Life Lessons From Jeremiah

Pt. 1: Called & Qualified

By Louie Marsh, 5-3-2026

Introduction: Excuses

The words of Jeremiah, the son of Hilkiah, one of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, to whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, and until the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah, the son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the captivity of Jerusalem in the fifth month. Jeremiah 1:1-3 (ESV)

His family and town, near Jerusalem, center of power, might have known many famous people, etc.

The exact meaning of Jeremiah is not certain: it may mean "the LORD exalts"; it may mean "the LORD hurls." What is certain is that "the LORD," the personal name of God, is in his name.

1) Jeremiah Endured because He Knew God was CALLING HIM.

Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:4-5 (ESV)

Jeremiah as almost all the prophets, saw themselves as people being acted upon by God. This is God's call, God's will, God's plan, NOT his! If we are to endure the hardships of ministry, we must understand that this is all about God and what HE wants, not about us.

2) God's First Call – the Call to Christlike Character.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)

3) God's Second Call – the Call to Christlike Conduct.

"5This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering—" (2 Thessalonians 1:5, ESV)

4) No EXCUSES allowed!

Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a youth'; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD." Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said to me, "Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. Jeremiah 1:6-9 (ESV)

We are practiced in pleading inadequacy in order to avoid living at the best that God calls us to. How tired the excuses sound! I am only a youth; I am only a housewife; I am only a layman; I am only a poor preacher; I only have an eighth-grade education; I don't have enough time; I don't have enough training; I don't have enough confidence; or, with biblical precedence, "Master, please, I don't talk well" (Ex 4:10). Too much is being asked of us. We cannot cope. We cannot manage.

Eugene H. Peterson. Run with the Horses: The Quest for Life at Its Best (Kindle Locations 429-432). Kindle Edition.

Moses King of Excuses!

· "Who am I?" = I'm not IMPORTANT/QUALIFIED enough.

"11But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?"" (Exodus 3:11, ESV)

· They won't ACCEPT my message.

"1Then Moses answered, "But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, 'The Lord did not appear to you.' "" (Exodus 4:1, ESV)

· I'm not a good SPEAKER.

"10But Moses said to the Lord, "Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue."" (Exodus 4:10, ESV)

· I'm afraid and don't WANT to go!

"13But he said, "Oh, my Lord, please send someone else."" (Exodus 4:13, ESV)

5) God's response to Jeremiah's Excuses.

· Excuse 2 - God's POWER is always available.

"3And he said, "Throw it on the ground." So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it." (Exodus 4:3, ESV)

· Excuse 3 - God will PROVIDE what I lack.

"11Then the Lord said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak."" (Exodus 4:11–12, ESV)

· Excuse 1 & 4 – God is WITH me.

"12He said, "But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain."" (Exodus 3:12, ESV)

These excuses show Moses' very human fear, insecurity, and reluctance—yet God still used him powerfully. The chapter highlights that God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called.

I must be humble enough to accept learning from others what I need to learn and experiencing what I need to become fully qualified. If I think, "God called me so now I – who know and have experienced nothing – will take over. I'm headed for a fall and refusing to accept God's qualifying school of some very hard knocks!

Living in the Last Days

Pt. 9: Being Responsible

By Louie Marsh, 4-26-2026

TO BE A RESPONSIBLE BELIEVER I NEED TO…

1) Live & pray according to GOD'S PRIORITIES.

"1Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, 2and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. 3But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one." (2 Thessalonians 3:1–3, ESV)

· My top priority is SPREADING the good news!

As to the rest, pray ye, brethren, concerning us, that the word of the Lord may run and may be glorified, as also with you, 2 Thes. 3:1 (Young's)

"…may have a triumphant career…" (Lightfoot)

· A secondary priority is DELIVERANCE from danger.

2) Ask God to GROW my heart.

"5May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ." (2 Thessalonians 3:5, ESV)

"32I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!" (Psalm 119:32, ESV)

WHAT AREAS DO WE NEED TO GROW IN?

