An Alive Church
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An Alive Church
An Alive 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.
1 thess 1.
Steve N. Wagers
January 2, 2005
Sermon Outline
1. The Witness this Church Released!
A. The Condition of the Lost!
B. The Commission of the Lord!
2. The Worship this Church Regarded!
A. Divine in its Focus!
B. Dynamic in its Format!
3. The Word this Church Received!
A. They Eagerly Received the Word!
B. They Earnestly Received the Word!
- I have never liked the word 'average.' Someone has defined average as being, "One step above the worst, and one step below the best." I have no desire to be the worst, and I see no reason why not to be the best.
Yet, sad to say, there are many 'average' churches today. Let me give you a picture of the 'average'
Many churches are like the airplane pilot who came on the loudspeaker and said to the passengers, "Ladies and gentlemen, I want you to know that our navigational equipment has malfunctioned. We do not know where we are going; we do not know where we are; but, we are making excellent time." But pilot says for the sake of safety we will continue on this course.
- Of those 381 members, 110, or 29% do not live in the nearby community.
- It takes 81 of those 381 members to win one person to Christ in a year.
- The 'average' SBC church baptizes 9 people a year.
Sometime I feel with our present worship structure that describes us ....
- It takes 5 'average' SBC churches to support one missionary.
- I don't know about you, but I am interested in being an 'average' Southern Baptist Church. In fact, I am not as interested in being a Baptist church as I am in being a Bible-believing, local New Testament Church. For that will be the church that's alive in 2005.
- Many churches are like the airplane pilot who came on the loudspeaker and said to the passengers, "Ladies and gentlemen, I want you to know that our navigational equipment has malfunctioned. We do not know where we are going; we do not know where we are; but, we are making excellent time."
- Sadly, that is the plight of the 'average' church. They have no idea where they are, or where they are going. But we will keep doing it anyway
We are ADD or ADHD going from here to there but not sure where we are ...
Some are busy being busy and actually believe that God is in all the ADD activity
They have no clear vision of their priorities, their power, or their purpose. Thus, every Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night, it is simply business as usual.
They have no clear vision of their priorities, their power, or their purpose. Thus, every Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night, it is simply business as usual.
- I want you to look with me at our text and notice a church that was alive. It was the church at Thessalonica, and we read in verse 7:
7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
"So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia."
"So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia."
- The word "ensamples" literally means, "to be a pattern." It gives us our English word 'model, or type.'
vs 8 - Thus, Paul was saying that this church was a model, a pattern and a type for other churches to follow. There are 3 things about this church that I want us to consider;
Background
They were sounding out “the word of the Lord.” This expression, which occurs more than two hundred times in the Old Testament, stands for the revealed truth of God.
If a Gentile wanted to hear it, he had to go to the synagogue and become a proselyte of Judaism.
The Christians received the Word of the Lord, amplified as it was by New Testament revelation, and took it out of the synagogue, out from behind the closed doors of Judaism, and into the marketplace and onto the city streets.
They trumpeted the message where they worked and where they lived. They told everyone. They became fearless ambassadors for Christ and earned the resentment and active malice of the Jews as a result.
Pentecost put an end to all of that. After Pentecost, if God had anything to say, He said it in Greek. He spoke in a Gentile language that most people could understand. The New Testament was written in Greek because God was now speaking to the world, and Greek was the lingua franca of that world. The Greek was the common language of that day....
It was being preached and proclaimed to Gentiles and by Gentiles in ever-increasing numbers.
Timothy had brought the good news to Paul at Corinth. But, by the time Paul came to write this letter, he was hearing the same story from everyone.
All of Macedonia and Achaia were ablaze. The Thessalonian believers were setting the world on fire! The gospel was sweeping across the heartland of Greece like a prairie fire driven by the wind. The Holy Spirit was at work, and no amount of persecution was going to put a stop to His work.[1]
Wow if this was given as a model church lets see what it entailed ....
Wow if this was given as a model church lets see what it entailed ....
I The WITNESS this Church RELEASED!
I The WITNESS this Church RELEASED!
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.
Sounded forth - they made known
- We read in verse 8,
But in every place
"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."
