Sermon 248

SERMON 248 — A LIVING CHURCH

Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10
Date: October 12, 1947
Preacher: G. S. Kok

INTRODUCTION

1. The founding of the church.
2. The time and place of writing.
3. The peculiar nature of this church.

SUBJECT: A LIVING CHURCH

I. A LIVING CHURCH IS REMEMBERED WITH GRATITUDE

A. By the men who labored there
1. This gratitude is revealed in the salutation.
2. They knew her as being in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. They desired grace and peace for her.

B. Remembered in prayer and thanksgiving
1. God is thanked for her, because she owes her life to Him.
2. Remembered for her faithfulness:
  Her work of faith,
  Her labor of love,
  Her patience of hope.
  Beautiful remarks indeed.

II. A LIVING CHURCH IS KNOWN TO BE AN ELECT CHURCH

A. Paul declares he knows their election
1. Not a mere outward, man-made church, but God-ordained.
2. Made up of men, women, and children chosen of God.
3. A living church is always an elect church.

B. How can this be known
Not by a voice from heaven, nor by special revelation, but in the same way we may know our own election.

1. By the way the gospel came to them
  a. Paul sensed while preaching that the words were reaching deeper than the ears.
  b. He felt the operation of the Holy Spirit in the preaching.
  c. It was not a matter of mere words — the gospel came in power and in the Holy Spirit.
  d. They were blessed with assurance.

2. By the way they received the gospel
  Their response — taking it to heart, trusting in it — proved their election.

III. A LIVING CHURCH IS A WITNESSING CHURCH

A. Her members demonstrated the transforming power of the gospel
1. They became imitators of Paul and of the Lord.
2. They received the Word with joy even in affliction.
3. Their testimony became known throughout Macedonia and Achaia.

B. They broadcast the Word of the Lord
1. They sounded it forth.
2. Their witness was so clear that Paul needed not speak — they advertised the gospel by their transformed lives.

C. Their witness showed a tremendous transformation
1. They turned from idols to God.
2. From dead idol-worship to serving the living God.
3. They served Him actively and faithfully.

IV. A LIVING CHURCH AWAITS JESUS’ RETURN

A. This is a mark of a living church
1. She keeps her eyes on heaven.
2. She looks forward to Christ’s second coming.
3. Her faith is centered on the living Christ who shall come again.

B. This expectation is the secret of her power
1. It inspires faithfulness.
2. It inspires self-denial.
3. It inspires missionary zeal.
4. It inspires a godly life.

CONCLUSION

Is it not wonderful to be known as a living church.Are we alive.Let us pray and work that, in God’s eyes, we too may be known as a living, Christ-expecting church.Remember: a living church implies living members.A group of dead members can never form a living church.Dead branches will never make a living tree.