· GOD'S LOVE

· CHRIST'S PERSERVERANCE

3) Live out my faith through HARD WORK.

· Don't SETTLE.

"6Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us." (2 Thessalonians 3:6, ESV)

· Don't DEMAND your rights

"7For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 8nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. 9It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate." (2 Thessalonians 3:7–9, ESV)

· Do stand up and LEAD

"10For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. 13As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good." (2 Thessalonians 3:10–13, ESV)

· Practice TOUGH LOVE

"14If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother." (2 Thessalonians 3:14–15, ESV)

WHY THIS EMPHASIS ON WORK?

· Because life is all about PRODUCING VALUE!

4) Seek and Receive CHRIST'S PEACE.

"16Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all." (2 Thessalonians 3:16, ESV)

5) Live my life in GRACE!

"17I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. 18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all." (2 Thessalonians 3:17–18, ESV)

· Grace = SALVATION.

· Grace = LIFE.

Living in the Last Days

Pt. 8: Building Up

By Louie Marsh, 4-19-2026

1) My speech should be FREE & OPEN

"2not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction," (2 Thessalonians 2:2–3, ESV)

"5For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness." (1 Thessalonians 2:5, ESV)

2) My life should be TRANSPARENT.

"1Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come." (2 Thessalonians 2:1–2, ESV)

"5Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?" (2 Thessalonians 2:5, ESV)

"9The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false," (2 Thessalonians 2:9–11, ESV)

3) My Responsibility is to manage God's gifts WISELY.

"4who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God." (2 Thessalonians 2:4, ESV)

· Approved by GOD

· Trusted with the GOSPEL

4) My goal is to please God ALONE.

"5For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ." (1 Thessalonians 2:5–6, ESV)

5) My love should be SOUL DEEP.

"7But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us." (1 Thessalonians 2:7–8, ESV)

6) My conduct must be GODLY.

"10You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11For you know how, like a father with his children, 12we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory." (1 Thessalonians 2:10–12, ESV)

· ENCOURAGING

· COMFORTING

· URGING

7) My calling is to SHARE the good news of Christ!

"13And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers." (1 Thessalonians 2:13, ESV)

Living In The Last Days

Pt. 7: Hanging Tough

By Louie Marsh, 3-12-2026

You know you're in trouble when....

• Your accountant's letter of resignation is postmarked from Zurich.

• You're taking a bus to the bank to make your car payment.

• You take assertiveness training, but you're afraid to tell your wife.

• You tell a barber what you think of his prices before he cuts your hair.

• You see your stockbroker hitchhiking out of town.

• The plumber floats by on your kitchen table.

• Your pacemaker comes with a 30-day guarantee.

• Your wages are paid out of petty cash.

• The pest control guy crawls under your house and never comes out.

IN TOUGH TIMES I NEED TO…

1) DECIDE to deepen my spiritual life starting NOW!.

"3We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 4Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring." (2 Thessalonians 1:3–4, ESV)

· Growing FAITH & LOVE are two signs my spiritual life is deepening.

Paul uses a compound Greek verb meaning growth above expectations – huper from which we get hyper.

Trouble Makes My Faith Grow By…

· Making me face UNPLEASANT truths.

· Testing to see if I'm LIVING a supernatural life.

2) TRUST GOD to bring about justice.

"5This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— 6since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels" (2 Thessalonians 1:5–7, ESV)

3) Compassionately REACH OUT to the lost.

"8in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed." (2 Thessalonians 1:8–10, ESV)

Hell is horrible because it goes on forever – you are eternally brought to "complete ruin" as it says literally.

Hell is even worse because you are shut away from God completely. That's why it won't be a party – ALL GOOD THINGS are absent from Hell. There is nothing there but evil and pain.

This ought to motivate us!

4) FOCUS on giving Glory to Jesus!

