You Know What?
1 Thessalonians 2:1-4
Pastor Jerry Koller

The Apostle Paul will be using the phrase you know four times in chapter 2.

The first “you know” deals with results - the results of the first visit of Paul, Silas, and Timothy to the Thessalonians.

Definitions of Failure:
· It is an act that fails.
· It is an event that does not accomplish its intended purpose.
· It is a lack of success.

Success is an event that does accomplish its intended purpose.
· Another definition of success is that it is the act of achieving an aim.

Paul reminded them:

The Gospel was presented—Building upon this general statement, the saint knew this team had come so that they may share the Gospel with them.

The Gospel was received and believed—Paul told the saints:

They were living out their faith—They were living out their faith as evidenced by their...
· works produced by faith…
· labor prompted by love…
· endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

As such, we noted that they became a model to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia. In fact, their faith in God has become known everywhere. No wonder why Paul was able to state:

While their visit may not have been a failure, that does not mean they were not opposed in their efforts to spread the Gospel.

· Their time in Thessalonica was not without opposition.
· In fact, it was intense enough to cause the team to flee for their lives.

Paul then turns his discussion to how the Gospel was presented.

· The appeal or request to come to Christ does not spring from error
· The appeal does not spring from impure motives.
· Motives are those internal incentives or influences that cause a person to act in a certain way or to do certain things.

Paul addressed motives with Timothy:

While motives are internal, they never stay internal.

Paul told the Thessalonians: For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.

The phrase “on the contrary” indicated a strong element of contrast.

The word “approved” means “to approve after testing.”
· They were approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.

· God tested their hearts.
· The word “tests” is the same would that was translated approved.

· God Still Tests Hearts
· Living Out Our Faith
· Not in Error
· Not from Impure Motives

Living out your faith must be driven by...
…love which comes from a pure heart
…love which comes from a good conscience
…love which is a result of a sincere faith

Seeking To Please God—God is concerned about what we do as well as the motives behind them.

· Judy Jones (wife of Pastor Grady Jones/friend of Pastor Jerry) has been diagnosed with colon cancer. They plan to do immediate surgery and then make additional decisions once they know what stage of cancer she has.
· The family of Roy Hale (cousin of Pastor Jerry) who passed away on 9/11.
· Sandi Starland is recovering from knee replacement surgery.
· Lon (Pete Danapilis' brother) is recovering from shoulder replacement surgery.
· Sherri Pratt (Renee Goff's mom) is recovering from surgery.
· Chet Goff is recovering from knee surgery.
· Vasha Ferguson is recovering from surgery for carpal tunnel.
· Levi Ovenshire is showing some improvement and is considered stable as he recovers from a stroke and other extensive injuries after he was stabbed multiple times. Please continue to keep his grandmother Sue (lifelong friend of Alice Avery & Judi Beckwith) and his parents in prayer as his situation has extenuating circumstances and has been very stressful and worrisome for them.
· Linda Pries and Annette Hatfield are requesting prayer as they are under some ongoing persecution. Pray for strength and peace of mind.
· Mary Buchert broke her wrist after a fall and continues to heal.
· Alexis Kasinger (classmate of Olivia Price) is recovering from another surgery to replace a brain shunt as she continues to be hospitalized in the ICU following a car accident on 6/28.
· Sandy (Tracy Quist’s mom) has had cancer for 13 years and it has spread to her bones, lungs and brain. She is getting radiation treatments. Please pray for her and Tracy’s dad to put all hope and trust in God, to resist worry, that the treatment will help, and her side effects will be minimal.
· Lennon McKamey (son of Kyle & Sarah) needs surgery on his shoulder. Please pray that preparing for surgery goes smoothly.
· Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.

First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com