Sunday Morning Service 8:30AM- The Work of the Gospel - Pastor Ryan

All right, good morning. It's good to see you all. I'm glad you're here. I want to invite you to stand with us. We'll pray and we'll get started. Father, we thank you for the day. Lord, we thank you for another opportunity, Lord, to come before you, to sit in your presence, to worship you, Lord, and to spend some time in your word. We ask your blessing upon this time, Lord. Help us to set everything that's going on in our lives aside and to simply focus on you this morning and lift a joyful noise.

We love you and we praise you in Jesus' name. Amen.

You shine in the shadow. You can stand against the power. You shine in the shadow. You can stand against the power.

Amen. Amen. You guys can go and have a seat if you like, and we'll continue on. Blessed assurance. Jesus is mine. He's been my fourth man in the fire time after time. One of his spirits washed in his blood. And what he did for me on Calvary is more than enough. I trust in God, my Savior. I trust in my Savior.

Perfect submission has ordered my step. This is my strong answer. I sought the Lord. Answer. I sought the Lord.

My Savior.

Lord, I just want to take a moment, Lord, and just give you praise for what you've done in our lives, Lord. Lord, you've taken us from death to life, Lord. You've taken our old life and replaced it with a new one.

You've essentially brought us out of Egypt, Lord. We give you praise this morning, Lord. We give you glory and we give you honor. Don't forget the wonder of delivering. The exodus of my heart. The exodus of my heart.

Just for my release. Oh, yeah. By day, there's a sign that you are. By night, here's the guiding me by the hand. You marched me out of freedom. Promised land, I forget you. God, I'll sing of death that's swallowed up forever. By the fury of death, you stepped into my Egypt. Marched me out in freedom into the promised land. You stepped into my Egypt. You took me by the hand.

You marched me out of freedom. Promised land, I know I will. God, I'll sing of all your mercy fills the streets. To look upon the one who bled to save me. Walk with him for all eternity.

The songs of faith were sang through doubt and fear. And in thee it was. Worth it. When he returns. To wipe away. And stand beside. The heroes of the faith. With one voice. A thousand generations. Sing worthy is the lamb who was slain.

And on that day.

Beside. The heroes of the faith. A thousand generations. Yes, Lord God, we look forward to the day that we get to be in your presence, Lord God, and shout the hymn of heaven. Amen?

Would you guys go ahead and stand with me for this last one? I depend on you. I depend on you. For the sun to fall asleep at night. I depend on you. I depend on you.

Truth and life. You're the one stride. Mansion, you are the vine. Draw me close and teach me to. As I fall and don't you.

Yes, I depend.

Through death. As I enter.

My strength. My song in the night.

Treasure my pride.

You teach me to.

Lord God, this morning I just pray that you would just teach us to abide in you.

Lord, help us to remain in you, to not walk away, Lord, to not drift away, Lord, just to plug ourselves into you, Lord. Spend time in your word and in prayer, Lord, every day, because you are our source of strength. You are our source of life, Lord God. Lord, this morning as we open up your word, I pray that you speak mightily through Pastor Ryan. I pray that your Holy Spirit would just move mightily this morning and help us to abide in you, Lord.

Father God, we love you. We praise you. We thank you. And all God's people said, amen. Let's go ahead and have some time of fellowship.

Good morning.

If you could begin to locate your seats. Grab a bulletin. We'll get ready to go over some announcements.

Welcome to Calvary Chapel. I'm glad that you have joined us this morning. Handful of things to take note of in your bulletin. As always, over on the left-hand side are the things that are going on throughout the week. One little announcement about the things. On the left-hand side is that there is going to be a new Joyful Life Ladies' Study starting up in October.

And so I think there should be some sign-up sheets out there. If not, they will be next Sunday. So ladies, if you're interested in getting plugged in with that, you can see Teresa more about that. Over in the middle section of your bulletin, a couple of things to remind you of. Tonight is the Made for More Night of Hope event that we're doing over in the pool parking lot.

Again, just to try to reach out to the community to combat some of the issues we've had with suicide in this area. And so come join us for that. Hogs Dogs is going to be serving hot dogs for free, by the way. And then the Hope Outreach Worship Team is going to be doing worship. It should be a great time together. James and I will be giving short little messages.

And so I'm really excited to invite your friends. Bring a chair and come join us for that. Next Sunday is the Get Connected Potluck at 5 o'clock. And it's going to be right here in the backyard of the church. And they're going to be setting up some tables and stuff for that. And so that everybody can get plugged into some of the small groups that are going on here at the church.

So those are the things that are going on. If you would make sure that your mobile device is silenced. And for our responsive reading this morning, we're going to be in Psalm 52. Psalm 52. For this part of the service, we'll be looking at the New American Standard Translation. If you need a copy of one, there should be one in the row around you. And as you are turning to Psalm 52, if you are able, please stand in the honor of the reading of God's Word.

I will read the odd verses if you will follow along with Pastor Allen and the even verses. Psalm 52. For the choir director, a mascal of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul and said to him, David has come to the house of Himalek. Why do you boast? In evil, O mighty man, the loving kindness of God endures all day long. Your tongue devises destruction like a sharp razor, O worker of deceit.

