1 Thessalonians Celebrate!
Series: STAND FIRM
Speaker: James Barnett
Date: 7th October 2018
Passage: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
00:00:00 --> 00:00:00 Good evening.
00:00:03 --> 00:00:07 You're celebrating the wrong thing.
00:00:08 --> 00:00:12 That's what people have been saying for years about Australia Day.
00:00:13 --> 00:00:17 Some people argue it's a great day to celebrate mateship
00:00:17 --> 00:00:20 and have an Aussie barbecue, have some mates around.
00:00:20 --> 00:00:24 And others say that you're really celebrating the day
00:00:24 --> 00:00:27 the white man invaded someone else's country.
00:00:27 --> 00:00:32 One side says that, look, it's only been our national day for 24 years.
00:00:34 --> 00:00:37 It celebrates the wrong thing so it can be changed.
00:00:38 --> 00:00:40 Others say, well, look, 26th of January,
00:00:41 --> 00:00:43 that was the day that Arthur Phillip entered Sydney Cove
00:00:43 --> 00:00:47 and founded Australia, so we really should celebrate that day.
00:00:48 --> 00:00:51 You're celebrating the wrong thing, people say.
00:00:52 --> 00:00:54 What do we celebrate in the church?
00:00:54 --> 00:00:59 Is it possible that we're celebrating the wrong things?
00:00:59 --> 00:01:00 Let's have a think.
00:01:00 --> 00:01:01 What are the things we celebrate in church?
00:01:02 --> 00:01:05 We celebrate when people become Christians.
00:01:06 --> 00:01:08 We celebrate when people have babies,
00:01:09 --> 00:01:12 when people get engaged or married.
00:01:12 --> 00:01:16 We celebrate our missionaries when they come and visit.
00:01:16 --> 00:01:20 These are all things that we clap and celebrate for, aren't they?
00:01:20 --> 00:01:22 But is that it?
00:01:23 --> 00:01:26 Is that all we should be celebrating?
00:01:27 --> 00:01:30 Are we celebrating the right things?
00:01:31 --> 00:01:35 Today we're starting a new series on the book of 1 Thessalonians.
00:01:35 --> 00:01:39 It's a letter written by Paul and Silas and Timothy
00:01:39 --> 00:01:43 to the church in the area of Thessalonica.
00:01:44 --> 00:01:47 Today we're going to find out what he was celebrating,
00:01:47 --> 00:01:52 why he was celebrating, and the things that we should be celebrating too.
00:01:53 --> 00:01:56 So please pray with me and we'll have a look at this book.
00:01:57 --> 00:02:00 Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you, Lord,
00:02:00 --> 00:02:03 that we can be here on another Sunday.
00:02:04 --> 00:02:07 Lord, thank you for the privilege it is to gather together at a church
00:02:07 --> 00:02:11 and not be in fear of persecution.
00:02:11 --> 00:02:13 Father, we thank you for your word to us.
00:02:13 --> 00:02:17 Help us to understand it, but more than that,
00:02:17 --> 00:02:20 help our hearts be changed by your word tonight, Lord.
00:02:20 --> 00:02:21 Amen.
00:02:22 --> 00:02:23 Amen.
00:02:24 --> 00:02:27 So Deb read two passages for us.
00:02:27 --> 00:02:29 The first was from the book of Acts.
00:02:29 --> 00:02:32 The second, the book of Thessalonians.
00:02:32 --> 00:02:37 But in the book of Acts, we saw how this church got started.
00:02:38 --> 00:02:42 After Jesus was raised to life, the gospel news spread out,
00:02:42 --> 00:02:45 including to this guy called Paul, and he was saved.
00:02:46 --> 00:02:49 And in Acts 17, Paul has been journeying around.
00:02:49 --> 00:02:52 There should be a map that comes up at some point.
00:02:52 --> 00:02:53 There'll be a map that pops up.
00:02:53 --> 00:02:57 Paul has been journeying around, and he's been starting churches.
00:02:57 --> 00:03:01 And he comes to a church called, in the region of Thessalonica.
00:03:01 --> 00:03:04 You can see it up the top with the red box there.
00:03:05 --> 00:03:07 Modern day Thessalonica is in Greece.
00:03:07 --> 00:03:09 It's next door to Macedonia.
00:03:09 --> 00:03:10 And it's a harbour town.
00:03:10 --> 00:03:12 Has anybody been to Thessalonica?
00:03:13 --> 00:03:14 Debbie has.
00:03:14 --> 00:03:15 What's it like, Deb?
00:03:16 --> 00:03:17 Thank you.
00:03:20 --> 00:03:20 It's old.
00:03:20 --> 00:03:21 Okay.
00:03:23 --> 00:03:26 There's lots of boats because it's a harbour town.
00:03:27 --> 00:03:28 It's on the sea.
00:03:28 --> 00:03:33 And the average life of your average Thessalonian was influenced by the region they were in.
