WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.480 Father, your word is life. 00:00:04.560 --> 00:00:07.060 As we're going to see this morning, your word is powerful. 00:00:07.280 --> 00:00:08.740 Your word accomplishes things. 00:00:09.359 --> 00:00:12.200 Your word is not just doctrine and theory. 00:00:12.200 --> 00:00:13.640 It is life itself. 00:00:13.780 --> 00:00:17.879 And so God, as we read your word and think about your word and ponder your word, 00:00:17.980 --> 00:00:21.120 I pray by the power of the Spirit, won't you speak to us? 00:00:21.199 --> 00:00:23.339 Won't you birth a life in our hearts? 00:00:23.420 --> 00:00:24.219 Give us faith. 00:00:25.000 --> 00:00:29.219 Help grow love and hope in us, we pray, by the power of your word. 00:00:29.219 --> 00:00:32.199 So Jesus, speak to us in your mighty name we pray. 00:00:32.659 --> 00:00:32.960 Amen. 00:00:34.640 --> 00:00:40.140 Today's scripture reading is taken from 1 Thessalonians 1, verses 1 to 10. 00:00:40.600 --> 00:00:42.340 Please follow along your Bible. 00:00:43.100 --> 00:00:46.739 If you don't have a Bible, please do still grab them from the front of the stage 00:00:46.739 --> 00:00:48.239 or at the back near the door. 00:00:48.980 --> 00:00:52.700 Our passage is on page 927 in the Church Bible. 00:00:52.700 --> 00:00:59.240 Hear, then, God's word to us today. 00:01:00.080 --> 00:01:06.540 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the Church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:01:07.320 --> 00:01:08.740 Grace to you and peace. 00:01:09.320 --> 00:01:16.159 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 00:01:16.159 --> 00:01:19.319 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith, 00:01:19.719 --> 00:01:23.579 and labor of love, and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:01:24.219 --> 00:01:27.819 For we know, brothers, loved by God, that he has chosen you, 00:01:28.039 --> 00:01:31.899 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power, 00:01:32.359 --> 00:01:34.739 and in the Holy Spirit, and with full conviction. 00:01:35.659 --> 00:01:38.920 You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 00:01:38.920 --> 00:01:42.420 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord. 00:01:42.939 --> 00:01:47.379 For you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 00:01:47.560 --> 00:01:52.480 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 00:01:53.280 --> 00:01:57.900 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, 00:01:58.140 --> 00:02:03.379 but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 00:02:04.040 --> 00:02:08.500 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, 00:02:08.500 --> 00:02:13.840 and how you turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God, 00:02:14.319 --> 00:02:18.419 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, 00:02:19.099 --> 00:02:21.819 Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come. 00:02:22.680 --> 00:02:26.099 Let us believe and respond to God's true and living word. 00:02:29.860 --> 00:02:30.920 Great. Thanks, Betty. 00:02:31.139 --> 00:02:32.460 Do keep your Bibles open. 00:02:32.580 --> 00:02:34.340 We're going to be looking at some of these verses, 00:02:34.659 --> 00:02:36.659 and also some verses in the next chapter, 00:02:36.659 --> 00:02:40.840 so it would be helpful to keep your Bible open as we look at this now. 00:02:41.840 --> 00:02:44.620 Friends, I wonder if you have ever bought anything, 00:02:45.079 --> 00:02:48.519 maybe at a really good price, a fantastic deal, 00:02:48.819 --> 00:02:53.419 only to wonder afterwards whether what you bought was genuine, 00:02:53.599 --> 00:02:54.659 or whether you were scammed. 00:02:55.340 --> 00:02:59.280 I was recently given a pair of shoes by a friend of mine in South Africa. 00:02:59.280 --> 00:03:06.580 I was visiting him, and he told me about this really fancy, expensive pair of Nike sneakers 00:03:06.580 --> 00:03:09.759 that are apparently very, very rare and very expensive, 00:03:09.759 --> 00:03:12.740 and he got them for a deal online somewhere, 00:03:12.939 --> 00:03:15.379 and when they arrived, they didn't fit him, 00:03:15.759 --> 00:03:17.259 and so he passed them on to me, 00:03:17.360 --> 00:03:18.719 and he said to me, 00:03:18.759 --> 00:03:20.240 I'll give them to you on one condition. 00:03:20.360 --> 00:03:22.060 You must promise to wear them. 00:03:22.420 --> 00:03:23.460 They're a little bit out there, 00:03:23.460 --> 00:03:24.980 but I accepted. 00:03:25.640 --> 00:03:27.420 I'm not wearing them today, in case you're looking. 00:03:29.219 --> 00:03:31.040 Anyway, so when I got home, 00:03:31.219 --> 00:03:34.719 I Googled these shoes to see what's so fancy about them. 00:03:34.800 --> 00:03:36.240 I mean, what's the big deal? 00:03:36.920 --> 00:03:40.100 And the first thing that came up was a YouTube video saying, 00:03:40.500 --> 00:03:43.040 how do you know whether your Nikes are genuine or not? 00:03:43.500 --> 00:03:46.120 And then a guy went through all the pros and cons, 00:03:46.200 --> 00:03:47.860 and look at the sign, and look at the stitching, 00:03:48.040 --> 00:03:48.840 and look at the coloring, 00:03:49.300 --> 00:03:50.960 and I must confess, by the end of that, 00:03:50.960 --> 00:03:53.260 I'm not so sure where my shoes lie. 00:03:53.740 --> 00:03:55.740 They may be genuine, they may not be, 00:03:55.840 --> 00:03:58.040 but they were a gift, and I don't particularly mind. 00:03:58.760 --> 00:04:01.640 But what happens if you genuinely did pay 00:04:01.640 --> 00:04:03.260 an exorbitant price for something? 00:04:03.860 --> 00:04:05.900 What happens if you paid a very high price 00:04:05.900 --> 00:04:08.600 and invested in something only afterwards 00:04:08.600 --> 00:04:10.819 to find out that you were conned, 00:04:11.319 --> 00:04:12.219 that it was a scam? 00:04:12.860 --> 00:04:13.760 It wasn't genuine. 00:04:14.680 --> 00:04:17.379 Maybe you bought a very expensive piece of artwork, 00:04:17.960 --> 00:04:19.900 and you know exactly where it's going to go in your house, 00:04:19.899 --> 00:04:22.899 and a few years later, you find out it's not genuine at all. 00:04:23.479 --> 00:04:25.259 Well, think of the story of the Netflix show, 00:04:25.399 --> 00:04:26.179 Sour Grapes. 00:04:26.239 --> 00:04:27.419 I'm not sure if any of you saw that. 00:04:27.859 --> 00:04:30.459 A charismatic young wine connoisseur 00:04:30.459 --> 00:04:35.599 conned wealthy top auction houses and other connoisseurs 00:04:35.599 --> 00:04:37.159 out of millions of dollars 00:04:37.159 --> 00:04:39.819 by mixing cheap commercial wine 00:04:39.819 --> 00:04:41.560 and then relabeling it, 00:04:41.679 --> 00:04:43.019 putting in old corks, 00:04:43.359 --> 00:04:46.939 making it look like vintage Bordeaux blends from France, 00:04:46.939 --> 00:04:49.379 and selling it at exorbitant prices. 00:04:50.339 --> 00:04:51.839 Well, I don't know how many of you 00:04:51.839 --> 00:04:54.019 are buying Pablo Picasso artworks 00:04:54.019 --> 00:04:56.540 or 1970s Bordeaux blends wine, 00:04:57.219 --> 00:05:00.060 but I'm sure we all know that sinking feeling we have 00:05:00.060 --> 00:05:02.220 when we've invested something, 00:05:02.300 --> 00:05:05.019 maybe our heart or maybe financially or emotionally, 00:05:05.240 --> 00:05:07.259 we've given ourselves to something, 00:05:07.819 --> 00:05:09.720 and then afterwards you start to wonder, 00:05:10.439 --> 00:05:11.300 was I conned? 00:05:11.800 --> 00:05:12.680 Was that a scam? 00:05:12.680 --> 00:05:15.199 I don't know if you've had that sinking feeling 00:05:15.199 --> 00:05:16.540 where maybe you've invested money, 00:05:16.639 --> 00:05:17.560 you've sent money, 00:05:18.040 --> 00:05:19.800 you know, done a wire transfer somewhere, 00:05:19.939 --> 00:05:21.019 and after you've thought, 00:05:21.519 --> 00:05:23.060 gosh, I hope that is real. 00:05:23.400 --> 00:05:24.680 I hope I haven't just sent that money 00:05:24.680 --> 00:05:26.280 to some internet scammer. 00:05:27.519 --> 00:05:29.420 But what about faith in Jesus? 00:05:30.420 --> 00:05:31.980 What about our Christian walk? 00:05:32.259 --> 00:05:33.420 What about the gospel? 00:05:34.139 --> 00:05:36.460 If you're someone who considers yourself a Christian, 00:05:37.040 --> 00:05:40.100 have you ever questioned the authenticity of your faith? 00:05:40.100 --> 00:05:43.140 Maybe you've been disappointed by Christians 00:05:43.140 --> 00:05:44.040 from time to time. 00:05:44.600 --> 00:05:46.060 Maybe you've been hurt by the church. 00:05:46.720 --> 00:05:49.240 Maybe you've read up about the sex abuse scandals 00:05:49.240 --> 00:05:49.780 in the church, 00:05:49.900 --> 00:05:51.620 and particularly in the Catholic church previously, 00:05:51.860 --> 00:05:54.260 but even more recently in the Protestant church as well. 00:05:54.939 --> 00:05:56.700 Maybe you've been let down or betrayed 00:05:56.700 --> 00:05:58.540 by church leaders, church members, 00:05:58.620 --> 00:06:00.200 and it's caused you to question 00:06:00.200 --> 00:06:02.320 whether what you've been taught 00:06:02.320 --> 00:06:04.960 and what you believe is genuinely true. 00:06:05.680 --> 00:06:08.020 Whether this whole Christianity thing is real. 00:06:08.760 --> 00:06:09.800 Maybe it's just a con. 00:06:10.580 --> 00:06:12.400 Maybe it's all one big scan. 00:06:13.260 --> 00:06:14.640 And if you've ever had those thoughts, 00:06:14.760 --> 00:06:15.760 how would you know? 00:06:16.400 --> 00:06:17.500 How would you test it? 00:06:17.560 --> 00:06:20.000 How would you test the veracity or authenticity 00:06:20.000 --> 00:06:21.600 of the Christian faith? 00:06:21.700 --> 00:06:22.720 How would you know whether 00:06:22.720 --> 00:06:24.700 what you've always thought is true 00:06:24.700 --> 00:06:25.820 really is true? 00:06:26.700 --> 00:06:29.480 Well, those questions kind of lead us 00:06:29.480 --> 00:06:31.700 into the passage that we're going to be looking at today. 00:06:31.879 --> 00:06:34.400 And today we are starting the book of 1 Thessalonians. 00:06:34.400 --> 00:06:35.960 For the next couple of weeks, 00:06:36.040 --> 00:06:37.080 we're going to be going through it. 00:06:37.079 --> 00:06:38.599 And the book of Thessalonians 00:06:38.599 --> 00:06:40.939 is a wonderful, wonderful book of the Bible. 00:06:41.060 --> 00:06:42.139 It's very encouraging. 00:06:42.939 --> 00:06:44.500 And the way it comes about is 00:06:44.500 --> 00:06:46.819 it's a letter that the Apostle Paul wrote 00:06:46.819 --> 00:06:50.300 to this young church in the city of Thessalonica. 