1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13 The Primacy of Love

1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13 The Big Picture

1 Thes. 2:19; 3:13 The Bema Seat of Jesus Christ 1.2Cor.5:10 “For we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ.” 2.Not the “Great White Throne” Rev.20 Rev.20 3.Rewards only! 1Cor.3: Cor.3:10-15

What is Gold/Silver/Precious…? “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

A Radical Shift in Perspective! “..that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self…and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind…and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” Ephes. 4:22-24

In God’s Image: “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:8

Love Hurts! It Demands Time! –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…”

Love Hurts! It Demands Time! It Demands 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…” –“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15

The Good News! “May the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all men, just as we also do for you.” 1 Thes. 3:12 “We love, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

Reactions? Questions? Announcements? Remember our Body Meeting at 1:00…Plans for y2k…

Rev. 20:11-15 And I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. [12] And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. [13] And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. [14] And death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. [15] And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

The Great White Throne - Rev.20:11-15

Plan A: You Cannot Earn Heaven “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.” James 2:10

Plan B: Faith in Christ "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” John 5:24

1 Cor. 3:12-15 The Bema Seat “Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire.”