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Disciple #2: Living for What Lasts

Pastor Scott Applegate

Sermon Notes:

(1 Thessalonians 2:1-16)

Disciple: A disciple of Jesus is someone who has trusted in Him as Savior and is following Him as Lord. A disciple is someone who has become His apprentice and follower in eternal living.  A disciple of Jesus is living for what will last.

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.” 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 NIV

How can I know if I am living for what will last?

Question #1:  Am I living authentically?

“You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority.” 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6 NIV

  • What are my motives?

 

  • Who am I trying to please?

 

  • Does how I live line up with what I say I believe?

Question #2:  Is my life others centered?

“Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.” 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9 NIV

  • Care for people

 

  • Work hard for people

Question #3:  What will be my legacy?

“You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 NIV

  • How healthy are my relationships?

 

  • What would those closest to me say was most important to me?

 

  • Is my life worth imitating?

 

  • Who needs my encouragement or comfort?

 

  • Who am I directing toward Jesus?

Question #4:  What place does the word of God have in my life?

“And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.”                                1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 NIV

  • How responsive am I to the word?

 

  • What is my perspective on suffering?