WEBVTT

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 It is so good to be here with you guys.

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 Just a wonderful privilege to bring God's Word this morning.

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 And I'm just, already my heart is full just worshiping with you guys

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 and watching what God's doing in your Trinity Cambridge Church.

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 And I want to look at this passage this morning, 1 Thessalonians 1-10.

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 And the title of the message is Encouragement for the Weary Christian.

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 This is a wonderful book on encouragement.

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 The first three chapters are just jam-packed, full of encouragement.

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 And as we dive into this chapter, I just want to ask you the question,

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 have you ever considered the importance of encouragement?

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 Have you ever thought about the importance of encouragement?

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 Back in 1895, a 16-year-old boy bought his first camera.

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 He took 50 photos, and of those 50 photos, only one turned out.

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 It was a portrait of his sister at the piano.

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 The other 49 pictures didn't work, and his father's response to him was,

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 well, son, maybe you need to take up another hobby.

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 But his mother saw something in that one photo that made a difference.

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 That one photo of his sister was so beautiful that she said it compensated for the 49 failures,

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 and encouraged him to go on and keep pursuing his hobby of photography.

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 This young boy's name was Edward.

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 You might know him as Edward Steichen,

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 probably, arguably, the most successful and famous photographer of the 20th century.

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 He worked for Condé Nast, Vogue, and Vénédie Faire.

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 He won an Academy Award for a war documentary in 1945,

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 and he was the director of photography at New York's Museum of Modern Art.

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 But he almost missed all that if it hadn't been for his mother's encouragement.

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 His mother's encouragement made all the difference.

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 This letter is a letter full of powerful encouragement for a weary church and weary Christians.

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 Paul has been with the Thessalonians some time previously,

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 and his time with them was cut short.

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 He had to leave.

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 There was persecution that went on.

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 It was a very successful time,

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 so in proclaiming the good news of Christ,

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 the truth of Christ crucified on the cross for our sins and risen from the dead,

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 so he had been with the Thessalonians and had brought the gospel, him and his team,

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 and it had had an effect.

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 So there were people from Jewish backgrounds and non-Jewish backgrounds

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 who had come to faith in Christ.

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 A church had been formed,

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 and within a relatively short amount of time,

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 we don't know whether it was three weeks or three months,

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 there was an angry mob, basically an anti-Christian mob,

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 that was raised up and drove Paul out of the city,

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 so he had to leave prematurely.

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 And so part of the background is that he's wondering how this church has been doing.

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 He's worried about them, actually.

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 You can read through the letter and see some of his angst.

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 And what he does is he can't stand it,

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 and he sends Timothy back to find out how they're doing.

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 Then Timothy is with them,

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 and then he comes back to Paul

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 and tells them that this church is doing well.

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 And that's when Paul writes this letter.

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 He writes this letter to them to encourage them,

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 to strengthen them in their faith,

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 because they're living really amidst persecution and challenge.

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 And so he spends three chapters here really just encouraging this church.

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 And so what I want to do is I want to dig into this first chapter

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 to learn about how he encourages the church.

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 I think there are some valuable lessons here in how to encourage.

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 And I think with it, it's just the importance of encouragement.

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 So this isn't here in Scripture just so we can learn about Paul

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 and how much he loved this church

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 and how much he wanted to encourage them.

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 God gives us his word for our instruction.

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 And he gives us his word today,

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 and he is bringing his word through 1 Thessalonians 1

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 to you guys, to us as a church.

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 And I think through it wants to teach us

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 about the importance of encouragement

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 and actually equip us to encourage.

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 So we're going to dig in.

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 And I hope from this we learn

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 that we're called to encourage our brothers and sisters

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 by reminding them of God's activity in their lives.

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 We are called to encourage our brothers and sisters

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 by reminding them of God's activity in their lives.

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 And so we'll look at four things in this chapter.

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 We remind them of evidences of faith, hope, and love.

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 So these core virtues.

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 We remind them of the evidence that God loves and chooses them.

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 So chosen by God.

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 We remind them of evidence of godly character.

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 And we remind them of the impact of their lives

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 on others, compelling lives.

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 So four C's, core virtues, chosen by God,

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 character, and compelling lives,

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 if that helps you remember them.

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 And good, we have them behind us.

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 I didn't even know you had that.

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 So let's dig in.

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 First, Paul highlights core virtues.

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 We see this in verse 3.

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 He greets them, and there's a blessing there.

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 And then he, that's certainly a common way to start a letter.

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 But then he goes from that place,

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 and in his greeting, in his blessing,

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 he's highlighting the grace and peace of God.

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 And he is communicating to them

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 that he gives thanks to God always.

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 The whole team does.

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 Gives thanks to God always for all of them,

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 constantly mentioning them in their prayers.

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 This is strategic.

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 Paul is not just repeating how he prays.

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 He wants them to know and be encouraged

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 that he prays and gives thanks for them.

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 He's communicating that.

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 It's his heart for this church to give thanks to them,

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 give thanks to God for them.

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 And he cites certain specific qualities about them.

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 And just to pause for a minute and think about that.

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 It's encouraging to know that people pray for you.

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 I'm sure for us, we tell each other that.

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 At times you've had someone say, I'm praying for you.

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 And when you're going through a hard time,

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 that can be really helpful, right?

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 To know, boy, this person's praying for me.

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 It just builds your faith.

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 You don't feel as alone.

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 But can you imagine to add to that,

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 that someone says, not only do I pray for you,

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 but actually I give thanks to God for your life.

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 When I think of you and your needs,

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 I can't help but think of the qualities in your life

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 that demonstrate God's activity.

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 I can't help but think about your faith.

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 I can't help but think about,

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 as you're going through this trial,

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 that you're looking to Jesus.

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 That's an incredible thing.

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 And I'm thanking God for that.

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 Think about adding that element

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 when you share with somebody

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 that you're praying for them,

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 that you're actually giving thanks to God for them

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 for certain qualities.

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 Think about the power of doing that for somebody

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 that maybe you struggle with.

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 Maybe there's someone, a brother or sister in Christ,

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 who, as you relate to them,

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 you're just challenged by certain things.

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 Maybe just personality.

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 You rub each other the wrong way certain ways,

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 and you have to work through that.

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 Or maybe there was something that, in the past,

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 it was difficult for you.

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 Imagine the difference it would make to pray for them,

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 and not only pray for them,

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 but to give thanks to God for them as you pray.

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 To spend time highlighting how you see God

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 at work in their lives,

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 thanking God for that.

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 I think that would change our heart,

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 wouldn't it, towards them?

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 It would help us to have a different perspective,

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 to think about the good things

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 rather than the challenging things in their lives.

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 So that alone, just Paul's example

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 right in the beginning,

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 is, I think, really important,

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 and practicing that can make a real difference

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 in our lives.

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 But Paul, in this,

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 goes on to cite specific things in their lives

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 as he thinks about them,

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 as he prays for them,

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 as he gives thanks for them.

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 He's remembering before our God and Father

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 your work of faith,

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 and labor of love,

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 and steadfastness of hope

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 in our Lord Jesus Christ.

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 Do you hear those three Christian virtues there?

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 Paul uses these virtues often.

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 Faith, hope, and love.

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 These are qualities,

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 characteristics of the Christian life.

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 They are virtues,

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 and they're really, in some ways,

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 indicative of real life.

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 When the Lord works in somebody,

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 when there's real life,

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 when they hear the good news of Christ,

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 they understand that Christ died for their sins

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 and rose again to give new life,

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 and when they have an encounter with God

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 in light of that gospel,

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 there's new life that comes into us,

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 and there's faith in that,

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 and there's fruit from that.

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 There's faith and hope and love.

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 And so Paul is pointing out God's activity

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 in their lives,

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 this work of faith,

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 labor of love,

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 and steadfastness of hope.

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 Now, we don't know what the specific things

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 that Paul was thinking about

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 as he thought about those general qualities,

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 those virtues,

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 but we can guess.

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 We can guess that in their lives,

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 there's a work of faith,

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 because we know that when there's faith

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 in someone's life,

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 there's always work that comes out of that.

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 When you believe in Christ,

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 it isn't simply mental assent,

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 yes, this is true.

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 Biblical belief,

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 biblical faith is not just saying,

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 yes, I believe Christ is God in the flesh,

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 died on the cross for our sins,

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 rose again.

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 I not only assent to that,

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 it's more than that,

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 it's I embrace that.

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 I entrust my life to this truth.

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 I desire this truth.

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 So biblical faith is more than just mental assent,

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 it's embracing the truth,

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 and that encounter changes us,

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 and in that,

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 there's something different

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 and transforming about that,

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 and it produces automatically,

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 of course, work.

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 So there's a work of faith

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 for every genuine believer,

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 and so for the Thessalonians,

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 there were things that went on in their lives,

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 there was works of faith,

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 and no matter what that might be,

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 it's there in every believer.

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 Every believer has some sort of work of faith,

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 and it may be a work that's just amazing,

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 and everyone can see that this person,

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 you know,

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 they gave up a career,

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 a rich career,

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 to serve the Lord in some sacrificial way,

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 and they've laid down their lives,

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 they're laboring in a place

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 where it's just really hard,

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 and, you know,

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 there's not a whole lot of results,

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 but they're serving the Lord gladly.

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 There's those sorts of works of faith,

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 and they're wonderful,

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 but there are other works of faith

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 in believers that are just maybe little things

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 that we can look over.

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 Think of the thief on the cross.

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 The thief on the cross comes to faith in Christ

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 on the cross.

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 He doesn't have a whole long life ahead of him

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 to labor for the Lord, does he?

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 But there is a work of faith for him on the cross.

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 It's confessing with his mouth the truth about Jesus.

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 It's choosing not to mock Jesus,

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 but to put his faith and depend on Jesus.

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 So even just that expression of Jesus,

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 remember me when you enter your kingdom,

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 that's a work of faith.

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 And so I would just say with that,

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 every believer has a work of faith in their life

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 that you can point out.

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 And so Paul is pointing out in the Thessalonians

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 that there's a work of faith.

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 And so we can find works of faith in any believer

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 because if they believe, there's something there.

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 If it's just a confession of dependence on the Lord

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 or they're doing great works,

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 whatever it might be,

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 we can find ways to encourage them.

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 So their work of faith.

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 Their labor of love as well.

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 This church is loving one another.

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 Paul's going to talk about that later in the letter.

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 They are loving one another.

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 They are people that are coming from diverse backgrounds,

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 Jewish and Gentile backgrounds,

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 probably all different levels of economic strata in society.

