As Paul brings this letter to a close, he returns to the issue of the “idle” (ataktoi). The word means “loafers,” “freeloaders,” “spongers,” “disorderly,” or “unruly.” Having already mentioned them in 1 Thessalonians 5:14, he mentions them three times in 2 Thessalonians 3 (vv. 6, 7, 11).

Persecution wasn’t the only problem plaguing the Thessalonians. They were also facing the problem of false teaching. Misunderstandings regarding the second coming still threatened to shake the church’s spiritual stability. In response, Paul answers five important questions. His answers supplement the teaching from the first epistle and the instruction he gave during his short time with the Thessalonians.

The second epistle to the Thessalonians was probably written shortly after the first. Between the writing of the two epistles, while Paul remained in Corinth with Timothy and Silas, the apostle received another report about the church in Thessalonica (3:11). Among other things, he heard that the persecution Paul experienced in Thessalonica continued to threaten the church that he had established (Acts 17:1-9). Paul’s second epistle to the Thessalonians begins with encouragement to a group of Christians who are facing serious affliction.

Last episode, we discussed 1 Thessalonians 4, where Paul answers the question, "What happens after death?" This week he answers another, similar question, "What will happen at the end of the world?”

Because Paul had so little time with the church at Thessalonica, they misunderstood some of the most troubling questions of reality: questions about death and life after death.

1 Thessalonians 3 shows the results of investing your soul in ministry. During those days when Paul had no news concerning the Thessalonians' welfare, Paul's concerns were "unbearable" (vv. 1, 5; cf. Acts 17:15-16; 2 Cor. 11:28). Was it worth the risk?

Paul discusses the development of the church at Thessalonica in four stages of progression.

1 Thessalonians 1 describes a healthy church for which Paul was thankful.

Join us as we close out our discussion of Ezekiel!

The leaders of Israel had failed miserably. Join us as we discuss Ezekiel's prophecy of the days when Israel would be led by a new, capable shepherd.

What would you expect to find in a world without GOD? Sorrow. Falsehood. Pain. Injustice. Selfishness. Indifference to morality. Perhaps it’s a world not too unlike our world today. The nation of Judah was meant to be a light in such a world. In this episode, we cover GOD's HIS judgment on the seven nations who committed adultery with Judah.

A year after Ezekiel's first vision he again sees the glory of GOD. This time Ezekiel will witness idolatry, destruction, and the departure of GOD's glory from the temple.

The Lord gives Ezekiel four parables explaining the plight of the Jews in Babylonian captivity.

Join us as we finish up the symbols of Ezekiel!

Ezekiel begins his life of proclaiming God’s word by acting out four symbols before the people. By the end of chapter five, Ezekiel creates a model of the siege of Jerusalem, lays down without moving for 430 days, starves himself, and shaves his head and face bald - all to depict Judah’s coming punishment.

Nearly five years after being exiled from Jerusalem, a young priest was called by God to serve as the watchman of Israel. The vision that Ezekiel sees is too great for him to handle; he is left overwhelmed for seven days afterward. Join us as we discover what brought this priest to such a state.

Titus 3 combines the efforts of God and man to bring about salvation. In the text we’ll see three things: Christianity has been historically achieved by God. Now it must be affirmed and amplified.

Titus was to "declare these things...with all authority" (Titus 2:15). What things? And by what authority?

A person’s last words are often significant. They measure one’s whole life. 2 Timothy 4 is the last inspired chapter Paul wrote. Writing from the prison cell that served as his final residence, the apostle gave three final admonitions to Timothy.

As Paul draws near to the close of his final address to Timothy, he gives the young minister sound advice for navigating the storms ahead. He warns Timothy that certain people among the congregation in Ephesus will soon begin to reject his gospel. To combat the misguided teachings of others, Paul encourages Timothy to hold fast to the example and to the gospel which he had learned from the apostle Paul.