C4 Pod Connections

We all probably played follow the leader when we were kids. The same thing happens today. We tend to follow or imitate those that we like or respect and the results can be pretty exciting . . . or pretty bad.

What about biblical following? Who are we supposed to imitate and follow? In this message from 2 Thessalonians 3:7-8, we’ll find out as we take a look at, “Follow the Leader.”

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Last week we saw Paul’s confidence in the Lord concerning the Thessalonians. He knew the Lord would be the One to do the work in the hearts of these believers so they would keep on keeping on, that they would continue to keep the commandments of Paul. Paul now moves from prayer to concern and he gives a seemingly harsh command.

Let’s look at 2 Thessalonians 3:6 in part 14 of our series in 2 Thessalonians.

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Paul was such an encouragement to the Thessalonians. He has just finished talking about the persecution they were enduring and talks about his confidence, but it’s not in the Thessalonians, it’s in the Lord. They are doing what he told them to do, and he says keep on going.

Let’s take a closer look at Paul’s Confidence taken from 2 Thes. 3:4-5.

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In the last message, we learned that there would be a continued resistance to the Gospel message. Perhaps you have experienced this first hand. Paul’s request to be rescued from, “perverse and evil men” was not so much for personal safety, but that the Word of the Lord would spread rapidly.

Paul moves from the persecutions he is certain to face to the ongoing persecution the Thessalonians are enduring. We’re going to see a big shift in Paul’s letter as we look part 12 in our series in 2 Thessalonians - this week looking at 2 Thes. 3:3.

For a transcript of this message, visit my blog.

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Paul and the Thessalonians have and will continue to face resistance to the Gospel. There are perverse and evil men bent on destroying Paul and the Gospel he carries. Does that concern Paul? Does that worry him at all? Will he be stopped?

As long as the Gospel is preached, there will be people, evil people Paul calls them, that will do all they can to stop this life changing message. What are we to do? Let’s find out in this message taken from 2 Thessalonians 3:2.

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With all the social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, and LinkedIn, viral message have become the norm today. Paul desired that the Word of God would spread swiftly across Asia. His desire was that it be a far reaching, effective message. He praised the Thessalonians for being a part of that viral spread of the Gospel.

Are we a part of that viral message? What exactly is Paul talking about? Let’s find out as we look at 2 Thessalonians 3:1.

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Today is the Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, a day set aside in America where preachers, pastors and teachers of God’s Word will argue that all life is sacred. Is this part of Scripture or just some old fashioned, right wing, extreme Christian fundamentalism?

Is abortion really wrong? This is a controversial and emotional subject in and out of the church, but it doesn’t need to be - controversial that is. There really is no controversy, but it’s still a very emotional topic. Let’s look at who the Lord of life is in this message taken from Romans 14:8.

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Paul was a a prayer warrior and gave us numerous examples of how we should pray too. In the last two verses of Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians, he shifts from an encouragement to stand firm to a prayer for the brethren. He includes an interesting element in these two verses as well.

Let’s look at Paul’s prayer in 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17.

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We’re back in 2 Thessalonians today. It has been a while since we were last here. Let me catch you up. We’ve learned there was confusion over the day of the Lord requiring Paul to write again to clear it up. The Thessalonians did not hold to the what Paul taught them when he was there because they were persuaded the day of the Lord had already come. The only way to stay off the slippery slope of deception is to be firmly established in God’s Word.

In today’s message, Paul makes an appeal for the Thessalonians to stand firm and hold to. What is Paul talking about. Let’s find out in this message called “Paul’s Appeal” taken from 2 Thessalonians 2:15.

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It’s a new year. 2010 has arrived. Aren’t you glad 2009 is over? We experienced many blessings and challenges at C4 as I’m sure you did.

Why is it that we tend to focus on the negatives of life? As we look forward to serving the Lord in 2010, I wonder how this year will pan out. Let’s look at some “Good News for 2010″ taken from Romans 10:13-15.

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