WEBVTT

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 Well, this morning I want you to imagine that you are a member of a church in the city of Thessalonica.

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 If you live there today, you would say that you live in Greece.

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 But back then the territory of Greece was part of the Roman Empire, divided up into several provinces.

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 The southern tip of Greece back then was the Roman province of Achaia, where the city of Athens and Corinth were.

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 However, the northern part of Greece back then was the Roman province of Macedonia.

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 And so imagine that you are a member of a church in the capital city of Macedonia, the city of Thessalonica.

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 You live in a proud city with a population of over 100,000 people.

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 It's also a port city with a natural harbor opening up into the Aegean Sea.

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 Your city is a key stop on the Ignatian Way, which is a land-based trading route running from east to west.

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 And Thessalonica is a flourishing center of trade and commerce.

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 A free city governed by the local polytarchs.

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 When it comes to religion, most of the people in Thessalonica worship the gods of the Greeks and Romans.

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 But there's a sizable population of Jews who live here as well.

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 The year is 50 AD.

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 The amazing and wonderful events of Jesus' death and resurrection happened just 17 years ago.

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 But as for the story of our little church here in Thessalonica, this is all quite new for us.

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 Within just the past year, Paul, Silas, and Timothy came through our city on Paul's second missionary journey.

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 Before coming to our city, they were on the other side of the Aegean Sea in the province of Asia,

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 when one night, Paul had a vision of a man from our province of Macedonia,

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 urging him to come over here and help us.

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 Before coming here to Thessalonica, Paul and Silas went, after sailing across the sea,

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 to Philippi, where they got into some trouble.

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 They actually ended up in jail there for a night.

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 And thankfully, they were released the next morning.

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 But not until after God had done a miracle in the middle of the night,

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 through which the jailer and his family came to believe in Jesus.

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 Well, after Philippi, Paul, Silas, and Timothy passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia.

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 And then they came here to Thessalonica.

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 They were here for only three weeks.

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 And our lives were turned upside down.

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 Three weeks in a row, on the Sabbath day,

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 Paul came to the local synagogue and was proclaiming Jesus the Christ

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 and saying that Jesus was the one that the Scriptures pointed to.

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 And some of the Jews were persuaded,

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 and a great many of us Greeks believed,

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 and even some of the leading women of the city believed in Jesus.

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 But as more of us Gentiles were believing in Jesus,

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 suddenly the Jews became jealous,

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 and they rounded up some really bad characters,

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 formed a mob,

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 and set the whole city in an uproar.

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 They came and stormed the house of Jason,

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 one of our own church members,

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 looking for Paul and Silas.

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 But when they couldn't find him,

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 they grabbed Jason,

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 and some of us other church members here,

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 and dragged us off to the city authorities,

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 shouting,

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 These men,

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 Paul and his companions,

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 they've been causing trouble all over the world,

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 and now they have come here.

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 And Jason has welcomed them into his house.

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 They are all defying Caesar's decrees,

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 saying that there's another king,

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 one called Jesus.

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 And the whole crowd that was gathered,

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 and the city officials,

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 were thrown into a frenzy after hearing this.

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 Amazingly, they let us go

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 that same day,

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 after making us post-bond.

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 And later that night,

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 we secretly sent Paul and Silas and Timothy

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 out of the city,

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 down to Berea.

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 But I tell you,

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 our lives were turned upside down.

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 So fierce has been the opposition of the Jews.

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 As soon as they found out

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 that Paul and Silas had gone down to Berea,

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 some of them even went down there

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 and began agitating the crowds

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 and stirring people up against them.

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 That was a number of months ago now.

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 But now wait.

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 What?

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 A letter written by Paul

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 has just arrived

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 to be read to everyone.

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 All right.

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 Let's gather around.

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 Let's open it up.

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 Let's see

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 what Paul has to say to us.

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 Everybody listen.

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 Paul, Silas, and Timothy.

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 To the church of the Thessalonians,

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 in God the Father,

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 and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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 Grace

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 and peace to you.

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 We always thank God for all of you

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 and continually mention you in our prayers.

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 We remember before our God and Father

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 your work produced by faith,

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 your labor prompted by love,

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 and your endurance inspired by hope

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 in our Lord Jesus Christ.

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 For we know,

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 brothers and sisters,

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 loved by God,

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 that he has chosen you

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 because our gospel came to you,

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 not simply with words,

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 but also with power,

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 with the Holy Spirit

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 and deep conviction.

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 You know how we lived among you

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 for your sake.

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 You became imitators of us

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 and of the Lord,

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 for you welcomed the message

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 in the midst of severe suffering

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 with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

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 And so you became a model

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 to all the believers

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 in Macedonia and Achaia.

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 The Lord's message rang out from you,

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 not only in Macedonia and Achaia,

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 your faith in God

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 has become known everywhere.

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 Therefore, we do not need

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 to say anything about it,

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 for they themselves report

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 what kind of reception you gave us.

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 They tell how you turn to God

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 from idols

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 to serve the living and true God

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 and to wait for his Son from heaven,

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 whom he raised from the dead,

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 Jesus,

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 who rescues us from the coming wrath.

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 You know, brothers and sisters,

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 that our visit to you

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 was not without results.

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 We had previously suffered

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 and been treated outrageously

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 in Philippi, as you know,

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 but with the help of our God,

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 we dared to tell you

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 his gospel

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 in the face of strong opposition.

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 For the appeal we make

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 does not spring from error

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 or impure motives,

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 nor are we trying to trick you.

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 On the contrary,

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 we speak as those approved by God

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 to be entrusted with the gospel.

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 We're not trying to please people,

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 but God,

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 who tests our hearts.

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 You know,

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 we never used flattery,

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 nor did we put on a mask

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 to cover up greed.

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 God is our witness.

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 We were not looking

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 for praise from people,

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 not from you

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 or anyone else,

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 even though as apostles of Christ,

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 we could have asserted

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 our authority.

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 Instead,

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 we were like young children

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 among you.

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 Just as a nursing mother

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 cares for her children,

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 so we cared for you.

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 Because we loved you so much,

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 we were delighted

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 to share with you

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 not only the gospel of God,

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 but our lives as well.

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 Surely you remember,

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 brothers and sisters,

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 our toil

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 and hardship.

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 We work night and day

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 in order not to be a burden

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 to anyone

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 while we preach

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 the gospel of God to you.

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 You are witnesses,

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 and so is God,

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 of how holy,

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 righteous,

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 and blameless

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 we were among you

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 who believed.

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 For you know

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 that we dealt

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 with each of you

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 as a father deals

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 with his own children,

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 encouraging,

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 comforting,

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 and urging you

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 to live lives

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 worthy of God

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 who calls you

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 into his kingdom

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 and glory.

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 And we also

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 thank God continually

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 because when you

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 received the word

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 of God

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 which you heard

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 from us,

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 you accepted it

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 not as a human word,

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 but as it actually is,

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 the word of God,

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 which is indeed

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 at work in you

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 who believe.