00:03:34 --> 00:03:37 And so they worshipped the gods of this area.
00:03:37 --> 00:03:40 So they worshipped the gods known as Dioscuri.
00:03:41 --> 00:03:43 They were the sons of Zeus.
00:03:43 --> 00:03:47 And they were said to be saviours of the dangers of the sea.
00:03:49 --> 00:03:51 And because it's a harbour town,
00:03:51 --> 00:03:56 it was a really important town for Rome and the rest of the area.
00:03:56 --> 00:04:01 Many people in the empire would go through this town to get through Macedonia,
00:04:01 --> 00:04:03 to get to Greece, to get to Turkey.
00:04:04 --> 00:04:06 So it's a really important and central hub.
00:04:07 --> 00:04:08 And that'll be relevant later.
00:04:09 --> 00:04:11 And so as Paul does when he goes around,
00:04:12 --> 00:04:16 he goes to Thessalonica and he finds a Jewish temple.
00:04:16 --> 00:04:22 He goes there and he preaches the word and he's there for at least three Saturdays.
00:04:22 --> 00:04:26 And by God's amazing grace, people are saved.
00:04:27 --> 00:04:27 It's really interesting.
00:04:27 --> 00:04:29 It says Jews turn and follow Jesus.
00:04:30 --> 00:04:31 Greeks turn and follow Jesus.
00:04:32 --> 00:04:36 And even a few prominent women turn and follow Jesus.
00:04:37 --> 00:04:37 Praise be to God.
00:04:38 --> 00:04:40 But not everyone is happy.
00:04:41 --> 00:04:43 Some of the Jews get jealous.
00:04:43 --> 00:04:47 They go and get some bad characters and get a mob together.
00:04:48 --> 00:04:50 And they start a riot in the city.
00:04:51 --> 00:04:52 And so to avoid the mob,
00:04:53 --> 00:04:56 Paul and Silas slip away in the middle of the night
00:04:56 --> 00:04:59 and they go to a town called Berea just next door.
00:05:00 --> 00:05:04 Now, Paul and Silas probably weren't in Thessalonica for very long.
00:05:05 --> 00:05:07 They were there for at least three weeks,
00:05:07 --> 00:05:09 but it may have extended to a couple of months.
00:05:10 --> 00:05:12 But can you imagine how Paul would have felt?
00:05:12 --> 00:05:16 He's gone to this town and he started this little church.
00:05:17 --> 00:05:19 People have become saved.
00:05:19 --> 00:05:20 They are learning about Jesus.
00:05:21 --> 00:05:27 And then your opponents get a mob together and chase you out of town.
00:05:28 --> 00:05:30 And he's had to flee.
00:05:31 --> 00:05:33 And he doesn't know how his church is going,
00:05:33 --> 00:05:36 how these baby Christians are coping.
00:05:37 --> 00:05:41 Now, this is, of course, a time when there's no real communication.
00:05:41 --> 00:05:43 There's no instant communication like we have.
00:05:43 --> 00:05:46 He can't just check in on FaceTime to see how they're going.
00:05:47 --> 00:05:47 There's no WeChat.
00:05:49 --> 00:05:52 He can't quickly ask how the church is going.
00:05:52 --> 00:05:56 He can't say, are you still loving and following Jesus?
00:05:57 --> 00:05:59 Are you standing firm in the faith?
00:05:59 --> 00:06:02 Was my time there starting the church a waste?
00:06:03 --> 00:06:05 Is everything okay?
00:06:06 --> 00:06:09 And so he sends them an ancient version of a text message.
00:06:09 --> 00:06:13 He sends them his young protege, an up-and-coming church planter, Timothy.
00:06:14 --> 00:06:18 So he sends Timothy, go check on this little church, see how they're going.
00:06:18 --> 00:06:21 I'm worried about them, see how they are.
00:06:24 --> 00:06:26 And so he sends Timothy.
00:06:26 --> 00:06:33 And now Timothy has come back and Paul sends this letter to the church in Thessalonica.
00:06:33 --> 00:06:35 And so that's the context of this letter that we get.
00:06:36 --> 00:06:41 And this helps us understand why Paul is writing this letter.
00:06:41 --> 00:06:44 So have a look with me at 1 Thessalonians 1, verse 1.
00:06:46 --> 00:06:49 Should be on the screen as we have a look at this.
00:06:51 --> 00:06:55 Paul, Silas, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians,
00:06:56 --> 00:07:00 in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, grace and peace to you.
00:07:01 --> 00:07:06 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.
00:07:06 --> 00:07:11 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith,
00:07:12 --> 00:07:13 your labor prompted by love,
00:07:14 --> 00:07:18 and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
00:07:18 --> 00:07:23 Paul spends time thanking God for this church, for these people.
00:07:24 --> 00:07:30 Paul says that they always thank God and continually mention them in their prayers.
00:07:31 --> 00:07:35 Now this is a wonderful thing to hear for this little church.
