Slides:
Slide: What is this present distress? Is it specific or prophetic?
Possible local and/or religious persecutions

Slide: 1 Thess. 3:4 For indeed when we were with you, we [kept] telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could endure [it] no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain.

Slide: What is this present distress? Is it specific or prophetic?
Possible local religious persecutions
Nero’s persecution
“End times” events

Slide: Matt. 24:15 "Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. ... 19 "But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! ... 27 "For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.

Slide: The time has been shortened?

Slide: 2 Pet. 3:3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with [their] mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For [ever] since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation." 5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God [the] heavens existed long ago and [the] earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. 7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

Slide: Psa. 90:12 So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.

Slide: James 4:14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are [just] a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

Slide: Matt. 24:42 "Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. 43 "But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 44 "For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think [He will.] 45 "Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 "Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.

Slide: Seeing the world as it truly is should produce urgency in us!

Slide: The main point: Paul’s greatest desire is that believers be as undistracted in their devotion to the Lord as possible.

Slide: The true purpose of life is to know God and make Him known!!!