00:06:50.419 --> 00:06:52.819 And we find the background in Acts chapter 17. 00:06:53.639 --> 00:06:54.639 And the story is this. 00:06:55.139 --> 00:06:57.099 The Apostle Paul, along with two other guys, 00:06:57.259 --> 00:06:58.479 Silas and Timothy, 00:06:59.180 --> 00:07:02.360 traveling through the province of Macedonia, 00:07:02.360 --> 00:07:05.300 they come to the city of Thessalonica or Thessaloniki. 00:07:05.900 --> 00:07:08.819 It was the main city in the province of Macedonia, 00:07:08.939 --> 00:07:09.860 this Roman province. 00:07:10.000 --> 00:07:12.280 It still exists today, the city of Thessalonica. 00:07:12.379 --> 00:07:13.720 You can go and visit there in Greece. 00:07:14.360 --> 00:07:16.660 And having arrived, they go to a Jewish synagogue 00:07:16.660 --> 00:07:19.160 and they start to reason and discuss 00:07:19.160 --> 00:07:20.439 with the people of their day. 00:07:20.560 --> 00:07:22.340 And they look at the Old Testament scriptures 00:07:22.340 --> 00:07:24.759 and they show to them how Jesus, 00:07:25.080 --> 00:07:26.660 the one who died and rose again, 00:07:26.740 --> 00:07:29.319 is the Messiah, the Christ that they've been waiting for. 00:07:29.319 --> 00:07:33.339 And many people, both Jews and non-Jews, Gentiles, 00:07:33.459 --> 00:07:35.939 believe and they follow Jesus. 00:07:36.159 --> 00:07:37.399 And there are little church forms 00:07:37.399 --> 00:07:38.639 in the city of Thessalonica. 00:07:39.759 --> 00:07:42.579 And so this church is brand new with new Christians. 00:07:43.139 --> 00:07:45.659 But many people in the city don't like 00:07:45.659 --> 00:07:47.379 what Paul is doing and what he's saying. 00:07:47.819 --> 00:07:49.719 And so they get a mob together 00:07:49.719 --> 00:07:51.819 and they go and they attack some of the Christians. 00:07:52.100 --> 00:07:53.899 They drag them out of their houses. 00:07:54.079 --> 00:07:55.480 They bring them before the authorities 00:07:55.480 --> 00:07:58.480 and they accuse them of having started 00:07:58.480 --> 00:08:00.080 a kind of public nuisance, 00:08:00.340 --> 00:08:01.540 a political insurrection. 00:08:02.480 --> 00:08:05.360 And so he has this church that's brand new, 00:08:05.439 --> 00:08:07.160 just three weeks old, 00:08:07.540 --> 00:08:09.040 and already they're under attack, 00:08:09.160 --> 00:08:10.379 already they're under persecution. 00:08:11.020 --> 00:08:12.660 And the people of that city, 00:08:12.920 --> 00:08:14.980 the new Christians, say to Paul and Timothy, 00:08:15.200 --> 00:08:16.800 we know what these guys are like. 00:08:16.879 --> 00:08:17.540 They are dangerous. 00:08:17.640 --> 00:08:18.620 You better get out of here. 00:08:19.140 --> 00:08:20.819 And so Paul and Timothy and Silas 00:08:20.819 --> 00:08:22.860 flee the city of Thessalonica 00:08:22.860 --> 00:08:24.020 in the middle of the night. 00:08:24.139 --> 00:08:25.819 They go to a nearby town called Berea 00:08:25.819 --> 00:08:27.699 and then down to the city of Athens 00:08:27.699 --> 00:08:30.280 and they escape. 00:08:30.920 --> 00:08:33.419 But Paul is really worried about this church. 00:08:33.980 --> 00:08:35.419 He'd only been there three weeks. 00:08:35.680 --> 00:08:36.480 How's it gonna do? 00:08:36.560 --> 00:08:37.360 Is it gonna stand? 00:08:37.440 --> 00:08:38.279 Is it gonna be strong? 00:08:38.360 --> 00:08:39.419 Is it gonna fall apart? 00:08:39.740 --> 00:08:41.279 Is the suffering and the opposition 00:08:41.279 --> 00:08:43.519 gonna disrail this church? 00:08:44.320 --> 00:08:45.500 How are they gonna do? 00:08:45.680 --> 00:08:48.480 And so Paul sends Timothy, his sidekick, 00:08:48.600 --> 00:08:49.860 to go back to Thessalonica 00:08:50.440 --> 00:08:51.940 and find out how they're doing. 00:08:52.720 --> 00:08:53.580 And so Timothy goes 00:08:53.580 --> 00:08:54.780 and he stays there a couple of weeks 00:08:54.780 --> 00:08:56.380 and then he comes back to Paul 00:08:56.380 --> 00:08:57.900 and he brings a report. 00:08:58.000 --> 00:08:58.940 And this is what he says. 00:08:59.700 --> 00:09:01.560 The Thessalonians are doing well. 00:09:02.020 --> 00:09:03.160 They're standing strong. 00:09:04.360 --> 00:09:05.180 It's hard. 00:09:05.440 --> 00:09:06.380 There's lots of opposition. 00:09:06.800 --> 00:09:07.920 There's lots of persecution. 00:09:08.420 --> 00:09:09.340 Lots of suffering. 00:09:09.560 --> 00:09:10.560 But they're doing well. 00:09:10.620 --> 00:09:11.860 They're holding on to Jesus. 00:09:12.740 --> 00:09:14.940 But they are a little bit discouraged. 00:09:15.840 --> 00:09:17.300 They need some encouragement. 00:09:17.680 --> 00:09:19.460 And so Paul, rather than saying, 00:09:19.600 --> 00:09:20.440 whew, that's good news. 00:09:20.500 --> 00:09:21.300 Let's move on. 00:09:21.299 --> 00:09:23.039 Paul writes this letter 00:09:23.039 --> 00:09:24.919 to the Christians in Thessalonica, 00:09:25.159 --> 00:09:26.740 encouraging their faith 00:09:26.740 --> 00:09:28.259 and strengthening them. 00:09:28.639 --> 00:09:30.259 And his message in this book is this. 00:09:30.919 --> 00:09:32.959 Despite the real difficulties you face 00:09:32.959 --> 00:09:34.939 and despite the sudden departure 00:09:34.939 --> 00:09:35.899 of your leaders, 00:09:36.659 --> 00:09:38.539 Paul wants them not to be discouraged, 00:09:38.899 --> 00:09:40.620 not to give up on faith in Jesus, 00:09:41.359 --> 00:09:43.579 but to see that the Lord has been 00:09:43.579 --> 00:09:45.319 and still is at work in them. 00:09:45.599 --> 00:09:46.679 Even though Paul's not there, 00:09:46.679 --> 00:09:48.079 that Jesus is at work in them 00:09:48.079 --> 00:09:50.019 and he will continue to be so 00:09:50.019 --> 00:09:51.899 as they continue to hold on to him. 00:09:52.599 --> 00:09:54.519 And friends, that's true for us as well today. 00:09:55.099 --> 00:09:57.599 That the Christian faith sometimes is hard, 00:09:58.019 --> 00:09:59.079 sometimes disappointing, 00:09:59.379 --> 00:10:00.379 sometimes discouraging, 00:10:00.539 --> 00:10:01.939 sometimes leaders let us down 00:10:01.939 --> 00:10:03.419 or the church disappoints us. 00:10:03.419 --> 00:10:06.719 But if we will hold on to Jesus 00:10:06.719 --> 00:10:07.919 and hold on to the gospel, 00:10:08.240 --> 00:10:10.719 God himself will be at work in us 00:10:10.719 --> 00:10:13.219 and through us as we continue to hold on to him. 00:10:13.599 --> 00:10:15.240 And so that's what the book of Thessalonians 00:10:15.240 --> 00:10:17.219 is about and our passage today. 00:10:17.339 --> 00:10:18.319 And so let's dive in 00:10:18.319 --> 00:10:20.539 and look at a couple of things in this passage. 00:10:20.639 --> 00:10:21.959 I hope you've got it open with you 00:10:21.959 --> 00:10:23.199 and let's see. 00:10:23.259 --> 00:10:24.000 And so first thing, 00:10:24.339 --> 00:10:25.459 Paul wants them to know is this. 00:10:26.159 --> 00:10:29.099 Remember how the gospel came to you. 00:10:29.159 --> 00:10:31.000 Remember how the gospel came to you. 00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:33.379 Before we look at this passage, 00:10:33.440 --> 00:10:35.519 I want to just read to you from Acts chapter 17, 00:10:35.899 --> 00:10:37.440 which I referenced a few minutes ago. 00:10:38.039 --> 00:10:40.720 So in Acts, Luke, who wrote Acts, 00:10:40.860 --> 00:10:42.799 wants to tell us how this church was born. 00:10:42.879 --> 00:10:43.720 And look what he says here. 00:10:44.100 --> 00:10:44.559 He says, 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:47.259 For three Sabbath days, 00:10:47.740 --> 00:10:48.580 he, that's Paul, 00:10:48.720 --> 00:10:49.519 went to the synagogue, 00:10:50.019 --> 00:10:51.799 reasoned with them from the scriptures, 00:10:52.480 --> 00:10:53.860 explaining and proving 00:10:53.860 --> 00:10:55.940 that it was necessary for the Christ 00:10:55.940 --> 00:10:57.960 to suffer and rise from the dead, 00:10:58.080 --> 00:10:58.379 saying, 00:10:58.879 --> 00:11:00.899 This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, 00:11:01.000 --> 00:11:01.960 is the Christ. 00:11:02.500 --> 00:11:04.519 And a great many of them were persuaded 00:11:04.519 --> 00:11:07.200 and joined Paul and Silas. 00:11:07.899 --> 00:11:09.399 Now, when you read that, 00:11:09.779 --> 00:11:11.279 it can give the impression that 00:11:11.279 --> 00:11:13.220 these guys became Christians 00:11:13.220 --> 00:11:15.820 simply because they were well-reasoned 00:11:15.820 --> 00:11:16.659 or well-argued. 00:11:16.740 --> 00:11:19.419 Maybe Paul was a very persuasive debater, 00:11:19.840 --> 00:11:21.200 a very persuasive orator. 00:11:21.580 --> 00:11:23.019 And he spoke very eloquently 00:11:23.019 --> 00:11:23.639 and they thought, 00:11:24.000 --> 00:11:24.879 Yeah, that sounds true. 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:25.519 Sign me up. 00:11:25.559 --> 00:11:26.360 I'll become a Christian. 00:11:27.139 --> 00:11:27.519 But actually, 00:11:27.600 --> 00:11:29.240 look at our passage in 1 Thessalonians. 00:11:29.279 --> 00:11:31.320 Look at verse 4 and 5, 00:11:31.680 --> 00:11:32.360 what Paul writes. 00:11:32.419 --> 00:11:33.519 He's now reminding them 00:11:33.519 --> 00:11:35.000 how the gospel came to them. 00:11:35.019 --> 00:11:35.560 And he says, 00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:37.800 For we know, brothers and sisters, 00:11:37.879 --> 00:11:38.700 loved by God, 00:11:38.879 --> 00:11:40.060 that he has chosen you, 00:11:40.480 --> 00:11:42.060 because our gospel came to you 00:11:42.060 --> 00:11:43.600 not only in word, 00:11:44.159 --> 00:11:45.460 but also in power, 00:11:45.899 --> 00:11:46.960 in the Holy Spirit, 00:11:47.419 --> 00:11:48.820 and with full conviction. 00:11:49.820 --> 00:11:50.860 Paul's reminding them here, 00:11:50.860 --> 00:11:53.539 what is the basis of their faith? 00:11:54.080 --> 00:11:55.740 What is their faith built upon? 00:11:56.519 --> 00:11:58.639 And the gospel himself 00:11:58.639 --> 00:12:00.800 is the reason why they became Christians, 00:12:00.899 --> 00:12:02.879 because God came to them 00:12:02.879 --> 00:12:04.259 and revealed himself to them 00:12:04.259 --> 00:12:05.300 and saved them. 00:12:05.860 --> 00:12:07.680 The scripture that Benson read to us earlier, 00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:08.879 Benson's with the youth now, 00:12:09.180 --> 00:12:10.320 Ephesians 1, 00:12:10.700 --> 00:12:12.620 God opened the eyes of their hearts 00:12:12.620 --> 00:12:13.820 that they saw God 00:12:13.820 --> 00:12:15.200 and encountered him in the gospel, 00:12:15.740 --> 00:12:17.039 and God changed them 00:12:17.039 --> 00:12:18.940 by the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:12:18.940 --> 00:12:20.540 But, you know, 00:12:20.620 --> 00:12:23.100 we humans are forgetful people. 