THINGS TO DO IN ORDER TO BE A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE CHRISTIAN
1 Thessalonians 1:1-4
INTRODUCTION: We are always searching for something more effective, something to do the job better. Magazines, shows, radio stations, etc. are full of contests, trials, and surveys seeking to find the best of something in every category imaginable. Paul, here in the book of 1st Thessalonians is giving high praise to the church in Thessalonica. Rare is this level of praise from Paul. So, one could say that we have a “best of” church here. And we should look to this church as a model for behavior, activity, purpose, and resolve. Now being the best does not mean to be devoid of problems, but that the problems are far overshadowed by the positives and those problems that are there are not inhibiting ministry, and are being dealt with.
So, in the time we have this morning, I would like to share with you 5 things to do for the highly effective Christian!
1 Thessalonians 1:1-4 Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you. 2 We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. 3 We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,
I REMAIN FAITHFUL TO CHURCH
A Paul writes his letter and his praise to the church in Thessalonica, not the believers of Thessalonica!
B Does not mean believers are not good or not doing good things but that the focus of positive effort is associated and accomplished through the church.
C Included in your bulletins today is a recent “Counselor” from Dr. Dick Sparling that deals with the issue of church attendance, please let me quote you a couple of areas
1 “Now to be fair, there are those who have legitimate reasons for not being able to attend, …but these are in the minority.”
2 “The Scripture admonishes us, "Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together (as believers) as is the habit of some people, but admonishing - warning, urging and encouraging - one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching." (Heb. 10:25 AMP). That could not be clearer. Assembling is not a choice but a responsibility. It is where we fulfill our responsibility to God for worship but also our responsibility to fellow Christians to encourage or strengthen them, and to be encouraged. “
3 “So concerning the matter of attendance comes the question, what do we believe? Is it a matter of choice or responsibility?”
SO AT THE VERY ONSET OF THIS MESSAGE, I NEED TO ASK YOU IF YOUR ARE FAITHFUL TO THE CHURCH? DO YOU SEE AND EMBRACE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY?
ARE YOU FAITHFUL TO THE CHURCH?
II BE CHURCH PEOPLE
A Paul writes “to the church of”
B Church is not a building, but people
C Our church should be a church
1 that is comprised of all the people.
2 that is built upon all the people.
3 that acknowledges the importance of all the people.
4 that involves and uses the gifts of all the people.
5 that recognizes and esteems the presence and contribution of all the people.
D Being church people involves service as church people
1 As a church we have ministry positions that need people in order to run effectively
2 As a church we have people that are qualified to fill ministry positions in order that these ministries can run effectively
3 Yet, when asked, they say no.
AND SO I HAVE TO ASK – ARE YOU REALLY BEING A CHURCH PERSON? ARE YOU ABLE AND QUALIFIED TO ASSUME A POSITION OF MINISTRY AND LEADERSHIP AND AT THE SAME TIME REFUSING TO STEP UP, OR PURPOSEFULLY KEEPING YOURSELF FROM SERVING?
ARE YOU MISSING FROM MINISTRY?
III BE GROUNDED ON THE RIGHT FOUNDATION
A Grounded on God the Father
1 The Image of Father is an image our Security in God
2 The Image of Father is an image of our love from God
3 The Image of Father is an image of our strength from God
B What we Believe determines whether we are a church or not!
1 The Apostles Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day He arose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy *catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Amen.
2 A Church not founded on biblical truth is not a church!
WE NEED TO BE BUILT ON THE RIGHT STUFF. THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF COMING TOGETHER IS TO BE BUILT UP AND EQUIPPED.
CBC IS BUILT ON THE FOUNDATION OF JESUS CHRIST!
WHAT FOUNDATION ARE YOU BUILT ON? OR BETTER, WHAT FOUNDATION ARE YOU BUILDING.
DO YOU DIG INTO GOD’S WORD? DO BUILD YOUR OWN FOUNDATION UP, OR DO YOU COUNT ON SOMEBODY ELSE’S FOUNDATION TO SUPPORT YOU?