You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking what is right, Selah. You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue. But God will break you down forever. He will snatch you up and tear you away from your tent and uproot you from the land of the living, Selah. The righteous will see and fear and will laugh at him, saying, Behold, the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and was strong in his evil desire.

But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the loving kindness of God forever and ever. And read verse 9 with me. I will give you thanks forever because you have done it. And I will wait on your name. For it is good in the presence of your godly ones. And Father, we do thank you that we can wait on you and know that you will answer.

And so Father, we desire to hear from you here this morning. And so Lord, as we spend some time in your word, I pray that you would give us hearts that can take in and ears that can hear what it is that your spirit has to say this morning. And Father, I just pray that you would move throughout this service. And Father, may your Holy Spirit minister exactly what we need to hear.

In Jesus' name. Amen. You may be seated. And if you would, open up in your Bibles to the book of 1 Thessalonians, chapter 1. 1 Thessalonians, chapter 1. Last week we started into the book of 1 Thessalonians and we covered just the first verse as an intro. We talked about the writers, Paul, Silas, and Timothy, that they were on that second missionary journey.

And they had gone through and started the church in Thessalonica. But then had to move on because of persecution that was taking place and the threats on their lives. And so they went on eventually to Corinth. And at Corinth, Paul received word of how good the church in Thessalonica was doing. And so he penned this letter. This and 2 Thessalonians from Corinth.

And he wrote this book of 1 Thessalonians because the church was very new. Anywhere from three weeks old to a few months old by the time that he wrote this. And he knew that they needed that extra time. They needed that extra encouragement. They needed that extra instruction in the word. And so he wrote this to give them that instruction. And as we mentioned last week, the first half of Thessalonians is very personal in nature.

The second half of Thessalonians is very instructive in nature. And so as we pick up with that theme of being very personal, we look at verses 2 through 10 in 1 Thessalonians, chapter 1. And I have entitled it, The Work of the Gospel. Because Paul, essentially, is going to recount the work. The work that God had done amongst the Thessalonians because of the work of the gospel.

And so there's three things he's going to do. He's going to give thanks. He's going to talk about the message. And then he's going to talk about the response. And so we pick up in verse 2. And it says this. We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers. Constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

In the presence of our God and Father. Knowing, brethren, beloved by God, his choice of you. For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit with full conviction. Just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit.

So that you became an example to all believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of God has sounded forth from you. Not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith towards God has gone forth. So that we have no need to say anything. For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you. And how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God.

And to wait for his Son from heaven. Whom he raised from the dead. That is Jesus who rescues us from the wrath to come. Again, he starts off with giving thanks. Paul does this with a lot of the churches that he had started. A lot of the believers that he had spent some time around. He always takes time to give thanks to God for who they are. Because they had become precious to him.

Even in that short amount of time, because of the work of the gospel. Because of Paul's personal work with this church. He took time to give thanks for them. And as he gives thanks to them. He says, I also mention you constantly in my prayers. He always mentions them in his prayers. Now I think that it's kind of interesting always to pay attention to Paul's prayer life.

Because Paul kept a running list of all of the people that he prayed for. He was always praying for the churches that he started. He had this interesting list. As a matter of fact, while we're getting into the epistles. In our through the Bible reading as the church together. I think we start Galatians this week. As we get into that. You should take note of Paul's prayer list.

And all the different churches that he prays for. And it should remind you that you should keep a really long running prayer list. Not necessarily that you just sit down and pray over this single list every single day. But something that is constantly in mind. That way every time it comes up. Their name comes up. The situation comes up. You just take a minute to pray for them.

I keep lists all over the place. I write them on my calendars. I write them in my Bibles. Because I just think it's a really good thing. I just think it's a really good thing to do. Because I forget things really easy. And so when I write it down. I look at it. As a matter of fact I just wrote down another name this morning. That I needed to be praying for.

And I keep it on the calendar on my desk. So that when I look at my calendar. And I say why are those names written there? And I start to think about it. And I'm like that's right. Because I'm supposed to be praying for them. And I'll mention them in my prayers. You should do that. Because that's what Paul did. He would constantly mention these different churches in his prayers.

And as he was giving thanks for them. And constantly mentioning them in his prayers. He also says. And he is constantly remembering. Notice what it says in verse 3. Constantly bearing in mind your work of faith. And your labor of love. And your steadfastness of hope. In our Lord Jesus Christ. In the presence of God our Father. Why was he so thankful for them?

Because every time he thought of them. He was reminded of what exactly God had done. Through the gospel in their lives. And he mentions three things. Did you pick out those three words? They're the three words that Paul seems to always put together quite a bit. They're the words faith, hope, and love. A little different order. He does faith, love, and hope.

But those are the things he is so thankful for in the lives of the believers. That God has worked that sort of thing in the life of the believers. Only he couples some words with faith, hope, and love. Did you take note of the words that he couples with it? Let's talk about those really quickly. He says. I'm so thankful as I remember first of all your work of faith.

