Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

Thank God for Faith

Bryan Schneider · April 17, 2021

1 Thessalonians 1:2-10

sharonrpc.org/sermons/thank-god-for-faith

Summary

Paul continually thanks God and prays for a young church whose faith endures affliction.
The Thessalonians' faith is living and active: it produces work, sacrificial love, patient hope, and imitation of Christ.
The gospel came not as bare words but with the Holy Spirit's power and assurance, producing joy amid suffering.
Their transformed lives became a public example as the Lord's Word sounded out across the surrounding regions.
Conversion turns people from idols to serve the living God and wait for the risen Son who delivers from coming wrath.
Hearers should examine their prayer, reception of the Word, joy, repentance, readiness for testing, and hope in Christ's return.

Do I devote real time to thankful prayer for other Christians?
Do I receive the preached Word as God's Word and ask the Spirit to press it into my life?
Does the gospel produce joy in me even when following Christ brings affliction?
Which idol competes with serving the living and true God, and what would repentance require?
Is my faith visible in work, love, hope, and endurance when it is tested?
Am I waiting for Christ's return with confidence that he has rescued me from wrath?

Living faith: Faith that receives and rests on Christ alone while visibly producing obedience, love, hope, and perseverance.
Effectual calling: The Spirit's powerful work through the gospel, opening hearts to embrace Christ and turn from idols.
Repentance unto life: A grace by which a sinner turns from sin to God with grief and hatred of sin and a purpose of new obedience.
Patient hope: Endurance rooted in the risen Christ's promised return and rescue from the wrath to come.