960421AM
WFJ-02
1Th2.12 WALK WORTHY OF GOD
I Thessalonians 2:12
I sing a new song [they echo repeat] Since Jesus came [they echo repeat] Serve a new Master [they echo repeat] Wear a new Name [they echo repeat] Walk a new Road [they echo repeat] Have a new Goal [they echo repeat] I Know a new Peace [they echo repeat] Down deep in my Soul [they echo repeat]
How did Paul minister to them? He gave them the same plan he gave any other sinner. God’s recovery program is sanctification! When Paul proclaimed Christ to those deep in the dungeon of sin, he offered a recovery program. The vice grip of sin could be destroyed and the sin appetite abated.
Did Paul see lasting change? Resoundingly the Scriptures say YES! The vivid reality of washed saints, cleansed from the filth of sin’s prison, is the grandest picture the first-century church passed on to us.
Excavating the secret of this recovery program takes us to one of the ancient provinces of Rome and the city of Thessalonica
I. The CITY: Early this century a group of French archaeologists began to excavate the ancient ruins of a city along the coast of the Aegean Sea. As the work progressed they came to the NECROPOLIS or “City of the Dead”. Apart from the Necropolis was a separate area – a CEMETERY “sleeping place” KOIMEO. To the amazement of the archeologists was the presence of a unique word seldom if ever used in the ancient world: AMEMPTOS. Across each white marble slab deeply cut was a message that crossed the dust of centuries.
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II. The CALLING Across each white marble slab deeply cut was a message that crossed the dust of centuries. Open your Bibles to I Th. 3:13 – unblameable in holiness. Also 2:10 and 5:23
III. The CONDUCT
The apostle distilled the Christian life down to some bite sized pieces. These saints had no tapes. There were no bookstores to catch the latest titles. They had no Christian radio. There was no study bible to use and carry around. In reality it was only what they heard and could remember! So Paul reduced the entire life down to some neat little mottos to hold onto easily! We can call these: EXHORTATIONS for Unashamed Living:
First Thessalonians 1:10 1. They had A NEW GOAL: Wait for Son First Thessalonians 2:12 2. They had A NEW PLAN: Walk worthy of God First Thessalonians 2:13 3. They had A NEW AUTHORITY: Take God at His Word First Thessalonians 2:1420 4. They had A NEW STANDARD: Measure all by Christ’s coming First Thessalonians 3:3,4 5. They had A NEW PERSPECTIVE: Accept suffering from God First Thessalonians 3:12 6. They had A NEW RESOURCE: Abound in love First Thessalonians 4:3 7. They had A NEW APPETITE: Stay pure First Thessalonians 4:11 8. They had A NEW LIFESTYLE: Be quiet, Mind own business, Work First Thessalonians 4:18 9. They had A NEW MINISTRY: Comfort one another First Thessalonians 5:11 10.They had A NEW FOCUS: Edify one another First Thessalonians 5:16 11.They had A NEW HABIT: Rejoice always First Thessalonians 5:17 12.They had A NEW CONTACT: Pray always First Thessalonians 5:18 13.They had A NEW AWARENESS: Be thankful
Waiting for the Son is a LIFE THAT EVERY-
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Titus 2:11-13 DAY is Denying ungodliness Phil. 3:20-21 MOMENT is Watching Eagerly ! Gen. 48:15-16 ONE is Living and Dying in hope ! Gen. 50:19- THING is revealing God’s Hand ! Heb. 11:13 TIME is Looking for a city with foundations !
Do Simeon and Anna in Luke 2 to illustrate the WALK!
#465 But, I want to see…