Christ Wesleyan Church
Join us for our primary worship service each weekend.
A. God's Way to Change the World
1. The vitals of Thessalonians
a. Written from Corinth in AD 50
b. Written by the Apostle Paul
c. Written to baby believers
2. The city of Thessalonica
a. The center of Greek (Alexandrian) influence
b. A melting pot of cultures
3. The Church in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9)
a. Three weeks of planting
b. Paul pushed out
c. Left a strong, witnessing, and growing church
B. A Model of a Novel Church
1 Thessalonians 1:1-3 NIV
1. The first Christian church greeting
a. Grace (Greek: Charis)
b. Peace (Jewish: Shalom)
2. A new Church
“The Church became a spiritual life and bond which attracts and unites people of different races, backgrounds, and temperaments to a unique and vital fellowship or community.”
The Wesleyan Bible Commentary
3. Three great ingredients of the Christian life
a. Work inspired by faith
Colossians 3:23 MSG
b. Labor prompted by love
c. Endurance founded on hope
“Faith goes up the stairs that love has built and looks out the windows which hope has opened.”
A New Covenant Commentary
C. A Model of a Chosen Church
1 Thessalonians 1:4-8 NIV
1. A chosen church knows it’s about the Message, not the messenger.
John 15:18 NIV
2. A chosen church is an example of righteousness.
3. A chosen church’s witness is the sermon.
1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 NIV
4. The church is a trumpet of God’s love.
5. While we wait, steward.
D. What do we do about it?
1. Be known for flourishing.
2. Have a hopeful faith.
Faith rooted in the right motive will persevere under pressure. It will also fail with lesser motives.
3. Preach joy.