* * My apologies everyone. I forgot to record the sermon this morning. I did my best to take notes (our normal note taker was away today). –John S.

2 Thessalonians 3:4–18 (KJV)

4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. 5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 8 Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. 10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. 14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Don’t stop working while waiting for the LORD.

1. Take the attacks from Satan seriously and pray to God for help and strength to overcome.
2. Study your Bible.  You have to know God’s word so you’ll know what to do when Satan is attacking.
3. Spend time with fellow believers.  Go to church.  Fellowship.
4. Share the word of God.  Tell others what you learn.  Tell people about Jesus.
5. Listen to what God tells you.  

How do you know what’s true?  Read and study your Bible.  Share what you learn.

Scripture reference: John 15:1-11 (KJV) with the main emphasis on verse 11

[11] These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Do you have true joy?

Many people believe the happiness the world sees is joy, but it’s not. The world is physical but true joy is spiritual, and it only comes from God. The only way the world will realize true joy is for Christians to go out and share it.

Jesus is speaking about the vine and the branches (John 15:1-8). The vine is the root and is what gives life. The branches are what produce the fruit. When the branches don’t produce fruit, He cuts them off. The Church of Jesus Christ is not producing fruit because if it was, we wouldn’t see all the crazy ideas in the world today. God’s Word tells us what is coming if the branches do not produce fruit.

Joy is very special and you need to have it. True joy comes from the heart. If you are born again and washed in the blood of the Lamb, that joy comes from the Holy Spirit that dwells within you.

There are three ways joy helps us:

The joy of success – This joy is not what the world thinks it is. It is not making a billion dollars, living in a mansion, or having everything the world thinks you should have. The joy of success comes from helping others and seeing successful results in what you are doing. What do we have we can share with someone? For example, our church finances belong to God and He commands us to use them to benefit others. If a church doesn’t do that, the people don’t see joy.

The joy of salvation – This joy comes from what someone bears for you. What did Jesus bear for you? The Cross at Calvary is what He bore for you. This joy gives you a deep sense of relief and safety. It means knowing your future is secure and your life has the ultimate meaning. Our lives have meaning if we are born again and we have value to Jesus when we share the Gospel of Christ. Too many people depend on the happiness of the world and that makes them miserable and worried. Jesus tells us not to worry because it is a waste of time. If you have the joy of salvation, you need to share it, so your time is not wasted. Joy, strength, and love all come from the Father through Jesus Christ. Share the gifts God blessed you with.

The joy in the sovereignty of God the Father – This is the deepest joy. God gives us the choice to spend eternity in Heaven or Hell. God doesn’t send any person to Hell; He gives us the choice. If we have the joy of salvation we will sin less, we will share more, and we will receive that ultimate eternity. It comes from loving that higher power, God. God loves you just for who you are. If you succeed in the world, you are seeking a reward from the world, but a good servant of God is working for the glory of God.

Do you have the true joy of God, or do you have what the world calls joy? The joy of our salvation begins in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Whosoever means everyone is important to God. Let God have his way in your life and you will have joy.

Scripture reference: Hebrews 10:23-25 (KJV)

23Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

What is the purpose of fellowship?

Fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ is very, very important. Christian fellowship is not some big party, like the world thinks of fellowship, and it’s not just showing up for church services because you feel obligated. Neither is participating in the Lord’s Supper fellowship. The Lord’s Supper is a solemn and special time for us to thank almighty God for what he did for us.

God calls us to connect with Himself and with others; that is what true Christian fellowship is all about. But many believers have forgotten or never learned how to have genuine Christian fellowship. We need to lift each other up. When we enjoy something, like a song the music minister chooses or a dish at the latest potluck, we need to let those people know. Fellowship is like growing a garden – the better you care for it, the more it grows and produces.

There are reasons we need to have Christian fellowship:

· Fellowship helps us to learn. We learn about God and how He helps us through tough times. Each of us has a story that blesses others who hear it. Our stories help others understand how to live a life of faith.

· Fellowship unites us as one body in the Spirit. It is a time of joy that keeps us together. Isolation leaves us open to temptation and drifting away from God.

· Fellowship lets us show support and love for one another. It’s a way we can use our time and talents to help others who are in need. Genuine Christian fellowship is the unifying factor in spreading the Word of God. People see that Jesus can, and will, take care of them and their needs, and they in turn give praise where it’s due, to God.

God gave us the same Spirit He gave Jesus, and He expects us to unite in Christian fellowship showing love the same way Jesus did.

Scripture reference: Luke 3:10-14 (KJV)

10And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? 11He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. 12Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? 13And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. 14And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

Are you letting the world lead you?

At the time of John the Baptist, there had been no prophets in Israel for 400 years. The people had been relying on the religious leaders to show them the way to salvation, but the leaders had been giving them false information. The leaders were corrupt and told the people all that was needed was to be a descendant of Abraham. Sadly we see the same pattern of behavior today. Many people believe if they are members of a particular religious denomination, or there is a certain name on their church door, they have an automatic ticket to Heaven. Not so! We must believe Jesus is The Way to salvation, confess we are sinners, and ask Him into our hearts. That’s our ticket to Heaven!

