The Church POSSESSES the only HOPE for a world in TROUBLED TIMES. The church has been entrusted with the Gospel, and the Gospel is the only hope to change people's hearts..
Faith Bible Church was established 75 years ago. We are coming close to that anniversary celebration. 1937 was similar to 2012 in many ways. It was a time of concern and trouble on a world wide scale.
1937
unemployment 14.3%
Verge of war
End of the Great Depression
Christian foundation
TODAY
REAL unemployment 15%
ten years of war
Great Recession
LOST Christian heritage
This church was established as a beacon of hope during troubling times!
The CHURCH has always done best in troublesome times!
The REASON? The GOSPEL provides HOPE for those in despair
The church at Thessalonica provides a great example of a local church that made an impact in their community and their world during troubling times. Their spiritual fervor was highly regarded by the church’s founder, the Apostle Paul. He commended them for their witness and testified of the impact that their testimony was having around the world.
Focus on the word "gospel" in 1 Thessalonians 1:4-2:4. You will see the following three truths communicated to this young church.
The CHURCH is
Changed by the Gospel
Entrusted with the Gospel
Proclaimers of the Gospel.
They were CHANGED BY THE GOSPEL
1 Thessalonians 1:4–10 "For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, " "because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. " "You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. " "And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. " "The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, " "for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, " "and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath."
The Thessalonian Church is a WORTHY MODEL for us
NOTE: Emphasis on the GOSPEL
1:4 “our gospel came to you...”
1:6 “you welcomed the message with the joy given by the HS...”
1:8 “The Lord’s message rand out from you..”
2:2 We dared to tell you his gospel...”
2:4 “entrusted with the gospel”
The CHANGE in the Thessalonians is mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 1:9–10 "for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath."
Here, we find one verb (they turned), and two infinitives ("to serve," and "to wait for").
They TURNED.
The Greek word is ἐðéóôñÝöù. It means to turn away, often being used in a spiritual sense. One such example is Acts 3:19 "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,"
Thessalonica was close to ATHENS. Paul confronted their false gods in Acts 17:22-23
Located on the “Via Egnatia” a land route crossing all of the Macedonian peninsula.
Many false gods were worshiped.
They REPENTED of their sin.
Their LIVES were changed by the gospel
True salvation is found only when we turn from our sin. Becoming a Christian is more than becoming a church attender. Our lives change when the Gospel is embraced. That change is the indication of our faith. “The old has gone, the new has come” (1 Corinthians 5:17). This change is marked by brokenness and confession of our sin. As Oxcar Wilde said, “How else but through a broken heart may Lord Christ enter in? --Oscar Wilde (http://tentmaker.org/Quotes/repentancequotes.htm)
They SERVED the Living God.
They WAITED for his Son
These Christians did not have a defeatest attitude! They were not worried about coming economic collapse, or whether or not their 401K's would make it. They were not focused on pensions, problems, and politics! They were waiting for deliverance through the Lord's return.
Here's the exciting part about this: There has never been a time in human history more appropriately fitted for the Lord's return than today!
Remember, God has not destined us to wrath. There is judgment coming to this world through the impending Great Tribulation, but the Church will be caught up to Jesus before that wrath is released!
1 Thessalonians 1:10 "and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath."
1 Thessalonians 5:9 "For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ."
The world has never been more ready for the return of JESUS than it is right now!
The world is in turmoil
Clamoring for one world currency
Israel is in greater peril than any time since 1973
Apostasy in religion
moral decay
The HOPE is in the message
As we continue to look to the Thessalonian example, we se the second part of their relationship to the Gospel.
The Church is ENTRUSTED with the Gospel.
1 Thessalonians 2:1–4 "You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. " "We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. " "For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. " "On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts."
Being entrusted with the Gospel means that we are the GUARDIANS of the gospel. We, the church of Christ must endeavor to keep the content of the gospel pure, as well as keeping ourselves and our churches as the conveyors of the gospel pure. Paul put it this way to his young pastor friend, Timothy. "Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge," 1 Timothy 6:20
Some Christians in today’s politically correct world do not want to engage in discussions about doctrine. They have the mind-set, “let everyone hold to their opinions and do not interfere.” This attitude creates a false sense of tranquility, but it also works to erode the very gospel that we proclaim. Specifics are important and doctrine matters. If we do not diligently protect the truth of the gospel message, we will “drift away,” as the author of Hebrews warns believers, "We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away." Hebrews 2:1
Paul’s final admonition to the Thesslonians in this section is to remind them that they were Proclaimers of the Gospel 1 Thessalonians 2:8 "so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well."
The CHURCH is the ONLY MEANS by which CHRIST has appointed to proclaim His message. And if we do not proclaim Christ, the very rocks will cry out for Him! Luke 19:38–40 "“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”"
The power to do this comes from the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”"
These are Troubling Times
We do not know what is ahead
The economic crisis might turn around
OR we might be headed for more trouble ahead
WHATEVER HAPPENS, the only hope is the GOSPEL
Colossians 1:21–23 "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. " "But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—" "if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant."
The CHURCH is
Changed by the Gospel
Entrusted with the Gospel
Proclaimers of the Gospel
Political change will not deliver us.
The end of the Recession is not our hope.
America's military might is not our security.
A resurgence of conservative ideals will not save our nation.
Confident faith in Jesus Christ, and the message of his sinless life, atoning death and victorious resurrection is our only hope for this life, and one to come,
