Powerfully Good News

Passage

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Sermon Summary

The Christians at Thessalonica were young in their faith, but their church was a model of spiritual health. Seven signs bore witness to the power of God at work among them, all infused with the aroma of "grace and peace" (v. 1): 

1. Anchored Effort (v. 3, work of faith, labor of love, steadfastness of hope)
2. Hardwired Power (v. 5, consistent abiding in Jesus through the means of grace) 
3. Informed Confidence (v. 5,  confidence fueled by understanding the Word)
4. Side Character Energy (v. 6, imitating Paul and his companions insofar as they resembled Jesus)
5. Sturdy Joy (v. 6, the joy of the Holy Spirit even in much affliction)
6. Calculated Courage (v. 9, turning from idols of the heart to serve the living and true God)
7. Holy Discontent (v. 10, awaiting Jesus from heaven tempers expectations now).

Discussion Questions (choose any—you don't have to answer them all!)

1. [Optional starter question] What stood out or stuck with you from the sermon?
2. Name one of the seven signs that you want to see more of in your own life, and in your church.
3. Where do you see evidence of “laboring in love” in our church?
4. How can we tell whether our efforts are driven by trying to earn God’s favor versus responding to God’s grace?
5. Which ordinary means of grace especially help you to experience the steady, transforming voltage of the Spirit?
6. How do you handle doubts? Do you tend to push them aside, dig deeper, or something else? What has helped you grow in confidence?
7. Who has been a model of Christlikeness in your life? What have you learned by imitating him or her?
8. When have you seen someone hold onto joy in the middle of hardship?
9. What “idols of the heart” are hardest for you to let go of?
10. Name one specific thing that you long for that will only be fully realized when Jesus returns.
11. Chose one small way you can practice the truths in this passage. Write it down. Set a reminder to practice it on a specific day and time this week.
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Prayer Prompts

• Thank you, God, for __________ (specific people in your life who are worthy of imitating)
• Forgive me, Lord, for making this _________ idol in my heart. Help me to see how you, Jesus, are better.
• Please let our church experience more of your power in ___________

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Resources Consulted

• Africa Bible Commentary, ed. Tokunboh Adeyemo
• True to Our Native Land, ed. Bryan K. Blount
• The New Testament in Color, ed. Esau McCauley
• Thessalonians for Everyone, NT Wright
• Cornerstone Commentary on 1 Thessalonians, Philip W. Comfort
• The Bible Speaks Today Commentary on 1 Thessalonians, John Stott
• IVP Commentary on 1 Thessalonians, GK Beale
• Tyndale Commentary on 1 Thessalonians, Leon Morris