August 2, 2009

Announcements• Class Ministry Team Meetings

– Serve Team – August 13th

– Rescue Team - ?????

• Nursery / Preschool needs• Missions Conference - Sept 25 -

27• Women’s Fall Retreat – Oct 2 & 3

Grow Team News

• First class “Grow” function August 22nd

– Suggestions for location– Volunteer to work with Sara

Crane in organizing

• Ideas for building class identity and unity

Prayer Requests &

Praises Reports

Hebrews 10:24-25And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love

and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in

the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all

the more as you see the Day approaching.

Focal Passages

2 Peter 3:8-91 Thessalonians 4:1-5

1 Thessalonians 5:15-22

What do these passages reveal about God’s will

for your life?

2 Peter 3:8-9But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day

is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The

Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand

slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:8-9•God’s perspective on time

is not the same as man–God is not bound by time - so what we consider to be "slow" does not apply to Him

2 Peter 3:8-9• God’s patience means salvation for

many– He is not "wanting" for anyone to

perish• Does not mean that everyone will be

saved - universalism• Does not mean that there is "limited

atonement" - Christ died for all, and salvation is thus available for all

2 Peter 3:8-9 God’s patience gives you

the opportunity to share Jesus with others

1 Thessalonians 4:1-5

Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please

God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what

instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-5

 It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy

and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not

know God;

1 Thessalonians 4:1-5

• As you live your life, seek to please God

• If you want to please God, learn to obey Jesus' commands

• God wants you to be sanctified• Flee from sexual impurity and all

lustful desires• Be in control of your "vessel" or body

1 Thessalonians 5:15-22

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in

all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ

Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:15-22

Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid

every kind of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:15-22

• Imperatives in personal character– Be joyful always– Spiritually test everything

individually - don't lump things together

– Stay away from evil

1 Thessalonians 5:15-22

• Imperatives in relations with God– Pray without ceasing– Give thanks in whatever

situation you are in– Don't block the Spirit's work in

our lives

1 Thessalonians 5:15-22

•Imperatives in relations with others–Be accountable to one another

–Always respond with good–Do good and not evil

God’s Will Revealed

Seek Repentance

Seek a GodlyCharacter

SeekGood not Evil

Be in the centerof God’s Will

Homework1. Do your purposes line up

with God’s purposes?2. What evidence of

sanctification do you see in your life?

3. What do you think God wants from you?