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 For you,

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 brothers and sisters,

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 became imitators

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 of God's churches

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 in Judea,

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 which are in Christ Jesus.

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 You suffered

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 from your own people

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 the same things

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 those churches

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 suffered from the Jews

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 who killed

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 the Lord Jesus

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 and the prophets

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 and also drove us out.

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 They displease God

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 and are hostile

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 to everyone

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 in their effort

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 to keep us

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 from speaking

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 to the Gentiles

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 so that they may be saved.

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 In this way,

00:10:23.300 --> 00:10:24.780
 they always heap up

00:10:24.780 --> 00:10:25.300
 their sins

00:10:25.300 --> 00:10:25.960
 to the limit.

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 the wrath of God

00:10:28.400 --> 00:10:29.500
 has come upon them

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 at last.

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 But brothers and sisters,

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 when we were orphaned

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 by being separated

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 from you

00:10:37.220 --> 00:10:38.220
 for a short time

00:10:38.220 --> 00:10:39.920
 in person,

00:10:40.259 --> 00:10:41.019
 not in thought,

00:10:41.759 --> 00:10:43.580
 out of our intense longing,

00:10:43.920 --> 00:10:44.920
 we made every effort

00:10:44.920 --> 00:10:45.620
 to see you

00:10:45.620 --> 00:10:47.180
 for we wanted

00:10:47.180 --> 00:10:47.960
 to come to you.

00:10:48.300 --> 00:10:48.960
 Certainly I,

00:10:49.139 --> 00:10:49.360
 Paul,

00:10:49.560 --> 00:10:51.100
 did again and again,

00:10:51.100 --> 00:10:52.680
 but Satan

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 blocked our way.

00:10:55.060 --> 00:10:56.139
 For what is our hope,

00:10:56.899 --> 00:10:57.659
 our joy,

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 or the crown

00:10:59.139 --> 00:11:00.180
 in which we will glory

00:11:00.180 --> 00:11:00.740
 in the presence

00:11:00.740 --> 00:11:01.759
 of our Lord Jesus

00:11:01.759 --> 00:11:03.000
 when he comes?

00:11:03.060 --> 00:11:03.800
 Is it not you?

00:11:05.379 --> 00:11:05.820
 Indeed,

00:11:06.600 --> 00:11:08.779
 you are our glory

00:11:08.779 --> 00:11:10.639
 and joy.

00:11:11.920 --> 00:11:13.060
 So when we could stand

00:11:13.060 --> 00:11:13.720
 it no longer,

00:11:13.840 --> 00:11:14.480
 we thought it best

00:11:14.480 --> 00:11:15.700
 to be left by ourselves

00:11:15.700 --> 00:11:16.279
 in Athens.

00:11:17.120 --> 00:11:17.920
 We sent Timothy,

00:11:18.120 --> 00:11:18.879
 who is our brother

00:11:18.879 --> 00:11:20.000
 and co-worker

00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:20.960
 in God's service

00:11:20.960 --> 00:11:21.759
 in spreading

00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:22.820
 the gospel of Christ

00:11:22.820 --> 00:11:23.840
 to strengthen

00:11:23.840 --> 00:11:24.700
 and encourage you

00:11:24.700 --> 00:11:25.340
 in your faith

00:11:25.340 --> 00:11:26.820
 so that no one

00:11:26.820 --> 00:11:27.580
 would be unsettled

00:11:27.580 --> 00:11:28.460
 by these trials.

00:11:30.439 --> 00:11:31.679
 For you know quite well

00:11:31.679 --> 00:11:32.500
 that we are destined

00:11:32.500 --> 00:11:33.220
 for them.

00:11:34.559 --> 00:11:35.240
 In fact,

00:11:35.539 --> 00:11:36.759
 when we were with you,

00:11:36.799 --> 00:11:37.500
 we kept telling you

00:11:37.500 --> 00:11:38.580
 that we would be persecuted

00:11:38.580 --> 00:11:41.139
 and it turned out that way

00:11:41.139 --> 00:11:42.159
 as you well know.

00:11:43.919 --> 00:11:44.840
 For this reason,

00:11:44.919 --> 00:11:45.600
 when I could stand

00:11:45.600 --> 00:11:46.279
 it no longer,

00:11:47.039 --> 00:11:47.539
 I sent

00:11:47.539 --> 00:11:48.740
 to find out

00:11:48.740 --> 00:11:49.480
 about your faith.

00:11:50.339 --> 00:11:51.279
 I was afraid

00:11:51.279 --> 00:11:52.039
 that in some way

00:11:52.039 --> 00:11:52.620
 the tempter

00:11:52.620 --> 00:11:53.519
 had tempted you

00:11:53.519 --> 00:11:55.120
 and that our labors

00:11:55.120 --> 00:11:56.000
 might have been in vain.

00:11:57.079 --> 00:11:57.860
 But Timothy

00:11:57.860 --> 00:11:58.799
 has just now

00:11:58.799 --> 00:11:59.500
 come to us

00:11:59.500 --> 00:12:00.379
 from you

00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:01.240
 and has brought

00:12:01.240 --> 00:12:01.879
 good news

00:12:01.879 --> 00:12:02.759
 about your faith

00:12:02.759 --> 00:12:03.719
 and love.

00:12:04.539 --> 00:12:05.399
 He has told us

00:12:05.399 --> 00:12:06.839
 that you always

00:12:06.839 --> 00:12:07.959
 have pleasant memories

00:12:07.959 --> 00:12:08.459
 of us

00:12:08.459 --> 00:12:09.860
 and that you long

00:12:09.860 --> 00:12:10.639
 to see us

00:12:10.639 --> 00:12:11.980
 just as we also

00:12:11.980 --> 00:12:12.959
 long to see you.

00:12:14.599 --> 00:12:15.099
 Therefore,

00:12:15.259 --> 00:12:16.079
 brothers and sisters,

00:12:16.080 --> 00:12:17.879
 in all our distress

00:12:17.879 --> 00:12:19.320
 and persecution,

00:12:19.759 --> 00:12:20.860
 we were encouraged

00:12:20.860 --> 00:12:21.520
 about you

00:12:21.520 --> 00:12:23.080
 because of your faith.

00:12:24.000 --> 00:12:24.759
 For now,

00:12:24.879 --> 00:12:26.100
 we really live

00:12:26.100 --> 00:12:27.000
 since you are

00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:27.940
 standing firm

00:12:27.940 --> 00:12:28.980
 in the Lord.

00:12:30.540 --> 00:12:32.759
 How can we thank God

00:12:32.759 --> 00:12:33.620
 enough for you

00:12:33.620 --> 00:12:34.780
 in return

00:12:34.780 --> 00:12:35.560
 for all the joy

00:12:35.560 --> 00:12:36.220
 that we have

00:12:36.220 --> 00:12:36.820
 in the presence

00:12:36.820 --> 00:12:37.560
 of our God

00:12:37.560 --> 00:12:38.740
 because of you?

