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1Thessalonians

1Thessalonians. Encouragement to a fledgling Church. Paul’s Greeting. Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians faith (verses 1-3) Paul is specifically thankful for to them for what?. Paul’s Thankfulness. Works produced by faith Contrast and compare with Ephesians, James…

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1Thessalonians

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  1. 1Thessalonians Encouragement to a fledgling Church

  2. Paul’s Greeting • Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians faith (verses 1-3) • Paul is specifically thankful for to them for what?

  3. Paul’s Thankfulness • Works produced by faith • Contrast and compare with Ephesians, James… • James: Faith without works is dead, show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works • Ephesians: For it is by grace that you are saved…not by works lest any many should boast • Both are stating that our faith is a living one that produces work and fruit that points to and glorifies God the Father.

  4. Paul’s Thankfulness • Labor prompted by love • Doing something for the right reasons • Working for something other than ourselves and our own motives

  5. Paul’s Thankfulness • Endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ • Coping with struggle is hard enough • Coping with struggle is impossible without Christ • We can fight through when we know we will have the victory • All three of these require an eternal perspective from someone changed by the Gospel • Works, labor, and endurance done in faith, love, and hope

  6. A snapshot of Election • For we know…that he has chosen you • Why?

  7. We know you are chosen • Chosen because: • Because they weren’t just words • They were delivered with power • With the Holy Spirit • With deep conviction

  8. Paul knew they were chosen • Because there was a clear two-way communication of the Holy Spirit. • Empowering the apostle’s words, causing deep conviction and repentance in the hearers. • God needs to do this, or it is simply words, or logic, that may produce knowledge, but not real transformation • So did Paul preach to them because He knew they were elect ahead of time? • Does this make it easier or harder to evangelize?

  9. How did Paul know He was right? • Knowing what we know about faith/works…what should Paul be hearing about the Church in Thessalonica? • What was He hearing about them?

  10. The Word on the Street • Became imitators of the way the Apostles lived among them • In turn, became imitators of the Lord • Despite the difficulties of being identified as Christians…still received and lived out the message with joy • Became a model worthy of imitation for other churches in need of encouragement

  11. Reputation of the Church • Paul didn’t even need to have a special investigative unit to figure out how they were progressing in growing with the Lord • They had become known everywhere for their faith • Everyone knew that they had repented turned away from idols and were living a different life • What would be the “single sentence” about our church? • What would be the “single sentence” about our life?

  12. Chapter 2 • The mission was a success • Why? • Because of a pure methodology in keeping with the purity of the message

  13. Missionary Methodology • Willingness to share the good news despite danger and difficulty • This is powered by God, not something we would probably do otherwise • Did not use flattery • The gospel is not a message that paints us in a very positive light in most senses • Did not pretend in order to make gain • The gospel is its own promise • We do not add to it to make it seem more appealing

  14. Methodology continued • Not looking for praise from men • We don’t share the message in order to look good • From the other angle, it’s okay to be viewed as weird and different, because hopefully we are different! • Not abusing our power or authority • Could have played the “apostle card” anytime he wanted to • That would fly in the face of: • All being equal in God’s eyes • All being hopelessly lost without God’s intervention in our life • Every member of the body gifted and useful for ministry • Serving God humbly provided an example that was causing the gospel to be spread everywhere

  15. Methodology continued • Formed deep and transparent personal relationships • Worked hard to avoid being a burden to the fledgling church • Why are these important?

  16. Putting off the Old Man • Who was Saul? • What was He like?

  17. One final proof of a living faith • Verses 13-16 • The fact that they were persecuted even unto death for their faith proves that it is real faith • True living faith will yield conflict and struggle • Please note: We shouldn’t have to seek out conflict and struggle, it will find us as we live out our faith in a humble fashion as imitators of Christ

  18. Wrapping up Ch. 1 & 2 • Results of a transformed life: • Works done because of faith in God • Labor done in love for others • Endurance because of hope in Christ • Gospel is preached to everyone, regardless of who the elect are, because we can’t know ahead of time who they are • The way that we carry out our mission can help or hinder the spread of the Gospel • Done in humility • Without burdening others • In deep, honest, transparent relationships

  19. Final Question • What would a paragraph about your faith, written by your spouse, kids, coworkers, or neighbors look like?

  20. Next Week • 1 Thessalonians 4-5 • Living a life that is pleasing to God • The Day of the Lord

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