"12so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 1:12, ESV)

5) BELIEVE that God will fulfill His purposes in my life.

"11To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power," (2 Thessalonians 1:11, ESV)

6) YBH – YES BUT HOW?

· Pay attention to my HEART.

"23Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." (Proverbs 4:23, ESV)

Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23 (NAS)

Keep means to watch over and protect – what many of us do in the name of guarding our hearts is actually hardening and kill it!

This doesn't mean to suck it up – be tough – shut down your emotions – and ACT okay when you are not.

Rather it means to be authentic and open before the Lord on all occasions about everything – and as open with others as you can be.

"34You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." (Matthew 12:34, ESV)

The heart "spurts out" good or evil according to the supply within.

1) as ejection by force throw out, expel, drive out; (2) as expelling or excluding without force repudiate, send away, let go.

"18But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person." (Matthew 15:18, ESV)

Out of the mouth. Spoken words come out of the heart and so are a true index of character.

· An open heart to God is the KEY to real spiritual depth.

"14Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: " ' "You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive." 15For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.'" (Matthew 13:14–15, ESV)

Because Jesus is alive…

1) I need to be KINGDOM focused.

3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. Acts 1:3 (ESV)

· God is calling me to live in a ACCOUNTABLE community.

It's not just all about me!

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)

Not neglecting = "Not leaving behind, not leaving in the lurch" -Word Pictures in the New Testament.

· The Kingdom works from the INSIDE OUT not the outside in.

17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 (ESV)

2) I need to OUT my doubts.

24 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe." John 20:24-25 (ESV)

· ADMIT you've got them.

"16Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted." (Matthew 28:16–17, ESV)

· FIGURE OUT the what's and whys of my doubts.

15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)

· TALK OUT my doubts with God.

26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." 28 Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" John 20:26-28 (ESV)

· Remember God will BLESS my faith without a doubt.

29 Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29 (ESV)

6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)

3) I need to respond to Jesus' call to a HIGHER LOVE.

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." 16 He said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." 17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. John 21:15-17 (ESV)

First time Jesus asks a comparative question, because Peter had said he loved Jesus more than the rest. Once that's done Jesus no longer compares but probes Peter's heart.

First two times Jesus says agape while Peter responds with philio. Third time Jesus says philio.

12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 1 Thessalonians 3:12 (NIV)

Go Through – Gospel in a Nutshell & B.A.S.I.S.

Establish Your Spiritual B.A.S.I.S.!

B = Believe Jesus died on the Cross for me and showed He was God by coming back to life again.

By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, (1 Cor. 15:2-4)

A = Accept Christ as Lord of My life and His free forgiveness of my sins.

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- (John 1:12)

S = Switch to God's Plan for my life.

"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15)

I = Inform others of your decision.

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

S = Submerge yourself in Christ.

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (Galatians 3:26-27)

Living in the Last Days

Pt. 6: Staying With It, 1 Thess. 5:12-28

By Louie Marsh, 3-29-2026

For those who appreciate the intricacies of the English language, the Washington Post publishes a yearly contest in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for various words. The following are some winning entries from a few years ago. Coffee (n.), a person who is coughed upon. Flabbergasted (adj.), appalled over how much weight you have gained. Abdicate (v.), to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach. Negligent (adj.), describes a condition in which you absentmindedly answer the door in your nightie. Lymph (v.), to walk with a lisp. Flatulence (n.) the emergency vehicle that picks you up after you are run over by a steamroller. Balderdash (n.), a rapidly receding hairline. Frisbeetarianism (n.), The belief that, when you die, your soul goes up on the roof and gets stuck there.

TO LIVE EFFECTIVELY FOR CHRIST I MUST…

1) REFUSE to stifle the Spirit's work in my life.

"19Do not quench the Spirit." (1 Thessalonians 5:19, ESV)

"18"Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles."…"20a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory;" (Matthew 12:18,20, ESV)

"6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands," (2 Timothy 1:6, ESV)

· SNUFF OUT Satan's work in my life.