00:12:23.560 --> 00:12:24.420 We often forget 00:12:24.420 --> 00:12:26.360 just what has happened recently. 00:12:26.440 --> 00:12:27.620 I don't know if you've ever experienced this 00:12:27.620 --> 00:12:28.100 in the office. 00:12:28.640 --> 00:12:29.600 Maybe you have somebody 00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:31.060 and you give them lots of chances 00:12:31.060 --> 00:12:32.580 and you give them lots of opportunities 00:12:32.580 --> 00:12:33.920 and you really help them along 00:12:33.920 --> 00:12:34.480 in their career. 00:12:35.160 --> 00:12:36.560 And then just a month later, 00:12:36.660 --> 00:12:37.360 they're complaining, 00:12:37.540 --> 00:12:38.520 life is so unfair. 00:12:39.040 --> 00:12:40.040 Nobody helps me. 00:12:40.560 --> 00:12:41.040 Everything's good. 00:12:41.220 --> 00:12:42.680 Everyone else gets a chance. 00:12:42.780 --> 00:12:43.740 No one gives me a chance. 00:12:44.520 --> 00:12:45.460 Has that ever happened to you? 00:12:45.820 --> 00:12:46.700 Okay, not to you. 00:12:46.700 --> 00:12:49.879 If you think earlier in this year, 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:51.540 we went through the book of Numbers, 00:12:51.600 --> 00:12:52.520 right, as a church, 00:12:52.600 --> 00:12:53.620 and there we saw it again. 00:12:54.280 --> 00:12:56.600 God rescues his people out of Egypt. 00:12:56.780 --> 00:12:57.740 He saves them 00:12:57.740 --> 00:12:59.200 by the blood of the Lamb, 00:12:59.300 --> 00:13:00.940 brings them out of the hellhole of Egypt 00:13:00.940 --> 00:13:02.580 on the way to the promised land, 00:13:02.640 --> 00:13:03.860 and just a few weeks in, 00:13:03.920 --> 00:13:04.580 what are they saying? 00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:06.300 Oh, it was so much better there. 00:13:06.759 --> 00:13:07.660 God is so unfair. 00:13:08.220 --> 00:13:09.660 God is so unkind to us. 00:13:10.320 --> 00:13:11.420 They're forgetting just the ways 00:13:11.420 --> 00:13:12.320 that God has sustained 00:13:12.320 --> 00:13:13.940 and carried and provided for them. 00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:14.900 And friends, 00:13:14.980 --> 00:13:16.280 on this journey of faith, 00:13:16.400 --> 00:13:17.960 we need to be reminded 00:13:17.960 --> 00:13:19.380 again and again 00:13:19.380 --> 00:13:21.500 what God in His gospel 00:13:21.500 --> 00:13:23.180 has accomplished in us, 00:13:23.580 --> 00:13:25.140 especially when things get tough. 00:13:25.820 --> 00:13:26.600 And one of the signs 00:13:26.600 --> 00:13:27.400 that maybe we're not 00:13:27.400 --> 00:13:28.900 in such a good place spiritually 00:13:28.900 --> 00:13:30.200 is when we forget 00:13:30.200 --> 00:13:31.220 just where it is 00:13:31.220 --> 00:13:32.520 that we've been rescued from, 00:13:32.620 --> 00:13:34.200 just how great a salvation 00:13:34.200 --> 00:13:35.480 God has brought to us, 00:13:35.860 --> 00:13:36.960 and how God has broken 00:13:36.960 --> 00:13:37.620 into our lives. 00:13:37.680 --> 00:13:37.860 And so, 00:13:38.120 --> 00:13:39.140 look what Paul says here. 00:13:39.139 --> 00:13:40.879 He wants to remind them 00:13:40.879 --> 00:13:42.799 the bedrock foundation 00:13:42.799 --> 00:13:44.699 of their entire Christian journey 00:13:44.699 --> 00:13:46.840 does not have human origins. 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:49.639 It's not human initiative 00:13:49.639 --> 00:13:51.019 or Paul's persuasion. 00:13:51.319 --> 00:13:53.840 It's something that was entirely of God. 00:13:54.460 --> 00:13:54.740 He says, 00:13:54.819 --> 00:13:55.080 brothers, 00:13:55.179 --> 00:13:56.120 we want you to know 00:13:56.120 --> 00:13:57.500 that He has chosen you. 00:13:57.759 --> 00:13:59.199 There's assurance and confidence 00:13:59.199 --> 00:14:01.379 that you belong to Him. 00:14:01.720 --> 00:14:03.200 You can know that with conviction. 00:14:03.360 --> 00:14:03.559 Why? 00:14:03.919 --> 00:14:05.620 Because the gospel came to you 00:14:05.620 --> 00:14:06.440 with power, 00:14:06.820 --> 00:14:08.060 with the Holy Spirit, 00:14:08.419 --> 00:14:09.440 with much conviction. 00:14:09.679 --> 00:14:10.919 God Himself was writing 00:14:10.919 --> 00:14:12.100 and speaking to you in your heart. 00:14:12.639 --> 00:14:13.980 It wasn't Paul's eloquence. 00:14:14.560 --> 00:14:16.240 It wasn't the power of persuasion. 00:14:16.799 --> 00:14:18.139 This wasn't a con job 00:14:18.139 --> 00:14:19.899 or a bait and switch situation. 00:14:20.899 --> 00:14:22.179 This wasn't some promise 00:14:22.179 --> 00:14:24.139 of prosperity or an easy life. 00:14:24.960 --> 00:14:25.639 A Christian, 00:14:25.820 --> 00:14:26.679 says the New Testament, 00:14:26.840 --> 00:14:28.500 is not someone who is religious 00:14:28.500 --> 00:14:30.299 or moral or trying to be good. 00:14:30.820 --> 00:14:31.659 A Christian is someone 00:14:31.659 --> 00:14:33.220 who's encountered God, 00:14:33.320 --> 00:14:34.060 the Holy Spirit, 00:14:34.059 --> 00:14:35.179 the power of God 00:14:35.179 --> 00:14:36.019 in the gospel, 00:14:36.739 --> 00:14:37.539 in the Lord Jesus, 00:14:37.639 --> 00:14:38.799 in a way that changes them 00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:39.679 and brings conviction. 00:14:40.779 --> 00:14:41.119 In fact, 00:14:41.199 --> 00:14:42.699 so powerful was this conviction 00:14:42.699 --> 00:14:43.759 that it did two things 00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:44.659 for the Thessalonians. 00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:45.579 I don't know if you noticed. 00:14:46.439 --> 00:14:46.799 Firstly, 00:14:47.319 --> 00:14:49.139 it made them embrace suffering 00:14:49.139 --> 00:14:50.479 and hardship and affliction. 00:14:50.919 --> 00:14:51.399 You see that? 00:14:51.459 --> 00:14:52.939 Look at verse 6. 00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:53.579 He says here, 00:14:54.339 --> 00:14:55.739 for you received the word 00:14:55.739 --> 00:14:57.359 in much affliction 00:14:57.359 --> 00:14:59.799 with the joy of the Holy Spirit. 00:15:00.359 --> 00:15:02.919 When God's word came to them, 00:15:02.919 --> 00:15:03.859 the power of the Spirit, 00:15:04.059 --> 00:15:05.479 they were utterly convinced, 00:15:05.679 --> 00:15:06.899 even though they knew 00:15:06.899 --> 00:15:09.039 it was going to cost them dearly. 00:15:09.619 --> 00:15:09.959 In fact, 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:10.619 later on in, 00:15:10.839 --> 00:15:12.319 I think it's in chapter 3, 00:15:12.919 --> 00:15:13.639 Paul writes this 00:15:13.639 --> 00:15:15.439 and he says the same thing to them. 00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:15.919 He says, 00:15:16.019 --> 00:15:18.019 this is 3 verse 3. 00:15:18.439 --> 00:15:18.739 He says, 00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:19.679 you yourselves know 00:15:19.679 --> 00:15:20.659 that we were destined 00:15:20.659 --> 00:15:21.459 for the suffering 00:15:21.459 --> 00:15:23.059 because when we were with you, 00:15:23.379 --> 00:15:25.059 we kept on telling you beforehand 00:15:25.059 --> 00:15:27.059 you were to suffer much affliction. 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:29.899 Such was the life-changing power 00:15:29.899 --> 00:15:30.459 of the gospel 00:15:30.459 --> 00:15:31.599 that these guys encountered, 00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:33.060 even though they knew 00:15:33.060 --> 00:15:34.159 that they were going to suffer 00:15:34.159 --> 00:15:35.560 and be persecuted 00:15:35.560 --> 00:15:37.019 and be thrown in jail 00:15:37.019 --> 00:15:37.899 and arrested 00:15:37.899 --> 00:15:39.860 and suffer for their faith, 00:15:40.779 --> 00:15:41.639 following Jesus 00:15:41.639 --> 00:15:42.340 was not going to make 00:15:42.340 --> 00:15:43.259 their lives easier 00:15:43.259 --> 00:15:45.540 because they had met Jesus, 00:15:46.180 --> 00:15:47.259 they had encountered God 00:15:47.259 --> 00:15:47.840 in the gospel. 00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:49.200 What else could they do? 00:15:49.820 --> 00:15:50.720 They believed 00:15:50.720 --> 00:15:52.420 and so they followed him. 00:15:53.060 --> 00:15:53.920 It's kind of like when 00:15:53.920 --> 00:15:55.259 in the gospels, 00:15:55.320 --> 00:15:56.920 I think it's in John chapter 6, 00:15:57.500 --> 00:15:57.899 Jesus, 00:15:58.220 --> 00:15:58.779 at one point, 00:15:58.779 --> 00:15:59.480 lots of people 00:15:59.480 --> 00:16:00.259 are leaving Jesus 00:16:00.259 --> 00:16:00.600 and they say, 00:16:00.679 --> 00:16:02.159 we are done with this Jesus guy 00:16:02.159 --> 00:16:04.279 and Jesus turns to his disciples 00:16:04.279 --> 00:16:04.579 and says, 00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:05.100 what about you? 00:16:05.139 --> 00:16:06.179 Are you going to leave me as well? 00:16:06.819 --> 00:16:07.679 And Peter says, 00:16:08.139 --> 00:16:09.360 you have the words of life. 00:16:09.779 --> 00:16:10.740 Where else must we go? 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:12.620 We know it's going to be costly. 00:16:13.079 --> 00:16:14.159 We know it's dangerous 00:16:14.159 --> 00:16:15.799 but what else can we do? 00:16:16.059 --> 00:16:17.079 You are the Messiah 00:16:17.079 --> 00:16:18.980 and Paul says the same thing here. 00:16:19.039 --> 00:16:20.199 They've encountered God. 00:16:20.299 --> 00:16:21.100 God has changed 00:16:21.100 --> 00:16:22.559 and the gospels come to them. 00:16:23.079 --> 00:16:24.199 What else are they going to do? 00:16:24.799 --> 00:16:26.059 But notice the other thing here. 00:16:26.600 --> 00:16:27.519 Look at what else happened 00:16:27.519 --> 00:16:28.340 when they encountered 00:16:28.340 --> 00:16:29.419 the message of Jesus. 00:16:29.720 --> 00:16:31.019 Look at verse 9. 00:16:32.220 --> 00:16:32.899 Paul writes here 00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:33.399 and he says, 00:16:34.059 --> 00:16:35.579 for they themselves report 00:16:35.579 --> 00:16:36.939 the kind of reception 00:16:36.939 --> 00:16:37.879 we had amongst you, 00:16:38.439 --> 00:16:39.960 how you turn to God 00:16:39.960 --> 00:16:40.860 from idols 00:16:40.860 --> 00:16:42.360 to serve the true 00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:43.439 and living God. 00:16:44.220 --> 00:16:45.039 Now we may think, 00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:45.340 okay, 00:16:45.419 --> 00:16:46.579 so they gave up the Roman 00:16:46.579 --> 00:16:47.439 and the Greek gods 00:16:47.439 --> 00:16:48.279 and they became followers 00:16:48.279 --> 00:16:48.779 of Jesus. 