Faith, Love, and Hope

1 Thessalonians 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

The Apostle Paul is praising God for the work God is doing in the lives of the Thessalonian Christians. Paul had preached the Gospel there not long before and saw many converted to Christianity. Because of opposition from the Jews and the city leaders, Paul had to leave the city. Bond money may have been posted on behalf of Paul by these Christians to keep him out of jail. We never hear of Paul returning to Thessalonica, but we do know of his love and appreciation for these Christians who are facing much opposition. They lived there and faced opposition from Jewish and Gentile unbelievers.

That a work of God had taken place in their lives was made evident by their faith, love, and hope. It is exciting to see God work in the lives of new Christians who are growing rapidly in the Lord. We see past, present, and future in the lives of these Thessalonians. They had experienced faith in Jesus Christ under the preaching of the Apostle Paul and others. Then they learned to love God and others even during persecution. Then what kept them going was their hope in Jesus Christ. That hope provided security and motivation to live for God. As they turned to Christ, they left behind their old life filled with selfishness, superstition, and worship of idols. A true heart change had taken place – A heart full of faith, love, and hope!

One person has said … Faith is the commencement of the spiritual life, love its progress and continuance, and hope its completion; faith is the foundation, love the structure, and hope the top-stone of God's spiritual temple in the soul.

Are you growing in Christ? Is God’s work in your life made evident by your faith, love, and hope?

1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he [Jesus Christ] is pure.

1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

COMING EVENTS:

·       Tuesday, February 9 @ 6:30 PM: L.I.F.T. – Ladies Bible Study

·       Friday, February 12 @ 7 PM: Couple’s Night Out

o  Childcare from 5-8:30 PM – Information and sign up at the back table.

·       Sunday, February 21: Friend Day

SUNDAY SERMONS:

·       Today’s 10:30 AM Message: The Believer’s Vineyard | Proverbs 24:30-34

·       Tonight at 6:00 PM: Fulfilling the Churches’ Mission | Phil. 4:10-20