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3 TEST OF CHRISTIAN FAITH/GROWTH

• Moral Test (2:5-6)
• Social Test (2:10-11)
• Doctrinal Test

I. THE LAST DAYS

“Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not 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. Let 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, who 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. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭2:1-12‬

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“Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭12:2

“Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭4:5‬

Perseverance of the Saints

• “And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭13:13‬
• “For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭3:14‬

The Universal and Local Church

• “But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:19a

“"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭4:18-19

“And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1:21-22‬

II. Abide in the Gospel

The Vine and the Branches

• Giving and Receiving
• Dependence
• Connectedness
• Fruitfulness
• Not an Optional Exercise

Abide in the Gospel:

• Giving and Receiving the Gospel:
• Dependence on the Gospel:
• Connectedness to the Gospel:
• Gospel Fruitfulness.

III. Abide in the Holy Spirit

“And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭31:34‬

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,”
‭‭John‬ ‭14:16‬

“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,”
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4:9

Abide in the Holy Spirit:

• Giving and Receiving in Relation to the Holy Spirit:
• Dependence on the Holy Spirit:
• Connectedness to the Holy Spirit:
• Spirit Fruitfulness/Spirit-Filled Life.

IV. Abide in Jesus

“And he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22:12‬

Abide in Jesus:

• Giving and Receiving in Relation to Jesus:
• Dependence on Jesus:
• Connectedness to Jesus:
• Walking like Jesus.

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