00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:50.299 People change religion 00:16:50.299 --> 00:16:50.899 all the time. 00:16:50.980 --> 00:16:51.460 Big deal. 00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:53.480 But actually in the Bible, 00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:55.860 idols is always 00:16:55.860 --> 00:16:57.779 about a deep-seated 00:16:57.779 --> 00:16:59.980 security and identity. 00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:01.180 It's what we put our hope 00:17:01.180 --> 00:17:02.000 and our confidence 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:03.279 and our security 00:17:03.279 --> 00:17:04.299 for the future in. 00:17:04.900 --> 00:17:05.539 The idols, 00:17:05.640 --> 00:17:06.240 when the Bible talks 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:06.819 about idols, 00:17:06.960 --> 00:17:08.680 it's not just statues. 00:17:08.860 --> 00:17:10.099 It's the idols of our hearts. 00:17:10.140 --> 00:17:10.640 It's the things 00:17:10.640 --> 00:17:11.440 that we look to 00:17:11.440 --> 00:17:13.319 for a sense of self-identity 00:17:13.319 --> 00:17:14.079 and self-worth 00:17:14.079 --> 00:17:15.559 and security 00:17:15.559 --> 00:17:16.660 and hope for the future. 00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:18.380 It's why the Bible says 00:17:18.380 --> 00:17:19.680 that when things go wrong 00:17:19.680 --> 00:17:20.180 in our life, 00:17:20.240 --> 00:17:20.420 yes, 00:17:20.460 --> 00:17:21.180 it's disappointing. 00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:22.500 But when our idols 00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:23.460 are challenged 00:17:23.460 --> 00:17:24.920 or touched, 00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:26.660 it can infuriate us. 00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:27.820 It can crush us. 00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:28.440 In fact, 00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:29.320 that's actually what happened 00:17:29.320 --> 00:17:30.620 in Acts 17, right? 00:17:30.920 --> 00:17:31.539 Paul goes 00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:32.500 and he preaches the gospel 00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:33.759 and some people say, 00:17:33.860 --> 00:17:34.039 oh, 00:17:34.080 --> 00:17:34.759 I'm not so sure. 00:17:35.200 --> 00:17:36.120 But some people 00:17:36.120 --> 00:17:37.060 are so threatened 00:17:37.060 --> 00:17:38.320 that they want to kill 00:17:38.320 --> 00:17:38.779 these guys. 00:17:38.900 --> 00:17:39.100 Why? 00:17:39.400 --> 00:17:40.140 Because the idols 00:17:40.140 --> 00:17:40.759 of their hearts 00:17:40.759 --> 00:17:41.380 have been threatened. 00:17:42.340 --> 00:17:42.519 Well, 00:17:42.539 --> 00:17:43.460 look what happens here. 00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:46.120 Paul tells these Thessalonians 00:17:46.120 --> 00:17:47.720 that when the gospel came, 00:17:48.200 --> 00:17:50.160 it wasn't moralistic self-help. 00:17:50.160 --> 00:17:52.220 It wasn't human persuasion. 00:17:53.140 --> 00:17:54.360 God's predestining, 00:17:54.480 --> 00:17:55.420 electing love, 00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:56.820 being poured in their hearts 00:17:56.820 --> 00:17:57.700 by the Holy Spirit 00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:58.920 so changed them, 00:17:59.000 --> 00:18:00.380 it recalibrated 00:18:00.380 --> 00:18:02.720 the things that they lived for, 00:18:02.880 --> 00:18:03.620 the things they found 00:18:03.620 --> 00:18:04.240 their hope 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:05.060 and their identity 00:18:05.060 --> 00:18:06.000 and their security 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:08.620 and their well-being in. 00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:09.900 It recalibrated 00:18:09.900 --> 00:18:10.940 everything they trusted 00:18:10.940 --> 00:18:12.400 and what is most important to them, 00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:14.000 even at the cost 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:15.300 of great persecution. 00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:16.460 So, 00:18:16.860 --> 00:18:18.100 here's the question for us. 00:18:18.900 --> 00:18:19.100 Friends, 00:18:19.099 --> 00:18:20.939 has the gospel come to you 00:18:20.939 --> 00:18:22.419 in that kind of way? 00:18:23.599 --> 00:18:25.099 Is your Christian faith 00:18:25.099 --> 00:18:26.500 built on the bedrock 00:18:26.500 --> 00:18:27.339 of the gospel 00:18:27.339 --> 00:18:29.039 or is it just 00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:30.500 religious moralism, 00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:32.079 trying to be a good person, 00:18:32.679 --> 00:18:34.179 trying to improve your life 00:18:34.179 --> 00:18:34.819 in some way? 00:18:35.699 --> 00:18:35.919 Friends, 00:18:35.939 --> 00:18:36.559 it's very easy 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:37.359 to be religious 00:18:37.359 --> 00:18:38.259 and think you're a Christian. 00:18:38.939 --> 00:18:39.459 It's one thing 00:18:39.459 --> 00:18:40.240 to come to church 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:40.619 and think, 00:18:40.699 --> 00:18:40.799 yeah, 00:18:40.819 --> 00:18:41.419 I'm a Christian, 00:18:41.939 --> 00:18:43.279 but have you encountered 00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:44.559 the living God 00:18:44.559 --> 00:18:45.059 in a way 00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:46.639 that has challenged 00:18:46.640 --> 00:18:47.540 and dismantled 00:18:47.540 --> 00:18:48.680 the idols of your heart 00:18:48.680 --> 00:18:49.420 in a way 00:18:49.420 --> 00:18:50.140 that you can say, 00:18:50.640 --> 00:18:51.100 persecution, 00:18:51.560 --> 00:18:51.960 suffering, 00:18:52.160 --> 00:18:53.540 I know what I believe. 00:18:53.620 --> 00:18:54.620 Have you encountered God 00:18:54.620 --> 00:18:55.360 in the power 00:18:55.360 --> 00:18:56.100 of the Holy Spirit 00:18:56.100 --> 00:18:56.460 in a way 00:18:56.460 --> 00:18:58.080 that has changed you 00:18:58.080 --> 00:18:59.400 and anchored you 00:18:59.400 --> 00:19:00.880 and solidified you? 00:19:01.860 --> 00:19:02.580 Paul wants them 00:19:02.580 --> 00:19:02.840 to know 00:19:02.840 --> 00:19:03.600 how the gospel 00:19:03.600 --> 00:19:04.320 came to them 00:19:04.320 --> 00:19:05.520 and changed them. 00:19:06.080 --> 00:19:06.700 But that's not all 00:19:06.700 --> 00:19:07.480 Paul wants them to know. 00:19:07.560 --> 00:19:09.500 He also wants to show them 00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:10.360 how the gospel 00:19:10.360 --> 00:19:11.880 has been at work in them. 00:19:12.160 --> 00:19:12.360 So, 00:19:12.560 --> 00:19:14.160 look at verse 2 00:19:14.160 --> 00:19:15.360 and 3 with me. 00:19:15.780 --> 00:19:16.260 Paul wants to see 00:19:16.260 --> 00:19:16.900 how the gospel 00:19:16.900 --> 00:19:17.900 has not only 00:19:17.900 --> 00:19:18.480 come to them 00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:19.340 but been at work 00:19:19.340 --> 00:19:19.960 in them. 00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:21.360 Verse 2 and 3, 00:19:21.460 --> 00:19:21.940 Paul writes this, 00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:22.240 he says, 00:19:22.820 --> 00:19:23.740 we give thanks to God 00:19:23.740 --> 00:19:25.180 always for all of you, 00:19:25.600 --> 00:19:26.860 constantly mentioning you 00:19:26.860 --> 00:19:27.700 in our prayers, 00:19:28.340 --> 00:19:29.160 remembering before 00:19:29.160 --> 00:19:30.040 our God and Father 00:19:30.040 --> 00:19:31.400 your work of faith, 00:19:31.900 --> 00:19:33.160 your labor of love, 00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:34.880 your steadfastness 00:19:34.880 --> 00:19:35.580 of hope 00:19:35.580 --> 00:19:37.840 in our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:19:38.400 --> 00:19:38.820 Now, 00:19:38.880 --> 00:19:39.640 I hope you recognize 00:19:39.640 --> 00:19:40.920 there the threefold 00:19:40.920 --> 00:19:41.860 kind of foundation 00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:43.399 Christian virtues 00:19:43.399 --> 00:19:44.279 that Christians 00:19:44.279 --> 00:19:44.939 have spoken about 00:19:44.939 --> 00:19:45.859 for hundreds of years. 00:19:46.379 --> 00:19:46.779 Faith, 00:19:47.399 --> 00:19:47.759 hope, 00:19:47.939 --> 00:19:49.099 and love, 00:19:49.159 --> 00:19:49.359 right? 00:19:49.439 --> 00:19:49.619 Okay, 00:19:49.639 --> 00:19:50.379 the Bible talks about 00:19:50.379 --> 00:19:51.959 these three things often. 00:19:52.479 --> 00:19:53.559 John Calvin said 00:19:53.559 --> 00:19:54.740 this is the briefest 00:19:54.740 --> 00:19:56.819 definition of true Christianity, 00:19:57.539 --> 00:19:58.079 faith, 00:19:58.199 --> 00:19:58.359 hope, 00:19:58.399 --> 00:19:58.759 and love. 00:19:59.079 --> 00:20:00.019 But Paul here 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:01.399 isn't encouraging them 00:20:01.399 --> 00:20:02.599 to pursue these things. 00:20:02.919 --> 00:20:03.599 He's not saying, 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:04.199 right, 00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:05.399 now that you've become Christians, 00:20:05.479 --> 00:20:06.539 I'm sorry I'm no longer there 00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:07.240 but let me give you 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:07.719 some advice. 00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:08.659 I want you to pursue 00:20:08.659 --> 00:20:09.119 faith, 00:20:09.219 --> 00:20:09.359 hope, 00:20:09.399 --> 00:20:09.599 and love. 00:20:09.659 --> 00:20:10.199 If you can do 00:20:10.199 --> 00:20:10.939 those three things, 00:20:10.940 --> 00:20:12.240 you'll be a great Christian. 00:20:12.400 --> 00:20:13.320 That's not what Paul does. 00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:14.940 He's commenting 00:20:14.940 --> 00:20:15.820 on the fact that 00:20:15.820 --> 00:20:16.920 he sees this 00:20:16.920 --> 00:20:18.180 at work in them already. 