“But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.” (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8) Listening to Paul describe how he really loved the Thessalonians is making me consider how well I am loving others! Can I really say that I am ready not only to share the Gospel with others, but even my own self? I’m praying for our whole church, that we would be a people who are affectionately desirous of others, gentle and thoughtful in how we love people people, as a mother would be with her children. Thankful for Paul’s great example of love!🙌🏼
“For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.” 1 Thessalonians 1:8 Wow. What an encouraging chapter! God is truly a mighty God who is able to save! The faithfulness of Paul to preach the gospel to the church in Thessalonica led to a great revival among the Thessalonians that then spread into Macedonia and Achaia! I am convicted this morning of my lack of faith in God to revive America and my lack of boldness when preaching the good news. God is certainly mighty to save, however, I must ask Him with impudence to save! My prayers also don’t end with me asking, I must go seek out an answer to that prayer! I am greatly encouraged to fervently pray to the Lord for mighty revival in America! God is able! “Pray without ceasing” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
1 Thessalonians 1:8 [8] For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. Praying that the word of God would sound forth here in Huntington Beach! Praying that the good news of Jesus would go out in power, in the Spirit, and in full conviction! I want our church to be known for it’s faith! You know how everyone knows that Mormons live in Utah? I want everyone to know that the people in Huntington Beach, the people in OC really have faith in Jesus. I’m going to go preach the Gospel today at school! I believe it has power to save. I was also reminded from verse 2 to give thanks for the faith of my brothers and sisters! Definitely thanking God for the faith of all of you at Compass HB! Asking that God would grow and mature us in our faith as his people and unite us as the church!
God is so good! I’am so encouraged by listening to these sermons on Thessalonians! I feel stirred up to be bold about sharing the gospel with people and consider what I dub as real living. “For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.” 1 Thessalonians 3:5 “For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 3:8 Takeaway: I should care more about other people and their walk with Christ than myself. So thing I asked myself that helped me process this passage where…would I consider living being at it fullest when people I have discipled are not backing down in there faith though Satan is attacking them? It sure meant real living to Paul! Do I care as much as Paul did about other believers walk? Cross Reference: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4
1 Thessalonians 2:13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. What a joy it is when you see the Word of God at work. We speak truth from God’s Word to people but they are actually hearing and responding to God by faith for salvation or for sanctification. Praise the Lord for He is the One behind it all and we are the means in which He uses to spread the Word. Praise God for the Word faithfully having its true and lasting affect here at Compass. I want to spend the rest of my life being around the teaching and sharing of God’s Word to the believers and to the non believers and living in expectation for mighty works of God to occur as a result. Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. God is able to save us to the fullest and will surely do it because He is faithful. What great hope and assurance we can have in knowing we aren’t destined for the wrath to come if He has called us. His calling is evident by how we are being sanctified here in this life, no longer living for self but for the one who gave Himself for us. These truths are worth encouraging one another with and sharing with those who don’t know the saving power of Jesus. Let us spend the limited time we have proclaiming who God is, what He has done, and what He will do! Psalm 34:1-3 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!
“but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.” 1 Thessalonians 2:4 ESV “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,” 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 ESV “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
1 Thessalonians 3:4-5 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain. Faith is either built up or proven to be false when affliction comes against it. Only genuine faith can withstand the onslaught of afflictions which brings pain and suffering. Just as Jesus endured we too can endure as we keep our eyes upon Him the founder and perfecter of our faith until the end. Paul was eager to find out whether or not the people he loved and cared for were still standing firm in the faith. To Paul’s joy they were, at the report brought back by Timothy. For us, troubling times are ahead of us as promised. But I want to see those around me striving for the Gospel and for those who will join us down the road, to continue until the end and not be lead astray. Let us endure until the end! Matthew 24:9-13 Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
1 Thessalonians 1:8 [8] For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. In this initial chapter we read the ripple effect of the gospel that went to the Thessalonians and then everywhere. I’m reminded of Acts 17 when Paul was in Thessalonica and a mob was formed against them saying they were “turning the world upside down.” My prayer is that the gospel continues to ring out, echoing from us as His ambassadors, helping to turn the world upside down. Our lives testify to the power of his grace that transforms hearts.
