1 Thessalonians 1:1-3 / Faith Love Hope

1 Thessalonians 1:1–3 ESV

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. 2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Your work of faith

Faith is paramount

What is faith?

Definition in Hebrews

“WORK” of faith...

Consider their work of faith

Church founded

Leaders expelled

Yet the body remained!!!!

James 2:18 ESV

18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

“Show me your faith apart from your works”

(inference) YOU CAN’T!

I will show you faith WITH my works”

Faithful action benefits the kingdom.

Action-less faith (at best) only benefits you.

Illustration: When we joined WBC

WBC was meeting at the American Legion.

There were several reasons to keep looking, but Melissa kept saying, I really feel like God wants us to stay. I was feeling the same.... neither of us knew why. SO we stayed because we had FAITH that God was telling us to stay.

Faith along with action is needed to do God’s work.

Labor of Love

What is love?

Popular song of the 90’s by Haddaway?

Definitions in Hebrew Text

Love: Used tremendously in scripture (ESV = 286 in NT)

Different “kinds of love”

Phileo - “brotherly love”

Eros - “intimate / sexual love”

Agape = Strong and deep affection

Point of reference: John 3:16 - “For God so LOVED the world … = AGAPE

Here Paul is commending then for this Agape love.

So Paul is commending them for their deep affection.

1st point of understanding: Paul is commending them for having this deep AGAPE type of love.

So who do we have this deep love for?

(Who is the object of this love?)

Greatest commandment …

2nd Greatest Commandment …

Jesus spoke to that in the HIGH PRIESTlY PRAYER

“The world will know you are my disciples if you love one another.” (paraphrased)

Love (Agape) your enemies!!!

Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5:43-46) ...

“… love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”

“For if you (only) love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?”

2nd point of understanding: We are to have an AGAPE type of love for GOD and all who are created in HIS IMAGE.

Our Vision Statement

Love. Serve. Build. Grow

Love: God and Others

Others = EVERYBODY

LABOR of love

Not only do we have this deep love for all people but we are supposed to do something with it.

James reminded us that FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD

I would submit the same is true for LOVE!!!

Ok but HOW DO YOU DO IT?!!!!

Does this Labor of Love describe HOW we do something or WHY we do something.

Do it in a loving things. vs Do it because of love.

Illustration: Love is little daily things

Years ago, I had been given the task of leading Marriage enrichment at our church, Melissa and I had went this marriage enrichment seminar. A lot of great advice but one thing really stuck with me.

Don’t wait until “special days and then back up the dump truck of gifts, and then ignore your spouse the rest of the year. Love them every day in big a little ways.”

This this love in the things we do, but it really starts with how we feel about people.

Labor of Love = We do BECAUSE we love.

Why do you (blank)

parent, teach, minister, care, support, encourage

It is seen when we disagree with people.

When you as a person or us as a church speak about those we disagree with.

Atheist

Other religions

Social Media

Are they your enemy? (Just because you disagree)

This trend isn’t just troublesome I would argue that it is sinful!!!

Do you try to understand them, even if you don’t agree?

It is seen in how we respond to criticism

Illustration: You’re not build like a bouncer

I had a choice ya’ll

Bible: “Wise person takes an offense”

Steadfastness of Hope in Our Lord Jesus Christ

We know importance of FAITH in Jesus Christ

He IS the messiah

He DID pay for our sins on the cross

He IS alive and sitting in the right hand of God.

Our faith is things accomplished.

Our Hope is for things yet to come.

Things we hope for:

We will be given what to say.

Luke 12:11 ESV

11 And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say,

The Church will prevail.

Matthew 16:18 ESV

18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Jesus Will return.

John 14:2–3 ESV

2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.