Your work of faith. Now those are kind of an interesting combination of words to go together. Because it seems like faith and work should be two completely different categories. Because we are saved by faith. Not by works. And yet when Paul thanks God for them. He thanks God for their work of faith. And so what kind of work is he talking about? Well he's actually talking about the work of faith.

As a matter of fact in John chapter 6. When Jesus is talking with the people. They say. What must we do that we can work the works of God? And Jesus looks at them and says. This is the work of God that you should do. That you should believe on him whom he has sent. In other words. The work that God desires of us. The work that God requires of us. Is the work of faith.

That we would believe in him. And that's exactly what had taken place in the lives of these believers. Is they had heard the truth. They had believed the truth. And it became their work of faith. But it really goes even to another level than that. If you were to look at this really accurately in the Greek. The idea behind the phrase work of faith. Is work that is energized by.

Or the faith that energizes and produces works. The faith that energizes and produces works. You see. Faith is our root. Works are our fruit. Because as I put all of my faith in Jesus Christ. It begins to produce something in me. It automatically produces a system of works in my life. Because I start doing things. Not because I want to be saved. But because I am saved.

I start living out this faith that I have believed in. And it begins to affect who I am. Because what we believe affects who we are. And it becomes a part of the fabric of who we are. And so he says I'm so thankful because I have seen your work of faith. Or your work that is energized and produced by faith. The second thing he's so thankful for as he constantly remembers them.

Is their labor of love. Is their labor of love. In other words. Their service that is motivated by love. Love is the thing that produces that sort of service in our lives. You see. It's not hard to serve someone if you love someone. It's not hard to do things for people when you care about them. The load becomes a lot lighter when it becomes a labor of love.

And because of the love that God had produced in their lives through the gospel. They now labor accordingly. It's easy to wear yourself out and work. Is it not? I would venture to say that if you don't really like your job every day. It's a job. Right? If you don't like what you do every day. It's labor. And you look at it as labor. But if you love what you do.

Even the hardest days that you have. Really are no problem for you. Because you're doing what you love. Can we all agree with that? The old saying goes that if you love what you do. You'll never work a day in your life. It's absolutely true. And it's even more so when it comes to the work of the gospel. When it comes to what God calls for us to do. And as we labor amongst each other.

That labor that's motivated by love. Becomes not a very difficult thing at all. Because of the great love that we have for God. And for each other. And then the third thing that he points out. Is the steadfastness of hope. The word steadfast means patient endurance. Some of your translations may even say. The patience of hope. In other words. You have patient endurance.

Because Jesus is your source of hope. Because you know that you are looking forward to. His return. He says I constantly remember this about you. That patient endurance that you have because of hope. You see it's a whole lot easier to endure hardship now. When you know what the end looks like. Let me give you a little bit of an illustration. Now I know not everybody in here agrees with me on this.

But I am a Kansas City Chiefs fan. I was a Kansas City Chiefs fan before everybody hated the Kansas City Chiefs. Right? I liked them even when everybody thought they were the lovable losers. And I remember. The most recent Super Bowl. The first of the more recent Super Bowls that they won. And in the middle of the game. It looked like there was absolutely no way on God's green earth.

That they were going to win that game. Do we all remember that? Because I don't think it was until the fourth quarter. That they actually started to take the lead in the game. Now in the middle of that game. My dad and I are very intense human beings. Right? And we really get intense when it comes to watching sports. And we just we love it. But we watch it with all of our being.

And so. We're watching the game. Pacing around the living room. Pacing around the living room together. Right? We're just like ships passing in the night. As we pace back and forth in the living room. Going this. This is just. They can't do it. They can't do it. Right? And in the middle. We're just so frustrated. And we're so irritated. Because they're not going to win the game.

Well if I had known. In the middle of that game. If I had been watching a replay of it. And gone. It's okay. I know it looks bad now. But they're going to win the game. Then it would be a whole lot easier for me to endure the really bad parts of the game. If I knew what the end already was. Make sense? That's our lives. Sometimes in the middle we're going. I don't know if this thing's ever going to work out.

I don't know how this thing's going to happen. I just. Maybe we're just not meant to be. And we forget that we already know what the end is. As believers. And the end. Is that. We're going to be taken home to be with him. And that he is coming again. And that. Hope. Gives us. Patient. Endurance. And I can say. I know it looks bad now. But I know who wins. And that hope.

Gives us. Patient. Endurance. And I can say. I know it looks bad now. But I know who wins. And that hope. Gives us. Patient. Endurance. And I know who wins. And Paul says. I'm constantly remembering that. And I'm thankful for you. Because you have this work of faith. And you have this labor of love. And you have this steadfastness of hope. Faith that is producing works in your life.

Love that is producing service in your life. And hope that is producing patience in your life. And I'm so thankful for you guys. And I just want to keep praying for you. And so. One more thing he gives thanks for them about. Notice what it says. Verse four. Knowing brethren. Beloved by God. His choice of you. He says knowing. This is something that he knows.

He knows it not only in his head. But he knows it exponentially. Two things. Number one. That you are loved by God. Did you notice the word he used there? Those who are beloved by God. And doesn't it just create a great deal of thanksgiving on our heart to know that we are loved by God. But more than that. To know that the people that we care about are loved by God.