Praying for the pastors and deacons retreat. What stood out to me is 1 Thessalonians 1:5 “because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.” Almost every time I hear or read The Word, I feel convicted of the actions I thought were simple.
1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 [14] For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. [15] For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. [16] For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. [17] Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. [18] Therefore encourage one another with these words. 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 Lord Jesus come ☁️✝️
“And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,” 1 Thessalonians 1:6 The word imitator stood out to me from 1 Thessalonians 1:6 and challenging me to ask myself the following questions. Do I imitate Christ daily in everything I do? Do I imitate the godly leaders God has placed in my life like the Thessalonians did? Do I set a Godly example for others to imitate? “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.”Ephesians 5:1 “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” Hebrews 13:7 “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12
For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians: 9-11.
Thessalonians 1:9-10 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. We weren’t there when Jesus died for our sins and was raised 3 days later. By grace through faith we believe in His finished work for us to deliver us from the wrath to come. Our lives in the present reflect the power of the Gospel. We no longer live for the “idols” that never satisfy. Instead we live for the true and living God who will forever satisfy our souls. The fullness of salvation is yet to be revealed at the second coming of our Lord and Savior. All of creation is moving towards this event, as God’s people, we are to rejoice in anticipation because He is coming for us. Hebrews 9:28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia- your faith in God has become known everywhere.... ❤️👊🙏
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, God has redeemed us from our sinful ways. He is at work to sanctify our lives so that we would pursue holiness instead. Sexual immorality was a sin I was deeply enslaved. My view of women was completely contrary to God’s design. But my the grace of God, He has given me self-control over my body that I may now pursue holiness. God has now renewed my mind in regards to sexual immorality. The Lord has done a mighty work and is continuing it in my life and the lives of His people. May our lives reflect His holiness! Hebrews 12:10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.
Something that has stood out to me reading this week is how concerned Paul is with the Thessalonians faith! He wants their hope to be steadfast, he is encouraged by their faith, and to supply for their faith! Faith is not meant to be solely individual for those in Christ! I am reminded that no matter what afflictions come my way, I want my faith to glorify God and show others how trustworthy he is!
One thing for certain is that your passion for us to know the truth is just as strong back then, in those first sermons, as it is today….it just causes you some grey hairs!😅 We are extremely blessed here at compasshb. Thank you, Pastor Bobby, for your care and compassion for lost souls!
01-13-2023 THESSALONIANS 5 "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 ❤🙏❤ We're always ready to rejoice and to be in prayer, but it's not always easy to be thankful especially in those little annoying things like a flat tire, a clogged toilet, a person sitting in their car for 10 minutes while you're waiting for them to leave. Ugggg!!! Although those little things are opportunities to help us to grow, I think Paul is telling us that the secret to being thankful in all things is because "in" all things we have Jesus. "In" Christ we can do all things because He gives us strength and "in" all things God works for our good. There is a purpose "in" every little and big circumstances in our lives and we can give thanks in all circumstances because we have Jesus. Wow!🤯 01-12-2023 THESSALONIAS 4 "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words." 1 Thes. 4:16-17 Even so come, Lord Jesus, come. ❤🙏❤ 01-11-2023 1 THESSALONIANS 3 "And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints." 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 To think that through continued faith and growth in Christ our hearts are established blameless in holiness. Not our holiness, His holiness. We need not be ashamed of sins of the past or condemned in the failures of the present. In confession and repentance His blood establishes our hearts blameless in holiness. Thank you, Jesus! ❤🙏❤ "for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything." 1 John 3:20 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 01-10-2023 1 THESSALONIANS 2 "As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but instead we were like children among you. Or we were like a mother feeding and caring for her own children. We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too." 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 It amazes how through Christ we are family and can be closer to the people at church than we are to members of our own family. But, my love for the church is so flawed and I often expect so much more from the Christians at church than I do of myself. Paul gave of himself with sincere love to teach the Good News to the Thessalonians expecting nothing in return. At Compass I am learning to love my brothers and sisters in the Lord and applying as Colossians 3:13 encourages us to do, "Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others" (NLT). 01-09-2023 1 THESSALONIANS 1 "For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction." 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 The Good News should be never become old news. How sad that for so many in the church, including myself, the Gospel has become old news or something you did in the past. What a revelation this was to me and my husband when we came to Compass. The Gospel is Christ in us in power and in the Holy Spirit not the works of hands or by saying prayer. It is the gift of God. God with us and God in us.
