acordandonos sin cesar

8/9/2019 Acordandonos Sin Cesar

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ACORDANDONOS SIN

CESAR. 1 TES. 1.31. Podemos ver en estaspalabras de Pablo dirigidasa los creyentes, nuevos enla fe, en Tesalónica, unaserie de verdades que nosconvendrá recordar, para

que sean de aplicación anuestra vida en Cristo.

Si bien el Señor nos salvó y

nos apartó para Él, lo i!o,no sólo para que eredemosel beneficio de Suspromesas en materia de

salvación y glorificación,


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sino tambi"n para que, en

esta vida, andemos deacorde a Su voluntad, locual implica tener un previoentendimiento acerca de

ello. #lgo de esto estaremosviendo en este estudio.

$%v. &, '(

“Damos siempre gracias aDios por todos vosotros,haciendo memoria de

vosotros en nuestrasoraciones, 3 acordándonossin cesar delante del Dios yPadre nuestro de la obra de

vuestra fe, del trabajo de


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vuestro amor y de vuestra

constancia en la esperanzaen nuestro Señoresucristo!"

)o primero que dice Pabloacerca de la buenaconducta de aquelloscristianos, mayormente de

origen gentil, son tres cosas*• #a obra de la fe de ellos$• %l trabajo de su amor$•

Su constancia en laesperanza en esucristo$

Si nos damos cuenta, Pablomenciona la triple


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combinación de virtud y obra

cristiana*• #a fe• %l amor • #a esperanza

%eamos algunas otrasescrituras al respecto*

$+ Co. +'* +'( “& ahora permanecen la fe, laesperanza y el amor'!

$Col. +* , -( “habiendo o(dode vuestra fe en )ristoes*s, y del amor +uetenis a todos los santos,

- a causa de la esperanza


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+ue os está guardada en los

cielos, de la cual ya habiso(do por la palabraverdadera del evangelio!

$+ Ts. -* ( “Pero nosotros,+ue somos del d(a, seamossobrios, habindonosvestido con la coraza de fe y

de amor, y con la esperanzade salvaci.n como yelmo!

/asados en esas tres

virtudes esenciales aqu0 yaora, aquellostesalonicenses nos dane1emplo de cómo ay que

servir al Señor.


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1) La obra de la fe de los

de Tesalónica“3 acordándonos sin cesardelante del Dios y Padrenuestro de la obra devuestra fe'!"

$2l. -* 3( “por+ue en )ristoes*s ni la circuncisi.n vale

algo, ni la incircuncisi.n,sino la fe +ue obra por elamor!"

Pablo da gracias a 4ios porla obra de lostesalonicenses, porque tal


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obra era fruto de una fe

ciert0sima.5na fe viva produce unaobra verdadera, porque talobra es dirigida por 4ios yauspiciada por el poder del6sp0ritu Santo.

7o es necesariamente una

obra grande y poderosaseg8n el baremo umano,sino que, aunque pudiera

ser insignificante ante losombres, es valiosa para4ios, porque es genuina enÉl.


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injusticia, mas se goza de la

verdad$ 1 2odo lo sufre, todolo cree, todo lo espera, todolo soporta!

6se tipo de amor, que es elverdadero, esmenospreciado a los o1osdel incr"dulo; en todo caso

sólo asumir0a alg8n aspectode "l, pero sólo asta elpunto en que no representeuna incomodidad.

)a fe que salva, es tambi"nla fe que act8a, y lo aceconforme al que salva, que

es 4ios. Por lo tanto, esa


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obra en s0 misma, constituye

un buen fruto.Por otra parte, no se puedeconcebir una fe verdadera,sin una obra conforme a esafe. %an de la mano.

7o significa que la obra denuestra fe sean todas las

obras que reali!amos, sinosolamente las que soninspiradas y dirigidas por el

6sp0ritu Santo. 4e otramanera, pensar0amos que elcreyente es un ser yaperfeccionado de eco en

esta vida, y no es as0.


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2) El trabajo del amor de

los de Tesalónica“'del trabajo de vuestroamor'!"

)a palabra que se traducepor


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Siempre es as0 cuando se

trata con las personas; mása8n en el conte?to del6vangelio y susparticularidades en cuanto a

lo pastoral.Cada ve! que se levantauno aciendo ondear la

bandera de la doctrina de laverdad, se levantan cientosde bandera contrarias, y eltraba1o es siempre penoso;

1amás fácil. #ora bien, los deTesalónica se distinguieron

en ese


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6n cuanto a que padecieron

por causa de su traba1oacia la e?tensión del6vangelio, lo vemos en lamisma /iblia en el libro de

los Aecos de los apóstoles*$)eer Aecos +:* +9B(

#quellos tesalonicenses, de

origen gentil a los cualesPablo les escribe, ab0ansido testigos de primera

mano de los padecimientosde Pablo en su tarea depropagar el evangelio porsus tierras.


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Teniendo ese clar0simo

e1emplo, no dudaron enreproducir la misma obraque Pablo, con la mismamotivación*


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vemos en el caso clar0simo

de @ois"s 1unto al @ar o1o*$É?odo +* +-,+3( “%ntonces ehová dijo aoiss" ¿Por qué clamas amí 4 i a los hijos de 5srael+ue marchen$ 60 ! t" al#atu $ara% & e'tiende tu

mano sobre el mar% &di$ídelo% y entren los hijosde 5srael por en medio delmar, en seco!

Aay un momento en el queay que actuar, como fue elcaso de @ois"s; como fue el

caso de los de tesalónica,


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en su traba1o en el amor de

4ios.@ucos dicen que 4ios lesa de dar más gracia, másfe, más de Su 6sp0ritu,como que nunca essuficiente para andar comoi1os de 4ios. )o cierto es

que 4ios ya nos a dadotodo lo que requerimos paravivir una vida agradable aÉl. )o cierto tambi"n es, que

es la carne $nuestro ombree?terior(, la que se opone aCristo, y esa carne ay que

seguir crucificándola.


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DPodemos acerloE S0,

pues todo lo podemos enCristo que nos fortalece $Fil* +'(.