00:07:35 --> 00:07:40 The apostle who started the church, he is continually thanking God for them,
00:07:41 --> 00:07:44 always mentioning them in their prayers.
00:07:44 --> 00:07:48 It's not like he started the church, he's praying for them,
00:07:48 --> 00:07:52 he's moved on to Berea, he prays for them for a couple of weeks
00:07:52 --> 00:07:53 and has forgotten about them.
00:07:54 --> 00:07:57 No, no, no, he continually mentions them in our prayers.
00:07:59 --> 00:08:03 This is a challenge to our prayers on so many levels.
00:08:03 --> 00:08:10 Paul, Silas and Timothy, they were diligent and consistent in their prayers.
00:08:11 --> 00:08:14 And they pray in such an other person-centered way.
00:08:14 --> 00:08:19 I think when I pray, I always try to make sure I'm praying about God
00:08:19 --> 00:08:22 and his kingdom first before I bring my needs to him.
00:08:22 --> 00:08:26 So I'll pray, you know, God, thank you for creating the world.
00:08:26 --> 00:08:28 Thank you for being awesome and amazing.
00:08:28 --> 00:08:31 Thank you for sending Jesus and loving me and those kinds of things.
00:08:31 --> 00:08:33 And then I'll move on to my requests.
00:08:34 --> 00:08:39 You know, help me survive the rain or whatever my daily requests are.
00:08:39 --> 00:08:41 Work with Nick, you know, whatever little things they are.
00:08:43 --> 00:08:50 But these guys, they are continually and diligently praying for this church,
00:08:51 --> 00:08:51 the Thessalonians.
00:08:52 --> 00:08:54 They're praying in an other-centered way.
00:08:54 --> 00:09:01 They're praying that this church would stand firm in faith, hope, and love.
00:09:02 --> 00:09:05 Now, remember that Paul hasn't heard much about this church.
00:09:06 --> 00:09:08 And he's finally heard from Timothy.
00:09:08 --> 00:09:09 And so he's celebrating.
00:09:10 --> 00:09:13 He's really thankful to God for what he is doing.
00:09:14 --> 00:09:16 He remembers what they had to go through.
00:09:16 --> 00:09:21 This is an area where Paul and Silas, they were run out of town.
00:09:21 --> 00:09:24 And so life for these Christians was not easy.
00:09:25 --> 00:09:29 And yet God had changed their lives.
00:09:29 --> 00:09:34 And they are standing firm with their eyes fixed on Jesus.
00:09:35 --> 00:09:41 Now, there have been far too many times that I've lost my children.
00:09:41 --> 00:09:44 For the parents to hear, have you ever lost your children?
00:09:46 --> 00:09:48 I see people say, oh, Judy, she'll admit it.
00:09:49 --> 00:09:50 Have you found Rach yet?
00:09:51 --> 00:09:52 I think she's still here.
00:09:52 --> 00:09:52 She's here somewhere.
00:09:54 --> 00:09:55 It was a couple of years ago.
00:09:55 --> 00:09:57 Isaac probably would have been about three.
00:09:57 --> 00:09:58 He's six now.
00:09:58 --> 00:10:02 And we were at Ikea, that wonderful maze of a shop.
00:10:03 --> 00:10:08 And we'd, you know, gotten distracted feeling fabric on a wall or something.
00:10:08 --> 00:10:10 And Isaac just disappeared.
00:10:10 --> 00:10:12 And so we're looking for him everywhere.
00:10:13 --> 00:10:16 And the minutes are ticking by.
00:10:16 --> 00:10:18 And we're getting more and more worried.
00:10:19 --> 00:10:22 And horrendous thoughts start entering your mind.
00:10:22 --> 00:10:23 What's happened?
00:10:23 --> 00:10:24 Is he okay?
00:10:24 --> 00:10:28 Has he somehow gotten out the front and eaten those rancid meatballs that Ikea has?
00:10:29 --> 00:10:31 Has someone taken him?
00:10:33 --> 00:10:34 Sorry, is everything okay?
00:10:36 --> 00:10:37 Jokes, jokes.
00:10:38 --> 00:10:39 Is Isaac okay?
00:10:40 --> 00:10:41 And you get tense.
00:10:41 --> 00:10:42 You get worried.
00:10:43 --> 00:10:47 And then we just saw him crawl out from underneath something.
00:10:48 --> 00:10:51 And this wave of relief just washes over you.
00:10:51 --> 00:10:53 Oh, he's fine.
00:10:54 --> 00:10:55 Everything is okay.
00:10:56 --> 00:10:57 I don't need to be worried.
00:10:58 --> 00:11:01 Maybe I need to have a leash like I've always wanted.
00:11:01 --> 00:11:08 You know, maybe this is the feeling you have when, you know, if you're a parent of older kids, when the kids would get home with the car.
00:11:08 --> 00:11:09 Relief.
00:11:09 --> 00:11:10 The car is okay.
00:11:10 --> 00:11:12 And I suppose the kids are okay too.
