Love Works 8 (2)
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Text: I Thessalonians 1:3-7
Intro:
Scripture commends a church that should chase after these three things.
They were examples to all the churches in Macedonian and Achaia.
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
CIT:
I. Work of Faith
Exp. Remember the definition of the Work of faith.
We define faith as: Us seeking after God
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Couple of Truths about Faith.
1. It demands a sacrifice – Able was in faith sacrificing
2. It demands a commitment
Commit thy way unto the Lord;
Trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
“For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols…” I Thessalonians 1:9
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;
“… for all men have not faith. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.” II Thessalonians 3:2-3
And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
Aug. Now we also know the idea of Work and faith are mutually exclusive so we ask ourselves how do the to come together. We can have this as the work as long as we understand that Faith is not a work. Work is the ability to respond.
So the work of Faith is my response to the leading of God, to commit and sacrifice in direct pursuit to God.
Ill. We have attempted to capture this idea with the analogy of the rock climbers. At one point or another we are that climber that needs someone to lift me up. I need
Christ to continue to perform his work of lifting me.
Church to continue to lift me in prayer and fellowship
Christians to continue to support and exhort me.
App. Faith understands that none have arrived and that we all need someone to grab that outstretched hand. As we continue to reach we are growing in knowledge Jesus Christ.
II. Labor of Love
Exp. We do not doubt for a second that our definition of love is different from the world.
Those love perversions are:
1. Individualism – I don’t need you.
2. Romance – If you love me, let me feel it.
3. Self-Expression – If you love me, let me be me.
4. Consumerism – If you love me, make me a better me.
5. Commitment Phobia – If you love me, let me be.
6. Skepticism – If you love me, meet my criteria.
7. Pragmatism – If you love me, take me where I want to go.
Aug. What we know to be the love of Scripture is this.
1. We know that it is obedient act of a disciple
2. We know that it is acted out through ministry
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
“…serve the living and true God;” I Thessalonians 1:9
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;
But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
Ill. This is pictured in the man who is reaching out to the aid of the hurting cliff hanger. We have a world, brothers and sisters Christ that need the love that we have to show in our ministry.
As a church we demonstrate to the world a love through the ministry of outreach. We show our love to each other through the ministries and service that we give.
App. It is not in the formal ministry but in the constant service and spirit of ministry that allows the Lord to shine through us. “That they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
III. Patience of Hope
Exp. Hope is all about what God is making us.
1. Hope frees from lust
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
2. Hope causes the rejection of worldly pleasure
By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
3. Hope makes a saint bold
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4. Hope breeds holy desires
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Aug. This work of the spirit in our lives is about the process of incubation. An egg has no ability to make itself produce life. An egg is subject to the conditions being right for life to be produced. Just like a plant a plant cannot produce an inch of growth.
Christ points out as much about us in Mat 6:27 I cannot add one cubit to my stature through thought. The same is true spiritually. The principle of life is that a seed must fall in the ground and die. Yet we have Christians that are attempting to produce their own Christian growth. They think this is something that they can Self Help their way into. I tell you the plant must be in the environment for growth, the egg the incubator, the seed must hit the soil and die. All we can do is expose ourselves to the spiritual conditions. This is what church is about, this is what bible reading and prayer are about. They are not measures of growth they are environments for it.
Hope is the thought process that encompasses the whole environment. Hope on his return drives the child of God away from service in the flesh and toward dependence upon him.
Ill. This is the brace. That second arm that you can barley see, the rope in the opposite hand. It is the reality that if I cannot maintain footing I will be of no use to those that need me to rescue them.
We have Christians that are all about helping but have nothing bracing their life from the fall.
App. Our Christian walk is made up of the fact that I need to stand or I will fall.
The Big Idea of a church is also affected greatly by the core values that make up the thinking of the church. You could call these values the things we celebrate.
Excellence in Tradition
Excellent Tradition balances correct doctrine with a relevant connection to people. Standing on truth without disconnecting from compassion. We are grateful for the hymns of yesterday these will be a major part of our worship experience. All of our teaching and preaching will continue to declare God’s Word as found in the King James Version.
Community built around relationships in all Life Stages
God made human beings relational in His image; therefore we will seek to build close, spiritually beneficial relationships in the Adult Bible Class program. (Acts 2:46-47)
Reaching out to see Lives Changed
God is passionately concerned about lost people; therefore we will strive to present to as many people as possible a clear explanation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 9:22-23)
Teaching and Preaching of God’s Word
The Word of God is our perfect standard for life and eternity; therefore we will preach and teach it faithfully and practically in our worship services and gatherings. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Clear strategy for Developing Leaders.
The current generation of church leaders bears the responsibility of training the next generation of leaders; therefore we will seek to identify and train those God has called to serve as leaders in His church.
Developing strong families that model Godly living.
Strong families are the foundation of a strong church and a strong society; therefore we will aim to build families upon the standards of God’s Word and seek to model Christ-likeness in our interaction with our family members. (Ephesians 4:17- 24, 5:22-6:1-4).
Inclusiveness of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
God displayed wonderful creativity in the diversity of His creation, with human diversity being the prime example; therefore we will welcome and respect individuals of various ethnic backgrounds as fellow children of the living God. We will seek to highlight our unity in Christ. (Acts 13:1-2; 17:26; Galatians 3:28).
Worship that exalts God.
God desires people to worship Him in spirit and in truth; therefore we will design our worship services to provide opportunities to meet with God. Because we also recognize that worship encompasses our entire lives and not just worship services, we will strive to live in a way that actively praises the Lord in our day-to-day affairs (John 4:24, Romans 12:1-2).
Active Restoration of Hurting or Fallen Christian.
Sin victimizes every person on earth. This is a trait that all of us share. Many times churches are unable to deal with the fact that Christians fall. We have decided to be a people that forgive indiscretion and apply grace to the humble. We refuse to alienate what God draws close. (James 4:6)