G%en!amos con el bien elmalH $o. +&* &+( con elpoder que 4ios ya nos adado en Cristo.

( La constancia en laesperan#a en *esucristo

“y de vuestra constancia en

la esperanza en nuestroSeñor esucristo!"

6sta e?presión de Pablo

denota un entendimiento


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escatológico sin lugar a

dudas. )os tesalonicensesson e?altados por Pablo, por el eco de que eranconstantes acerca de la

esperan!a de la venida deIesucristo.

6n otras palabras, viv0an

esperan!ados en la venidadel Señor Ies8s. Sus vidasestaban basadas en dicaesperan!a.

)a esperan!a implica por s0misma


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ablamos, tendrá su

cumplimiento cuando seprodu!ca la venida deIes8s. 4e a0 que laesperan!a tendrá su fin,

cuando cumpla su finalidad.)a esperan!a aludida de lostesalonicenses, deber0a ser

por mayor motivo, la formade entender la vida paranosotros, los creyentes delfinal de esta dispensación.

+ El por qué del cre&ente& su obra para ,risto


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Aay quienes sirven a 4ios,

en realidad, sirvi"ndose a s0mismos; y ay quienessirven a 4ios. Punto. 6ste8ltimo fue el caso de

aquellos de Tesalónica. #quellos tesalonicensesviv0an sus vidas

entusiasmados por Cristo,en medio de ostilidad yadversidad.

@ucos perdieron suslabores, por negarse aconsagrar su traba1ocotidiano al dios vinculado a

su oficio, negándose de ese


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modo a seguir la costumbre

pagana de susconciudadanos.

@ucos fueron e?pulsadosde sus familias, acusadosde ser G=ateos=H por negarlos dioses.

Pero en medio de tal

adversidad, prevalec0a sugo!o y su entusiasmo por elSeñor, y Su obra.

Todo ello pudo ser as0, noporque ellos fueronespecialmente me1ores queel resto de los ombres, sino


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por causa de la elección

divina* “Por+ue conocemos,hermanos amados deDios, vuestra elecci.n, puesnuestro evangelio no lleg. a

vosotros en palabrassolamente, sino tambin en poder, en el %sp(ritu Santo y en plena certidumbre'! $%v., -(

4ios elige a sus santos parala obra Suya.

6l evangelio a de serpredicado a todos, pero amucos sólo les llegan las

palabras, mientras que a los


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escogidos, les llegan esas

palabras con poder de lo #lto.

4e a0 que la obra delevangelio, solamente sereali!ará cabalmente porparte de aquellos que est"nentusiasmados por Cristo, y

estos 8ltimos sólo sonaquellos que an sidoelegidos para tal acción yforma de vida.

Simplemente, apliqu"monosa ello, aquellos que somosde Él.


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2.

Tres VirtudesFundamentalespara ESCUCHAR ...hag

a clic aquí ...

La Fe acepta lagracia y el perdón queDios ofrece, se apoya en

la obra cumplida porJesús en la cruz y sealimenta de la Palabra de

Dios para conocer mejora aquel que nos esreelado en ella, esdecir, a Jesucristo. !na

http://amen-amen.net/reflexion/tres-virtudes-fundamentales/http://amen-amen.net/reflexion/tres-virtudes-fundamentales/http://amen-amen.net/reflexion/tres-virtudes-fundamentales/http://amen-amen.net/reflexion/tres-virtudes-fundamentales/


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fe ia no se manifiesta

mediante palabras, sinomediante hechos. "in lasobras que resultan deella, la fe es muerta#Santiago 2:17, 20$.

La Esperanza es

un estimulante para laida, porque nos hacemirar hacia delante,

hacia la meta, haciaJesús glorificado.Despu%s de suresurrección, &risto

ascendió al cielo y entró


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en %l como nuestro

precursor y garante deque somos aceptadosante Dios #Hebreos6:19-20; 7:22$. 'aesperanza alienta a lafidelidad, sabiendo quetodo ser( puesto a la luz,

)y entonces cada unorecibirá su alabanzade Dios* #1 Corintios

4:5 $.

El Amor tiene sufuente en Dios Padre+ es

dado al creyente y


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mantenido por la acción

del spíritu "anto#Romanos 5:5 $. 'a obrade amor de lostesalonicenses semanifestaba en ariasesferas que siguensiendo actuales- seguían

las pisadas de Jesús ylas del apóstol, quien selas había enseado #1

Tesalonicenses 1:6$+habían recibido susenseanzas como lo quees )en erdad! la

palabra de Dios*


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Cristians in

Tessalonica tat Paulsimply could not forget.Ae alJays rememberedtem. Kat e

remembered abouttem made imtan>ful.

i. PaulLs gratitudedidnLt come becauseall te Cristians in

Tessalonica tougtso igly of im.)ater, Paul used aJole capter


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defending imself and

is ministry againstslander and falseaccusations.

ii. PaulLs gratitudedidnLt come becausete TessalonianCristians Jeremorally impeccable.)ater in te letter,Paul strongly Jarned

tem against tefailings in regard tose?ual impurity.


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iii. PaulLs gratitude

didnLt come becausete TessalonianCristians Jerecompletely accurate

in all teir doctrine.Ae ad to correctsome of teir Jrongideas in tat areaalso.

b. Your work of faith,

labor of love, andpatience of hope inour Lord Jesus Christ*4espite te problems,


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Paul Jas so grateful to

2od for teTessalonians becausetere Jas anundeniable Jor> of te

Aoly Spirit and amarvelous cange inteir lives. Te treegreat Cristian virtuesJere evident amongtem* faith, love,and hope.

i.


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ave tis famous

triad*faith, love, hope./ut PaulLs stress isnot on tese virtuesalone, but rater upon

Jat tey produce.=$Aiebert( •

Terefore,teir faith producedwork M as is tenature of true fait.

•

Teir love produced labor . Tereare tJo different

ancient 2ree>


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Jords for

Jor>* ergon and 7o pos. %rgon


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times, but to

triump trougtem.4. El tema de esta semana es:

“La obediencia a la verdad”.

