1 Thes. 1:4-10
October 12th ,
2014
Observations on the Christian Life:
I. God has Chosen
to Love You (4)
4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has
chosen you,
NOBODY DESERVES GOD”S LOVE
Titus 3:4-5
4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,
5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,
5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
We have God’s choice and People’s Choice.
“If we choose to be in Christ, we have been chosen by
God. There is nothing arbitrary, therefore,
about election. Our choice makes us his elect.”
David
Williams, NIBC
“He has chosen”.... This is God’s sovereign choice of
certain individuals...... prior to Adam’s appearance on earth.”
Robert
Thomas, EBC.
II. While the Gospel can be explained in Words,
it must be applied by the Holy
Spirit. (5)
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.
It is the EXTREMES that are unhealthy.
To heavy on God’s choice leads to indifference to
people’s spiritual condition
To heavy on Man’s choice leads to manipulating people
into a "decision for Christ.”
My personal convictions.
If Christians witness, more people will hear and
respond to the Gospel.
If Christians obey God, they will pray and witness
more fervently.
If Christians pray more, more people will be saved
If Christians pray more, more circumstances will be
changed for God’s glory.
Dee Duke: “Little
pray, little blessing; much prayer, much blessing.”
III. Our
Afflictions Provide Opportunities for Experiencing God’s Grace in unique
ways. (6)
6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for
you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the
Holy Spirit,
How does God using afflictions, trials, in our lives?
Considering trials...
(From
Karl Payne outline)
11.
Purpose of a trial - to strengthen us, to prepare us for
things to come.
James 1:2-5 (ESV)
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
22.
Promise to hold onto during a trial
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
33.
Protection
during trials
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
44.
Plan for the trials
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
IV. Your Life of Faith Speaks
Louder than Your Words of Faith (7-8)
7 so that you became an example to all the
believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord
sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone
forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.
V. Your Transformed Life is a Powerful Defense
for the Gospel of Christ. (9)
9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of
reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the
living and true God,
VI. Our Great Hope is The Second Coming of
Christ (10)
10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised
from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
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