Message Notes

MORNING WORSHIP 27 SEPTEMBER 2020
Text: 1 Thessalonians 3-5
Title: “Supplying what is lacking in Faith”

INTRODUCTION

1. Good commencement of Faith

2. Good continuing growth of Faith

3. Good confirmed Faith

A CANDID APPRAISAL: THERE WERE THINGS THAT WERE LACKING

1 Thessalonians 3:10
“Night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face
And perfect what is lacking in your faith?”

1. Things lacking: This is not surprising

a) There is so much to learn

b) There was a lack of opportunity to teach further

c) Learning is not an easy thing to attempt and accomplish

2. Some things that were lacking

a) The Abounding Life
“That you should abound more and more” 1 Thessalonians 4:1a

b) A Walk that pleases God
“How you ought to walk and to please God” 1 Thessalonians 4:1b

c) A Life of sanctification
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification” 1 Thessalonians 4:3a

d) Brotherly love

i) “Taught by God to love one another ” 1 Thessalonians 4:9b

ii) “That you increase more and more” 1 Thessalonians 4:10

e) Practical godly aspirations

i) “To lead a quiet life” 1 Thessalonians 4:11a

ii) “To mind your own business” 1 Thessalonians 4:11b

iii) “To work with your own hands” 1 Thessalonians 4:11c

iv) Walk properly in the world
“That you lack nothing” 1 Thessalonians 4:12

f) The Doctrine of the 2nd Coming of Christ

i) The dead in Christ
“God will bring with Him those
Who are asleep in Jesus” 1 Thessalonians 4:14

ii) To all who still alive
“We will meet the Lord in the air” 1 Thessalonians 4:17b

iii) Great assurance
“And thus, we shall always be with the Lord” 1 Thessalonians 4:17c

iv) Th time of the Lord’s Return
“The Lord will return as a thief in the night” 1 Thessalonians 5:2

ADDRESSING THE THINGS THAT ARE LACKING

1. Good words of Exhortation

a) To all who are sons of light
and sons of the day (1 Thessalonians 5:5)

b) Watch and be sober (1 Thessalonians 5:6)

c) The Christian armour in brief

i) Breastplate of faith and love (1 Thessalonians 5:8a)
Breastplate of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14)

ii) Helmet of salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:8b)

2. Great Assurance

a) We are not appointed to wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9a)

b) But to obtain salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:9b)

c) In Christ

i) He died for us

ii) We live together with Him (1 Thessalonians 5:10)

3. Godly Edification of one another

a) Comfort one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11a)

b) Edify one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11b)

This is something all of us can attempt to do!

4. Further general words of exhortation

a) Those who may need guidance

i) Warn the unruly (1 Thessalonians 5:14a)

ii) Comfort the fainthearted (1 Thessalonians 5:14b)

iii) Uphold the weak (1 Thessalonians 5:14c)

iv) Be patient with all (1 Thessalonians 5:14d)

b) Personal Life

i) Pursue what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:15)

ii) Rejoice always (1 Thessalonians 5:16)

iii) Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

iv) In everything give thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

c) The Church

i) Do not quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19)

ii) Test all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

The Church must always remain vigilant and watchful in both doctrine and life.

AN EARNEST CHALLENGE

1. To check the areas which are lacking in our faith and life

a) To be candid

b) To take concrete action

2. To seek to fill up the areas which are lacking

a) To help ourselves where we can

b) To seek help where we cannot

3. To keep growing in faith and life

a) This is a necessary commitment

b) This a wise consideration