A Snapshot of Grace-Works from I Thessalonians Scripture Reading: I Thessalonians 1:1-10

Introduction We are not saved by our good works. Good works should be the result of our salvation; works that have been previously prepared by God that we may order our daily lives in the realm of those works.

Introduction The letters to Thessalonica, Greece provide a sample of those good works

Works of Self-Support I Thess 2:9 I Thess 4:11 II Thess 3:7-12 I Cor 4:12 I Thess 4:11 II Thess 3:7-12

Works of Sharing our Material Goods, Time, and Energy with Other Believers Eph 4:28 Gal 6:10 Heb 6:10

Works of Demonstration of Eternal Life and Agape Love I Thess 1:6-7 cf. I Thess 1:3 Work from faith Labor from love Patience from hope (cf vs 10)

Works of Demonstration of Eternal Life and Agape Love II Thess 1:3-4 Growing faith Increasing love Patience in all persecution and affliction Heb 10:34

Works of Communication of the Word of the Lord (“the Gospel of God”) I Thess 2:2,4,8,9 Cf Rom 1:1 = all 3 tenses of salvation Past-tense salvation Present-tense salvation Future-tense salvation

Works of Communication of the Word of the Lord (“the Gospel of God”) I Thess 2:2,4,8,9 cf Rom 1:1 = all 3 tenses of salvation I Thess 1:8-9 Past-tense salvation initial salvation I Thess 2:11-14 Present-tense salvation By living out present-tense salvation in daily circumstances I Thess 1:10, 2:19:20 Future-tense salvation By living in expectation of Christ’s return

Conclusion OT works = Lev 19:8 NT works = Jn 13:34-35 “Love your neighbor as yourself” NT works = Jn 13:34-35 “Love one another as I have loved you”