Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: 2 Thessalonians: Be Faithful Until Christ Returns
Text: 2 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Theme: Don't Be Unsettled when Unbelievers Reject Christian Faith and Its Foundation of Biblical Truth

One: What is apostasy?

• to depart; to forsake; to rebel against.
• Someone who before claimed he was a Christian is now saying he is not a Christian anymomre.

Two: A Biblical Anchor: true believers will never fully or finally fall away from the faith.

Three: The Biblical Explanation: the realization that a person was never truly transformed by the gospel.

• The Visible Church = as Christians see it; those who claim to be Christian and give evidence of it.
• The Invisible Church = as God sees it; those who repent & believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord
• Examples of apostasy: Judas and Demas

Four: What should characterize our response to apostasy?

• Humility
• Prayer
• Truth

...they refused to love the truth and be saved ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:10

Speaker: Adam Goshall
Series: 2 Thessalonians: Be Faithful Until Chris Returns
Text: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12
Theme: Amid the uncertainty of the "end times," be faithful until Jesus comes

One: You can be certain that the Devil is at work in the world.

• His work is characterized by deception, rebellion, & lawlessness.
• The believer is tempted with confusion & concern.
• The unbeliever is tempted to embrace lies & to enjoy evil.

Two: You can be certain that Jesus is coming in total victory.

• God is in control of present victory.
• God is control of future vicroty.

Applications:

• Resist evil with holiness.
• Resist discouragement with hope.

Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ...let no one deceive you in any way... ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: 2 Thessalonians: Be Faithful Until Christ Returns
Text: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
Theme: Jesus is Glorified as Savior and Lord

The glory of Jesus as Savior and Lord is...

One: ...the past testimony of the church.

• Do not be bashful about our legacy of truth.
• Speak boldly.

Two: ...the future hope of the church.

• Do not be bullied by evil in the world.
• Endure courageously.

Three: ...the present duty of the church.

• Do not be discouraged in the struggle with sin.
• Grow spiritually.

Four: ...the eternal reward of the church.

• Do not be forgetful of your glory to come.
• We will celebrate joyfully.

To this end, we always pray for you... ~ 2 Thessalonians 1:11

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: 2 Thessalonians
Text: 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
Theme: The promise of Christ's future coming should influence the faithfulness of our present praying.

How can we imitate Paul's model of prayer

One: Pray

• Our prayer should be Constant
• Our prayer should be Caring

Two: Pray with Biblically-defined Purpose

• That we would be Conformed to the character of Christ
• That we would be Bold in the pursuit of goodness
• That we would do what we are called to do in his Power

Three: Pray for the glory of Jesus Christ

• His Sovereign glory; He is Lord
• His Saving glory; He is Savior

To this end, we always pray for you ~ 2 Thessalonians 1.11

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: 2 Thessalonians: Be Faithful Until Christ Returns
Text: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4
Theme: God Will Make All Things Right in the End

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: 2 Thessalonians: Be Faithful Until Christ Returns
Text: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4
Theme: Keep Growing - For the Good Of Others and For the Glory Of God

One: Keep growing - for the good of others.

• Model a robust confidence in God
• Model a robust love for others
• Model a robust endurance in hardships

Two: Keep growing - for the glory of God.

• Faithfulness is worthy of recognition.
• Faithfulness is rooted in grace.
• Faithfulness is cause for praise.

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing...and that you are enduring. ~ 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: 2 Thessalonians
Text: Overview of 1 Thessalonians
Theme: The gospel will keep working until Jesus comes again.

One: Hope in the Gospel of Jesus Christ = the purpose, Church, and coming of Jesus.

Two: Hope in the purpose of Jesus Christ.

• To imitate God; 1:6
• To walk worthy; 2:12
• To abound in love; 3:12
• To be holy; 3:3,7
• To be alert; 5:6

Three: Hope in the Church of Jesus Christ.

Four: Hope in the coming of Jesus Christ.

• Jesus is coming back to earth.
• Until then, believe that the gospel is still turning the world upside-down.

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Forgiveness
Text: Various Passages
Theme: Forgiveness Q & A

One: How do I deal with large offenses where forgiveness is never requested?

• Leave it to God - Romans 12

Two: What if the offender is dead?

• No one escapes the justice of God. Psalm 58:10-11

Three: What do I do with someone who takes advantage of my obligation to forgive?

• Expect fruits in keeping with repentance; Luke 3:8

Four: Is God's forgiveness the same in the OT as it is in the NT?

• Yes. Forgiveness is always granted on the basis of God's promise of the work of Christ.

Five: How should I respond when someone says, "I need to forgive myself"?

• Steer the focus to understanding how God forgives us in Christ.

Conclusions:

1. Be ready to forgive. Psalm 86:5
2. Trust your God.
   a. To do good to you.
   b. To make all things right.

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Forgiveness
Text: Romans 12:14-21
Theme: In all the offenses we suffer, bitterness is avoidable

How to keep from being bitter toward...the repentant:

One: Keep your promise.

• Forgiveness = I graciously promise to release from moral liablility the repentant offender for reconciliation.
• The 3-fold promise.
  • I will not recall this offense to you.
  • I will not recall this offense to others.
  • I will not recall this offense to myself.

