Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

Loving and Blameless Hearts

Bryan Schneider · May 29, 2021

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

sharonrpc.org/sermons/loving-and-blameless-hearts

Summary

Paul prays that God will direct the missionary team back to Thessalonica because Christian love desires embodied fellowship and the strengthening of faith.
The Lord himself must make believers increase and overflow in love; this is not a self-help demand generated by human resolve.
Christian love is rooted in Christ's prior sacrificial love and grows only as believers abide in him like branches in the vine.
Love seeks another person's true good through prayer, service, generosity, encouragement, hospitality, patience, and care for practical needs.
The command extends both to fellow believers and to all people, including enemies who cannot repay kindness.
Abounding love establishes hearts in holiness and provides evidence of Christ's work as believers await his return and final judgment.
Believers love imperfectly, but those trusting Christ may receive assurance when his self-giving love is genuinely bearing fruit in their lives.

Why does Paul pray to see the Thessalonians face to face rather than being satisfied with news from a distance?
What does it mean for the Lord to make love increase and abound?
Why can believers not produce Christian love apart from abiding in Christ?
How does Jesus' death define love more accurately than personal preference or emotional fulfillment?
Which ordinary actions named in the sermon embody sacrificial love?
Why must Christian love reach beyond friends and fellow church members to all people?
How does growing love relate to holiness and readiness for Christ's return?
What evidence of Christ's love at work can give a believer humble assurance?

Abounding love: Christ-derived love that increases and overflows in concrete care toward believers and all people.
Abiding in Christ: Living in dependent union and communion with Jesus, without whom no spiritual fruit can be produced.
Sacrificial love: Love that gives time, strength, possessions, comfort, or life itself for another person's true good.
Holiness: Life set apart to God and increasingly conformed to his character, visibly expressed here through love.
Blameless heart: A conscience established by God's sanctifying work and marked by sincere love while awaiting Christ's return.
Coming of Christ: The future return of Jesus with his saints, when he will judge and complete his people's salvation.