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Sunday Worship 13 September 2020 : "The Word of God and Faith"

Text: 1 Thessalonians 2
13 September 2020

MORNING WORSHIP 13 SEPTEMBER 2020
Text: 1 Thessalonians 2
Title: The Word of God and Faith

INTRODUCTION

1. Faith is a wonderful gift of God

a) However, it must be cultivated
b) The responsibility to cultivate Faith belongs to us

2. Thank God He has made adequate provision for us to develop our faith

a) We will be looking at a special provision of God
b) Let’s look forward to re-discovering the gift of God’s word

THE PROVISION OF GOD’S WORD

1. The Scriptures (Acts 17:2)

a) Paul preached from the Scriptures
b) He taught from the Scriptures
i) He reasoned
ii) He explained
iii) He demonstrated

2. Mention of the Scriptures in 1 Thessalonians 1-2

a) Our gospel (1 Thessalonians 1:5)
b) Gospel of God (1 Thessalonians 2:2, 8, 9)
b) The word (1 Thessalonians 1:6)
i) The word of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 1:8)
ii) The word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

THE PEOPLE WHO HANDLE GOD’S WORD

1. Does it make a difference who ministers the word?
Yes!

2. Does it matter how the Word of God is handled?
Yes!

3. Paul’s example of handling the Word of God

a) Bold in our God to speak
The gospel of God in much conflict (1 Thessalonians 2:2)
b) Approved by God (1 Thessalonians 2:4a)
c) Entrusted with the gospel (1 Thessalonians 2:4b)
d) Not men-pleasers (1 Thessalonians 2:4c)
e) Pleasing God who tests the heart (1 Thessalonians 2:4d)

OTHER SIGNIFICANT FEATURES

1. Things never done

a) No flattering words (1 Thessalonians 2:5a)
b) No covetousness (1 Thessalonians 2:5b)
c) No seeking of personal glory (1 Thessalonians 2:6a)
d) No demands (1 Thessalonians 2:6b)

2. Things always done

a) Gentle, as a nursing mother (1 Thessalonians 2:7)
b) Affectionately longing for you (1 Thessalonians 2:8a)
c) Willing to impart (1 Thessalonians 2:8b)
i) God’s word
ii) Life itself
d) Toiling night and day (1 Thessalonians 2:9)

3. The Lifestyle adopted

a) Devoutly (1 Thessalonians 2:10a)
b) Justly (1 Thessalonians 2:10b)
c) Blamelessly (1 Thessalonians 2:10c)

4. The Relationship with the hearers

a) As a nursing mother (1 Thessalonians 2:7)
i) Gentleness
ii) Cherishing of her children
b) As a father teaching his children (1 Thessalonians 2:11)
c) The imagery of parents is significant
i) Affection
ii) Absolute Commitment

THE RECEPTION AND RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD

1. Positive reception of God’s word

a) How we respond matters
b) A strong response will augur well

2. Welcoming the Word of God

a) As the word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13a)
b) Not as the word of men (1 Thessalonians 2:13b)

3. Imitating other believers

a) Imitators of the churches of God
in Judea (1 Thessalonians 2:14)
b) Suffered much (1 Thessalonians 2:14)

OUR CHALLENGE IN CONCLUSION

1. To be imitators of what is good and wholesome

2. To gain insight as to how to regard God’s word

3. To be inspired by the word of God

4. To note how our Faith will grow significantly

5. The Faith of the Thessalonians

a) Work of Faith
b) Labour of love
c) Patience of Hope (1 Thessalonians 1:3)