00:12:40.580 --> 00:12:41.720
 Night and day,

00:12:41.820 --> 00:12:43.160
 we pray most earnestly

00:12:43.159 --> 00:12:44.839
 that we may see you again

00:12:44.839 --> 00:12:46.500
 and supply what is lacking

00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:47.679
 in your faith.

00:12:47.679 --> 00:12:47.719
 faith.

00:12:49.979 --> 00:12:51.139
 Now may our God

00:12:51.139 --> 00:12:52.459
 and Father himself

00:12:52.459 --> 00:12:54.239
 and our Lord Jesus

00:12:54.239 --> 00:12:55.139
 clear the way

00:12:55.139 --> 00:12:56.259
 for us to come to you.

00:12:57.179 --> 00:12:58.059
 May the Lord make

00:12:58.059 --> 00:12:59.819
 your love

00:12:59.819 --> 00:13:00.620
 increase

00:13:00.620 --> 00:13:01.699
 and overflow

00:13:01.699 --> 00:13:03.059
 for each other

00:13:03.059 --> 00:13:04.639
 and for everyone else

00:13:04.639 --> 00:13:05.479
 just as ours

00:13:05.479 --> 00:13:06.239
 does for you.

00:13:07.359 --> 00:13:08.519
 May he strengthen

00:13:08.519 --> 00:13:09.620
 your hearts

00:13:09.620 --> 00:13:11.419
 so that you will be

00:13:11.419 --> 00:13:11.959
 blameless

00:13:11.959 --> 00:13:13.459
 and holy

00:13:13.459 --> 00:13:14.740
 in the presence

00:13:14.740 --> 00:13:15.479
 of our God

00:13:15.480 --> 00:13:16.379
 and Father

00:13:16.379 --> 00:13:17.840
 when our Lord Jesus

00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:18.580
 comes

00:13:18.580 --> 00:13:20.720
 with all his holy ones.

00:13:23.940 --> 00:13:25.220
 As for other matters,

00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:26.320
 brothers and sisters,

00:13:26.759 --> 00:13:27.860
 we instructed you

00:13:27.860 --> 00:13:28.519
 how to live

00:13:28.519 --> 00:13:29.620
 in order to please God

00:13:29.620 --> 00:13:30.240
 as in fact

00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:30.800
 you are living.

00:13:31.680 --> 00:13:32.600
 Now we ask you

00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:33.480
 and we urge you

00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:34.379
 in the Lord Jesus

00:13:34.379 --> 00:13:36.060
 to do this more and more

00:13:36.060 --> 00:13:37.940
 for you know

00:13:37.940 --> 00:13:38.639
 what instructions

00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:39.420
 we gave you

00:13:39.420 --> 00:13:40.960
 by the authority

00:13:40.960 --> 00:13:42.039
 of the Lord Jesus.

00:13:42.399 --> 00:13:43.720
 It is God's will

00:13:43.720 --> 00:13:46.060
 that you should be sanctified,

00:13:46.660 --> 00:13:48.560
 that you should avoid

00:13:48.560 --> 00:13:50.360
 sexual immorality,

00:13:50.840 --> 00:13:52.300
 that each of you

00:13:52.300 --> 00:13:52.720
 should learn

00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:54.279
 to control your own body

00:13:54.279 --> 00:13:56.080
 in a way that is holy

00:13:56.080 --> 00:13:57.680
 and honorable,

00:13:58.399 --> 00:14:01.060
 not in passionate lust

00:14:01.060 --> 00:14:02.060
 like the pagans

00:14:02.060 --> 00:14:04.019
 who do not know God,

00:14:04.759 --> 00:14:06.259
 and that in this matter

00:14:06.259 --> 00:14:07.200
 no one should wrong

00:14:07.200 --> 00:14:08.320
 or take advantage

00:14:08.320 --> 00:14:09.580
 of a brother or sister.

00:14:09.580 --> 00:14:12.180
 The Lord will punish

00:14:12.180 --> 00:14:13.240
 all those who commit

00:14:13.240 --> 00:14:14.180
 such sins

00:14:14.180 --> 00:14:15.980
 as we told you

00:14:15.980 --> 00:14:16.960
 and warned you before.

00:14:18.160 --> 00:14:19.639
 For God did not call us

00:14:19.639 --> 00:14:20.400
 to be impure

00:14:20.400 --> 00:14:22.580
 but to live a holy life.

00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:24.000
 Therefore,

00:14:24.180 --> 00:14:25.280
 anyone who rejects

00:14:25.280 --> 00:14:26.280
 this instruction

00:14:26.280 --> 00:14:28.259
 does not reject

00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:29.060
 a human being

00:14:29.060 --> 00:14:30.720
 but God,

00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:32.820
 the very God

00:14:32.820 --> 00:14:33.759
 who gives you

00:14:33.759 --> 00:14:34.780
 his Holy Spirit.

00:14:34.779 --> 00:14:38.839
 Now about your love

00:14:38.839 --> 00:14:39.559
 for one another,

00:14:40.019 --> 00:14:41.299
 we do not need

00:14:41.299 --> 00:14:42.159
 to write to you

00:14:42.159 --> 00:14:43.179
 for you yourselves

00:14:43.179 --> 00:14:43.819
 have been taught

00:14:43.819 --> 00:14:44.480
 by God

00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:45.419
 to love each other

00:14:45.419 --> 00:14:46.919
 and in fact,

00:14:47.039 --> 00:14:48.980
 you do love

00:14:48.980 --> 00:14:50.139
 all of God's family

00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:51.199
 throughout Macedonia

00:14:51.199 --> 00:14:52.240
 yet we urge you

00:14:52.240 --> 00:14:53.059
 brothers and sisters

00:14:53.059 --> 00:14:53.759
 to do so

00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:54.699
 more and more

00:14:54.699 --> 00:14:56.439
 and to make it

00:14:56.439 --> 00:14:57.000
 your ambition

00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:58.299
 to lead a quiet life.

00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:00.819
 You should mind

00:15:00.819 --> 00:15:03.139
 your own business

00:15:03.139 --> 00:15:05.000
 and work

00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:06.139
 with your hands

00:15:06.139 --> 00:15:08.299
 just as we told you

00:15:08.299 --> 00:15:10.799
 so that your daily life

00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:11.759
 may win the respect

00:15:11.759 --> 00:15:12.460
 of outsiders

00:15:12.460 --> 00:15:14.480
 and so that you

00:15:14.480 --> 00:15:15.340
 will not be dependent

00:15:15.340 --> 00:15:16.120
 on anybody.

