“ENDURANCE INSPIRED BY HOPE”

- What is the fastest land animal in the world?

• speed vs endurance
• sprint vs marathon

- Is the life of a church a sprint or a marathon?

FAITH – LOVE – HOPE

1. The Thessalonian church was known for its “endurance inspired by hope.” 1 Thessalonians 1:3

• endurance = the ability to keep standing firm and moving forward, despite difficulty; perseverance
• hope = the confident expectation of future good; the return of Christ (1 Peter 1:3-4; Hebrews 6:10-11, 18-19; 1 John 3:2-3; Romans 8:28-29)

2. The Thessalonian church was experiencing three threats to their hope.

• An ongoing persecution: Paul gives a reminder. 2 Thessalonians 1:4-10
• The death of fellow believers: Paul gives information. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
• False teachings about Christ’s return: Paul gives truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17

– What will it take for our church to be known as a group that perseveres because of hope?

A SERIES WRAP-UP

1. The challenge for us is:

2. The question for us is:

3. 2 Timothy 4:7-8