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 And they are coming together and they're loving one another.

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 They're caring about one another.

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 They're helping one another.

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 They're affectionate for one another.

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 And so there's a labor of love in their lives

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 that he's pointing out.

00:11:42.580 --> 00:11:45.120
 And then there's a steadfastness of hope as well.

00:11:45.660 --> 00:11:46.720
 That they are hoping.

00:11:46.879 --> 00:11:50.700
 They are setting their hearts on the return of Christ,

00:11:50.820 --> 00:11:52.200
 the ultimate victory of Christ.

00:11:52.280 --> 00:11:55.920
 Not only that victory experienced now through faith and new life,

00:11:56.200 --> 00:11:58.120
 but the final victory when he returns

00:11:58.120 --> 00:11:59.340
 and he makes all things new.

00:11:59.759 --> 00:12:01.400
 And so they're living in light of that.

00:12:01.560 --> 00:12:04.480
 So that hope, that ultimate reality.

00:12:05.139 --> 00:12:06.900
 And when you learn to live in light of that,

00:12:06.920 --> 00:12:09.100
 it changes how you live in this life.

00:12:09.100 --> 00:12:13.540
 It gives you ability to hold on in difficulty.

00:12:14.300 --> 00:12:16.480
 It gives you the ability to endure persecution.

00:12:17.060 --> 00:12:19.279
 It gives you the ability to endure disappointments.

00:12:19.860 --> 00:12:21.540
 Disappointments of different times.

00:12:21.800 --> 00:12:25.519
 I, as a pastor, have been able to see a lot of people

00:12:25.519 --> 00:12:29.759
 demonstrate steadfastness of hope amidst very difficult circumstances.

00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:33.540
 Really consider one of my greatest privileges as a pastor

00:12:33.539 --> 00:12:39.079
 to be with people as they go through significant suffering

00:12:39.079 --> 00:12:42.699
 and to watch that hope that the Lord's put in their hearts

00:12:42.699 --> 00:12:45.099
 that sustains them.

00:12:45.139 --> 00:12:46.860
 And it doesn't always look perfect.

00:12:47.059 --> 00:12:49.939
 It's not that everyone I've been with has always been just,

00:12:50.079 --> 00:12:51.379
 I'm just so full of faith.

00:12:51.459 --> 00:12:53.919
 And I know God's going to work glory through this.

00:12:54.079 --> 00:12:55.259
 That's not what it looks like.

00:12:55.319 --> 00:12:55.839
 There's struggle.

00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:57.379
 There's ups and downs.

00:12:57.519 --> 00:12:58.799
 There's questioning of faith.

00:12:58.919 --> 00:12:59.599
 There's doubts.

00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:04.420
 But what I've seen in every genuine believer is this hope that sustains them.

00:13:04.600 --> 00:13:08.480
 I remember one young husband, and I'll never forget it,

00:13:09.500 --> 00:13:14.500
 a friend of mine who came with us when we started the church,

00:13:14.600 --> 00:13:17.100
 planted in 2002, John.

00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:21.460
 He got married, and he was excited about life,

00:13:21.540 --> 00:13:23.480
 building a family with his wife.

00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:27.639
 He actually talked about being on the first church plant

00:13:27.639 --> 00:13:28.480
 that we would send out.

00:13:28.480 --> 00:13:30.620
 He was hoping to go north.

00:13:30.800 --> 00:13:32.980
 He actually liked cold weather, so he wanted to somehow,

00:13:33.259 --> 00:13:34.399
 if we could plant northward.

00:13:34.940 --> 00:13:35.840
 Some of you guys are thinking,

00:13:36.019 --> 00:13:37.840
 that's not the direction I want to go in.

00:13:37.860 --> 00:13:38.600
 I want to go southward.

00:13:38.759 --> 00:13:41.840
 But he was excited about going north and being part of a plant.

00:13:41.920 --> 00:13:45.039
 He was just a great brother in the church, and he got cancer.

00:13:45.879 --> 00:13:47.340
 He was in his early 40s.

00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:50.060
 And we watched as we prayed.

00:13:50.659 --> 00:13:51.680
 We asked God to heal.

00:13:51.779 --> 00:13:54.259
 We had seen God heal someone with cancer in our church.

00:13:54.379 --> 00:13:57.220
 And so we asked God for John, and God didn't heal him.

00:13:57.220 --> 00:14:03.980
 And I was there in his last hours and days and last moments.

00:14:05.080 --> 00:14:07.100
 And he was disappointed.

00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:08.480
 He didn't want to die.

00:14:09.040 --> 00:14:10.019
 He wanted to live.

00:14:10.080 --> 00:14:14.100
 He had a lot to live for, a lot of things he was excited about that God would do.

00:14:14.320 --> 00:14:16.759
 But God sustained him in hope.

00:14:17.420 --> 00:14:18.840
 And though he couldn't figure it out,

00:14:18.920 --> 00:14:21.180
 he knew that ultimately I know God's good,

00:14:21.179 --> 00:14:25.279
 and I know God's plans are the best, even though I don't understand.

00:14:26.319 --> 00:14:28.019
 And so I was there with him,

00:14:28.099 --> 00:14:31.979
 and his last words he repeated over and over again,

00:14:32.019 --> 00:14:33.739
 really with his last breath,

00:14:34.179 --> 00:14:36.139
 is, it's better this way.

00:14:36.759 --> 00:14:37.939
 And I just remember that.

00:14:38.659 --> 00:14:39.779
 And that's a miracle.

00:14:40.459 --> 00:14:44.979
 To be in that place of suffering and really the loss of your dreams,

00:14:44.980 --> 00:14:47.560
 and to say and confess with your mouth,

00:14:48.159 --> 00:14:49.100
 it's better this way.

00:14:49.680 --> 00:14:50.740
 And it's a confession of faith.

00:14:50.820 --> 00:14:51.740
 I don't understand,

00:14:51.860 --> 00:14:52.720
 but I trust the Lord,

00:14:52.840 --> 00:14:53.759
 and my hope is in him.

00:14:54.039 --> 00:14:55.639
 That's the steadfastness of hope.

00:14:55.960 --> 00:14:56.920
 And that's a miracle.

00:14:57.259 --> 00:14:59.100
 That's a miracle of the Lord at work.

00:14:59.500 --> 00:15:00.259
 And brothers and sisters,

00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:01.720
 I want you all to know that

00:15:01.720 --> 00:15:03.320
 if you have put your faith in Jesus,

00:15:03.860 --> 00:15:04.800
 he lives in you,

00:15:04.799 --> 00:15:06.500
 and there's power in your life

00:15:06.500 --> 00:15:09.539
 to walk in faith and hope and love.

00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:10.299
 They're there.

00:15:10.699 --> 00:15:12.159
 There's a work of faith.

00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:13.199
 There's a labor of love.

00:15:13.459 --> 00:15:15.159
 There's steadfastness of hope in you.

00:15:15.839 --> 00:15:16.500
 That's there.

00:15:16.799 --> 00:15:19.120
 And so Paul is pointing it out to the Thessalonians.

00:15:19.240 --> 00:15:20.139
 He's encouraging them.

00:15:20.399 --> 00:15:22.139
 He's reminding them of his core virtues.

00:15:22.219 --> 00:15:23.259
 And we learn from that

00:15:23.259 --> 00:15:24.639
 how to encourage one another.

00:15:26.120 --> 00:15:27.719
 And so for us as brothers and sisters,

00:15:27.959 --> 00:15:29.339
 your brothers and sisters,

00:15:29.479 --> 00:15:32.019
 your friends need you to point those things out,

00:15:32.019 --> 00:15:34.879
 to remind them of how you see faith,

00:15:35.220 --> 00:15:36.939
 hope, and love in their lives,

00:15:37.220 --> 00:15:39.139
 to find something in their lives.

00:15:39.179 --> 00:15:39.860
 And if they're a believer,

00:15:40.100 --> 00:15:41.000
 it's there somewhere.

00:15:41.159 --> 00:15:42.720
 Even if it's just a tiny little thing,

00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:43.960
 it's there.

00:15:44.500 --> 00:15:45.819
 And as you encourage each other,

00:15:45.879 --> 00:15:47.179
 as you remind each other of that,

00:15:47.240 --> 00:15:48.019
 they're going to be strengthened.

00:15:48.340 --> 00:15:49.480
 Their faith, hope, and love

00:15:49.480 --> 00:15:51.259
 will be strengthened through your encouragement.

00:15:51.559 --> 00:15:52.559
 That's what Paul's doing here

00:15:52.559 --> 00:15:53.899
 as he encourages them

00:15:53.899 --> 00:15:56.139
 by reminding them of these core virtues.

00:15:57.500 --> 00:15:59.340
 Next, he reminds them

00:15:59.340 --> 00:16:01.960
 that they are chosen and beloved by God.

00:16:02.019 --> 00:16:02.939
 He says in verse 4,

00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:04.740
 For we know, brothers loved by God,

00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:06.120
 that he has chosen you.

00:16:06.460 --> 00:16:07.659
 Because our gospel came to you

00:16:07.659 --> 00:16:08.519
 not only in word,

00:16:08.699 --> 00:16:09.659
 but also in power,

00:16:09.899 --> 00:16:10.699
 and in the Holy Spirit,

00:16:10.799 --> 00:16:11.720
 and with full conviction.

00:16:12.079 --> 00:16:14.279
 He's now pointing to the fact

00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:15.220
 that God loves them

00:16:15.220 --> 00:16:16.319
 and has chosen them.

00:16:16.919 --> 00:16:18.779
 And he wants to remind them of that.

00:16:18.939 --> 00:16:19.579
 He says,

00:16:19.679 --> 00:16:20.539
 We know, brothers,

00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:22.919
 brothers loved by God,

00:16:23.299 --> 00:16:24.360
 that he's chosen you.

00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:26.439
 So they are beloved by God

00:16:26.439 --> 00:16:28.919
 and they are chosen by God.

00:16:28.980 --> 00:16:30.559
 This is powerful encouragement

00:16:30.559 --> 00:16:31.919
 and really should be part

00:16:31.919 --> 00:16:33.659
 of our regular encouragement.

00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:35.099
 To know and to be reminded

00:16:35.099 --> 00:16:36.779
 that we are loved by God

00:16:36.779 --> 00:16:37.500
 and chosen.

00:16:38.039 --> 00:16:40.699
 Now, there's deep truth

00:16:40.699 --> 00:16:42.019
 in these realities,

00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:44.159
 being chosen of God.

