Are You An Alien? by Ben Fronczek

http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?p=746

Are You An Alien?

Are You an Alien?  1 Peter 2:11                                                    

I have to admit, I like Sci-fi programs. I liked those old space programs like Star Trek, Star gate, the movie ET, Lost in Space, even the old program, My  Favorite Martian. And even though I’m not so sure there are extra-terrestrial beings out there, I can’t help but believe how important first contact would be with alien beings, not to mention how we may interact over a period of time .  If there are others who live out there, I wonder how they would perceive us as species and what we would think about them and their customs and practices.

But what about how we interact with other cultures on our own planet; with other nations? I could never picture myself being a foreign exchange student when I was younger. The mere though if it scared me to death. Why, because even then I realized it came with such a huge responsibility.

If I were to go to another country and act like a jerk, those people who may not know any other Americans may think we are all alike. In this sense I believe every American who travels abroad whether they are a foreign exchange student, a businessman, or even a tourist are ambassadors of our country to some degree.

So far in our study of 1 Peter we have seen a number of labels that Peter has placed upon us as Christians. So far he said that: – “God’s elect”. He also said

– We are like living stoned, and collectively we are being built up into a Spiritual Temple.

– He also told us that we are a holy priesthood with the privilege of being able to offer up spiritual sacrifices to glorify our Lord.

– He even said that we are a chosen people, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.

And here now in 1 Peter 2:11, Peter calls us aliens, foreigners, or strangers depending on what translation you are reading. As Peter has already indicated in this letter, this world is not our home, but while we live and take temporary residence here we are God’s representatives, His ambassadors and so in this lesson we are going to look the suggestions Peter gives us on how to conduct our self as such.

#1. To begin with Peter starts off by saying in 2:11 “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.” NAS

The NLT put it this way, “Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.”

If we go to another county and carry on like a self indulgent ignoramus who can’t control themselves, what kind of image will those people have in their minds when they think of Americans. Likewise Christians should live as wholesome as possible. If a person calls themselves a Christian but carries on like a drunk, a drug addict, a sexual pervert, a glutton, or can’t control them self in some other ways, they only make a mockery of the name ‘Christian,’  and what it should represent.

People should know that we are Christians by the way we act, without even saying that we are Christians. This leads to Peter’s next suggestion.

#2 Next he says,  “Conduct yourself with honor” The NLT says it this way, “Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors.” The NAS says, “Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles,”

Acting like everyone else just isn’t good enough. He indicates that we should behave in an excellent manner. The NKJV says that we should live lives which are honorable. This suggests that people take note of your behavior in a positive way. We are talking about going the second mile here when it comes to our conduct.

Why live like this? Because in the rest of this verse Peter said that even if… “they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your good deeds and glorify God”

People aren’t as blind and ignorant as we sometimes think.  If you’ve made a claim of being a Christian, people are watching you whether they themselves believe in Christ or not. And many times the only time we hear from them is when they throw up our own hypocrisy in our face. ‘And you said you are a Christian; huh. I can’t believe you did that or said that!’

#3. Peters next suggestion is big one and it effects almost every part of our life as we interact with others; and that is to have a submissive spirit.

He starts out in verse 13 by saying, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men.”   I don’t believe that he is saying we should be a coward, wimpy, or weak in any way.  I believe it is the same thing that Jesus taught on the Sermon on the Mt. where He talked about being poor in spirit (or humble) and being meek.

Being meek is not about being weak, but rather it is power under control. Having a submissive nature is where a person makes a choice to be humble and gentle just like Jesus did when He chose not to exercise all His power.

Yes whether we recognize it or not we hold a special position in this world as God’s children, and co-heirs with Christ, but we are to submit. Peter then expands on this thought in the following verses.

a. First of he said to every human authority. He writes, “13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.”

It is God’s will that we obey individuals with authority over our land; at least as long as what they command isn’t in conflict with what God Himself has commanded or ordained. You may not like Obama, income tax or the 65 mph speed limit, but God expects us as faithful Christians to obey the governing individuals and laws of the land better than any other citizen.

b. Next Peter goes on to tell slaves to obey their masters. The NLT puts it this way, “18 You who are slaves must accept the authority of your masters with all respect.Do what they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel. 19 For God is pleased with you when you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment.”

Often preachers apply this to our work place; that we should submit to our employer and be good workers even if he is not a good boss. I believe that’s a fair teaching, because the issue at hand is not so much who we are working for but rather it’s about our willingness to submit and do a good job. We Christ’s ambassadors and represent Him. If you are a Christian and you are horrible employee it brings no glory to Jesus, nor the church.

c. Peter then moves from those governing us, to those we work for, to the home. In chapter 3, Peter writes, “Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”          

Starting in vs. 7 Peter also writes, “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”

A lot of times you hear individuals use this text to show that wives should have a submissive spirit, and this text does indicate that . But in vs. 7, it also shows that  “in the same way”, husbands should also have a submissivespirit. And if we don’t, and if we think more of ourselves than we should and try dominate and push other family members around, Peters lets us know that such behavior will even hinder our prayers.

