A Study Of Acts, "God Has A Mission For You" Acts 10

GOD HAS A MISSION FOR YOU

ACT 10

YOUR MISSION IS THE SAVATION OF OTHERS

1. God takes notice of your dedication and service     V:1-3

    Cornelius was a __________ fearing man

    He trained his family to know_________

    He gave ____________ to those in need

    He prayed ___________ to __________

2. God rewards the faithful

     The faithful follow God's instructions

      God speaks to us when we are focused  on Him

3. God knows what you need before you know.

    Cornelius knew God, but he did not know__________

B. God prepares the heart of those you are to witness to   V:4-5

   1. God will get you prepared for His Mission    V.9

       a. What was the purpose of Peter's dream?

       b. What did God reveal to Peter that he needed to

          change in his own attitude ?       V:15

       c. In order to get us ready for the mission, God has to clean up

           our heart.

   2. He reveals His mission  in parts    V:19

   3. He may speak to you in a dream

   4. You know it is God speaking when it is inline with His Word

C. God will send you out of your comfort zone    V: 10-22

    1. If He sends you to an unknown place, take witnesses.    V: 23

        a. Sometimes your mission is to be witness to the teacher

        b. Sometimes your mission is to be a comfort to the teacher

    2. The message will be based on the needs of the people   V:27

    3. Cornelius knew God, what was his need?

D. Don't worry about what you will say, the Holy Spirit

    tell you.

    1. Your mission will affect many families       V:27

    2. You will be the Church that people need.

    3. You may be watering what someone else has planted

    4. Your mission is to talk about Jesus

    5. This Cornelius in Acts 10 may be the same centurion

         that Jesus encountered in Luke 7:1-10

         Luke is the writer of the Gospel of Luke and Acts. 

D. Be prepared to give a testimony on the results of the mission.  Acts 11

     1. Your mission with come with criticism

     2. Your job is to report what God has done.

      3. Some people in the Church may be dealing with the same

          problem you had to overcome.

      4. The purpose of your mission is to bring people to Christ

           and to enlighten believers in the Church

Rev M. Mitchell

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Encourage Each Other", 3/31/2019

ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER

2 Thessalonians 1-10

RECOGNIZING THE WORK OF THE HOLY TRINITY

V:1.  Paul, Silas, and Timothy: To the Church of the Thessalonians which is in God our  

   Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

A. It is good to recognize the Church in the Holy Trinity.

     1. The person of God the Father and the person of God the Son is mention.

     2. The person of the Holy Spirit is implied because our desire to the study

          Word comes through the power of His indwelling .

B. It is the conviction of the Holy Spirit that drives us into a deep relationship

     with the Father and thus a deeper relationship with each other.

   1. The Spirit is always active, even if we are not submissive to it.

ENCOURAGING OTHER IN THE FAITH

V:2-3.  May grace and peace be granted to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus   

      Christ.

   3 Unceasing thanks are due from us to God on your behalf, brethren. They are  

      appropriate because your faith is growing greatly, and the love of every one of you

      for all the others goes on increasing.

A. Grace is God's favor to us out of His divine Love.

    1. Peace is derived from the confidence we have in the promises of the Lord Jesus.

    2. Grace is automatic, but peace is what we have work on daily.

    3. Notice, grace and peace is granted to us from the Father and the Son.

B. We should be careful not to believe that peace is the absent of turmoil.

    1. We can have peace in the mist of turmoil if we trust the Lord to work

         things out in our behalf.

    2. This joy I have the world didn't give it and the world cannot take it away.

C. We should encourage each other in the Lord

    1. It is good to know that someone takes the time to include you in their prayers.

    2. It good to know that a group of people have you in their prayers.

    3. It is also good to know other believers know your work for the Lord and are                 

        praying for your  success in the minister.

  D. We ought to be thankful and encouraged that others labor in the work of

        the Lord.

     1. Everyone's work for Christ is important to growth of the Church.

     2. Everyone's work is a testimony to power and unity of the Gospel.

YOUR PAIN IN BEING A SERVENT IS YOUR GAIN

V:4-5 It so increases that we ourselves make honourable mention of you among the Churches of God because of your patience and faith amid all your persecutions and amid the afflictions which you are enduring.

