Faithfull to the End

Rev. Darry K. Mason Sr.

Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago

0 ratings

· 13 views

Notes

Transcript

Faithful to the End

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Ministered by the Holy spirit through: Minister Darryl K. Mason Sr.

WUMC

Rev. Dr. Timothy West, Pastor

22 October 2017

Acknowledgements - Scriptural Ref:

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

1 Thessalonians 1New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.2 We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers and sisters[a] beloved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. 9 For the people of those regions[b]report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming. word of God for- people of God you may be seated in the presence of God

As the Holy Spirit Guidance - I would like to talk about

Faithful Till the End

Pray man, Pray!!

Intro –

Talking Point 1

- Paul scripture writing and church Planter

- Churches in Corth, Philipia and Thessalonica

- Capital of Macedonia

Talking Point 2

-.Paul Plants the church but must later leave (persecution?)

- He sends Timothy to check on them

- He returns with Great news

- Paul writes back to them with this 1st letter to them

- Oldest and first book of the NT

Intro (cont’d)–

Talking Point 1

- Paul praises and encourages them

- They have been faithful

- In spite of persecution

- “Everyone” knows about them because of their faithfull ness

Talking Point 2

- We as modern day people of God can draw from their example

- Oldest and first book of the NT

Intro - Anti-thesis (the world view)

Why be faithful?

These are contrary points that you will disprove

- Friends ask..why be faithful to a God you cannot see, feel or touch?

- What commit to something that will not give you monetary dividends - Still others say that God is dead

Talking point 2

- Some say that God is dead

- Every morning he wakes me up witih his finger of love

- Love of God makes you want to “run on to see what the end is gonna be”

- Like first shut up in my bones

- Make you wanna run with no one is chasing your

- Makes you want to dance when no music is playing

- I know there is a God that is due my faithful services

Intro - Thesis

(connect back to scripture storyline)

Recap the scripture story – retell and give the overview –Thessalonians were know all over the region for their faithfulness Explain the significance

They were not regular church people (not from the Synagogue. They were idol worshipers who were new to Christianity who decided to be sold out for Christ IN SPITE OF how they were being persecuted. New Christians

Because of their faithfulness, and leaning on the Holy Spirit they were known throughout the region.

Proposition

-What is the claim?

What is your focus - What is the scripture trying to say upfront?

Proclamation-Relevant question

- Faith vs. Faithfulness (one is in your head – the other comes out with your action – explain) - Faith says I believe in Christ – Faithfulness means you will go tell everybody that you know.

-We have plenty people with Faith but how many are faithful.. They devil knows who Jesus is!!!

Declaration of What God wants.

- God desires us to be sold out for him INSPITE of the persecution or oppression in our lives.

- He desires to see our faith played in action and we build his kingdom

- God needs workers that will work in the vineyard until he comes back for his church

Intro wrap and three points you will cover

(connect back to scripture storyline)

As we study our scripture

God has called his people to be

1. Faithfull Witness for this Kingdom

2. Faithfull through persecution

3. Faithfull until Jesus returns

***Good Transition here tie everything together**

I. Point 1 – Faithfull Witness for His Kingdom

Verse

8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it.

Declarative Sentence Here

To be a faithful Witness we must take the word of the Lord Wherever we Go

Ac 1:7–8 Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Ac 1:7–8). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Let’s Understand Witness.. It comes from the greek word Martys…..It is the same word that we get Martyr

When God speaks to us about our commitment He

What are you willing to give up to be a witness for the Lord

Talking Point 1

- Tell the train story (explain slowly)

- Most of the time God does not require a lot from us Just what we already have (over)

II. Point 1 – Faithfull Witness for His Kingdom

Talking Point 1

- I use to love comic book heroes . - I thought they were such great and special people..

- I realized later they were people that just used what they were given.