00:15:18.939 --> 00:15:19.960
 Brothers and sisters,

00:15:20.080 --> 00:15:20.720
 we do not want you

00:15:20.720 --> 00:15:21.500
 to be uninformed

00:15:21.500 --> 00:15:22.419
 about those

00:15:22.419 --> 00:15:23.659
 who sleep in death

00:15:23.659 --> 00:15:25.179
 so that you

00:15:25.179 --> 00:15:25.939
 do not grieve

00:15:25.939 --> 00:15:27.000
 like the rest of mankind

00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:28.159
 who have no hope

00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:30.379
 for we believe

00:15:30.379 --> 00:15:31.679
 that Jesus died

00:15:31.679 --> 00:15:33.199
 and rose again

00:15:33.199 --> 00:15:34.859
 and so we believe

00:15:34.859 --> 00:15:35.799
 that God will bring

00:15:35.799 --> 00:15:37.039
 with Jesus

00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:38.379
 those who have

00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:39.139
 fallen asleep

00:15:39.139 --> 00:15:39.779
 in him.

00:15:41.059 --> 00:15:41.979
 According to the

00:15:41.979 --> 00:15:42.719
 Lord's word

00:15:42.719 --> 00:15:43.979
 we tell you

00:15:43.979 --> 00:15:45.379
 that we who are

00:15:45.379 --> 00:15:46.159
 still alive

00:15:46.159 --> 00:15:47.459
 who are left

00:15:47.459 --> 00:15:48.120
 until the coming

00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:48.679
 of the Lord

00:15:48.679 --> 00:15:49.919
 will certainly

00:15:49.919 --> 00:15:51.019
 not precede

00:15:51.019 --> 00:15:51.719
 those who have

00:15:51.719 --> 00:15:52.439
 fallen asleep

00:15:52.439 --> 00:15:54.179
 for the Lord

00:15:54.179 --> 00:15:54.719
 himself

00:15:54.719 --> 00:15:55.879
 will come down

00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:56.639
 from heaven

00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:57.979
 with a loud

00:15:57.979 --> 00:15:58.439
 command

00:15:58.439 --> 00:16:00.019
 with the voice

00:16:00.019 --> 00:16:01.079
 of the archangel

00:16:01.079 --> 00:16:02.259
 and with the

00:16:02.259 --> 00:16:02.879
 trumpet call

00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:03.379
 of God

00:16:03.379 --> 00:16:04.539
 and the dead

00:16:04.539 --> 00:16:05.299
 in Christ

00:16:05.299 --> 00:16:06.819
 will rise first.

00:16:08.039 --> 00:16:08.980
 After that

00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:10.840
 we who are

00:16:10.840 --> 00:16:11.460
 still alive

00:16:11.460 --> 00:16:12.059
 and are left

00:16:12.059 --> 00:16:12.960
 will be caught up

00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:14.079
 together with them

00:16:14.079 --> 00:16:15.319
 in the clouds

00:16:15.319 --> 00:16:16.899
 to meet the Lord

00:16:16.899 --> 00:16:18.360
 in the air

00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:20.720
 and so

00:16:20.720 --> 00:16:21.600
 we will be

00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:22.340
 with the Lord

00:16:22.340 --> 00:16:23.039
 forever.

00:16:24.199 --> 00:16:24.679
 Therefore

00:16:24.679 --> 00:16:25.840
 encourage one another

00:16:25.840 --> 00:16:26.699
 with these words.

00:16:26.700 --> 00:16:30.160
 Now

00:16:30.160 --> 00:16:31.160
 brothers and sisters

00:16:31.160 --> 00:16:32.100
 about times

00:16:32.100 --> 00:16:32.660
 and dates

00:16:32.660 --> 00:16:33.820
 we do not need

00:16:33.820 --> 00:16:34.580
 to write to you

00:16:34.580 --> 00:16:35.940
 for you know

00:16:35.940 --> 00:16:36.500
 very well

00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:37.140
 that the day

00:16:37.140 --> 00:16:37.800
 of the Lord

00:16:37.800 --> 00:16:39.160
 will come like

00:16:39.160 --> 00:16:39.700
 a thief

00:16:39.700 --> 00:16:41.040
 in the night

00:16:41.040 --> 00:16:42.879
 while people

00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:43.379
 are saying

00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:44.259
 peace

00:16:44.259 --> 00:16:45.740
 and safety

00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:47.320
 destruction

00:16:47.320 --> 00:16:48.340
 will come

00:16:48.340 --> 00:16:48.759
 on them

00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:49.460
 suddenly

00:16:49.460 --> 00:16:51.040
 as labor

00:16:51.040 --> 00:16:51.500
 pains

00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:52.680
 on a pregnant

00:16:52.680 --> 00:16:53.040
 woman

00:16:53.040 --> 00:16:54.780
 and they will

00:16:54.780 --> 00:16:55.460
 not escape.

00:16:55.460 --> 00:16:57.800
 but you

00:16:57.800 --> 00:16:59.100
 brothers and

00:16:59.100 --> 00:16:59.500
 sisters

00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:01.040
 are not in

00:17:01.040 --> 00:17:01.500
 darkness

00:17:01.500 --> 00:17:02.500
 so that this

00:17:02.500 --> 00:17:02.940
 day should

00:17:02.940 --> 00:17:03.740
 surprise you

00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:04.940
 like a thief.

00:17:05.840 --> 00:17:07.019
 You are all

00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:07.860
 children of the

00:17:07.860 --> 00:17:08.220
 light

00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:09.960
 and children

00:17:09.960 --> 00:17:10.620
 of the day.

00:17:11.840 --> 00:17:12.799
 We do not

00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:13.480
 belong to the

00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:13.819
 night

00:17:13.819 --> 00:17:14.960
 or to the

00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:15.319
 darkness

00:17:15.319 --> 00:17:17.680
 so then let us

00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:18.240
 not be like

00:17:18.240 --> 00:17:18.819
 others who

00:17:18.819 --> 00:17:19.680
 are asleep

00:17:19.680 --> 00:17:20.259
 but let us

00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:20.960
 be awake

00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:22.500
 and sober

00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:24.440
 for those

00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:24.980
 who sleep

00:17:24.980 --> 00:17:25.960
 sleep at

00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:26.220
 night

00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:27.620
 and those

00:17:27.620 --> 00:17:27.940
 who get

00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:28.360
 drunk

00:17:28.360 --> 00:17:29.460
 get drunk

00:17:29.460 --> 00:17:29.940
 at night

00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:31.440
 but since

00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:31.940
 we belong

00:17:31.940 --> 00:17:32.259
 to the

00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:32.539
 day

00:17:32.539 --> 00:17:33.200
 let us

00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:33.799
 be sober

00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:34.779
 putting on

00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:35.279
 faith

00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:36.360
 and love

00:17:36.360 --> 00:17:37.539
 as a breastplate

00:17:37.539 --> 00:17:39.079
 and the hope

00:17:39.079 --> 00:17:39.740
 of salvation

00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:41.259
 as a helmet

00:17:41.259 --> 00:17:43.299
 for God

00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:43.779
 did not

00:17:43.779 --> 00:17:44.700
 appoint us

00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:45.880
 to suffer

00:17:45.880 --> 00:17:46.380
 wrath

00:17:46.380 --> 00:17:47.620
 but to

00:17:47.620 --> 00:17:48.180
 receive

00:17:48.180 --> 00:17:48.940
 salvation

00:17:48.940 --> 00:17:50.019
 through our

00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:50.860
 Lord Jesus

00:17:50.860 --> 00:17:51.380
 Christ.

