Title: Why I Have Hope
Text:
1 Thessalonians 2:1-6 (HCSB)
1 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our visit with you was not without result.
2 On the contrary, after we had previously suffered, and we were treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, we were emboldened by our God to speak the gospel of God to you in spite of great opposition.
3 For our exhortation didn't come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive.
4 Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but rather God, who examines our hearts.
5 For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives—God is our witness—
6 and we didn't seek glory from people, either from you or from others.
Observation:
The church at Thessalonica is a great example of what can happen in a new church plant in a very short period of time. However, it also shows the opposition to the gospel of Christ. Notice that the church prospered in spite of the opposition.
Acts 17:1-3 (HCSB)
1 Then they traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.
2 As usual, Paul went to the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
3 explaining and showing that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead: "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah."
Acts 17:5-6 (HCSB)
5 But the Jews became jealous, and they brought together some scoundrels from the marketplace, formed a mob, and started a riot in the city. Attacking Jason's house, they searched for them to bring them out to the public assembly.
6 When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city officials, shouting, "These men who have turned the world upside down have come here too,
As you can see, when you serve God and preach the gospel of Christ, things can get tough. However, even in the midst of suffering, God will bless those who remain faithful. O the blessing of being a world changer; counted with those who it was said, "These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also".
Prayer:
Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank You for the hope and the power of the gospel of Christ. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
1 Corinthians 1:18 (HCSB)
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is God's power to us who are being saved.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/298#ixzz37irc3IyW
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Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
4 But He answered, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
8 Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.
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