Lord’s Day Message
Topics: The preaching and testimony of the gospel
Bible Verses: 1 Thess. 1:4~10
Important Verses:
“Because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.” (1 Thess. 1:5~7, ESV)
“For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” (1 Thess. 1:9~10)
Message Outline:
- The object of the gospel: those who are loved and chosen by God. (4)
- The elements of preaching the gospel (5)
- Word: We must be familiar with the word of God, which makes us know God’s will and be confident with God’s doing.
- Power: God’s word is with authority and power that makes people repent, yield, and change. On the other hand, doctrine may make people understand, yet it has no power to change people.
- Holy Spirit: This is the source of the power of the word. With the Holy Spirit, people will be convicted concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment; with the Holy Spirit, people can be brought into the reality of the truth (John 16:8, 13).
- Full conviction: This is the assurance in God’s word and in the work of the Holy Spirit.
- Behaviour: This is easily ignored when we preach the gospel. Actually God’s word must have power on us first, then we can preach the word with power.
3. The experiences of the believers (6~8)
- The joy of the Holy Spirit: This joy does not come from worldly enjoyment, but from the Holy Spirit, so it will not be limited by environments.
- Receiving the Word: This makes us value the Word and treasure it.
- Becoming imitators of us and of the Lord: Although we only believe into the Lord and follow Him, in the process of our growth in faith we still need examples, which will help us to grow in a healthy way.
- Becoming the testimony:
- Turning to God from idols: What we believe into is the only true God so after we receive the gospel we must get rid of all other things relating to idols. God is a jealous God and we should be very serious that we do not worship any idols.
- Serving the living and true God: The God we serve is not only true but also living. This means that He has His own will and He is doing His work. In our living we should often have fellowship with Him, which helps us to know and yield to His will.
- Waiting for his Son from heaven: This is the attitude of our living which will confine and guard our living from the corruption of the world.
Next Topics: 1 Thess. 2
Church Meetings/Time/Place
Bible Lesson/OT Characters：Abraham
17/3 Lord’s Day 1:15-2:30pm, Meeting hall
Home Meeting：
18/3 Monday 7:30pm, Richard Cui’s, John 2
Sisters Meeting：
20/3 Wednesday 10:00PM, Anne’s, John 8~14
Prayer Meeting：
20/3 Wednesday 7:30PM，Meeting Hall
Young People Meeting/Pursuing for Adults：
23/3 Sat. 7:00-9:00 PM,
Andy and Anne’s/Young people,
Jason & Susan’s/Adults
Bible Lesson/OT Characters：Abraham & Isaac
24/3 Lord’s Day 1:15-2:30pm, Meeting hall
Announcements：
- The carpet of the meeting hall has been cleaned. Please care for it in the coming days.
- If there is a gospel friend wants to be baptized, please contact Brother Yu-Lin Wang or Richard Chen, so a talk before the baptism will be arranged on the lesson concerning the truth of the baptism.
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 Yu-Lin Wang and Brother Olsen Yu
Serving Bread and Cup: Brother Jason and Patrick
- Pianist: Hannah Cui
- Cleaning: Michael & Mandy Family, YuLin & Jessica Family
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