00:16:44.579 --> 00:16:46.119
 We know as we read through Scripture

00:16:46.119 --> 00:16:47.459
 that God loves all people,

00:16:47.559 --> 00:16:49.179
 desires that all would know him.

00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:51.099
 But if someone doesn't come

00:16:51.099 --> 00:16:52.559
 to Christ through faith,

00:16:52.639 --> 00:16:54.199
 they can never live in that.

00:16:54.339 --> 00:16:55.199
 They never live in knowing

00:16:55.199 --> 00:16:56.039
 that he loves them,

00:16:56.039 --> 00:16:57.159
 and they cannot know

00:16:57.159 --> 00:16:58.480
 that he has loved them

00:16:58.480 --> 00:16:59.179
 from eternity.

00:16:59.959 --> 00:17:01.279
 It's the blessing

00:17:01.279 --> 00:17:02.159
 for the believer.

00:17:02.559 --> 00:17:03.779
 And the response

00:17:03.779 --> 00:17:04.599
 for the person

00:17:04.599 --> 00:17:05.659
 who's yet to believe is,

00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:06.859
 Well, if you want to know

00:17:06.859 --> 00:17:07.879
 that you're loved by God

00:17:07.879 --> 00:17:08.500
 and chosen of him,

00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:09.819
 then simply come and believe.

00:17:09.899 --> 00:17:10.519
 It's that simple.

00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:13.180
 God offers salvation

00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:14.000
 and his love

00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:16.259
 to whosoever should respond.

00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:17.799
 And so this truth

00:17:17.799 --> 00:17:19.019
 of being loved

00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:20.579
 and chosen from before time

00:17:20.579 --> 00:17:21.619
 and loved of God,

00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:22.559
 chosen before time

00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:23.339
 to belong to him,

00:17:23.339 --> 00:17:25.220
 is not meant to confound

00:17:25.220 --> 00:17:26.099
 and confuse people

00:17:26.099 --> 00:17:27.339
 who don't yet believe.

00:17:27.720 --> 00:17:29.220
 It's meant as a comfort

00:17:29.220 --> 00:17:29.919
 and encouragement

00:17:29.919 --> 00:17:30.859
 for those who do.

00:17:31.579 --> 00:17:32.099
 We don't know

00:17:32.099 --> 00:17:32.859
 who's going to believe.

00:17:33.159 --> 00:17:33.500
 We don't know

00:17:33.500 --> 00:17:34.559
 who's chosen ultimately

00:17:34.559 --> 00:17:36.319
 unless they've come to faith.

00:17:37.339 --> 00:17:38.799
 And if we see in their lives

00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:40.220
 the things that Paul sees,

00:17:40.579 --> 00:17:42.339
 the work of the Holy Spirit,

00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:44.139
 conviction and faith,

00:17:44.919 --> 00:17:46.659
 we can't say.

00:17:46.740 --> 00:17:47.459
 But if that's there,

00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:48.240
 we can say,

00:17:48.339 --> 00:17:49.379
 this one is loved

00:17:49.379 --> 00:17:50.119
 and chosen of God.

00:17:50.240 --> 00:17:51.299
 I've heard the illustration.

00:17:51.459 --> 00:17:52.639
 I think it's a helpful one.

00:17:53.339 --> 00:17:54.939
 There's a doorway

00:17:54.939 --> 00:17:57.459
 into the kingdom,

00:17:57.839 --> 00:17:58.339
 into heaven,

00:17:58.939 --> 00:17:59.859
 into belonging

00:17:59.859 --> 00:18:00.559
 to God's family.

00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:01.459
 And on the front

00:18:01.459 --> 00:18:01.899
 of the doorway

00:18:01.899 --> 00:18:03.139
 as you come from the outside,

00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:03.539
 it says,

00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:05.659
 whosoever would believe.

00:18:06.039 --> 00:18:06.480
 Whosoever.

00:18:06.919 --> 00:18:07.740
 And when you walk

00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:08.339
 through that doorway,

00:18:08.439 --> 00:18:09.079
 you look back

00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:09.859
 and on the other side

00:18:09.859 --> 00:18:10.240
 of the doorway,

00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:10.919
 it says,

00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:11.699
 chosen of God.

00:18:12.459 --> 00:18:13.980
 And so the invitation

00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:15.299
 for all is to believe.

00:18:16.139 --> 00:18:17.480
 But once you believe,

00:18:17.619 --> 00:18:18.259
 you can live

00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:19.379
 in the assurance

00:18:19.379 --> 00:18:20.519
 that you actually,

00:18:20.619 --> 00:18:21.519
 behind your believing,

00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:22.659
 behind your choice,

00:18:22.660 --> 00:18:23.880
 which is a valid choice,

00:18:24.340 --> 00:18:25.720
 God uses our choices,

00:18:25.840 --> 00:18:26.759
 they're real choices,

00:18:27.180 --> 00:18:28.180
 but behind that choice

00:18:28.180 --> 00:18:29.620
 is God's choice of you.

00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:31.480
 That God has loved you

00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:32.060
 from eternity

00:18:32.060 --> 00:18:33.480
 and he's chosen you.

00:18:33.640 --> 00:18:34.940
 That's powerful encouragement,

00:18:35.080 --> 00:18:35.400
 isn't it?

00:18:35.440 --> 00:18:35.900
 To know,

00:18:36.300 --> 00:18:37.620
 to know that he's loved me

00:18:37.620 --> 00:18:38.140
 and chose me

00:18:38.140 --> 00:18:39.880
 and I can stand on that.

00:18:40.420 --> 00:18:41.400
 I can stand on that

00:18:41.400 --> 00:18:43.120
 when I go up and down

00:18:43.120 --> 00:18:43.900
 in my experience,

00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:44.720
 I'm discouraged

00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:45.740
 and I'm not always

00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:47.140
 a faithful Christian.

00:18:47.640 --> 00:18:48.860
 As I face difficulty,

00:18:48.859 --> 00:18:50.740
 I can stand on the fact

00:18:50.740 --> 00:18:52.319
 that God has loved me

00:18:52.319 --> 00:18:53.459
 and chosen me.

00:18:53.719 --> 00:18:54.559
 That's what Paul's doing

00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:55.519
 with his friends

00:18:55.519 --> 00:18:56.500
 in Thessalonica.

00:18:56.619 --> 00:18:57.659
 He's reminding them

00:18:57.659 --> 00:18:59.339
 of this reality

00:18:59.339 --> 00:19:00.839
 that they are loved

00:19:00.839 --> 00:19:02.719
 and chosen of God.

00:19:04.559 --> 00:19:06.259
 The verification of that

00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:07.439
 is the fact that

00:19:07.439 --> 00:19:08.279
 when the good news

00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:09.000
 came to them,

00:19:09.059 --> 00:19:10.500
 it wasn't just words,

00:19:11.819 --> 00:19:13.559
 it wasn't just an idea,

00:19:14.019 --> 00:19:15.219
 it wasn't just a philosophy,

00:19:15.459 --> 00:19:16.959
 but it was something powerful

00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:18.900
 that it impacted their lives

00:19:18.900 --> 00:19:19.620
 and the Holy Spirit

00:19:19.620 --> 00:19:20.759
 worked in their lives

00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:22.100
 and brought conviction.

00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:23.200
 They realized,

00:19:23.440 --> 00:19:23.920
 this message

00:19:23.920 --> 00:19:25.500
 is not just a message,

00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:27.880
 it's the message for me.

00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:29.620
 And they believed.

00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:31.980
 And so behind this believing,

00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:33.319
 behind this experience,

00:19:33.620 --> 00:19:35.579
 is actually God at work.

00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:38.579
 It's God who has works

00:19:38.579 --> 00:19:40.079
 that they might believe.

00:19:40.640 --> 00:19:41.559
 Their belief,

00:19:41.700 --> 00:19:42.340
 their response,

00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:43.039
 their repentance,

00:19:43.319 --> 00:19:44.380
 the work of the Holy Spirit

00:19:44.380 --> 00:19:44.920
 in their lives

00:19:44.920 --> 00:19:45.900
 is a sign

00:19:45.900 --> 00:19:46.720
 that their beloved

00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:48.500
 and chosen of God.

00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:54.000
 That's a powerful encouragement.

00:19:55.960 --> 00:19:57.200
 It's a powerful encouragement

00:19:57.200 --> 00:19:58.519
 to know that,

00:19:59.200 --> 00:20:00.660
 boy, my faith,

00:20:00.839 --> 00:20:02.799
 as little as it seems at times

00:20:02.799 --> 00:20:04.000
 and as much as I might struggle,

00:20:04.100 --> 00:20:05.460
 actually is a miracle of God

00:20:05.460 --> 00:20:06.839
 that shows that God

00:20:06.839 --> 00:20:08.279
 has loved me from eternity

00:20:08.279 --> 00:20:09.559
 before I existed.

00:20:10.319 --> 00:20:11.400
 And He's chosen me.

00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:13.079
 He chose to rescue me in Jesus.

00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:14.200
 He's the one who chose

00:20:14.200 --> 00:20:15.900
 that I would hear this good news

00:20:15.900 --> 00:20:16.960
 and that I would believe

00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:17.580
 and respond.

00:20:18.460 --> 00:20:19.880
 Again, this meant as a comfort

00:20:19.880 --> 00:20:21.480
 and encouragement for believers

00:20:21.480 --> 00:20:22.560
 not to confuse

00:20:22.560 --> 00:20:23.720
 and confound those

00:20:23.720 --> 00:20:25.259
 who don't yet believe in Christ.

00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:27.700
 It's an encouragement here

00:20:27.700 --> 00:20:29.140
 in 1 Thessalonians.

00:20:29.220 --> 00:20:30.000
 That's what Paul's doing.

00:20:30.100 --> 00:20:31.680
 He's wanting to point this out

00:20:31.680 --> 00:20:33.200
 that they would be strengthened

00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:33.940
 by this,

00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:36.080
 that they would stand on this.

00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:38.879
 It's really amazingly good news.

00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:41.480
 I don't know if you guys

00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:42.039
 have followed

00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:44.399
 the Mega Millions recently.

00:20:45.619 --> 00:20:47.939
 And who here knows

00:20:47.939 --> 00:20:48.559
 what the Mega Millions,

00:20:48.679 --> 00:20:49.500
 you don't have to raise your hand

00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:50.059
 if you don't want to,

00:20:50.139 --> 00:20:51.519
 but Mega Millions,

00:20:51.819 --> 00:20:53.419
 so it's a state lottery,

00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:54.419
 but like in all the states,

00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:55.079
 I think, but two.