Never underestimate the value and power of a humble, gentle spirit. Peter tells wives that their family members including their husbands can be won over to Christ without even a word but rather by their behavior.  I also believe this can happen in the work place and many other situations as well.

At the very least your behavior should not take away from your Christian testimony. We are Christ’s ambassadors and we are told how we are to live as aliens, and His ambassadors. Many times we wonder why we have not been more effective as we try to witness to others.  Maybe the people we are trying to witness to hear our ‘Christian’ words but then we see how we act, and how we talk about others, and hear how we complain and belly ache all the time, or see how we live contrary what they think God would expect us as Christians and just shake their heads and walk away..

Peters concluding comment in the subject in 3:8: “Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”

Don’t ever forget who you are and who you represent in this world.

I can’t help but admire the woman we know as Mother Teresa. If any woman lived a humble, submissive, loving life it was her, especailly as she served the dying in India. I would like to close by sharing a few quote she made.

– “If you are discouraged it is a sign of pride, because it shows you trust in your own powers.       

– “One of the greatest diseases is to be nobody to anybody.”                                                  – “I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like, but I know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, he will not ask, ‘How many good things have you done in your life?’ rather he will ask, ‘How much love did you put into what you did?”    

– “Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”                                                                                                                           

– “Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”

For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566

As Long As There Is Life, There Is Hope by Alfred Shannon, Jr.

https://biblicalproof.wordpress.com/2011/04/page/7/

As Long As There Is Life, There Is Hope

Sometimes being born again is a very difficult, and long term pregnancy. Although, some come to God after hearing the gospel just once, many others take a long time to fully comprehend the Word, and be converted. Let us never abort our mission to teach anyone, no matter how challenging, and long it takes. As long there is life, there is still hope.

2 Tim 4:2-5; Acts 24:25; Rom 2:4; 1 Pet 3:20; Col 3:13; John 3:1-21; 1 Cor 15:1-4; Rom 10:17; Rom 10:10; Acts 2:38; Rev 2:10

There is one body (Ephesians 4:4) by Roy Davison

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Davison/Roy/Allen/1940/onebody.html

There is one body
(Ephesians 4:4)

The church is the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22,23). Jesus said He would build His church (Matthew 16:18). He did not say He would establish several thousand denominations.
Jesus prayed that His followers might be one.
"Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are" (John 17:11).
"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me" (John 17:20-23).
To accomplish this oneness, the distinction between Jew and Gentile had to be erased.
Jesus said to the Jews: "And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd" (John 10:16).
Writing to Jews and Gentiles, Paul said: "For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity" (Ephesians 2:14-16).
Even the high priest who had Christ crucified -- without understanding what he was saying -- was inspired by God to speak of the oneness of all believers in Christ. "And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, 'You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.' Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad" (John 11:49-52).
This oneness in Christ encompasses heaven and earth! God had purposed "to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth" (Ephesians 1:9,10 RSV).
Christ's prayer was answered. His followers are one. There is one body (Ephesians 4:4) consisting of all those who are in Christ.
"For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another" (Romans 12:3-5).
Our oneness is based on one baptism.
"For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:26-28).
"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" (1 Corinthians 12:12,13).
This oneness expresses itself in the Lord's supper. "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread" (1 Corinthians 10:16,17). On the first day of the week, Christians in countless numbers assemble to partake of the one Bread, the bread of life.
The one body has one Lord and one faith. Paul admonished: "I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Ephesians 4:1-6).
Our oneness is based on the oneness of the Father and the Son, as Christ said in His prayer.
"For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5).
"But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ" (Matthew 23:8-10). "The Lord our God, the Lord is one" (Mark 12:29).
"But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him" (1 Corinthians 6:17).
Our oneness is based on the one faith. We must "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). To be one, God's word must dwell in us richly: "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Colossians 3:15-17).
When we worship God, we not only unite our voices but also our hearts. "Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God" (Romans 15:5-7).
When, on the basis of God's word, we maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, we can be of one heart and soul.
"Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you" (2 Corinthians 13:11).
"Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God" (Philippians 1:27,28).
"Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like- minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others" (Philippians 2:1-4).
"But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body" (Colossians 3:14,15).
"Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing" (1 Peter 3:8,9).
There is one body. Jesus prayed that His followers might be one, and this prayer was answered. His followers are one. There is one body which consists of all those who are in Christ. Our oneness is based on one baptism. This oneness expresses itself in the Lord's supper. It is based on the oneness of the Father and the Son. When we worship God, not only our voices, but also our hearts are united. Confessing and practicing the one faith, we maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, and we are one in heart and soul.
Roy Davison

The Scripture quotations in this article are from
The New King James Version. ©1979,1980,1982, Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers.
Permission for reference use has been granted.