00:11:12 --> 00:11:18 But that's the kind of feeling Paul would have had hearing about this church.
00:11:18 --> 00:11:21 This baby church that he planted and was then kicked out of.
00:11:22 --> 00:11:23 This church is okay.
00:11:23 --> 00:11:28 They're standing firm in faith, hope, and love.
00:11:29 --> 00:11:31 Now, if you didn't realize it, that's why we've got the shoes up here.
00:11:32 --> 00:11:36 We want to be encouraging everyone to be standing firm.
00:11:37 --> 00:11:39 That's why there's shoes behind me.
00:11:39 --> 00:11:42 I'm not sure if, you know, standing under shoes is like mistletoe.
00:11:43 --> 00:11:46 If I accidentally stand under shoes with someone, I kick them.
00:11:46 --> 00:11:47 I'm not sure how that works.
00:11:48 --> 00:11:57 But we want to be standing firm, just like this Thessalonian church, in faith, in hope, and in love.
00:11:58 --> 00:11:59 And so Paul celebrates.
00:12:00 --> 00:12:04 He is so thankful to God that this church is standing firm.
00:12:04 --> 00:12:07 So, you know, you've got your little, you should have gotten something when you came in.
00:12:07 --> 00:12:08 What did you get?
00:12:08 --> 00:12:09 Did you get one of these blowers?
00:12:10 --> 00:12:11 Did you get bubbles?
00:12:12 --> 00:12:16 Let's test and see if they work.
00:12:16 --> 00:12:17 Everybody ready?
00:12:17 --> 00:12:17 Ready?
00:12:18 --> 00:12:18 One, two, three.
00:12:22 --> 00:12:22 That's not bad.
00:12:22 --> 00:12:28 That's the most limp celebration I've ever heard.
00:12:33 --> 00:12:34 We'll use them again later.
00:12:34 --> 00:12:35 Don't worry.
00:12:35 --> 00:12:35 We'll do better later.
00:12:37 --> 00:12:37 Stop.
00:12:38 --> 00:12:38 Sorry.
00:12:38 --> 00:12:39 Sorry, Judd.
00:12:40 --> 00:12:41 So Paul is really thankful.
00:12:41 --> 00:12:45 He is celebrating this church that they have stood firm in the face of opposition.
00:12:45 --> 00:12:53 In the face of these people who have chased them out of town, that they are still faithful and loving God.
00:12:54 --> 00:12:59 And so Paul remembers what God has done in them.
00:12:59 --> 00:13:00 And he thanks God.
00:13:00 --> 00:13:03 And he reminisces a bit about how they got started.
00:13:03 --> 00:13:05 It's like he pulls out the baby photo album.
00:13:06 --> 00:13:12 And verses four to six show us this baby photo album as he remembers the church.
00:13:12 --> 00:13:13 Have a look at verse four with me.
00:13:13 --> 00:13:43 Oh baby church.
00:13:43 --> 00:13:44 You're so cute.
00:13:44 --> 00:13:50 I remember how God helped you take those first steps.
00:13:50 --> 00:13:52 You grew with power.
00:13:52 --> 00:13:55 We were there when you started walking as a church.
00:13:55 --> 00:13:58 You imitated us and made baby sounds.
00:13:59 --> 00:14:04 And you learnt how to walk as a church, standing firm through severe suffering.
00:14:04 --> 00:14:09 It's not exactly like a normal baby photo album.
00:14:09 --> 00:14:12 But it is arguably much more important.
00:14:13 --> 00:14:16 What other things he is reminiscing and remembering?
00:14:16 --> 00:14:17 Well, God chose them.
00:14:18 --> 00:14:20 God loved them first.
00:14:21 --> 00:14:22 They didn't choose to follow Jesus.
00:14:23 --> 00:14:30 God has showed his unimaginable love for them in the death and resurrection of Jesus.
00:14:30 --> 00:14:36 God was the one that initiated the relationship with them, just like with each of us.
00:14:37 --> 00:14:38 We don't go seeking him first.
00:14:39 --> 00:14:42 He has sought us and chosen and loved us.
00:14:43 --> 00:14:48 And it might just take us time to catch up, to understand how much he loves us.
00:14:49 --> 00:14:53 Paul also remembers the good news, that this good news came differently to other news.
00:14:53 --> 00:14:59 It wasn't like a pregnancy announcement or an engagement announcement.
00:14:59 --> 00:15:05 These bring much joy, yes, but they're not supernatural announcements.
00:15:06 --> 00:15:12 The good news of Jesus being raised from the dead came with the power of the Holy Spirit.
00:15:13 --> 00:15:18 People in Thessalonica, they were spiritually dead, but now they have come to life in Jesus.
00:15:18 --> 00:15:27 And it's also possible that, just like in the book of Acts, the good news of Jesus came with miracles.
00:15:29 --> 00:15:33 And so Paul remembers how the church imitated Paul and Silas.
