21 May What Happened in Thessalonica | Part 8 “Church: A Mess and a Miracle” | All Locations

Announcements:

Reminder:  Please check your planning center profiles for requests to join and also remove members from the list that no longer attend as well as add members not listed. Thank you.

PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY:

PLEASE NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO GUIDE FOR THE WEEK OF MEMORIAL DAY WEEK – ENJOY SOME ‘FREE TIME’ WITH YOUR GROUP AND DO SOMETHING FUN TOGETHER! 

FIRST TUESDAY IS TUESDAY JUNE 6, THERE IS NO GUIDE THAT WEEK.

LEADERS: WE HAVE CHANGED UP THE DISCOVER CLASS WHICH USED TO BE GROWTH TRACK AND ARE ASKING ALL LEADERS TO RE-TAKE THIS A SOME POINT.  BELOW IS THE CLASS SCHEDULE:

FIRST WEEKEND: DISCOVER

SECONE WEEKEND: NO CLASSES

THIRD WEEKEND: CONNECT

FOURTH WEEKEND: BAPTISM

ALL CLASSES ARE AFTER FIRST SERVICE ON SUNDAYS

NORTH ATTLEBORO LEADERS:

NEW SERVICE TIMES FOR NA STARTING THIS COMING WEEKEND (MAY 28).  NO SATURDAY SERVICE THROUGH SUMMER AND SUNDAYS ARE NOW 9:00 AND 11:00!

NEW ENGLAND LEADERS:

NEW: Embrace Grace Baby Shower, please see Kathleen Buckely who is the Action Group Leader if you  or your group would like to purchase a gift from the registry for one of the 3  ladies (Blooms).  She has the Baby Registry info – also I have posted the info to the the Face Book Life Group Leader Group.

ALL CLASSES ARE AFTER FIRST SERVICE ON SUNDAYS

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Key Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 (ESV)

Big Idea: To be IN the Church is to LIVE between a MESS and a MIRACLE.

 Many people compare the Church today to the early Church, believing they did things bigger than we do today. In the 1st century Church there were many headline persecutions, but most people lived ordinary lives. They were harassed more than we were and they had less rights. However, the good news is, they were a lot like us.

 1 Thessalonians 5:14b (ESV)

 There are 3 kinds of people in the church :

1.   Idle – these people are described as unruly Christians

2.   Fainthearted – people that are diminutive in spirit

3.   Weak – people who keep stumbling in the same way over and over

People who feel like they are any of these types of people, belong in the Church. The Church is here to help us become stronger in the Lord, because when we become stronger in the Lord, everything gets easier. The enemy is tries to discourage us saying we are not good enough, not healthy enough, not faithful enough, not active enough, BUT, the good news is we have someone that stands before us and advocates for us, and is our Champion, Jesus Christ.

Q.  Reflecting on the fact that Jesus Christ as our Champion and advocate  how can this  influence your journey towards becoming stronger in the Lord?

 The distance between a MESS and a MIRACLE is PATIENCE.

 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (ESV)

We are not to get into ‘payback’ principles. We should  always look for opportunities to do good to our brothers and sisters in Christ and those outside the Church. This might be hard for some people, but remember, God is not done with any of us yet.  The Old Testament was an eye for an eye, but the New Testament says don’t repay evil for evil…ever. We are to forgive and let it go. We need to have patience with them because God has patience with us.  The best thing God can do is to make them one of our brothers and sisters in Christ; that is our hope as a healthy church. We are to trust God to settle all accounts.

Q. In what ways is the Church supporting your growth as the journey from chaos to miracles requires patience?

1. The Church develops INWARD STRENGTH so we can OUTWARDLY SERVE each another.

  1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (ESV)

We are given principles to help us grow; rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances. There is a comprehensive message throughout the remainder of Thessalonians…do good to ALL people, be patient with ALL people, rejoice in ALL circumstances. We need to learn how to have a comprehensive mindset about our faith. We need to learn how to celebrate Christ ALL the time.

A. PARTICIPATE in the PUBLIC CELEBRATION of God and His victory in Christ.

Philippians 4:4 (ESV)

 We can always rejoice that, in all circumstances, God is in charge of our life. God knows how we feel. He became flesh so he could experience all that we do, He sympathizes with our struggles, and empowers us through the Holy Spirit. It is imperative that we make gathering in the church a priority, we worship together and listen to the word of God together. When we do, our emotions change in that moment.  We should not follow our feelings, but we should let our feelings follow your actions!

Deuteronomy 12:7 (ESV); Psalm 5:11 (ESV)

B. PRAY over EVERY PROBLEM and ANXIOUS thought.

 When it says pray without ceasing, it does not mean that you are supposed to be on your knees praying 24 hours a day. It means, you pray about everything, you are in a constant conversation with God, all day.

Philippians 4:6–7 (ESV); 1 Thessalonians 5:25 (ESV) 

C. PERPETUALLY say “THANKS” to and for God.

 Romans 8:28 (ESV)

Paul says ‘give thanks in ALL circumstances,’ because we know God has adopted us into His family, that He has a future for us, and God is over our circumstances and working them out for your good.

Q. How has adopting a mindset of continual rejoicing in the Lord, persistent prayer, and gratitude in a recent circumstance transformed your perspective on the situation?

2. The Church must remain GROUNDED in TRUTH.

 1 Thessalonians 5:19–22 (ESV)

The Holy Spirit is always working in the Church and through the Church.  Without the Holy Spirit, there is no Church. Test everything against the word of God and be grounded in the truth.

Revelation 2:20 (ESV); Jude 1:4 (ESV); 1 John 2:26 (ESV); 1 Timothy 4:1 (ESV)

Q. In what ways has maintaining a foundation in Truth aided you in navigating any instances of misinformation you read and hear about daily?

FACT: The TRUTH is always under ATTACK.

Jeremiah 6:27 (NLT)

3. The Church is ULTIMATELY God’s RESPONSIBILITY.

1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 (ESV)

A. Your spirit – your CONNECTION to God.

B. Your soul – your PERSON.

C. Your body – your PHYSICALITY.

 God will sanctify us completely ! It is a guarantee, for every child of God, that if we give Him the reigns of our life, He takes ownership, responsibility and He brings us to completion! We need to treat our temple right. We can’t mistreat our body and expect our Spirit to be right, and vice versa. They are all connected, comprehensive, all of ourself focused on God.

 Q.What does it mean for the Church to acknowledge that it is ultimately God’s responsibility, and how does this impact your faith and actions?

Q. What actions can you take to align your spirit, soul and body to God?

 4. The Church must remain INTIMATELY CONNECTED.

1 Thessalonians 5:26–28 (ESV)

We must be the kind of church that greets each other, not just run out the door after service. We gather together and hear the word spoken over our lives. Every time the Church gathers together, the Holy Spirit infuses the word into our hearts to draw us together. This is done supernaturally, and experienced personally. We must be confident that no matter what is going on in the world, God is working through us and still building His church!

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you !

Challenge: Practice the principles of praying without ceasing, rejoicing in the Lord always, and giving thanks in all circumstances as you go about your daily routine.

Ongoing Challenge: Continue to pray regarding Really Big Things and pray how God might direct you in saving and giving towards the church goal.