5 For these are a plain token of God's righteous judgement, which has in view your being deemed worthy of admission to God's Kingdom, for the sake of which, indeed, you are sufferers.

A. The work you do for God gets around to others Churches.

     1. God insures that others know of your faith.

     2.  The trials and tribulations we face are designed by God to increase our faith

          James says: James 1:2-5

         Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3

         because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4  

         Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not

         lacking anything.

3. The reason for our trials is the righteous judgment of God to prove us

     worthy for admission into His kingdom.

     a. This gives meaning to this verse

          Philippians 2:12-13

          Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but  

           now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and  

           trembling.

          For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good

       b. Salvation is through faith and not works.

       c. James 2:17

          Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

LET GOD BE THE JUDGE OF YOUR ENEMIES

V:6 A plain token of God's righteous judgement, I say, since it is a righteous thing for  Him to requite with affliction those who are now afflicting you;

7 and to requite with rest you who are suffering affliction now--rest with us at the re-appearing of the Lord Jesus from Heaven, attended by His mighty angels.

A. God is the avenger of those who trouble us.

     1. Go know how and when to care of your enemies.

     2. God has a way of hurting people in ways we cannot imagine.  

     3. Deuteronomy 32:35

        "Vengeance is Mine, and retribution,

          In due time their foot will slip; For the day of their calamity is near."

B. Everything works best in God's time.

    1. Romans 8:28

        And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who   

        have been called according to his purpose.

    2. We never know whether the enemy we have today will become the friend of God

         tomorrow.

    3. God's discipline of those who trouble us, my be what turns them to God.

THE JUDGEMENT OF THE UNSAVED

V:8-9. " He will come in flames of fire to take vengeance on those who have no knowledge of God, and do not obey the Good News as to Jesus, our Lord.

9 They will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, being banished from the presence of the Lord and from His glorious majesty."

A. In God's eyes, there are two types of people; those who obey Him and those

     who reject Him.

       1. There are those who are predestine to be with Christ before the foundation of the

            earth.

       2. There are those who were not predestine to be with Christ.

       3.  God does not give us the wisdom to know the difference.

       4. The only thing we can do is thank God for His Grace and mercy He

           bestowed upon us calling us out of the world.

B. Those who reject Christ by their own will with face damnation to Hell.

     1. In my mind it does not seem fair that God chose some over others to

         be with Him in heaven,

     2. But our ways are not His ways and our thoughts are not His thoughts,

     3. Thank God for choosing us.

 

A HOME IN HEAVEN, THE SOURCE OF JOY  

V:10.  When He comes on that day to be glorified in His people and to be wondered at among all who have believed, including you--because you believed the testimony which we brought for your acceptance.

A. It is not by our will that we were drawn to Christ, but His Will

     1. Our will is only evil.

     2. 1 Corinthians 1:9

         God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is  

         faithful.

B. When God called us out of the world, the transformation from evil heart to

     a righteous heart began.

    1.  2 Corinthians 3:17-18

     Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But   

     we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being   

     transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

   2. We can claim nothing in our transformation.

       Romans 8:30

      And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he   

      justified, he also glorified.

  3. Even the faith we have in Jesus did not originate with us.

      Romans 12:3

      For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to  

      think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as

      God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

  4. God is love. His love for us originated in Him.

THANK GOD FOR HIS SERVANTS

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Park Way

Houston, Texas 77041

For more lessons, follow me on facebook

and visit my blogs; revmmitchell.com and goodnewsmevmitc.blogspot.com

       

A Study Of Acts, Trust God, Acts 4:1-21

TRUST GOD, YOUR RECOVERY IS ON THE WAY

Acts 4:1-21

1.  Your recovery, your break through is on the way

    

      A man lame from birth was healed through the prayers of the righteous.

            How many years had the man been lame?    ___________ verse 22

 2. Never give up on Jesus

           Folk will give up on you, but Jesus will not

3. When you get your break through, make a scene praising Jesus  verse 4:1-2

     The man came into the Church ___________, _________and ________God

      verse 3:8

4. Not every one will be excited about you break through

          The Church leaders were _____________   verse 4:2

           Why were they grieved?

