Spiritual Friendship

Scott Risley

1 Thessalonians 3:5

Paul stresses the importance of spiritual friendships by describing his relationship with the Thessalonians. Hindrances to spiritual friendships involve 1) Satan's attack on spiritual relationships; 2) codependency; 3) being disengaged. The strengths and weaknesses of the tribal and diffuse approach to relationships are also explained.

Serving Love and Sexuality

Dennis McCallum

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

God's will for Christians in the area of sexuality is to serve others by abstaining from sex outside of marriage and pursuing a life centered around God's view of love. Contrary to popular belief, this command is not a mere cultural construct but rather the only path to a fulfilling and healthy life, and research has shown that following the world's view of sexuality has serious consequences. Christians who are single can prepare for their future marriages and sex lives by growing in God's love and learning relational skills in the body of Christ now.

A Picture of a Model Messenger

Scott Risley

1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Paul displays what a model messenger looks like in the church. Three aspects are shared about the model messenger: 1) explaining the gospel and the Word of God; 2) speaking boldly because they were convinced of the truth of their message, and their aim was to please God and not man; 3) their speech is gentle and vulnerable, but also tough and challenging.

The Dynamics of Serving Love

Dennis McCallum

1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13

The Bible teaches clearly that fulfillment and happiness come from eternal relationships built around serving love. These relationships are neither codependent (clinging to others out of neediness) or disengaged (low involvement due to a lack of availability), nor are they primarily tribal or diffuse. Instead, mature serving love is deeply involved and seeks to give to others whenever possible, and this sacrificial love is learned through personal experience in the body of Christ.

Christ-Centered Friendships

Gary DeLashmutt

Acts 2:42-46

God's plan for love involves real relationships. The most basic friendship God wants us to start with is having casual friendships. Casual friendships involve initiating others-centered conversations.

A Profile of a Model Church

Scott Risley

Acts 17:1-10

The Thessalonian church is the picture of a model church. Three aspects are highlighted: 1) their work of faith, 2) their labor of love, and 3) their steadfast hope.

Key Elements of Serving Love

Dennis McCallum

Ephesians 4:15

Paul models serving love for believers by describing his personal relationship with the Thessalonian church. His love for them is motivated by the gospel and characterized by integrity in ministry, reliance on the truth, correct motives for service, and the practice of personal discipleship. Serving love is more rewarding than receiving love from others because of its eternal value, and pursuing it leads to a fulfilling and joyous life.

Living Water

Jim Leffel

John 4:40-41

Jesus' love drives him to pass through Samaria to interact with a woman at the well. Through their conversation Jesus offers her living water that will quench her thirst so that she will never thirst again. The living water he offers is the offer of eternal life. God is eager to begin a relationship with every person. This relationship begins when a person makes the decision to receive God's gift of forgiveness and spiritual life. This spiritual life gives true fulfillment.\r\n

The Foundation of Christian Community: Biblical Love

Gary DeLashmutt

1 John 4

Paul instructs the Corinthians on the importance of exercising biblical love, and then describes what this sacrificial love really is. Agape (sacrificial/biblical) love is unconditional, forgiving, willing to discipline, moves toward all people, gives generously, and tries to meet all needs. We look to 1 John 4 to discover how we as Christians can develop this love.