Bible Readings:
Acts 17:1-15
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Sermon Outline:
1 Thessalonians 1:1 (NKJV)
1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I The mighty power of the Gospel in changing lives
1 Thessalonians 1:9 (NKJV)
9For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
1 Thessalonians 1:2–3 (NKJV)
2We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,
3remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,
1 Thessalonians 5 (NKJV)
1But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.
2For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
3For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.
4But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
5You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.
6Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.
7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.
8But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.
9For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
10who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
11Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
12And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
13and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
15See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
16Rejoice always,
17pray without ceasing,
18in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19Do not quench the Spirit.
20Do not despise prophecies.
21Test all things; hold fast what is good.
22Abstain from every form of evil.
23Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
25Brethren, pray for us.
26Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
27I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.
28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
II How can we have the same power of the Gospel in changing lives?
1 Thessalonians 1:9 (NKJV)
9For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
1 Thessalonians 1:4–5 (NKJV)
4knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.
5For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
Acts 17:2–3 (NKJV)
2Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
3explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.”
Acts 17:4 (NKJV)
4And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.
1 Thessalonians 1:6 (NKJV)
6And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,