5. You will face some trials following Jesus      Verse 4:3

6. Your testimony will cause others to believe in Jesus  

     How many men (not counting women) believed ________ verse 4

7. You will be called on to give a argument (defense) about what your

     faith in Jesus .   verse 7

8. The Holy Spirit will tell you what to say.   verse 8., Matt 10:19-20

9. The evidence of your faith in Jesus will speak for itself.   verse 9,14

10. Your education has noting to do with you vocation for Jesus   verse 13

             The Holy Spirit has more knowledge than all the PHD's in the world

11. No matter what the world does or thinks, keep your faith in Jesus  v 19-20

WAIT ON YOUR BREAK THROUGH, IT'S ON THE WAY

Rev M. Mitchell

This week's Sunday School Lesson, "Living To Please God", 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12. 3/17/2019

LIVING TO PLEASE GOD

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

FIRST DESIRE: PLEASE GOD

 Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to live and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.

A. The prime objective of believer in Christ Jesus is to please God.

     1. God will always be pleased, when we are obedient to His commands and

         follow His directions.

     2. The apostle Paul urges us to live to please God.

B. Paul is not complaining, because he commend them for doing just that.

    1. Paul reminds the Church not to be satisfied with where they are,

        but continue to excel in pleasing God.

     2. God has already done a good work in us by drawing us to Himself

         and accepting us into the body of Christ.

     3. It is up to us to work on ourselves to imitate Christ.

     4. Paul says we ought to do more and more,

     5. There is no end to more

STUDY THE WORD OF GOD WITH YOUR FAMILY

 2 -3a. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is

      the  will of God, your sanctification:

A. It is good to be reminded of  what we have been taught about the Lord.

     1. Each day we need to be reminded of the will of God for our lives.

     2. As parents, we need to teach our children what God expects of them.

     3. Our teaching should agree with God's Word.

B. Sanctification means to be set apart by God for His Glory.

    1. Once we accepted Christ as our personal Savior, the process of sanctification

        began.

    2. Sanctification is a progressive process.

    3. It is up to us to want to please God.

    4. If we want to please God, we must devote ourselves to His Word to

        determine what He has command us to do.

LIVE TO BE AN EXAMPLE FOR JESUS

V:3b-6. that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.

A. Self improvement requires a change in attitude and habits.

    1. Each of us know what we are doing that does not please God.

    2. We have to first examine ourselves.

    3. Improvement in the Christian Church starts with you.

B. We cannot follow the world around us.

     1. We have to set the example for the world to follow.

     2. We follow God's commands.

C.  Paul list the sin of not controlling one's self.

    1. Abstain from fornication.

        a. Sex outside marriage is prohibited.

        b. A man or woman must honor the marriage with

            fidelity.  Heb 13:4

        c. A married man or woman having sex outside the marriage is adultery.

        d. Those who are unmarriaged  should refrain from sex.   1 Cor 7:2

D. Self control can only be obtained through the power of the Holy Spirit.

     1. If we look around us we will quickly discover that world is out of

         control when it comes to sexual relationships.

     2. To be accepted and not ridiculed by the world, we are pushed to  

          accept all sorts of habits that are not pleasing to God.

     3. In the media, TV, internet, news papers and magazines the projection

         of family opposes God's will.

     4. The make up of marriage, the foundation of family has been changed                                            

          by popular vote and put into law across the country and the world.

     5. Even in some Churches an alternate makeup of marriage is tolerated.

  E.  Concupiscence is the Greek word epithumia which means longing for

        that which is forbidden.

     1. Our lustful desires, if left unchecked will leads us in to actions that

         opposes God's will.

     2. The Church, that is true believers cannot compromise on God's Word.

          a. The situation in the US is no different than the cities of Paul's time.

          b. We live in an environment where the Church has to be the

               example of Godliness and holiness for the world to follow.

      

 CALLED BY GOD TO BE LIKE JESUS

V:7-8. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever  

    disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

A. The Church should no better than the world because we have the indwelling

    of the Holy Spirit.

   1. It is the Holy Spirit that guides us into all truths.

   2. The law my approve all kinds of relationships and actions, but we are under

       commands of God, which is a narrow road that leads to purity and holiness.

B If we follow the ways of the world then we set aside the God of our life.

