Until He Returns || 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20
1.How the body of Christ should feel about each other.
1 Thessalonians 2:17-20
But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face,
Torn away form – aporphanizó – to be left as an orphan
Acts 2:42
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Fellowship = koinónia
1 Corinthians 1:9
God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Fellowship – Mutual cooperation in the worship of God, the will of God, and the work of God by the children of God.
Why did Jesus Go to the cross?
1. To Glorify God.
2. For the Sake of Others.
WHY BE A PART OF A LOCAL CHURCH?
1. To Glorify God
2. For the Sake of Others.
Relationships are crucifixions
2. Satan hates and hinders a church that loves each other.
1 Thessalonians 2:18
because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us.
3. Our call is to make the life of Christ evident in the Church of Christ until the return of Christ.
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
Romans 5:2
Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Hebrews 12:2
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Ephesians 5:25-27
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish
2 Corinthians 3:18
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 11:2
For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
Colossians 1:22-29
He (JESUS) has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me
3. Our call is to make the life of Christ evident in the Church of Christ until the return of Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:30
If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me
RETURN READY
1. Love who Jesus loves, no excuses, no exceptions
2. Satan hates the Church, act accordingly
3. Let the love of Christ grow the Church of Christ till the return of Christ