Until He Returns || 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly[a] mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ
Acts 17:6
And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,
HOW DID THIS HAPPEN ?
THE GOSPEL COMES
1 Thessalonians 1:4-5
For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake
Gospel = euaggelion – God’s good news
1. THE GOSPEL COMES
1 Thessalonians 1:4-5
For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake
“The Christian life is the lifelong practice of attending to the details of congruence—congruence between ends and means, congruence between what we do and the way we do it, congruence between what is written in Scripture and our living out what is written, congruence between a ship and its prow, congruence between preaching and living, congruence between the sermon and what is lived in both preacher and congregation, the congruence of the Word made flesh in Jesus with what is lived in our flesh.” – Eugene Peterson
2. THEY RECEIVE THE GOSPEL
1 Thessalonians 1:6b
…for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,
3. WHAT DOES THIS RECEPTION LOOK LIKE?
– Turned from idols (vs 9) / Imitated teachers (vs 6)
– Became examples (vs 7-8)/ Waiting on Christ’s return (vs 10)
4. BECAUSE OF THIS WE KNOW YOU’RE LOVED & CHOSEN
1 Thessalonians 1:4
For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you.
5. THIS IS WHAT LEADS US TO THANK GOD!
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Work of Faith – Turn from Idols (vs 9)
Labor of Love – Followed Example, Set example (vs 6-8)
Steadfastness of Hope – With Affliction in Joy (vs 6) Waiting on Christ’s Return (vs 10)
1 Thessalonians 1:10
and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.