Pastor Steve Thompson's podcast

Historical description of the Assyrian army.  The army sent to Jerusalem and wanted to intimidate the Israelites.  Hezekiah prayed and asked Isaiah to pray also.  The Lord said that Assyria will be defeated because they have blasphemed against God.

2 Chronicles 10:1-11:4, 1 Kings 9:1-9, 11:1-13; 2 Kings 15:17-20; 16:1-9; 17:1-5; 18:13-18The nation of Israel became a divided nation.  A brief history of Assyria.   

Finishing up 2 Thessalonians.  The command given at the church's inception.  Report about what is happening.  What is required and the admonition for the rest of the church.  The closing of the letter.

The call is to avoid the unruly.  What is "unruly" behavior and who is being unruly.

Using the Lord's name in vain is more than just swearing.  One also does not claim a relationship that they do not have.  That is also a sin.

The need for others to petition God, ask others to pray for you.  Pray for the Gospel to spread, protection from evil.  Prayer counts on God's strength & faithfulness.

John 3:5-8; Matthew 3:1-2, 4-9; Mark 1:1-4, 8; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 4:1-; Acts 16:31-34; 1 Peter 3:21-22.  Baptism does not bring salvation but is a declaration of being saved.  There is a reason for full submersion in water.

Discussion of the seven tenants of Fresh Hope.  A Biblical based support group for those with a mental health diagnosis.  Mental health affects approximately 50% of Americans.  However, it also affects those around them.

Thankful to God for His calling of the Thessalonians.  Salvation is the great paradox taught in Scripture.   The reminder that God's calling into salvation comes through the Gospel which results in sharing in the glory of Christ.  The benediction is even about God.

It may seem the end is near but there will be definite signs.  Matt. 24:4-8.  The lawless one is a type of anti-Christ.  There are consequences for loving sin.  

Be wary of those that entice to sin.  The end result of those that sin.  The pursuit of wisdom, it is a treasure to be sought.   It does not come through intuition but through diligence in seeking God's Word.  

Jesus shepherds us throughout each day.  He shepherds us all of the days of our lives.Ps. 23: 1-2 - Childhood - Protection & ProvisionPs. 23: 3 - Youth - Direction & DisciplinePs. 23:4-5 - Adulthood - Years of ChallengePs. 23:6 - Years of Maturity - Evaluation, Reorganization, & Preparation

Jesus' return to earth is still future.  There will also be events that happen before He comes again.  There is a "man of lawlessness" or the anti-christ that is mentioned.  He will sit on the temple of God as if he were God.  Daniel 9:23-27 & Matt. 24:15-22 are also discussed.

Eschatology is the basis for standing firm in the future.  There is also a prayer to be counted worthy of our calling.  The present life of a believer should reflect the future reality.

Two things wait in eternity - rest and agony.  What is coming to the believers will be a comfort.  The inescapable destiny for rejecting salvation is judgement!  That is eternity without God.

God is eternal.  Our limited time is a reminder not to make ourselves the center of the universe. The righteous judgement of God on sin is why physical death occurred.  A person that numbers their days, values each and every day in light of their lifespan on earth.

Sound doctrine = Healthy doctrine = good for the well-being of the church.  Good reminder and encouragement for Christian women, both mature and young.

Why is feeling obligated to give God thanks healthy?Faith is described as increasing in abundance.  The issue of perseverance and faith are also talked about hand in hand with each other.  The persecution and trials demonstrate one being worthy of God's kingdom.

There are two similar prayers that have the same theme of sanctification like two bookends.  What is found in between the bookends is instructional.  There is a different outlook for fellow believers in death.  As all of Paul's letters end, this one also finishing with God's grace.

v.16-18 - The inner life of a Christian.v.19-22 - The importance of the Holy Spirit.

How to view leadership in the church.Individual interactions in the church.

Seven problems facing man.Seven solutions from the cross.Seven necessary things that required Jesus' resurrection.Various scriptures.

1) Luke 22:24-27, Who Is the greatest?2)Mark 14:26-31, The prophecy of despair3) Matthew 26:36-46, Intense Prayer4) John 18:10-11, Peter, in response to the arresting party, lashed out in courage.

A closer discussion on "The Day of the Lord".  Follow-up of talking to the Thessalonians about the resurrection of the dead.  Will you be ready?

Where do believers go when they die?  An explanation that "absent from the body, present with the Lord." (2 Cor. 5:8b)

Sanctification in sexual relationships.  The body's design is for holiness not sinfulness.  Sanctification in dealing with other people, brotherly love.

A deeper look into sanctification.

Paul tells them about Timothy's return & that they want to visit but need to pray about it first.  Different things that Paul is praying about for them.  Personal application is that we all need to pray more.

Paul sends Timothy to check on the church in Thessalonica.  He also wanted to tell them that the reality of affliction was part of the curriculum.  He rejoiced to hear that they were growing in their faith.

Paul is writing that he is thankful for the church at Thessalonica and their response to the Word of God.  He tells them that other churches suffer persecution as well.  And that source of persecution is really about faith.

The Gospel cannot be superficial; God sees our hearts.

Paul, Silas & Timothy are grateful for the Thessalonians.  They bring the Gospel and start preaching in Thessalonica.

History & overview of the city of Thessalonica.  The influence of Alexander the Great, the role of Rome and the gospel getting to Thessalonica.

5 Attributes of Christ.

The Reality of Christ is something that can't be taught but it can be described.  We have hope in Christ.  The definition of "hope" as a possibility or as a prospect.

Joseph takes Jesus & Mary to Egypt.  When God makes Himself more fully known, the impossible becomes possible.  

The beginning of the spiritual battle of darkness.  As time progresses, a new battle forms.

The eternality of Jesus.  The activity of the preincarnate Jesus.

The resurrection is part of the complete plan.  It is part of the restoration of all things.

The church isn't a fellowship group; it has become a new type of temple.

The word "sanctification" means "set apart".  This is true for all believers, regardless of different degrees of spiritual growth.  True believers are set apart because of the Advocate that was sent in the Holy Spirit who dwells in all true believers.  The Gospel brings about the new covenant of grace.

The fundamental design of creation has been altered.  There is spiritual warfare that lays ahead, there will be perpetual struggle between satanic forces & mankind.  The consequences of sin affect women & the marriage relationship.  The ground is also cursed as a result of sin.  The physical body becomes mortal.  

The Glory of God in creating man & marriage.  What is unique is that the unity found in the relationship of marriage can only be found in the unity of the triune God.  The Glory of God is around even if sin has affected the ability to understand it.  Then what Moses discovered about the Glory of God.

The creation of man & woman.  This includes the unique ways that God created them.  We also see God's intent for marriage.

God made man in His image.  Being made in the image of God expects that we possess certain non-material characteristics that would be present in God.  God created the rest of creation as well as man and woman on the sixth day.  Nothing else was needed.

How does God show His glory through His creation.  How His glory shines in each day of creation.

Why do definitions matter?  What do we mean when we say "Glory of God"?  

Paul was very concerned as he was writing this letter.  He wanted to restate that circumcision was not part of salvation.  Paul explained that true boasting is in the cross and not in circumcision.  Symbolism means nothing in light of being a new creation and circumcision was a symbol of the Law.

The support structure within the church.  Since the church is no longer under the Law, offering/giving is now free will.  However, if people in the church are being selfish (living in the flesh), they are not supporting the pastor/teacher like they should be.  Do you sow in the flesh or spirit?  Where you sow, there will you reap.

Walking in the Spirit brings the task of aiding other believers in their walk.  There is a different approach for other believers' sins.  The one who is a believer is "restored".