Lord’s Day Message
Topics: The elements of Christian Living
Bible Verses: 1 Thess. 1:1~3
Important Verses:
“Remembering unceasing your work of faith and labor of love and endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father.” (1 Thess. 1:3, RCV)
Message Outline:
- Background of the epistle
- The church in Thessalonica is a church Paul established within one month. He was forced to leave by persecution (Acts. 17). With his desperate caring the epistle was written after he heard the situation of the saints in Thessalonica from Timothy.
- This is the first epistle written by Paul. Its content is for new Christians to know the basic elements of a Christian living, the right understanding of some basic truths and how to live a healthy and sanctified Christian life.
2. The elements of Christian living: faith, love, and hope
a. Work of faith
- The word “work” can also be translated to “behavior”, “that which one has done”. It includes all acts and deeds in our living.
- Often we relate “faith” with the thought that something can be successfully done. However, true faith always binds us with the Lord who cares, nourishes, and is present with us.
- Work of faith means that all our deeds in our living can be related with faith and in faith. The work includes not only the services in the church life, but also our daily acts. We should trust all these things in God.
- We should learn to give our heart to God when we work, enjoying His presence and seeking and obeying His leading.
b. Labour of love
- Labour is a further step of work, which includes a kind of devoting, striving, and sacrifice.
- God’s love helps us to be comforted, to be strengthened in our labour. It also gives a high value for our offering and sacrifice.
c. Endurance of hope
- Endurance is a quality during our work and labour. Human endurance may only be an attitude of helpless or an ability of waiting to achieve something. For Christians, endurance is for the appearance of the Lord. It is related with the Lord and for the Lord.
- Hope of our Lord’s coming puts away all our suffering, happiness or sadness, success or failure and put them all in the Lord’s hand. We can trust in Him who has loved us and is righteous and will judge all things.
Next Topics: 1 Thess. 1:4~10
Church Meetings/Time/Place
Bible Lesson/OT Characters：Postponed today
Home Meeting：
11/3 Monday 7:30pm, Richard Cui’s, John 1
Sisters Meeting：
13/3 Wednesday 10:00PM，Anne’s
Prayer Meeting：
13/3 Wednesday 7:30PM，Meeting Hall
Young People Meeting/Pursuing for Adults：
9/3 Sat. 7:00-9:00 PM, Meeting Hall
Bible Lesson/OT Characters：Abraham
17/3 Lord’s Day 1:15-2:30pm, Meeting hall
Announcements：
- Today after the Lord’s Day meeting there will be an outing to attend “Autumn Vib” at Sydney Botanic Garden. All are welcome to participate.
- The coming Saturday (16/3) we will wash the carpets in the meeting hall at 8:00 AM. Please come to help to move the chairs and other furniture.
Intercession：
- Pray for every family in the church life that there is abundant grace for the marriage and rearing up of children.
- May the Lord give every brother and sister a spirit of preaching gospel and open the hearts of all friends that they can receive the salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Pray that the Lord will give every brother and sister healthiness, peace and joy in our daily living. Also pray for those (the saints or the relatives) who have sicknesses. May the Lord heal the sick according to His will as well as comfort and strengthen the saints.
Serving：
- Breaking the Bread: Brother David Tan and Brother Guo
Serving Bread and Cup: Brother Sean Dong and Olsen Yu
- Pianist: Ching Tan
- Cleaning: Michael & Mandy Family, YuLin & Jessica Family
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