Faith, Love and Hope: A Revolution of Joy! 1 Thess. 1

The Setting: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-4 1 Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace

The Paul’s Whirlwind Journey

JerusalemGalatiaNew: Asia!Macedonia Acts 16:6-8 (NASB) …having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; …they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them;

The Paul’s Whirlwind Journey JerusalemGalatiaNew: Asia!Macedonia Acts 16:9-10 A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."

The Paul’s Whirlwind Journey The ‘Vision’ PhilippiThessalonicaCorinth 14 A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. Acts 16:14 19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the authorities, Acts 16:19 19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the authorities, Acts 16:19 22 The crowd rose up together against them, and the chief magistrates tore their robes off them and proceeded to order them to be beaten with rods. Acts 16:22 (NASB) 22 The crowd rose up together against them, and the chief magistrates tore their robes off them and proceeded to order them to be beaten with rods. Acts 16:22 (NASB) 24 …threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; Acts 16:24-25

The Paul’s Whirlwind Journey The ‘Vision’ PhilippiThessalonicaCorinth 6 …they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, "These men who have upset the world have come here also; Acts 17:6

The Paul’s Whirlwind Journey The ‘Vision’ PhilippiThessalonicaCorinth 3 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, 1 Corinthians 2:3 What kind of ‘vision’ is this!?! 5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. Acts 18:5

Spiritual Revolution  Paul was hyped about Thessalonica! We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father,

Spiritual Revolution  Paul was hyped about Thessalonica!  God was at work among them—BIG TIME! 4 knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you; 5 for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

Spiritual Revolution  Paul was hyped about Thessalonica!  God was at work among them—BIG TIME!  They responded—BIG TIME! 6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

Spiritual Revolution  Paul was hyped about Thessalonica!  God was at work among them—BIG TIME!  They responded—BIG TIME!  Spiritual Life exploded—BIG TIME! 8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.

Spiritual Revolution  Paul was hyped about Thessalonica!  God was at work among them—BIG TIME!  They responded—BIG TIME!  Spiritual Life exploded—BIG TIME!  Lives were completely changed—BIG TIME! 9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.

Spiritual Revolution  Paul was hyped about Thessalonica!  God was at work among them—BIG TIME!  They responded—BIG TIME!  Spiritual Life exploded—BIG TIME!  Lives were completely changed—BIG TIME!  A new loyalty. You turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, It’s all about this…

You turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, Spiritual Revolution  Paul was hyped about Thessalonica!  God was at work among them—BIG TIME!  They responded—BIG TIME!  Spiritual Life exploded out of this group!  Lives were completely changed!  A new loyalty. American Idol Worship SelfErosMoney

Political Hype Versus Real Hope 24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24 (NASB) We cannot rebuild this economy on the same pile of sand…We must lay a new foundation for growth and prosperity

Revolutionary Joy: Faith-Love-Hope Dead Idols Living, True God 3 constantly bearing in mind your : work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus 3 constantly bearing in mind your : work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus 13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor. 13:13

Revolutionary Joy: Faith-Love-Hope  The Work of Faith  Begins with: God Loves You 4 We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. 1 Thessalonians 1:4 16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NLT)

Revolutionary Joy: Faith-Love-Hope  The Work of Faith  Begins with: God Loves You  He Chose You 4 We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. 1 Thessalonians 1:4

Revolutionary Joy: Faith-Love-Hope  The Work of Faith  Begins with: God Loves You  He Chose You 4 We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. 1 Thessalonians 1:4 5 for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction;

Revolutionary Joy: Faith-Love-Hope  The Work of Faith  Begins with: God Loves You  He Chose You 4 We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. 1 Thessalonians 1:4 5 for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction;

Revolutionary Joy: Faith-Love-Hope  The Work of Faith  Begins with: God Loves You  He Chose You  A Whole New Identity  You Only Need to Receive God’s Gift 5 did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction;

Revolutionary Joy: Faith-Love-Hope  The Work of Faith  The Labor of Love You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord…

Revolutionary Joy: Faith-Love-Hope  The Work of Faith  The Labor of Love  Radical Stands for Christ & His Kingdom You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord… 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. 1 Thessalonians 1:7-8

Revolutionary Joy: Faith-Love-Hope  The Work of Faith  The Labor of Love  Radical Stands for Christ & His Kingdom  “I Don’t Care About Persecution!” 6 So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 1:6

Revolutionary Joy: Faith-Love-Hope  The Work of Faith  The Labor of Love  Radical Stands for Christ & His Kingdom  “I Don’t Care About Persecution!”  Joy Kicks In 6 So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you…

Revolutionary Joy: Faith-Love-Hope  The Work of Faith  The Labor of Love  Radical Stands for Christ & His Kingdom  “I Don’t Care About Persecution!”  Joy Kicks In  Revolution!  Not Institutions! 8 And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God…

Revolutionary Joy: Faith-Love-Hope  The Work of Faith  The Labor of Love  Steady Hope 10 And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead.

Revolutionary Joy: Get It Together Labor Love Joyous Revolt! Steady Hope Faith that Works! 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8 (NLT) 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8 (NLT)

Spiritual Revolution Is Real Joy  Unavailable in the Kosmos 6 …having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

Spiritual Revolution Is Real Joy  Unavailable in the Kosmos  Unconquerable Joy 6 So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you.

Spiritual Revolution Is Real Joy  Unavailable in the Kosmos  Unconquerable Joy  Contagious, Enviable Joy …joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Greece.

Spiritual Revolution Is Real Joy  Unavailable in the Kosmos  Unconquerable Joy  Contagious, Enviable Joy Dead Idols Living, True God 44 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field. Matthew 13:44

Revolutionary Joy: Get It Together Dead Idols Living, True God 6 So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit… 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4

Revolutionary Joy: Get It Together Joyous Revolt! Labor Love Steady Hope Faith that Works! 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8 (NLT) 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8 (NLT)

NOT the SMV! (Sean McCallum © Version) Philip. 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is a lie, whatever is shameful, whatever is bad, whatever is hurtful, whatever is ugly, whatever is gross--if anything has fault or is worthy of criticism--think about such things.” © 2009, Sean McCallum, Inc. Used with permission

Revolutionary Joy – Today! Luke 15:7 “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over the one who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

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