John the Baptist was born full of the Holy Spirit and was a forerunner of Jesus Christ. Many people came to hear John speak because he was filled with the Holy Spirit and told them what God wanted them to do. John taught a message of treating others with kindness and being satisfied with what we have. When we share what we have with others, God will provide for all our needs.

In verses 10 and 11, the people ask John what they should do; he answered share what you have. When we see a need in our community, we need to meet it.

Verses 12 and 13 show the “publicans” (tax collectors) asking John what they needed to do. John answered don’t cheat the people by charging more than what they owe. Publicans were hated by the people because they were notorious for making themselves wealthy by overcharging the people on their taxes.

Even the “soldiers” (the Temple guards) got in on the conversation by asking in verse 14 what they should do. John answered, don’t be violent, don’t falsely accuse anyone, and be content with your pay.

How selfish are we? When we receive a blessing from God, do we keep it all to ourselves or do we share it with others? What does our selfishness cost? Look closely and you will see hungry and homeless children all around you. God commands us to share when we see a need.

Scripture reference: Isaiah 24:3-6 (KJV)

3The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the LORD hath spoken this word. 4The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish. 5The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. 6Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.

The flock has gone astray.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd and led his flock in righteousness, but now many false preachers are leading the flock astray. When Jesus returned to Heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father, He left earthly shepherds to lead His flock. Many of these shepherds are leading in a worldly way and the flock is turning its back on God. Too many shepherds let the world’s influence make them greedy and selfish, and that harms the flock.

God put man in charge of His creation and man is supposed to take care of it. Who is polluting the water, land, and air? It’s not God! God designed Earth to sustain life, but greed and selfishness have caused man to harm God’s creation. If we are smart enough to design technology, we should be smart enough to build it without destroying the land. What are we leaving to our children and grandchildren?

We see tornados and earthquakes where they never occurred before. We suffer drought and intense heatwaves. Earth is suffering due to human sin and our rebellion against God. The flock needs to repent and turn back to God.

Scripture reference: Nehemiah 8: 9-10 (KJV)

9And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. 10Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

The true joy of salvation is gone from this world.

Many popular ideas and activities are making the world turn dark. The world sees evil as good and good as evil.

Satan has been taking his time (many, many years) to remove God from the world. Satan is subtle and sneaky. He starts working on younger generations, and they in turn teach their descendants. He managed to take God and prayer out of schools, sporting events, and most of the government.

Jesus warned of a great falling away, and it’s happening right here! For example, there was a 17 year-old girl killed in Abilene by a stray bullet fired when two men were shooting at each other, and gun play is becoming more common in Anson.

In Nehemiah 8:9 the people were weeping because they learned they were not only living but worshipping wrongly. They were not keeping the Sabath holy and were not sharing their excess food with those who had none. In verse 10, Nehemiah reminds the people the joy of the LORD is their strength. The same is true for us today.

Our joy is in our salvation. We can communicate God’s salvation plan without forcing it down people’s throats. If we communicate with love and share God with joy, Jesus will bless it. In Philippians 4:4 Paul said, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (KJV). Our authority to share Jesus with others comes from God through the Holy Spirit.

Scripture reference: John 3:19-21 (KJV)

19And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Why is there so much darkness in the world? Where is the light?

God created the sun to bring physical life and exitance to the world. It provides grass, trees, and other food sources for all living things. God also gave us spiritual life through Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, who gives eternal life.

Spiritual light exposes the darkness, the evil, in the world. Many people who call themselves Christians are still walking in darkness because “religion” is teaching that it’s okay to do whatever you want because Jesus will always forgive us. Yes, Jesus does forgive if we truly repent of our sins. But repenting means feeling such deep regret or sorrow for a wrong you have done that you make a firm choice to change your behavior for the better.

The world has gotten away from the truth, the light; most parents don’t teach it, society doesn’t teach it. We, as Christians, need to let our spiritual lights shine to expose the darkness of the world, and to lead others into the light of the truth which is found only in God’s Word.

Remember, God loves you whether you love Him or not!

Scripture reference: Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV)

28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Is the world burdening your life?

People are looking for the world to bring them joy, and the world is always searching for peace but will never find it. Peace and joy come only from God through Jesus.

God created us to be a part of a community in order to help each other. We are commanded to love one another and we bear each other’s burdens. Hardships and burdens don’t disappear from our lives, but God helps us through them.

God chose to love us whether we love Him or not. He loves us so much that He provided Jesus as the way for us to have eternal life with Him.

Scripture reference: Ephesians 4:17 – 32

Question: Is the World Controlling Your Life?

Paul, writing to the Church at Ephesus, reminds us to put off the old man and put on the new man. (vv. 22 – 24) We need to live for Jesus and go out and tell the world about Him.

Paul also tells us, “grieve not the holy Spirit of God” (v. 30) and do not give the devil a way to defeat us. (v. 27). Instead we are to be kind, loving, and forgiving to others. (v. 32)

Ways we grieve the holy Spirit: lying (v. 25), being angry (v. 26, 31), stealing (v. 28, 31), saying hurtful things (v. 29).

Ephesians 4 (KJV)

Living as Children of Light 17This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20But ye have not so learned Christ; 21If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27Neither give place to the devil. 28Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.