00:20:55.519 --> 00:20:56.059
 And recently,

00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:58.559
 it was $1.5 billion.

00:20:58.559 --> 00:21:01.539
 And someone in South Carolina

00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:02.200
 won it,

00:21:02.679 --> 00:21:03.559
 and yet they haven't

00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:04.200
 come forward yet.

00:21:04.279 --> 00:21:05.019
 They have, I think,

00:21:05.079 --> 00:21:05.740
 like until April

00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:06.440
 to come forward,

00:21:06.559 --> 00:21:07.940
 so I think they're putting together

00:21:07.940 --> 00:21:09.440
 financial consultants and stuff.

00:21:09.639 --> 00:21:11.079
 But $1.5 billion.

00:21:11.319 --> 00:21:11.980
 Can you imagine

00:21:11.980 --> 00:21:12.779
 being the person

00:21:12.779 --> 00:21:14.919
 who happens to have

00:21:14.919 --> 00:21:15.659
 that ticket?

00:21:16.139 --> 00:21:16.700
 And by the way,

00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:17.639
 I'm not suggesting

00:21:17.639 --> 00:21:19.099
 you go out and buy lottery tickets,

00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:20.059
 so don't hear what I'm not saying.

00:21:20.259 --> 00:21:21.779
 But imagine if you had that.

00:21:21.940 --> 00:21:23.099
 I don't know about you,

00:21:23.779 --> 00:21:25.240
 but I thought a little bit

00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:27.119
 about what if I were the one

00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:28.199
 that had $1.5 billion,

00:21:28.639 --> 00:21:30.359
 what would I do with it?

00:21:31.719 --> 00:21:32.859
 And I was thinking about

00:21:32.859 --> 00:21:33.639
 all sorts of godly,

00:21:33.719 --> 00:21:34.359
 glorious things,

00:21:34.459 --> 00:21:35.179
 just so you know,

00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:36.219
 what I would do with the money.

00:21:38.299 --> 00:21:39.759
 But it was just to think,

00:21:39.879 --> 00:21:40.959
 wow, $1.5 billion.

00:21:41.379 --> 00:21:42.339
 And to know that I'm,

00:21:42.459 --> 00:21:43.539
 like, I have the ticket.

00:21:44.939 --> 00:21:47.159
 Well, in Jesus,

00:21:48.179 --> 00:21:49.559
 because God has loved you

00:21:49.559 --> 00:21:50.179
 and chosen you,

00:21:50.199 --> 00:21:51.619
 you have something far greater

00:21:51.619 --> 00:21:52.579
 than $1.5 billion.

00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:55.679
 And it isn't one in 300 million.

00:21:56.599 --> 00:21:58.480
 You have been chosen by God

00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:59.339
 and every believer,

00:21:59.439 --> 00:22:00.799
 the countless number of believers

00:22:00.799 --> 00:22:01.859
 have been chosen by God

00:22:01.859 --> 00:22:03.199
 to have this inheritance.

00:22:04.059 --> 00:22:05.699
 And so you have it now.

00:22:06.399 --> 00:22:07.959
 You are loved of God.

00:22:08.299 --> 00:22:09.879
 You are chosen of God.

00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:11.740
 The God who's made

00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:12.619
 the whole universe,

00:22:12.899 --> 00:22:14.659
 whose resources are limitless,

00:22:15.679 --> 00:22:17.959
 has decided in his great love

00:22:17.959 --> 00:22:19.480
 and mercy to rescue you,

00:22:19.719 --> 00:22:21.259
 to make you his own.

00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:24.180
 That's encouraging.

00:22:24.759 --> 00:22:26.180
 And Paul's reminding them

00:22:26.180 --> 00:22:27.599
 of this truth.

00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:28.879
 And so we learn from this,

00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:29.299
 don't we?

00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:31.079
 That if we want to encourage others,

00:22:31.160 --> 00:22:32.200
 we remind each other

00:22:32.200 --> 00:22:33.140
 of this reality.

00:22:34.599 --> 00:22:36.180
 And just think of how helpful

00:22:36.180 --> 00:22:36.640
 that can be.

00:22:36.680 --> 00:22:37.500
 If somebody's struggling,

00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:39.019
 you just point out and say,

00:22:39.099 --> 00:22:39.319
 you know,

00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:40.379
 I know you're struggling,

00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:41.319
 I know you feel down,

00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:42.500
 but I just want to remind you

00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:45.679
 that I see God's life in you

00:22:45.679 --> 00:22:47.000
 and therefore I know

00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:48.659
 that he's at work

00:22:48.659 --> 00:22:49.579
 and therefore I know

00:22:49.579 --> 00:22:51.460
 that he's chosen you

00:22:51.460 --> 00:22:52.139
 and he loves you

00:22:52.139 --> 00:22:53.159
 and he's for you.

00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:54.819
 God is for you.

00:22:55.079 --> 00:22:55.879
 I don't understand

00:22:55.879 --> 00:22:57.359
 all that's going on,

00:22:57.399 --> 00:22:58.399
 but I know he's for you.

00:22:58.460 --> 00:22:59.279
 He's chosen you.

00:22:59.559 --> 00:23:00.139
 You belong to him.

00:23:00.159 --> 00:23:01.179
 That's what Paul's doing here

00:23:01.179 --> 00:23:02.339
 in 1 Thessalonians.

00:23:02.399 --> 00:23:03.539
 And I think from that,

00:23:03.619 --> 00:23:04.759
 that's what we're called to do

00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:05.480
 in each other's lives,

00:23:05.539 --> 00:23:06.859
 to remind each other

00:23:06.859 --> 00:23:08.959
 of this wonderfully good news

00:23:08.959 --> 00:23:10.279
 that we're beloved

00:23:10.279 --> 00:23:11.759
 and chosen of God.

00:23:14.139 --> 00:23:16.119
 Thirdly, character.

00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:19.139
 In verse 5,

00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:20.579
 in the latter half of 5,

00:23:20.639 --> 00:23:20.859
 he says,

00:23:20.939 --> 00:23:21.719
 you know what kind of men

00:23:21.719 --> 00:23:22.799
 we proved to be among you

00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:23.539
 for your sake

00:23:23.539 --> 00:23:25.059
 and you became imitators

00:23:25.059 --> 00:23:26.240
 of us and of the Lord

00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:27.339
 for you received the word

00:23:27.339 --> 00:23:28.419
 in much affliction

00:23:28.419 --> 00:23:30.059
 with the joy of the Holy Spirit.

00:23:31.619 --> 00:23:32.859
 Paul talks about how

00:23:32.859 --> 00:23:33.619
 the Thessalonians

00:23:33.619 --> 00:23:35.079
 were imitators of this team,

00:23:35.219 --> 00:23:36.019
 this apostolic team

00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:36.740
 that had been there.

00:23:37.579 --> 00:23:39.619
 They showed the same level

00:23:39.619 --> 00:23:40.379
 of character

00:23:40.379 --> 00:23:41.619
 that his team showed

00:23:41.619 --> 00:23:43.259
 by receiving the word

00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:44.399
 even though there was

00:23:44.399 --> 00:23:45.439
 a lot of public pressure.

00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:48.439
 They received the word

00:23:48.439 --> 00:23:49.219
 in much affliction

00:23:49.219 --> 00:23:50.539
 with the joy of the Holy Spirit.

00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:52.259
 So he's pointing out

00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:52.979
 that these guys

00:23:52.979 --> 00:23:54.740
 had maturity

00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:55.799
 like the team

00:23:55.799 --> 00:23:57.379
 in that they held

00:23:57.379 --> 00:23:58.219
 the word of God

00:23:58.219 --> 00:24:00.199
 as a higher value

00:24:00.199 --> 00:24:01.299
 than the approval of men,

00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:02.719
 even if it meant

00:24:02.719 --> 00:24:04.000
 actual persecution.

00:24:06.859 --> 00:24:08.240
 So he's pointing out

00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:09.639
 in them

00:24:09.639 --> 00:24:10.619
 this miracle

00:24:10.619 --> 00:24:12.119
 of a faith

00:24:12.119 --> 00:24:12.939
 in the word of God

00:24:12.939 --> 00:24:13.819
 and a submission

00:24:13.819 --> 00:24:14.579
 to the word of God

00:24:14.579 --> 00:24:16.939
 that would be held

00:24:16.939 --> 00:24:18.459
 even amidst the pressure

00:24:18.459 --> 00:24:19.579
 of a broken world.

00:24:20.579 --> 00:24:21.379
 So these guys

00:24:21.379 --> 00:24:22.059
 are believing

00:24:22.059 --> 00:24:24.079
 when it's not popular

00:24:24.079 --> 00:24:24.740
 at all.

00:24:24.959 --> 00:24:25.259
 Actually,

00:24:25.339 --> 00:24:26.379
 it's dangerous

00:24:26.379 --> 00:24:27.240
 to believe.

00:24:27.939 --> 00:24:29.199
 And he's encouraging them

00:24:29.199 --> 00:24:30.179
 by reminding them

00:24:30.179 --> 00:24:30.619
 of this.

00:24:30.679 --> 00:24:31.799
 He's pointing it out.

00:24:31.799 --> 00:24:32.200
 He's saying,

00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:33.980
 you guys are just like us

00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:35.019
 and actually you're just like

00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:35.859
 the Jerusalem church,

00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:36.619
 these people

00:24:36.619 --> 00:24:37.200
 that we've told you

00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:37.919
 stories about

00:24:37.919 --> 00:24:38.879
 who are enduring

00:24:38.879 --> 00:24:39.720
 a lot of persecution

00:24:39.720 --> 00:24:40.779
 for the sake of Christ.

00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:41.919
 You're just like them.

00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:42.839
 You've come to the same

00:24:42.839 --> 00:24:43.379
 understanding

00:24:43.379 --> 00:24:44.899
 that to belong to Christ

00:24:44.899 --> 00:24:46.319
 and to possess Christ

00:24:46.319 --> 00:24:47.119
 and forgiveness

00:24:47.119 --> 00:24:48.079
 and life

00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:49.259
 and to live under the king

00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:50.700
 is worth far more

00:24:50.700 --> 00:24:51.440
 than anything

00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:52.319
 this world might offer.

