1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13

it stirs a Revolution of the heart A furnace burning in the heart unappreciated, overlooked, misunderstood, neglected, and counterfeited reservoir of God’s power available to the Christian. The most under-rated,

it stirs a Revolution of the heart A furnace burning in the heart unappreciated, overlooked, misunderstood, neglected, and counterfeited reservoir of God’s power available to the Christian. The most under-rated,

unappreciated, overlooked, misunderstood, neglected, and counterfeited reservoir of God’s power available to the Christian. The most under-rated, it stirs a Revolution of the heart A furnace burning in the heart Counterfeits Rock ‘n Roll 24- hour party The jack- pot

“For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?” 1Thes.2:19 Eternal Victor- ious Love Eternal Relation- ships

“For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?” 1Thes.2:19 Eternal Victor- ious Love Eternal Relation- ships For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, 1 Thess, 3:9

“For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?” 1Thes.2:19 Eternal Victor- ious Love Eternal Relation- ships Insignificance Eastern ReligionsAtheistic ViewsHedonismMaterialism

For we wanted to come to you and yet Satan hindered us. 1 Th. 2:18 “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 Jn4:8 Satan Hates God Hates LovePersecutesDistracts

For we wanted to come to you and yet Satan hindered us. 1 Th. 2:18 “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 Jn4:8 Satan Hates God Hates LovePersecutesDistracts 14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men 2:14-16

For we wanted to come to you and yet Satan hindered us. 1 Th. 2:18 “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 Jn4:8 Satan Hates God Hates LovePersecutesDistracts 14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men 1 Thess. 2:14-16 hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins… 1 Thess/ 2:14-16 TRIBAL JEALOUSY

For we wanted to come to you and yet Satan hindered us. 1 Th. 2:18 “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 Jn4:8 Satan Hates God Hates LovePersecutesDistracts 14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men 1 Thess. 2:14-16 hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins… 1 Thess/ 2:14-16 RABID

For we wanted to come to you and yet Satan hindered us. 1 Th. 2:18 “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 Jn4:8 Satan Hates God Hates LovePersecutesDistracts 14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men 1 Thess. 2:14-16 hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins… 1 Thess/ 2:14-16 …But wrath has come upon them to the utmost. 1 Thess. 2:16 Always Discredited

For we wanted to come to you and yet Satan hindered us. 1 Th. 2:18 “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 Jn4:8 Satan Hates God Hates LovePersecutesDistracts 5 For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain. 1 Thess. 3:5 Rock ‘n Roll 24- hour party The jack- pot

 Commitment! 2:17 “Great desire to see your face…” 2:18 “We wanted to come to you…” 3:1 “Couldn’t take it anymore…” 3:6 “We also long to see you…” 3:10 “…that we might see your face…” 3:11 “…direct our way to you…” Means Time Spent (Diffuse problem) Common Experience Despite Feelings (Infantile problem)

 Commitment!  Vulnerability! 3:1,5 “…could endure it no longer…” 3:8,9 “for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord. For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account…” Means Shared Emotional WorldsPersonal Inner-Workings Agonizing! Work Sub: lazy, detached, safe… Without Manipulation Work 4 Love: entrapment “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15

 Commitment!  Vulnerability!  Growth! 3:12 and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; Means Able to love anyone Anywhere! Can’t love any “one” Can’t commit Diffuse Only love “my tribe” Uptight & Scared Tribal

 Commitment!  Vulnerability!  Growth! 1 Thessalonians 3:12 …for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; Tribal Are: RigidUnforgiving Shrinking world Diffuse Are: Flighty Feelings- addict Renegade

 Commitment!  Vulnerability!  Growth! Tribal NEEDS Love Values Structured Essential for depth Diffuse NEEDS Love Feelings Risk-Taking Essential for growth

GROWTH: Are You Diffuse or Tribal? For Diffuse…For Tribal…  You’re an INFANTILE You’re a love-taker Depend on others to give you love feelings. Worship Love Feelings. You rely on counterfeit Love Feelings.  You’re a Work-Sub You love sacrificially… But superficially Rigid & scared of emotions  You’re a Work 4 Love You love sacrificially… But you manipulate… You’re guilty & inflict guilt…

The “Joy of Love” Means Victory: For Diffuse…For Tribal…  Stop Stimulation Addiction Stop demanding love!  Commit To 1 Relationship With a Tribal Person Regular, weekly time No matter what  Build Love Values Sacrificial Giving  Stop Controlling! Drop the rules (&bitterness)  Practice Vulnerability Personal Inner Workings Shared Emotional Worlds No matter what!  Build Love Feelings Mix w/ Diffuse…