- The church at Thessalonica had built up a wonderful reputation in their community as a result of their gospel witness. They had made the main thing, the main thing; and, thus, had released a glorious witness from their church.
There were know it the community and had earned a right to be heard....
THEY WERE NOT JUST BEHIND THE WALLS OF THE CHURCH BUT IN THE COMMUNITY
- I believe two reasons confirm the reason they had released a witness. First, they were aware of:
A. The CONDITION of the LOST!
- We read in verse 9,
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;
They remember where they came from ....
"For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had to you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God."
- The church at Thessalonica lived in the midst of a heathenistic day. They were surrounded by a Pagan society. They were faced with idoltary, and the worship of many false gods.
- Thus, they knew firsthand the condition of the world that surrounded them. They knew that they had been strategically, specifically and sovereignly placed there to be a witness to a city that was lost.
Wow what about us ....?
DO WE KNOW THE CONDITION OF OUR NEIGHBORS AND COMMUNITY
- We get the idea that these people had not forgotten where they came from, and what they used to be. Paul makes reference to the fact by saying, "they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had to you, and how ye turned to God from idols."
- In other words, these were people who once worshipped false gods before they received the true God. Thus, they had a burden for their fellow countrymen and neighbors. They were concerned over the condition of the lost.
- We should never need to be reminded that the #1 priority of this church, or any local New Testament church is REACHING THE COMMUNITY
Vance Havner speaks volumes, "For a church to say it is going to major in evangelism is like a railroad to say that it is going to major in transportation."
Just this week ...
- If you could compress the population of this world into a community of 100 people, then 75 would be uneducated, underclothed and underfed. Twenty-three would live under Communist rule; 25 would belong to the Roman Catholic church; 15 would be Moslems; 11 would be Hindus; 15 would be Confucianists or Buddhists; and, of that 100 people, only 8 would be Christians.
- Yet, while we sit here in our padded pews and heated auditoriums, we are more concerned with buildings, budgets and business than about doing what God has called us to do: WIN THE LOST!
We have friends and neighbors that lost a son in a drowning
We have friends and neighbors that got bad news about cancer
We have friends and neighbors that marriages are now in ruins
You fill in the blank....
- The church at Thessalonica was aware of the condition of the lost, because they were aware of:
B. The COMMISSION of the LORD!
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.
- Notice of what they were sharing and bearing witness. We read in verse 8 that they "sounded out the word of the Lord." In other words, they were sharing the glorious gospel of Christ. His Commission became their Mission.
- The fact of the matter is that it matters not what else we do, how well we do it, or how nice it looks; if we are not reaching people for Christ, then it is all in vain and means nothing.
- Someone has said, "There is no fear that the church will not succeed; but, that it will succeed in only those things that do not matter."
let me ask you have we succeeded in things that do not matter.
You child scores 1,000 points in high school - Joe
You daughter can travel every weekend to gymnastics meets - Colleen
The greatest burden should be are my children saved and are they living for the Lord.
They had their priorities right
A thrilling word, a word of power.
A battle cry, a flaming breath
That calls to conquest, or to death.
A word to rouse the church from rest,
To heed the Master's high behest
The call is given, ye host arise,
Our watchword is evangelize.
The glad evangel now proclaim
Through all the earth in Jesus' name.
The word is ringing through the skies,
Evangelize, evangelize!
To dying men of fallen race
Make known the gospel of His grace,
The world that now in darkness lies,
Evangelize, evangelize.
Yet, there ought to be no greater burden that fills our heart than for those who are lost, and on their way to hell.
- The church at Thessalonica set the bar high. They released a witness unlike any other New Testament church. And, what a model for us to follow.
- The second reason this church was alive is found in:
II The WORSHIP this Church REGARDED!
II The WORSHIP this Church REGARDED!
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.
- There was something about this church, which was different from any other church. We read of it in verse 5,
- There was something about this church, which was different from any other church. We read of it in verse 5,
key words - not in word only
key word - power
- This church had a tremendous atmosphere of worship.
exciting , vibrant and ready fro God to speak and work....
You could say that "God was all over the place at this place." The emphasis was not upon a particular style of worship, but upon a powerful scene of worship.
- This church had a tremendous atmosphere of worship. You could say that "God was all over the place at this place." The emphasis was not upon a particular style of worship, but upon a powerful scene of worship.