   1. The one who does not follow God's command,  despises God.

   2. When we are disobedient, we are enemies to the cross. 

   3. The only way a Christian can follow the world is to grieve the Holy Spirit.

        Ephesians  4:30

 

LOVE MORE AND MORE

V:9-10. Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,

A. Jesus is the prime example of love. He gave us two great commands

    1. Matthew 22:37-38

        Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your  

        mind.'  38 This is the first and greatest commandment.

   2. Matthew 22:39

       The second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.

B. Your neighbor is any one you meet. He/she could be your enemy

     1. Matthew 5:44

         Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

     2. We have to be kind to everyone no matter how they treat us.

     3. We never know who God has called to the body of Christ

          before the foundation of the earth.   Ephesians 1:4

     4. The Apostle Paul was an enemy of the Church until Jesus

         knocked him off his high horse.

     5. We can start our love with our families, but we must move to

         loving everyone.

MIND YOU OWN BUSINESS AND WORK

V:11-12. And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with  

     your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may live properly before outsiders   

     and be dependent on no one.

  A. In order to live quietly, you have to be content with what you have and who

       you are.

     1. We must learn to be appreciative of every thing God is doing for us.

     2. The best we can do is handle our own affairs, and work to take care

         of our families.

     3. We must depend on God to provide a way for us to take care of our

         needs.

     4. God will give us the desires of our hearts.

 B. Living a Godly life affects those out side the body of Christ.

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Parkway North

Houston, Texas 77041

For More Lessons follow me on facebook

and visit my blogs: remmitchell.com and

goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com

A Study Of Acts, Chapter 3

THE OPERATION OF THE CHURCH

Acts 3:1-15

There are several points we can focus on as we view the text.

        

                    1. The work of the Church begins outside the four walls of

                         the church.

                    2. It is the members of the church that does the work through

                        power of the Holy Spirit.

                    3. The outside work draws people into the Church (to Christ).

                    4. The Church begins when two are more are gathered in the

                        Jesus Name.  (Does not have to be in a building)

                    5. Teaching is done inside the Church.

              

THE SITUATION

V:1-2. Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer. 2 And a man who had been lame from his mother's womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple.

A. God presents to us opportunities to evangelize.

    1. All we have to do is look and see, then act.

    2. The man, lame from birth was laid at the gate of the temple.

         a. No one took him into the temple.

         b. They dropped him off to beg.

   3. The man never walked. Never had a chance to play outside.

   4. The man was treated like an adjective.

       a. Man is the noun

       b. Lame is the adjective that describes his disability, his imperfection.

       c. The lame man was a child of God.

       d. He had a mind. He could think.

       e. He had the use of his hands.

       f. He was neglected by the public because of His disability.

  5. He was taken outside the church and no one prayed for him.

      a. The Chief Priest, the scribes and elders of the Church passed

          by this man daily.

      b. Those that passed by had the Word of God.

      c. Those that passed by did not call on the Lord for help for

           this man.

      d. Those that passed by did not understand the power of prayer.

      e. They had examples of healings in the Old Testament which they

          taught from.

      F. Daily, those that passed by the man, missed an opportunity to

          proclaim the Word of God

OPPOTUNITY TO BE LIKE JESUS

 V:3-6. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms. 4 But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, "Look at us!" 5 And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene — walk!"

A. The man had been trained to beg.

     1. The man was expected to beg for his existence.

     2. The man did what he was expected to do.

     3. God expect us to use what He has given us.

B. What the man needed was a hand up not a hand out.

    1. The man needed prayer.

    2. He needed to know Jesus.

    3. He needed to be evangelized.

    4. The man needed some one to see the potential in him.

    5. The man needed some one to look at him and not his disability.

    6. The man needed someone to intercede for him to Jesus.

C. Money will feed a man for a day, but the Word of God will feed him

     for life.

