What It Means to Really Live (Part 2)

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=50 BGCOLOR="#333366" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>What It Means to Really Live (Part 2)</B></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=165 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="132" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 35 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id518.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What It Means to Really Live (Part 1)"><U><B><IMG SRC="007151d0.gif" border=0 width="21" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id522.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Renewing Our Commitment"><U><B><IMG SRC="008151d0.gif" border=0 width="21" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="20"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="35" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="20" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="13"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="27"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <div> Previous/Next Sermon</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="www.stanbaker.org"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Biblical and Theological Studies"><U><B>Biblical and Theological Studies</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Church Ministry"><U><B>Church Ministry</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id15.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sermon Notes"><U>Sermon Notes</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U><B>Links</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id5.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Personal"><U><B>Personal</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> www.stanbaker.org</div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=430 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>"What It Means to R</B><I><B>eally</B></I><B> Live" (part 2) </B><A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=1Thess+2:13-3:13" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U><B>1 Thessalonians 2:13-3:13</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>Berean Bible Church, May 28-29, 2005</B></div> <bR> <div>      We all face adversity of various kinds, and as Christians we may face opposition because of our faith, in a variety of ways. It may be family conflict or separation, unkind words or rejection from others, or pressure at work. It may come by taking a moral stand against some of the evils of our day. It may come from those who think we should be more “tolerant” and our intolerance will not be tolerated! (This is actually quite common.)</div> <div>      How do we persevere in faith in the midst of trials and afflictions? Please look at <A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=1Thess+2:13-3:13" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U>1 Thessalonians 2:13-3:13</U></A>. When we are faced with opposition to our faith, we are faced with a choice – how will we respond?</div> <bR> <div> <B>1. Adjust your  perspective (3 areas):</B></div> <div> A. Expectation – Don't be surprised by persecutions and trials (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16, 3:3-4).</div> <div>      This was a free, multi-cultural city. Yet there was incredible, often violent opposition to the message of the gospel.</div> <div>      Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:12 “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 1 Peter 4:12-13 says, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”</div> <div>      Don't let the presence of trials or opposition shake your faith. God didn't promise a life of ease. Jesus said, “in the world, you will have trouble.”</div> <bR> <div> B. Judgment – Trust that God will make right the things that are wrong (1 Thessalonians 2:16). </div> <div>      God doesn't look kindly on people who oppose him and his message and those who deliver his message. He will eventually make things right. Keep hanging in there and waiting. God will reward your patience.</div> <bR> <div> C. Transformation (1 Thessalonians 2:13, 3:5-9) – Value the transformation that results from the testing of your faith.</div> <div>      Salvation and life transformation are far more valuable than comfort or pleasure. Mark 8:35-36 says, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” </div> <div>      James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”</div> <div>      Romans 8:28-29 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”</div> <bR> <div> <B>2. Stay in touch with others  (1 Thessalonians 3:2-3, 10-12).</B></div> <div>      Notice Timothy's encouragement, Paul's desire to see them, and their love for one another. Also notice their “fellowship” with the churches of Judea (2:14) – what was happening to them was the experience of other Christians.  </div> <div>      Stay in touch. Don't try to live the Christian life and deal with adversity by yourself. Invest in community ahead of time.</div> <bR> <div> <B>3. Depend on God through prayer (1 Thessalonians 3:10-13).</B></div> <div>      Paul prayed for their love to increase, and for them to remain blameless and holy until Jesus comes, in spite of the opposition. Pray to have strength and to keep going in the midst of adversity.</div> <div>      1 Peter 4:19 <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >(NET)</FONT> says,  “So then let those who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator as they do good.” Have confidence in him as you continue to obey him.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> copyright, 2005, Stanley Baker</div> <div> www.stanbaker.org</div> </td> </tr></table></body>