00:20:18.660 --> 00:20:19.600 He's heard from Timothy. 00:20:19.720 --> 00:20:20.539 Timothy has come back 00:20:20.539 --> 00:20:20.960 and he said, 00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:21.779 let me tell you 00:20:21.779 --> 00:20:22.740 about the Thessalonians. 00:20:23.200 --> 00:20:24.680 They overflow in faith. 00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:26.420 They are bounding in love. 00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:28.519 They are steadfast in hope. 00:20:28.600 --> 00:20:29.279 He's commending 00:20:29.279 --> 00:20:30.519 what he sees in them. 00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:31.920 And the New Testament 00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:33.059 constantly tells us 00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:34.559 that what indicates 00:20:34.559 --> 00:20:36.259 an authentic faith 00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:37.859 and an authentic 00:20:37.859 --> 00:20:39.240 Christian church 00:20:39.240 --> 00:20:40.940 is not external 00:20:40.940 --> 00:20:42.539 behavior necessarily. 00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:43.440 It's not, 00:20:43.700 --> 00:20:44.779 definitely not how nice 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:45.519 a building is 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:46.619 or how good looking 00:20:46.619 --> 00:20:47.759 Alan and the people 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.319 in Stager 00:20:48.319 --> 00:20:49.599 or how wonderful 00:20:49.599 --> 00:20:50.759 the kids' ministry are, 00:20:50.819 --> 00:20:51.940 as wonderful as they are. 00:20:52.420 --> 00:20:53.180 What indicates 00:20:53.180 --> 00:20:54.240 a true and authentic 00:20:54.240 --> 00:20:54.980 church 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:56.079 and a true and authentic 00:20:56.079 --> 00:20:56.759 faith 00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:58.539 is something far more 00:20:58.539 --> 00:20:59.259 internal. 00:20:59.379 --> 00:21:00.720 It's these foundational values. 00:21:01.200 --> 00:21:02.599 It's genuine faith 00:21:02.599 --> 00:21:03.559 and trust in God. 00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:05.259 It's steadfast hope 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:05.859 in the midst of 00:21:05.859 --> 00:21:07.399 opposition and persecution. 00:21:08.099 --> 00:21:09.579 It's an authentic love 00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:10.240 for those that are 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:10.940 different from us, 00:21:10.980 --> 00:21:11.579 maybe even those 00:21:11.579 --> 00:21:12.679 that rub us the wrong way. 00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:14.859 But notice these virtues, 00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:15.700 these characteristics, 00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:17.139 they aren't in a vacuum. 00:21:17.799 --> 00:21:18.599 They're not just random 00:21:18.599 --> 00:21:19.500 faith, hope, and love. 00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:20.200 What does Paul say? 00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:20.599 He says, 00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:22.379 I remember before 00:21:22.379 --> 00:21:23.019 our God and Father 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:23.919 your work of faith, 00:21:24.019 --> 00:21:24.740 your labor of love, 00:21:24.819 --> 00:21:26.039 your steadfastness of hope 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:27.799 in the Lord Jesus Christ 00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:30.240 or by the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:21:30.859 --> 00:21:32.240 It's the result of knowing 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:33.399 and encountering Jesus 00:21:33.400 --> 00:21:35.060 and trusting and loving 00:21:35.060 --> 00:21:35.860 the Lord Jesus 00:21:35.860 --> 00:21:36.540 that these things 00:21:36.540 --> 00:21:37.380 will be birthed in them. 00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:39.200 Belief in the Lord Jesus 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:41.060 that doesn't grow faith 00:21:41.060 --> 00:21:41.560 and hope 00:21:41.560 --> 00:21:43.160 and love in us 00:21:43.160 --> 00:21:45.280 is questionable at best. 00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:47.620 But notice something else here. 00:21:48.600 --> 00:21:49.620 These virtues 00:21:49.620 --> 00:21:51.640 are productive virtues 00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:54.120 or they are outward focused. 00:21:54.300 --> 00:21:55.420 They do something 00:21:55.420 --> 00:21:56.380 in the people 00:21:56.380 --> 00:21:57.280 who inhabit, 00:21:57.540 --> 00:21:58.280 in whom they inhabit. 00:21:58.820 --> 00:21:59.620 These aren't just 00:21:59.620 --> 00:22:01.320 philosophical ideas 00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:02.759 or religious ideas. 00:22:03.259 --> 00:22:04.500 No one went to a Bible study 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:04.799 and said, 00:22:05.079 --> 00:22:05.960 how should we learn 00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:07.299 to have more faith 00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:08.079 and hope and love? 00:22:08.439 --> 00:22:09.639 These virtues 00:22:09.639 --> 00:22:10.980 actually do something 00:22:10.980 --> 00:22:11.539 in the people. 00:22:11.659 --> 00:22:12.299 They are gritty. 00:22:12.439 --> 00:22:13.059 They are earthy. 00:22:13.119 --> 00:22:13.960 They are practical. 00:22:14.539 --> 00:22:15.500 Look at what Paul writes here. 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:15.919 He says, 00:22:16.460 --> 00:22:17.139 he commends them 00:22:17.139 --> 00:22:18.759 because their faith 00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:21.000 has resulted in hard work. 00:22:21.539 --> 00:22:22.359 They're not being lazy. 00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:23.639 Their faith has actually 00:22:23.639 --> 00:22:24.299 propelled them 00:22:24.299 --> 00:22:25.159 to work hard. 00:22:25.700 --> 00:22:26.079 He says, 00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:26.819 your love 00:22:26.819 --> 00:22:28.039 has prompted them 00:22:28.039 --> 00:22:28.759 to labor 00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:29.779 or serve 00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:30.779 those around them. 00:22:31.399 --> 00:22:32.159 And their hope 00:22:32.159 --> 00:22:33.539 has led to endurance 00:22:33.539 --> 00:22:34.899 and steadfastness 00:22:34.899 --> 00:22:36.019 even in the midst 00:22:36.019 --> 00:22:36.799 of persecution 00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:37.399 and hardship. 00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:39.279 And Paul's point here 00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:39.500 is, 00:22:39.859 --> 00:22:41.000 see what the gospel 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:42.059 has done in you. 00:22:42.679 --> 00:22:44.179 Jesus Christ came to you. 00:22:44.379 --> 00:22:45.099 This wasn't just 00:22:45.099 --> 00:22:46.019 religious teaching. 00:22:46.439 --> 00:22:47.379 It's done something 00:22:47.379 --> 00:22:47.599 in you. 00:22:47.699 --> 00:22:49.259 It's produced work in you. 00:22:49.319 --> 00:22:50.359 It's changed your hearts. 00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:51.839 See how differently 00:22:51.839 --> 00:22:53.319 you love one another. 00:22:53.839 --> 00:22:54.939 See how you serve 00:22:54.940 --> 00:22:55.440 one another. 00:22:55.900 --> 00:22:57.299 See with what perseverance 00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:58.580 and endurance you have 00:22:58.580 --> 00:22:59.820 because God's word, 00:22:59.920 --> 00:23:00.519 the gospel, 00:23:01.100 --> 00:23:02.660 has done a work in you. 00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:04.160 And Paul actually says 00:23:04.160 --> 00:23:04.680 the same thing 00:23:04.680 --> 00:23:05.420 in chapter 2. 00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:06.240 If you've got your Bible, 00:23:06.360 --> 00:23:07.380 look at verse 13. 00:23:08.080 --> 00:23:08.640 He says, 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:10.180 and we thank God 00:23:10.180 --> 00:23:11.360 constantly for this, 00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:13.039 that when you received 00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:13.940 the word of God, 00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:14.740 that's the gospel, 00:23:15.220 --> 00:23:16.400 which you heard from us, 00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:17.700 you accepted it 00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:18.860 not as the word of man, 00:23:19.160 --> 00:23:20.200 but what it really is, 00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:21.180 the word of God, 00:23:21.320 --> 00:23:24.620 which is at work in you. 00:23:25.340 --> 00:23:26.360 The Greek word for 00:23:26.360 --> 00:23:27.120 at work there 00:23:27.120 --> 00:23:27.580 is the word 00:23:27.580 --> 00:23:28.100 where we get our 00:23:28.100 --> 00:23:29.200 English word energy. 00:23:29.660 --> 00:23:30.080 I don't know how 00:23:30.080 --> 00:23:30.940 to pronounce it in Greek, 00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:32.220 but it's the same root word. 00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:33.140 We get our word energy. 00:23:33.559 --> 00:23:35.140 This gospel has a power, 00:23:35.580 --> 00:23:37.680 a dynamic to it 00:23:37.680 --> 00:23:38.680 that is an energy 00:23:38.680 --> 00:23:39.980 that actually does 00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:40.860 something in us 00:23:40.860 --> 00:23:42.120 and works in us. 00:23:43.240 --> 00:23:43.860 And Paul says 00:23:43.860 --> 00:23:45.299 to these Thessalonians, 00:23:45.720 --> 00:23:46.600 how do you know 00:23:46.600 --> 00:23:47.539 your faith is authentic? 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:48.940 Well, it's actually 00:23:48.940 --> 00:23:49.660 changing you. 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:50.820 It's making you 00:23:50.820 --> 00:23:51.320 more gracious, 00:23:51.460 --> 00:23:52.019 more loving, 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:53.360 more faithful, 00:23:54.080 --> 00:23:54.940 more steadfast. 