A Message that Changes Lives A Church that Changes a City

Then Paul … for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures … And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude … joined Paul and Silas. Acts 17: 2 – 4

But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds. Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea … to Athens. Acts 17: 13 - 15

Part Three You Became Imitators

And you became followers of us and of the Lord. I Thessalonians 1: 6 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 2: 14 So that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. I Thessalonians 1: 7

1. A Laser Focus on the Word of God … when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.  I Thessalonians 2: 13

1. A Laser Focus on the Word of God … when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.  I Thessalonians 2: 13

1. A Laser Focus on the Word of God … when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.  I Thessalonians 2: 13

The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. Mark 4: 26, 27

Sincere Love Joined to Steadfast Faith But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love… I Thessalonians 2: 13 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren … because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other … II Thessalonians 1: 3

[your] work of love I Thessalonians 1: 3 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another… I Thessalonians 3: 12 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another. I Thessalonians 4: 9

So, affectionately longing for you, we were pleased to impart to you not only the Gospel of God, but also our own lives. I Thessalonians 2: 8 …the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other … II Thessalonians 1: 3

… and sent Timothy. … to establish you and. encourage you  … and sent Timothy … to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith. … when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith …  … praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith. I Thessalonians 3: 2, 5, 10

And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Luke 22: 31, 32

 For what thanks can we render to God for you … night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith? I Thessalonians 3: 9, 10

3. Purposeful Ministry … sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ … I Thessalonians 3: 2

For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. I Thessalonians 2: 9 - 12

DUBLIN, IRELAND NOVEMBER, 1829

“it appeared … from Scripture, that believers, meeting together as disciples of Christ, were free to break bread together as their Lord had admonished them: and that, in so far as the practice of the apostles could be a guide, every Lord's Day should be set aside for thus remembering the Lord's death, and obeying his parting command.”   ***** “This, I doubt not, is the mind of God concerning us, that we should come together in all simplicity as disciples, not waiting on any pulpit or minister, but trusting that the Lord would edify us together, by ministering as He pleased and saw good from the midst of ourselves.” Anthony Norris Groves (quoted from the letter of J.G. Bellett to James McAllister)

A Message that Changes Lives A Church that Changes a City