THESSALONICA: EXCEL STILL MORE

Life In The Lord – 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10

Thessalonica

A Praiseworthy Church

• We saw last week Paul praised them for their:

• Work of FAITH• Labor of LOVE• Steadfastness of

HOPE

Living Life ALIVE In The Lord!

• Four words describe their experience

• Election by God• Example in Christ• Enthusiasm in Joy• Expectancy of heaven

Election By God

1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 – “ …knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you; for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.”

God Chose Them – And Us Called through Jesus John 6:44 -- No one

can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.

We Have Been Adopted

Ephesians 1:4-5 – “…just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will….

He Called/Justified/Glorified Us

Romans 8:29-30 – “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”

He Desires All To Come To Him

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

Called Through The Gospel Romans 1:16 --

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Confidence Through Faith

We should be confident because of our election.

We should be confident because of Holy Spirit power.

The African impala

Examples In Christ

Vs. 6-7 --You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

Philippians 3:17

Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.

1 Peter 2:21

For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps….

Enthusiasm In Joy

Vs. 6, 8 -- …having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit…. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.

Enthusiasm Expressed As Evangelism

1 Peter 2:9 -- But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light….

The Power Of Enthusiasm

The fishmonger with only one fish.

Expectancy Of Heaven

Vs. 9-10 – “For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.”

What had they done?

Turned to God from idols

Served the Living and True God

Were waiting expectantly for Christ’s return.

Don’t get lazy like the 10 lazy workers.

Have The Urgency Of Jesus

John 9:4 -- We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.