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Teaching From Thessalonians


This series was taught at The King's Church on Sunday mornings in the autumn of 2007



The Church Plant At Thessalonika - Robin Hawkins
Click here to listen to this talk which was taken from Acts 17:1-10, in which Robin explored Paul's missionary strategy, both international and local; and how Paul showed from the OT Scriptures that Christ had to suffer death and be raised from the dead.

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1Thess 1:1-3 - "Their Work of Faith, and Labour of Love" - John Pearson
Click here to listen to this talk which was taken from 1Thessalonians 1:1-3, in which John reminded us of the three great characteristics of Christianity: Faith, Hope and Love

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1Thess 1:4 - "Chosen By God!" - Dave Sansum
Click here to listen to this talk in which Dave reminded us of basic Reformist teaching, namely: We were in mess, and God rescued us!


"A Gospel Of Power!" - Robin Hawkins
Click here to listen to this talk which was taken from 1Thessalonians 1:5, in which Robin spoke about how our message needs to be accompanied by demonstrations of power, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and an anointing that will change people's hearts.
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"Imitators of Christ & Joy In Suffering!" - Robin Hawkins
Click here to listen to this talk which was taken from 1Thessalonians 1:5b-6, in which Robin spoke about how important it is for us to not only set a godly example to unbelievers, but also to to be good role models to others within the church. He went on to talk about how the NT takes a positive view of suffering, and how we can make it work to our advantage.
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"Turning From Idols" - Stephen Moore
Click here to listen to this talk which was taken from 1Thessalonians 1:7-10, in which Stephen spoke about how Christians should affect the people they mix with every day. The faith of the the Thessalonians was well-known. They had turned from idols to the living and true God.


1Thess 2:1-6: "The Battle For The First Fruits" or "How Paul Kept Going" - Robin Hawkins
Click here to listen to this talk in which Robin underlined the messages of the previous week, showing how Paul pressed through against impossible odds to win a victory with the Gospel. He showed how we too, have been entrusted with this message - The Gospel of God, and can press through as well. He went on to explore how we can ensure that our hearts are truly set on pleasing God, not people.
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1Thess 2:6-12: "Making Disciples" - David Sansum
Click here to listen to this talk in which Dave took us through the ways in which Paul nurtured the new Believers in Thessalonika.

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1Thess 2:17-20: "The Empire Strikes Back!" - Robin Hawkins
 Click here to listen to this talk in which Robin looked at how it was that Satan was able to stop Paul getting back to the Thessalonians. He went on to look at ways in which our enemy might oppose us, and lastly explored some ways in which we can be on our guard and overcome such attacks.


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1Thess 4:1-7 "Pleasing God" - Robin Hawkins
Click here to listen to this talk in which Robin reminded us that we are called to please God by living holy lives, and that we'll be more effective in our ministries if we do. He went on to apply Paul's teaching about sexual immorality into our own lives, and in particular his teaching about godly courtship.


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1Thess 4:9-10 "Taught By God To Love" - Robin Hawkins
Click here to listen to this talk in which Robin reminded us that God's plan for a new society is to create communities of redeemed people who love one another sacrificially. He talked about three of the Greek words for love, and tried to make it clear that our calling is to agape love which is concern for the other person's well-being rather than our own. Robin also talked about how we are designed to "run" on God's love. He went on to describe the cross as the greatest expression of sacrificial love ever, and how this kind of love is so different from what the world understands as love. Agape love has to be taught as well as caught, so Robin used some of the Scriptures to describe how this love works in practice.


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Ephesians 4:15-16 "Built Together" - Tim Barfoot (This talk has been included in this series because it follows on so well from Robin's talk last week.
Click here to listen to this talk in which Tim referred to Paul's different pictures of the Church as the Body and the Temple. He went on to show us how the church builds itself up in love, referring to passages in Eph chs.4-6.

1Thessalonians 5:13-18 - "What Happens After We Die?" - Robin Hawkins
Click here to listen to this talk in which Robin taught about the period between our death in this life and the 2nd Coming of Christ and the resurrection of the dead. He explained how our spirits go to be with Christ in Paradise while we wait for the full redemption of our bodies; and how we will return with Christ and be re-united with our - now imperishable, but earthly - bodies.