    1. Peter and John didn't see the man as lame, they saw him in recovery.

    2. Peter and John didn't see the man as defeated, they saw his victory.

D. Sometimes people need more than prayer.

    1. The man not only needed prayer, but he needed help to strengthen him.

    2. The man needed someone to show him that he was more than lame.

    3. The man needed someone to take time with him.

    4. The man needed the touch of love.

    5. The man needed someone to love him enough to lead him to Jesus.

C. Every prayer ought to be in the name of Jesus.

    1. All power over heaven and earth has been given to Him.

    2. There is nothing to hard for Jesus.

FAITH AND WORKS

 7 And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. 8 With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

A. When we pray, we have to pray as if the prayer is already answered.

     1. You got act on your prayers.

     2. Peter and John was going to Church, but they stopped to be the Church.

     3. They were going to pray, but they stopped to put prayer in action.

B. Those who are lost need our time.

    1. You got to be there during the recovery.

    2. The power of God works through the faithful.

    3. Can't you see the power of God going through Peter and

        John, strengthen the man ankles and feet?

    4. God's power is activated by our prayers of love.

        Think about James 5:16

              James 5:16

             Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may  

              be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

C. Since God has blessed us, there ought to be some excitement in our lives.

    1. The previous lame man was walking, leaping an praising God.

    2. The man didn't go back to where he came from, he went forward to

        a new life with Christ.

    3. Any man in Christ is a new creation

    4. They had previously kept the man outside the Church, but he

         went in the church with the preacher.

YOUR TESTIMONY INSPIRES OTHERS

9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God; 10 and they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

A. The man came into the temple walking, leaping and praising God.

     1. When you get excited other people are watching.

     2. People know your previous state.

     3. People will want to know what is the cause of your change.

B. Church should  start in your heart before you get to Church.

     1. When you are getting ready for a party, you get dressed for the

          party.

     2. When you are getting ready for a Jesus party, you ought dress you

         heart for praise and worship.

     3. The man didn't wait for a new message, he came in the Church

          as the message.

     4. The man didn't wait for the choir to sing, he came in Church as the choir.

     5. Ask yourself, how do you do Church?

LOOK AROUND AND SEE GOD'S AMAZING GRACE

V:11.  While he was clinging to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them at the so-called portico of Solomon, full of amazement. 12 But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, "Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk? 13 "The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. 14 "But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses.

A. We ought to claim every prayer answered to be the work of Jesus.

     1. God uses our troubles to bring Him glory.

     2. The reason for our troubles is draw others to Christ.

     3. The reason for our troubles is to make us realize that God is real.

B. It is important that we claim no glory for what God has done.

    1. Whatever God has brought us through, someone else is going

         through something similar.

    2. You are not the only one with troubles, and you are not the only one

         getting blessed in your troubles.

    2. Our proclaiming the goodness of God is encouragement  to others.

    3. Jesus died on the cross that we might have peace, joy and love.

    4. Jesus suffered like a criminal, so that we might be held in God's

        glory.

THANK GOD FOR HIS CHURCH

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Parkway North

Houston, Texas 77041

For more lessons follow me on facebook and visit

my blogs, revmmitchell.com and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "A Love For God's Children" 1 Thessalonians 3;1-13, 3/10/2019

A LOVE FOR GOD'S CHILDREN

1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

Parents are blessed to have children. They have the great job of nurturing                              and training them in the Lord Jesus. As their children grow up and move

away they still have the job of encouragement and praying for their welfare.

Paul treated the Churches he established as his children. He could not be

with them as he moved from place to place, but he was continued to be                                     concerned for them and desired to know their progress in the Lord.

There are several points we can gain from Paul's attitude.

      1. His genuine love for the Church

      2. His concern for the welfare of the Church

      3. His desire to have an eye witness account of their

          well being by sending Timothy.

      4. His encouragement of the Church.

      5. His being encouraged by the Church.

      6. His constants prayers for the Church.

GOD KEEPS HIS EYES ON US

V:1. "So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them.

A. As parents, we want to know how well our children are doing, especially

     when they grow up and go off on their on.

    1. The desire to hear from them will be so strong that we will be driven

         to make contact.

    2. That really should be our attitude for each of our church members.

    3. We may lose members because we don't contact them when they

         have been out for a while.

 B. We never know what someone is going through that discourages or

       prevents them from coming to Church.

     1. Paul knew the persecution that early Church faced for preaching

         the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

     2. We live in a time where the truth is not pursued or valued for a

          desire to fit in with the world's perverted ideals.

     3. A spiritually immature Christian can easily get discouraged.

     4. It is the job of each of us to continue to encourage each other

         in the Lord.