00:15:34 --> 00:15:41 This young church in Thessalonica saw what being a Christian was from Paul and Silas, and they copied them.
00:15:42 --> 00:15:47 Now, we should be encouraged to imitate one another as we follow Christ too.
00:15:47 --> 00:15:51 Now, this is both amazing and also a bit daunting.
00:15:51 --> 00:15:55 I think this is one of my favourite things about church here at St. Paul's.
00:15:56 --> 00:15:58 It's a real beautiful part of church here.
00:15:59 --> 00:16:05 The way we have older brothers and younger brothers and older sisters and younger sisters.
00:16:06 --> 00:16:10 Our leaders should be saying, come and follow me as I follow Christ.
00:16:10 --> 00:16:13 Copy me as I follow Christ.
00:16:13 --> 00:16:18 And that's really scary if you're a leader here, to actually say to someone, you should copy me as I copy Christ.
00:16:19 --> 00:16:22 But let's take someone as an example.
00:16:22 --> 00:16:24 Let's take Juddy.
00:16:25 --> 00:16:27 Juddy, can I use you as an example, buddy?
00:16:28 --> 00:16:29 Yeah, two thumbs up.
00:16:30 --> 00:16:31 Yep, Dad, that's okay.
00:16:32 --> 00:16:33 Yep, just making...
00:16:33 --> 00:16:35 Dad's not so sure, but we'll take that as permission.
00:16:36 --> 00:16:38 So Juddy, Juddy, who's your leader at Kids Church?
00:16:39 --> 00:16:39 Who's...
00:16:41 --> 00:16:43 It used to be me.
00:16:43 --> 00:16:44 I'll be there again.
00:16:44 --> 00:16:46 Can you think of anybody else?
00:16:46 --> 00:16:49 Say somebody that's name starts with K and ends in O.
00:16:50 --> 00:16:51 Ko, okay.
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 Well, great.
00:16:52 --> 00:16:52 Thank you.
00:16:53 --> 00:16:54 So Juddy, he's led by Ko.
00:16:54 --> 00:16:55 Where's Ko?
00:16:56 --> 00:16:57 Ko's over here.
00:16:57 --> 00:16:58 What a wonderful brother.
00:16:58 --> 00:17:02 And Ko, Ko has this amazing passion for the Bible and he loves Jesus.
00:17:03 --> 00:17:03 And it's a wonderful...
00:17:03 --> 00:17:04 Let's just...
00:17:04 --> 00:17:06 That's worth celebrating, isn't it?
00:17:06 --> 00:17:06 Let's take out your blower.
00:17:07 --> 00:17:07 Let's celebrate.
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 That's enough.
00:17:12 --> 00:17:12 That's enough.
00:17:12 --> 00:17:19 And so Juddy, you should be copying Ko as Ko follows Jesus.
00:17:19 --> 00:17:20 But you know what?
00:17:20 --> 00:17:21 Ko also has another leader.
00:17:22 --> 00:17:23 Ko's in youth group.
00:17:23 --> 00:17:24 His leader is Rob Sharp.
00:17:25 --> 00:17:27 And so Ko is following Rob.
00:17:27 --> 00:17:28 Let's celebrate Rob.
00:17:28 --> 00:17:28 Come on.
00:17:28 --> 00:17:33 And that's wonderful.
00:17:33 --> 00:17:36 Maybe Ko will have a beard like Rob one day.
00:17:37 --> 00:17:37 Maybe not.
00:17:37 --> 00:17:38 Who knows?
00:17:39 --> 00:17:41 But Rob's also in my community group.
00:17:42 --> 00:17:44 And poor guy, he's...
00:17:46 --> 00:17:49 That's about all the celebration there is in my community group.
00:17:51 --> 00:17:53 And so...
00:17:54 --> 00:17:55 It's fine, Deb.
00:17:55 --> 00:17:58 I think less spit in them works better.
00:17:58 --> 00:18:03 So Juddy is following Ko who's following Jesus.
00:18:04 --> 00:18:07 And Ko is copying Rob who's copying Jesus.
00:18:07 --> 00:18:10 And Rob is copying me, copying Jesus.
00:18:11 --> 00:18:15 And I'm following Steve as Steve is following Jesus.
00:18:15 --> 00:18:17 It's a wonderful, beautiful thing.
00:18:17 --> 00:18:23 It's this beautiful chain from younger brother to older brother that we have in church.
00:18:23 --> 00:18:25 It's an amazing gift.
00:18:25 --> 00:18:30 And now I could hopefully copy that through with anyone here, anyone here at church.
00:18:31 --> 00:18:34 And this is something that is worth celebrating.
00:18:34 --> 00:18:41 Now, if you don't have an older brother or sister to walk with, come on, let me know.
00:18:41 --> 00:18:42 Talk to Debbie.
00:18:42 --> 00:18:44 I would love to find you someone to be walking with.
00:18:45 --> 00:18:50 And if you are following the Lord, there really should be someone that is copying you.