00:17:51.380 --> 00:17:53.440
 he died

00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:54.060
 for us

00:17:54.060 --> 00:17:55.780
 so that

00:17:55.780 --> 00:17:56.280
 whether we

00:17:56.280 --> 00:17:56.780
 are awake

00:17:56.780 --> 00:17:57.460
 or asleep

00:17:57.460 --> 00:17:58.640
 we may

00:17:58.640 --> 00:17:59.480
 live together

00:17:59.480 --> 00:18:00.400
 with him

00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:02.180
 therefore

00:18:02.180 --> 00:18:03.020
 encourage one

00:18:03.020 --> 00:18:03.380
 another

00:18:03.380 --> 00:18:04.880
 and build

00:18:04.880 --> 00:18:05.320
 each other

00:18:05.320 --> 00:18:05.660
 up

00:18:05.660 --> 00:18:07.360
 just as in

00:18:07.360 --> 00:18:07.720
 fact you

00:18:07.720 --> 00:18:08.120
 are doing.

00:18:08.119 --> 00:18:11.079
 now we

00:18:11.079 --> 00:18:11.479
 ask you

00:18:11.479 --> 00:18:11.959
 brothers and

00:18:11.959 --> 00:18:12.259
 sisters

00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:13.239
 to acknowledge

00:18:13.239 --> 00:18:13.819
 those who

00:18:13.819 --> 00:18:14.239
 work hard

00:18:14.239 --> 00:18:14.759
 among you

00:18:14.759 --> 00:18:15.659
 who care

00:18:15.659 --> 00:18:15.959
 for you

00:18:15.959 --> 00:18:16.199
 in the

00:18:16.199 --> 00:18:16.399
 Lord

00:18:16.399 --> 00:18:16.679
 and who

00:18:16.679 --> 00:18:17.099
 admonish

00:18:17.099 --> 00:18:17.359
 you

00:18:17.359 --> 00:18:18.819
 hold them

00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:19.099
 in the

00:18:19.099 --> 00:18:19.859
 highest regard

00:18:19.859 --> 00:18:20.439
 in love

00:18:20.439 --> 00:18:21.419
 because of

00:18:21.419 --> 00:18:21.919
 their work

00:18:21.919 --> 00:18:24.819
 live in

00:18:24.819 --> 00:18:25.219
 peace

00:18:25.219 --> 00:18:25.799
 with each

00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:26.059
 other

00:18:26.059 --> 00:18:27.739
 and we

00:18:27.739 --> 00:18:28.339
 urge you

00:18:28.339 --> 00:18:29.439
 brothers and

00:18:29.439 --> 00:18:29.839
 sisters

00:18:29.839 --> 00:18:31.719
 warn those

00:18:31.719 --> 00:18:32.039
 who are

00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:32.559
 idle and

00:18:32.559 --> 00:18:33.000
 disruptive

00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:35.319
 encourage

00:18:35.319 --> 00:18:36.920
 the disheartened

00:18:36.920 --> 00:18:38.440
 help

00:18:38.440 --> 00:18:39.119
 the weak

00:18:39.119 --> 00:18:41.440
 be patient

00:18:41.440 --> 00:18:42.539
 with everyone

00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:44.279
 make sure

00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:44.859
 that nobody

00:18:44.859 --> 00:18:45.640
 pays back

00:18:45.640 --> 00:18:46.220
 wrong for

00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:46.559
 wrong

00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:47.880
 but always

00:18:47.880 --> 00:18:48.779
 strive to do

00:18:48.779 --> 00:18:49.500
 what is good

00:18:49.500 --> 00:18:50.059
 for each

00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:50.339
 other

00:18:50.339 --> 00:18:50.940
 and for

00:18:50.940 --> 00:18:51.279
 everyone

00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:51.720
 else

00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:54.839
 rejoice

00:18:54.839 --> 00:18:56.539
 always

00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:58.319
 pray

00:18:58.319 --> 00:19:00.039
 continually

00:19:00.039 --> 00:19:02.160
 give thanks

00:19:02.160 --> 00:19:03.019
 in all

00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:03.800
 circumstances

00:19:03.800 --> 00:19:05.560
 for this

00:19:05.560 --> 00:19:06.120
 is God's

00:19:06.120 --> 00:19:06.580
 will for

00:19:06.580 --> 00:19:06.800
 you

00:19:06.800 --> 00:19:08.000
 in Christ

00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:08.460
 Jesus

00:19:08.460 --> 00:19:10.340
 do not

00:19:10.340 --> 00:19:10.640
 quench

00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:11.240
 the spirit

00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:12.820
 do not

00:19:12.820 --> 00:19:13.080
 treat

00:19:13.080 --> 00:19:13.700
 prophecies

00:19:13.700 --> 00:19:14.360
 with contempt

00:19:14.360 --> 00:19:14.980
 but test

00:19:14.980 --> 00:19:15.460
 them all

00:19:15.460 --> 00:19:17.240
 hold on

00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:17.800
 to what

00:19:17.800 --> 00:19:18.259
 is good

00:19:18.259 --> 00:19:19.840
 reject

00:19:19.840 --> 00:19:20.820
 every kind

00:19:20.820 --> 00:19:21.360
 of evil

00:19:21.360 --> 00:19:23.620
 may God

00:19:23.620 --> 00:19:24.140
 himself

00:19:24.140 --> 00:19:25.440
 the God

00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:26.120
 of peace

00:19:26.120 --> 00:19:27.620
 sanctify

00:19:27.620 --> 00:19:28.100
 you

00:19:28.100 --> 00:19:28.720
 through

00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:29.400
 and through

00:19:29.400 --> 00:19:30.720
 may your

00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:31.580
 whole spirit

00:19:31.580 --> 00:19:32.140
 soul

00:19:32.140 --> 00:19:32.800
 and body

00:19:32.800 --> 00:19:33.620
 be kept

00:19:33.620 --> 00:19:34.259
 blameless

00:19:34.259 --> 00:19:35.040
 at the

00:19:35.040 --> 00:19:35.340
 coming

00:19:35.340 --> 00:19:35.800
 of our

00:19:35.800 --> 00:19:36.080
 Lord

00:19:36.080 --> 00:19:36.500
 Jesus

00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:37.020
 Christ

00:19:37.020 --> 00:19:38.220
 the one

00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:38.820
 who calls

00:19:38.820 --> 00:19:39.040
 you

00:19:39.040 --> 00:19:40.180
 is faithful

00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:41.520
 and he

00:19:41.520 --> 00:19:41.880
 will do

00:19:41.880 --> 00:19:42.259
 it

00:19:42.259 --> 00:19:44.020
 brothers

00:19:44.020 --> 00:19:44.640
 and sisters

00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:45.800
 pray for

00:19:45.800 --> 00:19:46.180
 us

00:19:46.180 --> 00:19:48.080
 greet all

00:19:48.080 --> 00:19:48.440
 God's

00:19:48.440 --> 00:19:48.740
 people

00:19:48.740 --> 00:19:49.040
 with a

00:19:49.040 --> 00:19:49.640
 holy kiss

00:19:49.640 --> 00:19:51.520
 I charge

00:19:51.520 --> 00:19:51.920
 you before

00:19:51.920 --> 00:19:52.300
 the Lord

00:19:52.300 --> 00:19:52.740
 to have

00:19:52.740 --> 00:19:53.280
 this letter

00:19:53.280 --> 00:19:54.040
 read to

00:19:54.040 --> 00:19:54.520
 all the

00:19:54.520 --> 00:19:54.759
 brothers

00:19:54.759 --> 00:19:55.380
 and sisters

00:19:55.380 --> 00:19:57.380
 the grace

00:19:57.380 --> 00:19:57.680