De acuerdo con la revelaciónbí blica, la salvación completa

de Dios incluye la salvación

de nuestro espí ritu, alma ycuerpo. Con respecto a la

salvación de nuestro espí ritu

estamos conscientes de que ya

la obtuvimos y que para esto,

sólo nos bastó creer (Ro 8:10).

La salvación de nuestro

cuerpo será en la segunda


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venida de Cristo. Él

transformará

nuestro cuerpocorruptible en un cuerpo

espiritual, incorruptible (1 Co

15:51-54). En otras palabras,

este cuerpo material que aún

hoy está sujeto a la acción de

la gravedad, la fuerza

gravitacional proviene delcentro de la tierra, donde esta

el Hades. No obstante, el

cuerpo que recibiremos en el

momento de la segunda venida

de Cristo no sufrirá la acción

de la gravedad pues será

redimido, es decir, será


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transfigurado, llegará a ser un

cuerpo espiritual.Además, la salvación de

nuestro cuerpo corresponde a

nuestra esperanza; nuestra

esperanza es que nuestro

cuerpo será redimido.

También deseamos que sea

redimido lo más pronto puesqueremos que el Señor venga

pronto. Esta es nuestra

esperanza.

En 1 Tesalonicenses 1:3

leemos: “Acordándonos sin

cesar delante del Dios y Padre

nuestro de la obra de vuestra


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fe, del trabajo de vuestro amor

y de vuestra constancia en laesperanza en nuestro Señor

Jesucristo”. En este versí culo

podemos destacar tres

expresiones que evidencian la

salvación completa de Dios: 1)

La obra de fe; 2) El trabajo de

amor o la labor de amor; 3) Laperseverancia en la esperanza

o la constancia en la

esperanza. Todos los salvos

poseen estos tres puntos.

La obra de fe se refiere a la

salvación de nuestro espí ritu.

Por causa de esta obra de fe


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nuestro espí ritu fue

regenerado. Por tanto, lasalvación de nuestro espí ritu

es un asunto totalmente de fe.

Creemos que todo aquello que

el Señor realizó fue por

nuestra causa. Él murió y

resucitó por nosotros, fue

santificado y justificado pornosotros y también fue por

nosotros que llegó a ser el

Consolador para llevarnos

delante de Dios Padre a fin de

reconciliarnos con Él. Todo

esto está en la esfera de la fe.

Por tanto, la obra de fe está


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relacionada con la salvación

de nuestro espí ritu.

El trabajo de amor

corresponde a la salvación de

nuestra alma e incluye la

totalidad de nuestra vida de

iglesia. En la vida de la iglesia

el punto más importante es la

vida divina. Sin embargo,cuando vivimos esta vida, ésta

se vuelve la expresión del

amor. En otras palabras, la

vida de la iglesia realmente es

un asunto de amor. Y este

amor necesita del trabajo. A

veces un hermano no logra


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aceptar nuestro amor y

sufrimos por esto. Pero nopodemos dejar de amarlo sólo

por que él no nos ama.

En nosotros hay una vida

que es amor, por tanto

¡necesitamos amar! Aunque

no se agraden de nuestro

amor, aún amamos. Si lesgusta, también amamos.

Aunque hayan enemigos aun

así necesitamos amarlos (Mt

5:44). Sin embargo, no es

nada f ácil. Para esto es

necesario el trabajo, el


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sufrimiento, que será visto

más adelante.

5.

PARALLL PA!!A"!#$R%, LA&$R,

!'A()A!'*!!

+'hessalonians +-

+'hessalonians +./+0

#ork of faith You turnedto "od from

1dols

Labor of love 'o serve aliving andtrue "od

!teadfastnes 'o for 2is

http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/1Thessalonians%201.3http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/1Thessalonians%201.3http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/1Thessalonians%201.9-10http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/1Thessalonians%201.9-10http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/1Thessalonians%201.3http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/1Thessalonians%201.3http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/1Thessalonians%201.9-10http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/1Thessalonians%201.9-10


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s of hope!on from

2eaven6. Kere love is temotive,labor is ligt.1.

1.1.Here is again Paul’s

3 ingredients to teCristian !i"e#

1.1.1.$ait rests on

te Past % !o&e a'ts

in te Present %


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Ho(e loo)s to te

Future.

1.*.Work of Faith +

1.3.,Barclay- e learn alot a/out so0eone

on o2 te4 2or).

1.3.1.Some Jor> in

fear of te Jip;

some for ope ofgain; some in sense


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of duty; N oters are

inspired by faithH1.3.*.)aith3 9 Fait

tat your Jor> asbeen given N

entrusted to you by

2od, N tat you are

specifically Jor>ing

for AimH1.3.3.Someone said,


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consecration is Jen

a man can find 2loryin drudgeryH=

1..Labor of Love +1..1.The storks are so

strong is their affection fortheir young, they are notafraid even to die for them.There have beeninstances of forest fires, in

which they flew to and fro, with water in their beaks,to save their nests uponthe burning houses. Nay, it


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once happened at Delft in

Holland, that, finding itimpossible to preservetheir brood, they placedthemselves upon the nest,

spread over them their wings, and so perished with them in the flames.(That is what is a labor oflove!"

1..*.#omeone onceasked Susanna Wesley

which one of her $$children she loved themost. #he wisely replied,

"I love the one who's sick


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until he's well, and the one

who's away until hecomes home."

1.5.Patience of Hope

+

1.5.1. #lJays in te

Cristian conte?t

Aope as an air of

certainty about it.

1.5.*.Ken #le?. te

2reat Jas setting out

on is campaigns, e


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divided all is

possessions amongis friends. Someone

said, eeping noting for

yourself.=


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for ten e is Jal>ing

to te ni-.t , but tote a/nH

.

/irst 0hessalonians is the1postle Paul2s first letter

to the church at0hessalonica.0hessalonica 3as a

4ree5 city in a land filled3ith false gods+ andeen though Paul metstrong opposition he


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dared to preach the

gospel. en thoughmany 3ho had acceptedJesusas 'ord suffered seerelyand 3ere persecuted,they 3elcomed themessage of salation

3ith joy. 0hey had gienPaul a loing reception-1 reception 3ith open,

loing hearts and minds.0heir gro3th in &hristand their acceptance ofPaul and his other

associates, "ilas and


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0imothy, 3as such a

miracle, that the loeand faith of the0hessalonican belieershad become famousthroughout the area.Paul 3rote0hessalonians#Probably

from 1thens.$ toencourage the church.