"16In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;" (Ephesians 6:16, ESV)

2) RESPECT the Spirit's Word in my life.

"20Do not despise prophecies," (1 Thessalonians 5:20, ESV)

Contempt = "to count as nothing." We must never treat any of the work of God with contempt

3) TEST EVERYTHING to discover what God's work and Word really are!

"21but test everything… (1 Thessalonians 5:21a, ESV)

Stress everything – note that this is what the Jewish leaders never did with Jesus. Lazarus was raised and they knew it and killed him anyway.

· God TESTS ME.

"4but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts." (1 Thessalonians 2:4, ESV)

· I am COMMANDED to test!

"4But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor." (Galatians 6:4, ESV)

"1Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1, ESV)

4) APPLY the right standards in my testing.

· Keep my heart & mind OPEN before God.

"2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

How do I test?

a, Not by what my parents says b, Not by what my preacher says c, Not by what my old church did d, Not by what my culture says e, not by how I feel about it!

· Use God's OBJECTIVE STANDARD – His Word.

"8The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." (Isaiah 40:8, ESV)

"4But he answered, "It is written, " 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.' ""…

"7Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.' "" …"10Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, " 'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.' "" (Matthew 4:4,7,10, ESV)

· CONSULT other standards as well.

o COMMON SENSE

o PRAYERFUL guidance

o COUNSEL from others

5) HOLD ON to the good & run with it!

"21… hold fast what is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:21b, ESV)

Good = "something noble, something that is a blessing and a honor to receive."

The 2 words "good" and "hold" are only found in one other verse in the N.T.:

"15As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience." (Luke 8:15, ESV)

Living in the Last Days

Pt. 5: Looking Forward

By Louie Marsh, 3-22-2026

LOOKING FORWARD IN CHRIST MEANS I …

1) Temper my grief with HOPE.

"13But 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." (1 Thessalonians 4:13, ESV)

Gordon Lightfoot – wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Does anyone know where the love of God goesWhen the waves turn the minutes to hours?The searchers all say they'd have made Whitefish BayIf they'd put fifteen more miles behind herThey might have split up or they might have capsizedThey may have broke deep and took waterAnd all that remains is the faces and the namesOf the wives and the sons and the daughters

2) BELIEVE the source of hope – Christ's Truth!

"14For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep." (1 Thessalonians 4:14–15, ESV)

3) Practice Prophecies with 3 Practical Purposes:

· To ENCOURAGE me.

"18Therefore encourage one another with these words."…"11Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 4:18, 5:11, ESV)

· To keep me ALERT!

"4But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober." (1 Thessalonians 5:4–6, ESV)

· To MOTIVATE me to fight the good fight!

"8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ," (1 Thessalonians 5:8–9, ESV)

4) AVOID the wrong solution.

"1Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape." (1 Thessalonians 5:1–3, ESV)

"32"But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Mark 13:32, ESV)

5) REJOICE in my relationship with Christ.

"10who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him." (1 Thessalonians 5:10, ESV)

· It's ETERNAL!

"38For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38–39, ESV)

Living in the Last Days

Pt. 4: Living Right

By Louie Marsh, 3-15-2026

TWO HALLMARKS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE

· SELFLESSNESS

· CONTINUED GROWTH

"1Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more."…"10for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more," (1 Thessalonians 4:1, 10, ESV)

LIVING RIGHT MEANS…

1) I am to PLEASE GOD first.

"1Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 2For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 4:1–2, ESV)

2) I stay within God's SEXUAL BOUNDARIES.

"3For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you." (1 Thessalonians 4:3–8, ESV)

ESV, NIV, NLT, MESSAGE all say Body, Wife- LB and GW, Vessel – NAS, ASV, NKJ.

Greek is vessel – Paul either means spouse, or body – there's equal weight for each one. I'm going to follow marriage, because it seems best and it speaks to our national situation today.

