A Church to be proud of The Return Kile Baker April 13th, 2025 Theme Verse: “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:16 Acts 17:1-9 After they passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As usual, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and rise from the dead: “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah.” 4 Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, including a large number of God-fearing Greeks, as well as a number of the leading women. 5 But the Jews became jealous, and they brought together some wicked men from the marketplace, formed a mob, and started a riot in the city. Attacking Jason’s house, they searched for them to bring them out to the public assembly. 6 When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here too, 7 and Jason has welcomed them. They are all acting contrary to Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king ​— ​Jesus.” 8 The crowd and city officials who heard these things were upset. 9 After taking a security bond from Jason and the others, they released them. How can LifePoint be a church God can be proud of? 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy: To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace. 2 We always thank God for all of you, making mention of you constantly in our prayers. 3 We recall, in the presence of our God and Father, your work produced by faith, your labor motivated by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. Christian Virtues Our faith is shown by what we do. We love people through long-term labor. Hope is what keeps us going. 4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with full assurance. Led by the Holy Spirit We read, wrestle with, and obey God’s word. We celebrate God’s power working in people. We are convinced that Christ is enough. You know how we lived among you for your benefit, 6 and you yourselves became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message with joy from the Holy Spirit. 7 As a result, you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 For the word of the Lord rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faith in God has gone out. Therefore, we don’t need to say anything, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception we had from you: Imitators of Christ and imitated by others We persevere through hardship. We’re joyful in obedience. We live out our faith boldly for others. how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead ​— ​Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. True conversion We turn away from sin and turn towards God. Next Step: Read 1 John 1:9 and repent in your prayer time. We serve in the Church because God first served us in Christ. Next Step: Take the spiritual gifts class, and join a team. We wait patiently for Jesus to return. Next Step: Live urgently by inviting regularly. Next Week: Pain and Perseverance