0oday is my firstopportunity to share asermon 3ith you, and to

share the "acrament of


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the 'ord2s "upper,

&ommunion 3ith theDaners &hurch of the6azarene778y ne3church778y /oreer/amily. 'ast "unday,9nstallation "unday, youopened your arms and

hearts to Joan and to mein a gracious 3ay. :ou3or5ed hard painting the

parsonage and had thepantry stoc5ed3ith food. #8ay 9 say-6ot only 3ere your arms

and hearts open;"o


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3ere your eyes< ery

time that 9 loo5ed upsomeone 3as loo5ing atme or at Joan. 4uess3hat= >e 3ere doing thesame thing< >e too 3erechec5ing you out. 1nd3e li5ed 3hat 3e sa3

and heard.$

/or seeral years thischurch has been in myprayers. >hile 9 3as acollege student at

astern 6azarene


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&ollege, 9 pastored the

?eading &hurch of the6azarene.#1bout @Amiles a3ay.$ 8y firstDistrict 8inisters'icense 3as signed by aformer pastor of thischurch, ?oss &ribbis.

#>hen the church 3asthen located in Peabody.Be 3as the 6e3 ngland

District "ecretary.$ >hileat ?eading, Joan and 9isited the Peabodychurch and enjoyed a

gospel music concert by


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the "pear /amily. Cen

8ills, my former collegeroommate, my formerDistrict "uperintendent,and my friend sered asyour pastor for eighteenyears.

Just oer ten years ago,after pastoring in

Pennsylania, 6e3 :or5,and /lorida, 9 returned to6e3 ngland to pastorthe /almouth &hurch of

the 6azarene. 1t that


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time, they 3ere a church

in deep trouble. "piritualtrouble, financial trouble,relationship trouble,reputation troubleDuring the ten years that9 3as pastor, 4odblessed in 3onderful

3ays,scores of souls 3eresaed, the church gre3

and the mortgage 3aspaid off many yearsearly. Plans 3eredeeloped to eEpand the

church for the gro3ing


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congregation. >hen 9

moed, a fe3 3ee5sago, the church 3as on agood and strongfoundation. ?eports arecoming here to me thatthe church is functioning3ell and good things are

happening. Ff that, 9 amhappy<

9 thought 9 3ouldprobably pastor/almouth until 9 retired.

>hy leae a good thing=


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Gut oer the past ten

years 4od began toplace a burden on myheart for this church. 1tDistrict 1ssemblies, 9heard and read thereports. ach year theDaners2 reports pointed

out more declines inalmost eery area. 0oma5e a long story short-

Just as erse t3o oftoday2s "cripture tells usthat Paul prayed for the0hessalonica church

and loed them, 4od


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turned my prayers into a

burden, and then theBoly "pirit, District'eadership, the Daners2 &hurch Goard, youreEample as a church thatheld on through outmultitudes of trials, and

my desire for a ne3challenge, resulted in myacceptance of your call

to become your ne3pastor.

/or far too many years


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this church, you, hae

suffered. Perhaps not inthe same 3ays that the&hurch of 0hessalonicasuffered and 3aspersecuted. 0he Deilused other trials to tryand cause you to gie up

your faith in Jesus &hristthe 8essiah and "oon&oming Cing. >hen 9

read today2s "cripturepassage, 9 immediatelythought of you, the&hurch at

Daners. Please notice


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3ith me, three

similarities- @. H:our>F?C produced by/190B.H A. H:our '1GF?prompted by 'FI.H .H:our 6D!?16&inspired by BFP in our'ord Jesus &hrist.H 'et

us compare.

9. H:our >F?C producedby /190B.H

>hy hae you hung on


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and 5ept 3or5ing 3hen

so ery many hae, for amultitude of reasons,gien up, moed on toother churches, orcompletely gien up anactie, 3or5ing faith inJesus &hrist= 1 fe3 of

you hardy souls are ne3to this church and eenthough the church 3as in

crisis, you choose to jointhis cro3d of 6azarenes.>hy= >hy did you stay=


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ach of you hae your

o3n reasons. 8aybe youlie nearby and it ta5esto much effort and gasto drie to another&hurch of the 6azarene.8aybe you 3ere broughtup in the church and

your roots go erydeeply into the pastdays#>ay bac5 to @KLL.$

3here 4od blessed for somany good years. 8aybeyou gae funds topurchase something in

this building and you


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hae an emotional

attachment and to leae3ould be too hard to do.8aybe you thought youcould outlast a pastorthat you did notparticularly li5e.#1ndsome of you did$

8aybe you are just plainstubborn. 8aybebecause of friends.

8aybe you are as5ingyourself, H:es Pastor,3hy did 9stay=H


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9 li5e to thin5 that youstayed and 5ept>F?C964 and P?1:964because you 'FID yourchurch. 0hat your /190B3as in Jesus, 3hopromised in 8atthe3

@M-@K Hon this roc5 9 3illbuild my church, and thegates of Bades 3ill not

oercome it.H 0his 5eptyou true to Jesus andyour commitment to the&hurch of the 6azarene

in Daners. 9t is


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essential that our faith

be securely grounded inJesus &hrist and not in apastor. Pastors come andgo, perhaps to help us5eep our faith in 4odand not in a man.

9f 3e 3ant to see ourchurch gro3, there is

much to do and each oneof us, 3or5ing 3ith ourspiritual gifts, is needed.H1s long as it is day, 3e

must do the >F?C of


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him 3ho sent me. 6ight

is coming, 3hen no onecan>F?C.H#John L-N$ Paulused /irst 0hessaloniansto 3arn the church thatJesus 3as coming again.ach of us 5no3 of souls

that 3e loe 3ho are indanger of Bell. Fur/190B must 5eep us

>F?C964 for Jesus.

