1. "Supplement … self-control with steadfastness."

2. It "may be passive"--meaning "endurance," or "active"--meaning "persistence, perseverance" (Vine's, pp. 849-50). 1.It is endurance when alluding to Satan's attempts to devour. 2

3. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 3

4. It "may be passive"--meaning "endurance," or "active"--meaning "persistence, perseverance" (Vine's, pp. 849-50). 1.It is endurance when alluding to Satan's attempts to devour. 2.It is persistence when referring to "abounding in the work of the Lord." 4

5. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 5

6. 6 1. We must prepare our minds.

7. Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 7

8. 1. We must prepare our minds. a. But with what are we to prepare our minds? b. What will help us the most, in our mental preparation? 8

9. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth 9

10. This requires at least four things: 1.A love of the truth 10

11. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 11

12. This requires at least four things: 1.A love of the truth 2.A seeking to know the truth 12

13. As he was saying these things, many believed in him. So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 13

14. The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. 14

15. This requires at least four things: 1.A love of the truth 2.A seeking to know the truth 3.A desire to obey the truth 15

16. About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.” 16

17. This requires at least four things: 1.A love of the truth 2.A seeking to know the truth 3.A desire to obey the truth 4.An investigative spirit 17

18. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 18

19. This requires at least four things: 1.A love of the truth 2.A seeking to know the truth 3.A desire to obey the truth 4.An investigative spirit 5.As we learn the truth of God, and apply it to our lives, we are preparing for adversity. 19

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