Three Requirements For Faithfulness

1st Thessalonians 1:2-10

            Paul insisted on keeping in touch with the congregations he helped organize.  He relied upon letters and visits from pastors and church leaders.  Most often what he heard discouraged him and required him to respond in a way that sometimes seemed harsh.  The Church at Thessalonica was the exception. 

            The apostle was careful to point out the three qualities necessary for success in the ministry of the Church.  These are:

1.      The work of faith

2.      The labor of love

3.      The patience of hope

I.                    What Is A Work of Faith?

A.     A work initiated by God

1.      The objectives must be His

2.      Often He works in ways that seem contrary to common sense (Moses, Gideon, Elisha, etc.)

3.      The purpose of the Church may readily be evident but the means God uses to accomplish His plan is often obscure

B.     It is a work accomplished in the power of God

1.      Christians exercise faith, God exercises power

2.      The Holy Spirit both leads and empowers the Church in God’s purpose

C.     The results of the work are of God

1.      Ministers are tools in God’s hands

2.      It is God alone that gives increase

II.                 What Is A Labor Of Love?

A.     A work born of a loving and willing heart

1.      Loving God produces obedience (He never uses fear to accomplish His will)

2.      A heart whose desires have been elevated from the carnal to the spiritual

B.     A work continued and sustained by love

C.     A work given value by love

1.      A work done for any other reason will likely fail in its purpose!

2.      Many will proclaim themselves good church workers as they stand for judgment

III.               What Is A Patience Of Hope?

A.     Look at the two words

1.      Patience means, “calmly enduring”

2.      Hope means, “the prospect of something unseen”

• This patience enables us to survive when doubts and trials come against us*