99. H:our '1GF?

prompted by 'FIH


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"ad to say, but 9 hae5no3 far too manypeople 3ho hae loedthe church more thanthey hae loed Jesus778ore than they hae

loed the sinners and thesaints in the church.Pastors hae told me of

"unday "choolclasses in their churchesthat 3ere not gro3ing,refusing to acate a

room 3here they had


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met for seeral years in

order to gie anothergro3ing "unday "choolclass room enough tocontinue to gro3. 0heyhaetold me of long timemembers 3ho 3ere bent

out of shape because aisitor dared to sit intheir faorite seat or

pe3.#Personal pe3 taEand resered seatsshould only lie in 6e3ngland history.$ 9 hae

heard of and 5ne3


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people 3ho had refused

to allo3 someone ne3 tota5e oer a job that theyhad held, een thoughthey had not done agood job, because theyli5ed the title andprestige of the office or

job that they hadobtained. 0here is plentyof '1GF? for eeryone

and 3e must share.#Gutbe sure not to oerloadne3 attendees.$eryone is needed, ne3

and old, and needs to be


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'FID and allo3ed to

use their gifts.

0here is a sad andalmost uniersal formulaat 3or5 in churches, ciicclubs, and other

organizations. 0he ruleis, H 0hat AO of thepeople do KO of the

'1GF?.H 1nother thatsays, H0hat AO of thepeople gie KO of themoney.H 9n 3hich

percentage category do


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you stand or sit= "ouls

depend upon us doingour best. Paul told the&orinthians, H6o3 it isrequired that those 3hohae been gien a trustmust proe faithful.H#@&orinthians N-A$#9 am

than5ful for you 3hocelebrate, along 3ithme, the joy of bringing a

tithe of the fruits of your'1GF? and gie it to the'ord each "unday.$


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1s your ne3 pastor, 9 am

than5ful that most ofyou hae '1GF?D forJesus and not because of selfishness or pride.Jesus has promised that3hat 3e do for Jesus 3illbring re3ards in heaen.

James 3rote, HGlessed isthe man 3ho perseeresunder trial, because

3hen he has stood thetest, he 3ill receie thecro3n of life that 4odhas promised to those

3ho 'FI him.H#James


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@-@A$

999. H:our 6D!?16&inspired by BFP.H

0he Cing James Iersion

translates H6D!?16&Has HP1096&.H 1re youtired of 3aiting for

something better tohappen= Do you 3antour church to gro3 3ithne3, maturing

&hristians= Do you hae


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loed ones, een

enemies, 3hom you longfor and pray for them tobe saed from sin andfrom Bell= Bere is a realbrilliant statement. 0BP1"0 9" FI?< 9 for onedo not 3ant to relie the

past. 9 hae neer3anted to relie mychildhood.#92ll get that

chance if 9 lie longenough to start mysecond childhood.$ 9hae al3ays 3anted to

see 3hat ne3 things 4od


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had in store to bless me

and my churches. 0hegood old days, 3hen 3ereally thin5about them, 3ere notreally that good. 0heyare the past. 4od hasgien this church a ne3

chance to again be aholy and releant forcein the 6orth "hore area.

Fne of my faoritePsalms is Psalm N.

'isten to part of this H@


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Psalm Ff Daid. >hen

he pretended to beinsane before 1bimelech,3ho droe him a3ay,and he left. 9 3ill eEtolthe 'F?D at all times+his praise 3ill al3ays beon my lips. A 8y soul 3ill

boast in the 'F?D+ letthe afflictedhear andrejoice. 4lorify the

'F?D 3ith me+ let useEalt his name together.N 9 sought the 'F?D,and he ans3ered me+ he

deliered me from all my


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fears. Q 0hose 3ho loo5

to him are radiant+ theirfaces are neer coered3ith shame. M 0his poorman called, and the'F?D heard him+ hesaed him out of all histroubles. R 0he angel of

the 'F?D encampsaround those 3ho fearhim, and he deliers

them. K 0aste and seethat the 'F?D is good+blessed is the man 3hota5es refuge in him. L

/ear the 'F?D, you his


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saints, for those 3ho

fear him lac5 nothing.H4FD 9" 4F964 0FG'"".

1s 9 3as interie3ing3ith our &hurch Goard

about coming toDaners, the numberone thing that got my

attention and got Joan2sattention, 3as that eerymember of the &hurchGoard 3as not ready to

gie up, to thro3 in the


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to3el. 0hey had stood by

the 'ord and the churchthrough deep, deeptrials. 0hey had6D!?D. 0hey hadbeen P10960. 0hey had3or5ed andprayed. 0hey had tried to

do their part. 1nd eerylast one of them hadBFP that 4od 3ould

again bless the Daners&hurch and ma5e it alighthouse to the greater6orth "hore community

and to the 3orld.


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>hen the 'ord told onehundred year old1braham and ninety yearold "arah that they 3eregoing to hae a baby,they 3ere as5ed a

rhetorical question, H9sanything too hard for the'F?D=H#4enesis @K-@N$

4od hadpromised 1braham thathe 3ould hae a son,that he 3ould hae

children that no one


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could count, and that

from his seed ason#Jesus$ 3ould comein 3hom all the 3orld3ould be blessed.0hrough out all the yearsof liing in a tent and

longing to see fulfillmentof that promise,1braham and "ara

endured and neer gaeup their hope. /ortyyears in the >ildernessdid not destroy 8oses2

BFP. 0oday, 3e are


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blessed because

they remained faithful.4od 3ill gie this churcha 3ay out of the>ilderness.

/or @ON years this

church has lied on the6orth "hore of Goston.4od blessed in the past.

Jesus is our BFP for thefuture. 4od 3ill do Bispart. >e must beobedient to the 4reat

&ommission. >e must


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continue to,

or begin to, >F?C andto hae /190B. >e mustcontinue to, or begin to,'1GF? and to 'FI. >emust continue to, or tobegin to, 6D!? or tosho3 P1096& and to

BFP in our 'ord Jesus&hrist<

&F6&'!"9F6

0he 1postle Paul used


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the last t3o chapters of

@ 0hessalonians toremind the church thatJesus 3as coming againand that they needed tobe ready. 0oday 3e 3illshare together for thefirst time, as Pastor and

&ongregation, the"acrament of the 'ord2s"upperS &ommunion.