00:18:51 --> 00:18:52 A younger brother or a younger sister.
00:18:52 --> 00:18:58 The Thessalonians, well, they were imitating Paul and Silas.
00:18:58 --> 00:19:02 And they imitated them particularly in the midst of suffering.
00:19:03 --> 00:19:05 We don't know exactly what their suffering was.
00:19:06 --> 00:19:11 But it's the suffering that caused Paul and Silas to run out of town at the very least.
00:19:11 --> 00:19:16 And so they stood firm and the Thessalonians stood firm too.
00:19:17 --> 00:19:22 Now, Paul doesn't just reminisce about the good old days.
00:19:22 --> 00:19:29 He isn't just reminiscing about, you know, back when I was there at church, we had great morning teas and great suppers.
00:19:29 --> 00:19:32 He's not just reminiscing about the style of music.
00:19:32 --> 00:19:35 He is reminiscing about the real important things.
00:19:35 --> 00:19:41 He is remembering that God loves these people and has chosen them.
00:19:43 --> 00:19:50 He is remembering that this church imitated Paul and Silas and were obeying God even in the midst of suffering.
00:19:52 --> 00:19:56 The church has stood firm and that is something that is worth celebrating.
00:19:57 --> 00:20:01 One of the things that we do celebrate in church here is we celebrate when people become Christians.
00:20:02 --> 00:20:05 One of the ways we do that is when people get baptised.
00:20:05 --> 00:20:08 We have the big tank and it's a great thing to celebrate.
00:20:10 --> 00:20:12 But there is something else worth celebrating.
00:20:13 --> 00:20:16 It's one thing to celebrate when someone becomes a Christian.
00:20:17 --> 00:20:21 But in one sense, that's like celebrating when someone starts running a race.
00:20:23 --> 00:20:27 When you go to watch someone run a race, where do you go?
00:20:29 --> 00:20:31 Would we usually go to the start of the race?
00:20:31 --> 00:20:35 Or do we want to see how they go at the end of the race?
00:20:36 --> 00:20:39 I want to see how people go crossing that line.
00:20:39 --> 00:20:43 So there's one thing that is worth doing, celebrating when someone becomes a Christian.
00:20:44 --> 00:20:46 But there is another thing to celebrate.
00:20:46 --> 00:20:51 When someone stands firm for many years as a Christian.
00:20:51 --> 00:20:55 When someone stands firm all the way to the end.
00:20:55 --> 00:21:00 And this is why there is so much joy at Christian funerals.
00:21:01 --> 00:21:06 Because we can celebrate that not just they have started following Jesus.
00:21:06 --> 00:21:09 But we can celebrate that they have made it all the way to the end.
00:21:09 --> 00:21:14 And they have reached the goal that all of us would love to be at.
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 They have made it to Jesus.
00:21:15 --> 00:21:21 And so Paul is celebrating the things that are really worthwhile.
00:21:22 --> 00:21:27 And not just things that are a part of personal preference at church.
00:21:28 --> 00:21:29 He remembered people.
00:21:30 --> 00:21:31 He remembered lives changed.
00:21:31 --> 00:21:35 People standing firm in the light of suffering.
00:21:35 --> 00:21:41 So Paul and Silas, they were kicked out of Thessalonica.
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 Moved to Berea.
00:21:42 --> 00:21:45 They would have been worried about this church.
00:21:45 --> 00:21:47 Is it going to flourish or fail?
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 Spread or cease?
00:21:50 --> 00:21:52 Stand firm or stand against one another?
00:21:52 --> 00:21:55 And he has heard from Timothy that they have stood firm.
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 In faith, hope and love.
00:21:57 --> 00:21:58 But not only that.
00:21:59 --> 00:22:02 News of this church has spread out everywhere.
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 Have a look with me at verse 7.
00:22:05 --> 00:22:11 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.
00:22:11 --> 00:22:13 The Lord's message rang out from you.
00:22:13 --> 00:22:15 Not only in Macedonia and Achaia.
00:22:15 --> 00:22:18 Your faith in God has become known everywhere.
00:22:19 --> 00:22:22 Therefore, we do not need to say anything about it.
00:22:22 --> 00:22:25 For they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us.
00:22:25 --> 00:22:29 They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.
00:22:30 --> 00:22:33 And to wait for his son from heaven whom he raised from the dead.
00:22:33 --> 00:22:37 Jesus who rescues us from the coming groth.
00:22:38 --> 00:22:42 Well, the church that had been imitating Paul and Silas.
00:22:42 --> 00:22:46 Well, people in the region have heard about that and they're imitating them.
00:22:47 --> 00:22:54 This message has gone out into the region that they have stood firm in faith, hope and love.
00:22:54 --> 00:22:56 This is amazing.
00:22:57 --> 00:23:00 In a time of instant communication, we're kind of used to this.
00:23:00 --> 00:23:02 We're used to media going viral.
