As a courtesy, please turn your cell phones off.

Welcome to Grace Gathering If you are visiting us today we hope you feel very welcome. Many of us do mission together in smaller gatherings throughout the New Haven/Fort Wayne area. We invite you to our website or the welcome center and find a mission-community that meets near you or has a similar focus to your passion. Oh, and by the way, stop by our welcome center for a free drink at our Fireside Café.

There will be a Bake Sale/T-shirt Sale today in the foyer to help fund the Haiti Mission Trip.

1 Thessalonians 1:6-8 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it,

1 Thessalonians 3:3-4 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.

The more fully someone follows God in life, the more apparent it becomes: We are living against the flow of society. We are living against the flow of society. We will suffer for it. We will suffer for it.

How are we viewed by others? We are to care what people think of us to a certain extent because we represent Jesus. We are to care what people think of us to a certain extent because we represent Jesus. We are to avoid the consuming trap of being a people pleaser. We are to avoid the consuming trap of being a people pleaser.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; … As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; …

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 …and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit. …

1 Thessalonians 4: Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Philippians 1:29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,

2 Timothy 3:12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; …

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 …and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit. …

1 Peter 1:13-17 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.

1 Peter 4:3-5 Sexual Purity When you only have sexual thoughts and/or actions about or with your spouse. Sexual Purity When you only have sexual thoughts and/or actions about or with your spouse.

1 Peter 4:3-5 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

2 Timothy 3:12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

Grace Gathering Vision and Strategy Bringing God’s kingdom to earth today by discipling people to live and lead like Jesus