A Message that Changes Lives A Church that Changes a City Good Morning. Today is the 4th message in a series of messages on the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. If you have been here the past several weeks you may recall the series title: “A Message that Changes Lives” – “A Church that changes a City” In this series we have heard how the church in the city of Thessalonica was radically changed by the message of the gospel. This young church, after only 3 weeks of ministry by Paul, became an effective witness to their city and beyond. A Message that Changes Lives A Church that Changes a City

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. [17] Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. [18] Therefore encourage one another with these words. (ESV)

Part Five Encourage One Another With These Words (4:9-18)

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10: For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, [10] and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians 2:19: For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13: Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, [12] and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, [13] so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Good Morning. Today is the 4th message in a series of messages on the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. If you have been here the past several weeks you may recall the series title: “A Message that Changes Lives” – “A Church that changes a City” In this series we have heard how the church in the city of Thessalonica was radically changed by the message of the gospel. This young church, after only 3 weeks of ministry by Paul, became an effective witness to their city and beyond. Living in the Light of the Coming of Christ

2 Peter 3:10-11 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, [10] for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. [11] But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, [12] so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one. (ESV) and to aspire to …

The FOUNDATION is LOVE The EXPRESSION of LOVE is threefold Live a Quiet Life Mind Your Own Business Work With Your Hands

2 Thessalonians 3:6-11 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. [7] For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, [10] For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. [11] For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. (ESV)

1 Thessalonians 4:13-15 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. [14] For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. [15] For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. (ESV)

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, [2] not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. [3] Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, [4] who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

The Balanced Christian Life No concern for the Lord’s return Excessive concern in the Lord’s return Too much work / interest in money Excessive idleness Not enough work for the Body Not enough work No love for others Too worried about others No reliance on others Too dependent on others Not involved in other’s lives Busybodies Lazy and indifferent Anxious and concerned The Balanced Christian Life

Resurrection Rapture Reunion 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. [17] Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. [18] Therefore encourage one another with these words. (ESV) Resurrection Rapture Reunion