A FAITH THAT SOOTHES THE SOUL-V—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. Speaks(:5a)
11. Enables(:5a)
12. Is Represented/Advocates(:5b)
13. Convicts(:5c)
14. Appreciates/Grows(:5d)
15—A faith that soothes the soul is
A faith that INTEGRATES(:6a)
—Explanation:(:6a)
:6—“You also became imitators of us & of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,”
“Imitators/Followers”—mimhthV—Mimic or imitate or reproduce certain characteristics of another in one’s self.
*Integration is abringing together of elements into a whole.
*Paul only expected or desired "imitation" as he himself imitated the Lord Jesus,...’ This imitation specifically consisted of the manner in which they received “the word” —of God &/OR the Gospel seeing as they were worthy of imitation themselves.
—Argumentation:
Ps. 133:1-3—“(A Song of Ascents, of David.) Behold, how good & how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, Coming down upon the beard, Even Aaron’s beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon, Coming down upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing--life forever.”
1Cor. 12:27—“Now you are Christ’s body, & individually members of it.”
1Pet. 2:1-7—“Therefore, putting aside all malice & all guile & hypocrisy & envy & all slander, like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. And coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but choice & precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For this is contained in Scripture: “BEHOLD I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER stone, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” This precious value, then, is for you who believe. But for those who disbelieve, “THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE VERY CORNER stone,””
—Illustration:
Movie Production/Notice all the credits/Many different teams whose focus is in particular area done well/INTEGRATED into consistent whole—Movie!
—Application:
?Your faith a faith that INTEGRATES?
?Your faith soothe an apostle’s soul?
16—A faith that soothes the soul is
A faith that OBSERVES/WATCHES(:6)
—Explanation:(:6)
:6—“You also became imitators of us & of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,”
An imitator must first of all be a watcher, learner, desirer of truth.
—Argumentation:
Mat. 11:28-30—“Come to Me, all who are weary & heavy-laden, & I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you, & learn from Me, for I am gentle & humble in heart; & YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. “For My yoke is easy, & My load is light.”
Php. 3:17-18—“Brethren, join in following my example, & observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I often told you, & now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ,”
1Cor. 4:16—“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.”
1Cor. 11:1—“I exhort you therefore, be imitators of me.”
—Illustration:
‘This Old house OR New Yankee Workshop/Watch & learn/ OBSERVES
—Application:
?Your faith a faith that OBSERVES?
?Your faith soothe an apostle’s soul?
17—A faith that soothes the soul is
A faith that IS PRESSURIZED(:6b)
—Explanation:(:6b)
:6b—“You also became imitators of us & of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,”
“Tribulation”—qliyiV—A pressing, pressing together or pressure.
—Argumentation:
Rom. 5:1-8—“Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; & we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; & perseverance, proven character; & proven character, hope; & hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”
1Pet. 1:3-9—“Blessed be the God & Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable & undefiled & will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise & glory & honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; & though you have not seen Him, you love Him, & though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible & full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”
—Illustration:
Scientists tell us that Diamonds are formed from thousands of years under pressure/Something beautiful to self & others/PRESSURIZED
Industrial hose production/hand-wrapped/Stem & heat Pressurization(vulcanization)/ Permanently formed & shaped by pressure/PRESSURIZED
—Application:
?Your faith a faith that is PRESSURIZED?
?Your faith soothe an apostle’s soul?
18—A faith that soothes the soul is
A faith that THRILLS(:6c)
—Explanation:(:6c)
:6c—“You also became imitators of us & of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,”
—Argumentation:
Ps. 51:7-17—“Purify me with hyssop, & I shall be clean; Wash me, & I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy & gladness, Let the bones which Thou hast broken rejoice. Hide Thy face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Thy presence, And do not take Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, And sustain me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Thy ways, And sinners will be converted to Thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Thy righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, That my mouth may declare Thy praise. For Thou dost not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; Thou art not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken & a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.”
—Illustration:
My new interest in golf/My mentioning from the pulpit that I had 2 clubs for golf(Not looking for handouts!)/Following Tuesday, we found a Ben Hogan bag, a full set of Tour irons, & a graphite driver at our door/Needless to say, we were THRILLED!/
*Your acceptance of God’s grace in Christ should likewise THRILL your soul!
Our move to Vidalia/In the sticks/Thrilled Miller’s soul to see the Wal-mart—Civilization!/Faith in consistency that Wal-mart represents/a faith that THRILLS
—Application:
?Your faith a faith that THRILLS the soul?
?Your faith soothe an apostle’s soul?
—CONCLUSION—
Action:
A faith that soothes the soul is a faith that....
INTEGRATES(:6a)
OBSERVES/WATCHES(:6)
IS PRESSURIZED(:6b)
THRILLS(:6c)
RECEIVES THE SENT(:1)
CHURCHES(:1)
REQUIRES GOD’S GRACE & PEACE(:1)
INHABITS PRAYERS(:2)
WORKS(:3)
LOVES(:3b)
HOPES(:3c)
FORGES FAMILY(:4A)
CHOOSES(:4b)
SPEAKS(:5a)
ENABLES(:5a)
IS REPRESENTED/ADVOCATES(:5b)
CONVICTS(:5c)
APPRECIATES/GROWS(:5d)
Presented 07/13/03pm to:
Providence Baptist Church
975 Providence Road
Whigham, GA 39897
