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Stand Firm Week Three: Living To Please God

Stand Firm Week Three: Living To Please God

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Review – The problem – persecution

Stand firm in what? —Stand firm in what they had received – teachings 

  • The teachings had come from the Lord Jesus – Inspired by the Holy Spirit

2 Thessalonians 2:15 (NIV) 15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

What does it look like to stand firm?

1 Thessalonians 1:3 (NIV) 3 We 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.

This week – living a life a worthy of the calling we received.

  • The called out ones – the church
  • Sacrificial love in action –leads to living a life worthy of the calling.

1 Thessalonians 2:11–12 (NIV) 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

What does standing firm in obedience look like? —The labor of love 

  • Love for God, others, self

Galatians 5:6 (NIV) 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.                      Matthew 22:37–40 (NIV)

 

What does that look like – a life of love?

  • Following the story of the Macedonians – Thessalonian’s
  • The context – persecution in Jerusalem – to Thessalonica to Corinth –to us today
  • What started in Jerusalem – Acts 2:42-47 spread
  • The reputation of the Thessalonians in Corinth

1 Thessalonians 2:13–14 (NIV) 13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. 14 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews.

2 Corinthians 8:1–7 (NIV) 1 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 6 So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

  1. Loving God and remembering He loves you –overflowing joy in…
  • The grace God has given the churches – overflowing joy –hope that endures –In the midst of suffering.
  • Thinking about what they did have in Christ Jesus
  • A confidence that we have each other – Acts 2:42ff
  • In spite of suffering not without suffering
  • Faith isn’t easy but it makes life possible.
  • Gods plan is not always to take you out of tough circumstances but to reveal Himself through those who act differently in circumstances.
  1. Loving others —Generosity towards others – it benefits others.
  • They gave beyond what they were able –
  • Gave themselves and what they had—not just money.
  • Urgently pleaded to give –
  • Why would they do that? – Hope that leads to endurance.

Acts 20:35 (NIV) 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

1 Timothy 6:17–19 (NIV)

 

1 Corinthians 16:1–2 (NIV) 1 Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

  1. Love doesn’t just give it obtains — Sexual purity.
  • Stay far away from =avoid
  • More on this on Overtime Podcast

1 Thessalonians 4:1–6 (NIV) 1 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before.

1 Corinthians 5:11 (NIV) 11 But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.

1 Corinthians 6:9–10 (NIV) 9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

  1. A life dedicated to the glory of God – obedience –love – and endurance.
  • The results of standing firm –
  • A model to other believers
  • A ripple effect that spreads the word of God through everyday people

1 Thessalonians 1:6–8 (NIV) 6 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. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 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,                                        Galatians 2:19–20 (NIV)

 

For Small Group Discussion

Opening Question: If someone wanted to make you really happy, what should they do?

Main Point: The best way for us to show our love of Jesus is to live like Jesus. Paul commends the Thessalonians’ love for each other and gives practical advice on how to live pleasing to God.

Main Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Head Questions

  • How would you describe someone who pleases God?
  • What is the difference between working from salvation versus working for salvation?

Heart Questions

  • Take a moment to read Hebrews 11:6; Romans 8:6-8; Psalm 147:11. Based on these verses how can you please God with your life?
  • When do you feel like your life is pleasing to God and when do you feel like it is not?

Hands Questions

  • Do you think you are more pleasing to God in certain areas/spheres of your life and not others?
  • What would you like to change or get better at in your life that would be pleasing to God?
  • How can we encourage you in that?

Additional Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:4, 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, 3:6-15

To watch Jim and the Sermon Team on The Overtime Podcast, go to: https://bit.ly/RLOvertime
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