Answering the Critics

Pastor Phil Andrukaitis, November 27, 2022

1st Thessalonians’ Theme:  Living righteously while waiting patiently for Jesus to return

Sermon Title and Text: Answering the Critics  

Sermon Text: 1st Thessalonians 2:1-12

Subject: Our conduct

Complement: The conduct of our lives is the first qualification for a godly testimony.

Big Idea: Our conduct impacts a person’s response to the gospel.

Overview & Review

I.          Spiritual leaders prove their concern for the church. (1:1a)

II.        Spiritual leaders provide care for the church. (1:1bc)

III.       Spiritual leaders pray for the church. (1:2-10)

IV.       Spiritual leaders pattern a life of loving service. (2:1- 3:13)

            A.         By evangelizing lost sinners with the saving gospel 2:1-16)      

1st Question:   How do Christians conduct themselves before a condemned world? (2:1-12)         

  • with a godly testimony (1-2)                          Today’s Focus
  • with godly motives (3-6)
  • with a godly mindset (7-9)
  • with godly lifestyle  (10-12)

2nd Question:  How do Christians recognize converted sinners? (2:13-16)

            B.         By edifying separated saints with loving concern  2:17 – 3:5)

            C.        By encouraging spiritual saints with hope and prayer  (3:6-10)

Introduction             

From 1991 to 2007, Fuller Theological Seminary’s School of Intercultural Studies conducted a 16-year survey among 750 Muslims who had converted to Christianity.  Those surveyed represented 50 ethnic groups from 30 different countries.  Listen to the 9 most-cited reasons for their conversions to the Christian faith…

Transitional Thoughts

Wow!  What a testimony to those Christians whose faith impacted these Muslim converts.  The Christians were truly living out the Thessalonian theme – living righteously while waiting patiently for Jesus to return.

With pen/pencil in hand, write these two words next to the following verses:  Verses 1-2 [godly witness]; verses 3-6 [godly motives]; verses 7-9 [godly mindset]; and verses 10-12 [godly lifestyle].  Based on these twelve verses, here are four qualifications a mission team or church family or an individual like you and me must exhibit if we are to evangelize this lost and condemned world with the gospel.

Since today’s message is focused on the first qualification – a godly witness, consider the godly testimonies from the following individuals:  King David (Psalm 146); King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4); the demon-possessed man (Mark 5:18-19); the woman at the well (John 4); the man born blind (John 9); the martyrs in Revelation (Revelation 12:11).

Here are three essential features for a godly testimony because our conduct impacts a person’s response to the gospel.   Read Acts 16-17 and 1st Thessalonians 2:1-2.

1.         Integrity that undergirds our lives

2.         Perseverance that presses on through difficulties            

3.         Boldness that speaks powerfully the gospel

  • God loves you (John 3:16).
  • Man is sinful and separated from God (Romans 3:23; 6:23; Isaiah 59:2).
  • Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for man’s sin (John 14:6; Romans 5:8).
  • We must individually receive Jesus as Savior and Lord (John 1:12; Romans 10:9; Eph.2:8).

Conclusion

Here are five applicable principles for our lives.

1.         Remain sensitive to God’s leading (Acts 16:6-f).

2.         Stay the course, regarding God’s mission.  Read 2nd Corinthians 11:21-33.

3.         Remember to pray and praise God to overcome discouraging times.  Read 2nd Corinthians 4:16-18.

4.         Serve God earnestly.

5.         Refuse to be intimidated by God’s enemies.

Remember,

Our conduct impacts a person’s response to the gospel.

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