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

Out of many, one by Gary Rose

I wonder, exactly how did they do that?  I know, this tree was made by grafting, but exactly HOW?  For that matter, how many trees did they start with, for it appears that three of them are about the same size and one smaller? 

Well, I guess I will never know, but the result is stunning, nevertheless. As I looked at this tree I thought of  The United States Of America and of the Latin phrase   E pluribus unum  . I remember the phase, but looked it up anyway to be sure...

E pluribus unum. A motto of the United States; Latin for “Out of many, one.” It refers to the Union formed by the separate states.   E pluribus unum   was adopted as a national motto in 1776 and is now found on the Great Seal of the United States and on United States currency.

E pluribus unum - Dictionary.com

www.dictionary.com/browse/e-pluribus-unum

When this nation was formed, part of its conceptualization was that many people were to be brought together to form  a nation. How sad it is that today our people are encouraged to speak a foreign language instead of English.  

As I consider these things, I thought of how the Scriptures teach that the many nations (aka, Gentiles) and the Jews were to be brought together into a new nation of faith.

Paul says...

Romans, Chapter 11, World English Bible

  ¹ I ask then, did God reject his people? May it never be! For I also am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.  ² God didn’t reject his people, which he foreknew. Or don’t you know what the Scripture says about Elijah? How he pleads with God against Israel: ³ “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have broken down your altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.”  ⁴ But how does God answer him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”  ⁵ Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.  ⁶ And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work. 

  ⁷  What then? That which Israel seeks for, that he didn’t obtain, but the chosen ones obtained it, and the rest were hardened.  ⁸ According as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, to this very day.”   ⁹ David says, 
“Let their table be made a snare, and a trap,
a stumbling block, and a retribution to them.
  ¹⁰ Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see.
Bow down their back always.”

  ¹¹  I ask then, did they stumble that they might fall? May it never be! But by their fall salvation has come to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.  ¹² Now if their fall is the riches of the world, and their loss the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness?  ¹³ For I speak to you who are Gentiles. Since then as I am an apostle to Gentiles, I glorify my ministry;  ¹⁴ if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh, and may save some of them.  ¹⁵ For if the rejection of them is the reconciling of the world, what would their acceptance be, but life from the dead?  ¹⁶ If the first fruit is holy, so is the lump. If the root is holy, so are the branches.  ¹⁷ But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them, and became partaker with them of the root and of the richness of the olive tree;  ¹⁸ don’t boast over the branches. But if you boast, it is not you who support the root, but the root supports you.  ¹⁹ You will say then, “Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.”  ²⁰ True; by their unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by your faith. Don’t be conceited, but fear;  ²¹ for if God didn’t spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.  ²² See then the goodness and severity of God. Toward those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness; otherwise you also will be cut off.  ²³ They also, if they don’t continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.  ²⁴ For if you were cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree, how much more will these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?  ²⁵ For I don’t desire you to be ignorant, brothers, of this mystery, so that you won’t be wise in your own conceits, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in,  ²⁶ and so all Israel will be saved. Even as it is written, 
“There will come out of Zion the Deliverer,
and he will turn away ungodliness from Jacob.
  ²⁷ This is my covenant to them,
when I will take away their sins.”

  ²⁸  Concerning the Good News, they are enemies for your sake. But concerning the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sake.  ²⁹ For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.  ³⁰ For as you in time past were disobedient to God, but now have obtained mercy by their disobedience,  ³¹ even so these also have now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they may also obtain mercy.  ³² For God has shut up all to disobedience, that he might have mercy on all. 

  ³³  Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!   (emphasis added)
  ³⁴ “For who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
  ³⁵ “Or who has first given to him,
and it will be repaid to him again?”

  ³⁶  For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things. To him be the glory for ever! Amen. 

Well, isn't that interesting?   The founding fathers had the same idea as God Almighty!!!  I bet they read their Bibles!!!

For that matter, the restoration movement in the U.S. had the same idea- to restore the original church by bringing together denominations by everyone just following the Bible and not some creed or man-made idea. In addition, just calling themselves Christians and nothing else.  Acts 11:25f.

  Out of many, one!!!  What a great idea!!! 

 ³³  Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!   (emphasis added)

"THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS" Paul's Closing Benediction (3:16-18)

"THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS"

Paul's Closing Benediction (3:16-18)

INTRODUCTION

1. Paul's second epistle to the Thessalonians was designed to encourage,
   enlighten, and exhort...
   a. He offered encouragement in the midst of persecutions - 2Th 1:
      1-12
   b. He offered enlightenment about the coming of the Lord - 2Th 2:
      1-17
   c. He offered exhortations to Christian living - 2Th 3:1-15

2. As was Paul's custom, he concludes with a benediction and prayer in
   their behalf...
   a. Compare his conclusion to the first epistle - 1Th 5:23-28
   b. While shorter, he ends the second epistle in similar fashion
      - 2Th 3:16-18

[There are two main thoughts expressed in "Paul's Closing Benediction",
the first in vs. 16...]