Jesus told us to do thisuntil he comes again. >edo it in remembrance ofhim. 0he same Jesus

3ho has blessed the


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church for oer t3o

thousand years 3ill blessus and our church if 3elie in /190B, 'FI, andBFP.

0o the &hurch at &orinth

and to us Paul 3rote,H1nd no3 these threeremain- /190B, BFP

and 'FI. Gut thegreatest of these is'FI.H #@ &orinthians@-@$ >ill you 'FI

4od, sinners, and the


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needed to be cleaned.

Don 3inced as the manat the store told him thecost of cleaning hisprinter 3ould be aboutUQO. )9 could almost buya ne3 printer for thatpriceell

you could try reading theprinter2s manual and trydoing the job yourself,*

the man at the storesaid. Don 3as pleasantlysurprised by his candor,and as5ed, HDoes your

boss 5no3 that you


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discourage business li5e

this=H H>ell, actually it2smy boss2s idea,H theemployee replied. H>eusually ma5e moremoney on repairs if 3elet people try to fiEthings themseles first.H

78any of us are fiEers,3e li5e to find 3ays to

fiE things, to ma5ethings 3or5 better, but3hen it comes to our&hristian 3al5 and our

church 3e end up doing


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a lot more scre3ing up

then fiEing.7&hristianity is moreabout relationships thatproduce 3or5s and lessabout 3or5s thatproduce relationships.T/rances Gacon said+ )9t

is not 3hat men eat, but3hat they digest thatma5es them strong+ not

3hat 3e gain, but 3hat3e sae that ma5es usrich+ not 3hat 3e read,but 3hat 3e remember

that ma5es us learned+


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not 3hat 3e preach or

pray, but 3hat 3epractice and beliee thatma5es us &hristians.*

0oday 9 3ant to share3ith you the three mar5sof effectie &hristianity.

Fur teEt is @0hessalonians @-A,

)>e al3ays than5 4odfor all of you, mentioningyou in our prayers. >econtinually remember

before our 4od and


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/ather your 3or5

produced by faith, yourlabor prompted by loe,and your enduranceinspired by hope in our'ord Jesus &hrist.* #@0hess. @-A,$

7Paul continually prayedfor the church of0hessalonica and not

only that but, hethan5ed 4od for theirfaith, loe, and hope+3hich produced a ery

dynamic church.


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9. /aith 3ould >or570he first mar5 of a&hristian is haing the5ind of faith thatproduces good 3or5s.7/aith is focused uponthe 3or5 that 4od did in

the past through Jesus&hrist, the fact thatJesus 3ent to the cross

for our sins.

70he 4ree5 3ord usedfor )3or5* in the phrase

)3or5 produced by faith*


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is the 3ord #ergon$.

7rgon focuses on theproduct of our efforts,the fruit that isproduced, not ho3 3earried at the fruit or theeffort that 3ent intoproducing the fruit.

T'et me gie you aneEample. 92m going to

pic5 on Dean &leelandthis morning, rememberlast year Dean did a3onderful job of 3or5ing

on the lights in the


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basement of the church.

Be made it so muchbrighter. 1nd although ittoo5 much time andeffort on Dean2s part, ifyou as5 him he 3ould

just shrug it off and saythat it 3as nothing at all,

and that he 3as happyto do it.70herefore faith is more

focused on the product,then the effort it too5 toget there.

1. >or5s do not produce


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/aith.

7!nfortunately there aremany in the churches3ho thin5 that by gettinginoled in a churchproject or doingsomething 5ind forsomeone, that they 3ill

either gro3 their faith orsho3 that they haefaith in 4od.

TGecause 9 5no3 the5ind of person Dean&leeland is, 9 5no3 thatit is his faith in 4od that

motiates him to help


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others. Be does not do

things so that peoplethin5 him a 4odlyperson, but he ismotiated by his trust orfaith in 4od.

70hose 3ho 3or5 to

produce faith, or to sho3off their faith are li5ecandles 3ith ery short

3ic5s, they burn outquic5ly, and they are toofocused on doing, orearning their 3ay to

heaen.


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7>hen they fail to get

praised or recognized fortheir efforts, 3henadersity befalls them,or church becomes aburden they simply falla3ay.

phesians A-K )/or it isby grace you hae beensaed, through faith77

and this not fromyourseles, it is the giftof 4od77not by 3or5s, sothat no one can boast.*


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76othing 3e can do, no

product that 3e canma5e can earn oursalation, 3hich comesthrough our faith, or ourtrust in Jesus &hrist andin 3hat Be has done.7"alation is a free gift

gien to those 3ho handoer their lies oer toJesus &hrist.

G. /aith does ho3eerproduce >or5.7/aith ho3eer should

moe us to action.


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James A-@N7@K )>hat

good is it, my brothers,if a man claims to haefaith but has no deeds=&an such faith sae him="uppose a brother orsister is 3ithout clothesand daily food. 9f one of

you says to him, H4o, 93ish you 3ell+ 5eep3arm and 3ell fed,H but

does nothing about hisphysical needs, 3hatgood is it= 9n the same3ay, faith by itself, if it is

not accompanied by


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action, is dead. Gut

someone 3ill say, H:ouhae faith+ 9 haedeeds.H "ho3 me yourfaith 3ithout deeds, and9 3ill sho3 you my faithby 3hat 9 do.*

7Fn one side of the fenceyou hae those 3ho dogood 3or5s to sho3 that

they hae faith, 3hich is3rong, and on the otherside of the fence thereare those 3ho come to

church, but do nothing,


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they don2t get inoled,

they don2t reach out toothers, and in theministry 3e call those5ind of people pe33armers, or dead 3ood.71 strong faith shouldproduce a desire to

sere, because that is3hat 4od created us todo, as ne3 creations in

&hrist Jesus.

phesians A-@O /or 3eare 4od2s 3or5manship,

created in &hrist Jesus to


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do good 3or5s, 3hich

4od prepared in adancefor us to do.

