It's Time To Serve God

JANUARY 29, 2023 STUDY NOTES 1 THESSALONIANS 1:3 BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES IT’S TIME TO SERVE GOD The last verse of this chapter tells us to wait for the return of Jesus, 1Th 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. Verse three tells us how to wait for Jesus to return, 1Th 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; The personal testimony of the Thessalonians should be our testimony today Our daily life should be a living and true testimony of the life of Christ within us Our work of faith should tell we have turned to God from idols “to serve God” Our labor of love should tell we are “serving” the One and Only True and Living God Our hope in the return of Christ is to be our steadfastness of “service” until Jesus comes Our testimony should be telling others that we are expecting Jesus to return to the earth Our testimony should be, we are living for Jesus today because He is coming again some day Our testimony should be, “IT’S TIME TO SERVE GOD” It’s time for us to encourage others to serve God through our personal testimony Paul’s daily schedule was full, he lived an active life, but he lived to minister to others He lived an unselfish life, he had time to pray for others, he did not forget to pray for others The Thessalonians were “constantly” in the mind and prayers of Paul Reports of their Christian life were continually coming to Paul He had heard of their work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope Timothy had given Paul a good report, 1Th 3:6 But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: Their true testimony for Christ revealed that they were true believers Paul said the evidence was “Your work of faith” The term “work” is a very general term and identifies all types of activity Our “work” is the action of our life, the achievements of our life The “work” of the Thessalonians was what their “faith” guided them to do Their faith in Christ gave them something to live for, something to “work” for Here the word “work” could refer to the average normal duties of the Christian faith The things that are expected of us because we are saved and as simple as: Faithful church attendance; Daily prayer time; Daily Bible study; financial giving And especially living daily a faithful Christian life---“ITS TIME TO SERVE GOD” Here is a good test of our faith, our faith is not limited to what we say we believe The Christian life is more than words of faith, it is also our works of faith Our true faith is the life we live because of what we believe We do not prove our faith by picking up our Bible and going to church We prove our faith by living daily what we learned from the Bible while we were at church We live Christ-like because of what we believe about Jesus Christ The Christian life is our work or our vocation, we are to represent Christ wherever we are The Christian life of the Thessalonians was more than what you heard them say They did not have an inactive faith, it was alive and producing energy Their faith was their lifestyle; their daily conduct of life, their daily “service” for God The decisions they made daily were based upon their faith in Christ Their daily steps of life came because of what they believed about Christ Page 1 of 5 They worked because of what they believed about the past, present, and future work of Jesus If there is no faith in Jesus, there will be no work for Jesus Their works revealed the truth of their faith, they were saved to “serve God” You knew what they believed by watching their works, their service for God James said that faith without works is dead, Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. (Faith without “service” is dead) Faith cannot be seen apart from works, Jas 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. So, James tells us again that faith without works is dead, Jas 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? James used two OT examples of faith, Abraham and Rahab the harlot, and then he said, Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. And then James gave us an illustration that we can all understand, Jas 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Workless faith is as lifeless as a dead physical body Works are no substitute for faith and faith is not a substitute for works We are saved through faith, Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: We are not saved by works, Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Paul agrees with James, the faith that saves is the faith that will work, Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Faith and works go together, if there is no faith there will be no work, true faith will always work The Thessalonians were an example of faith working in daily life, 1Th 1:9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; Faith in Christ will make changes in your life, you will turn from what is wrong (Repentance) And you will begin to live that which is right in the sight of God (Righteousness) The faith that saves is more than a mental acceptance of scripture Saving faith is a commitment of your heart to Jesus, surrendering your life to Him You cannot separate saving faith and repentance, the faith that saves is the faith that repents Within the church of today there are many who think they are saved, but have never repented You cannot honestly receive Jesus into your life without rejecting a life of sin Salvation is turning to God in order to turn from sin, which results in living a new life The question, “does your faith work” is not answered by looking in the mirror Your answer will be found from those who are looking at you, do they see your “work of faith?” The evidence of salvation within the Thessalonians was also their “labor of love” Paul moved from the thought of work to the thought of “labor” He probably had in mind a greater area of energy when he used the word “labor” “Labor” is a stronger word than work, the word translated “labor” means toil and hardship It refers to fatigue and exhaustion, a state of weariness, labor until it hurts “Labor” is work beyond the normal, more than the average work, it is hard and difficult work It is sweat producing work, working until weary, being exhausted, fatigued Why would someone work for the Lord until they are exhausted? Because of their “love” for Jesus Christ, their labor is motivated by their “love” for Jesus Love will pay a great price for the one who is loved They were willing to go far beyond the normal because they really loved Jesus If you really love Jesus, your heart will hurt if you don’t labor for Him Here is a test of your love for Christ, does your love for Jesus labor? Will you toil and grow weary in your “service” for God this week? There is no stronger evidence of being saved than “love” that will “labor” for Jesus Page 2 of 5 Our “labor of love” is a powerful testimony to the world, Jesus said, Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Jesus knew of the work, labor, and patience within the church of Ephesus, Rev 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: But there was a problem, something was missing, Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. (Which is the testimony of many church goers today) We find a change that had taken place and it was not for the best, a change often seen today The problem within the church of Ephesus was they had lost their motivation What had motivated their works, labor, and patience? Jesus said, “You have left your first love” There is nothing more important in ministry than “love,” love must always be the motive Their efforts were without the love that should be first in their life Love for God was not first in their life, so it was not found in their labor That same problem can be found within many church efforts of today, a lack of love for Christ What is this love that Jesus speaks of? It is the love that is to be found in the heart of a Christian It is the love that God has given to