Contagious Chritianity
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con•ta•gious \-jəs\ adjective
14th century
1: communicable by contact: CATCHING 〈contagious diseases〉
2: bearing contagion 〈contagious people〉
3: used for contagious diseases 〈a contagious ward〉
4: exciting similar emotions or conduct in others
No doubt over the last two weeks the word CONTAGIOUS has become a more frequent word in our vocabulary.
Webster defines this word this way...
con•ta•gious \-jəs\ adjective
con•ta•gious \-jəs\ adjective
con•ta•gious \-jəs\ adjective
1: communicable by contact: CATCHING
1: communicable by contact: CATCHING 〈contagious diseases〉
2: bearing contagion 〈contagious people〉
3: used for contagious diseases 〈a contagious ward〉
4: exciting similar emotions or conduct in others
We have been asked to isolate, self quarantine, socially to keep distant… WHY? Because coming close, contact could cause one to get the same thing.
I believe this gives us a great illustration for Paul’s words to the Thessalonian church…
A Purposeful Greeting
A Purposeful Greeting
Verse 1
This letter comes, people sat down and read it fully… Encourage you to read this letter in its full… maybe even write a letter this week!
“To the church” The word church in means “a called-out people.”
Not to a building, rather a people who know Christ in an area...
Paul builds up with his greeting… Grace, Peace…
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 159). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
What if when people came in contact with us our greeting brought Grace and Peace
These are real people with real issues and hardships, real life
Dinning room table talk… Real discussions vs mythical life
Being Prayed For
Being Prayed For
Verses 2-5
Grateful for them
Lifting them up regularly
Pray for others, encourage them reminding them of God’s truths in your prayers
PRAY HERE
states: Reminding us of God’s love! He chose us even as sinners...
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
He REMEMBERS them…
Their Faith
Their Love
Their Hope
We all want to be remembered… let’s reach out as the church and remember each other and those around us
We all want to be remembered… let’s reach out as the church and remember each other and those around us
Becoming Contagious
Becoming Contagious
Verses 6-8
The gospel was going forth by them… to all those they came in contact with.
In Power
With the Holy Spirit
The doors of the building have been closed for a time… NOW it is time to show the world the Church!
The doors of opportunity for the Gospel have been blown wide open!
People are looking to the church to see the hope we have, the power of the gospel
The Thessalonians were EXAMPLES of this and it spread like wild fire…
Human examples will make mistakes
But notice here we have Christ as our example too… Perfect!
Examples produce imitators
Imitators should soon become examples
This spread even without technology, social media… it was watched, noticed, shared
How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Our Hope
Our Hope
Verses 9-10
The return of Christ… Having an eternal perspective.
This world is not our home
The things of this world are temporary
Urgency… this has been felt recently, BUT I fear the urgency has been misplaced on temporary fleeting things rather than eternal.
We look for Christ to come with
Patience
Expectancy
And Confidence!
Closing
Closing
Wiersbe summarizes this chapter well in 3 words
EXEMPLARY: we need to be an example to the world around us
ENTHUSIASTIC: sharing the gospel, with true joy, grace, and peace
EXPECTANT: Daily looking for Christ and living as though He will return today!
This is a real letter, written to real people, with real concerns… just like each one of us have today.
When we gather at the table to have those real conversations, you know what else we do?
We eat, we chew and savor the food, and most times it offers nutrition.
Let me encourage you to feed yourself in these times too. Chew on God’s Word, savor His truth and allow it to nourish your soul.
con•ta•gious \-jəs\ adjective
con•ta•gious \-jəs\ adjective
1: communicable by contact: WHEN WE INTERACT
2: bearing contagion: THE GOSPEL
4: exciting similar emotions or conduct in others: BE EXAMPLES THAT CREATE EXAMPLES
4: exciting similar emotions or conduct in others
Church let’s spread the hope and peace we have in Jesus Christ!