Living Right in a Rough World
1 Thess 4:1
1 Thessalonians 4:1 ESV
Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.
Step #1 - Remember the RIGHT Source
During the New Testament, and right now during our time, there are a lot of potential sources that offer us wisdom and insight.
Step #1 - Remember the RIGHT Source
1 Thessalonians 2:13 ESV
And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
Step #1 - Remember the RIGHT Source
2 Peter 1:21 ESV
For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Where do you go to FIRST for advice?
Where do you go to FIRST for advice?
Reason #1 – The Bible is the words of life.
John 6:63 ESV
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
Reason #2 - The Bible is TRUTH
John 17:17 ESV
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
Reason #2 - The Bible is TRUTH
1 Thessalonians 2:13 ESV
And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
Step #2 - Stay Connected to the Source
1 Thessalonians 2:13 ESV
And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
Step #2 - Stay Connected to the Source
Hebrews 4:12 ESV
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
What can the Bible do in YOUR life?
Psalm 119:1 ESV
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!
Step #2 - Stay Connected to the Source
Joshua 1:8 ESV
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
How Can I Know if I'm Staying Connected?
1 Thessalonians 2:14 ESV
For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,
Question #1 – Do I look like early followers of Jesus?
1 Thessalonians 2:14 NIV
For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews
Question #1 – Do I look like early followers of Jesus?
Acts 2:42 ESV
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Question #1 – Do I look like early followers of Jesus?
Acts 4:31 ESV
And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
Do I look like early followers of Jesus?
In what parts of your life do you need to look more like early followers of Jesus?
Question #2 – Do I suffer because of following Jesus?
Question #2 – Do I suffer because of following Jesus?
Question #2 – Do I suffer because of following Jesus?
1 Thessalonians 2:14 ESV
For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,
Step #3 – Trust God to Deal with Rough Stuff.
Step #3 – Trust God to Deal with Rough Stuff.
Step #3 – Trust God to Deal with Rough Stuff.
1 Thessalonians 2:15-16 ESV
who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But God's wrath has come upon them at last!
Living Right for the Long Haul
What's one change you can make in your life this week to start Living Right? (Leave your name and contact info if you'd like Central to help you follow through with this.)