C. What new Christians don't understand, is that faith is tested and tried

      through the trial and tribulations we face.

    1. We are to expect that the moment we set our minds on Christ

         the devil gets busy to discourage us.

    2. We must remind each other that what we are facing is what

         God desires to strengthen our faith.

              Romans 5:3

              And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation 

              worketh patience.

VICTORY IN ENDURANCE FOR CHRIST

V:4-5. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.

A. Our testimony is important to other Christian.

    1. It is easy for us to think that we are only one that got problems keeping

        faith.

    2. When we have troubles it is easy  to think we are being singled out by God for

         some special punishment.

B. Others need to know that we have been through what they are experiencing.

    1. Our problems may not be the same, but Satan is always on the job

        to bring us down.

    2. Our testimony of how God has helped us through trials is

        important.

    3. Our testimony is a way of encouraging others.

ENCOURAGED BY THE TESTIMONY OF OTHERS

V:6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.

A. Our concern for other in the faith is God's concern.

    1. As ministers (we all are), we must lay the ground work for faith.

    2. Since the Word of God cannot return void, it will take root in

        hearts of the hearers.

    3. We must not only preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but we must

         also teach the promises of God for our obedience.

    4. It is key for us to know that God will not put more on us than

        we can handle.

    5. It is also key to know that God allows trouble to test and grow

        our faith.

    6. We not only have the talk the talk, but live our lives as

         men and women of faith.

B. When we have done our job as ministers, preaching and teaching

     the Word of God, we will be encouraged by how the next

     generation of Christians handle the trials they face.

   1. Others see our examples of living by faith under trials

       and imitates us in their lives.

   2.  We share in the victories of other over their trials as they

        share in our victories.

BEING THANKFUL FOR PROGRESS OF OTHERS

V:8-10. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

A. A strong prayer life affects many victories in Christ.

     1. It is our duty to pray for the congregation of Christ.

     2. The prayers of the righteous accomplishes much.

     3.  We are assured that When we pray for the faith of others so that God

         gets the glory that our prayers will be answered.

    B. Our joy should be increased as we see our prayers for

         others being answered.

      1. We should be encouraged by the steadfast faith of others in the Lord.

      2. It is important for us to pray without ceasing because Satan

          continues his war on the Christians.

      

ENCOURAGING OTHERS IN JESUS

V:11-13. " Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

A. We must have specific prayers for growth and strength of others in the

      Lord Jesus.

    1. It is important for us to continue in prayer that God will

        open doors for the Gospel to be preached.

    2. We must pray that our love for Christ and each other continue to

         flow as we face the day to day work of service.

B. It is also important that we pray that each of us be strengthen in our

     Character to remain faithful to the Lord.

THANKING GOD FOR YOUR SERVICE

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Park Way North

Houston, Texas 77041

For more lessons, follow me on facebook and

visit my blogs; revmmitichell.com and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Building God's Church", 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, 3/3/2019

THE GROWTH OF GOD'S CHURCH

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

ENCOURAGING THE CHURCH

V:1 Paul and Silvanus and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. "

A. The Way we treat each other is important.

     1. Recognizing those who serve with you in the ministry is being kind and courteous.

     2. None of us can do the work of the Lord by ourselves.

     3. God put people in our lives to serve Him.

     4. We are all an equal part of God's team.

B. We should be quick to give credit  before others to those who serve with us.

    1. We may be head of the committee, but the committee does not function

         without servants.

    2. No one should take the credit for what God has done.

    3. Each of us has been selected to serve together.

C. Together, we are the Church that God has created.

    1. We must constantly recognize to others that God is our Father and Jesus is

         Lord and Savior of our lives.

        a. Jesus is head of the Church and lead team member.

        b. We must never forget that we can do nothing without Jesus.

             John 5:30, John 15:5

    2. From our heart we should wish the very best for others.

    3. The very best is the Grace of God (His favor) and  His peace.

    4. The church has it's foundation and continuation in the Gospel of

         Jesus Christ.