- Incredible Hulk (victim of radiation overdose)

- Wonder woman (taught the warrior ways of the amazon give a magic lasso

- Millionare Bruce Wayne use his resources to fight crime

III. Point 1 – Faithfull Witness for His Kingdom

Superman – My Favorite

- He was from another world . - I would watch the TV show

- Faster than a speeding bullet

- More powerfull than a locamotive

- Able to leap tall buildings a single bound (look up in the skys..its a bird it’s a plane its superman)

- He got is power from our Sun

- He use to fight crime to right wrongs

- Superman got his powers from the SUN but we have power from the SON..the Son of God

- How many superheroes do we have in the congregation willing to take the little you have and give it to go.

- Are there any Batman’s that can sew a seed into God’s Kingdom

- Are there any Wonder Women (Not looking for cat women (cougars)

- Is there anyone here that will use what they have as a faithfull witness to the Lord.

***Good Transition here tie everything together*

But as we use what we have as a faithful witness to him.. While we are serving him, God requires use to Faithfull through persecution.

IV. Point 2 – Faithfull through persecution

6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

Persecution Kapernick

- Colin Kapernick (fmr SF QB)

- Brought attention to persecution and oppression people of color.

- He took a stand by kneeling

- He brought attention to his cause.

- We can learn a lot from Kapernick (if you agree or not)

OVER==

Persecution Witness

- - He went on his knees to make a change

- He took a stand by getting on his knees.

- During times of persecution we have to get on our knees and stand up

- Racial oppression (take it to God – go vote and be active in our government) - Unfair Immigration practice (take to go in prayer but God protest against)

- Unfair Immigration practice (take to go in prayer but God protest against)

- We find ourselves under a different type of persecution or oppression

(Anything that keeps you from doing God’s will can be con)

- I am observation that we are the victims of prosperity persecution and possession oppression)

- We have been blessed so much that we have left God’s Vineyard

- - But I pray that God would quicken are hearts to go back to Him.

***Good Transition here tie everything together**

So as we live to be a faithfull witness to to the Lord and as we strive to be faithfull through persecution and oppression.

We pray for faithfulness to stay with God until he calls us home.

V. Point 3 – Faithfull until Jesus returns

For the people of those regions[b]report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.

Talking Point

- This was an early church

- Jesus’ death was recent

- The expected that Jesus would return any day

- Paul encourages them to work with an expectation

Talking Point

- Mk 13:34–37It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Mk 13:34–37). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

VI. Point 3 – Faithfull until Jesus returns

Let’s Continue to Work

- Ac 2:17–18 In the last days it will be, God declares,

that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,

and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

and your young men shall see visions,

and your old men shall dream dreams.

Even upon my slaves, both men and women,

in those days I will pour out my Spirit;

and they shall prophesy.

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Ac 2:17–18). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

- Let’s work like we are waiting for Jesus to come

- Dirty room (mom coming home – oh my!!)

- Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see ‘the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven’ with power and great glory

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Mt 24:30). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Jesus Return Celebration

- I pray that I’m alive when Jesus comes back maybe maybe not

- I can imagine there will be a shaking of the earth

- News coverage (CNN, ABC)

- Everynews camera, smart phone, twitter account will be pointed to the sky.

-John tells it best in Revelation

. 11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had[a]a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean,[b] followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp[c] sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

- Look up in the Sky…It Jesus coming back for his Church

- Who is this Jesus?

- Born of a Virgin.use your prayer script

***Good Transition here tie everything together**

VII. Recap and Summarize your 3 points

INVITATION HERE

Point 1- recap – Continue to be a faithfull witness for God by using your gifts for the kingdom

Point 2- recap –Lean on the Holy Spirit to be faithful through oppression and persecution

Point 2- recap- Stay faithfull and work until Jesus returns.

VIII. What is the call to action…

Point 1- action

Point 2- action

Point 3- action

IX. Celebration - Conclusion

Point 1- action

Point 2- action

Point 3- action

X. Jesus – Birth – Life – Death – Resurrection - Return

Birth

Life

Death

Ressurection

You must re-visit the proposition before you give the invitation

XI. Invitation

Believe

Confess

May God continue to bless you

richly!!

24. Jude 24-25 - Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

10. Eph. 3:20-21 - Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Related Media

Related Sermons