 of our

00:19:57.680 --> 00:19:57.920
 Lord

00:19:57.920 --> 00:19:58.259
 Jesus

00:19:58.259 --> 00:19:58.759
 Christ

00:19:58.759 --> 00:20:00.360
 be with

00:20:00.360 --> 00:20:00.600
 you

00:20:00.599 --> 00:20:08.759
 well we've

00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.139
 got a couple

00:20:09.139 --> 00:20:09.779
 minutes now

00:20:09.779 --> 00:20:10.339
 and I want to

00:20:10.339 --> 00:20:11.240
 open it up a

00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:11.679
 little bit for

00:20:11.679 --> 00:20:12.259
 discussion

00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:13.980
 maybe I'll move

00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:14.859
 down here so

00:20:14.859 --> 00:20:16.599
 it feels less

00:20:16.599 --> 00:20:17.639
 sermony

00:20:17.639 --> 00:20:19.939
 what did you

00:20:19.939 --> 00:20:20.500
 hear in these

00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:21.359
 words that

00:20:21.359 --> 00:20:22.199
 encouraged you

00:20:22.199 --> 00:20:24.339
 or challenged

00:20:24.339 --> 00:20:25.019
 you or

00:20:25.019 --> 00:20:25.719
 made you

00:20:25.719 --> 00:20:26.059
 wonder

00:20:26.059 --> 00:20:41.220
 don't be

00:20:41.220 --> 00:20:41.519
 shy

00:20:41.519 --> 00:20:48.680
 416

00:20:48.680 --> 00:20:50.299
 for the

00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:50.519
 Lord

00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:50.960
 himself

00:20:50.960 --> 00:20:51.379
 will come

00:20:51.379 --> 00:20:51.900
 down from

00:20:51.900 --> 00:20:52.160
 heaven

00:20:52.160 --> 00:20:52.519
 with the

00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:53.259
 loud command

00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:53.660
 with the

00:20:53.660 --> 00:20:54.119
 voice of

00:20:54.119 --> 00:20:54.259
 the

00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:54.940
 archangel

00:20:54.940 --> 00:20:55.940
 with the

00:20:55.940 --> 00:20:56.259
 trumpet

00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:56.879
 of call

00:20:56.879 --> 00:20:57.359
 of God

00:20:57.359 --> 00:20:57.759
 and the

00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:58.180
 dead in

00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:58.500
 Christ

00:20:58.500 --> 00:20:58.759
 will

00:20:58.759 --> 00:20:59.180
 arise

00:20:59.180 --> 00:20:59.680
 first

00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:01.379
 after that

00:21:01.379 --> 00:21:02.039
 we who are

00:21:02.039 --> 00:21:02.819
 still alive

00:21:02.819 --> 00:21:03.240
 and left

00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:03.539
 will be

00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:03.980
 caught up

00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:04.460
 with them

00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:05.240
 in the

00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:05.599
 clouds

00:21:05.599 --> 00:21:05.980
 to meet

00:21:05.980 --> 00:21:06.160
 the

00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:06.359
 Lord

00:21:06.359 --> 00:21:06.599
 in the

00:21:06.599 --> 00:21:06.799
 air

00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:08.099
 and so

00:21:08.099 --> 00:21:08.480
 we will

00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:08.899
 be with

00:21:08.899 --> 00:21:09.039
 the

00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:09.259
 Lord

00:21:09.259 --> 00:21:09.740
 forever

00:21:09.740 --> 00:21:12.180
 so that's

00:21:12.180 --> 00:21:13.339
 the encouragement

00:21:13.339 --> 00:21:13.899
 that

00:21:13.899 --> 00:21:15.960
 before

00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:17.000
 that's

00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:19.019
 the

00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:19.579
 rapture

00:21:19.579 --> 00:21:20.460
 that's

00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:20.879
 described

00:21:20.879 --> 00:21:21.579
 in

00:21:21.579 --> 00:21:22.740
 the

00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:23.039
 gospel

00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:25.000
 yeah

00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:25.759
 depending on

00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:26.000
 your

00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:26.960
 interpretation

00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:27.559
 of those

00:21:27.559 --> 00:21:27.899
 things

00:21:27.899 --> 00:21:28.419
 rapture

00:21:28.419 --> 00:21:28.919
 or second

00:21:28.919 --> 00:21:29.259
 coming

00:21:29.259 --> 00:21:29.779
 of Jesus

00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:31.159
 but that

00:21:31.159 --> 00:21:31.480
 is our

00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:31.799
 hope

00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:32.740
 yeah

00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:40.740
 yeah

00:21:40.740 --> 00:21:41.660
 I like

00:21:41.660 --> 00:21:41.940
 in

00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:42.539
 chapter

00:21:42.539 --> 00:21:43.000
 5

00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:43.440
 9

00:21:43.440 --> 00:21:44.440
 for

00:21:44.440 --> 00:21:44.740
 God

00:21:44.740 --> 00:21:45.180
 did not

00:21:45.180 --> 00:21:45.759
 appoint us

00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:46.240
 to suffer

00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:46.819
 wrath

00:21:46.819 --> 00:21:47.620
 but to

00:21:47.620 --> 00:21:48.079
 receive

00:21:48.079 --> 00:21:49.039
 salvation

00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:49.819
 through

00:21:49.819 --> 00:21:50.039
 our

00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:50.339
 Lord

00:21:50.339 --> 00:21:50.660
 Jesus

00:21:50.660 --> 00:21:51.140
 Christ

00:21:51.140 --> 00:21:54.700
 makes

00:21:54.700 --> 00:21:55.000
 me

00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:55.279
 think

00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:55.559
 of

00:21:55.559 --> 00:21:56.079
 a

00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:59.880
 true

00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:00.180
 true

00:22:00.180 --> 00:22:00.799
 rapture

00:22:00.799 --> 00:22:03.480
 God

00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:29.779
 wants

00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:30.019
 what

00:22:30.019 --> 00:22:30.220
 he's

00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:30.619
 doing

00:22:30.619 --> 00:22:30.939
 for

