The Gospel Shaped Church

The Gospel Shaped Church | 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24

How does the gospel shape how we approach church? As we saw last week, Paul was reminding the Thessalonian church to "build one another up" (in v. 11). Paul now shows what "building one another up" in the church looks like. He uses the word "brothers" five times (vv. 12, 14, 25, 26, and 27) because the gospel has made us into one tamily. And so, Paul here shows how the gospel shapes our attitude toward church leaders, other believers and Jesus' return. In our passage, we'll look at: a) Our attitude toward our leaders. b) Our attitude towards one another. c) Our attitude towards Jesus return.

The Coming Day Of The Lord

The Coming Day of The Lord | 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

What day is today? What time is it? What season is it? These are questions we frequently ask to prepare ourselves. But how do we prepare for Jesus' return? As we saw last week, Paul was comforting Thessalonians believers who had lost their loved ones. He now reminds them that the timing of Jesus' second coming is going to be a surprise. That the day of the Lord will come suddenly. So, in our passage, we'll see: a) Those who live with false peace at night. b) Those who walk as children of the day. c) Those who are destined for salvation.

Our Hope In Life And In Death

Our Hope in Life and in Death | 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

What is your only hope in life and in death? This is the most important question that anyone can ask! As we saw last week, Paul was affirming the Thessalonian believers' love for one another. He saw that they had been clearly "taught by God to love one another" (v. 9). And now, he turns to encourage those who were grieving over the death of loved ones. He is writing to encourage those who are still alive because of the recent death of fellow believers. So, in our passage, we'll see: a) Christ our hope beyond the grave. b) Christ who comes from heaven in glory. c) Christ in whose presence we will live.

Taught By God To Love

Taught By God To Love | 1 Thessalonians 4: 9-12

Where have you seen love for one another in our church? As we saw last week, Paul was encouraging the Thessalonians to grow in holiness. He now continues in the theme of a walk that pleases God (v. 1). And here, he affirms the Thessalonian believers for their love for one another. He sees that they had been clearly taught by God to love one another. And he encourages them to grow in love -even toward outsiders in the society. So, in our passage, we'll see: a) The love that is taught by God. b) The love that increases for others. c) The love that witnesses to outsiders.

Increasing And Abounding In Love

Increasing and Abounding in Love | 1 Thessalonians 3: 1–12

Do you have coworkers that you really love to work with? Who are the coworkers that are not a pain but a blessing to work with? As we saw last week, Paul was torn away from this church for a short time (v. 17). But he was deeply concerned about the believers in Thessalonica as they were suffering persecution. So, he sent his coworker Timothy to encourage them—though he really needed him. With that in mind, we’ll see in our passage:- a) The love that sacrifices for others. b) The love that longs for one another. c) The Lord who increases His love in us.

God's Word At Work

God’s Word At Work | 1 Thessalonians 2: 13–20

Where do you put your ultimate confidence in a world of suffering? As we saw last week, Paul had written about how he declared the gospel with integrity. Paul now gives thanks to God because the Thessalonians had received his preaching not as the word of men—but as the word of God. God’s word had worked powerfully in the lives of believers—in the midst of suffering. So, in our passage, we’ll see that: a) God’s word is at work in believers. b) God’s wrath is upon unbelievers. c) God’s grace brings joy at Jesus’ return.  

Declaring The Gospel With Boldness

Declaring The Gospel With Boldness | 1 Thessalonians 2: 1–12

Where does boldness to share the gospel come from? Do you need boldness in the absence of conflict or in the face of conflict? As we saw last week, Paul was writing to new believers who were joyfully enduring persecution. But Paul now focuses on how he and his team suffered as they brought the gospel to Thessalonica. Despite being shamefully treated, Paul and his team declared the gospel boldly. So, from our passage, we’ll see the importance of: a) Resting in God’s approval, not in man’s approval. b) Sharing our own selves, not self-preservation. c) Living in holiness, not in self-indulgence.

The Spirit of Holiness

The Spirit of Holiness | 1 Thessalonians 4: 1-8 | Joey Zorina

What shapes our understanding of holiness? Does the idea of "holier than thou" put you off? As we saw last week, Paul had heard a good report from Timothy about the faith of the Thessalonian church. He had just prayed for them to be "blameless in holiness" as they await Jesus' return (in ch. 3: 13). So, Paul here encourages them to grow in holiness in the pattern that they had received from him. Following in our passage, we'll see that: a) Holiness is pleasing to God. b) Holiness is lived from the heart. c) Holiness is from the Holy Spirit.

God's Electing Love

God’s Electing Love | 1 Thessalonians 1: 1–10 | JOEY ZORINA

How does waiting for Jesus’ return change how we live here and now? Paul had written this letter in AD 49–51 during his second missionary journey (Acts 17, 18). Here, Paul was writing to new believers who were grieving over deaths and enduring persecution. But in his opening prayer (in vv. 2-3), Paul is thankful to God for their work of faith, love and hope. He is thankful that their genuine faith is as a result of God’s electing love. So, in our passage, we’ll see: a) The joy of knowing God’s electing love. b) The joy of sharing God’s electing love. c) The joy of waiting for Jesus’ return.