1 Thessalonians 1 is such a helpful passage for me in showing me how to do ministry! I remember being so encouraged by Pastor Taylor at one of our past Kids Min prayer meetings where he was equipping us to do ministry and he was teaching on 1 Thessalonians 1! I often use this passage to evaluate the way that I am serving in Kids Ministry! Am I showing up to make disciples? Am I motivated by love? Am I a servant that is worth imitating- do I set an example for the kids in my class, or even for my fellow servants? Am I praying with faith that Jesus will save? 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” I am encouraged to abound in the work of the Lord and to prayerfully labor and to laboriously pray for the unsaved souls in Kids Ministry! I am also encouraged to apply the same things that I learned from 1 Thessalonians 1 by going out and spreading the Good News! I want to reach people for the Gospel! Glad to be here at CompassHB where we are bringing the word and I am praying that it will sound forth! Praying for the “On A Mission From God” sermon this weekend! So excited!
Thank you Dahliah! You are a true inspiration, and all the other young kids min workers, giving up your time to serve, making a difference in these little children’s lives!
Something I learned about 1 Thessalonians is that Paul writes this following Timothy returning to him and reporting the progress of the Thessalonians’ faith. Therefore, this letter is kind of like a progress report! 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 [6] And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, [7] so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. This is discipleship in the early church bearing fruit! After Paul, Silas, and Timothy preached the Gospel in the synagogue of Thessalonica in the book of Acts, some Jews, many Gentiles, and some leading women came to faith in Christ. After this happened the Jews who became jealous and formed a mob, which led to the brothers sending Paul and his companions out. Now, Paul is writing a follow up letter after Timothy came to observe their faith and reported to Paul the good news of their faith. Here Paul describes what happened among these Thessalonian believers: they became IMITATORS of them & the Lord and became an example to all the believers in the regions. Thessalonica was the capital of Macedonia and on the main East to West highway (I think of the I-10). So encouraging to see God work in the lives of this church in Thessalonica. It shows it is not man who saves or grows somebody in their sanctification, but God! Even when Paul is essentially stripped away from the people he’s ministering to, God continues to grow them and sanctify their faith and walk! He is faithful. As Paul said to Philippi: Philippians 1:6 [6] And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Praying God may continue to establish our faith and grow us in our sanctification. Praying we mature and grow so we can obey the great commission and make disciples.
Praying for the pastors and deacons retreat! Thankful for you all earnestly praying for us all! 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 I praise the lord for growing me in speaking glory to one another! Thankful for all the faithful imitators at compass!
Praying for our deacons and pastors as they get ready for this weekends sermon and to serve our church well! I’m pumped to read first Thessalonians this week with our church and pray for all of us!
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
"...and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. Amen! This is terrific news that never gets old! So, we heard this over the weekend and again today. It is time to go view the first sermon of Compass Bible Church and soak up the Word and our history!
“But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.”