00:22:30.939 --> 00:22:31.219
 us

00:22:31.219 --> 00:22:32.239
 that

00:22:32.239 --> 00:22:32.379
 he

00:22:32.379 --> 00:22:32.799
 loves

00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:33.179
 us

00:22:33.179 --> 00:22:33.399
 and

00:22:33.399 --> 00:22:33.859
 doesn't

00:22:33.859 --> 00:22:34.159
 want

00:22:34.159 --> 00:22:34.359
 us

00:22:34.359 --> 00:22:34.539
 to

00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:34.739
 go

00:22:34.739 --> 00:22:35.059
 through

00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:37.319
 the

00:22:37.319 --> 00:22:37.639
 wrath

00:22:37.639 --> 00:22:38.259
 yeah

00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:39.519
 yeah

00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:40.159
 that's

00:22:40.159 --> 00:22:40.799
 the

00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:41.159
 glorious

00:22:41.159 --> 00:22:41.679
 good news

00:22:41.679 --> 00:22:41.859
 of

00:22:41.859 --> 00:22:42.159
 Jesus

00:22:42.159 --> 00:22:42.500
 that

00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:42.679
 he

00:22:42.679 --> 00:22:43.039
 died

00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:43.399
 so that

00:22:43.399 --> 00:22:43.579
 our

00:22:43.579 --> 00:22:44.019
 punishment

00:22:44.019 --> 00:22:44.399
 would be

00:22:44.399 --> 00:22:44.659
 taken

00:22:44.659 --> 00:22:45.019
 away

00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:46.079
 and

00:22:46.079 --> 00:22:46.299
 one

00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:46.439
 day

00:22:46.439 --> 00:22:46.659
 that

00:22:46.659 --> 00:22:47.059
 punishment

00:22:47.059 --> 00:22:47.599
 is

00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:47.959
 coming

00:22:47.959 --> 00:22:48.179
 the

00:22:48.179 --> 00:22:48.339
 word

00:22:48.339 --> 00:22:48.479
 of

00:22:48.479 --> 00:22:48.639
 God

00:22:48.639 --> 00:22:48.979
 tells

00:22:48.979 --> 00:22:49.179
 us

00:22:49.179 --> 00:22:49.319
 on

00:22:49.319 --> 00:22:49.759
 our

00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:50.099
 world

00:22:50.099 --> 00:22:51.279
 and

00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:51.500
 so

00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:51.799
 that

00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:51.939
 is

00:22:51.939 --> 00:22:52.119
 our

00:22:52.119 --> 00:22:52.519
 promise

00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:52.839
 that

00:22:52.839 --> 00:22:54.279
 we

00:22:54.279 --> 00:22:54.399
 have

00:22:54.399 --> 00:22:54.599
 not

00:22:54.599 --> 00:22:54.759
 been

00:22:54.759 --> 00:22:55.099
 appointed

00:22:55.099 --> 00:22:55.359
 to

00:22:55.359 --> 00:22:55.639
 suffer

00:22:55.639 --> 00:22:55.939
 that

00:22:55.939 --> 00:22:56.339
 wrath

00:22:56.339 --> 00:22:57.099
 but

00:22:57.099 --> 00:22:57.259
 to

00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:58.059
 receive

00:22:58.059 --> 00:22:58.719
 salvation

00:22:58.719 --> 00:22:59.179
 through

00:22:59.179 --> 00:22:59.679
 Jesus

00:22:59.679 --> 00:23:00.079
 our

00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:00.359
 Lord

00:23:00.359 --> 00:23:02.500
 yeah

00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:05.579
 I'd say

00:23:05.579 --> 00:23:06.539
 516

00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:07.439
 to 18

00:23:07.439 --> 00:23:08.659
 rejoice

00:23:08.659 --> 00:23:09.219
 always

00:23:09.219 --> 00:23:09.819
 pray

00:23:09.819 --> 00:23:10.139
 without

00:23:10.139 --> 00:23:10.719
 ceasing

00:23:10.719 --> 00:23:11.159
 give

00:23:11.159 --> 00:23:11.459
 thanks

00:23:11.459 --> 00:23:11.799
 in all

00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:12.519
 circumstances

00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:13.039
 for this

00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:13.319
 is the

00:23:13.319 --> 00:23:13.619
 will of

00:23:13.619 --> 00:23:13.879
 God

00:23:13.879 --> 00:23:14.859
 Christ

00:23:14.859 --> 00:23:15.179
 Jesus

00:23:15.179 --> 00:23:15.759
 for you

00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:17.759
 and just

00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:18.979
 looking at

00:23:18.979 --> 00:23:19.219
 that

00:23:19.219 --> 00:23:19.919
 and asking

00:23:19.919 --> 00:23:20.299
 do we

00:23:20.299 --> 00:23:20.659
 rejoice

00:23:20.659 --> 00:23:21.159
 always

00:23:21.159 --> 00:23:23.919
 even Paul

00:23:23.919 --> 00:23:24.459
 in the

00:23:24.459 --> 00:23:24.679
 beginning

00:23:24.679 --> 00:23:25.059
 of this

00:23:25.059 --> 00:23:25.359
 letter

00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:26.519
 talks

00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:26.939
 about

00:23:26.939 --> 00:23:29.439
 their

00:23:29.439 --> 00:23:29.859
 ministry

00:23:29.859 --> 00:23:30.240
 and

00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:30.779
 at

00:23:30.779 --> 00:23:31.059
 times

00:23:31.059 --> 00:23:31.279
 they're

00:23:31.279 --> 00:23:31.699
 longing

00:23:31.699 --> 00:23:32.039
 to

00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:32.379
 come

00:23:32.379 --> 00:23:34.059
 and

00:23:34.059 --> 00:23:34.319
 their

00:23:34.319 --> 00:23:35.299
 struggle

00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:35.500
 and

00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:36.240
 the

00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:36.579
 things

00:23:36.579 --> 00:23:36.759
 they

00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:37.139
 endured

00:23:37.139 --> 00:23:39.119
 and yet

00:23:39.119 --> 00:23:39.679
 they

00:23:39.679 --> 00:23:40.159
 rejoice

00:23:40.159 --> 00:23:41.719
 whether

00:23:41.719 --> 00:23:42.079
 they were

00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:42.599
 in prison

00:23:42.599 --> 00:23:43.879
 or

00:23:43.879 --> 00:23:44.599
 free

00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:45.500
 running

00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:45.859
 around

00:23:45.859 --> 00:23:46.059
 they

00:23:46.059 --> 00:23:46.539
 still

00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:47.479
 rejoice

00:23:47.479 --> 00:23:47.919
 in the

00:23:47.919 --> 00:23:48.179
 Lord

00:23:48.180 --> 00:23:52.420
 yeah

00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:52.740
 it's a

00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:53.060
 powerful

00:23:53.060 --> 00:23:53.539
 word

00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:54.539
 especially

00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:55.240
 when you

