SERMON NOTES - 1 THESSALONIANS WEEK1 | Tyler Kirby
Psalm 115:1 NLT “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name goes all the glory…”
1John 4:4 NLT “…the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.
Joshua 1:9 NIV “Be strong and courageous … for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
1Thessalonians 1:1
“church” - (ekklesia) - this referred to a public assembly of citizens called out to meet and make decisions.
An ekklesia is the community of Christ-followers ‘called out’ by God, who gather together to worship and grow, then disperse to carry out His mission in the world.
When a church accepts as normal something that God has condemned…it’s no longer an ‘ecclesia’ - it’s no longer a congregation of Christ-followers
Acts 17:1-4 NLT “1Paul and Silas then traveled through the towns of Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2As was Paul’s custom, he went to the synagogue service, and for three Sabbaths in a row he used the Scriptures to reason with the people. 3He explained the prophecies and proved that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead. He said, ‘This Jesus I’m telling you about is the Messiah.’ 4Some of the Jews who listened were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with many God-fearing Greek men and quite a few prominent women.”
1Thessalonians 1:2-3
When Paul thought of these believers in Thessalonica, he remembered their…
-Work because of their faith in Jesus
“work” - that which one normally does
True faith produces action
James 2:17 NIV “…faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead”
-Labor prompted by love because of Jesus
“labor” - exhausting work
True love makes sacrifices
-Endurance because of their hope in Jesus
“endurance” - courage that doesn’t give up, even when it’s difficult
True hope endures through suffering
1Thessalonians 1:4-5
“gospel” - means ‘good news’
Bad news - Romans 3:23 NLT “…everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”
Romans 6:23a NLT “the wages of sin is death.”
Worse News - There’s nothing we can do to remove our sin.
Good news - 1John 1:7b NIV “…the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
Best News - Romans 6:23b NLT “…the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”
1Thessalonians 1:6-7
What if the rest of this church imitated you in your…(1) devotion to the Lord (2) service to the Lord (3) giving to the Lord … would we be better or be closing the doors?
Like the Thessalonians, let’s become…
(1) The Model of Jesus - An example of Jesus for others to follow
1Tim.4:12 NIV “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
1John 2:6 NLT “Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.”
(2) The Message of Jesus
John 1:1 NIV “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
2Cor.4:5 NIV “For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.”
1Thessalonians 1:9-10 NIV (Theme verses for the whole book)
Here’s why this is the theme verse for the book and an example for all ekklesia’s:
The Thessalonians…
1. Turned - “turned to God from idols”
-Speaks of repentance, acceptance (Jesus) and a changed life.
2. Served - Turned from idols…“To serve the living and true God”
-Speaks of becoming a disciple where serving isn’t an option…but who you are.
3. Hoped - “To wait for His Son from heaven”
-Speaks to the hope of Christ’s return
3 things that should characterize VC - Repentance, Service, Anticipating His return