The people that we have poured our lives into. Are loved by God. You see. It's a whole lot easier as a parent. It's a whole lot easier as a pastor. It's a whole lot easier when there's people that you care about. And you want the best for your lives. It's a whole lot easier to trust. God with them when you know that they are loved by God more than you can ever imagine.

You see as I'm raising kids and as I'm pastoring a church sometimes I get concerned for all of you. And sometimes I get concerned for my kids. And I say. Oh Lord I don't know if I'm doing enough. I don't know if I've poured enough in. I don't know if I've done everything that I'm supposed to do. And I always have to sit back and rest and go. But God loves them even more than I do.

And so I can rest in him. I can be thankful. Because God loves them more than I do. And if I want good for them this much. How much more does God want that? And he says. Knowing brethren that you are beloved by God. And knowing also that you have been chosen by God. Now that's a really hot button issue. We've been trying to figure this one out for centuries.

Are we chosen by God? Or did we choose God? And the answer is yes. Brothers and sisters in this particular point Paul says that you are chosen by God. And that's exactly what it means. And I'm going to hit this as hard as Paul does here. You if you're a believer in Jesus Christ here this morning have been chosen by God. And I want you to know that. Because there is so much confidence that we can have as believers.

Knowing that God chose us. Right? Growing up being always the smallest kid on the field. Always being the smallest kid at recess. I never got chosen first for things. Because they were like well I mean yeah we can take him. Especially for a basketball game. That's just all there is to it. Right? Tall guys get chosen first. Short guys get chosen last. And for me to know that God chose me.

Brings so much confidence into my life. Because I know me. And sometimes I don't have a problem with believing that God chooses. Sometimes I have a hard time believing that God chooses me. Because it would make sense for God to choose some other people. But when it comes to the fact that he chose me we are reminded that it is by God's grace. And God's grace alone.

Usually the problem that we have is once we hear that God chooses. That you are chosen by God. We presuppose that that means that God has chosen some. To automatically be damned to hell. And I don't see that in scripture. So we don't have to go there with it. Perhaps everyone is chosen. It's just you have to make the choice for yourself. Because we also have to come to him to receive salvation.

It's a paradox I'll never fully understand. At least not on this side of eternity. But I can rest in the truth of the fact that once I come to Jesus. It is written over my life. Chosen before the foundation. Of the earth. And Paul says I'm so thankful for that for you guys. Well he goes on now to talk about the message of the gospel. Notice what he says in verse 5.

For our gospel did not come to you in word only. But also in power and in the Holy Spirit. And with all conviction just as you know what kind of men. We prove to be among you for your sake. Paul tells us three things about the message. He says first of all it was not in word only. Why does he say that? Because words are cheap. Right? We know that. We know that words are cheap.

It's political season. We know that words are cheap. Right? Because people say whatever they need to to get elected. People say whatever they need to to get you to do what they want for you to do. And we see that. And the same was true in Paul's day. You see in Paul's day. There were still itinerant preachers going around just preaching the gospel for money.

Just trying to earn a following for themselves. And so they would say what they needed to do to get people to follow them. Because that's all they cared about. They cared about building a following. And so they were willing to soften their stances. They were willing to soften their message. They were willing to say what was going to tickle the ears of the people.

So that they could attract a larger audience. Because often times words are cheap. And if words have no power behind them. Then they're useless. They're just words on a page. Or they're just words floating through the air. And so Paul says when we came to you our message was not in word only. It wasn't just some idea that we threw out. No. But it was second of all in power.

It was in power. There is power inherent in the message of the gospel. In other words. The gospel itself has power. The gospel itself has power in it. And the reason why it has power in it. Is because it is the. There's an individual that is the subject of the gospel. You see if it was just words. Or just an idea. Or just a philosophy. It would have no power in it.

But it's not just words. Or an idea. Or a philosophy. The gospel is a person. And it's the person of Jesus Christ. That's the message of the gospel. The message of the gospel is that Jesus loved us. And so he took on the form of a man. And came down and dwelt among us. And as he dwelt among us. He lived a perfect life. And then he died a perfect death. And then he rose again.

And defeated the grave. Therefore if the grave. Which is a symbol of your sin. Has been defeated by Jesus. That means your sin has been defeated by Jesus. Therefore the message is not in word only. But it is in power. And the power is enough to change the lives of people. That's why I love hearing what God has done in the lives of people. I love hearing what God has done.

What God's gospel does in the lives of people. Because as we see God's gospel at work in the lives of people. We realize that there truly is a power behind it. A power that is able to save. A power that is able to heal. A power that is able to restore. A power that is able to make brand new. After all we're told in the book of 2 Corinthians. Chapter 5 verse 17.

That if anyone is in Christ. He is a new creation. Old things have passed away. Old things have become new. And it's because of the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And sometimes as believers. We fail to understand the power. We fail to understand the power in our own lives. Because we decide well I'm just going to keep living in this weakness. I'm just going to keep living in this fear.