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1Thessalonians 5:1-11 - "Be Alert!" - Stephen Moore
Click here to listen to this talk in which Stephen talked about how we are children of light, not darkness, and how important it is for us to be alert, and ready for when Jesus comes back.

1Thessalonians 5:12-13 - "Honour Your Leaders" - Dave Sansum
Click here to listen to this talk in which Dave spoke about the qualities the Bible requires of leaders, in particular their character, and then went on to talk about the work or ministry that they do, and finally looked at the ways in which the Bible requires us to honour them.


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1Thessalonians 5:14-15 - "Warn The Idle" - Patrick Neilson
Click here to listen to this talk in which Patrick spoke about how work is part of God's plan for us, whether it be in secular employment or in our service in the church; then went on to explore the other instructions Paul gives in these two verses about being encouragers, helping the weak, showing patience with everyone, and not taking revenge.

1Thessalonians 5:16-18 - "Rejoice Always" - John Pearson
Click here to listen to this talk in which John exhorted us to actually do the very clear instructions in these verses.

1Thessalonians 5:19 - "Don't Put Out The Spirit's Fire!" - Robin Hawkins
Click here to listen to this talk in which Robin explored some of the things which will put out the Spirit's fire in us, and went on to apply this to our meetings so we learn to flow together in the Spirit in these.


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1Thess 5:20-22 - "Test Everything!" - Robin Hawkins
Click here to listen to this talk in which Robin explained what it means to hold prophecy in comtempt, and the importance of maintaining the prophetic ministry in the church. Paul's remedy for keeping it on track is to test everything and to hold onto what is good. The phrase "avoid every kind of evil" warns us of the dangers of what happens when, having started in the Spirit, we end up in the flesh.


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2Thess 1:1-12 - "Endurance" - Dave Sansum
Click here to listen to this talk in which Dave tackled just one of the themes found in this passage - that of endurance and the rewards for doing so. He spoke of the mental discipline, fortitude and perseverance that would be needed in those prepared to face the cost of following Jesus. However, he went on to speak of the rewards that are to be had by those who do persevere.


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2Thess 1:1-12 - "Everlasting Punishment" - Robin Hawkins
Click here to listen to this talk in which Robin explored the theme of everlasting punishment that Paul touches on in this passage. He described the certainty of Christ's return, and the nature of hell, and why people are sent there. He talked about what our reaction should be to the fact that millions are heading for hell, and why judgement is necessary.


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2Thess 1:1-12 - "Man Of Lawlessness" - Robin Hawkins
Click here to listen to this talk in which Robin looked at some of the different ways that people have interpreted this passage, concluding that the Man of Lawlessness has had many guises throughout history. He understood Paul to be telling us that the MoL (who for the Thessalonians was the Romans) would persecute and oppose the Church, but that we were to stand firm and faithful to our testimony, believing that we will overcome in the end, and that the MoL would be destroyed when Jesus comes.


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2Thess 2:13-17 - "Chosen to Salvation" - Georges Kisombola
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2Thess 2:13-17 - "Keeping On track" - Robin Hawkins
Click here to listen to this talk in which Robin spoke about the issue of Church Discipline, pointing out that although it appears harsh in this passage, it was actually part of long (and apparently unsuccessful) discipling process of which this was the ultimate "sanction". However, such discipline should not be seen as punishment, but rather an expression of love through which we all long to see each of us grow to maturity..


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2Thess 2:13-17 - "Work & Idleness" - Robin Hawkins
Click here to listen to this talk in which Robin spoke about a biblical view of work in order to inspire us away from idleness and the pursuit of leisure as a life goal. He discussed the immorality, inhumanity, and idolatry found in the workplace that often fuel this pursuit of leisure. He went on to explore the biblical view of work that it was an creation ordnance, given for our personal fulfilment, the service of others, and the glory of God.


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HGC87 ~ Hickson Compact Group 87
Distance from Earth = 400 million light years
Approx. Distance across picture = 450,000 light years
The heavens are telling of the glory of God
The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.    Psalm 19:1