BACK to SCHOOL..               	Pastor Bob Chroninger 
Trinity C.U.  8-20-00 A.M.   		1Thessalonians 4:1-12   	 
	WOW!! Where has the summer gone?? It is almost time for school to begin... again.  
Many of our youth are Going Back to School; some are going off to College; some are entering 
the work force. We want YOU to know that our prayers are with you.... 
I.  YOU ARE ON OUR MINDS.. 
  A. We love You.. 
  B. We pray for You.. 
  C. We want to keep in touch with You.. (some are better at this) 
II.  YOU ARE GOING TO FACE AN HOSTILE WORLD.. 
  A. You have been "sheltered".. 
    1. "Protected" by the "umbrella" of the church, family, friends.. 
  B. You are moving out into a Different World.. 
    1. You will be faced with the "same" old temptations.. (on your own) 
	- Sex, drugs (alcohol),  rebellion, etc. 
	- Indulgences.. away from home..    out from under a "watchful eye" 
	- Cheating, lying, stealing.. anything to "get ahead" 
    2. You will be confronted with different ideas.. 
	- Different philosophies..  Col.2:6-10 
	- Casting doubt on your God, your Bible, your church, your faith 
	   - Satan's continuing strategy... "yea, hath God said?"   Gen.3:1
    3. You will be in a society that has no "moral absolutes" 
	- Unfortunately many "Christians" have mythical beliefs.. Like.. 
	   - "God helps those who help themselves.." (40% of born againers) 
	   - "The Holy Spirit and Satan do not exist.." 
	- Hardly a secular college or University in this country that does not have an 
	  "open door dorm policy" 
	- No moral absolutes are taught.. even in primary and secondary schools 
	   - Did you notice the situation in Hillsboro schools??..  One board member called a 
		recommended book... "..piece of trash" 
    4. You will be challenged by people who reject your God, your Bible, your faith, and your 
	total Christian Stand!! 
III.  YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.. Along with your pursuit of education... abstain from sexual immorality,
      control your "urges", and pursue a life of holiness!!!  (1Thes.4:3, 4, 7)
  A. Some Examples... 
    1. The nameless captive slave maiden.. 2Kings 5:1.. 
	- She witnessed about the "prophet in Israel"  vs. 3 
    2. The slave, Joseph, 
	- Resisting great sexual and moral temptations.   Gen.39:9
	- Enduring the false accusations and imprisonment..  Gen.39:20-23
	- Surviving the pressures of "sudden celebrity syndrome" Gen.41
    3. The Three Hebrew Youth in Babylon.. Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-nego .. Dan.3:16:27
    4. The captive Daniel.. who would not be defiled by the king's food .. Dan.1:8-20
	- Daniel kept the faith.. 
	- Daniel proved His God was REAL!! 
	- Daniel influenced a foreign land for God.. 
  B. Some Principles... 
    1. Submit yourself to God.. Jas.4:7  (His way is BEST!!)
    2. Draw near to God.. He'll draw near to you!!  Jas.4:8 
	- Maintain some form of daily devotions.. 
	- Find a Christian Group... or form one.. 
    3. Resist Temptation..  (the devil) "he will flee from you.." Jas.4:7
	- Draw upon God's power moment by moment.. Eph.6:10 - 18  (And Put On The Whole Armor)
    4. Stand Up for Truth and Right!!!   Is.5:20; Ro.14:4; 1Cor.15:1; 16:3

WILL YOU TAKE YOUR STAND FOR JESUS??    AND HAVING DONE ALL... STAND!!