I. MAY THE LORD GIVE YOU PEACE

   A. THE PEACE THE LORD PROVIDES...
      1. It was prophesied that Jesus would guide us into peace - Lk 1:
         78-79; 2:14
      2. He came preaching peace - Ac 10:36
      3. Jesus offers a peace that the world cannot give - Jn 14:27
      4. A peace that prevails despite tribulation - Jn 16:33
      5. It involves peace with God - Ro 5:1
      6. It involves a kingdom in which peace is reign - Ro 14:17
      7. In which Jew and Gentile can now be one new man in peace - Ep
         2:14-18

   B. HOW THE LORD PROVIDES THIS PEACE...
      1. Through His death on the cross
         a. Reconciling Jew and Gentile - Ep 2:15-16
         b. Reconciling man with God - Col 1:20-22
      2. Through our faith, and the justification it brings - Ro 15:13;
         5:1
      3. Through harmony with brethren - 2Co 13:11
      4. Through the Spirit bearing fruit in our lives - Ga 5:22
      5. Through fervent prayer
         a. Producing peace in the inner man - Php 4:6-7
         b. Producing peace in our communities - 1Ti 2:1-2
      6. Through emulating the example of Paul - Php 4:9
      7. Through the pursuit of peace
         a. As Paul exhorted the Romans - Ro 14:19
         b. As Paul exhorted Timothy - 2Ti 2:22
         c. As the Hebrew Christians were commanded - He 12:14
         d. As Peter commanded the Christians in Asia Minor - 1Pe 3:
            10-11
      -- The Lord certainly desires to give us peace:  He died to make
         it possible, He offers it to all who will follow Him.  Our task
         is to be diligent to be found by Him in peace (cf. 2Pe 3:14)
         by allowing this peace to rule in our hearts (cf. Col 3:15)!

[As we return to our text (2Th 3:16-18), we find that Paul makes a
brief reference to writing in his own hand (17).  He then closes in
verse 18 with a final benediction...]

II. MAY THE GRACE OF THE LORD BE WITH YOU

   A. THE GRACE THE LORD PROVIDES...
      1. Again, it was prophesied that Jesus would bring grace - 1Pe 1:
         10-11
      2. Jesus came full of grace - Jn 1:14,16-17
      3. His apostles proclaimed the gospel of grace - Ac 20:24
         a. How God justifies us in Christ Jesus - Ro 3:24; Ep 1:7; 2:
            4-9
         b. Describing how we might stand in God's grace - Ro 5:2; 1 Pe
            5:12
      4. He gives us everlasting consolation and good hope through this
         grace - 2Th 2:16-17
      5. His apostles commended souls to the Word of God's grace - Ac
         20:32

   B. HOW THE LORD PROVIDES THIS GRACE...
      1. By obeying the gospel of grace - He 5:9
         a. Obeying the doctrine delivered to us, which sets us free
            from sin - Ro 6:17
         b. Through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy
            Spirit - Tit 3:4-7; cf. Mk 16:15-16; Ac 2:36; 22:16
      2. Through growing in grace - 2Pe 3:18
         a. Grace is multiplied as we grow in the knowledge of Jesus
            - 2Pe 1:2,5-8
         b. Grace is received through prayer - He 4:14-16
         c. Grace is given to the humble in heart - Jm 4:6; 1Pe 5:5
      3. Making sure we do not receive the grace of God in vain
         a. His grace will not be available forever - 2Co 6:1-2
         b. Looking carefully lest we fall short of God's grace - He
            12:15
         c. Aware of the possibility of falling away - Ga 5:4
      -- How sad to receive God's grace, but then to have received in
         vain!  Peter describes the sorry condition of those who turn
         away from God's grace after having known it (2Pe 2:20-22).
         Like Timothy, we need to heed the admonition to be strong in
         the grace of God (2Ti 2:1)!

CONCLUSION

1. Paul's love for his brethren in Thessalonica was evident...
   a. He wanted the Lord Himself to give them peace always in every way
   b. He wanted the grace of the Lord to be with them all
   -- Thus He began and closed this epistle with a prayer for grace and
      peace - 2Th 1:2; 3:16-18

2. As we have considered how Paul encouraged, enlightened, and exhorted
   his brethren...
   a. I hope that I have done the same through this series of lessons
   b. I leave with you with another prayer expressed in our text:

                      "The Lord be with you all."

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016