1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 “Finding strength in others”

INTRODUCTION: Last night we were at a function and they honored our armed forces, lots of clapping and cheering. I thought if you want to honor them live a good and decent life, pay them fairly, take care of their wounds when they come home. (saving Private Ryan) tom hanks pulls Ryan to him and as he dies he says “earn this” At the end of his life Ryan ask his wife to “Tell me I’ve lived a good life, been a good person” Paul express his joy in ministry when he finds the Thessalonians living for Jesus.

1. WHAT THEY GIVE UP

A. PAUL SUFFERD FOR THE THESSALONIANS, (VS 7) (VS 10) (1:9-12)

B. PASTORS

a. FAMILY, leave your family, always a visitor, not there for holidays

b. FRIENDS, alone!, shaky friendships and even no friendships, dangerous friends.

c. FINACIAL STABILITY, for having a master’s degree, pay is low, voted on, and balances the budget.

d. AN ENDLESS POPULARITY VOTE, the feeling that at any time you could be voted out. You’re often faced with doing what is right or making people happy. The way you talk, the cloths you where and entire life feels like the America’s got talent show.

e. CONSTANT MOVING OR JOB STAGNATION pastors have to make a choice they can move a lot and get up to a large church, or they can stay and try to grow the church they are in and face job stagnation.

C. CHURCH VOLINTEERS

a. TIME WITH THEIR FAMILIES give up vacation time to work with youth, give up hours of free time to plan lesions, watch children, cut grass weed flowers, make decorations, minister to people in need, lots of time unseen and unspoken.

b. HARD WORK AND NO PAY volunteers get no money, and often no budgets to help them.

c. CRITISIZING VOICES FOR THEIR WORK OR DECSIONS volunteers face people who will criticize their decisions and hear from people who are sure they can do things better but never will.

2. WHY THEY DO IT

A. BECAUSE THEY LOVE GOD

a. Love and appreciation for what Jesus has done for us.

B. BECAUSE THEY ARECALLED BY GOD

a. Feel that god has personally called and gifted them to serve.

C. FOR LOVE OF PEOPLE

a. Because their heart is moved with compassion for the lost.

b. Because they want to help people grew in their lives

3. WHAT THEY GET (READ 6-13)

A. THEY MAKE A DIFFRENCE IN A LIFE

B. THEY SEE THE CHURCH GROW

C. THEY SEE THE PEOPLE THEY HAVE TOUGHT AND SERVED FOLLOW THEM

D. THEY SEE PEOPLE LIVING A LIFE OF FAITH

CONCLUSION: Live the life of faith which others have made possible for you. Take up the cross of service to God and join us. Find your reward in a life or lives you have changed.