Full Service

What made the difference in the church in Thessalonica?  They had been effectively discipled!

Sharing the 'wealth' requires:

1. Total reliance on God - exhibited through obedience (2:2)

• "with the HELP OF OUR GOD we DARED TO TELL you his gospel..."
  
  
• Never forget where our help comes from, Ps. 121:1, Matt. 28:20
  
  
• What is preventing us from sharing the Gospel?

2. Understanding the significance of our identity and our responsibility (2:4)

• "We speak as those APPROVED BY GOD to be ENTRUSTED with the gospel."
  
  
• Paul (Saul) was chosen by God (Acts 9:15) and commissioned for service (Rom. 1:1)
  
  
• Every believer is chosen by God and commissioned to gospel service (2 Cor.17-20)
  
  
• What is Christ's return on investment in us related to his commission to make disciples?

3. Having a genuine love for the family of God (2:7-8)

• This is critical to fulfilling our personal responsibility as a disciple maker (vs. 8) "BECAUSE WE LOVED YOU SO MUCH, we were delighted to SHARE... the gospel of God and our lives as well"
  
  
• Genuine love in disciple making is accompanied by actions (John 3:16)
  
  
• Genuine love in disciple making grows in the context of relationship. 
  
  
• Do my choices reflect a genuine love for the family of God?  Or am I a distant relative?

4. Living above reproach - exhibiting Godly character (2:10)

• HOLY, RIGHTEOUS AND BLAMELESS
  
  
• "An example worth following and you do not make the gospel look fake by teaching one thing while doing another." Tim Challis
  
  
• Is the life I live in Christ worth following?

5. Wanting the 'best' for each other (2:11-12)

• "That we would LIVE LIVES WORTHY OF GOD, who calls us into his kingdom and glory."
  
  
• Who in the Calvary family am I encouraging, comforting and urging? 

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” – Paul (1 Cor. 11:1) 

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