00:23:03 --> 00:23:09 But for the gospel to spread like this, it would have had to have spread like a real virus.
00:23:10 --> 00:23:13 Not like viral media, but a real virus.
00:23:13 --> 00:23:15 From person to person.
00:23:15 --> 00:23:17 It spread out from Thessalonica.
00:23:18 --> 00:23:23 But instead of killing people like a virus, it brought people to life.
00:23:24 --> 00:23:30 The news had spread that they had stood firm in faith, hope and love.
00:23:30 --> 00:23:33 They had heard that these people had stood firm.
00:23:33 --> 00:23:35 They turned away from idols.
00:23:35 --> 00:23:38 These things that we've been looking at over the past nine weeks in Judges.
00:23:38 --> 00:23:42 These statues made out of gold or rock or stone.
00:23:42 --> 00:23:45 And their hope was in the son who is alive.
00:23:46 --> 00:23:52 What amazing news this would have been for that little mother hen Paul to hear about this church.
00:23:54 --> 00:23:59 I wonder what the news from here has gone out.
00:23:59 --> 00:24:02 I wonder what message has rung out from here as a church.
00:24:02 --> 00:24:04 Has there been any message?
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 Do people hear anything?
00:24:07 --> 00:24:12 So I thought I'd contact someone who lives far away to see what he's heard.
00:24:13 --> 00:24:16 I contacted our old brother, Sam Lowe.
00:24:16 --> 00:24:18 Sam was at church here.
00:24:19 --> 00:24:22 And they left to move to work in Queensland in January.
00:24:23 --> 00:24:25 And I thought, I wonder what they've heard about us.
00:24:26 --> 00:24:28 What kind of news have they heard?
00:24:28 --> 00:24:29 So I sent him a text.
00:24:29 --> 00:24:33 Because, you know, it's much easier than sending a Timothy up to Queensland.
00:24:34 --> 00:24:36 And I said, you know, what have you heard?
00:24:36 --> 00:24:41 What is the news that has reached you even in this much easier age of communication?
00:24:41 --> 00:24:43 And he pointed out two things.
00:24:44 --> 00:24:49 I hear that God continues to bring gospel fruit and new believers into the family there.
00:24:50 --> 00:24:58 I hear great things about ESL and the work Adrian and his team are doing to connect with and serve those in the community who don't speak English.
00:24:58 --> 00:25:01 I've heard that the youth ministry is flourishing.
00:25:02 --> 00:25:06 And I'm excited for the current year 12s to make their mark after they graduate.
00:25:06 --> 00:25:15 And I hear the staff team continues to lead the charge of knowing, treasuring and representing Jesus through every change and challenge that comes.
00:25:15 --> 00:25:17 I'm encouraged by you all.
00:25:18 --> 00:25:20 And I miss doing the journey with you.
00:25:20 --> 00:25:28 And I also wanted to hear from Sam what was happening in his church so we could be praying for him.
00:25:28 --> 00:25:33 And he said that they're in a season where they're still preparing for their church plant.
00:25:34 --> 00:25:40 And preparation is important, but impatience is his weakness.
00:25:40 --> 00:25:47 So he asked us to pray for wisdom, to trust God's timing to make most of this preparation season.
00:25:49 --> 00:25:54 It's remarkable that news has spread out from us to them.
00:25:55 --> 00:26:01 I wonder what people who aren't as connected with us, I wonder what they hear.
00:26:02 --> 00:26:06 There are so many great things that God is doing in the church here.
00:26:06 --> 00:26:11 I think it's amazing that we can stop and celebrate them.
00:26:12 --> 00:26:18 Let's not be a church who gets caught up arguing with one another, fighting or bickering with one another.
00:26:18 --> 00:26:25 Let's remember to celebrate how this church has stood firm in faith, hope and love.
00:26:25 --> 00:26:28 I want to be known as the party church.
00:26:30 --> 00:26:33 Celebrating when people become Christians, have a party.
00:26:33 --> 00:26:39 Celebrate not only that, but when the Holy Spirit changes our hearts to trust in Jesus more.
00:26:40 --> 00:26:44 When the support of our church helps us to overcome sin.
00:26:45 --> 00:26:52 Let's cheer when someone who has an addiction overcomes that addiction by God's grace.
00:26:52 --> 00:26:57 Let's celebrate when someone hits their silver anniversary of following Jesus.
00:26:57 --> 00:26:58 Now I've got no idea.
00:26:58 --> 00:27:00 Does anybody know what the silver anniversary is?
00:27:02 --> 00:27:02 25?
00:27:02 --> 00:27:02 25?
00:27:05 --> 00:27:06 Who's been a Christian here for the longest?
00:27:10 --> 00:27:11 Isla and Juddy, you both put your hands up?
00:27:13 --> 00:27:14 I love your keenness.
00:27:15 --> 00:27:15 Okay.
00:27:16 --> 00:27:18 What we're going to do is we are going to celebrate a little bit.