00:23:56.100 --> 00:23:57.080 And all this 00:23:57.080 --> 00:23:58.480 without the founders 00:23:58.480 --> 00:23:59.140 of the church. 00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:00.200 You know, 00:24:00.240 --> 00:24:01.279 the church was started 00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:02.960 and three weeks later, 00:24:03.380 --> 00:24:05.279 the planting founding pastor 00:24:05.279 --> 00:24:05.560 said, 00:24:05.640 --> 00:24:06.200 we're out of here. 00:24:06.660 --> 00:24:06.800 You know, 00:24:06.860 --> 00:24:07.620 Tobin Miller started 00:24:07.620 --> 00:24:09.000 Watermark 16 years ago 00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:09.680 and was here for 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:10.759 five and a half years 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:11.740 and did a great job 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:12.860 and then moved back 00:24:12.860 --> 00:24:13.440 to the U.S. 00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:14.980 Laid a wonderful foundation. 00:24:15.560 --> 00:24:16.700 But imagine Tobin came in. 00:24:16.860 --> 00:24:17.360 Who was here 00:24:17.360 --> 00:24:18.420 when Watermark was started? 00:24:18.640 --> 00:24:18.740 Okay, 00:24:18.779 --> 00:24:19.019 Asken, 00:24:19.120 --> 00:24:19.400 Celeste, 00:24:19.539 --> 00:24:19.900 the Laos, 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:20.180 I think, 00:24:20.340 --> 00:24:20.860 Brian and Grace, 00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:21.160 yeah, 00:24:21.460 --> 00:24:21.740 Soda. 00:24:22.400 --> 00:24:22.680 Imagine, 00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:23.480 Henry, 00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:25.620 imagine three weeks 00:24:25.620 --> 00:24:26.360 Tobin says, 00:24:26.420 --> 00:24:26.500 okay, 00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:27.059 we've got to start 00:24:27.059 --> 00:24:27.440 this church, 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.100 Watermark Church 00:24:28.100 --> 00:24:29.080 and then three weeks later, 00:24:29.340 --> 00:24:29.600 okay, 00:24:30.140 --> 00:24:30.920 best of luck guys, 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:31.580 I'm out of here 00:24:31.580 --> 00:24:32.980 and leaves. 00:24:33.779 --> 00:24:34.960 And without the founders, 00:24:35.100 --> 00:24:36.299 without the pastors, 00:24:36.440 --> 00:24:37.240 without the leaders, 00:24:37.840 --> 00:24:38.900 here is a church 00:24:38.900 --> 00:24:39.880 that is abundant. 00:24:40.299 --> 00:24:40.620 Why? 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:41.920 Because the church 00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:43.539 wasn't based on the leaders 00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:44.940 on any human wisdom 00:24:44.940 --> 00:24:46.340 but God, 00:24:46.460 --> 00:24:46.980 the gospel, 00:24:47.160 --> 00:24:47.920 was at work in them 00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:49.740 because even in their absence, 00:24:49.880 --> 00:24:50.900 the gospel continued 00:24:50.900 --> 00:24:51.720 to work in them. 00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:52.400 Yes, 00:24:52.440 --> 00:24:53.400 their initial acceptance 00:24:53.400 --> 00:24:54.460 of the message of Jesus 00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:55.299 was an act of faith 00:24:55.299 --> 00:24:56.380 but even now, 00:24:56.440 --> 00:24:57.519 in the midst of opposition 00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:58.500 and persecution 00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:59.920 and prison, 00:25:00.320 --> 00:25:01.740 they continued in the faith 00:25:01.740 --> 00:25:02.500 as the gospel 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:03.400 did its work in them. 00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:05.900 One scholar called Gene Green 00:25:05.900 --> 00:25:06.440 writes this, 00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:06.799 he says, 00:25:06.799 --> 00:25:08.279 this Christian faith 00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:10.200 was not a philosophical discourse 00:25:10.200 --> 00:25:10.839 on the way 00:25:10.839 --> 00:25:12.180 to the virtuous life 00:25:12.180 --> 00:25:14.039 or self-help seminar 00:25:14.039 --> 00:25:14.960 on how to overcome 00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:16.039 personal issues 00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:17.460 as it is in our day. 00:25:17.859 --> 00:25:19.539 This was the word of God, 00:25:19.639 --> 00:25:20.680 the power of God, 00:25:20.799 --> 00:25:22.000 the presence of God, 00:25:22.079 --> 00:25:23.200 the person of God 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:24.799 in verbal form, 00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:26.579 powerfully transforming 00:25:26.579 --> 00:25:27.940 their lives. 00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:30.220 So friends, 00:25:30.859 --> 00:25:32.259 can you see the gospel 00:25:32.259 --> 00:25:33.279 at work in you? 00:25:34.639 --> 00:25:35.519 Have you seen God 00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:36.539 by the power of the Spirit 00:25:36.539 --> 00:25:37.779 changing you, 00:25:38.680 --> 00:25:39.759 being at work in you? 00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:41.460 Do you see evidence 00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:42.859 of growing in faith 00:25:42.859 --> 00:25:44.139 and hope and love? 00:25:45.079 --> 00:25:46.319 Is your faith productive, 00:25:47.059 --> 00:25:48.319 causing you to love others, 00:25:48.500 --> 00:25:49.180 serve others? 00:25:49.779 --> 00:25:50.500 Are you growing 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:51.619 in steadfastness 00:25:51.619 --> 00:25:52.359 and perseverance 00:25:52.359 --> 00:25:53.579 in the midst of difficulty 00:25:53.579 --> 00:25:54.200 and opposition? 00:25:55.259 --> 00:25:55.980 One of the things 00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:57.119 that I love 00:25:57.119 --> 00:25:58.139 about this church, 00:25:58.420 --> 00:25:59.460 the very best church 00:25:59.460 --> 00:26:00.359 in the whole world, 00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:02.619 it's not our nice venue, 00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:03.700 as nice as it is, 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:05.059 except the mom's room 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:05.759 is a little bit full 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:06.159 at the moment. 00:26:06.259 --> 00:26:06.799 Sorry, Annabelle. 00:26:07.379 --> 00:26:10.019 It's not the fancy leaders. 00:26:10.839 --> 00:26:11.339 One of the things 00:26:11.339 --> 00:26:12.359 we've said again and again 00:26:12.359 --> 00:26:13.220 is we're not trying 00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:14.159 to be a fancy church. 00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:14.619 We're not trying 00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:15.539 to be a mega church. 00:26:15.619 --> 00:26:15.980 We're not trying 00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:17.079 to be a popular church. 00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:18.059 We want to be 00:26:18.059 --> 00:26:19.139 an authentic church. 00:26:19.799 --> 00:26:20.720 I look around the room 00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:21.879 and I see faces 00:26:21.879 --> 00:26:22.619 of people who, 00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:24.059 over the last nine years, 00:26:24.279 --> 00:26:25.700 God is at work in you. 00:26:26.359 --> 00:26:27.259 I see your love 00:26:27.259 --> 00:26:28.740 growing more and more. 00:26:29.319 --> 00:26:30.339 I see your faith 00:26:30.339 --> 00:26:31.319 holding on to Jesus 00:26:31.319 --> 00:26:32.220 when it's been hard. 00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:34.539 I see your steadfastness 00:26:34.539 --> 00:26:35.600 and your perseverance 00:26:35.600 --> 00:26:36.880 when it would have been 00:26:36.880 --> 00:26:38.000 so easy to give up 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:38.700 and walk away. 00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:40.940 God is at work in you. 00:26:41.380 --> 00:26:42.220 It may not be fancy. 00:26:42.360 --> 00:26:43.319 It may not have a billboard. 00:26:43.420 --> 00:26:44.240 Your name might not be 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:44.660 on lights. 00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:46.420 God, by the gospel, 00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:48.100 is at work in us. 00:26:48.880 --> 00:26:49.819 See what the gospel 00:26:49.819 --> 00:26:51.360 has accomplished in you. 00:26:52.100 --> 00:26:52.960 Well, there's one last thing 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:54.019 that Paul wants us to see 00:26:54.019 --> 00:26:55.279 and he wants us to see 00:26:55.279 --> 00:26:55.940 how the gospel 00:26:55.940 --> 00:26:57.620 is continuing to work 00:26:57.620 --> 00:26:58.700 not just in us 00:26:58.700 --> 00:27:00.299 but through us. 00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:02.079 The gospel comes in us 00:27:02.079 --> 00:27:03.139 and then works through us. 00:27:03.579 --> 00:27:04.680 And so look at this. 00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:06.059 Paul has this final encouragement. 00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:08.299 Look at verse 5 to 8 with me. 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:10.180 He says here, verse 5, 00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:12.259 Our gospel came to you, 00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:13.019 then verse 6, 00:27:13.460 --> 00:27:15.299 and you became imitators of us 00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:16.059 and of the Lord 00:27:16.059 --> 00:27:18.139 for you received the word 00:27:18.139 --> 00:27:19.359 in much affliction 00:27:19.359 --> 00:27:21.079 with the joy of the Holy Spirit 00:27:21.079 --> 00:27:22.980 so that you became an example 00:27:22.980 --> 00:27:24.259 to all the believers 00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:25.779 in Macedonia and Achaia. 