I'm just going to keep living with a lack of confidence. And the reason why we do that. Is because we fail to truly grasp the power of the gospel. The gospel that says you have been chosen. You have been redeemed. You are being sanctified. And one day you will be glorified. And go home to be with your savior. And there is power in that. That there is power to heal relationships.

That there is power to restore lives. That there is power beyond addictions. And all the other things. There is that power. And sometimes we as believers fail to see that. And so we live a powerless life. But sometimes the other thing that happens to us as believers. Is we fail to see the power. And we never unleash it on the people that are around us. We say I don't know.

I don't think they really believe. Of course they don't believe. No one has told them yet. They need you to do that. You need to just share the power of the gospel in your own life. And let God do what he is going to do. Because the gospel does what it does. After all the very last book that Paul wrote. In second Timothy. When he was sitting there chained. Awaiting his death.

He said I'm sitting here in prison. But the gospel is not chained. The gospel is not chained. Because it has so much inherent power in it. And that power. Is enough to change your life. And that power is enough to change the lives of the people around us. He says. Our gospel came to you in power. And then number three. It came to you in the Holy Spirit. In the Holy Spirit.

In other words. The one who really ministered this power. Was the Holy Spirit himself. Which is what we need. To make that. Really truly powerful in our own lives. Is that work of the Holy Spirit. It's amazing what happens. When the Holy Spirit begins to move. On the lives of people. It's amazing what begins to happen. When the Holy Spirit begins to move. In a congregation.

Or in a city. Or in a community. Or in a state. Or in a nation. Because you start to see God's spirit really take off. He says our gospel didn't come to you only in word. But it came in power. Number three. It came with conviction. It came with full conviction. That word conviction means. Certainty or assurance. Why did the gospel come to them. With certainty and assurance.

Because every man standing. In Thessalonica with Paul. Declaring the gospel. First had the gospel affect their own lives. They first had the gospel affect their own lives. And they said. I know it works. Because I've seen it work. I know it works. Because it worked for me. I know it works. Because I've watched it's power in my life. I gave a couple of devotions to some kids this week.

And it had to do with overcoming depression. Because I know that's a real issue. In the lives of kids today. So that was what I brought to them. And I'm really passionate about speaking on that. Because I've seen what God has done in my own life. And so when I speak on that. I do it with a great deal of conviction. Because I have certainty and assurance. Of what God is able to do in the life of a person.

Who will bring all of their stuff to Jesus. And let him truly bring healing. And so I don't speak about it. Because I've seen. Because I've read some books. About what it's done in other people's lives. I speak about it. Because I have it written on my own heart. And in my own life. And that's the way I am with the gospel. That's why I get a little bit geeked up.

When I start talking about the gospel. Because as I see the gospel. It's written on my life. And it has been written on my heart. And so I don't need to have it written down. On a piece of paper. One of my favorite songwriters of all time. I actually posted some lyrics of his this week. Is Rich Mullins. And Rich Mullins wrote some great songs in the 90's. And late 80's early 90's.

Fantastic man of God. I didn't agree with all of his theology. But I absolutely loved his songs. And I watched a video about him one time. And his producer was talking about. That every time he would make a CD. That's right kids. These used to be these things called CDs. And you had to actually carry this little disc around with you. And put it in. And even before that there were these things called cassette tapes.

And so we would put them in a cassette tape player. And we would play them on that. I don't know anything about records. I'm not that old. But he said every time he would make a CD. Every time he would make a CD. He would have to make sure and turn in all the lyrics. So that we could put it on the sleeve of the CD. Which is one thing that I absolutely missed.

Was reading the lyrics on the sleeve of the CD. He said so he would come in. And he would recite to me all of the lyrics. And I would say Rich. At some point in time. Could you just email these to me? Or could you send these to me? Or hand them to me or something? Because I'm tired of writing all these things down. There's got to be an easier way. And he said I've never written a lyric down in my life.

These are all written on my heart. So I recite them to you. And I thought what a cool message. About what God's word had done in his life. So that when he wrote songs about God's word. And the work that it was doing. He didn't have to write it down. Because they were written on his heart. And brothers and sisters. That's what it means. Is the gospel of Jesus Christ written on your heart?

Do you know it in conviction? Do you know it with that certainty and assurance? Because that's the way Paul and these guys delivered the gospel. They delivered it with certainty. And assurance. Because they said beyond a shadow of a doubt. We know it's true. Not because somebody told us it's true. And he's absolutely changed our lives. Because that's the reality.

That the world around us needs right now. And that's the reality that you need in your life. And I'll say it again. There's a lot of people that show up to church. Every Sunday morning. And they've heard a lot of things about Jesus. But they've never really had an experience with Jesus. You've never really come to know him for yourself. And so you don't have that certainty.

You don't have that assurance. And you don't have that conviction. And if that's you this morning. If you've heard a lot about Jesus. If you've heard a lot about the gospel. But you've never had your own personal experience with the gospel. Then I'm here to tell you right now. It has inherent power in it. And it has the power to change your life. It has the power to make you new.