00:24:52.899 --> 00:24:54.039
 And because you're getting that,

00:24:54.119 --> 00:24:55.240
 you're willing to endure

00:24:55.240 --> 00:24:57.000
 the world opposing you.

00:24:57.139 --> 00:24:58.240
 You're willing to endure

00:24:58.240 --> 00:24:59.779
 the loss of property,

00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:01.139
 the loss of status,

00:25:01.140 --> 00:25:02.360
 all these things.

00:25:02.800 --> 00:25:03.840
 He's pointing that out

00:25:03.840 --> 00:25:04.440
 about them

00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:05.740
 that they demonstrate

00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:07.100
 this Christian character

00:25:07.100 --> 00:25:08.460
 that they're willing

00:25:08.460 --> 00:25:10.259
 to endure all these things

00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:11.240
 for the sake of Christ.

00:25:11.820 --> 00:25:12.700
 That's character.

00:25:12.840 --> 00:25:14.180
 That's a work of God.

00:25:14.259 --> 00:25:14.940
 That's a miracle.

00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:17.420
 And that's the reality

00:25:17.420 --> 00:25:18.540
 really for every believer.

00:25:18.740 --> 00:25:20.020
 If you're going to follow Jesus,

00:25:20.200 --> 00:25:23.580
 if the world rejected Christ

00:25:23.580 --> 00:25:25.259
 and crucified him,

00:25:25.600 --> 00:25:26.640
 then we should expect

00:25:26.640 --> 00:25:27.800
 nothing really that different

00:25:27.800 --> 00:25:28.480
 as believers.

00:25:29.080 --> 00:25:30.360
 And if you're going to follow Jesus,

00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:32.139
 that's part of the reality.

00:25:33.219 --> 00:25:35.099
 The world does not want Jesus,

00:25:35.339 --> 00:25:36.519
 at least the whole Jesus.

00:25:38.139 --> 00:25:39.979
 The world, I think, at times,

00:25:40.179 --> 00:25:41.799
 likes kind of the morality of Jesus.

00:25:41.979 --> 00:25:42.679
 They like the idea,

00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:43.439
 love your neighbor,

00:25:43.859 --> 00:25:45.219
 be respectful to others.

00:25:45.500 --> 00:25:46.779
 All these ethics that come

00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:47.539
 with following Jesus,

00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:49.539
 I mean, people love his teaching

00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:50.259
 on ethics,

00:25:50.359 --> 00:25:51.339
 but they don't listen

00:25:51.339 --> 00:25:52.019
 to the whole thing

00:25:52.019 --> 00:25:53.699
 because there's more to it

00:25:53.699 --> 00:25:54.539
 than just that.

00:25:54.839 --> 00:25:55.859
 There's himself

00:25:55.859 --> 00:25:56.699
 and who he is.

00:25:56.700 --> 00:25:58.640
 He is Lord of all.

00:25:59.120 --> 00:26:00.400
 He is the only way

00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:01.000
 to the Father.

00:26:01.319 --> 00:26:02.279
 There's no righteousness

00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:03.539
 apart from Christ.

00:26:03.700 --> 00:26:04.319
 Only in him

00:26:04.319 --> 00:26:05.080
 is there forgiveness

00:26:05.080 --> 00:26:06.759
 and life and righteousness.

00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:08.420
 There's no other way.

00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:09.600
 He teaches that clearly.

00:26:10.360 --> 00:26:11.580
 So the world tends

00:26:11.580 --> 00:26:12.360
 to ignore that part.

00:26:12.420 --> 00:26:13.140
 We don't like that

00:26:13.140 --> 00:26:15.000
 because we want the good things.

00:26:15.080 --> 00:26:15.900
 We want the morality.

00:26:16.120 --> 00:26:17.299
 We want the wisdom,

00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:17.940
 the stability,

00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:18.299
 perhaps,

00:26:18.360 --> 00:26:18.920
 that that brings,

00:26:18.920 --> 00:26:19.620
 but we don't want

00:26:19.620 --> 00:26:20.640
 God himself.

00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:23.720
 And to be a believer

00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:25.560
 of a follower of Christ

00:26:25.560 --> 00:26:28.740
 means to go too far

00:26:28.740 --> 00:26:29.440
 with this thing

00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:30.480
 for a lot of people.

00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:33.440
 The world wants morality,

00:26:33.620 --> 00:26:34.279
 but they don't want

00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:34.960
 God himself.

00:26:35.300 --> 00:26:36.000
 And they want you

00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:36.640
 to be a good neighbor,

00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:37.320
 to be kind,

00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:39.900
 but not go overboard

00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:40.480
 about Jesus.

00:26:41.060 --> 00:26:44.220
 It's kind of like a child

00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:45.900
 that maybe is living at home

00:26:45.900 --> 00:26:46.380
 and thinking,

00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:46.620
 you know,

00:26:46.619 --> 00:26:47.739
 I love living at home

00:26:47.739 --> 00:26:49.759
 because I get to use the car.

00:26:50.779 --> 00:26:52.019
 I get, you know,

00:26:52.059 --> 00:26:53.739
 I get nice food.

00:26:54.500 --> 00:26:56.139
 I get to go on nice vacations,

00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:57.739
 but I really can't stand my parents

00:26:57.739 --> 00:26:58.339
 and I don't want

00:26:58.339 --> 00:26:59.219
 to be around them at all.

00:26:59.639 --> 00:27:00.659
 That's kind of the idea.

00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:02.099
 If we want morality without God,

00:27:02.139 --> 00:27:02.919
 that's what we're doing.

00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:04.199
 And that's kind of

00:27:04.199 --> 00:27:07.839
 the world's way

00:27:07.839 --> 00:27:09.159
 with these things.

00:27:09.259 --> 00:27:10.059
 And so to be a Christian

00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:11.339
 means to go against

00:27:11.339 --> 00:27:13.739
 this mindset,

00:27:14.139 --> 00:27:15.379
 to kind of go overboard,

00:27:15.380 --> 00:27:15.640
 where they,

00:27:16.060 --> 00:27:17.540
 to be not only interested

00:27:17.540 --> 00:27:18.740
 in being like Jesus

00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:19.500
 in ethics,

00:27:19.640 --> 00:27:21.480
 but being a devoted follower

00:27:21.480 --> 00:27:22.200
 of Christ.

00:27:23.900 --> 00:27:24.880
 It's popular to be

00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:25.640
 a respecter of Jesus,

00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:26.840
 but not an earnest follower.

00:27:27.620 --> 00:27:29.360
 It's popular to be spiritual,

00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:31.980
 but to do so in private,

00:27:32.100 --> 00:27:33.660
 not be a public Christian.

00:27:34.540 --> 00:27:35.140
 And often for,

00:27:35.400 --> 00:27:36.040
 to be a Christian,

00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:37.220
 it's okay to be a Christian

00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:37.720
 just to kind of

00:27:37.720 --> 00:27:38.480
 keep it to yourself

00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:39.640
 and don't get too serious,

00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:40.460
 don't join a church.

00:27:40.820 --> 00:27:41.160
 That's just,

00:27:41.560 --> 00:27:42.340
 that's what's out there

00:27:42.340 --> 00:27:43.080
 in the world.

00:27:43.079 --> 00:27:44.639
 That's kind of

00:27:44.639 --> 00:27:46.099
 in the culture.

00:27:47.460 --> 00:27:49.000
 And so Paul is encouraging

00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:49.539
 the Thessalonians

00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:50.159
 because they're facing

00:27:50.159 --> 00:27:50.720
 things like that

00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:51.839
 that are even more severe

00:27:51.839 --> 00:27:53.279
 than what we face.

00:27:53.919 --> 00:27:55.099
 And he's encouraging them.

00:27:55.179 --> 00:27:56.179
 You guys are choosing

00:27:56.179 --> 00:27:56.939
 to follow Jesus

00:27:56.939 --> 00:27:59.039
 even amidst persecution.

00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:00.819
 And I just want to say

00:28:00.819 --> 00:28:03.679
 that for you guys

00:28:03.679 --> 00:28:05.159
 here at Trinity Cambridge Church,

00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:06.279
 you guys are choosing

00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:07.019
 to follow Jesus

00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:08.379
 even though it's not popular

00:28:08.379 --> 00:28:09.419
 in the culture.

00:28:09.420 --> 00:28:11.000
 and your presence here

00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:11.740
 is a statement

00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:13.240
 that you're interested

00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:14.160
 in following him

00:28:14.160 --> 00:28:15.960
 and you don't care

00:28:15.960 --> 00:28:17.860
 what it means

00:28:17.860 --> 00:28:18.440
 for the culture.

00:28:18.900 --> 00:28:19.720
 You're willing to deal

00:28:19.720 --> 00:28:20.779
 with the opposition

00:28:20.779 --> 00:28:21.360
 of the culture.

00:28:21.680 --> 00:28:22.940
 You're willing to follow him

00:28:22.940 --> 00:28:23.680
 and be serious

00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:24.360
 about believing

00:28:24.360 --> 00:28:25.360
 and obeying

00:28:25.360 --> 00:28:26.200
 and be serious

00:28:26.200 --> 00:28:26.759
 about the things

00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:27.680
 he calls you to

00:28:27.680 --> 00:28:29.000
 like being a church,

00:28:29.259 --> 00:28:29.920
 being together,

00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:31.039
 loving one another,

00:28:31.340 --> 00:28:32.240
 worshiping on Sundays,

00:28:32.440 --> 00:28:33.340
 meeting during the week,

00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:34.440
 praying for each other,

00:28:34.560 --> 00:28:35.420
 and being faithful

00:28:35.420 --> 00:28:36.920
 to represent Christ

00:28:36.920 --> 00:28:37.480
 to the world

00:28:37.480 --> 00:28:39.640
 not just by loving them

00:28:39.640 --> 00:28:40.440
 and being a good neighbor

00:28:40.440 --> 00:28:41.019
 and doing the things

00:28:41.019 --> 00:28:41.900
 that they might like,

00:28:42.779 --> 00:28:44.019
 but sharing and proclaiming

00:28:44.019 --> 00:28:44.779
 the good news

00:28:44.779 --> 00:28:46.880
 that he is God in the flesh.

00:28:47.380 --> 00:28:48.559
 He is the rightful king

00:28:48.559 --> 00:28:49.400
 of all.

00:28:50.500 --> 00:28:52.759
 And that's a wonderful thing.

00:28:52.819 --> 00:28:53.740
 It's a glorious thing

00:28:53.740 --> 00:28:54.360
 and I'm so glad

00:28:54.360 --> 00:28:55.599
 that you guys are doing that

00:28:55.599 --> 00:28:57.279
 here in East Cambridge.

