Sunday, December 3, 2023

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 ESV

Hebrews 10:23-25 ESV
23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Distinctions of Faith
1. Faith is focused on the Word
2. Faith affirms the authority to bring deliverance
3. Faith draws from the Lord’s faithfulness
4. Faith facilitates unconditional love and steadfastness

Steadfast - to be fixed or firm in a direction or purpose – unwavering.
The the word for steadfast in the original Hebrew is chesed (pronounced kheh’-sed) and it refers to God’s devout loving-kindness, mercy, and faithfulness at the very core of His character and actions. God is steadfast. Therefore, His love is steadfast – unwavering, faithful, and kind.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 ESV
Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

2 Timothy 3:1-5, 10 ESV
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness…

1 Corinthians 15:58 AMPLIFIED
Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always
excelling in the work of the Lord [always doing your best and doing more than
is needed], being continually aware that your labor [even to the point of
exhaustion] in the Lord is not futile nor wasted [it is never without purpose].

FACTOR POINTS
*Worship*
The faithfulness of God preserves the worshipper during times of difficulty.
Learn
The Word of Faith provides understanding in every season and situation.
Serve
Our lives serve as a model to others of unconditional love and steadfast living.