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1 Thessalonians – A Challenge for Growth
A Challenge
If you are looking for a sound building plan, consider the church example in 1 Thessalonians. Paul organized their strengths under 4 categories:
• “We recall, in the presence of our God and Father, your 1) work of faith, 2) labor of love, and 3) endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, 4) knowing your election, brothers loved by God.” (HCSB 1 Thessalonians 1:3-4)
Now notice these again:
• “But since we belong to the day, we must be serious and put the 1) armor of faith and 2) love on our chests, and put on a 3) helmet of the hope of salvation. For God did not 4) appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,” (HCSB 1 Thessalonians 5:8-9)
Here is the plan:
1. Work of Faith
2. Labor of Love
3. Endurance of Hope
4. Elected and Love by God
1. Armor of Faith
2. Armor of Love
3. Helmet of Hope
4. Appointed by God for Salvation
Did you notice the partnership between them and God? Do we want that partnership?
1. While we work our Faith, we put on God’s armor of Faith.
2. While we labor in Love, we put on God’s armor of Love.
3. While we endure in Hope, we put on God’s helmet of Hope.
4. All of this happens because God Chose us in Love, and appointed us to Salvation.
If your congregation is like ours, there is a new beginning waiting post-covid. Here is our challenge:
• Either prove God has elected you to salvation by faith, love, and hope.
• Or prove yourself someone who can fake faith, love, and hope.
Harsh? Not if we want to prove we have not been appointed to the coming wrath (5:9). This is a call to arms, God’s military arms, and God’s loving arms.
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