It has the power to restore all of the past hurts. And you need to let that power be unleashed in your life. And you too can have that real experience. To where it will be. Not just written on the pages of a book that you've read. But it will be written on your heart. Paul says. Our gospel did not come to you. In word only. But it came to you in power. In the Holy Spirit.

With full conviction. Because you know what kind of men we were among you. For your sake. Now the third thing that we see. Is we see the response. To the gospel. Verse six it says. You also became imitators of us. And of the Lord. Having received the word. In much tribulation. And the joy. Of the Holy Spirit. There's three responses he's going to give. Number one he says.

You became imitators of us and the Lord. That's the first great response to the gospel. Right? Is to imitate the one who brought you the gospel. And to imitate the one who the gospel was truly about. But how did they become imitators. Of Paul and his co-workers. And the Lord. Well it says first of all. Because they dealt with tribulation. See what it says there in verse six.

You became imitators of us and the Lord. Having received the word in much tribulation. The word tribulation means pressure. Or affliction. Remember Paul could only be there three weeks. Why could he only be there three weeks? Because they kicked him out of the synagogue. And then they tried to take over the house. Where he'd set up camp. Where he had set up his base of operations.

And so these guys knew what it was to receive the gospel. In pressure and in much affliction. In great tribulation. How does that make them imitators of Paul. And imitators of the Lord. Well if anybody understood what it was like. To live a life of tribulation. Of pressure and affliction. It was Paul. Just follow any of his missionary journeys. And you'll find that everywhere he went.

The things that he faced was pressure and affliction. After all when he arrived in Thessalonica. Remember how he arrived? He arrived full of nothing but cuts. And bruises and scrapes. Because of the beatings that he endured. At Philippi the city he was at. Right before that. And now he shows up in Thessalonica. Having endured much. Pressure and affliction. And he's watching these Thessalonian believers.

As they're coming to faith. In spite of the pressure. And the affliction. He says you look just like your savior. You look just like your savior. Because you know who else. Knew what it was like to face. Pressure and affliction. Jesus did. After all he was the one who taught the apostles. He was the one who taught them. That anyone who lives godly in this present age.

Will suffer persecution. Because what did they do to him? They whipped him. And they beat him. And they put a crown of thorns on his head. And they crucified him. They had become imitators. Of Paul and his companions. And of the Lord. He said not only did you become imitators. Because of dealing with tribulation. But you became imitators. Because of the joy of the spirit.

Having received the word. Of tribulation. With the joy of the holy spirit. I'm here to tell you right now. One of the greatest proofs. Of the work of the gospel in your life. Is when you can have joy. In the midst of affliction. When you can have joy in the midst of the pressure. When you can have joy. In even the hardest times in life. Because you know that the source of your joy.

Is not your circumstances. But the source of your joy is the gospel. Because no matter what's going on in life. That never changed. Because no matter what's happening in life. Your life has been changed. By the gospel of Jesus Christ. And no one can ever take that from you. He said you became imitators of us. First of all because of the affliction. That you endured.

But second of all because you did so with the joy. Of the holy spirit. And then the last thing he says is. And you became verse 7. An example. To all the believers. In Macedonia and Achaia. What a beautiful example to follow. This example. Of these believers in Thessalonica. Who in spite of the fact. That they endured much hardship. In spite of the fact. That the guy that started their church.

Was forced to leave. In spite of those things. They continued on in the faith. And as they continued on in the faith. They became an example. They became an example of what it looked like. To truly live as God wants us to live. In very difficult times. And I think the book of 1 Thessalonians. Is an important thing for us to do. In the climate that we are living in now.

Because I do think that the potential. Of living in some difficult times. Is absolutely ahead of us. And I would be wrong as a pastor. If I did not prepare you for that. I would be wrong as a pastor. If I did not tell you. I think difficult times are coming. I think revival is coming in some ways. But I think with that revival. Is going to come some difficult times.

Because there is a major split. In our world right now. There is a major split in our nation right now. Have you noticed it? That the definition is becoming greater. Between that which wants to follow the things of God. And that which wants to follow the things of man. Or even worse of Satan. And that split is getting greater. And so the light and the dark.

Are becoming much more distinct. And so if you are of the light. The dark is not going to like you. As a matter of fact the potential is there. That they are going to come after you. Are you going to follow the example of the Thessalonians. Who are going to continue. To pursue God in the midst. Of all of the hardship. Or am I going to become like Demas. That we talked about in Colossians.

Who having loved this present world. He left. Who because of the pressure. That was around him. He gave up. You see we need to look at this. Because this is an example for us. That no matter what this world throws at us. The gospel will not change. And in the end. We win. And in the end. God wins. Because quite frankly Jesus already won. And we have this example.

That we have to follow. And so the first response. Is that they became imitators. Of Paul and his companions. And the Lord. And quite frankly we should look at that. Because we should become imitators of that as well. Number two. You became a megaphone. Notice what it says. In verse eight. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you. Not only in Macedonia.

And Achaia. But also in every place. Your faith towards God has gone forth. So that we have no need to say. Anything. You became a megaphone. That's what these Thessalonian believers did. Because he says the word has sounded forth from you. That phrase sounded forth. It means a loud unmistakable proclamation. In other words. Everybody is looking at Thessalonica.