How to keep from being bitter toward...the UN-repentant:

Two: Don't seek revenge.

• Do not repay eveil for evil.
• Do not avenge yourself.
• Do not be overcome by evil.

Three: Love your enemies.

• Maintain honor.
• Seek peace.
• Be kind.

Four: Trust your God...

• ...to care for you.
• ...to judge your enemies.

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Forgiveness
Text: 2 Corinthians 5:19
Theme: Justice is Essential to Understanding Forgiveness

One: Justice reflects the character of God.

• Our reflection of God's justice is marred by sin.
• God's revelation of justice is revealed in Scripture.

Two: Justice demands more than the common appology.

• Apologies wander through feelings.
• Justice addresses the offense.
• Forgiveness accomplishes reconciliation.

Three: Justice allows for continuing consequences.

• Forgiveness does not necessarily remove consequences.
• Consequences do not necessarily communicate continued displeasure.

Four: Justice reveals the sufficiency of Christ.

• To reveal the true image of God's justice and mercy.
• To address our offense and reconcile us to God.
• To remove eternal consequences and give grace for present sorrow.

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Forgiveness
Text: Matthew 18:21-35
Theme: A Spirit-Filled, Word-Informed Believer Can Rightly Reckon With Forgiveness Withheld.

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Forgiveness
Text: Matthew 18:21-35
Theme: You Must Forgive Much Because You Have Been Forgiven Much More.

One: Do I underestimate the mercy of God's forgiveness?

Two: Do I overestimate the debt of my brother?

Three: Do I underestimate the warning of NOT forgiveing?

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Forgiveness
Text: Luke 23:34; Hebrews 10:11-18
Theme: As believers, we stand forgiven at the cross

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Forgiveness
Text: Ephesians 4:32
Theme: You Must Forgive Others as God Forgave You.

One: The Word Meanings of Forgiveness

• To release
• To grace

Two: The Divine Example of Forgiveness

• God graces us with the perfect righteousness of Christ
• God graces us wiht the substitutionary death of Christ
• God graces us with the everlasting life of Christ

Three: The Five Elements of Forgiveness

1. God's forgiveness is marked by grace.
2. God's forgiveness is marked by promise.
3. God's forgiveness is marked by release.
4. God's forgiveness is marked by condition.
5. God's forgiveness is marked by reconciliation.

Four: The Working Definition of Forgiveness

• God graciously¹ promises² to release from moral liability³ the repentent sinner⁴ for reconciliation⁵.

...forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. ~ Ephesians 4:32

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Joseph
Text: Genesis 50
Theme: You must resist the invasive corruption of unforgiveness.

One: Unforgiveness indulges in the opportunity for angry revenge.

Two: Unforgiveness perpetuates distrust and fear.

Three: Unforgiveness userps the place of God as judge.

Four: Unforgiveness focuses excessive attention on the offense.

Five: Unforgiveness forgets the truth of God's sovereign benevolent purposes.

Six: Unforgiveness fails to repay evil with good.

Seven: Unforgiveness cripples faith in God's promises.

You ment evil against me, but God ment it for good. ~ Genisis 50:20

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Joseph
Text: Genesis 47-49
Theme: Commit to using words that are true and edifying

One: Words of covenant faithfulness

Two: Words of wise warning

Three: Words of kingdom authority

Four: Words of sanctification progress

Five: Words of God's character

Six: Words of simple faith

Seven: Words of personal worship

The God of your fathers will help you...the Almighty will bless you ~ Genesis 49:25

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Joseph
Text: Genesis 46-47
Theme: Be Assured of God's Faithfulness to You

The Story: Jacob experiences God's faithfulness...

• ...to reherse the covenant.
• ...to preserve his family.
• ...to reunite with Joseph.
• ...to endure the famine.

Applications: Be assured of God's faithfulness to you...

• ...through the promises of His Word.
• ...through the evidence of covenant family.
• ...through the glimpses of restoration.
• ...through the kindness of unbelievers.
• ...through the wisdom of stewardship.

Do not be afraid...I will go with you ~ Genesis 46:3-4

Speaker: Dennis Clemons
Series: Mark 3:7-35
Text: Mark 3:7-35
Theme: Opinions Vary (Part 2): Your Verdict about Jesus will Seal the Fate of Your Soul.

Various Responses to Jesus:

One: The demons shrieked with terror - Knowledge in opposition to the truth

Two: The apostles became his companions - Growing but incomplete knowledge of the truth

Three: His family misunderstood him - Confused misunderstanding of the truth

Four: The scribes slandered him - malicious indifference to the truth

Five: Disciples called him brother, Savior, and Lord - Love of the truth in humility and obedience

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." ~ Revelation 22:13

Speaker: Adam Godshall
Series: Joseph
Text: Genesis 45
Theme: The Anchor of Forgiveness is your Confidence in God's Good Plan

The Story:

• Joseph reveals his identity.
• Joseph points to God's sovereignty
• Joseph demonstrates his sincerity
• Pharoah insists on generosity
• Jacob stunned by reality

Applications:

• Forgiveness does not ignore the offence
• Forgiveness addresses guilt with grace
• Forgiveness focuses on God's purpose
• Forgiveness calls for the fruit of repentence

It was not you...but God. ~ Genesis 45:8