00:27:26.240 --> 00:27:27.879 For not only has the word 00:27:27.879 --> 00:27:28.359 of the Lord 00:27:28.359 --> 00:27:29.579 sounded forth from you 00:27:29.579 --> 00:27:30.699 in Macedonia and Achaia, 00:27:30.859 --> 00:27:32.159 but your faith in God 00:27:32.159 --> 00:27:33.539 has gone forth everywhere 00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:35.359 so that we need not say 00:27:35.359 --> 00:27:36.500 anything about you. 00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:38.519 Now, notice two things 00:27:38.519 --> 00:27:39.059 in this section. 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:40.500 Notice how firstly 00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:42.199 the gospel came to them, 00:27:42.819 --> 00:27:44.059 they received it, 00:27:44.119 --> 00:27:45.299 and then the word of forth 00:27:45.299 --> 00:27:46.259 sounded forth. 00:27:46.419 --> 00:27:47.519 Okay, so the gospel came, 00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:49.119 they absorbed it, 00:27:49.179 --> 00:27:49.679 received it, 00:27:49.720 --> 00:27:50.460 it did a work in them, 00:27:50.519 --> 00:27:51.559 and then it went out 00:27:51.559 --> 00:27:52.259 from them. 00:27:52.980 --> 00:27:54.259 And that's the way 00:27:54.259 --> 00:27:54.919 it always is. 00:27:55.259 --> 00:27:56.139 The gospel came, 00:27:56.199 --> 00:27:57.220 but it didn't stop with them. 00:27:57.299 --> 00:27:57.639 They didn't say, 00:27:57.720 --> 00:27:58.259 Oh, it's so nice. 00:27:58.259 --> 00:27:58.740 We saved. 00:27:58.839 --> 00:27:59.039 Wonderful. 00:27:59.200 --> 00:27:59.920 We're going to go to heaven. 00:28:00.299 --> 00:28:01.500 Actually, it came to them 00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:02.420 and then it went out. 00:28:02.740 --> 00:28:03.980 And God worked through them 00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:04.680 to others. 00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:06.599 And so that all the believers 00:28:06.599 --> 00:28:07.980 in Macedonia and Achaia, 00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:09.579 these two Roman provinces, 00:28:10.160 --> 00:28:11.379 heard about their faith 00:28:11.379 --> 00:28:12.220 and were encouraged 00:28:12.220 --> 00:28:12.879 and strengthened. 00:28:13.339 --> 00:28:14.460 Their faith was a witness 00:28:14.460 --> 00:28:15.259 to others. 00:28:16.140 --> 00:28:17.160 But notice something else here, 00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:19.000 that each time Paul speaks 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:19.839 about how the gospel 00:28:19.839 --> 00:28:21.180 came to them, 00:28:22.299 --> 00:28:23.680 there's an example there. 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:24.240 So he says, 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:26.160 our gospel came to you 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:27.900 and you became imitators of us. 00:28:28.200 --> 00:28:29.559 You received the word 00:28:29.559 --> 00:28:31.000 and then you became an example 00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:31.720 to the believers. 00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:33.920 The word sounded forth from you 00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:35.099 and your faith 00:28:35.099 --> 00:28:35.779 or your witness, 00:28:35.900 --> 00:28:37.359 your example sounded forth 00:28:37.359 --> 00:28:38.279 and went forth everywhere. 00:28:38.900 --> 00:28:40.740 So as the gospel came to them, 00:28:40.779 --> 00:28:41.500 it changed them 00:28:41.500 --> 00:28:42.579 and then it went out from them. 00:28:42.900 --> 00:28:44.079 And every time Paul speaks 00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:44.960 about the word, 00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:45.819 the gospel came, 00:28:46.019 --> 00:28:47.180 it did something in them 00:28:47.180 --> 00:28:48.180 and they became examples 00:28:48.180 --> 00:28:50.599 or worthy of imitation. 00:28:51.480 --> 00:28:52.620 Now, what does that tell us? 00:28:52.619 --> 00:28:54.199 Friends, it tells us 00:28:54.199 --> 00:28:56.879 that genuine, authentic faith, 00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:59.539 it may be deeply personal, 00:29:00.239 --> 00:29:01.359 it's my faith in Jesus, 00:29:01.939 --> 00:29:03.279 but it's never private. 00:29:03.899 --> 00:29:04.639 It never just stays 00:29:04.639 --> 00:29:05.359 with me and Jesus. 00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:07.079 It's one, it's communal. 00:29:07.699 --> 00:29:08.939 So my faith in Jesus 00:29:08.939 --> 00:29:09.879 hopefully is a blessing 00:29:09.879 --> 00:29:11.699 to you and everyone else, 00:29:11.859 --> 00:29:13.679 but also to the city out there. 00:29:14.399 --> 00:29:15.479 Our faith in Jesus 00:29:15.479 --> 00:29:17.000 doesn't just stay with us. 00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:18.479 It comes to us 00:29:18.479 --> 00:29:19.959 and then it goes through us 00:29:19.959 --> 00:29:21.559 to both our community, 00:29:21.559 --> 00:29:22.619 our family, 00:29:23.059 --> 00:29:23.899 to our city 00:29:23.899 --> 00:29:26.039 and to the ends of the earth. 00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:26.960 And just think about, 00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:28.159 think about this in the Bible. 00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:29.539 Think about in Genesis 12. 00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:30.659 God says to Abraham, 00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:32.500 I will bless you. 00:29:32.559 --> 00:29:33.220 Five times. 00:29:33.319 --> 00:29:34.059 I will bless you. 00:29:34.099 --> 00:29:34.679 I'll bless you. 00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:35.279 I'll bless you. 00:29:35.419 --> 00:29:36.339 I will bless you. 00:29:36.399 --> 00:29:37.460 I will bless you. 00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:38.480 And then he says, 00:29:38.879 --> 00:29:40.339 and you will be a blessing 00:29:40.339 --> 00:29:41.339 to the whole world. 00:29:41.879 --> 00:29:42.259 Now, of course, 00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:42.879 he's talking about how 00:29:42.879 --> 00:29:43.859 Jesus the Messiah 00:29:43.859 --> 00:29:44.859 is going to come through him, 00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:46.000 through his descendants 00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:47.019 and that will bless 00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:47.480 the whole world. 00:29:47.740 --> 00:29:49.099 But God's blessing to Abraham 00:29:49.099 --> 00:29:50.159 didn't stop with Abraham. 00:29:50.160 --> 00:29:51.380 It went through Abraham 00:29:51.380 --> 00:29:52.259 to the whole world. 00:29:52.840 --> 00:29:53.200 Well, think about 00:29:53.200 --> 00:29:54.340 what God says to Israel. 00:29:54.720 --> 00:29:56.640 Israel, you are my chosen people. 00:29:57.080 --> 00:29:59.060 I have set my love upon you. 00:29:59.300 --> 00:30:00.320 I have elected you 00:30:00.320 --> 00:30:01.360 from before the foundations 00:30:01.360 --> 00:30:01.920 of the world. 00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:03.680 Now you go be a light 00:30:03.680 --> 00:30:04.300 to the nations, 00:30:04.420 --> 00:30:05.420 to the ends of the earth. 00:30:05.840 --> 00:30:06.700 Bring my light 00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:07.860 to the Gentiles. 00:30:08.460 --> 00:30:08.880 Well, think about 00:30:08.880 --> 00:30:09.600 what Jesus says 00:30:09.600 --> 00:30:10.259 to the disciples 00:30:10.259 --> 00:30:11.680 in Acts chapter one. 00:30:12.140 --> 00:30:13.140 Wait here in Jerusalem 00:30:13.140 --> 00:30:14.180 for the Holy Spirit 00:30:14.180 --> 00:30:15.120 to come upon you, 00:30:15.360 --> 00:30:16.720 the promise from my Father. 00:30:16.720 --> 00:30:19.600 And you will be my witnesses 00:30:19.600 --> 00:30:21.420 in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria 00:30:21.420 --> 00:30:22.839 to the ends of the earth. 00:30:23.319 --> 00:30:24.980 When God works in us, 00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:26.360 it's never meant to stop with us. 00:30:26.440 --> 00:30:27.600 It goes through us. 00:30:28.680 --> 00:30:29.900 God's work through us. 00:30:29.940 --> 00:30:30.960 And so what does that look like? 00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:32.500 Friends, maybe it means 00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:33.500 opening up your home, 00:30:34.240 --> 00:30:35.180 inviting a student 00:30:35.180 --> 00:30:35.960 or a youth 00:30:35.960 --> 00:30:37.400 or a young adult 00:30:37.400 --> 00:30:38.440 that maybe doesn't have family 00:30:38.440 --> 00:30:38.980 in Hong Kong 00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:39.819 around for a meal 00:30:39.819 --> 00:30:40.880 and just loving them, 00:30:40.960 --> 00:30:41.480 blessing them. 00:30:42.140 --> 00:30:42.680 Maybe it means 00:30:42.680 --> 00:30:43.819 coming to church early, 00:30:44.519 --> 00:30:45.360 looking for who's 00:30:45.359 --> 00:30:46.639 who's had a tough week, 00:30:47.279 --> 00:30:48.479 coming and just encouraging them, 00:30:48.579 --> 00:30:49.139 sitting with them, 00:30:49.279 --> 00:30:50.000 praying with them. 00:30:50.639 --> 00:30:51.719 I saw a few months ago 00:30:51.719 --> 00:30:53.079 a lady came to church 00:30:53.079 --> 00:30:54.679 who had just lost a daughter. 00:30:55.419 --> 00:30:56.259 Absolute tragedy. 00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:57.639 Came 15 minutes early, 00:30:57.719 --> 00:30:58.740 was sitting by herself. 00:31:00.259 --> 00:31:01.219 Traumatic experience 00:31:01.219 --> 00:31:02.639 of having had to bury her daughter. 00:31:03.459 --> 00:31:04.000 And someone else 00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:04.479 in the congregation 00:31:04.479 --> 00:31:05.199 wasn't serving, 00:31:05.319 --> 00:31:05.879 wasn't on duty, 00:31:06.019 --> 00:31:07.619 just came and sat next to them 00:31:07.619 --> 00:31:09.439 and spoke and prayed with them. 00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:10.619 What an amazing blessing. 