Going have you seen what those believers have done. Have you seen what's taking place there. Because the word of God now from them. Has sounded forth. I don't know the fullness of what that means. Whether they were now sending missionaries out. Whether the report. Because Thessalonica was such a hub. Because it was such a big area. If that church had grown so much.

That everybody had started hearing about it. Whatever it is. It was so loud that it couldn't be stopped. Their witness became so loud. That no one could hold it back. And brothers and sisters. That's what God's able to do with a church. That will stand up and say this is the truth. It's affected my life. I want it to affect yours. We become a megaphone that's so loud.

That it can't be stopped. They can try to silence it. But you can't. Because it sounds forth with a loud unmistakable proclamation. A loud unmistakable proclamation. That continues on. Again. I look back as a member of Calvary Chapel. To what God did in the 60's and the 70's. With the Calvary Chapel as a movement. And I could say the same thing. Because God sounded forth as a megaphone.

Because what started as a small body of believers. In Costa Mesa, California. Has turned into a worldwide movement. But you know. It was never about Calvary Chapel. It was always about the gospel. It's not the 60's and 70's anymore. It's 2024. And so it may look a little bit different. But I still want it to be. That God sounds forth. Like a megaphone. An unmistakable proclamation.

The truth of what God's word is able to do. So loud. That it ripples throughout the entire earth. But listen. That can't happen. Unless it's written on your heart first. That can't happen unless God's word. God's gospel is doing its work in you first. Jesus has to have taken such a hold on your life. That you become an unmistakable proclamation. In your life.

And in the things that you say. To the world that's around you. That's how the Thessalonica people responded. Is they became like a megaphone. Of the gospel. So loud that it went out every place. Now again. I don't know what that means. I don't know if that's a little bit of hyperbole. On the part of Paul. Although he doesn't always strike me as a writer of hyperbole.

But it went out every place. So much so. That notice what it says. We don't need to say anything. Paul says. You've kind of done our job for us. You've kind of sounded forth for us. With the gospel of Jesus Christ. And again. How did that happen? And I'm always fascinated with this. Anytime we talk about the early church. Because the early church didn't have social media.

The early church didn't have a radio program. The early church didn't have telephones. They didn't have. Probably even a really good newspaper system. At that point in time. So how did the work of God. Among the Thessalonian people. Make it out to every place. In the region of Macedonia. Well people said. Have you heard about what's going on there? Have you heard about God's work.

That's going on at Thessalonica. I have no idea what it even means. But that place is different. Something's going on there. And I'm kind of interested to see what it is. You see. The best way to grow a movement of the gospel. Is for it to affect your life. You to tell somebody else. And them to go. Have you heard about. No. I wonder what's going on there. I wonder what's going on with this.

Well let me tell you a little bit about it. It sounded forth like a megaphone. Amongst them. But not only did they become imitators. Not only did it sound forth like a megaphone. But number three. This is the report that went out. It says. Verse nine. For they themselves report about us. What kind of reception we have with you. How you turned to God. From idols.

To serve a living. And true God. What was the report that was going out. Like a megaphone around them. About this work of the gospel. You see the report that went about. Is that they had turned to God. From idols. Idolatry was huge. Amongst the Grecian world. At that point in time. Matter of fact. Right before Paul had gotten to Corinth. Where he wrote this book from.

He had been in Athens. And the saying about Athens. Is that there was an idol on every corner. And it was no different. In a lot of the other regions. At that point in time. Because idolatry was huge. They had gods for just about everything. In pretty grotesque sort of ways. In very indulgent sort of ways. In the Greek world. And the Roman world. At that point in time.

And these people had been living their lives. Following the idolatry of the world. Until they heard. That there was one true God. Who did not require. Them to do something. But had done everything for them. He was the one true God. That could bring salvation. He was the one true God. He was the one true God. Who could give them peace in their lives. And so they started laying down all of their idols.

To come to Jesus. They turned to God from their idols. Now often times. In this culture today. Especially in the western culture. We say we are not really an idolatrous sort of culture. When we think of idolatry. We think of Buddhism. Or something along those lines. Where they have actually got an idol. That they worship. But I would tell you that the western culture.

Is a different culture. The idols aren't statues that you worship. Sometimes they are phones that you hold. Sometimes those idols. Have four wheels. And you drive them around. Sometimes those idols. Need you to paint them every ten years. Or to re-roof them sometimes. Sometimes those idols. Fluctuate with the stock market. Sometimes those idols. Cruise across water.

So that you can fish from them. Or ski from them. Sometimes those idols are our reputation. Sometimes those idols can be purchased. Online or at the mall. We have all kinds of idols. In our lives today. And the only way that. God can really do his work in our hearts. Is if we turn to God. From idols. You see. In a self-righteous culture that we live in. We forget how great.

The idolatry actually is. We forget how deeply it actually runs in our lives. And. One of the ways that God keeps calling us back to the gospel. Is to call us away from the idols. To call us away from the idolatry. That sometimes encapsulates our lives. In our culture. And that's what happened with the Thessalonians. Is they said. We will turn to God from the idols.

