2 Thessalonians 1:1-5 (NASB)

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is only fitting, because your faith is increasing abundantly, and the love of each and every one of you toward one another grows ever greater. 4 As a result, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. 5 This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you indeed are suffering.

A striving, thriving Church is:

1) Remembering God’s grace and peace (1:1-2)

2) Growing in faith in Christ and love for each other (1:3)

3) Willing to suffer for the Gospel (1:4-5)

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1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 (NASB)

12 But we ask you, brothers and sisters, to recognize those who diligently labor among you and are in leadership over you in the Lord, and give you instruction, 13 and that you regard them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. 14 We urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek what is good for one another and for all people.

Instructions for how the Church should treat its leaders and each other based on the promises of the Gospel

1) Proper attitude towards leaders (5:12-13a)

2) Proper behavior within the church body (5:13b-15)

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Revelation 21:1-4 (NASB)

21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

John 14:1-4 (NASB)

1 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many rooms; if that were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will take you to Myself, so that where I am, there you also will be. 4 And you know the way where I am going.”

Psalm 16:11 (NASB)

11 You will make known to me the way of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

Isaiah 25:6-9 (NASB)

6 Now the Lord of armies will prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples on this mountain;
A banquet of aged wine, choice pieces with marrow,
And refined, aged wine.
7 And on this mountain He will destroy the covering which is over all peoples,
The veil which is stretched over all nations.
8 He will swallow up death for all time,
And the Lord God will wipe tears away from all faces,
And He will remove the disgrace of His people from all the earth;
For the Lord has spoken.
9 And it will be said on that day,
“Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us.
This is the Lord for whom we have waited;
Let’s rejoice and be glad in His salvation.”

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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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Philemon 8-17(NASB)

8 Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, 9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I fathered in my imprisonment, 11 who previously was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. 12 I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, 13 whom I wanted to keep with me, so that in your behalf he might be at my service in my imprisonment for the gospel; 14 but I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion, but of your own free will. 15 For perhaps it was for this reason that he was separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, 16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 17 If then you regard me as a partner, accept him as you would me.

Outline:
1. For the sake of love (v. 8-9)
2. For the sake of the church (v. 10-14)
3. For the sake of Christ (v. 15-17)

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Galatians 1: 6-10 (NASB)

⁶ I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel, ⁷ which is not just another account; but there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. ⁸ But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! ⁹ As we have said before, even now I say again: if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!

¹⁰ For am I now seeking the favor of people, or of God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

Outline:

1) Sola Scriptura
2) Sola Fide
3) Sola Gratia
4) Solus Christus
5) Soli Deo Gloria

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Colossians 3:15-17 (NASB)

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Sermon Theme: The Church should be full of thankful Christians who are completely governed by and focused on their Lord Jesus Christ.

Outline: We are called as Christians and as a Church to lives overflowing with thanksgiving and marked by 3 Christ-centered priorities:

1) The peace of Christ (3:15)

2) The word of Christ (3:16)

3) The name of the Lord Jesus (3:17)

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Colossians 2:1-5 (NASB)

1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. 5 For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.

The Big Idea: A Pastor/Shepherd’s love for God’s people should reflect the love that our Good Shepherd Jesus has for His people.

Outline: 3 Characteristics of a Pastor’s love for the Church that should be encouraging to your faith in Christ (2:1-5)

I. His Care for the Church (2:1-3, 5)

II. His Concern for the Church (2:4)

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Theme: Christians should know clearly from the Bible what our purpose and part is in the local church, so that we can stay focused on the mission and move forward together under God’s direction.

Outline: The “Big 3” of God’s purpose for the local church, which must be our purpose as a church, in order to glorify Him:

1. Be a Worshiping Community – To Exalt the Lord
2. Be a Working Community – To Edify & Equip the Saints
3. Be a Witnessing Community – To Evangelize the Lost

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