A FAITH THAT SOOTHES THE SOUL-VI—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. Integrates(:6a)
16. Observes/Watches(:6)
17. is Pressurized(:6b)
18. Thrills(:6c)
19—A faith that soothes the soul is
A faith that MODELS(:7)
—Explanation:(:7)
:7—“so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia & in Achaia.”
“Examples”—tupoV—The mark/impression made from a stroke or blow; An image, pattern, model or type. From tuptw meaning to strike, beat or smite.
“Macedonia”—The northern portion of modern-day Greece, & Southern Albania, FYROM & Bulgaria. The location of Thessalonica.
“Achaia”—The western side of current day pennensula of Greece proper containing the cities of Athens & Corinth, on the Aegean Sea surrounded by the Aegean Sea(E), Mediterranean Sea(S) & Ionian Sea (W).
“To all the believers”—
—Argumentation:
Js. 5:10—“As an example, brethren, of suffering & patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.”
1Pet. 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,”
2 Cor. 5:18-20—“Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, & gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, & He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
—Illustration:
My Tamiya model of a WWII German Tiger Tank/Complete w- Camouflage-Moving parts-Paint/MODEL of real tank
—Application:
?Your faith a faith that MODELS?
?Your faith soothe an apostle’s soul?
20—A faith that soothes the soul is
A faith that TRAVELS(:8a)
—Explanation:(:8a) Crosses over/Crosses boundaries
:8a—“For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia & Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.”
“Sounded forth”—
“In every place”—No exceptions
Faith is not used occasionally...Faith is a state of being, a worldview.
Faith can be strengthened & weakened.
—Argumentation:
Isa. 2:3—“And many peoples will come & say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; That He may teach us concerning His ways, And that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”
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.”
Jn. 4:39--42—“And from that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all the things that I have done.” So when the Samaritans came to Him, they were asking Him to stay with them; & He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His word; & they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves & know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.”
—Illustration:
Considering ink pens for Providence/Amsterdam printing Co./Catalog sent to all who will read it/Faith that TRAVELS
International mission Board/Huge conglomeration of gifted individuals/Organized around a faith that compels them to reach others with their message of God’s love in Christ/Faith that TRAVELS
Rayburn Avery/Car mechanic/Offers home car repairs/Faith that TRAVELS
—Application:
?Your faith a faith that TRAVELS?
?Your faith soothe an apostle’s soul?
21—A faith that soothes the soul is
A faith that SILENCES(:8b)
—Explanation:(:8b)
:8—“For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia & Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.”
“We have no need to say anything”—
—To say what?...
...Their outreach must be strengthened, carried everywhere they go.
—Do what is right & pleasing to God.
—Honor God with their lives & lips.
—Argumentation:
Rom. 1:8—“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.”
That all may be silenced
—Illustration:
Contractor on building site/Work going perfectly/No need for supervisor to direct except when asked to/Watches in silence/Faith that SILENCES
Mt. Pisgah BC contracted out building of a sign for the Social Hall/ Marble with brick base/Got the best—John ?/Faith that SILENCES
Contractor/Gathers professionals for job/Plumbing contracted out by phone/Knows that he won’t lie, cheat or skimp/Reputation speaks for him/Contractor has a Faith that SILENCES
—Application:
?Your faith a faith that SILENCES?
?Your faith soothe an apostle’s soul?
22—A faith that soothes the soul is
A faith that FREES(:9-10)
—Explanation:(:9-10)
:9—“For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, & how you turned to God from idols to serve a living & true God,”
“Reception/Entering”—eisodoV—An entrance.
—Thessalonian Christians allowed Paul full entrance into their lives, particularly his Gospel message.
“Turned to...from...”—epistrefw—To turn from current direction.—From idols to God.
“Idols”—eidwlon—Images
“To serve”—douleuw—To be a slave; To yield obedience.
“Living & true God”—
“Living”—zaw—To have life—Able to impart life to others.
John 5:25-29—“Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming & now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; & those who hear shall live. “For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; & He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. “Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice, & shall come forth; those who did the good [deeds] to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil [deeds] to a resurrection of judgment.”
“True”—alhqinoV—Genuine, Real, NOT fictitious, defective, frail or uncertain.
Deut.4:35-39—“To you it was shown that you might know that the LORD, He is God; there is no other besides Him. “Out of the heavens He let you hear His voice to discipline you; & on earth He let you see His great fire, & you heard His words from the midst of the fire. “Because He loved your fathers, therefore He chose their descendants after them. And He personally brought you from Egypt by His great power, driving out from before you nations greater & mightier than you, to bring you in & to give you their land for an inheritance, as it is today. “Know therefore today, & take it to your heart, that the LORD, He is God in heaven above & on the earth below; there is no other.”
Others recount/chronicle the details of the Thessalonian’s conversion & subsequent growth.
?You ever reiterated someone else’s experience with Christ?
?You ever been thrilled at the conversion of others?
:10—“& to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.”
“Wait”—anamenw—To Wait with the sense of patience & trust.
“Delivers”—ruomai—Rescue, Deliver—Accomplish a release in His way.
“Wrath to come”—orgh—Anger exhibited in punishment.
—Argumentation:
Col. 1:13-14—“For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, & transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
1Jn. 1:5—“And this is the message we have heard from Him & announce to you, that God is light, & in Him there is no darkness at all.”
Lk. 4:16-19—“And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; & as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, & stood up to read. And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book, & found the place where it was written, “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE DOWNTRODDEN, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.”
Jn. 8:31-36—“Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; & you shall know the truth, & the truth shall make you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s offspring, & have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You shall become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. “And the slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. “If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.”
—Illustration:
Waiting for the bus to arrive/Marked bus stop/Faith that FREES
Waiting for my plane to arrive/Ticket in hand/Seated at gate/Airline employees at counter/Relax & read or eat or sleep/Faith that FREES
—Application:
?Your faith a faith that FREES?
?Your faith soothe an apostle’s soul?
—CONCLUSION—
Action:
A faith that soothes the soul is a faith that....
MODELS(:7)
TRAVELS(:8a)
SILENCES(:8b)
FREES(:9-10)
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)
INTEGRATES(:6A)
OBSERVES/WATCHES(:6)
IS PRESSURIZED(:6B)
THRILLS(:6C)
Presented 08/24/03pm to:
Providence Baptist Church
975 Providence Road
Whigham, GA 39897
