Don't think we will get much here.

Killies in the driveway! Where's my net?

The water is receding now. The next high tide is around 10 tonight so we'll see

what we'll do about staying or leaving. Right now the road is still not passable.

Low tide in 2 minutes. But the water's been rising for the last hour.

Well, we're alive. Most of our stuff is gone but it was just stuff…Not sure what's

next, but going through something like this helps us refocus on what's really

important. God's blessings of love, faith, family & friends.

“But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought),

out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—

but Satan stopped us. For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.”

1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

1. Christ’s Church is sometimes hindered by our lack of effort, other times by Satan’s schemes.

2. The wise response to Satan’s schemes is: a. Strengthen and encourage the

Church in faith.

“So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. We sent

Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and

encourage you in your faith…” 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3

b. Remind the Church that suffering is essential.

“We sent Timothy…so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were

destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it

turned out that way, as you well know.”1 Thessalonians 3:3-4

“When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted

himself to him who judges justly.” 2 Peter 2:23 

“…encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many

hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said.”

Acts 14:22

c. Keep watch on the Church’s progress. 3:5-9

“For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the

tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.

But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you

always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. Therefore, brothers, in all our

distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?”

1 Thessalonians 3:5-9

1. Weekly worship

1. Weekly worship2. Invest & invite (3 stories: yours, mine,

His), inviting to church

1. Weekly worship2. Invest & invite (3 stories: yours, mine,

His), inviting to church3. Serve at the Y

1. Weekly worship2. Invest & invite (3 stories: yours, mine,

His), inviting to church3. Serve at the Y4. Small group

1. Weekly worship2. Invest & invite (3 stories: yours, mine,

His), inviting to church3. Serve at the Y4. Small group5. Giving & serving faithfully

1. Weekly worship2. Invest & invite (3 stories: yours, mine,

His), inviting to church3. Serve at the Y4. Small group5. Giving & serving faithfully6. Subway with the pastor

1. Weekly worship2. Invest & invite (3 stories: yours, mine,

His), inviting to church3. Serve at the Y4. Small group5. Giving & serving faithfully6. Subway with the pastor7. yChurch welcome class

1. Weekly worship2. Invest & invite (3 stories: yours, mine,

His), inviting to church3. Serve at the Y4. Small group5. Giving & serving faithfully6. Subway with the pastor7. yChurch welcome class

8. Leadership Community

d.Pray for the Church’s strengthening.i. Pray we may fill in what is lacking.

“Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.”

1 Thessalonians 3:10-11

“supply” = Greek katarkizo

“supply” = Greek katarkizo• Repairing a hole in a fishing net

“supply” = Greek katarkizo• Repairing a hole in a fishing net• Setting a broken bone

“supply” = Greek katarkizo• Repairing a hole in a fishing net• Setting a broken bone• Reconciling factions

Today • Consistent weekly worship: see Brent

Bouwens• Sharing your faith: see Kelly Frank• Small group: see Alan Nagel• On-ramps to contributing

meaningfully: see Steve Gelwicks for giving questions, see Pastor Ken for 3 easy on-ramps for getting involved

ii. Pray we may never be lacking in holy love.

“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and

Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.”

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13