00:28:58.059 --> 00:28:59.640
 And I would want you

00:28:59.640 --> 00:29:02.099
 to hear God's pleasure

00:29:02.099 --> 00:29:03.640
 in what you're doing.

00:29:03.640 --> 00:29:05.640
 and to see that

00:29:05.640 --> 00:29:06.480
 you're demonstrating

00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:07.780
 a high level

00:29:07.780 --> 00:29:08.560
 of Christian maturity

00:29:08.560 --> 00:29:09.220
 by even doing

00:29:09.220 --> 00:29:09.780
 what you're doing here

00:29:09.780 --> 00:29:10.660
 right now today,

00:29:10.940 --> 00:29:11.780
 coming together,

00:29:12.380 --> 00:29:13.680
 being together to worship,

00:29:13.840 --> 00:29:15.080
 being under his word together,

00:29:15.320 --> 00:29:15.800
 saying,

00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:16.880
 Jesus, you're Lord.

00:29:17.400 --> 00:29:18.200
 We believe you.

00:29:18.280 --> 00:29:19.440
 We want all of you.

00:29:20.120 --> 00:29:21.160
 And we want to make you known

00:29:21.160 --> 00:29:21.840
 in the world.

00:29:22.560 --> 00:29:24.400
 That's a wonderful thing

00:29:24.400 --> 00:29:25.460
 and it's an encouragement.

00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:26.759
 It's an encouragement

00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:28.020
 for your fellow believers

00:29:28.020 --> 00:29:29.060
 to see this.

00:29:29.259 --> 00:29:30.040
 Just yesterday,

00:29:30.160 --> 00:29:31.240
 I was up in Maine

00:29:31.240 --> 00:29:34.920
 with about 150 pastors

00:29:34.920 --> 00:29:35.720
 and church leaders

00:29:35.720 --> 00:29:36.960
 and they're throughout Maine

00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:37.680
 in rural areas

00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:38.180
 and they're doing

00:29:38.180 --> 00:29:38.859
 the same thing.

00:29:39.279 --> 00:29:40.559
 And I came away

00:29:40.559 --> 00:29:41.740
 with the number one thing

00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:42.680
 was it's just a privilege

00:29:42.680 --> 00:29:43.700
 to be with these guys

00:29:43.700 --> 00:29:44.920
 because they're doing

00:29:44.920 --> 00:29:45.680
 the same thing

00:29:45.680 --> 00:29:46.559
 all throughout Maine.

00:29:46.660 --> 00:29:47.640
 They're representing Christ

00:29:47.640 --> 00:29:48.460
 all throughout Maine,

00:29:48.779 --> 00:29:50.000
 being faithful in a culture

00:29:50.000 --> 00:29:51.420
 that doesn't want them

00:29:51.420 --> 00:29:51.980
 to be faithful.

00:29:52.839 --> 00:29:53.720
 So Paul encourages

00:29:53.720 --> 00:29:54.799
 the Thessalonians here

00:29:54.799 --> 00:29:56.799
 and we should also

00:29:56.799 --> 00:29:58.299
 remind each other

00:29:58.299 --> 00:29:59.019
 of this

00:29:59.019 --> 00:30:00.039
 and encourage each other

00:30:00.039 --> 00:30:00.759
 in this

00:30:00.759 --> 00:30:01.720
 to point out

00:30:01.720 --> 00:30:02.420
 these things

00:30:02.420 --> 00:30:03.759
 and say thank you.

00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:05.259
 Thank you for being

00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:07.039
 a regular part

00:30:07.039 --> 00:30:07.680
 of a small group.

00:30:07.859 --> 00:30:08.659
 Thank you for being

00:30:08.659 --> 00:30:10.039
 part of the church.

00:30:10.259 --> 00:30:11.039
 Thank you for your

00:30:11.039 --> 00:30:12.720
 faith and maturity

00:30:12.720 --> 00:30:14.680
 to make involvement

00:30:14.680 --> 00:30:15.619
 in the local church

00:30:15.619 --> 00:30:16.420
 and following Christ

00:30:16.420 --> 00:30:17.440
 a priority.

00:30:18.420 --> 00:30:19.180
 So pointing out

00:30:19.180 --> 00:30:20.519
 that sort of godly character.

00:30:21.220 --> 00:30:21.859
 And then finally,

00:30:22.799 --> 00:30:23.639
 Paul points out

00:30:23.639 --> 00:30:24.859
 to the Thessalonians

00:30:24.859 --> 00:30:26.359
 their example,

00:30:26.500 --> 00:30:27.619
 their compelling lives.

00:30:27.619 --> 00:30:29.579
 So in verse 7

00:30:29.579 --> 00:30:30.139
 and following,

00:30:30.339 --> 00:30:31.079
 he says,

00:30:31.139 --> 00:30:31.799
 so that you became

00:30:31.799 --> 00:30:32.899
 an example to all

00:30:32.899 --> 00:30:33.319
 the believers

00:30:33.319 --> 00:30:34.699
 in Macedonia and Achaia.

00:30:35.059 --> 00:30:35.759
 For not only has

00:30:35.759 --> 00:30:36.299
 the word of the Lord

00:30:36.299 --> 00:30:37.339
 sounded forth from you

00:30:37.339 --> 00:30:38.599
 in Macedonia and Achaia,

00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:39.799
 but your faith in God

00:30:39.799 --> 00:30:41.099
 has gone forth everywhere

00:30:41.099 --> 00:30:43.000
 so that we need not

00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:43.819
 say anything

00:30:43.819 --> 00:30:44.899
 for they themselves

00:30:44.899 --> 00:30:46.299
 report concerning us

00:30:46.299 --> 00:30:47.259
 the kind of reception

00:30:47.259 --> 00:30:48.299
 we had among you

00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:49.279
 and how you turned to God

00:30:49.279 --> 00:30:50.000
 from idols

00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:50.839
 to serve the living

00:30:50.839 --> 00:30:51.539
 and true God

00:30:51.539 --> 00:30:52.939
 and to wait for his son

00:30:52.939 --> 00:30:53.419
 from heaven

00:30:53.419 --> 00:30:54.199
 whom he raised

00:30:54.199 --> 00:30:54.639
 from the dead,

00:30:54.759 --> 00:30:55.000
 Jesus,

00:30:55.159 --> 00:30:55.859
 who delivers us

00:30:55.859 --> 00:30:56.740
 from the wrath to come.

00:30:57.779 --> 00:30:58.879
 So Paul is pointing out

00:30:58.879 --> 00:31:00.039
 to the Thessalonians

00:31:00.039 --> 00:31:00.559
 this church

00:31:00.559 --> 00:31:01.219
 that you guys

00:31:01.219 --> 00:31:03.059
 are your conversion

00:31:03.059 --> 00:31:04.779
 and your devotion

00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:05.459
 to the Lord

00:31:05.459 --> 00:31:06.859
 has been made known

00:31:06.859 --> 00:31:08.419
 throughout Macedonia.

00:31:08.579 --> 00:31:09.639
 So they're in the area

00:31:09.639 --> 00:31:10.179
 of Macedonia.

00:31:10.279 --> 00:31:11.619
 That's where Thessalonica is.

00:31:11.819 --> 00:31:12.679
 But also Achaia,

00:31:12.759 --> 00:31:13.819
 so that's further south

00:31:13.819 --> 00:31:15.000
 down near Corinth.

00:31:15.559 --> 00:31:16.699
 And not only that,

00:31:16.779 --> 00:31:17.679
 but it's gone beyond

00:31:17.679 --> 00:31:19.479
 and other people

00:31:19.479 --> 00:31:20.199
 are telling us

00:31:20.199 --> 00:31:21.419
 basically about you guys.

00:31:22.459 --> 00:31:23.579
 Your life,

00:31:23.579 --> 00:31:26.079
 your faith,

00:31:26.439 --> 00:31:27.679
 your desire

00:31:27.679 --> 00:31:28.639
 to follow the Lord,

00:31:28.740 --> 00:31:29.199
 your desire

00:31:29.199 --> 00:31:30.159
 to love your neighbors

00:31:30.159 --> 00:31:30.879
 and share Christ

00:31:30.879 --> 00:31:31.740
 with your neighbors

00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:32.699
 even though they

00:31:32.699 --> 00:31:34.019
 may persecute you

00:31:34.019 --> 00:31:35.659
 is being made known

00:31:35.659 --> 00:31:36.559
 throughout the region.

00:31:37.079 --> 00:31:37.899
 Your conversion,

00:31:38.059 --> 00:31:38.579
 your change

00:31:38.579 --> 00:31:39.799
 from following idols

00:31:39.799 --> 00:31:40.980
 to following Jesus,

00:31:41.939 --> 00:31:42.879
 that story

00:31:42.879 --> 00:31:44.099
 has been spread abroad.

00:31:44.419 --> 00:31:45.579
 That's what Paul's saying

00:31:45.579 --> 00:31:46.980
 about the Thessalonians.

00:31:47.159 --> 00:31:47.699
 And again,

00:31:47.779 --> 00:31:48.980
 why is he saying this?

00:31:50.259 --> 00:31:50.980
 He's wanting

00:31:50.980 --> 00:31:52.099
 to encourage them.

00:31:52.099 --> 00:31:53.779
 He's wanting to point out

00:31:53.779 --> 00:31:55.299
 evidences of God's grace

00:31:55.299 --> 00:31:56.079
 in their lives.

00:31:56.159 --> 00:31:56.959
 He wants them

00:31:56.959 --> 00:31:57.819
 to be aware

00:31:57.819 --> 00:31:59.099
 of the miracle

00:31:59.099 --> 00:32:00.079
 of God's activity

00:32:00.079 --> 00:32:00.980
 in their midst

00:32:00.980 --> 00:32:02.579
 so they'd be strengthened

00:32:02.579 --> 00:32:03.359
 and encouraged

00:32:03.359 --> 00:32:04.419
 because life is hard

00:32:04.419 --> 00:32:05.480
 for the Thessalonians.

00:32:05.879 --> 00:32:06.399
 They're dealing

00:32:06.399 --> 00:32:07.099
 with persecution.

00:32:07.519 --> 00:32:07.939
 They're dealing

00:32:07.939 --> 00:32:09.219
 with challenges.

