Characteristics of the Elect

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Great start to a new series in 1 Thessalonians as we focused on the “Characteristics of the Elect.”  We studied 1 Thessalonians 1.

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace.

2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 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, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 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. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Here was today’s services:

  • Sing and Shout/Nothing But the Blood
  • Confession and Prayer Time
  • Nothing But the Blood
  • To God Be the Glory  (great arrangement by The Alone Instrument of Columbia Presbyterian Church)
  • Baptism (we got to use our new baptistry for the first time at 11:00 – it was great to see the surprised faces when the doors opened up and the light shone through)
  • Family Ministry Announcement (I shared some exciting things coming our way)
  • Offertory Prayer
  • All to Us
  • Message
  • Cornerstone

Great message on 1 Thessalonians 1.  The passage speaks to the characteristics of the elect.

Paul was sure of their election due to:

  1. The Word preached
  2. How they received it
  3. How they turned from idols
  4. Embraced a new life orientation
  5. The place of their hope

Such a timely message today to speak how we should live among a culture that opposes biblical truth.  How do we live until Christ returns?  What providential timing.

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