(1 Thessalonians 2:7-8)
Listening to Paul describe how he really loved the Thessalonians is making me consider how well I am loving others! Can I really say that I am ready not only to share the Gospel with others, but even my own self? I’m praying for our whole church, that we would be a people who are affectionately desirous of others, gentle and thoughtful in how we love people people, as a mother would be with her children. Thankful for Paul’s great example of love!🙌🏼
“For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.” 1 Thessalonians 1:8
Wow. What an encouraging chapter! God is truly a mighty God who is able to save! The faithfulness of Paul to preach the gospel to the church in Thessalonica led to a great revival among the Thessalonians that then spread into Macedonia and Achaia!
I am convicted this morning of my lack of faith in God to revive America and my lack of boldness when preaching the good news. God is certainly mighty to save, however, I must ask Him with impudence to save! My prayers also don’t end with me asking, I must go seek out an answer to that prayer! I am greatly encouraged to fervently pray to the Lord for mighty revival in America! God is able!
“Pray without ceasing” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
1 Thessalonians 1:8
[8] For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.
Praying that the word of God would sound forth here in Huntington Beach! Praying that the good news of Jesus would go out in power, in the Spirit, and in full conviction! I want our church to be known for it’s faith! You know how everyone knows that Mormons live in Utah? I want everyone to know that the people in Huntington Beach, the people in OC really have faith in Jesus. I’m going to go preach the Gospel today at school! I believe it has power to save.
I was also reminded from verse 2 to give thanks for the faith of my brothers and sisters! Definitely thanking God for the faith of all of you at Compass HB! Asking that God would grow and mature us in our faith as his people and unite us as the church!
Thankful for the faith God has given you Tyler!
God is so good! I’am so encouraged by listening to these sermons on Thessalonians! I feel stirred up to be bold about sharing the gospel with people and consider what I dub as real living.
“For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.”
1 Thessalonians 3:5
“For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 3:8
Takeaway: I should care more about other people and their walk with Christ than myself. So thing I asked myself that helped me process this passage where…would I consider living being at it fullest when people I have discipled are not backing down in there faith though Satan is attacking them? It sure meant real living to Paul! Do I care as much as Paul did about other believers walk?
Cross Reference: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4
1 Thessalonians 2:13
And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
What a joy it is when you see the Word of God at work. We speak truth from God’s Word to people but they are actually hearing and responding to God by faith for salvation or for sanctification. Praise the Lord for He is the One behind it all and we are the means in which He uses to spread the Word. Praise God for the Word faithfully having its true and lasting affect here at Compass. I want to spend the rest of my life being around the teaching and sharing of God’s Word to the believers and to the non believers and living in expectation for mighty works of God to occur as a result.
Hebrews 4:12-13
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
God is able to save us to the fullest and will surely do it because He is faithful. What great hope and assurance we can have in knowing we aren’t destined for the wrath to come if He has called us. His calling is evident by how we are being sanctified here in this life, no longer living for self but for the one who gave Himself for us. These truths are worth encouraging one another with and sharing with those who don’t know the saving power of Jesus. Let us spend the limited time we have proclaiming who God is, what He has done, and what He will do!
Psalm 34:1-3
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the LORD;
let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
“but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.”
1 Thessalonians 2:4 ESV
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,”
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 ESV
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
1 Thessalonians 3:4-5
For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.
Faith is either built up or proven to be false when affliction comes against it. Only genuine faith can withstand the onslaught of afflictions which brings pain and suffering. Just as Jesus endured we too can endure as we keep our eyes upon Him the founder and perfecter of our faith until the end. Paul was eager to find out whether or not the people he loved and cared for were still standing firm in the faith. To Paul’s joy they were, at the report brought back by Timothy. For us, troubling times are ahead of us as promised. But I want to see those around me striving for the Gospel and for those who will join us down the road, to continue until the end and not be lead astray. Let us endure until the end!
Matthew 24:9-13
Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
1 Thessalonians 1:8
[8] For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.
