I Thessalonians 1:1-10Page 1003 in Pew Bibles

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 always thank God for all of you, remembering you constantly in our prayers.

3. We recall, in the presence of our God and Father, your work of faith, labor of love, and endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ,

4. knowing your election, brothers loved by God.

5. For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we were among you for your benefit,

6. and you became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message with the joy from the Holy Spirit.

7. As a result, you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.

8. For the Lord’s message rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faith in God has gone out, so we don’t need to say anything.

9. For they themselves report about us what kind of reception we had from you: how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

10. and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

God Isn’t Looking for Benchwarmers

I Thessalonians 1:1-10

Ron Bennett’sWake-Up Call Questions

• What impact is your ministry having in the community in which it exists… are you acting or being acted upon?

• How effective is your ministry in populating heaven and depopulating hell?

• Are the lives of believers being radically changed as a result of their encounter with your ministry?

You Don’t Go to Church; You Are the Church

• Vs. 1 “To the church of the Thessalonians”

Clear on Conversion

• Vs. 6b “…you welcomed the message with the joy from the Holy Spirit.”

• Vs. 4 “For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance.”

Clear on Repentance

• Vs. 9-10 “…how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven…”

Clear on Lifestyle

• Vs. 6-7 “You became imitators of us and of the Lord… As a result, you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.”

Clear on Service

• Vs. 3 “We recall, in the presence of our God and Father, your work of faith, labor of love, and endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ”

• Work… Labor… Endurance• Faith… Love… Hope

Clear on the Mission

• Vs. 8 “For the Lord’s message rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faith in God has gone out”

Eight Expectations of Church Members

1. To have a relationship with Jesus Christ

2. To have followed Jesus in believer's baptism

3. To live for Jesus and to grow spiritually

4. To be faithful in Christian fellowship, faithfully supporting the services of the church

Eight Expectations of Church Members

5. To serve Jesus through His church

6. To share the doctrine, mission, and vision of the First Baptist Church

7. To support the work of First Baptist Church with tithes and offerings

8. To help win Tallassee to Jesus Christ