SermonNotes September 23, 2012

TheChurch – The Hope of the World

Thereare two important themes that I want to address in the coming weeks. The first is our upcoming 75^thANNIVERSARY. This event prompts me to focus my preaching on theChurch, and our blessing from God as we serve Him.

Thesecond focus is the upcoming national election. Since 2008, Americahas been going through monumentally difficult financial difficulties. Combined with the fact that we are nation that has been at war forover ten years, and the Islamists have attacked our consulates andkilled one of our ambassadors, God’s people need to be remindedof the sovereignty of God in troubling times. This focus will allowus to trust God in difficult times.

Iwill address three specific concerns during these troubling times inthree Sunday night sermons in the coming weeks.

– Islamand terrorism (tonight)

– Christiancitizenship in national and local elections (next Sun PM)

– Economics. Is the recovery or disaster around the corner?

Inthe morning messages, I want to focus on THE CHURCH

Thesetwo themes are completely related.

Thepoint of connection is that the Church POSSESSESthe only HOPE for a world in TROUBLED TIMES. When I say that thechurch possesses the hope, I am referring to the hope of the gospel.

FaithBible Church was established 75 years ago. We are coming close tothat anniversary celebration. 1937 was similar to 2012 in many ways. It was a time of concern and trouble on a world wide scale.

Thischurch was established as a beacon of hope during troubling times!

TheCHURCH has always done best in troublesome times!

TheREASON? The GOSPEL provides HOPE for those in despair

1. We have been CHANGED by the Gospel

Thechurch at Thessalonica provides a great example of a local churchthat made an impact in their community and their world duringtroubling times. Their spiritual fervor was highly regarded by thechurch’s founder, the Apostle Paul. He commended them fortheir witness and testified of the impact that their testimony washaving around the world.

1Thessalonians 1:4–10 "Forwe know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, ""because our gospel came to you not simply with words but alsowith power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how welived among you for your sake. " "You became imitators ofus and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst ofsevere suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. " "Andso you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. ""The Lord’s message rang out from you not only inMacedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become knowneverywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, ""for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us.They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living andtrue God, " "and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom heraised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the comingwrath."

TheThessalonian Church is a WORTHY MODEL for us

NOTE:Emphasis on the GOSPEL

1:4“ourgospel came to you…”

1:6“youwelcomed the message with the joy given by the HS…”

1:8“TheLord’s message rand out from you..”

2:2Wedared to tell you his gospel…”

2:4“entrustedwith the gospel”

TheCHANGE in the Thessalonians. 1:9

TheyTURNED.

TheGreek word is ἐπιστρέφω. It means to turn away, often being used in a spiritual sense. Onesuch example is Acts 3:19 "Repent,then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that timesof refreshing may come from the Lord,"

Thessalonicawas close to ATHENS. Paul confronted their false gods in Acts17:22-23

Locatedon the “ViaEgnatia”a land route crossing all of the Macedonian peninsula.

Manyfalse gods were worshiped.

TheyREPENTED of their sin.

TheirLIVES were changed by the gospel

Truesalvation is found only when we turn from our sin. Becoming aChristian is more than becoming a church attender. Our lives changewhen the Gospel is embraced. That change is the indication of ourfaith. “The old has gone, the new has come” (1Corinthians 5:17). This change is marked by brokenness andconfession of our sin. As Oxcar Wilde said, “How else butthrough a broken heart may Lord Christ enter in? –Oscar Wilde(http://tentmaker.org/Quotes/repentancequotes.htm)

TheySERVED the Living God. 1 Thess 1:9

TheyWAITED for his Son

Godhas not destined us to wrath.

1Thessalonians 1:10 "andto wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus,who rescues us from the coming wrath."

1Thessalonians 5:9 "ForGod did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvationthrough our Lord Jesus Christ."

Theworld has never been more ready for the return of JESUS than it isright now!

Theworld is in turmoil

Clamoringfor one world currency

Israelis in greater peril than any time since 1973

Apostasyin religion

moraldecay

TheHOPE is in the message

Aswe continue to look to the Thessalonian example, we se the secondpart of their relationship to the Gospel.

TheChurch is ENTRUSTED with the Gospel.

1Thessalonians 2:1–4 "Youknow, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not withoutresults. " "We had previously suffered and been treatedoutrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our Godwe dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. ""For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impuremotives, nor are we trying to trick you. " "On thecontrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with thegospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests ourhearts."

Beingentrusted with the Gospel means that we are the GUARDIANS of thegospel. We, the church of Christ must endeavor to keep the contentof the gospel pure, as well as keeping ourselves and our churches asthe conveyors of the gospel pure. Paul put it this way to his youngpastor friend, Timothy. "Timothy,guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godlesschatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge," 1Timothy 6:20

SomeChristians in today’s politically correct world do not want toengage in discussions about doctrine. They have the mind-set, “leteveryone hold to their opinions and do not interfere.” Thisattitude creates a false sense of tranquility, but it also works toerode the very gospel that we proclaim. Specifics are important anddoctrine matters. If we do not diligently protect the truth of thegospel message, we will “drift away,” as the author ofHebrews warns believers, "Wemust pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we haveheard, so that we do not drift away." Hebrews2:1

Paul’sfinal admonition to the Thesslonians in this section is to remindthem that they were Proclaimers of the Gospel 1Thessalonians 2:8 "sowe cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted toshare with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well."

TheCHURCH is the ONLY MEANS by which CHRIST has appointed to proclaimHis message. And if we do not proclaim Christ, the very rocks willcry out for Him! Luke 19:38–40 "“Blessedis the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven andglory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd saidto Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tellyou,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones willcry out.”"

Thepower to do this comes from the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8 "Butyou will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and youwill be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, andto the ends of the earth.”"

Theseare Troubling Times

Wedo not know what is ahead

Theeconomic crisis might turn around

ORwe might be headed for more trouble ahead

WHATEVERHAPPENS, the only hope is the GOSPEL

Colossians1:21–23 "Onceyou were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because ofyour evil behavior. " "But now he has reconciled you byChrist’s physical body through death to present you holy in hissight, without blemish and free from accusation—" "ifyou continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not movefrom the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that youheard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,and of which I, Paul, have become a servant."

TheCHURCH is

Changedby the Gospel

Entrustedwith the Gospel

Proclaimersof the Gospel