00:32:09.559 --> 00:32:10.519
 The normal challenges

00:32:10.519 --> 00:32:11.119
 we may face

00:32:11.119 --> 00:32:12.240
 and even more

00:32:12.240 --> 00:32:12.819
 added to that,

00:32:12.899 --> 00:32:13.399
 the opposition

00:32:13.399 --> 00:32:14.139
 of their culture.

00:32:14.819 --> 00:32:15.439
 And so he wants

00:32:15.439 --> 00:32:16.439
 to point out to them

00:32:16.439 --> 00:32:17.879
 that God is at work

00:32:17.879 --> 00:32:19.799
 and people are seeing that.

00:32:19.799 --> 00:32:22.000
 they're seeing God

00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:22.680
 at work.

00:32:23.319 --> 00:32:24.119
 And it's wonderful

00:32:24.119 --> 00:32:26.240
 to hear stories

00:32:26.240 --> 00:32:27.099
 of God's activity.

00:32:27.720 --> 00:32:28.379
 It's an encouragement

00:32:28.379 --> 00:32:28.940
 to others

00:32:28.940 --> 00:32:29.940
 to watch God

00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:30.839
 at work.

00:32:32.019 --> 00:32:34.019
 And I was recently

00:32:34.019 --> 00:32:35.519
 reading the biography

00:32:35.519 --> 00:32:36.500
 of John Patton.

00:32:36.960 --> 00:32:38.039
 John Patton was a missionary

00:32:38.039 --> 00:32:39.159
 to the New Hebrides

00:32:39.159 --> 00:32:40.720
 in the South Pacific

00:32:40.720 --> 00:32:41.720
 near Fiji

00:32:41.720 --> 00:32:43.579
 back in like 1860.

00:32:44.180 --> 00:32:44.940
 And back then,

00:32:45.099 --> 00:32:46.039
 those islands

00:32:46.039 --> 00:32:46.919
 were full of people

00:32:46.919 --> 00:32:48.039
 that were cannibals.

00:32:48.039 --> 00:32:50.379
 And they were not only cannibals

00:32:50.379 --> 00:32:51.200
 but they were brutal.

00:32:51.500 --> 00:32:52.119
 Like their culture

00:32:52.119 --> 00:32:52.599
 was brutal.

00:32:52.879 --> 00:32:54.139
 It was a warfare culture.

00:32:54.619 --> 00:32:55.240
 They were constantly

00:32:55.240 --> 00:32:56.099
 fighting each other.

00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:57.279
 They would lie

00:32:57.279 --> 00:32:57.839
 and deceive.

00:32:58.579 --> 00:33:00.259
 Like someone might tell,

00:33:00.379 --> 00:33:01.019
 well John Patton,

00:33:01.059 --> 00:33:01.680
 they would tell him,

00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:02.420
 oh brother,

00:33:02.659 --> 00:33:03.920
 we're glad you're here

00:33:03.920 --> 00:33:05.259
 and they use polite language.

00:33:05.659 --> 00:33:07.019
 We want missionaries here

00:33:07.019 --> 00:33:08.039
 because they bring good things.

00:33:08.339 --> 00:33:09.420
 And then like the next day

00:33:09.420 --> 00:33:10.220
 they would try to kill him.

00:33:10.420 --> 00:33:11.019
 The same guy

00:33:11.019 --> 00:33:11.619
 who said that

00:33:11.619 --> 00:33:12.259
 would try to kill him.

00:33:12.579 --> 00:33:13.819
 And so it was a culture

00:33:13.819 --> 00:33:15.119
 that was just brutal

00:33:15.119 --> 00:33:15.720
 and dark.

00:33:16.180 --> 00:33:17.359
 And John Patton went there

00:33:17.359 --> 00:33:18.299
 and he was faithful,

00:33:18.859 --> 00:33:19.979
 went through all sorts

00:33:19.979 --> 00:33:20.719
 of persecution.

00:33:21.899 --> 00:33:23.519
 His wife died,

00:33:23.619 --> 00:33:24.579
 his friends were murdered,

00:33:24.839 --> 00:33:25.539
 he was driven off

00:33:25.539 --> 00:33:26.000
 of one island

00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:26.799
 but he went back

00:33:26.799 --> 00:33:28.039
 and he kept on loving them

00:33:28.039 --> 00:33:29.159
 and then God broke through.

00:33:30.119 --> 00:33:31.619
 And basically on the island

00:33:31.619 --> 00:33:32.119
 he was,

00:33:32.519 --> 00:33:33.219
 where he was,

00:33:33.979 --> 00:33:35.339
 they all came to faith.

00:33:35.879 --> 00:33:37.019
 And it was after some years.

00:33:37.399 --> 00:33:38.019
 And just the,

00:33:38.399 --> 00:33:40.299
 it was an amazing story

00:33:40.299 --> 00:33:42.479
 of conversion

00:33:42.479 --> 00:33:43.319
 and new life

00:33:43.319 --> 00:33:43.979
 on that island

00:33:43.979 --> 00:33:44.859
 and then started to spread

00:33:44.859 --> 00:33:45.859
 to all the other islands.

00:33:45.859 --> 00:33:47.159
 And then John Patton

00:33:47.159 --> 00:33:48.339
 actually took that story

00:33:48.339 --> 00:33:49.279
 and went around the world

00:33:49.279 --> 00:33:50.759
 and really inspired

00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:51.639
 the missions movement

00:33:51.639 --> 00:33:52.839
 of the late 1800s

00:33:52.839 --> 00:33:54.219
 by telling the story

00:33:54.219 --> 00:33:55.279
 of conversion

00:33:55.279 --> 00:33:55.879
 and fruit

00:33:55.879 --> 00:33:56.619
 on those islands.

00:33:57.899 --> 00:33:59.139
 And so there's an impact

00:33:59.139 --> 00:33:59.919
 when we hear about

00:33:59.919 --> 00:34:00.659
 God's activity.

00:34:01.579 --> 00:34:01.899
 When we,

00:34:01.979 --> 00:34:02.819
 when we hear about

00:34:02.819 --> 00:34:03.959
 how he's at work,

00:34:04.000 --> 00:34:04.759
 it encourages us.

00:34:05.019 --> 00:34:06.000
 And so Paul is

00:34:06.000 --> 00:34:07.339
 pointing out to the Thessalonians

00:34:07.339 --> 00:34:07.899
 that, you know what,

00:34:07.919 --> 00:34:09.199
 you guys may not know this

00:34:09.199 --> 00:34:10.380
 but your story

00:34:10.380 --> 00:34:11.599
 is being told all around.

00:34:11.960 --> 00:34:13.279
 And it is having

00:34:13.280 --> 00:34:14.740
 an impact on others.

00:34:15.240 --> 00:34:16.040
 And he's seeking

00:34:16.040 --> 00:34:17.140
 to encourage them

00:34:17.140 --> 00:34:18.120
 through that.

00:34:21.200 --> 00:34:22.560
 Well, you may not know

00:34:22.560 --> 00:34:24.640
 this Trinity Cambridge

00:34:24.640 --> 00:34:26.120
 but your story

00:34:26.120 --> 00:34:28.040
 is having an impact.

00:34:28.760 --> 00:34:29.920
 And just to start

00:34:29.920 --> 00:34:30.860
 with my own life,

00:34:31.000 --> 00:34:31.780
 I was reflecting

00:34:31.780 --> 00:34:33.060
 with my wife.

00:34:33.160 --> 00:34:34.460
 We lived in the city

00:34:34.460 --> 00:34:35.720
 back in the 80s

00:34:35.720 --> 00:34:36.580
 and the early 90s.

00:34:36.660 --> 00:34:37.700
 We lived in Rosendale

00:34:37.700 --> 00:34:38.120
 and then we lived

00:34:38.120 --> 00:34:38.680
 on Mission Hill.

00:34:38.679 --> 00:34:40.079
 and I was an elder

00:34:40.079 --> 00:34:40.679
 in a church,

00:34:40.899 --> 00:34:42.419
 a River of Life church

00:34:42.419 --> 00:34:43.259
 in Jamaica Plain.

00:34:43.919 --> 00:34:45.599
 And we used to meet

00:34:45.599 --> 00:34:46.859
 with pastors in the city

00:34:46.859 --> 00:34:48.079
 and other churches

00:34:48.079 --> 00:34:49.019
 to pray for the city.

00:34:49.779 --> 00:34:50.759
 And at that time,

00:34:51.319 --> 00:34:52.779
 I was only aware

00:34:52.779 --> 00:34:54.940
 of one other church

00:34:54.940 --> 00:34:55.480
 in Cambridge,

00:34:55.719 --> 00:34:56.759
 one church in Cambridge

00:34:56.759 --> 00:34:57.799
 that loved the gospel

00:34:57.799 --> 00:34:58.879
 and was making,

00:34:59.099 --> 00:34:59.460
 was seeking

00:34:59.460 --> 00:35:00.219
 to proclaim the gospel.

00:35:00.519 --> 00:35:01.440
 Only one

00:35:01.440 --> 00:35:02.199
 in all of Cambridge

00:35:02.199 --> 00:35:02.699
 that I know of.

00:35:02.719 --> 00:35:03.359
 Now there may have been

00:35:03.359 --> 00:35:04.239
 another one

00:35:04.239 --> 00:35:04.960
 but,

00:35:05.139 --> 00:35:06.179
 so maybe two

00:35:06.179 --> 00:35:07.099
 but that was it.

00:35:07.099 --> 00:35:09.779
 And I would imagine

00:35:09.779 --> 00:35:10.480
 there was nothing

00:35:10.480 --> 00:35:11.339
 in East Cambridge

00:35:11.339 --> 00:35:11.880
 at all.

00:35:12.960 --> 00:35:14.139
 And during that time,

00:35:14.199 --> 00:35:14.519
 actually,

00:35:14.579 --> 00:35:15.039
 there were hardly

00:35:15.039 --> 00:35:15.960
 any churches

00:35:15.960 --> 00:35:16.679
 in the city

00:35:16.679 --> 00:35:18.460
 that loved the gospel

00:35:18.460 --> 00:35:19.059
 and were seeking

00:35:19.059 --> 00:35:20.500
 to have an impact

00:35:20.500 --> 00:35:21.119
 in their neighborhoods.

00:35:22.099 --> 00:35:22.360
 And yet,

00:35:22.440 --> 00:35:23.039
 God's been at work,

00:35:23.099 --> 00:35:23.480
 hasn't he?

00:35:24.099 --> 00:35:25.119
 And you guys are here

00:35:25.119 --> 00:35:26.639
 in 2018

00:35:26.639 --> 00:35:27.699
 in East Cambridge.

