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Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-7

Now Abide Faith, Hope, Love

(Part 2)

 

Intro.

1.   Part 1: Faith’s triumph over sin, hope’s triumph over sin’s despair, and love’s triumph over sin’s power (Rom. 5:1-5).

2.   God: Object of faith, guarantor of hope, and essence of love.

3.   The threefold cord of faith, hope, and love strengthen and sustain us as we live in Christ, Eccl. 4:12.

4.  Faith, hope, and love act to impact and influence us and those our lives touch, 1 Cor. 12:3113:13.

 

I.  THE  IMPACT OF FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE, 1 Thess. 1:2-4.

  A.  Faith Works in the Lives of God’s Elect, John 6:27-29.

    1.     Duty of faith is to labor for the food that endures to eternal life (bread of life, Jesus), 6:27.

    2.     An alive, active faith matures our salvation, Phil. 2:12; 2 Thess. 1:3.

    3.     Faith endures tests and trials, James 1:2-4.

    4.    Obedient faith saves, lives, is fruitful, justifies, James 2:14-26.

  B.    God’s Elect Patiently Do the Will of God in Hope.

    1.     Abraham, Rom. 4:17-22. His confident faith in God secured his hope, cf. Heb. 11:1. He did not waver; Weak body but strong faith (4:19-21). His faith was counted for righteousness (4:22).

    2.     Our hope must patiently do God’s will, Heb. 6:11-12 (13-18) 19.

  C.    Love is the Driving Force of Faith in God’s Elect, Gal. 5:6-7.

    1.     Love animates our labor for the Lord, 1 Thess. 1:3 (1 John 5:3).

    2.     Love is directed toward each other, 2 Thess. 1:3.

    3.     Love is directed toward all, Matt. 22:39.

 

II.  THE INFLUENCE OF FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE, Col. 1:3-6.

   -Triplet in the Colossians influenced Paul to give thanks and pray.

  A.  Faith in Christ (4): Faith’s Influence is Tangible because Faith is Seen by Its Actions, James 2:15-17.

    1.     Faith’s influence in the home is felt by its conduct:

      a.     Marriage, 1 Cor. 7:14; 1 Pet. 3:1-2.

      b.    Parenting, Eph. 6:3-4 (cf. Heb. 12:5-6).

    2.     Faith’s influence in the church is felt by our treatment of each other, Rom. 12:3-8.

  B.    Love for All the Saints (4): Love is Also Seen by Our Actions, 1 John 3:16-18.

    1.     Love’s influence acts and it changes lives.

    2.     Do good and reap joy, Gal. 6:7-10.

  C.    Hope Laid Up in Heaven (5-6): Hope is the Fruit of the Gospel.

    1.     Gospel teaches us hope and urges us to continue in the faith, Col. 1:23.

    2.     We have a living hope of an inheritance laid up in heaven, 1 Pet. 1:3-4.

 

Conclusion

1.  Before we can influence others we must be impacted and influenced by faith, hope, and love to patiently obey God.

2.  When we live in faith, hope, and love we impact and influence others to do the same, cf. 1 Thess. 1:6-10.

3.  Go to Part 3.

 

 

By: Joe R. Price

Posted December 14, 2021