The Model Church | 1 Thessalonians 1

Introduction: - How can we grow in faith, love and hope – so that we are more of a model church in our community, here in Burwood? - What had God taught us over the past 20 years? - What have we learnt, and (perhaps) what have we forgotten about effective Gospel ministry? - What should we ask our Heavenly Father to supply us with, or remove from us, or change in us? 1. Greetings to the Church (v1). 2. Thanks to God: Faith, Love and Hope (v2-3). 3. Electing Grace: Powerful Signs of Life (v4-10). a. God has chosen you (v4). b. Signs of faith (v5-7). c. Signs of love (v8-9a) d. Signs of hope (v9b-10). Conclusion: - A Model Church is one that inspires thanks and praise to God for its work of faith, its labour of love, and its enduring Christian hope.