Study of 1 Thessalonians

The Moment Begins…

1 Thes. 1:1-8 A Positive Message! (See Acts 17) “The Power of the Joy of the Holy Spirit”

v.6 “…received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit.”

Exciting upheaval, spiritual awakening, an awareness of love, joy, peace, patience…

2 Cor. 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! These things are from God…”

What is Christian “Joy” ? Not good mood, happiness, stimulation…

v.6 “…received the word in much tribulation with the Joy of the Holy Spirit…”

It is a response to someone or something. Deep, very hard to express (1Pet.1:8).

Starts with a relationship with God (v.6). Rom.5:1 “We now have peace with God”.

Joy spreads, grows, has impact (v.7-8). A Fruit of Holy Spirit (Gal.5:22).

Increasing in Joy… Through your attitude and focus:

Philip. 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.” (NASB) Or, see the KMV…Joy Killers.

Through prayer and trust in God:Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with

all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Hope, Trust and Joy

Romans 5:5 “And hope does not disappoint us, BECAUSE God has

poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

Putting it all together…

God,Our Hope

You

God’s Love,

Joy, Hope Trust

Putting it all together…

You

Trust

My JobMy Way$$$$,

Pain!

Joy Is a Natural Process

God,Our Hope

You

God’s Love,

Joy Trust

So What? Who Cares? Endurance

Consider Christ’s ability to endure: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross…” Heb.12:2

Consider 1 Thes.1:6 “Severe Suffering” Joy is still possible!

Consider your everyday, boring life… Joy is still possible!

Questions? Sharing? Prayer?

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Keith McCallum© Version (the KMV)

Philip. 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is a lie, whatever is shameful, whatever is bad, whatever is hurtful, whatever is ugly, whatever is gross--if anything has fault or is worthy of criticism--think about such things.”© 1999, McCallum & Associates, Inc.By Rev. Keith McCallum. Used with permission of

author.

Examples of JoyLuke 15:7 “I tell you that in the same way there

will be more rejoicing in heaven over the one who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

John 3:29 “‘The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice.’”

1 Peter 1:8 “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy…”

Acts 17-18 Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey

Joy-Killers