In this initial chapter we read the ripple effect of the gospel that went to the Thessalonians and then everywhere. I’m reminded of Acts 17 when Paul was in Thessalonica and a mob was formed against them saying they were “turning the world upside down.” My prayer is that the gospel continues to ring out, echoing from us as His ambassadors, helping to turn the world upside down. Our lives testify to the power of his grace that transforms hearts.
Praying for the pastors and deacons retreat.
What stood out to me is 1 Thessalonians 1:5 “because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.” Almost every time I hear or read The Word, I feel convicted of the actions I thought were simple.
1 Thessalonians 4:14-18
[14] For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. [15] For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. [16] For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. [17] Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. [18] Therefore encourage one another with these words.
🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 Lord Jesus come ☁️✝️
“And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,”
1 Thessalonians 1:6
The word imitator stood out to me from 1 Thessalonians 1:6 and challenging me to ask myself the following questions.
Do I imitate Christ daily in everything I do? Do I imitate the godly leaders God has placed in my life like the Thessalonians did? Do I set a Godly example for others to imitate?
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.”Ephesians 5:1
“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”
Hebrews 13:7
“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12
For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up just as you are doing.
1 Thessalonians: 9-11.
Thessalonians 1:9-10
For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
We weren’t there when Jesus died for our sins and was raised 3 days later. By grace through faith we believe in His finished work for us to deliver us from the wrath to come. Our lives in the present reflect the power of the Gospel. We no longer live for the “idols” that never satisfy. Instead we live for the true and living God who will forever satisfy our souls. The fullness of salvation is yet to be revealed at the second coming of our Lord and Savior. All of creation is moving towards this event, as God’s people, we are to rejoice in anticipation because He is coming for us.
Hebrews 9:28
so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
Amen bro!
For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia- your faith in God has become known everywhere.... ❤️👊🙏
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,
God has redeemed us from our sinful ways. He is at work to sanctify our lives so that we would pursue holiness instead. Sexual immorality was a sin I was deeply enslaved. My view of women was completely contrary to God’s design. But my the grace of God, He has given me self-control over my body that I may now pursue holiness. God has now renewed my mind in regards to sexual immorality. The Lord has done a mighty work and is continuing it in my life and the lives of His people. May our lives reflect His holiness!
Hebrews 12:10
For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.
Something that has stood out to me reading this week is how concerned Paul is with the Thessalonians faith! He wants their hope to be steadfast, he is encouraged by their faith, and to supply for their faith! Faith is not meant to be solely individual for those in Christ! I am reminded that no matter what afflictions come my way, I want my faith to glorify God and show others how trustworthy he is!
One thing for certain is that your passion for us to know the truth is just as strong back then, in those first sermons, as it is today….it just causes you some grey hairs!😅 We are extremely blessed here at compasshb. Thank you, Pastor Bobby, for your care and compassion for lost souls!
01-13-2023 THESSALONIANS 5
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 ❤🙏❤
We're always ready to rejoice and to be in prayer, but it's not always easy to be thankful especially in those little annoying things like a flat tire, a clogged toilet, a person sitting in their car for 10 minutes while you're waiting for them to leave. Ugggg!!!
Although those little things are opportunities to help us to grow, I think Paul is telling us that the secret to being thankful in all things is because "in" all things we have Jesus.
"In" Christ we can do all things because He gives us strength and "in" all things God works for our good. There is a purpose "in" every little and big circumstances in our lives and we can give thanks in all circumstances because we have Jesus. Wow!🤯
01-12-2023 THESSALONIAS 4
"For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words." 1 Thes. 4:16-17
Even so come, Lord Jesus, come. ❤🙏❤
01-11-2023 1 THESSALONIANS 3
"And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints."