00:35:28.259 --> 00:35:29.239
 And there are other churches

00:35:29.239 --> 00:35:29.719
 in Cambridge

00:35:29.719 --> 00:35:30.679
 proclaiming the gospel

00:35:30.679 --> 00:35:31.719
 and seeking to love

00:35:31.719 --> 00:35:32.139
 their neighbors

00:35:32.139 --> 00:35:32.960
 and make Christ known.

00:35:33.400 --> 00:35:34.539
 And so just the,

00:35:34.539 --> 00:35:37.440
 it's just amazing

00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:38.880
 for me to step back

00:35:38.880 --> 00:35:40.619
 and think about

00:35:40.619 --> 00:35:41.320
 what God's doing

00:35:41.320 --> 00:35:41.900
 and that you guys

00:35:41.900 --> 00:35:42.679
 exist here

00:35:42.679 --> 00:35:43.800
 and that you're

00:35:43.800 --> 00:35:45.259
 imaging Christ

00:35:45.259 --> 00:35:46.039
 in East Cambridge.

00:35:46.719 --> 00:35:47.699
 That's a wonderful

00:35:47.699 --> 00:35:48.139
 encouragement

00:35:48.139 --> 00:35:48.940
 and it's to the glory

00:35:48.940 --> 00:35:49.300
 of God.

00:35:49.699 --> 00:35:50.880
 So you may not be aware

00:35:50.880 --> 00:35:52.099
 of all that God's

00:35:52.099 --> 00:35:52.420
 been doing

00:35:52.420 --> 00:35:53.519
 but he's been at work

00:35:53.519 --> 00:35:54.699
 and he's been answering

00:35:54.699 --> 00:35:55.079
 the prayers

00:35:55.079 --> 00:35:55.820
 of those pastors

00:35:55.820 --> 00:35:56.259
 and churches

00:35:56.259 --> 00:35:57.159
 back in the 80s

00:35:57.159 --> 00:35:58.300
 that asked the Lord

00:35:58.300 --> 00:36:00.139
 to come and impact

00:36:00.139 --> 00:36:01.460
 the Boston area

00:36:01.460 --> 00:36:02.840
 and you are an answer

00:36:02.840 --> 00:36:03.420
 to that prayer

00:36:03.420 --> 00:36:04.940
 in many ways.

00:36:05.579 --> 00:36:06.280
 And certainly I know

00:36:06.280 --> 00:36:07.659
 that among our family

00:36:07.659 --> 00:36:08.099
 of churches

00:36:08.099 --> 00:36:09.440
 and Sovereign Grace churches

00:36:09.440 --> 00:36:10.800
 and elsewhere

00:36:10.800 --> 00:36:11.920
 I would expect as well

00:36:11.920 --> 00:36:13.000
 they know about

00:36:13.000 --> 00:36:13.720
 what God's doing

00:36:13.720 --> 00:36:14.440
 in East Cambridge

00:36:14.440 --> 00:36:15.519
 that he's planted a church

00:36:15.519 --> 00:36:16.480
 and he's growing a church

00:36:16.480 --> 00:36:17.960
 in this part of the world

00:36:17.960 --> 00:36:19.480
 that maybe among Americans

00:36:19.480 --> 00:36:20.119
 at least would be

00:36:20.119 --> 00:36:20.960
 least likely

00:36:20.960 --> 00:36:22.360
 a place for a church

00:36:22.360 --> 00:36:22.960
 to thrive

00:36:22.960 --> 00:36:24.179
 and yet here you are

00:36:24.179 --> 00:36:25.260
 growing

00:36:25.260 --> 00:36:26.420
 and thriving

00:36:26.420 --> 00:36:28.019
 and God's at work.

00:36:28.699 --> 00:36:29.360
 And I hope that you're

00:36:29.360 --> 00:36:30.380
 encouraged by that

00:36:30.380 --> 00:36:31.780
 even as the Thessalonians

00:36:31.780 --> 00:36:32.980
 were encouraged.

00:36:34.160 --> 00:36:35.880
 So just as I close out

00:36:35.880 --> 00:36:36.960
 this message

00:36:36.960 --> 00:36:38.300
 I just want to

00:36:38.300 --> 00:36:39.880
 encourage you

00:36:39.880 --> 00:36:41.360
 to think of how

00:36:41.360 --> 00:36:42.740
 you can encourage others

00:36:42.740 --> 00:36:43.440
 as you learn

00:36:43.440 --> 00:36:44.440
 from 1 Thessalonians

00:36:44.440 --> 00:36:45.119
 chapter 1.

00:36:46.019 --> 00:36:46.420
 First,

00:36:46.680 --> 00:36:47.539
 to know that your

00:36:47.539 --> 00:36:48.160
 brothers and sisters

00:36:48.160 --> 00:36:49.440
 need your encouragements.

00:36:50.260 --> 00:36:51.780
 We are all

00:36:51.780 --> 00:36:53.660
 struggling in a world

00:36:53.660 --> 00:36:54.340
 that's opposed

00:36:54.340 --> 00:36:55.140
 to God

00:36:55.140 --> 00:36:56.260
 in our own

00:36:56.260 --> 00:36:57.559
 flesh

00:36:57.559 --> 00:36:59.280
 our fallen nature

00:36:59.280 --> 00:36:59.880
 is opposed

00:36:59.880 --> 00:37:00.619
 we struggle

00:37:00.619 --> 00:37:01.619
 the world

00:37:01.619 --> 00:37:02.460
 opposes us

00:37:02.460 --> 00:37:02.920
 the enemy

00:37:02.920 --> 00:37:03.740
 opposes us

00:37:03.740 --> 00:37:04.800
 and apart from

00:37:04.800 --> 00:37:05.320
 encouragement

00:37:05.320 --> 00:37:05.800
 the ministry

00:37:05.800 --> 00:37:06.360
 of encouragement

00:37:06.360 --> 00:37:07.240
 we would lose

00:37:07.240 --> 00:37:07.640
 strength

00:37:07.640 --> 00:37:08.119
 and we would

00:37:08.119 --> 00:37:08.680
 be weary.

00:37:10.200 --> 00:37:10.619
 And how does

00:37:10.619 --> 00:37:11.519
 God encourage us?

00:37:11.940 --> 00:37:12.640
 He uses our

00:37:12.640 --> 00:37:13.320
 brothers and sisters.

00:37:14.519 --> 00:37:15.260
 And so I would

00:37:15.260 --> 00:37:16.180
 encourage you first

00:37:16.180 --> 00:37:16.960
 just to think

00:37:16.960 --> 00:37:18.680
 about your call

00:37:18.680 --> 00:37:20.099
 to encourage others.

00:37:20.960 --> 00:37:22.019
 That the Lord

00:37:22.019 --> 00:37:23.039
 would want to use you

00:37:23.039 --> 00:37:23.920
 and call you

00:37:23.920 --> 00:37:25.000
 to encourage others.

00:37:25.059 --> 00:37:25.539
 And then the next

00:37:25.539 --> 00:37:25.980
 question is

00:37:25.980 --> 00:37:27.019
 well how do I do that?

00:37:27.660 --> 00:37:28.440
 1 Thessalonians

00:37:28.440 --> 00:37:29.039
 chapter 1.

00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:30.260
 This is how you do it.

00:37:30.440 --> 00:37:31.340
 Look how Paul did it.

00:37:31.860 --> 00:37:32.740
 He encouraged them

00:37:32.740 --> 00:37:34.260
 by reminding them

00:37:34.260 --> 00:37:36.420
 of these core virtues

00:37:36.420 --> 00:37:37.900
 faith, hope, and love.

00:37:38.539 --> 00:37:39.240
 He encouraged them

00:37:39.240 --> 00:37:40.059
 by reminding them

00:37:40.059 --> 00:37:41.300
 of evidence

00:37:41.300 --> 00:37:42.179
 that God loves

00:37:42.179 --> 00:37:43.900
 them and chose them.

00:37:44.119 --> 00:37:45.320
 So chosen of God.

00:37:45.519 --> 00:37:46.200
 He encouraged them

00:37:46.200 --> 00:37:46.900
 by reminding them

00:37:46.900 --> 00:37:47.800
 of evidence

00:37:47.800 --> 00:37:48.920
 of godly character.

00:37:49.820 --> 00:37:50.340
 And then finally

00:37:50.340 --> 00:37:50.960
 he reminded them

00:37:50.960 --> 00:37:51.579
 of the impact

00:37:51.579 --> 00:37:52.200
 of their lives

00:37:52.200 --> 00:37:52.539
 on others.

00:37:52.619 --> 00:37:53.619
 So four ways

00:37:53.619 --> 00:37:54.860
 we can encourage

00:37:54.860 --> 00:37:55.400
 each other.

00:37:55.400 --> 00:37:57.639
 So just as I close

00:37:57.639 --> 00:37:58.180
 I just want to

00:37:58.180 --> 00:37:58.559
 encourage you

00:37:58.559 --> 00:37:59.079
 to take a minute

00:37:59.079 --> 00:37:59.619
 right now

00:37:59.619 --> 00:38:01.059
 and think about

00:38:01.059 --> 00:38:02.740
 what God would

00:38:02.740 --> 00:38:03.380
 call you to do

00:38:03.380 --> 00:38:04.320
 in terms of encouragement.

00:38:05.099 --> 00:38:05.900
 Is there maybe

00:38:05.900 --> 00:38:07.360
 somebody

00:38:07.360 --> 00:38:08.720
 that you can

00:38:08.720 --> 00:38:09.960
 encourage today

00:38:09.960 --> 00:38:11.220
 or this next week?

00:38:11.340 --> 00:38:12.039
 Maybe there's some

00:38:12.039 --> 00:38:13.619
 just even like

00:38:13.619 --> 00:38:14.340
 Lord I want to be

00:38:14.340 --> 00:38:15.280
 somebody that encourages

00:38:15.280 --> 00:38:15.920
 others.

00:38:16.059 --> 00:38:16.740
 I want to apply

00:38:16.740 --> 00:38:18.019
 this word this way.

00:38:18.099 --> 00:38:19.119
 So just take a minute

00:38:19.119 --> 00:38:19.840
 to reflect

00:38:19.840 --> 00:38:20.700
 and then the guys

00:38:20.700 --> 00:38:21.119
 will leave us

00:38:21.119 --> 00:38:22.280
 the rest of the time.

00:38:22.280 --> 00:38:52.260
 Thank you.