A FAITH THAT SOOTHES THE SOUL—Part I—1Thessalonians 1:1-10
The faith of the Thessalonian Christians brought a thankfulness to God’s apostles, Paul, Silvanus & Timothy.
A church’s faith can soothe the souls of God’s apostles/messengers/delegates.
The faith of a body of believers can soothe the soul of God’s apostles/messengers.
What kind of faith soothes the apostle’s soul or give him absolute freedom in which to operate?
1—A faith that soothes the soul is
A faith that RECEIVES THE SENT(:1)
—Explanation:(:1) Apostles
:1—“Paul & Silvanus & Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father & the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you & peace.”
“Paul”—
—Former persecutor of the church.
—Radically saved from eternal damnation & drafted into the service of the Lord on the road to Damascus while in the midst of a persecuting hunt for Christians.—Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-9,17-19.
—Writer of Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy,Titus, Philemon & possibly Hebrews.
“Silvanus”—It is believed to be the Latinized form of the Greek ‘Silas’.
—Silas was chosen by the Jerusalem Council—of apostles & elders— to go to Antioch as Paul’s traveling companion on his 2nd ‘missionary journey’.(Acts 15:40).
—Silvanus preached in Corith(2Cor. 1:19) & jailed at Philippi(Acts 16:19-23).
—Thru Silvanus, Peter wrote his letter to the Christians scattered thruout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, & Bithynia.(1Pet. 5:12).
“Timothy”—
—“The son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, & he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra & Iconium.”(Acts 16:1-2).
—Paul’s “true child in the faith”(1Tim. 1:2)
—Paul’s “beloved son” in the faith(2Tim. 1:2)
Acts 15:22— “Then it seemed good to the apostles & the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul & Barnabas--Judas called Barsabbas, & Silas, leading men among the brethren,...”
Acts 15:30-32— “So, when they were sent away, they went down to Antioch; & having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. And Judas & Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged & strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message.”
Acts. 15:36-41—:40— “But Paul chose Silas & departed, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.”
‘Apostle’—apostoloV— ‘A delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders.’
Destiny of apostles:
Rom. 1:5-6—Jesus Christ our Lord, “through whom we have received grace & apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles, for His name’s sake, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;”
—Argumentation:
Heb. 13:17—“Obey your leaders, & submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy & not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.”
—Illustration:
Wahing machine dies/Call Mobley’s Furniture & Appliance/Robert C. from Mobley’s arrives at door to fix machine/I must receive him in order to have washing machine fixed/
Likewise, we must receive THE SENT OF GOD.
—Application:
?Your faith RECEIVE God’s SENT?
?Your faith soothe an apostle’s soul?
2—A faith that soothes the soul is
A faith that CHURCHES(:1)
—Explanation:(:1) brings believers together
:1—“Paul & Silvanus & Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father & the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you & peace.”
There are Thessalonians... & there are Christians who are only 1 segment of the Thessalonian population.
“Church”—ekklhsia—A gathering, company, or assembly of Christians. Carries the sense of deliberation in gathering for sharing common belief.
—Argumentation:
Heb. 10:24—“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; & let us consider how to stimulate one another to love & good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; & all the more, as you see the day drawing near.”
—Illustration:
Bees congregate together/Prepare for assignment outside the hive/CHURCHED
Mrs. Rivers—‘I’m so sick of organized religion’/Separation from the outward organizational trappings always removes one from the blessings contained within the organism.
—Application:
?Your faith a CHURCHED faith?
?Your faith a faith that would soothe an apostle’s soul?
3—A faith that soothes the soul is
A faith that REQUIRES GOD’S GRACE & PEACE(:1)
—Explanation:(:1) Demand/Need
:1—“Paul & Silvanus & Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father & the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you & peace.”
“Grace”—cariV—God’s favor & good will, which benefits & brings pleasure 7 delight to its object.
“Peace”—eirhnh—‘The tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, & so fearing nothing from God & content with its eartly lot.’—Thayer; Security, Safety, Prosperity, Harmony
Recognize NEED— for Grace & Peace
Willingly ACCEPT— Grace & Peace
—Argumentation:
2Cor. 12:9—“And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”
1Tim. 2:1-2—“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties & prayers, petitions & thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings & all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil & quiet life in all godliness & dignity.”
—Illustration:
Gloriosa Lilies planted by clothesline & mailbox/We unpack bulbs—Plant them—Water—Nutrition—GRACE/Set apart in prepared earth & pine straw—PEACE
—Application:
?Your faith DEMANDING of Grace & Peace?
?Your faith soothe an apostle’s soul?
—CONCLUSION—
Action:
A faith that soothes the soul is a faith that....
RECEIVES THE SENT(:1)
CHURCHES(:1)
REQUIRES GOD’S GRACE & PEACE(:1)
Presented 03/02/03pm to:
Providence Baptist Church
975 Providence Road
Whigham, GA 39897
