Captivate: Week 2

8/8/2019 Captivate: Week 2

1/17

captivateThe Power of the Jesus Story

1 Thessalonians

T U R N : S E R V E : W A I T


2/17

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 evaluateyour own life in light of the transformative power

of the gospel.


3/17

this morning . . .

This morning we will spend time reviewing the

events leading up to the arrival of the Gospel inThessalonica, 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.


4/17

paul

3. Pauls 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 Thess2:11-12; 3:4)

Appoint key leaders (Titus 1:5)

Nurture the spiritual growth of the faithcommunities through visits, emissaries, and

letters. (1 Thess 2:17-3:2)


5/17

climate of the city

1. Very spiritual


6/17

climate of the city

2. Very political


7/17

accused of . . .

1. Atheism

2. Cannibalism

3. Incest

4. Offending the gods who retaliate withmisfortune


8/17

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)


9/17

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?


10/17

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

nd now these three remain: faith, hope andlove. But the greatest of these is love.


11/17


Faith is based on the assurance that God has

acted for his peoples salvation in Christ; love isthe 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 ituntil the day of Jesus Christ (Phil 1:6).

FF Bruce

1 and 2 Thessalonians


12/17


THE SURROUNDINGS

1 Thessalonians 1:6

You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for

ou welcomed the message in the midst of

severe suffering with the joy given by the HolySpirit.

1 Thessalonians 2:14

For you, brothers and sisters, became imitatorsof Gods churches in Judea, which are in Christ

esus: You suffered from your own people the

same things those churches suffered from the

ews


13/17


Acts 17:6-8

But when they did not find them, they dragged

ason 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 Caesars 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.


14/17


THE EXTENT

1 Thessalonians 1:7

nd so you became a model to all the believers

in Macedonia and Achaia.


15/17

so what ?

The Jesus story is so powerful it can actually

transform the lives of people even if it is receivedin 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 shouldrejoice 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


16/17

sow what ?

1. If you have responded in faith the the work of Jesus

contained in the Gospel spend some time this weekthanking 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 bringthem 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 devotedfollower of Jesus who is an example to others.


17/17

sow what ?

3. If you have never responded to the Jesus story what

is holding you back? Consider asking God to workin your life and show you who He is this week.

Captivate: Week 2

Documents

Transcript of Captivate: Week 2