Sermon Quotes: "Kind Invitations"

“…Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” 1:10

“Through the blessings of grace, walking with Jesus is no longer a forced march of merit…but a willing response of love, gratitude, and thanksgiving.” Bryan Chapell

“…and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.” 1 Thess. 3:2-4

“…for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit…” 1 Thess. 1:6

“Although Paul does not spell out the source or basis of Christian joy in 5:16, the instructions to ‘rejoice always’ derives its meaning from the earlier passages in the letter. To rejoice always is to see the hand of God in whatever is happening and to remain certain of God’s future salvation. Without such conviction joy would not be possible in the face of affliction, suffering and death.” Charles Wanamaker

“We give thanks to God always for all of you…remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thess. 1:2-3

“Our tendency is to pore over losses rather than ponder our mercies…A gracious heart spies out mercy in every condition.” Thomas Watson

“He who observes providence will never be long without a providence to observe.” John Flavel

“During daily activities, we must focus on the task at hand, but we should never lose sight of God in our spiritual peripheral vision.” Greg Beale

“If prayer is merely an activity to do, then ‘pray without ceasing’ will sound oppressive. But if prayer is communion with God-communion with this Father, Son and Spirit-then we will hear the command differently: “Enjoy God without ceasing. Depend on God without ceasing. Gain strength from God without ceasing. And find that he is ever near, always faithful.” Scott Hubbard

“I always feel it well to put a few words of prayer between everything I do.” Charles Spurgeon

“The Christian should meet the adverse circumstances of life not with a stoic resignation but with a spirit of unfailing gratitude.” Edmond Hiebert

“I have learned that no matter how hard a day is, there are more beautiful things in that day that I should be thankful for, and there are reasons to celebrate the love of the One who gives them to me.” Paul Tripp

“The reason the apostle gives for this call to joy, prayer and thanksgiving is the strongest and highest imaginable for the Christian. These are not optional, secondary characteristics of the Christian’s existence but stand at the center of God’s plan for his people in Christ Jesus.” Gene Green