How do we accept the worship service
- A. W. Tozer once said, "The missing jewel of the modern church is the jewel of worship." I believe it is safe to say that the crown of worship, at Thessalonica, was complete, because they were experiencing true worship for two reasons. First, their worship was:
A. DIVINE in its FOCUS! Look at vs 5 not in word only but power
expand going through he motions
Worship is a rut a grave with both ends kicked out .....
- I recently read a great definition of worship.
"To worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God; to feed the mind with the truth of God; to purge the imagination by the beauty of God; to open up the heart to the love of God; and, to devote the will to the purpose of God."
- Isn't that a great definition of worship? Here's another good one. "Worship is the believers' response to all that he is, to all that God is, says and does!"
- If we could have walked in to the worship service at Thessalonica, I believe we may have been surprised at what we saw. Their worship was divine in its focus. We read in verse 10,
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.
"And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come."
- In other words, the focus of their worship was upon the crucified, risen and coming again Savior: the Lord Jesus Christ. He was the substance, as well as the subject of their worship.
- The word "worship" is a great word. It comes from an Anglo-Saxon word that literally means, "worth-ship." Thus, when we worship, we are expressing 'worth-ship.' We give our adoration, exaltation and celebration to One who is worthy.
It means to bow down before deity
- Down through the years we have made worship about us.
It has become about the type of music we like, or the style of preaching we prefer. However, true worship has nothing to do with us, but everything to do with God.
- If God is to accept, and "inhabit the praises of His people," then worship must be divine in its focus. This leads us to consider the fact that worship, must also be:
B. DYNAMIC in its FORMAT! Power of God ....
Power of the Holy Spirit
- The key to the worship of Thessalonica had nothing to do with their instruments, musical arrangements or well-trained musicians. The key is found in verse 5,
- The key to the worship of Thessalonica had nothing to do with their instruments, musical arrangements or well-trained musicians. The key is found in verse 5,
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.
1 thess 1
Paul had not walked all of the way from Philippi to Thessalonica with a bleeding back just to talk.
His message was in power; the word used is dunamis—untrammeled, unequaled power. When Paul came to town, he did not merely conduct a few meetings, collect his honorarium, and leave town.
He fully expected that things would happen. Souls would be saved, lives would be changed, and churches would spring up. People would get angry. The Devil would stir up opposition.
Do you come to church with expectation?
Thus, when he approached Thessalonica, he expected the high explosive of the gospel to stir things up there just as it had at Philippi.
"For our gospel came not to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit."
Paul, however, did not rely on his excellent hermeneutics, his knowledge of homiletics, his first-class education, his mastery of the original languages, his natural eloquence, or his powerful personality. It was not his outlines, his illustrations, or his sincerity that produced such spectacular results as always followed in the train of his preaching. It was the Holy Spirit. From start to finish, everything about Christianity is supernatural. No wonder we have to rely on the Spirit of God.[1]
- In other words, it was not dull and dry; flowery and formal; or, monotone and mundane.
- In other words, it was not dull and dry; flowery and formal; or, monotone and mundane.
Their worship had the touch of God upon it. It was the recipient of the "power of the Holy Spirit." God had taken it out of the hands of men, and placed it into the hands of the Holy Spirit. That, my friend, is worship.
the anointed past.
God Moves .....
Conviction spreads
People get saved
The Bible is real and taught
One preacher said
Most come at 11 o'clock sharp, and leave at 12 o'clock dull.
- I submit unto you that if God is who we believe He is, then He is worthy of our worship.
Dont miss this if you aim at nothing you will hit it everytime
What is my and you attitude toward worship.
Do you just fit it in ----- some make great efforts to attend the fun stuuf at the church but worship ....
Illustration - Feb 1995 message by a missionary .....
Wow - God moved
Thus, when we come to the house of God with the people of God, moved by the Spirit of God at the preaching of the Word of God, we ought to have no problem giving our worship to the Son of God.
In fact, when we come to worship, we do so to an audience of one: the Lord Jesus Christ.
Many have left our denomination, and been swept away by the Charismatic movement, not because of our Doctrine; but, because of our Deadness. We can go to a funeral home and be around dead things. We can go to a cemetery and find people dying to get in there; but, when we come to church, we come to worship a God who is "alive forevermore."