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
To think that through continued faith and growth in Christ our hearts are established blameless in holiness. Not our holiness, His holiness. We need not be ashamed of sins of the past or condemned in the failures of the present. In confession and repentance His blood establishes our hearts blameless in holiness. Thank you, Jesus! ❤🙏❤
"for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything." 1 John 3:20
1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
01-10-2023 1 THESSALONIANS 2
"As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but instead we were like children among you. Or we were like a mother feeding and caring for her own children. We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too." 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8
It amazes how through Christ we are family and can be closer to the people at church than we are to members of our own family. But, my love for the church is so flawed and I often expect so much more from the Christians at church than I do of myself. Paul gave of himself with sincere love to teach the Good News to the Thessalonians expecting nothing in return. At Compass I am learning to love my brothers and sisters in the Lord and applying as Colossians 3:13 encourages us to do, "Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others" (NLT).
01-09-2023 1 THESSALONIANS 1
"For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction." 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5
The Good News should be never become old news. How sad that for so many in the church, including myself, the Gospel has become old news or something you did in the past. What a revelation this was to me and my husband when we came to Compass. The Gospel is Christ in us in power and in the Holy Spirit not the works of hands or by saying prayer. It is the gift of God. God with us and God in us.
1 Thessalonians 1 is such a helpful passage for me in showing me how to do ministry! I remember being so encouraged by Pastor Taylor at one of our past Kids Min prayer meetings where he was equipping us to do ministry and he was teaching on 1 Thessalonians 1! I often use this passage to evaluate the way that I am serving in Kids Ministry! Am I showing up to make disciples? Am I motivated by love? Am I a servant that is worth imitating- do I set an example for the kids in my class, or even for my fellow servants? Am I praying with faith that Jesus will save?
1 Corinthians 15:58
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
I am encouraged to abound in the work of the Lord and to prayerfully labor and to laboriously pray for the unsaved souls in Kids Ministry! I am also encouraged to apply the same things that I learned from 1 Thessalonians 1 by going out and spreading the Good News! I want to reach people for the Gospel!
Glad to be here at CompassHB where we are bringing the word and I am praying that it will sound forth! Praying for the “On A Mission From God” sermon this weekend! So excited!
Thank you Dahliah! You are a true inspiration, and all the other young kids min workers, giving up your time to serve, making a difference in these little children’s lives!
Love this Dahlia!!
Something I learned about 1 Thessalonians is that Paul writes this following Timothy returning to him and reporting the progress of the Thessalonians’ faith. Therefore, this letter is kind of like a progress report!
1 Thessalonians 1:6-7
[6] And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, [7] so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
This is discipleship in the early church bearing fruit! After Paul, Silas, and Timothy preached the Gospel in the synagogue of Thessalonica in the book of Acts, some Jews, many Gentiles, and some leading women came to faith in Christ. After this happened the Jews who became jealous and formed a mob, which led to the brothers sending Paul and his companions out. Now, Paul is writing a follow up letter after Timothy came to observe their faith and reported to Paul the good news of their faith.
Here Paul describes what happened among these Thessalonian believers: they became IMITATORS of them & the Lord and became an example to all the believers in the regions. Thessalonica was the capital of Macedonia and on the main East to West highway (I think of the I-10).
So encouraging to see God work in the lives of this church in Thessalonica. It shows it is not man who saves or grows somebody in their sanctification, but God! Even when Paul is essentially stripped away from the people he’s ministering to, God continues to grow them and sanctify their faith and walk! He is faithful. As Paul said to Philippi:
Philippians 1:6
[6] And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Praying God may continue to establish our faith and grow us in our sanctification. Praying we mature and grow so we can obey the great commission and make disciples.
Praying for the pastors and deacons retreat! Thankful for you all earnestly praying for us all!
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
I praise the lord for growing me in speaking glory to one another! Thankful for all the faithful imitators at compass!
Praying for our deacons and pastors as they get ready for this weekends sermon and to serve our church well! I’m pumped to read first Thessalonians this week with our church and pray for all of us!
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8
But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
"...and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. Amen! This is terrific news that never gets old! So, we heard this over the weekend and again today. It is time to go view the first sermon of Compass Bible Church and soak up the Word and our history!
So excited to go back and watch the very first sermon of the church. #team52👊🏻
#team52