We don't want that idolatry anymore. They left them behind. They left them behind. And didn't follow them anymore. And what did they do when they left the idols behind? It says. They turned to God from the idols. To serve a living and true God. You see. You can't just leave a power vacuum there. We are created to serve. We are created to worship. We are created to pursue something greater than ourselves.

We are made for a God. Right? And so. We will choose to fill that with something. We will either choose to fill that with the gods of this world. Or we will choose to fill that with the one true God. But if we turn from the gods of this world. There can't just be this empty nothingness. You have to turn now. To pursue the one true God. Because that is what repentance is.

Turning from idols. To serve the one true living God. And that is what they did in their lives. And they are like. That report has gone out everywhere. Have you heard what is going on in Thessalonica? Every time I talk to somebody. They say the idolatry practice is going down hill. That the idol makers are losing all of their money. And they have got major problems in the world of idolatry there.

Because all of the people are turning from idols. To serve the one true living God. To worship God. I wonder why they are doing that. I wonder why that is taking place. And as they became imitators. They became megaphones. Because they left behind their idols. So that they could follow the one true God. And then notice what it says. It says not only were they following the one true God.

But in verse 10 it says. And they chose to. And they are waiting for him. To wait for his son from heaven. Whom he raised from the dead. Whom he raised from the dead. That is Jesus. Who rescues us. From the wrath to come. He goes on to describe this one true God. That they are following. He says they are waiting for him. Waiting for his son from heaven. Who he raised from the dead.

And it is. Jesus. He says that is the one true God that they are following. The one who defeated death. Who was raised from the dead. They are waiting for him. And he is the one who will rescue us. From the wrath to come. The one who will rescue us. From the wrath to come. Remember how we said last week. That every chapter in Thessalonians. Ends with a reminder.

Of the second coming of Christ. This. In chapter one. Is our reminder of the second coming of Christ. Because he tells us that. These Thessalonian believers. The report about them. Are waiting for Jesus. And now they are following Jesus. And they are waiting for him. The one true God. Who has been raised from the dead. Who will rescue us. From the wrath to come.

Brothers and sisters. This idea of wrath takes on two different forms. In this verse I think. I think that there is a long term aspect. That he is talking about. And then more of a local aspect. Long term I think he is talking about. The wrath of hell. The wrath of Jesus Christ. Is set free from any sort of punishment. That we will face in eternity. But there is another type of wrath.

That he is talking about here. And I believe that the other type of wrath. That he is talking about here. Comes in what we often times refer to. As the great tribulation. The seven years that will take place. After the church is caught up. And taken out. A time when God will pour out his wrath. On the earth. A time that many has ever seen before. A time that if it were not shortened.

All of humanity would become extinct. A time known as Jacob's trouble. And it is referred to as a time of wrath. And brothers and sisters. The set up is there. We see all of the things coming into place. For everything in the book of Revelation to come together. We see all of the things ready to go. And we know and understand. That there is a wrath to come.

And again I would be remiss as a pastor. And as a preacher. If I did not remind us all. That there is a wrath to come. And there is only one way out. And there is only one escape from it. And that is Jesus. Because he is the one who rescues us from it. Sometimes just read the book of Revelation. And see what it has to say. Because I am here to tell you right now.

The things that await planet earth. After the church is taken out. They are pretty ugly. And I don't want anybody to have to stick around for that. So understand that we have hope as believers. But that hope needs to be shared. With the world that is around us. With our savior. We are waiting for him to come. And take us home to be with him. And to save us from the wrath that is to come.

Brothers and sisters. The gospel is powerful. The gospel is powerful. Because it creates works of faith. It creates labors of love. And it creates a steadfastness of hope. And that power is inherent. Through the power of the Holy Spirit. And the work of Jesus Christ. And it always produces results in our lives. So if you don't know the one true Jesus. If you've never had that experience with him.

Then today is the day for you. If you do know that one true Jesus. Then may you find your confidence. In the glory of the gospel. And may that message of the gospel. Be proclaimed loudly. In the world around us. Amen. Let's all stand. And if you'd bow with me. Father we come before you. And thank you for the morning that you've given to us. Thank you for the time that we've had in your word.

May we continue to draw close to you. Father. May your word do its work in our lives. And in our hearts. And Father. May it continue to go out with power. We thank you and we praise you. In Jesus name. Amen. Be blessed.

God bless you. God bless your community. We thank you. Thanks be to God. And maybe I'll see you again. Vou God, that is to you. You must keep light in the darkness. My God, that is to you. That is to you. That is to you. That is to you. Lord God, I just thank you that you have made a way for us, Lord. Made a way to escape the wrath, the eternal wrath, Lord, but also the wrath that is here,

that is to come here on this earth, Lord. Lord God, I just thank you that you made a way from death to life through your son, Jesus. Lord, I thank you for all the ways that you provide for us. All the ways you take care of us and all the things you do for us, Lord. We love you, Father. We praise you. And as we leave here today, I pray that your Holy Spirit go with us

and just continue to minister to our hearts, Lord. And we love you and we praise you, Jesus' name. Amen. You guys have a wonderful week. God bless you.