CHRISTIAN FAITH
August 4, 2020

A. Starting point: 1 Tim. 2:1-6.

B. Praying from: I Thessalonians Chapter 1

AN EXEMPLARY CHURCH
“Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL
3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
AN INSPIRATIONAL CHURCH
8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.
9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”
I. THE SALUTATION—v. 1
AN EXEMPLARY CHURCH
1. People—From Paul, Silvanus and Timothy.
2. Place—To the people at Thessalonica. They were Christian people Paul was writing to.
II. THE SATISFACTION—vv. 2–4
1. Prayer—v. 2. Paul thanks them for their prayers.
THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL
2. Patience—v. 3. Three-fold: (1) Work of faith, (2) Labor of love, (3) Patience of hope in the Lord.
3. Planning—v. 4. God has chosen people to do His work. He could use angels, but has chosen us.
III. THE SPIRIT—vv. 5–7
1. Power—v. 5. Gospel came in power and assurance.
2. Persistence—v. 6. Despite persecution, they serve God. This is real Christianity.
3. Personality—v. 7. They show Christ in their lives.
IV. THE SPREADING—vv. 8–9
AN INSPIRATIONAL CHURCH
1. Consecration—v. 8. So fully dedicated unto the Lord that their lives showed Christ.
2. Control—v. 9. They had such an impact upon the lives of sinners, that they turned from their idols.
V. THE SAVIOUR—v. 10
1. Patience—“And wait for His Son from heaven.” Be patient, Christ will come again.
2. Power—“Whom He has raised from the dead.” He overcame nature, demons, and also death.
3. Protection—“Which delivered us from the wrath to come.” When Christ comes, all Christians will rise to meet Christ. Christians will not go through the tribulation. They will be with Christ!

VI. THE AMEN OF ROMANS 16:20, 24, 27
16:20 “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”
16:24 “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
16:27 “To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.”