- After a while, he said something she liked again, and she shouted, "Glory to God!" This began to unnerve the preacher, so he motioned to his ushers and told them that if the woman interrupted the service again, with her outbursts, they were to escort her out. Finally, she couldn't hold it in any longer, and shouted, "Hallelujah! Amen!" The ushers came to carry her out of the service, and one of them asked her, "What is wrong with you?" She said, "I've got religion." He said, "Well, you didn't get it here, so be quiet!"
- Many have left our denomination, and been swept away by the Charismatic movement, not because of our Doctrine; but, because of our Deadness. We can go to a funeral home and be around dead things. We can go to a cemetery and find people dying to get in there; but, when we come to church, we come to worship a God who is "alive forevermore."
Thus, when we come to the house of God with the people of God, moved by the Spirit of God at the preaching of the Word of God, we ought to have no problem giving our worship to the Son of God.
Ladies and gentlemen that type of worship is contagious!
Why, because He is "not a God of the dead, but of the living." Thus, if He's alive, His church ought to act like they're alive.
Why, because He is "not a God of the dead, but of the living." Thus, if He's alive, His church ought to act like they're alive.
III The WORD this Church RECEIVED!
III The WORD this Church RECEIVED!
6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
1 thess
Followers of us .... key expand .....
they were discipled and matured ...
Children follow parents etc.....
An alive church is reproducing
The community is impacted because you followed what we gave out ....
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
passing it down
The word is recieved and passed down ....
"And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit."
"And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit."
- In other words, the Word of God was primary in everything they endeavored to do. As I look at how this church received the Word of God, it absolutely thrills to my heart to see that:
A. They EAGERLY Received the Word!
- The word "received" in verse 6 is a word that literally means,
"to welcome as an honored guest."
In other words, they received the Word into their hearts, like you would receive a guest into your home.
The preaching of God's Word was not something they resented, but something they received. It was not something that they endured, but something that they enjoyed.
13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
- I want to make it clear to everyone here that the most important thing that this church will ever be involved in is the preaching of God's Word.
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
An Alive church transforms our community
An Alive church transforms our community
- People flock to that style of church because they do not have to change their lifestyle. They come as they are and can continue to do their own thing, and go their own way, because they come to a church that gives them what they want. As a result, they leave church feeling good having soothed their conscience.
- However, to be honest, I am not near as concerned about you leaving church feeling good, as I am about you leaving church feeling bad. If the Word of God is preached, the Spirit of God has an obligation to take the scapel of the Word and do surgery on our hearts. The last time I checked, surgery is not something that feels good; but, it will make us good, if we let it.
A
- Paul describes the situation in which they received the Word of God. We read, again, in verse 6:
"And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit."
- In other words, these people endured great persecution, opposition and ridicule for their faith. Yet, they longed for the Word of God and looked to the Word of God. They received it eagerly and earnestly.
- They realized that this was not a word from men, but the Word of God to men. Thus, they received it, and revered it as the Word of God. How sobering are the words of the great reformer John Calvin:
"We owe to scripture, the same reverence we owe to God!"
- Sunday walked over to him, grabbed him in a headlock and started twisting his nose until it started bleeding. The heckler said, "Why did you do that?" Sunday replied, "You said you would like for me to show one verse in the Bible that is true and the Bible says in , "Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood."
- However, though she had attended the church for many years, and had her children with her, she was unable to get her husband to come. She had tried everything she knew, but to no avail. He would only go with her on special days, and holidays.
- Late one night, the old, pot-belly stove, used to heat the church, caught fire, and sent the entire church up in flames. Every member soon gathered to watch their beloved church burn to the ground. And, as the pastor looked through the smoke, he could see the husband of that godly wife.
- He was shocked to see him at such a late hour. So, he walked over to him, and said, "John, what in the world are you doing here? Your wife has tried for years and years to get you to come to church. You haven't come any other time, so what brought you ought tonight?" John replied, "Preacher, I came because I have never seen a church on fire before!"
- I submit to you that there are people in Starr, Iva, as well as the rest of Anderson County, who have never seen a church on fire before. May God help us to be that church: a church that's alive in 2005!
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