captivate

TURN:SERVE:WAIT

The Power of the Jesus Story

1 Thessalonians
 captivate series
through this series i hope you are . . .
encouraged
in your missional living as you consider the
transformative power of the gospel.

challenged
in your personal spiritual journey as you evaluate
your own life in light of the transformative power
of the gospel.
 this morning . . .
This morning we will spend time reviewing the
events leading up to the arrival of the Gospel in
Thessalonica, exploring the content of the Jesus
story likely shared by Paul, and discovering the
impact of the Jesus story in the lives of those
who responded to it.
 paul
3. Paul’s Strategy
๏ Pioneer the gospel to key areas (1 Thess
2:1-3)
๏ Attempt to lay a spiritual foundation in the
lives of new Jesus followers (1 Thess
2:11-12; 3:4)
๏ Appoint key leaders (Titus 1:5)

๏ Nurture the spiritual growth of the faith

communities through visits, emissaries, and
letters. (1 Thess 2:17-3:2)
 climate of the city
1. Very spiritual
 climate of the city
2. Very political
 accused of . . .
1. Atheism
2. Cannibalism
3. Incest
4. Offending the gods who retaliate with
misfortune
 chronology
Struggles at Phillipi (Acts 16:11-40; 1 Thess 2:2)
Travel to Thessalonica (Acts 17:1)
Share the Gospel (17:2-4; 1 Thess 2:2)
Forced to leave (Acts 17:5-10; 1 Thess 2:17)
Heads to Athens (Acts 17:14-15; 1 Thess 3:1)
Sends Timothy form Athens to visit the
Thessalonians (1 Thess 3:2)
Timothy returns with a favorable report of their
faith and Paul writes the letter to them while likely
in Corinth (1 Thess 3:6-7)
 the content of the gospel
[See Handout]
What are some differences in the two vertical
accounts?
Is there anything consistent?
How did Paul summarize the essence of the
Gospel, the Jesus story?
 impact of the gospel
SUMMARY
The faith community was characterized by . . .
1) work of faith, 2) labor of love, 3) steadfastness
of hope.

1 Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and
love. But the greatest of these is love.
 impact of the gospel
Faith is based on the assurance that God has
acted for his people’s salvation in Christ; love is
the present (and continuing) relationship between
God and his people through Christ; hope is
bound up with the conviction that “he who has
begun a good work” in them “will complete it
until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:6).
FF Bruce
1 and 2 Thessalonians
 impact of the gospel
THE SURROUNDINGS
1 Thessalonians 1:6
You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for
you welcomed the message in the midst of
severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy
Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 2:14
For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators
of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ
Jesus: You suffered from your own people the
same things those churches suffered from the
Jews
 impact of the gospel
Acts 17:6-8
But when they did not find them, they dragged
Jason and some other believers before the city
officials, shouting: “These men who have caused
trouble all over the world have now come here, 7
and Jason has welcomed them into his house.
They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that
there is another king, one called Jesus.” 8 When
they heard this, the crowd and the city officials
were thrown into turmoil.
 impact of the gospel
THE EXTENT
1 Thessalonians 1:7
And so you became a model to all the believers
in Macedonia and Achaia.
 so what ?
The Jesus story is so powerful it can actually
transform the lives of people even if it is received
in the most unfavorable conditions. After
considering the impact of the gospel on the
Thessalonians it should humble us and
embolden us at the same time and we should
rejoice to speak these words . . . .
[READ ALOUD TOGETHER]

For I am not ashamed of the gospel,

because it is the power of God that brings
salvation to everyone who believes
 sow what ?
1. If you have responded in faith the the work of Jesus
contained in the Gospel spend some time this week
thanking God for allowing you to hear the Jesus
story and respond.

2. Think about your missional living with friends and

family and gain confidence that God is able to bring
them to a point of being characterized by faith,
hope, and love even if there are circumstances in
their lives that make you think they would never be
interested in Jesus. Take time to pray for those
people and envision them becoming a fully devoted
follower of Jesus who is an example to others.
 sow what ?
3. If you have never responded to the Jesus story what
is holding you back? Consider asking God to work
in your life and show you who He is this week.