00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:55.920
 take into

00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:57.240
 consideration

00:23:57.240 --> 00:23:58.120
 the

00:23:58.120 --> 00:23:59.140
 circumstances

00:23:59.140 --> 00:24:00.440
 of how

00:24:00.440 --> 00:24:01.220
 Paul met

00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:01.940
 these people

00:24:01.940 --> 00:24:02.420
 and shared

00:24:02.420 --> 00:24:02.900
 the gospel

00:24:02.900 --> 00:24:03.340
 with them

00:24:03.340 --> 00:24:03.580
 and then

00:24:03.580 --> 00:24:04.080
 was chased

00:24:04.080 --> 00:24:04.620
 out of town

00:24:04.620 --> 00:24:04.960
 like

00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:06.259
 pretty much

00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:06.820
 right after

00:24:06.820 --> 00:24:07.279
 it happened

00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:07.700
 there was

00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:08.400
 and then

00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:08.660
 they were

00:24:08.660 --> 00:24:09.279
 asking about

00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:09.880
 what about

00:24:09.880 --> 00:24:10.340
 the people

00:24:10.340 --> 00:24:10.920
 who believed

00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:11.380
 among us

00:24:11.380 --> 00:24:11.660
 who are

00:24:11.660 --> 00:24:12.000
 dead

00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.360
 you know

00:24:12.360 --> 00:24:12.700
 like

00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:13.700
 maybe

00:24:13.700 --> 00:24:14.860
 persecuted

00:24:14.859 --> 00:24:15.740
 and killed

00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.500
 for their

00:24:16.500 --> 00:24:16.839
 faith

00:24:16.839 --> 00:24:18.799
 and

00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:19.679
 and yet

00:24:19.679 --> 00:24:20.119
 even in the

00:24:20.119 --> 00:24:20.479
 midst of

00:24:20.479 --> 00:24:20.740
 that

00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:21.919
 he says

00:24:21.919 --> 00:24:22.359
 rejoice

00:24:22.359 --> 00:24:23.000
 always

00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:24.819
 we always

00:24:24.819 --> 00:24:25.459
 have something

00:24:25.459 --> 00:24:25.759
 in the

00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:26.019
 Lord

00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:27.539
 to rejoice

00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:27.899
 about

00:24:27.899 --> 00:24:28.459
 a hope

00:24:28.459 --> 00:24:30.539
 that endures

00:24:30.539 --> 00:24:30.839
 and that

00:24:30.839 --> 00:24:31.199
 can't be

00:24:31.199 --> 00:24:31.719
 taken away

00:24:31.719 --> 00:24:32.259
 from us

00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:33.039
 yeah

00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:37.119
 yeah

00:24:37.119 --> 00:24:51.859
 encourage

00:24:51.859 --> 00:24:54.259
 the

00:24:54.259 --> 00:25:06.979
 disheartened

00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:07.980
 help

00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:08.200
 the

00:25:08.200 --> 00:25:08.539
 weak

00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:24.240
 thanks

00:25:38.539 --> 00:25:42.420
 Yeah.

00:26:02.799 --> 00:26:03.579
 Yeah.

00:26:03.579 --> 00:26:15.220
 Yeah.

00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:20.720
 Yeah, there's quite a lot in this letter about love.

00:26:21.220 --> 00:26:24.939
 Love for one another, but much of it is commendation.

00:26:25.819 --> 00:26:29.839
 I love how he says that God taught you guys how to love each other.

00:26:29.839 --> 00:26:34.659
 The sense that the Holy Spirit in them just produced that fruit,

00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:38.259
 and they were doing it, and Paul was kind of torn away from them

00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:41.299
 and didn't have the chance to explain, well, how do we do this as a church?

00:26:41.559 --> 00:26:44.959
 And yet here they were doing it all these months later

00:26:44.959 --> 00:26:47.439
 when the letter finally came.

00:26:47.439 --> 00:26:47.919
 Yeah.

00:26:59.839 --> 00:27:00.000
 Yeah.

00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:26.419
 Yeah.

00:27:26.420 --> 00:27:28.660
 yeah

00:27:28.660 --> 00:27:33.640
 yeah there's a sense in which

00:27:33.640 --> 00:27:34.940
 all over the world

00:27:34.940 --> 00:27:37.759
 can only be so far in these few months

00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:38.880
 since his visit

00:27:38.880 --> 00:27:41.779
 but there's a real sense in which these shoe boxes

00:27:41.779 --> 00:27:43.400
 are going all over the world

00:27:43.400 --> 00:27:45.420
 all over the globe

00:27:45.420 --> 00:27:47.820
 and reaching kids with the good news

00:27:47.820 --> 00:27:50.120
 so yeah that is a great way that we can

00:27:50.120 --> 00:27:51.580
 participate

00:27:51.580 --> 00:27:52.100
 yeah

00:27:52.099 --> 00:28:09.919
 let's uh

00:28:09.919 --> 00:28:10.839
 let's pray

00:28:10.839 --> 00:28:13.799
 father in heaven

00:28:13.799 --> 00:28:15.539
 we thank you for these words

00:28:15.539 --> 00:28:17.719
 which were not only for the

00:28:17.719 --> 00:28:19.679
 Thessalonians but for us too

00:28:19.679 --> 00:28:21.919
 and uh

00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:24.940
 each one of us maybe heard something a little bit different

00:28:24.940 --> 00:28:27.019
 but we thank you for these words

00:28:27.019 --> 00:28:29.580
 and we ask that you would guard them and keep them

00:28:29.580 --> 00:28:32.420
 and that you would cause them to sink down deep into our hearts

00:28:32.420 --> 00:28:35.660
 and that we would find opportunity to

00:28:35.660 --> 00:28:36.640
 live them

00:28:36.640 --> 00:28:38.860
 this week for your glory

00:28:38.860 --> 00:28:40.380
 for your honor

00:28:40.380 --> 00:28:41.180
 for your pleasure

00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:44.160
 we want to be holy

00:28:44.160 --> 00:28:45.080
 and blameless

00:28:45.080 --> 00:28:48.480
 as you have told us to in this letter

00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:51.180
 but we also at the same time

00:28:51.180 --> 00:28:54.420
 thank you that you have promised to do that for us

00:28:54.420 --> 00:28:56.600
 and to work that in us

00:28:56.600 --> 00:28:58.759
 we love you

00:28:58.759 --> 00:29:00.240
 and we pray this in Jesus name

00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:01.480
 amen

00:29:01.480 --> 00:29:01.920
 you