1) A Personal Testimony (v1-10) a) Praising God (1-3) b) Seeking God (4-7) c) Experiencing God (8-10) 2) Pointed Teaching (v11-22) What is your testimony?
Background Jesus and the rescue mission The birth of the Church Acts 17 Paul and Silas in Thessalonica Persecution and growth A letter of encouragement, 1 Thessalonians. A SPIRIT EMPOWERED: 1. LIFE (v4-5) 2. PERSEVERANCE (v6) 3. WITNESS (v7-8) 4. TRANSFORMATION (v9) 5 HOPE (v10)
1. THE DECLARATION (v20-27) “I AM the resurrection and the life” 2. THE DEMONSTRATION (v38-44) Lazarus raised from the dead 3. THE DEMAND FOR A DECISION (v45-46,53) Some believed, others disbelieved
1. SEVEN DEADLY SINS a) Foolishness b) Disobedience c) Deceit d) Slavery e) Malice f) Envy g) Hatred 2. SEVEN LIFE-GIVING INITIATIVES a) Kindness b) Love c) Mercy d) Rebirth e) Renewal f) Justification g) Hope
1. They know not what they do The Mourners (v27-31) The Religious Rulers (v35) The Soldiers (v36-37) The Governor (v38) The Rebellious Thief (v39) The Repentant Thief (v40-42) 2. Jesus knows what they need His rejection not retaliation (See Isaiah 53 and 1 Peter 2:22-25) The promise of forgiveness to the repentant (Luke 23:40-43)…
(Please be aware the sound is not the usual quality) The backdrop: strangers, scattered, suffering Three imperatives: Be united (v8) Do good to all (v9 – 14) Be ready – to give an answer (v15)