the human brain is nothing but "a three-pound computer made of meat." Obviously, computers do not have the power of choice; the implication is that neither do humans. Surprisingly, however, Minsky then asks, "Does that mean we must embrace the modern scientific view and put aside the ancient myth of voluntary choice? No. We can't do that."
   
   
    
   
   Why not? Minsky goes on: "No matter that the physical world provides no room for freedom of will; that concept is essential to our models of the mental realm." We cannot "ever give it up. We're virtually forced to maintain that belief, even though we know it's false." False, that is, according to Minsky's materialist worldview.
   
   
    

Now think of some of these doublethink statements.

1. Bruce Jenner, "I am a woman."


2. Unnamed patient I took care of, "I am Jesus Christ."


3. Unnamed patient I took care of, "I am the Virgin Mary."


4. Benny Hinn and Kenneth Copeland, "I am god."


5. Unnamed physician who called me at work, "This is god speaking." I did know who he was, and he was not being funny, Trust me.

We could name many others, but you have met these people yourself. They claim one thing but live another.

Consider

1. The Calvinist (TULIP) who believes in exhaustive determinism who writes that people believe in the doctrine of God's sovereign but balk at determinism, he becomes angry at his wife for something she does/does not do.


2. The prophetic healer(?) who becomes sick and requests prayer, or teaches on physical healing in the atonement, the sick are healed, and the dead rise, has glasses, dentures, pacemaker, wheelchair, etc.


3. The one who believes in speaking reality and God cannot do anything until we speak it, speaks it and nothing happens.


4. The person who believes in miracle healers today go a healer for healing and nothing happens but still believes it.


5. The person who thinks they are worthless but have many gifts for the church and society.


6. The person who thinks they are ugly but miss the obvious beauty that others see.


7. The person who thinks they are stupid when they are not.

There are times when we all have experience some of these, but where is the reality?

We should be facing reality.

Another false belief is that we are good. We do not obey any of the Ten Commandments perfectly. We have all lied, stolen, coveted, etc.

We might as well as face reality. The so called healer, prophet, or teacher that believes in healing, seed faith, "blessings," etc. are wrong, for where is the reality?

Bible Study/Commentary

1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

 

 

A1 Scripture

B1 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 EMTV (17) But we, brothers, being unwillingly separated from you for a short season, in presence, not in heart, were all the more eager to see your face with much desire. (18) Therefore we desired to come to you--I, Paul, time and again--but Satan hindered us. (19) For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of boasting? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? (20) For you are our glory and joy.

B2 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 GNB (17) As for us, friends, when we were separated from you for a little while---not in our thoughts, of course, but only in body---how we missed you and how hard we tried to see you again! (18) We wanted to return to you. I myself tried to go back more than once, but Satan would not let us. (19) After all, it is you---you, no less than others!---who are our hope, our joy, and our reason for boasting of our victory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes. (20) Indeed, you are our pride and our joy!

 

A2 Outline

B1 Absence

C1 Not physical but in heart

C2 Hindered by Satan

B2 Thessalonians

C1 Cause

D1 Hope

D2 Joy

D3 Reason to boast

C2 To whom--Jesus Christ

C3 Glory and joy

 

A3 Notes

B1 1 Thessalonians 2:17

C1 Absence

D1 Went to preach in another place

D2 They had been gone about 6 months

D3 The words "unwillingly separated" is the Greek word aporphanizo which means abandoned as in orphaned. It is the sadness of a parent losing their children.

E1 "I will not leave you orphans; I am coming to you. (John 14:18 EMTV).

E2 The word orphan (comfortless in KJV) is a related word.

D4 The reason they left was the ill treatment they had received. "Then the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away during the night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. (Acts 17:10 EMTV)

C2 The word "desire" is the Greek word epithumia. It means in a bad sense lust for something God does not approve, money for instance. In the good sense the word means to long for, as we long to be home, for our family, for heaven, for good health, etc.

D1 They could not be there for various reasons (preaching responsibilities primarily), but they still thought of them and wanted to visit them o so badly.

D2 Obviously we note here that some desires, lusts, are OK with God.

B2 1 Thessalonians 2:18

C1 Satan is the great deceiver.

D1 The word satan means adversary, which is certainly the case here.

D2 Compare "Then Satan answered the LORD, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Have you not put a fence around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face." The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, all that he has is in your power; only do not stretch out your hand against him!" So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD." (Job 1:9-12 NRSV)

D3 Satan

E1 Afflicts Christians Job 1:9-12

E2 Has authority over non-Christians Acts 26:18

E3 Blinds unbelievers to the Gospel of Christ 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

E4 Fights the saints 2 Thessalonians 2:9

E5 Is a murderer Hebrews 2:14

E6 Tempts so people will sin 1 Chronicles 21:1

E7 Can cause sickness (not all sickness is from the devil, most is because we live in a curse world) Job 2:7, Luke 13:16

E8 Lies John 8:44

E9 Deceives

F1 His promises are lies Genesis 3:5

F2 Wrests and twists the plain, normal sense of the Scriptures Matthew 4:6

F3 He carries out plans against God's people and how they want to serve Jesus (preach the Gospel, live holy, avoid sin, etc.)

F4 Appears as an angel of light (preventing he is god or an angel sent by God) 2 Corinthians 11:14

E10 Jesus defeats him. Luke 4:13, John 12:31, 2 Thessalonians 2:8, 1 John 3:8, and Revelation 20:10

C2 Hinders

D1 The word "hinders" is the Greek word egkoptō.

D2 This means to cut into, that is, impede, hinder. The word has been used in Greek regarding a road. The road was cut into, that is, made something that a vehicle could not travel on it.

D3 It is used as "weary" in "But that I not weary you any longer, I beseech you to hear us briefly in your graciousness." (Acts 24:4 EMTV) Here it is used as to hold you back from something, waste your time, delay your work, etc.

D4 How satan hindered them is not known. Maybe it is left unknown to comfort all of us who are hindered by satan is various ways.

B3 1 Thessalonians 2:19

C1 Hope, or joy, or crown of boasting brings the idea that these Christians bring much joy into Paul's and the other missionaries' lives.

C2 Boosting here would have the idea of complimenting them to others as in we might do when talking to others about our children.

C3 A special joy will be had at judgment day when Paul and the missionaries see these Christians welcomed into heaven and the joy of God.

C4 The coming of Jesus Christ

D1 The Greek word is parousia.

E1 It means a coming along side, so in this case any way it will be us alongside Jesus.

E2 He comes for us.

E3 It is used also for arrivals.

E4 It is used in Matthew 24:3; Matthew 24:27; Matthew 24:37; Matthew 24:39; 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Corinthians 16:17; 2 Corinthians 7:6-7; 2 Corinthians 10:10; Philippians 1:26; Philippians 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-9; James 5:7-8; 2 Peter 1:16; 2 Peter 3:4; 2 Peter 3:12; 1 John 2:28.

D2 Jesus Christ has 3 main "comings."

E1 First as a suffering Messiah, the Passover Lamb, to die on the cross for sinners, paying the penalty for sin.

E2 Second as a Savior for the dead and living saints before the Tribulation.

E3 Third as a Judge to deal with the wicked, with Israel, to set up His kingdom on earth, the Millennium, and eternity.

B4 1 Thessalonians 2:20

C1 Encourages the saints with these words.

C2 Encouraging words stimulate spiritual growth and development as they do in any situation.