A Faith That Soothes The Soul—part 4 Series

A FAITH THAT SOOTHES THE SOUL-IV—1Thessalonians 1:1-10

The faith of the Thessalonian Christians brought a thankfulness to God’s apostles, Paul, Silvanus & Timothy.

A church’s faith can soothe the souls of God’s apostles/messengers/delegates.

The faith of a body of believers can soothe the soul of God’s apostles/messengers.

What kind of faith soothes the apostle’s(those accountable for keeping watch) soul or give him absolute freedom in which to operate?

A faith that soothes the soul is a faith that....

1. Receives the Sent(:1)

2. Churches(:1)

3. Requires God’s Grace & Peace(:1)

4. Inhabits Prayers(:2)

5. Works(:3)

6. Loves(:3b)

7. Hopes(:3c)

8. Forges Family(:4a)

9. Chooses(:4b)

10—A faith that soothes the soul is

A faith that SPEAKS(:5a)

—Explanation:(:5)

“for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power & in the Holy Spirit & with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.”

“Not...in word only”—

Obviously came minimally by word!

Tied in with the choice which God made in choosing you.

—Argumentation:

Rom. 10:13-17—“for “WHOEVER WILL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GLAD TIDINGS OF GOOD THINGS!” However, they did not all heed the glad tidings; for Isaiah says, “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?” So faith comes from hearing, & hearing by the word of Christ.”

Acts 4:18-20—“And when they[Council of religious leader] had summoned them[Peter & John], they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter & John answered & said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking what we have seen & heard.”

—Illustration:

Mr. Layne—Tech School professor/Aids the studen’s understanding of radiological technology/Explains practicalities ‘nuts-&-bolts’ of radiology/SPEAKS to divulge his wisdom

—Application:

?Your faith SPEAK?

?Your faith soothe the soul of those whom God has placed over you?

11—A faith that soothes the soul is

A faith that ENABLES(:5a)

—Explanation:(:5a)

:5—“for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power & in the Holy Spirit & with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.”

*The “word” of the Gospel came coupled with something else ot bolster that word—The testimony of two witnesses!....

Jn. 5:31-38—“There is another who bears witness of Me, & I know that the testimony which He bears of Me is true. “You have sent to John, & he has borne witness to the truth. “But the witness which I receive is not from man, but I say these things that you may be saved. “He was the lamp that was burning & was shining & you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. “But the witness which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish, the very works that I do, bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. “And the Father who sent Me, He has borne witness of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. “And you do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent.”

“But also in power”—

dunamiV—Having to do with an inherent or ‘natural’ ability.

1Cor. 4:16-20—“I exhort you therefore, be imitators of me. For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved & faithful child in the Lord, & he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church. Now some have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, & I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant, but their power. For the kingdom of God does not consist in words, but in power.”

—Argumentation:

Eph. 3:20-21—“Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church & in Christ Jesus to all generations forever & ever. Amen.”

2Cor. 9:8—“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;”