· God's Sexual Context – HETEROSEXUAL marriage

"24Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." (Genesis 2:24, ESV)

Christian belief in heterosexual marriage and that homosexually is wrong, does not stem from the Law or Paul – but from the very creation of mankind. Moses and Paul simply follow what Jesus shows us – that it was from the beginning that we were made that way.

"2But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. 7I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. 8To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. 9But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion." (1 Corinthians 7:2–9, ESV)

· God's Sexual Style – HONOR.

"4that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;" (1 Thessalonians 4:4–5, ESV)

The Christian view of sex within marriage is that BOTH spouses put the pleasure of their spouse before their own – thus ensuring fulfillment for both IF they keep this ideal! You don't just demand your own way or wishes – that's wrong even in marriage.

3) I live a life of LOVE.

"9Now 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, 10for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more," (1 Thessalonians 4:9–10, ESV)

4) I SUPPORT MYSELF with God's help.

"11and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one." (1 Thessalonians 4:11–12, ESV)

Living in the Last Days

Pt. 3: Praying Passionately

By Louie Marsh, 2-8-2026

1) FIND the springs of passion within me.

· Love & SEPARATION

"17But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face," (1 Thessalonians 2:17, ESV)

"5For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain." (1 Thessalonians 3:5, ESV)

· SUFFERING

"3that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know." (1 Thessalonians 3:3–4, ESV)

· GOOD NEWS

"6But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— 7for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God," (1 Thessalonians 3:6–9, ESV)

· GOD'S PURPOSE

"10as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?" (1 Thessalonians 3:10, ESV)

2) Tell God my HEART'S DESIRE.

"11Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you," (1 Thessalonians 3:11, ESV)

May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! 1 Thes. 3:11 (Mes)

3) Ask God to INCREASE my love.

"12and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you," (1 Thessalonians 3:12, ESV)

And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. 1 Thes. 3:12 (Mes)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

4) ALLOW GOD to strengthen my heart.

"13so that he may establish your hearts… (1 Thessalonians 3:13a, ESV)

ESTABLISH = BUTRESS. A buttress is a support -- usually brick or stone -- built against a wall to support or reinforce it. A flying buttress is a free-standing buttress attached to the main structure by an arch or a half-arch.

"9For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him… (2 Chronicles 16:9a, ESV)

"145With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord! I will keep your statutes." (Psalm 119:145, ESV)

5) KEEP Christlikeness my ultimate goal.

"13…blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints." (1 Thessalonians 3:13b, ESV)

· Blameless = INWARD/NEGATIVE

(1) blameless, faultless, without guilt (LU 1.6); (2) of things faultless, without defect

· Holy – OUTWARD/POSITIVE

· Presence of God – UPWARD/ALWAYS

"4and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord," (Romans 1:4, ESV)

Living in the Last Days

Pt. 2: Building Up

By Louie Marsh, 3-1-2026

1) My speech should be FREE & OPEN

"2But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive," (1 Thessalonians 2:2–3, ESV)

· I should never try and BUTTER PEOPLE UP.

"5For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness." (1 Thessalonians 2:5, ESV)

2) My life should be TRANSPARENT.

"1For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict."…"9For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11For you know how, like a father with his children," (1 Thessalonians 2:1-2, 9–11, ESV)

· God calls you to work and word HARD.

· If you want an easy life – DON'T follow Jesus!

14For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." (Matthew 7:14, ESV)

3) My Responsibility is to manage God's gifts WISELY.

"4but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts." (1 Thessalonians 2:4, ESV)

· APPROVED by God.

"6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil." (1 Timothy 3:6, ESV)

· TRUSTED with the gospel.

"16For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship." (1 Corinthians 9:16–17, ESV)

4) My goal is to please God ALONE.

"5For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ." (1 Thessalonians 2:5–6, ESV)