1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 (NASB)

13 For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of mere men, but as what it really is, the word of God, which also is at work in you who believe. 14 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, 15 who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all people, 16 hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always reach the limit of their sins. But wrath has come upon them fully.

Theme: There is a right way and a wrong way to respond to God’s Word/Gospel, which has supernatural, life-giving power for all who will believe.

1) Right Response to the Word of God (v. 13(a))

2) Power of the Word of God (v. 13b-15a)

3) Wrong Response to the Word of God (v. 15b-16)

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1 Thessalonians 2:9-12 (NASB)

9 For you recall, brothers and sisters, our labor and hardship: it was by working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, that we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly and rightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; 11 just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, 12 so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

Theme: The privilege of proclaiming the Gospel and making disciples comes with the God-graced responsibility of personal investment and godly conduct.

A “To-Do” List for the Christian Discipler:

1) Persist in sacrificial service (v. 9)

2) Practice exemplary behavior (v. 10)

3) Provide father-like care ((v. 11)

4) Have a clear purpose (v. 12)

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1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 (NASB)

1 For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our reception among you was not in vain, 2 but after we had already suffered and been treated abusively in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition. 3 For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not intending to please people, but to please God, who examines our hearts. 5 For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is our witness— 6 nor did we seek honor from people, either from you or from others, though we could have asserted our authority as apostles of Christ. 7 But we proved to be gentle among you. As a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children, 8 in the same way we had a fond affection for you and were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.

Theme: The privilege of proclaiming the Gospel and making disciples comes with the God-pleasing responsibility of personal integrity and godly character.

1) The Christian discipler’s message must be the true Gospel of God (2:1-2, 4, 8)

2) The Christian discipler’s manner must be godly love for others (2:7-8)

3) The Christian discipler’s motivation must be to sincerely please God (2:3-4, 5-6)

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John 11:25-26 (NASB)

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Two assertions from Jesus concerning life after death which give all who trust in Him the hope of soul salvation and physical resurrection forever

1) Jesus’ extraordinary claim (11:25a)
2) Jesus’ precious promise (11:25b-26a)

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1 Thessalonians 1:6-10 (NASB)

6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. 9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.

Theme: The Gospel message received and believed will change your life on earth and guarantees eternal life in heaven.

Three implications about the Gospel which speak to its power to save the souls of sinners and change their lives forever:

1. The Gospel is often received with difficulty, but with supernatural joy (1:6)
2. The Gospel compels believers (Christians) to spread the Good News to others who don’t know Jesus (1:6‑8)
3. The Gospel radically transforms what sinners used to believe (and do/say) (1:9‑10)

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1 Thessalonians 1:2-5 (NASB)

2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, 4 knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you; 5 for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

Theme: Christians are spiritually encouraged when the know that other Christians are thankful for them.

Outline:
1) Continual prayer for them (1:2)
2) Constant remembrance of them (1:3)
     A) Their work of faith
     B) Their labor of love
     C) Their steadfastness of hope
3) Confidence of their election (1:4-5)

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Matthew 9:35-38 (NASB)

35 Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. 36 Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He *said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”

Big Idea: Jesus looked upon a people who were lost, lonely and misguided, and his heart broke for them. So broken that it moved Him to action, to lay down His life to save the souls of men, and raise up those who would do the same as workers who proclaim His message among His harvest.

Outline:
1) Saver of Lost Souls (9:36)
2) His Rescue Crew (9:37a)
3) And the Call to Be Life Savers (9:37b-38)

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1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

2 We always give thanks to God for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 constantly keeping in mind your work of faith and labor of love and perseverance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, 4 knowing, brothers and sisters, beloved by God, His choice of you; 5 for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sakes. 6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word during great affliction with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place the news of your faith toward God has gone out, so that we have no need to say anything. 9 For they themselves report about us 2as to the kind of reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is, Jesus who rescues us from the wrath to come.

1) The Birth of the Thessalonian Church (1 Thess. 1:1; Acts 17)

2) The Purpose(s) of this Letter (Overview of 1 Thess.)

3) The Theme(s) of this Letter (Overview)

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Four biblical bases which clearly imply & instruct Christians to become members of a local church.

1) The Example of the Early Church (Acts; NT Epistles)

2) The Existence of Church Government

(1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:1-5)

3) The Exercise of Church Discipline (Matt. 18:15-19; 1 Cor. 5)

4) The Exhortations to Mutual Edification (NT Epistles)

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Sermon Theme: We must know and understand what God’s purpose is for the local church, and together strive to excel in fulfilling that purpose for His glory.

The “Fantastic 4” of God’s purpose(s) for the local church:

1)     Exaltation – A Worshiping Body

2)     Edification – A Walking Body

3)     Equipment-ation – A Working Body

4)     Evangelization – A Witnessing Body

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