The three greatest things in the world Pastor Tom Collins

I THESSALONIANS 1:2, 3: “We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

I. WORK PRODUCED BY FAITH Greek “Ergou” means Vocation rather than toil and labor. A lifestyle The Example of Mary, the mother of Jesus. LUKE 1:28-33: “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” (“Highly favored.” Means: YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL WITH GOD’S BEAUTY, BEAUTIFUL INSIDE AND OUT.) “Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this must be. But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus (Meaning: “The Lord is Salvation”). He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

I. WORK PRODUCED BY FAITH Her response was: 1. IGNORANCE AND WONDER Luke 1:34: “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “Since I am a virgin?”  ROMANS 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

I. WORK PRODUCED BY FAITH Her response was: 1. IGNORANCE AND WONDER 2. EMBARRASSMENT MARK 6:1-3: “Jesus left there (Capernaum) and went to his hometown (which was Nazareth), accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him that he even does miracles! Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” and they took offense at him.” JOHN 8:41: “We are not ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN.”

I. WORK PRODUCED BY FAITH Her response was: 1. IGNORANCE AND WONDER 2. EMBARRASSMENT 3. IMPOSSIBLE VV 35-37: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. FOR NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD.” V. 8: “I am the Lord’s servant, May it be to me as you have said.”

II. YOUR LABOR PROMPTED BY LOVE Greek for labor is “KOPOU”, means TOIL OR HARD LABOR LEADING TO EXHAUSTION. MATTHEW 5:44-45: “But I tell you, (By the way when Jesus prefaces a statement with “I tell you”, He means “LISTEN UP, THIS IS IMPORTANT.”) He said: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. “  

III. ENDURANCE INSPIRIED BY HOPE 4:13-18: “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.”

CONCLUSION: BCBC GOALS FOR 2016: 1. FAITH THAT PRODUCES OBEDIENCE 2 CONCLUSION: BCBC GOALS FOR 2016: 1. FAITH THAT PRODUCES OBEDIENCE 2. LOVE THAT ACCEPTS HARDSHIP 3. HOPE THAT INSPIRES ENDURANCE