00:27:18 --> 00:27:19 We are going to celebrate.
00:27:19 --> 00:27:20 We're going to get these ready.
00:27:20 --> 00:27:20 Get these ready.
00:27:20 --> 00:27:21 You can blow bubbles if you like.
00:27:23 --> 00:27:24 Sorry, buddy.
00:27:24 --> 00:27:25 It's going to be a bit noisy.
00:27:27 --> 00:27:28 There's headphones there if you want to cover your ears.
00:27:28 --> 00:27:34 Let's practice rejoicing because I don't think we're particularly good at it.
00:27:34 --> 00:27:38 So let's, who's been a Christian for more than 10 years here?
00:27:39 --> 00:27:39 More than 10 years.
00:27:40 --> 00:27:41 Let's celebrate these people.
00:27:41 --> 00:27:50 I think it's the fire alarm.
00:27:51 --> 00:27:54 Let's, let's go a bit further.
00:27:54 --> 00:27:55 20 years.
00:27:56 --> 00:27:57 Okay.
00:27:57 --> 00:27:58 I see a couple of hands.
00:27:58 --> 00:27:59 Beautiful hands.
00:27:59 --> 00:27:59 Let's celebrate.
00:27:59 --> 00:27:59 Let's celebrate.
00:27:59 --> 00:28:00 Okay.
00:28:06 --> 00:28:07 All right.
00:28:07 --> 00:28:07 All right.
00:28:07 --> 00:28:07 All right.
00:28:10 --> 00:28:12 Who thinks they've been a Christian here the longest?
00:28:17 --> 00:28:18 You are the oldest.
00:28:19 --> 00:28:19 Praise God.
00:28:19 --> 00:28:22 You have stood firm for much longer than I have.
00:28:23 --> 00:28:24 Give me a number.
00:28:24 --> 00:28:24 Come on.
00:28:24 --> 00:28:30 More than 30 years.
00:28:30 --> 00:28:30 Let's assume.
00:28:31 --> 00:28:37 What a wonderful thing that it is that these people have stood firm longer than many of our lives.
00:28:37 --> 00:28:40 They have been following Jesus for many, many years.
00:28:40 --> 00:28:41 That is worth celebrating.
00:28:41 --> 00:28:42 Let's do it again.
00:28:42 --> 00:28:42 Let's come on.
00:28:42 --> 00:28:42 Wait.
00:28:43 --> 00:28:43 Wait, whoa, whoa.
00:28:44 --> 00:28:46 I'm going to count to three and I want it to be the loudest one.
00:28:46 --> 00:28:47 One long honk.
00:28:47 --> 00:28:47 Ready?
00:28:48 --> 00:28:49 One, two, three.
00:28:49 --> 00:28:54 One, two, three.
00:28:54 --> 00:28:55 All right.
00:28:55 --> 00:28:55 All right.
00:28:55 --> 00:28:55 All right.
00:29:01 --> 00:29:02 Last one, Judd.
00:29:02 --> 00:29:02 I hope.
00:29:02 --> 00:29:03 I hope.
00:29:03 --> 00:29:07 Let's get better at rejoicing.
00:29:08 --> 00:29:09 Sorry, Clem.
00:29:12 --> 00:29:14 We do love you, little ones.
00:29:17 --> 00:29:17 Sorry.
00:29:18 --> 00:29:20 I feel very bad now.
00:29:20 --> 00:29:24 That's okay.
00:29:24 --> 00:29:25 There's mums there.
00:29:25 --> 00:29:25 Let's church.
00:29:25 --> 00:29:32 Let's get better at celebrating when people show sacrificial, costly love to one another.
00:29:33 --> 00:29:35 Like Jesus has showed to us.
00:29:35 --> 00:29:43 Let's sing and dance and praise God when we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus as we wait for his return.
00:29:43 --> 00:29:54 Because church, when we do this, the good news of Jesus working in our lives will not just go out to Chatswood or just up to Queensland.
00:29:55 --> 00:29:58 It will go out across the world and people's lives will be changed.
00:29:58 --> 00:29:59 Let me pray.
00:29:59 --> 00:30:08 Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for the joy that we can have following you.
00:30:09 --> 00:30:15 Father, thank you that there are people here who have been following you for many years.
00:30:15 --> 00:30:24 Father, help us to all stand firm in faith, in hope, and in love, following you for many, many years to come.
00:30:24 --> 00:30:30 We ask that we would celebrate the things that are worth celebrating, Lord.
00:30:30 --> 00:30:42 Help us to be a party church that loves to celebrate what you are doing in our lives and help us to rejoice with one another because of your love for us.
00:30:42 --> 00:30:43 Amen.
00:30:44 --> 00:30:49 We're going to continue to celebrate now by sharing the Lord's Supper together.
00:30:49 --> 00:31:00 But first, it is important for us to acknowledge where we have come from, that we are saved sinners depending on his grace.
00:31:00 --> 00:31:04 So let's say this confession on the screen together.