00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:11.919 Just coming to church early 00:31:11.919 --> 00:31:13.259 to serve and bless 00:31:13.259 --> 00:31:13.959 those around them. 00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:15.279 Friends, maybe it means 00:31:15.279 --> 00:31:16.240 reaching out to somebody 00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:16.879 in the community, 00:31:17.039 --> 00:31:17.839 getting to know them, 00:31:18.259 --> 00:31:18.839 praying with them, 00:31:18.960 --> 00:31:19.700 meeting up with them. 00:31:20.579 --> 00:31:21.319 Maybe it means 00:31:21.319 --> 00:31:22.639 serving in kids ministry, 00:31:22.779 --> 00:31:23.720 joining the army 00:31:23.720 --> 00:31:24.759 of kids ministry 00:31:24.759 --> 00:31:25.879 or youth ministry 00:31:25.879 --> 00:31:26.960 or students ministry, 00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:28.200 shaping the faith 00:31:28.200 --> 00:31:28.759 and the lives 00:31:28.759 --> 00:31:29.700 of the next generation. 00:31:30.440 --> 00:31:31.000 Maybe it means 00:31:31.000 --> 00:31:32.379 serving with our mission partners, 00:31:32.680 --> 00:31:33.399 sons and daughters, 00:31:33.619 --> 00:31:34.359 inner city ministry, 00:31:35.119 --> 00:31:36.099 adopting a compassion 00:31:36.099 --> 00:31:37.059 to national child. 00:31:37.639 --> 00:31:38.539 At the very least, 00:31:39.079 --> 00:31:39.980 praying for the members 00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:40.639 of your CG, 00:31:41.379 --> 00:31:41.920 blessing them, 00:31:41.960 --> 00:31:43.119 that God's work in you 00:31:43.119 --> 00:31:44.119 can flow through you 00:31:44.119 --> 00:31:45.359 to those around you. 00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:47.379 As we come to a close, 00:31:47.459 --> 00:31:48.500 I want to just tell 00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:49.259 one brief story. 00:31:49.339 --> 00:31:49.839 Something that happened 00:31:49.839 --> 00:31:50.559 this week. 00:31:51.779 --> 00:31:52.979 A couple of years ago, 00:31:53.019 --> 00:31:54.319 we had a wonderful member 00:31:54.319 --> 00:31:54.839 of Watermark. 00:31:54.899 --> 00:31:55.779 His name was Dave. 00:31:56.439 --> 00:31:59.799 And Dave left Watermark 00:31:59.799 --> 00:32:00.739 six years ago 00:32:00.739 --> 00:32:01.939 to move to Taiwan. 00:32:02.599 --> 00:32:03.559 And he married 00:32:03.559 --> 00:32:04.679 a fantastic lady, 00:32:04.859 --> 00:32:05.079 Julie. 00:32:05.199 --> 00:32:05.899 They had a child 00:32:05.899 --> 00:32:06.879 and they moved back 00:32:06.879 --> 00:32:07.579 to the U.S. 00:32:08.339 --> 00:32:10.179 and Dave was a great member 00:32:10.179 --> 00:32:11.079 of the Watermark Church. 00:32:11.639 --> 00:32:12.619 But Dave tragically 00:32:12.619 --> 00:32:13.799 this year passed away. 00:32:13.899 --> 00:32:14.699 A tragic accident 00:32:14.699 --> 00:32:15.899 and he passed away 00:32:15.899 --> 00:32:16.659 in the U.S. 00:32:17.299 --> 00:32:18.740 And some members 00:32:18.740 --> 00:32:19.319 of Watermark, 00:32:19.419 --> 00:32:20.559 particularly Sam and Joe 00:32:20.559 --> 00:32:22.099 and Henry and Carla 00:32:22.099 --> 00:32:22.980 and Edie and Joyce, 00:32:23.539 --> 00:32:24.279 decided we're going to 00:32:24.279 --> 00:32:25.439 arrange a memorial service 00:32:25.439 --> 00:32:26.379 for him here in Hong Kong. 00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:27.019 I know he doesn't have 00:32:27.019 --> 00:32:27.679 any family here, 00:32:27.720 --> 00:32:28.839 but he's got other friends here. 00:32:29.179 --> 00:32:29.779 Let's arrange 00:32:29.779 --> 00:32:30.639 a memorial service. 00:32:30.779 --> 00:32:32.000 And they arranged 00:32:32.000 --> 00:32:33.039 a memorial service. 00:32:33.379 --> 00:32:34.119 And not only that, 00:32:34.159 --> 00:32:35.119 they raised some funds 00:32:35.119 --> 00:32:35.939 for his wife 00:32:35.940 --> 00:32:36.600 and his son. 00:32:37.380 --> 00:32:39.420 And just really blessed 00:32:39.420 --> 00:32:40.360 and remembered Dave. 00:32:41.039 --> 00:32:42.960 Well, the family of Dave 00:32:42.960 --> 00:32:43.980 was so touched 00:32:43.980 --> 00:32:44.980 that they wrote 00:32:44.980 --> 00:32:45.740 a letter to us 00:32:45.740 --> 00:32:46.660 at Watermark this week 00:32:46.660 --> 00:32:47.519 just to thank us 00:32:47.519 --> 00:32:48.360 for the love and care 00:32:48.360 --> 00:32:49.740 that we had shown to Dave. 00:32:49.779 --> 00:32:50.460 And I want to just read 00:32:50.460 --> 00:32:51.519 a couple of lines from it. 00:32:51.580 --> 00:32:53.720 This is what Dave's father wrote. 00:32:54.840 --> 00:32:55.600 It's a bit longer, 00:32:55.700 --> 00:32:56.500 but he just says this. 00:32:56.880 --> 00:32:57.720 A few quotes. 00:32:57.840 --> 00:32:58.220 Ultimately, 00:32:58.740 --> 00:32:59.840 I think we are grateful 00:32:59.840 --> 00:33:01.100 for one primary reason. 00:33:03.380 --> 00:33:04.220 Watermark was being 00:33:04.220 --> 00:33:05.039 a true church 00:33:05.039 --> 00:33:06.480 in ways that we really see 00:33:06.480 --> 00:33:07.220 in today's world. 00:33:07.980 --> 00:33:08.879 We saw the kindness 00:33:08.879 --> 00:33:09.659 of Christ 00:33:09.659 --> 00:33:11.339 in ways that surprised us 00:33:11.339 --> 00:33:12.899 through the body of Christ 00:33:12.899 --> 00:33:13.440 in the time 00:33:13.440 --> 00:33:14.619 of great personal darkness 00:33:14.619 --> 00:33:15.159 and loss. 00:33:15.960 --> 00:33:16.980 You saw Dave. 00:33:17.460 --> 00:33:18.420 You cared for him 00:33:18.420 --> 00:33:19.000 as a church. 00:33:19.139 --> 00:33:19.819 You pointed him 00:33:19.819 --> 00:33:20.480 to his Savior. 00:33:21.180 --> 00:33:22.079 You appreciated 00:33:22.079 --> 00:33:23.259 his role in the body 00:33:23.259 --> 00:33:24.779 and you made him know that. 00:33:25.139 --> 00:33:26.119 As much as sometimes 00:33:26.119 --> 00:33:26.740 he struggled, 00:33:27.240 --> 00:33:28.399 he still had worth 00:33:28.399 --> 00:33:29.099 and was welcomed 00:33:29.099 --> 00:33:30.019 into your fellowship. 00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:31.899 We're particularly grateful 00:33:31.899 --> 00:33:32.799 for Chris Thornton 00:33:32.799 --> 00:33:34.259 who showed such great love 00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:35.240 and care for Dave. 00:33:35.819 --> 00:33:36.759 Dave always said 00:33:36.759 --> 00:33:37.680 he had never met 00:33:37.680 --> 00:33:39.159 a truer Christian man 00:33:39.159 --> 00:33:40.159 than Chris. 00:33:40.819 --> 00:33:42.119 We hope that all of you know 00:33:42.119 --> 00:33:42.859 that your love 00:33:42.859 --> 00:33:43.419 and care 00:33:43.419 --> 00:33:44.500 was not in vain. 00:33:44.960 --> 00:33:46.279 It's one of those rare things 00:33:46.279 --> 00:33:47.159 for which we can be 00:33:47.159 --> 00:33:48.339 eternally grateful. 00:33:49.339 --> 00:33:49.680 Friends, 00:33:49.740 --> 00:33:50.659 the mark of a true 00:33:50.659 --> 00:33:52.359 and authentic church. 00:33:53.259 --> 00:33:53.500 Friends, 00:33:53.559 --> 00:33:54.220 do you ever question 00:33:54.220 --> 00:33:54.779 your faith? 00:33:55.599 --> 00:33:56.759 Do you ever have doubts 00:33:56.759 --> 00:33:57.700 arise? 00:33:58.399 --> 00:33:59.139 Does persecution, 00:33:59.460 --> 00:33:59.899 opposition, 00:34:00.140 --> 00:34:00.740 difficulty, 00:34:01.220 --> 00:34:01.920 disappointments 00:34:01.920 --> 00:34:02.820 make you have a question 00:34:02.820 --> 00:34:03.759 whether this whole 00:34:03.759 --> 00:34:04.880 Jesus thing is genuine? 00:34:06.019 --> 00:34:06.640 Authentic faith 00:34:06.640 --> 00:34:08.019 is not necessarily fancy. 00:34:08.539 --> 00:34:09.440 It may not be popular. 00:34:09.559 --> 00:34:10.320 It may not be big. 00:34:10.940 --> 00:34:11.860 You don't need to save 00:34:11.860 --> 00:34:12.980 the world or plan a church. 00:34:13.099 --> 00:34:13.639 You don't need to have 00:34:13.639 --> 00:34:14.980 a certain type of personality. 00:34:15.360 --> 00:34:16.420 You don't need to be outgoing. 00:34:17.440 --> 00:34:18.240 Authentic faith 00:34:18.240 --> 00:34:19.800 is faith in the true 00:34:19.800 --> 00:34:20.500 and living God. 00:34:21.260 --> 00:34:21.980 It's the gospel 00:34:21.980 --> 00:34:23.059 being at work in you. 00:34:23.539 --> 00:34:24.119 It's the gospel 00:34:24.119 --> 00:34:25.519 being at work through you 00:34:25.519 --> 00:34:26.960 to bless and serve others. 00:34:27.500 --> 00:34:28.800 May that be true of you. 00:34:28.800 --> 00:34:30.700 May that be true of us. 00:34:31.080 --> 00:34:32.060 Let's pray together. 00:34:34.340 --> 00:34:35.019 Lord Jesus, 00:34:35.280 --> 00:34:36.539 we look at this passage 00:34:36.539 --> 00:34:38.140 2,000 years old. 00:34:38.280 --> 00:34:39.680 This letter from a man 00:34:39.680 --> 00:34:40.360 to a church 00:34:40.360 --> 00:34:41.460 and simple church 00:34:41.460 --> 00:34:42.180 in Thessalonica. 00:34:42.900 --> 00:34:43.320 God, 00:34:43.380 --> 00:34:44.500 we want this to be true of us. 00:34:44.600 --> 00:34:45.060 We want, 00:34:45.260 --> 00:34:45.360 Lord, 00:34:45.420 --> 00:34:46.060 for the gospel 00:34:46.060 --> 00:34:46.800 to come to us 00:34:46.800 --> 00:34:47.400 in power, 00:34:47.539 --> 00:34:48.200 in the Holy Spirit 00:34:48.200 --> 00:34:49.180 with much conviction. 00:34:49.880 --> 00:34:50.440 We want to be 00:34:50.440 --> 00:34:51.180 the kind of church 00:34:51.180 --> 00:34:52.200 where you, God, 00:34:52.260 --> 00:34:53.320 are at work in us 00:34:53.320 --> 00:34:54.760 but not just in us 00:34:54.760 --> 00:34:55.760 and work through us. 00:34:56.400 --> 00:34:56.620 Lord, 00:34:56.680 --> 00:34:57.460 we want our faith 00:34:57.460 --> 00:34:58.940 to resound forth 00:34:58.940 --> 00:35:00.039 all across Asia. 00:35:00.679 --> 00:35:01.280 We pray. 00:35:01.880 --> 00:35:02.820 Help it to be so. 00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:04.599 May that be true of us. 00:35:04.800 --> 00:35:05.679 Pour out your spirit 00:35:05.679 --> 00:35:06.300 upon us. 00:35:06.860 --> 00:35:07.000 Lord, 00:35:07.059 --> 00:35:07.860 I pray for those of us 00:35:07.860 --> 00:35:08.480 that have doubts 00:35:08.480 --> 00:35:09.059 and questions, 00:35:09.260 --> 00:35:09.720 those of us 00:35:09.720 --> 00:35:10.599 who have faced 00:35:10.599 --> 00:35:11.220 disappointment 00:35:11.220 --> 00:35:11.820 and wonder 00:35:11.820 --> 00:35:12.539 whether our faith 00:35:12.539 --> 00:35:13.039 is genuine. 00:35:13.179 --> 00:35:13.800 Oh, God, 00:35:13.940 --> 00:35:14.679 reach out to us. 00:35:14.840 --> 00:35:15.840 Pour out your spirit 00:35:15.840 --> 00:35:17.460 and pour out your love 00:35:17.460 --> 00:35:18.139 into our hearts. 00:35:18.599 --> 00:35:19.179 We pray 00:35:19.179 --> 00:35:20.360 in your wonderful 00:35:20.360 --> 00:35:21.700 and gracious name. 00:35:22.220 --> 00:35:22.519 Amen.