Back To The Basics

Text: 1Th 1:3

A. Work of faith.

1. Faith is demanded.

a. Faith is confident trust in God (Heb 11:1).

b. We need faith to please God (Heb 11:6).

c. Our faith is centred in Christ Jesus (Col 1:4; Joh 8:24).

1. Faith must be demonstrated. a. The church in Thessalonica demonstrated their faith by their work (1Th 1:3). b. Faith without works is dead (Jas 2:17). c. Our works reinforces our faith (Joh 7:17).

2. Faith can be developed. a. Paul further commended the church in Thessalonica for their faith which “groweth exceedingly” (2Th 1:3). b. Our faith can grow through study of the word of God (Rom 10:17). c. Our faith can grow through mutual exhortation (Heb 3:12-13).

B. Labour of love.

1. Love is demanded. a. Love is active goodwill towards others (1Co 13:4-8). b. We need to love to know God (1Jo 4:7-8). c. Our love is directed to all the saints (Col 1:4; 1Jo 3:14).

2. Love must be demonstrated. a. The church in Thessalonica demonstrated their love by their labour (1Th 1:3). b. Love without labour is of no profit (Jas 2:15-16). c. Our labour reinforces our love (Joh 14:21).

3. Love can be developed. a. Paul further commended the church in Thessalonica for their love which “toward each other aboundeth” (2Th 1:3). b. Our love can grow through learning from the example of Christ (Joh 13:34). c. Our love can grow through learning from the examples of others (1Ti 4:12).

C. Patience of hope.

1. Hope is demanded. a. Hope is desire with expectation within self (Rom 8:24-25). b. We need hope to have joy and peace in God (Rom 15:13). c. Our hope is focused on heaven (Col 1:5; 1Pe 1:3-4).

2. Hope must be demonstrated. a. The church in Thessalonica demonstrated their hope by their patience (1Th 1:3). b. Hope without patience is a disaster (Act 1:7). c. Our patience reinforces our hope (Lam 3:25-26).

3. Hope can be developed. a. Paul further commended the church in Thessalonica for their patience and faith in “all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure” (2Th 1:4). b. Our hope can grow through experiencing the faithfulness of God in our lives (Rom 5:3-5). c. Our hope can grow through observing the faithfulness of God in the lives of others (Rom 15:4).