1. Theme for March – April 2012

2. …our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction... (1Thess 1:4-6)

3. The word ‘conviction’ Grk: plerophoria = assurance or confidence (full belief)  Not just belief about anything!  It’s a response to the gospel.

4.  Large Grecian city  Progressive and tolerant culture  Culture of acceptance (anything goes)

5.  Paul is specific “… in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit” (NIV)  IN SPITE OF SUFFERING

6.  “…you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit”  welcome is in a form meaning “having received or accepted”  Two things about this passage: in spite of suffering…

7.  Suffering can make us ‘closed’ to the message. Hurts can make us reject the gospel.  Many people today are skeptical about the gospel message.

8. Many people today think that the absence of suffering makes it easy to accept God’s message.

9.  Do you remember when you welcomed the message?  Do you remember when your eyes were opened?  Do things have to be ‘perfect’ for a person to accept God’s word?

10. 1Thess 1:6-8 …in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia; your faith in God has become known everywhere…

11.  CEV: And because of you, the Lord's message has spread everywhere…  ESV: the word of the Lord sounded forth from you…  MSG: The word has gotten around. Your lives are echoing the Master's Word…

12.  Suffering never lessens the impact of the Word.  Suffering is never meant to slow down the spread of the gospel.  If anything, suffering makes evangelism so much more powerful!

13. Don’t let hardships stop you from receiving the message, and don’t let hardships stop you from spreading the message!

14.  Let’s be inspired by the Thessalonians.  In times of suffering and hardship, let’s keep dreaming and believing in the power of God!

15. Theme for March – April 2012