Introduction
The Christian life is based on faith--but what does that really mean? Is faith a simple matter of affirming statements or ideas? It is about believing something enough, or feeling a certain way? Is faith just doing what you know is right? In biblical usage, faith affects the entire individual. Our thoughts, feelings, and decisions are all entangled, and the object of our faith shapes each of them. For Christians, Jesus Christ is the object of our faith; He is the one we trust. But we trust Jesus to do what He promised to do, not what we want Him to do. Jesus promised to forgive our sins, to be with us, give us His joy, make us holy, and empower us to do the good works that God has prepared for us to do. Faith in Jesus, then, means knowing, loving, trusting, and obeying God. This means faith building is a matter of increasing understanding, affection, confidence, and commitment to God. Faith building is the aim of gospel ministry, and it is the focus of Paul's efforts, as we see in our text.
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Introduction
In 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 Paul praised God for the real transformation that has occurred in the lives of the church members in Thessalonica. Paul's confidence that these professing Christians were in fact rooted in Christ, the evidence their "conversion" was legitimate, was in the fruit the church displayed--this fruit being faith, hope, and love. The gospel, the declaration that Jesus Christ is Lord of all and promises to save all who trust in Him, is what has brought the change. In fact, gospel ministry is all about seeing people delivered from the power of sin. Paul begins chapter 2 with the word "For" which shows he is going to provide reasons for what he just stated in 1:9-10. In these verses we see the effect of faithful gospel preaching is people turn to God from idols (faith); they serve the living and true God (love); and they wait for Jesus Christ (hope). Faithful gospel ministry is about seeing the development of faith, hope, and love in individual lives. In 2:1-8 Paul reminds his readers of a number of things that are true of faithful gospel ministry. |
AuthorI am follower of Jesus Christ by God's grace, married to Kelsey, father to four children, and pastor of Lighthouse Church (EPC). Archives
November 2022
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