Paul has some great advice here on the purpose of life on earth and the ultimate destination for the believer. Paul receives encouraging news from Timothy about the Thessalonians, this lifts Paul’s spirit. Be encouraged!
1 Thessalonians 3:
1 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone,
2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's co-worker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith,
3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.
4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.
5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labour would be in vain.
Timothy's Encouraging Report
6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you---
7 for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.
8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.
9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God,
10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?
11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you,
12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,
13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
1 Thessalonians 4: A Life Pleasing to God
1 Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.
2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;
4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honour,
5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;
6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.
7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.
8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,
10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,
11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,
12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
The Coming of the Lord
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Things to think about…
1. Let’s be honest, none of us appreciate suffering. Paul is concerned that the suffering the Thessalonian’s were enduring would cause them to stumble spiritually, 1 Thess 3:1-5. How would you cope if you were to suffer more than you presently do for your faith?
2. But there is a purpose in suffering, look at the fruit of their suffering, 1 Thess 3:6-13. It brings them and Paul comfort and joy, knowing they are standing fast in their faith, 1 Thess 3:7-9. Suffering because of the native state of rebellion in our hearts causes us to be refined. In our western world we shun suffering. But the Lord uses it. What trials in your life have been used to make you more like Christ? How have they blessed other Christians as a result?
3. You want to know what God’s will is for your life? Sanctification, 1 Thess 4:3. It is that you conform more to the image of Christ and become more holy, 4:7. We don’t hear this too much. I get a lot of podcasts as part of my personal development. Unfortunately it is not a common theme with today’s preaching. If we disregard this however, Paul says we are disregarding God the Holy Spirit, 4:8. Look at how godly sanctification expresses itself, 4:9, 10, that we love one another and that this love continues to grow. I praise God for the love we have at CBC. When we see it being eroded at any point through destructive words or actions we are all called to hold people to account.
4. What a blessing the second coming of Christ will be for the church, 1 Thess 4:13-18. The Thessalonians were unsure about the state of those who had died. We know there is life after this life. Paul exhorts us to encourage each other with this truth, vs 18. We know after the resurrection of Jesus that Matthew tells us that many saints who had passed were seen by many raised again after coming out their tombs. At the return of Jesus some will be taken and others left, as Jesus tells us two will be in a field, one taken and the other left, Mt 24:40. Encourage someone today about Christ’s return.
5.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Sermon and reading topic for this week – Sermon “A walk through Colossians”
Reading – Colossians 1:15-23
1. Jay asked on Sunday why you do what you do. For example our minds drive our wills and motivate our hearts. This is true for our employment, study, sport, social life, faith and recreation. What we know in our minds motivates our hearts into action. Question - Is this wholly true for you or are your mind and heart in conflict in any areas in your life. I.E Are there things in your life that don’t align in your mind and heart? Discuss.
2. Colossians was likely written by Paul while he was in prison in the mid 50’s AD. He follows the same pattern in all his letters. He greets the church, gives thanks for them and then proceeds with theology by instructing their minds. After the teaching element he then tells the church how this applies practically in their lives. Very much mind over matter. With respect to what we just read, how does the theology about Jesus in these verses affect the way you live?
3. Paul mentions philosophies and empty deceit of human tradition in Col 2:8. Read this verse and discuss some of the philosophies having effect today in our lives and the church.
4. Discuss prayer points of the group. Church prayer points.
Prayer Points
1. Recharge youth and Kids@Church ministries as term 2 starts this week. Pray for Melinda as she starts as the Youth Coordinator.
2. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
3. Church finances to meet our new staff and to put a roof over our café.
4. Getting drawings into council.
5. Sunday’s message from Thessalonians - “I’m in Raptures” – Pastor Jay.
Praise Points.
1. Zac and Bec’s wedding followed by 7 baptisms was an amazing testament to God’s grace.
2. More visitors to church on Sunday.
3. We praise God for the rain but pray for those travelling over the Easter break.
4. Praise the Lord for the Kids@church ministry. Thankyou Maddison Willey.
5. Praise and worship – pray for continued growth and blessing.
6. Unity, peace and grace at CBC.
Announcements
1. Gel blaster morning – 8-12pm Sat 24th April – Wacol reserve. Contact Tim Freeman for more details 0403 682 909.
2. Recharge on this week all high schoolers – 6:30pm-8:30pm Friday at church. $2 coin donation. Melinda Fourie heading this ministry.
3. Kids Church for all primary schoolers. Maddison Willey is the ministry contact. Parents please check your rosters. Remember to sign your kids in and out.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
