INTRODUCTION

1. Good commencement of Faith

2. Good continuing growth of Faith

3. Good confirmed Faith

 

THE THINGS THAT WERE LACKING

1 Thessalonians 3:10

1. To be expected

a) There is so much to learn

b) There was a lack of opportunity to teach further

2. Some things that were lacking

a) The Abounding Life

“That you should abound more and more”  1 Thessalonians 4:1a

b) A Walk that pleases God 1 Thessalonians 4:1b

c) A Life of sanctification 1 Thessalonians 4:3

d) Brotherly love

“To love one another more and more”    1 Thessalonians 4:9-10

e) Godly aspirations

i) To lead a quiet life 1 Thessalonians 4:11a

ii) To mind your own business 1 Thessalonians 4:11b

iii) To work with your own hands  1 Thessalonians 4:11c

iv) Walk properly in the world

“That you lack nothing”    1 Thessalonians 4:12

f) Knowledge about those who have died

i) They are with the Lord Jesus 1 Thessalonians 4:14

ii) Great comfort to be found 1 Thessalonians 4:18

g) The Doctrine of the 2^nd Coming of Christ

i) The Lord will return as a thief in the night 1 Thessalonians 5:2

ii) It will be a time of judgment and destruction

for those who reject the Lord  1 Thessalonians 5:3

 

ADDRESSING THE THINGS THAT ARE LACKING

1. Exhortation

a) To all who are sons of light

and sons of the day  1 Thessalonians 5:5

b) Watch and be sober   1 Thessalonians 5:6

c) The Christian armour in brief

i) Breastplate of faith and love 1 Thessalonians 5:8a

Breastplate of righteousness  Ephesians 6:14

ii) Helmet of salvation 1 Thessalonians 5:8b

2. Assurance

a) We are not appointed to wrath 1 Thessalonians 5:9a

b) But to obtain salvation 1 Thessalonians 5:9b

c) In Christ

i) He died for us

ii) We live together with Him 1 Thessalonians 5:10

3. Edification of one another

a) Comfort one another 1 Thessalonians 5:11a

b) Edify one another 1 Thessalonians 5:11b

4. Further general words of exhortation

a) Warn the unruly 1 Thessalonians 5:14a

b) Comfort the fainthearted 1 Thessalonians 5:14b

c) Uphold the weak 1 Thessalonians 5:14c

d) Be patient with all 1 Thessalonians 5:14d

e) Pursue what is good 1 Thessalonians 5:15

f) Rejoice always 1 Thessalonians 5:16

g) Pray without ceasing 1 Thessalonians 5:17

h) In everything give thanks 1 Thessalonians 5:18

i) Do not quench the Spirit 1 Thessalonians 5:19

j) Test all things 1 Thessalonians 5:21

 

OUR CHALLENGE IN CONCLUSION

1. To check the areas which are lacking in our faith and life

2. To seek to fill up the areas which are lacking

3. To keep growing in faith and life