There is a new trend going on right now for people with bad credit. You can now pay a fee and have your credit “piggy backed” on someone else’s credit, effectively using there good credit to bolster your not so good credit!
Maybe that will work with money, but it will not work with God!
ARE YOU BUILDING ON BEDROCK?
IV BE STIRRED TO PRAY
A Prayer has ALWAYS been God’s avenue of blessing and movement on us.
B Churches are not stirred to pray anymore
C Paul makes prayer an important part of his life and encourages the Church to do likewise!
D Prayer is God’s avenue of blessing because prayer is God’s chosen method of communication
1 Prayer requires our presence, sharing, and talking to God
2 God wants to fellowship and commune with us.
Do you know I have to go out and find people to pray with me on Sunday Morning? I need to go and find people to pray for me Sunday Morning. Why, because people are not focused on the need of prayer or serious about praying.
I NEED 12 PEOPLE WHO WILL BE COMMITTED TO PRAY! NOT FOR ME ALONE, BUT FOR THE CHURCH AND HERE IS WHAT IT IS GOING TO TAKE!
THERE ARE 42 PEWS IN THE CHURCH, DIVIDED BY 7, MEANS THERE ARE SIX SECTIONS.
I WOULD LIKE 12 PEOPLE TO STEP UP AND SAY, PASTOR, I WILL BE HERE EARLY TO PRAY FOR A SECTION
I WILL GET TO KNOW THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ALWAYS IN MY SECTION, I WILL INTRODUCE MYSELF TO KNEW PEOPLE WHO COME INTO MY SECTION, AND FIND OUT WHAT I CAN PRAY ABOUT FOR THEM, AND I WILL PRAY FOR THE EMPTY AREAS OF MY SECTION.
THIS MEANS THAT I WILL GET HERE EARLY BEFORE ANYONE IS IN THE SANCTUARY AND PRAY FOR MY SECTION.
WHY 12 PEOPLE, SO THAT IF ONE CANNOT MAKE IT THEN THERE IS STILL ONE HERE TO PRAY FOR THE SECTION. IF TWO ARE HERE THEN ALL THE BETTER.
ARE YOU POWERFUL IN PRAYER?
V BE STIRRED TO WORK
A FAITH stirs the Christian to work
1 When someone truly believes in Christ he is stirred to work for Christ
2 The stronger the belief the stronger the Stirring
B LOVE stirs the Christian to work
1 Love lets me labor to exhaustion (that is what the word means)
2 When someone truly loves Christ he is driven to serve Christ
C HOPE/ENDURANCE stirs work
1 When a person comes to know Jesus Christ as Savior, he whole motivation changes
2 A believer is the only person who can affect meaningful change in the world
a He alone has the Words of Life
b He alone has the Gospel
D.L. Moody said, “I am weary in the work, not weary of the work.”
3 The anticipation of the future provides the strength to do what is needed now!
WE NEED TO BE STIRRED TO WORK. WE NEED TO LOOK AHEAD.
WE NEED TO BELIEVE THAT GOD WILL BLESS OUR EFFORTS.
WE HAVE A CHURCH THAT IS INACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE. WE HAVE TO EITHER GO UP STAIRS OR GO DOWN STAIRS. WE HAVE A PARKING LOT THAT IS BOTH UGLY AND DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND MAINTAIN.
YET, WE TALK ABOUT IT AND FORGET ABOUT IT, AND TURN A DEAF EAR TO THE DIFFICULTIES PEOPLE HAVE JUST GETTING INTO OUR BUILDING.
PAUL SAYS LATER ON IN THIS SAME CHAPTER – VERSE 7 AND 8 THAT THE CHURCH IN THESSALONICA BECAME A MODEL FOR BELIEVERS AND UNBELIEVERS.
I AM CHALLENGING YOU TO MAKE CBC A MODEL TO THE BODY OF CHRIST AND A TESTIMONY TO THIS COMMUNITY.
I AM CHALLENGING YOU TO BE STIRRED FOR JESUS TODAY
ARE YOU STIRRED ENOUGH TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
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