71 good gauge of thedepth of your faith canbe the eEtent of yourcharity.

70he more dierse yourinolement in theCingdom of 4od at large,

the greater your faithgenerally is.7>hy, because you are3illing to ris5 and go

3here 4od 3ants you to


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go.

7:ou hae not limitedyour serice to 4od outof fear as to 3here thatinestment of your time,energies, and money 3illta5e you.

T1 story from Fur DailyGread deotional says+H/or O years, 9 had

assumed that to s3im 9must constantly struggleto 5eep from sin5ing.Fne day an eEpert

s3immer 3atched me for


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a fe3 minutes and then

shouted, 2"top fightingthe 3ater and trust it tohold you up.2 Be 3asright. !nder hisdirection, 9 lay flat in the3ater 3ithout moinghands or feet and, to my

delight, it held me up.>hy didn2t someone tellme that years ago=H H"o

many people constantlystruggle to become&hristians. 9f they 3ouldonly trust &hrist, they

3ould realize that Be


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does the saing.H

7Fur faith, or our trust,is not based on 3or5sdone by our o3n hands,but upon the actions, theend product of 3hatJesus has already done

upon the &ross.79t is out of thatrelationship 3ith Jesus

that 3e are moed toaction and sere our'ord through our good3or5s, our producing of

fruit.


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99. 'oe 3ould 'abor70he second mar5 of&hristianity is loe thatcauses us to labor forothers.7'oe loo5s to ourpresent relationship 3ith

Jesus and eEpresses3hat it means to be inBim.

7Bere 3e hae a second )3or5* related 3ord, the4ree5 3ord )5opos*

translated )labor* in the


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nglish.

70he phrase )your laborprompted by loe*focuses on effort, the3ord )5opos* means tobeat ones chest, to toil,or eEpend great painfuleffort.

T/or eEample lastsummer the 3eeds 3ereta5ing oer my garden.

"o one afternoon 9 3entout 3ith my hoe and3or5ed li5e a mad man.9 attac5ed those 3eeds

until my shirt 3as


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ringing 3et, s3eat

poured from my bro3,and my heart 3asracing. 9 put some s3eatequity into that garden, 93or5ed hard hoeing andra5ing those 3eeds up,almost to the point of

eEhaustion.7Bo3 many of us putthat 5ind of effort into

sho3ing &hrist li5e loefor others=

1. >ithout 'oe 3e

'abor in Iain


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79f 3e loe other but put

not effort into our loefor them, then 3hatgood are 3e to &hrist,and conersely if 3e putgreat effort into being&hristians, but 3e do it3ithout loe, then again

3hat good are 3e@. Fur 'oe first Geginsin &hrist Jesus

7Fur loe for othersshould first begin 3ithour loe for Jesus70o the church of

phesus 3e read in


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?eelation A-A7N )9 5no3

your deeds, your hard3or5 and yourperseerance. 9 5no3that you cannot tolerate3ic5ed men, that youhae tested those 3hoclaim to be apostles but

are not, and hae foundthem false. :ou haeperseered and hae

endured hardships formy name, and hae notgro3n 3eary. :et 9 holdthis against you- :ou

hae forsa5en your first


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loe.*

79f 3e do not hae theloe of &hrist 3ithin,then 3e dra3 from anempty 3ell.TBae you eer triedpumping from an empty

3ell. :ou can pump asfast and hard as youcan, but your still going

to get nothing.7"ome in the church do alot for the church, butthey hae lost that

passionate loe for


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&hrist and so they are

dra3ing from an empty3ell.70hey hae a hard timesho3ing loe to otherpeople, they tend to becritical of others, al3aysloo5ing for peoples

faults, they haeforgotten that Jesusloed them faults and

all, just because.

A. 0hat 'oe then mustfill us.

7>hen 3e are filled 3ith


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&hrist loe it is easy to

loo5 past people2smista5es.7>e are more concerned3ith ho3 our actions 3illeffect other people, then

just getting the jobdone.

T8egan came in onesummer soa5ing 3et,her and &olby had got

into the garden sprin5ler.8egan2s jeans hadsoa5ed up so much3ater, that 3ere eer

she 3al5ed she left


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puddles of 3ater on the

floor all the 3ay to thebathroom.7>hen 3e are filled 3ith4od2s loe, 3e are li5esoa5ing 3et spongesthat can2t help, but lea5the loe of 4od,

3hereer 3e go.

G. /rom the 1bundance

3e 'oe others in 1ction79t is often ery easy tofall into a legalistic mindtrap.

7Paul, a Pharisee among


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Pharisees reminds us in

4alatians Q-M )/or in&hrist Jesus neithercircumcision noruncircumcision has anyalue. 0he only thingthat counts is faitheEpressing itself through

loe.*

7"ometime the best 3ay

to eEpress our faith isthrough specific,concrete, and practical3or5s.

T>hen John >esley 3as


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siE7years7old the

parsonage in 3hich helied 3ith his familycaught fire. 0he alarm3as gien and theparents thoughteeryone 3as out of thehouse safely. Gut 3hen

they started counting,they discoered that oneof the children 3as

missing. 1nd, to theirhorror, they sa3 youngJohn >esley at an upperstory 3indo3, caught in

the burning building. 0he


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3hen the best 3ay to

eEpress your faith is toget off your 5nees, goget a neighbor 3ith aladder, and do 3hat hasto be done in a giensituation. 1part from3or5s of loe, your faith

is dead 77 as Hlifeless asa corpse.H

7>hen 3e begin to getactiely inoled inloing our neighbors, ourcommunity and the

3orld around us then


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they doors of this church

3ill s3ing 3ide open as3e begin doing 3hat 4odhas called us to do.7'oing people into theCingdom and teachingthem 4od2s truths2.

7Fur loe for others andthe efforts that areproduced by that loe

to3ard other people is aresult of the relationship,the loe, 3hich 3e haefor Jesus &hrist.


