Don't Be Deceived - 2 Thessalonians 2

Few New Testament passages are as difficult as this one! Augustine, founding father of much of Western theology wrote 'I frankly confess I do not know what it means'!

Live Your Calling - 1 Th 5:4-11 and 2 Th 1:11-12

'Who on earth are you?' is a rude but poignant question for each of us. Paul actually asks 'Who in heaven are you?'. Who we are in God's eyes translates into our calling and purpose in the here and now on earth.

[UP] Do you recognise God's calling on your life?

Challenge: Be intentional with your life – go with your calling

Those Asleep 1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 5:3

We've all seen victory homecoming parades, typically for a sports team - a great crowd goes out to line the streets, cheer and welcome. The sports team will doubtless end up at a banquet - in ancient Middle Eastern culture the arrival of a king or dignitary would see people venture out of their city to welcome the person, and then follow the cavalcade back in and share in the celebrations. For us it would be like lining the A10 out as far as Stretham, and then following back in to the centre of Ely!

Missional Communities - 1 Th 4:9 - 12

God is love! Our ability to relate comes from Him. God Himself embodies relationship: Father / Son / Holy Spirit. In our brokenness Jesus makes relationship possible - showing us God, but at the same time also showing us what it means to be truly human, i.e. in relationship.

[OUT] Do you make time for relationships?

Challenge: Pray for 2 or 3 people who have little or no faith

Sanctified Living - 1 Thess 4:3 - 8

God's desire is that people are restored to Him - they are drawn into the embrace of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Yet we know in our own lives we have things that go against that, that spoil relationship with God and each other.

Living Parables - 1 Thess 2:1 - 13

Paul, once a follower of Jesus, became a man who worked hard and went out of his way to work alongside people, telling them about Jesus. Despite opposition and insult, he continued his work. He didn't simply try to please people, but shared his life in order to talk about Jesus. He didn't give up, but carried on so that his whole life became a story of God's grace - the ability to live life to help other people discover God.

Common Purpose - 1 Thess 3:6 - 13

Separation naturally brings anxiety - we want to know how the other is doing. Hence Paul was concerned for the Thessalonians. Not having phones or Facebook, he dispatched Timothy to visit and report back. The news was good: v6 talks of faith and love. I.e. they were still in Christ and still proclaiming the Kingdom.

[IN]: Do you love the body?

Challenge: Bless a different part of the body