Walk in Faith and Love

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Sermon

 

Pastor Gearl Spicer, November 24th, 2024
Part of the Thanksgiving Season of Grace & Gratitude series, preached at a Sunday Online service

Greeting

1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.

The Judgment at Christ’s Coming

This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sermon Notes

How is your walk with God?

*Gratitude allows us to experience the right perspective—HOLY SPIRIT

*Grace allows us to experience His perfect provision—JESUS

*We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows even greater.vs.3

*To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your callings and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.vs11-12

*”We are guilty. The cross purchased forgiveness. We are unable. The Spirit gives us power. We are foolish. God’s word provides wisdom.”

*”You simply must not underestimate sin and you simply cannot overestimate grace.” Paul Tripp
Choosing a life of faith and love-

Growing is a key to gratitude—vs.2-3
*We persevere in faith as we endure challenges!
Faith—Greatly increased
Love—Grows ever greater

II. Paying a price is always worth it—vs.4-5
*Suffering is a part of life and grace enables us to endure!
Righteous judgment-Rules
Kingdom of God—Redeems

III. Jesus will deal with all life challenges—vs.6-10
*Never underestimate His righteous judgment and retribution!

IV. Live your calling, experience His goodness—vs.11-12
*Prayer opens the door to goodness and power!
Will you enter Thanksgiving with grace and gratitude?