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999. Bope 3ould ndure

70he last mar5 of&hristianity, 3hich 3efind the church of0hesslonica struggling3ith in A 0hessalonians,is hope.79t is hope that pushes

us for3ard.7Bope loo5s to the future3ith confidence that

4od2s promises 3ill betrue for those 3ho are in&hrist Jesus.7Bere is our third and

greatest form of )3or5*


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in the 4ree5, the 3ord

hupomone Vhoop7om7on7ayW 3hich meansceaseless action undergreat strain,perseerance,endurance, steadfast.70he phrase )your

endurance inspired byhope in our 'ord Jesus&hrist* is about not

giing up or thro3ing inthe to3el no matter ho3hard life gets because ofour hope in Jesus &hrist.

T8y brother, 8ar5, and 9


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3ere hi5ing bac5 to my

car after a 3ee5end ofcamping in the &uhutta>ilderness area of north4eorgia. >e follo3ed atrail called penitentiarytrail and it 3as aptlynames, as it 3as all up

hill, 3ith fe3 sources of3ater. >e had stoppedat one point to run bug

infested 3ater through acoffee filter, and thenboil the 3ater and drin5it 3ith our last piece of

summer sausage. 0rust


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me 3hen 9 say this, hot

3ater and summersausage, not a goodcombination. 0he fat inthe sausage melts inyour mouth li5e a spoonfull of &risco. >e 3eremiserable after a less

then delicious meal, 3econtinued up the trail3ith the scorching sun

beating do3n on us, andour feet and bac5saching. >e ho3eer 5eptgoing 5no3ing that at

the end of the trail 3as


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my car and a Gig78ac

3as calling our names,along 3ith an ice coldsoda. >e had hope.

1. >ithout hope 3e fallinto the pit.7!nfortunately many of

us lie our lies defeatedrather then drien.70he 3orld around us

robs of our dreams,people say it can2t bedone, it neer has beendone, or you are not the

one to ma5e it happen.


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7Beaen seem some far

off dream, a fairy tale tocomfort the dying, not apresent reality.T1n article in Psychology0oday said+ 0he aeragethirty7year7old 1mericanmale is ten times more

li5ely to be depressedthan his father andt3enty times more li5ely

to be depressed than hisgrandfather. 1t any gientime in 1merica, thereare bet3een fifteen and

t3enty million people


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suffering from

depression. /ifteenpercent of thesedepressed indiiduals 3illcommit suicide.

7"o many of us fightdepression and thoughts

of 3orthlessness, 3e areal3ays 3orn out, sleepy,and feel the 3eight of

the 3orld upon us, allbecause 3e hae nothingto hope for, nothing tohope in.

Proerbs @@-R )>hen a


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heaen the 'F?D loo5s

do3n and sees allman5ind+ from hisd3elling place he3atches all 3ho lie onearth77he 3ho forms thehearts of all, 3hoconsiders eerything

they do. 6o 5ing is saedby the size of his army+no 3arrior escapes by

his great strength. 1horse is a ain hope fordelierance+ despite allits great strength it

cannot sae.*


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70he things of this 3orld,

li5e armies, our o3nstrength, or a po3erfulsteed, cannot bring thateternal hope andsecurity 3e desire.

Psalm -@K7AA )Gut the

eyes of the 'F?D are onthose 3ho fear him,Vreerence+ respectW on

those 3hose hope is inhis unfailing loe, todelier them from deathand 5eep them alie in

famine. >e 3ait in hope


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for the 'F?D+ he is our

help and our shield. 9nhim our hearts rejoice,for 3e trust in his holyname. 8ay your unfailingloe rest upon us, F'F?D, een as 3e putour hope in you.*

7Gut the fact of 4od2sunfailing loe for us andBis po3er to delier us

from the troubles of this3orld and into theblessings of eternity 3ithBim are guaranteed.

7"o, placing our trust in


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4od, hoping in the things

of heaen ma5es for a3ise inestment of ourenergies and time.

T?ichard Bogan told thisstory at the 6orth1merican &hristian

&onention in @LLO. Besays+ )1 fe3 months ago9 too5 a sad journey

across 9o3a to the littlehamlet of 'enoE. Jac5&utbirth, minister of the&hristian &hurch there,

3as in his last hours of


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life due to a fast7

spreading cancer. Be hadsered in >orld >ar 99as an army chaplain, andhad since ministered toDisciple churches. >emet in the 0heology"chool of Dre3

!niersity and becamefriends. Be neermarried, but cared for

his old mother until herpassing. Bis family 3ashis church and hiscommunity. Goth loed

him dearly. 6o3 Jac5


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parsonage. >e tal5ed

together of old times andhappier days. Be as5edabout the conention.HJac5,H 9 said, Hyou 3illsoon be 3ith Jesus andall the saints in glory.>ill you greet those 3e

hae loed for a3hileand lost for a3hile= 0ellthem 3e2ll see them

again one day soon. >illyou do that=H Be assuredme that he 3ould. 0hen 9said, HJac5, is there

anything you 3ant me to


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tell your brothers and

sisters on opening nightat the V6orth 1merican&hristianW conention=0housands of them fromall oer the 3orld 3ill begathered to hear aboutH181X964 'FI...4ood

6e3s for the 2LOs.H 0heold soldier of the crossspo5e 3ith such a feeble

oice 9 couldn2t ma5e itout. 0hen he said itagain. HDic5, tell mybrothers and sisters that

Jesus neer fails.H H9s


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there anything else you

3ant me to tell them=H 9as5ed. H6o, just tellthem that the loe ofJesus neer fails.H

70he Bope the causes usto endure the hardships

of this life are found inthe promises of Jesus&hrist in a better life yet

to come for us 3ho 5no3Jesus as both 'ord and"aior.

&onclusion-


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79n our struggles to

oercome this 3orld, 3emust remember themar5s of a &hristian+7that of faith in &hrist3hich spurs us on to dogood 3or5s, because of3hat Jesus did for us,

7that of loe first for our"aior and secondly forthe lost as 3e labor to

reach them for our 'ord.7and finally that of hope3hich causes us toendure the hardships of

this 3orld because 3e


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hae a future in eternity

3ith Jesus &hrist.

8.

acordandonos sin cesar

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