Faith Love and Hope A Revolution of Joy

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 “Paul, Silas, Timothy…”

The Paul’s Whirlwind Journey 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; Jerusalem Galatia New: Asia! Macedonia “Paul, Silas, Timothy…”

The Paul’s Whirlwind Journey Jerusalem 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. " Galatia New: Asia! Macedonia “Paul, Silas, Timothy…”

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

The Paul’s Whirlwind Journey The ‘Vision’ 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 Philippi Thessalonica Corinth “Paul, Silas, Timothy…”

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

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

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 9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception TIME! 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! You turned to God �A from idols to serve a It’s new all aboutloyalty. this… living and true God,

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

Political Hype Versus Real Hope GOD’S WORD: 24 "Therefore We cannot rebuild this economy on the same pile of sand…We must lay a new foundation for growth and prosperity 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)

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

Revolutionary Joy: Faith-Love-Hope �The Work of Faith �Begins with: God Loves You 16 “For God loved the world so 4 We know, much that he gave one that and dear brothers and his sisters, so that everyone God loves only you Son, and has chosen you towho be believes in him will not 1: 4 perish but his own people. 1 Thessalonians 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 5 Loves You for our gospel did not �He Chose You come to you in word only, but also in power and in the know, dear brothers andand sisters, that Holy Spirit with full God loves you and has chosen you to be conviction; 4 We his own people. 1 Thessalonians 1: 4

Revolutionary Joy: Faith-Love-Hope �The Work of Faith �Begins with: God Loves You 5 for our gospel did not come �He Chose You to you in word only, but also in 4 We power and in the Holy Spirit know, dear brothers and sisters, that and with full conviction; 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 �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 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Lord… 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

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

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

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 8 And Labor Love Faith that Works! Joyous Revolt! Steady Hope 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 6 …having in the Kosmos 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 Kingdom of Heaven in the Kosmos is like a treasure that a man �Unconquerable Joy discovered hidden in a field. In his Joy excitement, he hid it �Contagious, Enviable �Unavailable Dead Idols 44 “The again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field. Matthew 13: 44 Living, True God

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

Revolutionary Joy: Get It Together Labor Love The Joy Choice: 8 And Joyous Revolt! Faith that Works! Steady Hope 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 Mc. Callum© 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 Mc. Callum, 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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