What Does your faith Do for the Church? #YourFaithMatters

Paul felt1 Thessalonians 3:1-13 (NLT)

Ask: “Have you ever been so proud of someone else’s spiritual growth that it brought you tears of joy?” How about having the opportunity to bring a soul to Christ? Witnessing the baptism and the joy they have coming out of the water. That was the joy the apostle Paul was feeling about this young church. As a matter of fact, Chapter 2:7-13 describes his emotions to a parental figure, such as a nursing mother who cares for her child, and deals with them like a father who encourages, comforts, and urges you to live a life worthy of God. It’s like those proud parents who used to have that wallet with pictures of their kids, and now we have phones to put them as screen savers. Wouldn’t it be awesome to have on your phone a picture of someone you brought to Christ? Whose life do you help to transform?

1 Thessalonians 3:9 “How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence.” (NLT)

And in the last few verses of chapter 2, Paul says it for the first time. 1 Thessalonians 2:19 20 “After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! Yes, you are our pride and joy.”

Paul expresses a deep emotional connection to them—why? Because their faith had matured and stood firm. Parents, help me with this. This is our mothers' and fathers’ day message. To our children. Your prayers and hope are that your children connect with God and grow up to live a godly spiritual life. AMEN?

We put a lot of energy into their education and schooling, believing this path will guide them to a better life than what we had. Paul is no different in this text. He is sharing his struggle so that they may encourage them, and I know that no parent in here wants to see their child suffer. Whatever experience in life that you may have gone through, then you know that our suffering can sometimes be generational, even when we try to steer them down a different path. So our title today is What does your faith do for the church? Let me give you a misconception that we have about our faith.

Your personal faith is not just a private matter. To say that your personal faith is not just a private matter means that faith in God, while deeply personal—is not meant to be hidden, silent, or isolated. Instead, true faith naturally expresses itself in how we live, love, serve, and speak in the world around us.

1. Faith Shapes Public Life

Faith isn’t just something we feel inside or believe quietly. It shapes our decisions, our values, how we treat people, how we speak, how we forgive, and how we respond to injustice. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16,

“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

That means our faith should be visible—it should shine.

2. Faith Is Meant to Be Shared

Christianity is not a secret club—it’s good news for the world. Jesus didn’t say, “Keep this to yourself,” but rather,

“Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).

Sharing your faith isn’t about being loud or pushy—it’s about living in a way that draws others to ask, “What gives you peace? Why do you live this way?” and then being ready to point them to Jesus.

3. Faith Connects Us to a Community

When you follow Jesus, you become part of a body—the Church. Faith is personal, but it’s not solo. We grow in community, we serve together, and we bear each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). A private, disconnected faith misses the joy and power of that connection.

We are building something great here

In 1 Corinthians 3:10–15 “Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.”

When building the faith for this church, it's like constructing a building or adding something to your home. You want to have the right materials for the job, like sheet rock, maybe shingles, wood, and then lastly, you want to choose the right person for the job. You will ask them what other jobs they have done. Show me some pictures, give me some references to make me feel I have chosen the right person for this job. So today, let’s examine our faith to ensure we have all that we need to build this church and what your part can do to give it substance and sustainability.

Faith Inspires Action in the Church

📖 1 Thessalonians 1:3 – “…your work of faith…”

📖 James 2:17 – “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

Faith that’s alive moves—it serves, gives, forgives, shows up, and takes initiative.

Don’t wait to be asked, and don’t overlook what is being done. A faith-filled believer encourages others to step out too. Your faith can spark action in someone who’s stuck in fear or passivity. 🟠 Ask Yourself: Is my faith working, or just waiting?

Faith Strengthens the Church’s Testimony

📖 1 Thessalonians 1:7–8 – “You became an example to all the believers… For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you… your faith in God has gone forth everywhere.”

The Thessalonians were young believers, but their faith became a witness across regions. Your faith shows others that God is real, active, and trustworthy—even when life is hard. The stronger your faith, the louder your life speaks.

🟠 Ask Yourself: What is my faith saying to the people around me?

Faith Builds Up the Body of Christ

📖 1 Thessalonians 3:2 “and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God’s co-worker in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith,”

📖 Romans 1:11–12 – “That we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith…”

Paul sent Timothy to strengthen their faith because a strong church is built on strong, growing believers. Your spiritual life can lift up others in worship, prayer, Bible study, and fellowship. Even when you’re not preaching, your consistency and commitment build others up.

🟠 Ask Yourself: Is my faith encouraging someone else’s walk?

Faith Holds the Church Together Through Trials

📖 1 Thessalonians 3:5 “That is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong. I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been useless.”

📖 2 Thessalonians 1:4 – “…we ourselves boast about you… for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions…”

In hard times, your faith helps hold the church together. When others are shaken, your steady faith can give them courage and peace.

When you keep believing and trusting God, you lead with stability.

🟠 Ask Yourself: In times of trial, does my faith bring peace or panic?

Faith Brings Joy to Spiritual Leaders and the Church

1 Thessalonians 2:17–20 “Dear brothers and sisters, after we were separated from you for a little while (though our hearts never left you), we tried very hard to come back because of our intense longing to see you again. We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan prevented us. After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! Yes, you are our pride and joy.” (NLT)

Paul was encouraged and comforted when he heard the church was standing strong in faith. Your spiritual growth brings joy to your pastors, teachers, and church family. Faithful people don’t drain the church—they revive and refresh it.

🟠 Ask Yourself: Am I a source of spiritual joy and strength for my church?

Conclusion: What Does Your Faith Do for the Church?

It inspires action It strengthens the witness It builds the body It holds others up in trials It brings joy to the leadership

Your faith isn’t invisible—it has visible, spiritual impact.

Your faith is personal, but it’s also public, purposeful, and relational. It’s not something you keep to yourself—it’s something that overflows into how you live, how you love, and how you lead others toward hope.

Faith is like light—meant to shine, not hide.

It’s like salt—meant to flavor and preserve the world around us.

It’s like a seed—meant to grow and bear fruit.

it impacts the church family's strength, health, and testimony. In the body of Christ, your faith matters. We are building the columns and support for this church. And you matter

Call to Response:

“Lord, help me grow a faith that serves others, strengthens my church, and speaks clearly of who You are. Let my life be a faith-builder, not a faith-breaker.”

Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”

Question: Will you be my Friend?