us at the time of our salvation, to experience and live with When we were first saved we had no problem with our experience of God’s love How important is our love for God? Does it have anything to do with our “service for God?” A lawyer asked Jesus a question, Mat 22:35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Naturally it was a law question, Mat 22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. That which should have first place in our heart is our love for God Love for God is of utmost importance and must be first in our life, Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment. Love for God is to be first, above all others, and above all other things in our life Love for God is to be the normal daily life of a Christian So why is it that we can have a problem with loving God first? What happens to cause a Christian to leave that first love? Jesus gave us the answer, Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. The world is in love with “iniquity” and too many in the church of today still love “iniquity” “Iniquity” is that which breaks the law of God, breaking the law of God is “Lawlessness” “Lawlessness” literally means “without law” which is the violation of God’s law “Lawlessness” includes all things that are contrary to God’s Word and God’s Will Lawlessness is when people no longer place a value upon the Word of God (America?) Which leads to actions that violate moral principles, feelings for that which is right is gone When people choose to do their own thing, their own way, without any consideration for others Jesus said, “Iniquity is going to “abound,” He was referring to a particular time period Which means that one day iniquity is going to multiply and increase at a tremendous rate It is rapidly increasing in the hearts and minds of people today, becoming the desire of their life When that time period comes, the “love of many shall wax cold” Never before has our world witnessed such a world of worldly attractions Our world today is filled with toys of worldly pleasure, some good, but most evil and sinful People are obsessed with our tools of modern convenience, turning the good into evil People have been in love with television, computers, and cell phones for a long time But now it is the “smart phone,” it is not very smart to allow anything take the place of God Many today do not sense the need to talk to God, they can call upon their smart phone Our modern technology is keeping people away from God, from God’s Word, and prayer For the most part they are not being used as tools of ministry, but they could be But in most cases they are keeping Christians away from a personal relationship with Christ Page 3 of 5 And they are hindering the time that Christians should be ministering to others Love for God is growing cold among Christians and in too many American churches today For Christians, labor without love is a lifeless effort, Paul describes it as a senseless noise, 1Co 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. It is also a meaningless ministry, 1Co 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. All of our efforts without love are of no spiritual value, 1Co 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Paul concludes this classic chapter on the subject of love by stating there is nothing greater, 1Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. Nothing will accomplish more than our “labor of love,” love that is faithfully “serving God” Paul told Timothy why life for the Christian will be difficult in the last days, 2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. The reason is, people will be in love with themselves which leads to ungodly characteristics, 2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, People will love pleasure but will not be in love with God, 2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; It is the lifestyle of sinners that makes life difficult for Christians desiring to live righteous lives There will be an appearance of religion, Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? Jesus said, it will actually be the work of iniquity, Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Paul calls that which is taking place in our world today, the “mystery of iniquity,” 2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. The principles of the Antichrist can already be seen, Satan’s program is rapidly making progress Disobedience toward God is on parade in the streets of America Our first love must be God and our love for God must be growing, we must be “serving God” When we come together in the church, we are to motivate one another in love, Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: The trouble today is that many are not motivated to be faithful to church, Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Faithfulness to God, faithfulness to one another, faithfulness to church is of utmost importance We must not only be faithful, we must be “patient” because the return of Jesus is drawing near “And patience of hope,” the meaning is endurance and steadfastness of “service” It means to continue on in difficult times and under pressure This word has to do with endurance as to things or circumstances that we face in life Biblical “patience” means that a Christian continues to maintain a living testimony for Christ Even in the times of pressure, hardship, and persecution “Patience” is carrying a crisis until it becomes a Christian witness “Patience” is turning personal problems into a personal testimony We must learn that problems create an opportunity to be a witness of our faith and love for Christ The Thessalonians continued to endure because of their “hope” in Christ Their “hope” was not in man but in the person and work of Jesus Christ Christian “hope” is faith looking forward to the next thing that Jesus is going to do for us Our “hope” is: Page 4 of 5 The expectation of the return of Christ The patience while waiting for Jesus to return Trusting the Lord for the future Living for Christ today because He is coming again someday We are sure, certain, and confident that Jesus will come again So we endure life today because He is coming soon Our assurance of His return is the reason for our endurance The opposite of hope is despair, doubt, and disbelief, despair will destroy, but Hope heals Our faith is in Jesus who died for us Our Love is in Christ who lives for us Our Hope is in the Lord who is coming for us Faith, love, and hope in “in our Lord Jesus Christ” (the full title of Jesus) Our hope comes from knowing, learning, and living the truths of Jesus, Rom 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. CONCLUSION Our service must be service “in the sight of God and our Father” Too often today people serve for the sight of man, for man to recognize what they are doing Service “in the sight of God and our Father” is for man to see what God is doing in us Paul could not see their faith, love, and hope Paul could only see what their faith, love, and hope was doing in their daily life The Thessalonians were true Christians serving God through a true testimony of faith, love, hope They had accepted Jesus by faith, their faith had produced works Their works were the daily deeds of their life which revealed what they believed Their love for Jesus grew daily as their faith “served God” Because they loved Jesus, they would exhaust themselves in service for Him Serving God through our “work of faith” glorifies God God is glorified through our “labor of love” service Our endurance of service is our “patience of hope” in the return of Jesus Has your faith in Jesus grown since you were first saved? Has your love for Jesus grown because you have served him daily? Are you continuing to serve Him even in times of difficulty and opposition because your hope is in the return of Jesus? So what decision are you going to make today? What is your decision going to be tomorrow? What is your decision for the rest of your life going to be? Page 5 of 5