First Things First - a podcast by Lewis Marsh

1st Thessalonians: Life as It Was Meant to Be

Part One: First Things First!

Louie Marsh, 6-13-2021

 

 

 

“1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.” (1 Thessalonians 1:1, ESV)

 

God’s Grace Allows Me To…

     

1) Enter God’s Family by COMMITTING my life to Christ.

 

“11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,” (Titus 2:11, ESV)

 

“6But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.” (Romans 11:6, ESV)

 

Paul says that the Christian faith turns how you look at things on its head! Normally we start by working hard and then eventually reach our goal. Not so here – you start by accepting the gift of salvation and THEN work hard because of the joy the gift brings! Otherwise grace isn’t grace!

 

“5he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:5–7, ESV)

 

If you think you are supposed to get good enough or get it together enough and then come to Christ – you are wrong!!  First to receive the gift – then you get it together – by His power!

 

2) Enter into God’s Presence through PRAYER.

 

“18O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.” (Daniel 9:18, ESV)

 

God hears and answers our prayers because of His Grace - He doesn't have too!

 

“16Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16, ESV)

 

Because of Grace we can be bold with God - He isn't going to squash us if we ask for the wrong thing!

 

3) Enter into God’s Purpose through SERVICE.

 

“12I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 1:12–14, ESV)

 

I'm so grateful to Christ Jesus for making me adequate to do this work. He went out on a limb, you know, in trusting me with this ministry. The only credentials I brought to it were invective and witch hunts and arrogance. But I was treated mercifully because I didn't know what I was doing—didn't know Who I was doing it against! Grace mixed with faith and love poured over me and into me. And all because of Jesus. 1 Tim. 1:12-14 (Mes)

 

Grace is the door way to finding and fulfilling our purpose in life! What’s that? It’s serving God and others in that special way the He made you for! If you are not serving God, you are cheating everyone, and cheating yourself most of all!

 

4) Enter into God’s Power through FAITH.

 

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 1 Cor. 15:10

 

See the mystery – Paul worked BUT it was really Christ working in Him, it’s hard to tell who’s doing who when we are one with Christ!

 

But because God was so gracious, so very generous, here I am. And I'm not about to let his grace go to waste. Haven't I worked hard trying to do more than any of the others? Even then, my work didn't amount to all that much. It was God giving me the work to do, God giving me the energy to do it. 1 Cor. 15:10 (Mes)

 

and then he told me, "My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness." Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become  2 Cor. 12:9-10 (Mes)

 

Weakness becomes opportunity and strength when we really rely on Christ’s GRACE and not our own puny strength!

 

God’s Peace

 

1) Is a result of God’s GRACE.

 

“27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27, ESV)

 

No grace – no peace!

 

2) Will help me REMAIN faithful.

 

“7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7, ESV)

 

Without peace of mind and soul I won’t be able to stay faithful to God or anyone else!

 

“33I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”” (John 16:33, ESV)

 

Jesus says we’ll suffer in this life – BUT with His peace and presence we’ll make it through!

 

3) Is a critical part of my SPIRITUAL LIFE.

 

“17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17, ESV)

 

Peace is part of the foundation of the Kingdom of God – which means it’s a vital part of our spiritual life!

 

4) Gives me the HOPE I need to live!

 

“13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13, ESV)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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