Legacy – something received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past
Destiny – a future that someone or something will have

What is the legacy we have received?
What is the legacy I have received?

What does a good legacy look like in the Bible?

The Legacy of the Thessalonian Church: Who They Are

· Rooted in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
· Brothers and sisters, chosen and loved by God
· Convicted by the Word and the Holy Spirit
· An example for all believers

Rooted in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. John 15:9,16 (ESV)

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you…But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. John 15:7, 26 (ESV)

The Legacy of the Thessalonian Church: What They Do

· Serve and love
· Turn from idols to God
· Imitate the right people
· Receive the Word and put it forth


Serve and love

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. These things I command you, so that you will John 15:12-13, 17 (ESV)

Turn from Idols to God

“The human heart is a perpetual idol factory.” John Calvin

Receive the Word and put it forth

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…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 1:6, 8 (ESV)

Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit…If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned…By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. John 15:2, 6, 8 (ESV)

The Destiny of First Baptist Church: What will we do?

Serve and Love our Five Mission Partners

· Love Lowell
· USF Campus Ministry
· Glory House
· Camp Judson
· Arise! Ukraine

Turn from idols to God, even if that idol is our tradition

Imitate our Awesome Ancestors

Receive the Word and Put it Forth

The Destiny of First Baptist Church // What will we be?

Awesome ancestors? An example for all believers? Or dutiful descendants?

Does First Baptist want to be a church that needs no introduction?

LifeGroup Questions:

OPEN
1. Have you served alongside a ministry partner of First B? How was that service received? How did it make you feel?
2. Who is someone that has left a legacy for you? What does that make you want to leave as a legacy for the next generation?

DISCUSS
1. Have someone read 1 Thessalonians 1 and John 15:1-17 aloud for the group.
2. How well does our church match who the Thessalonians are? What do we need to learn from who they are?
3. How well does our church imitate what the Thessalonians do? What could we do better?

APPLY

1. Pray for the ministry partners of First B: Love Lowell, USF, Glory House, Camp Judson, Arise! Ukraine. Consider getting involved with one of these ministries.
2. Pray that First B becomes a church that needs no introduction.