Those Who Do It Right
New You
April 15, 2018
Rev. Gabe Sylvia
The sermon teaches that God's elective love compels believers to live visibly Christlike—thankful, active in good works, and imitable by others—using Paul's message to the Thessalonians as the model and grounding that life in the hope of Christ's return.
Summary
Using Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians and the church's vision to 'know and offer the power of Christ's hope,' the sermon argues that God's choosing is not abstract but the basis and guarantee for transformed, visible Christian living. Paul thanked God for the Thessalonians because the Word had moved them to faithful service; they became examples to other churches and witnesses to the living and returning Christ. True election produces tangible change—turning from idols, committing to works of faith, and imitating those who follow Christ—so we should give thanks, follow godly examples, and pray for the Spirit to shape us likewise.
Key Points
- Church vision: know and offer the power of Christ's hope—be conformed to Christ, courageous in life, compelled to serve.
- Historical anchor: Paul in Thessalonica (AD 48–51) repeatedly emphasizes Christ’s second coming and God’s choosing.
- Election explained: God's love chooses people; Christ secures salvation and the Spirit applies it—this calling should produce visible, imitable change.
- Gratitude and memory: Paul begins by thanking God for the Thessalonians and remembering in detail how the Word worked in them.
- Word provokes service: People were moved to good works by the Word and the Spirit, not by the worthiness of the object.
- Exemplary Christians: The Thessalonians became patterns for churches in Macedonia and Achaia and living witnesses to the returning Christ.
- Practical challenge: Live so others turn from idols; find and imitate those who follow Christ; keep showing works of faith.
- Prayerful appeal: Ask the Lord to work the same Spirit in us so we may live as the chosen.
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