   

  PRAYING FOR THE CHURCH WITH THANKS GIVING

V:2-3. " We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father"

A. Our prayers for the Church is important.

     1. Notice, Paul gave thanks to God for the  Church.

     2. We will never know all the benefits a Church does in the Lord.

     3. What we do know is that God uses each Church to carry out His will.

B. The greatest work of the Church is done through faith and love of each member.

     1. God has never promised us that serving Him would be without problems

     2. The devil is always busy attempting to discourage and block our progress.

     3. God's work will be stopped by the devil.

     4. We must trust the Lord and stand on His promises.

     5. He will never leave us without His power to fulfill his plans.

 SELECTED AND EMPOWERED BY GOD

V:4-5. " Knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you; 5 for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your              sake. "

A. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.

     1. Because of His great love, God chose us in Jesus Christ.

     2. We did not chose Him, He chose us before the foundation

         of the world.   Eph 1:4

     3. The good news is God did not wait till we were good enough to

          serve him.

B. Jesus brought us the Gospel with His preaching and teaching of His Word.

     1. He showed Himself to be God with miracles and signs that no man

         can do.

     2. He left witnesses on earth to His raising of the dead, casting out demons

         and healing all kinds of diseases.

     3. He gave us, the church through the power of the Holy Spirit the ability

         to do greater things than He did.     John 14:12

     4. Jesus left us the Word in print, both Old Testament and New Testament                       

         which no man has been able to destroy.

         a. It is believed that the book of Genesis was recorded around 1500 years

             before the birth of Christ.

         b. God has preserved His word for 3500 years.

    5. There are over 5000 seminaries in the US dedicated to the study of the Bible.

C. The conviction of the Word is through the power of the Holy Spirit.

     1. John 16:8-11

       When He comes, he (Holy Spirit) will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and      

        righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me;

        10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see

         me no longer; 11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now

         stands condemned.

    2. There is victory in the Word of God.

THE CHARACTER OF THE CHURCH

V:6 -7. "You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia."

A. We are imitators of Jesus Christ.

     1. As much as we can we ought look like and act like Christ.

     2. Being imitator of Christ requires us to give up self and take on Christ.

     3. To serve Christ, our agenda has to His agenda.

B. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can move out of our comfort zone

     and serve where Jesus sends us.

   1. We may be the first church that some are exposed.

   2. When people see us, they ought to see what the Church of Jesus Christ looks like.

   3. There are some that God is drawing to the Church that we are the examples.

       a. No one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws them.   John 6:44

       b. If our attitude is not right, we miss an opportunity to be a witness for Christ.

THE MISSION OF DISCIPLESHIP

V: 9-10. " For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come."

A. The church ought to have reputation for serving Jesus that others talk about.

   1. We ought to be known for preaching the Word with conviction

        so  are drawn to Christ.

   2. We ought to be known for teaching  the Word of God that those drawn to the

        Church know the true meaning of salvation.

B. The Church ought to be known for teaching the consequences of sin and

     the consequences of not have a relationship with Jesus.

   1. The church has to know the hell is real and means an eternal

       separation from God.

   2. Those who believes in Jesus ought to have joy in their expectation

       of spending eternity with Christ.

NASU

                                   

SECTION OUTLINE OF (1 THESSALONIANS 1)

Paul opens his first letter to the Thessalonians by listing five characteristics of the church in Thessalonica.

I.          It Is an Energetic Church (1:1-3): Paul gives thanks to God.

A.        For their strong faith (1:1-3 a)

B.         For their labor of love (1:3 b)

II.         It Is an Elect Church (1:4): They have been chosen by God himself.

III.       It Is an Exemplary Church (1:5-7)

A.        Paul's example to the church (1:5-6)

1.         His preaching is anointed by the Holy Spirit (1:5).

2.         His personal lifestyle is anointed by the Holy Spirit (1:6).

B.         Their example to the world (1:7): They are a model to all the believers in Greece.

IV.       It Is an Evangelistic Church (1:8): Their faith in God has become known   

            everywhere.

V.        It Is an Expectant Church (1:9-10): They are looking forward to the return of   

            Jesus from heaven.

(from The Outline Bible by Harold L. Willmington Copyright © 1999 by Harold L. Willmington. Produced with permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Park Way North

Houston. Texas  77041

For more lesson follow me on facebook and vist my blogs

revmmitchell.com and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com