Sermons by Todd Cravens (Page 14)
The Suddenness of the Second Coming
Now concerning wthe times and the seasons, brothers,1 xyou have no need to haveanything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that ythe day of theLord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace andsecurity,” then zsudden destruction will come upon them aas labor pains come upon apregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you bare not in darkness, brothers, forthat day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all cchildren2 of light, children of theday. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then dlet us not sleep, as others do, butlet us ekeep awake and fbe sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who getdrunk, gare drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, hhaving put onthe breastplate of ifaith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has notdestined us for jwrath, but kto obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 lwhodied for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Thereforeencourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
The Hope of the Resurrection and the Return of Jesus
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesusdied and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who havefallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who arealive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallenasleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and rwith the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead inChrist will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up togetherwith them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with theLord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Love One Another and Mind Your Own Business
1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
Keep a Close Watch on Yourself and on the Teaching
11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them,[a] so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching.…
When We Could Bear It No Longer
I Thessalonians 3:1-5 3 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy,who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned…
The Gospel of God & the Face of Jesus
1 Thessalonians 2:13-20 13 And we also thank God constantly[a] for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men[b] but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,[c] 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and…
What Are Spiritual Gifts?
1 Corinthians 12:1-10 (ESV) Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there…
Regeneration: The First Spiritual Gift
1 Corinthians 12:1-3 (ESV) Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. John 3:1-15 (ESV) Now there was a man of the Pharisees named…
What Does it Mean to be Filled with the Holy Spirit?
Ephesians 5:15-21 (ESV) Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks…
What Are the Qualifications of An Elder?
1 Timothy 3:1-7 (ESV) The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household,…
What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
1 Corinthians 12:13 (ESV) For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
Repent, Receive His Word, and Be Baptized
Acts 2:36-41 (ESV) Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you…