Be Comforted! - Part 2

Do I Have to Fear God's Judgment?:

1. Get the FACTS . (1 Thes 5:1-4)



2. Know the DIFFERENCE . (1 Thes 5:4-10)
   



3. Encourage the CHURCH . (1 Thes 5:11)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above with your cursor for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

1. Do you ever fear God's judgment? Has this passage changed your outlook?
    
2. What are the differences Paul uses to contrast God's people / the world? Explain what they mean.
    
3. In verse 11, Paul said this section is to encourage one another. How does this teaching on the Day of the Lord encourage believers? How does it encourage you personally?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another


Children's Questions:

1. Explain to your kids what the "Day of the Lord" means. Why is God going to punish those who have rejected Him?
    
2. Explain why believers in Jesus should not fear punishment from God. (Hint: God punished Jesus for my sins, so He is not going to punish me, too!)

Questions from the Congregation - Part 3

Questions from the Congregation:

Is it correct to say "Bless the Lord" (per the words to the song)? I thought blessings flowed FROM Him TO us. How do WE bless Him?

Is it biblically permissible for an unbaptized believer to take communion?

When we go to heaven we will all know everyone there, but will we remember our lives on earth? Will a mother remember her children or will a husband remember his wife?
Does it say anywhere in the Bible that you will be reunited with your friends and family when you go to heaven?

What does it mean to "fear" the Lord?

Do we, an extension of HBC, hold James MacDonald on a pedestal? Does our leadership here think he does no wrong and/or do we need to copy everything the way they do it in Illinois? I have a lot of respect for James, please don't misunderstand, but I wonder if we think he is somewhat "perfect"?

How does God view Jews now? If they don't believe Jesus was the Messiah and follow Him, can they get in to heaven? They were God's chosen people in the Old Testament. 
Note: Read Jeff's blog for the answer to this questions that he was unable to get to during this Q&A service.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):

Discuss any of the questions (and answers) from Sunday outlined above. Reflect on the answers given. How would you answer these?


Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another.

Be Comforted! - Part 1

What Happens to Christians who die?
Four Words of Comfort for the Living:

1. We don't have to WONDER what happens when we die. (1 Thes 4:13)

Luke 16:22-23, 2 Corinthians 5:8, Philippians 1:23


2. Jesus gets us to HEAVEN . (1 Thes 4:14)
   



3. Jesus is coming back to GATHER all His people. (1 Thes 4:16-17)

John 14:2-3, 1 Corinthians 15:23, 51-52, Philippians 3:21


4. Someday, we will ALWAYS be with the Lord.(1 Thes 4:17)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above with your cursor for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

1. Can you explain the sequence of events Paul lays out in v13-18 regarding the Rapture and the people involved? What was Paul's purpose for describing the Rapture (hint: v18)?
    
2. What are some things from this passage / sermon regarding "end time events" that are different than how you understood them previously?
    
3. How is "Christian grieving" different from "worldly grieving"?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another

Be a Good Neighbor!

Everyday Christian Living:

1. Love MORE . (1 Thes 4:9-10)



2. Live QUIETLY . (1 Thes 4:11a)
   



3. Mind your own BUSINESS . (1 Thes 4:11b)



4. Work HARD . (1 Thes 4:11c-12)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above with your cursor for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

1. What did Paul mean in verse 9 that believers are "taught by God" to love one another
    
2. What does it mean to live quietly? "Quiet" as opposed to what? Would you describe your life as "quiet" (v11)?
    
3. How do you know the difference between "minding your own business" (v11), and reaching out to help someone in need?
    
4. How does the church know the line between helping someone in need and enabling someone not to work?
    
5. How is loving, living quietly, minding your own business, and working hard the foundation of evangelism?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another

Be Self-Controlled!

Four Things to Say When Tempted to Sin Sexually:

1. "This is not WHAT God wants for me." (1 Thes 4:3)



2. "I CONTROL my body." (1 Thes 4:4-5)
   



3. "I don't want to face God's CONSEQUENCES ." (1 Thes 4:6)



4. "That's not WHO I AM ." (1 Thes 4:7-8)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
int: Highlight blanks above with your cursor for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

1. Why do you think sexual immorality seems to be a more prevalent sin than other sins? Why do you think it's a more readily accepted sin than others (e.g. murder, stealing)
    
2. Paul says that each of us should know how to control our own body, in holiness and honor (v4). What are some ways that we can control our bodies, or "discipline ourselves"(1 Cor 9:27) to avoid sexual immorality. Be specific!
    
3. What does Paul mean by "the Lord is an avenger in all these things" (sins related to sexual immorality, v6)? How does God "avenge" sexual sin, even regarding believers?

Breakout Questions:

Confess any struggles you have in this area and pray for each other. If you are not struggling, how have you learned to "discipline yourself" (1 Cor 9:27)?