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When life heats up and trials come, where can you find the strength to overcome discouragement and persevere in your faith? What does it take to trust God in every circumstance, even the midst of hardship? Well, there are some excellent biblical examples you can learn from—you’ll see in John MacArthur’s continuing study titled A Faith That Pleases God.

Join Chip as he discusses why better things in life don’t always make life better.

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Cynthia Yanof shares humorous stories about the messy parts of parenting and daily life. Hear her insights into reframing messy experiences as blessings from God. Be inspired and learn about loving others well, even when it’s challenging.

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Praying Scripture Over Your Child’s Life -- Protect your child’s spiritual foundation with this free 7-part series. Jodie Berndt shares Scripture-based prayers to strengthen your child’s faith, help them navigate life’s challenges, and stand firm in their walk with God.

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Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10

Though it has been anticipated for over two thousand years, Jesus Christ could come again at any moment, as prophesied in the Book of Revelation. But as children of God, we have a settled faith. 2 Thessalonians 1-2 reveals how to have a steadfast hope in a shaky world: “and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels” (1:7).

First, we need not be dismayed; when Jesus comes again, His lordship will be revealed. Though we don’t know the exact time or day, we know He will return exactly on time. “…when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed” (1:10). We will be witnesses of His redeeming love, saving grace, and keeping power; our testimonies will be what brings others to wonder at Him as well.

Secondly, we need not be deceived; the devil is a liar and inspires deception. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 states: “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition…” As Jesus says, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9); the antichrist will come directly from the devil. Though his wickedness is already at work in this world, the antichrist also has a precise timeframe in which he will be revealed (2:6-7).

Finally, we need not be disappointed. 2 Thessalonians 2:8 reveals, “And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.”

Adrian Rogers explains, “The same Jesus that spoke them into existence is going to speak them into oblivion.” Jesus, who came first to seek and to save, will return with judgment. He came first in mercy; He will return in flaming fire, to take vengeance. He came first in humility; He will return in incredible power.

Apply it to your life
Knowing our Lord is returning soon, there are a few things to remember as we hold onto our hope in this shaky world:

Pray continuously.
Witness to anyone and everyone.
Worship God as a family.
Don’t be dismayed by what you see on the news.
Know that your hope is in Jesus Christ, steadfast and sure.

Spirit of God E15 — Some New Testament passages present the Spirit as a distinct agent, or entity, who teaches, reminds, and even dwells within Jesus' followers. But more often, the Bible describes the Spirit as God's power, presence, or energy. So what led early Christians to conceive of the Spirit of God as the third person of the Trinity? In this final episode of the series, Jon and Tim discuss how the Spirit came to be understood as a person and what this means for how we experience God's presence today.

CHAPTERS

1. Is the Spirit a Person? (0:00-10:18)
2. Clues in the Gospel of John (10:18-33:28)
3. Persons of the Trinity Assumed in Paul’s Writings (33:28-45:52)
4. Layers of Meaning in the Trinity (45:52-58:29)

OFFICIAL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

View this episode’s official transcript.

REFERENCED RESOURCES

• On the Holy Spirit by St Basil the Great
• “How did the Spirit become a Person?” (essay) by Joerg Frey
• God and Spiritual Beings (podcast series)
• Check out Tim's extensive collection of recommended books here.

SHOW MUSIC

• “Pure Joy” by Lofi Sunday feat. John Lee
• “Eucalyptus” by Lofi Sunday feat. Eluzai
• “City Sunset” by Lofi Sunday feat. Marc Vanparla
• BibleProject theme song by TENTS 

SHOW CREDITS

Production of today’s episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey and Aaron Olsen edited today’s episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty writes the show notes. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie.

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