4.15.2018 Sermon Notes & Slides

Sermon Notes

An Exemplary Faith
1 Thessalonians 1
Pastor Brent Whitefield

Introduction: In his first epistle to the Thessalonian church, the Apostle Paul commends the faith, love, and hope of the believers in this newly founded body. Despite the fact that the church was born in the midst of great affliction, it has become an example to others of the power of the gospel. What would a body of believers look like if they imitated us?

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Questions For Discussion & Discovery

1. What was the “affliction” faced at the founding of the Thessalonian church?

2. What can Paul possibly mean by the term “work of faith”? Aren’t faith and work opposites?

3. How can the gospel come “in power”?

4. What would indicate that the Thessalonian church was made up mostly of Gentiles?

5. How does this passage help us to understand that salvation is both a present reality and a future hope?

Sermon Slides

1. Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1.

2. Read Acts 17:1-10.

3. Read 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3.

4. 01. Faith, love, and hope are gifts of God that manifest themselves in kingdom activity on the part of the believer.

5. Read 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5a.

6. Read 1 Thessalonians 1:5b-8.

7. 02. Imitation of godly Christian models is a powerful and essential part of discipleship.

8. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. – 1 Timothy 4:12

9. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. – Revelation 3:20

10. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works. – Titus 2:7

11. Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. – Philippians 3:17

12. Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. – Hebrews 13:7

13. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. – 1 Corinthians 11

14. Read 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10.

15. 03. The appropriate response to the Gospel message is that of the Thessalonian believers: turn, serve, and wait.