Introduction:     There are some examples in the N.T. we are to avoid, but there are some we should emulate. God’s not finished with His Church. She is not perfect, but God has a plan and purpose for a Church of destiny. This Church serves as an example for us today. They believed in the eminent return of the Lord and lived their lives as though He could come at any moment. Their example is one that should inspire the Church of the 21st century! (Ills. “We’re just playing church” – There is too much playing church today!) Church is not a game you play, not a role you play. Church is a living organism, inhabited by the Living God and in the last days before Jesus comes He’ll not use angels or a religious system. He is going to use LIVE, VITAL Church that has a sense of destiny and understands the critical time in which they live and does not want to waste one moment, but wants to be God’s Church, doing God’s work, God’s way, for God’s glory just before God sends His Son to fetch us out of this world and take us to glory with Him. Let’s open the doors and look at this Church to see what a Church of destiny looks like on the inside. There are several things that mark them as a Church of destiny.

I.          STRONG LEADERS  (V.1)
God uses people and God’s people in the church that don’t have to be begged to lead, they ache to lead.. Paul is the main man, but there is no ego. He doesn’t care who gets the credit as long as God gets the glory! Doesn’t want people talking about him, but the one he is pointing them to, Jesus!) Strong leaders are committed to certain things:

            A.        God’s Concept Of The Church (1a)

It’s not my church, not your church; it’s God’s church! Notice God’s concept:

1. “church of the Thessalonians”  ekklesia,  ek-klay-see'-ah; a calling out, a called out assembly, church.

2. The church “of” the Thessalonians. Not in – the church is the people! If you have a strong church you have strong people, you have strong leaders, you have strong servants! You can have strong roofs, strong walls, strong floors, and strong chairs, but if you don’t have people committed to heart faith in the Lord Jesus, you do not have a church regardless of the building!

3. Living a life of faith and morality in the face of sexual wickedness (expound) When you live in a world that is hostile to Christianity we are tempted to:

 (a)  give up, (ACLU wants to tell us when and were to pray- Ills. Ten Commandments)

 (b)  be confused, (If Jesus is coming, where is He?)

This is where they were. What did God do? He called out a group of people who would stand for Him in the face of adversity. That is God’s concept of the Church; A small group of folks that love Him and will not give up or give in. So Church don’t get discouraged! God wants us to stay holy and God wants us to stay pure. Let’s refuse to compromise and say, “we believe in the Bible, we believe in prayer, we believe in old time holiness, we believe in the Ten Commandments, we refuse to walk after the course of this world!” Even if we are small in number let’s just shout all the way up that there was a little ol crowd down here that wouldn’t give in, that didn’t give out, we just went up when Jesus called!!! God’s concept of the Church. We are a called out people. We are not like the world. There is to be a difference in us!

            B.         God’s Creed For The Church (1b) - “which is in God”

1. We believe in God – made it all and holds it all together

2. We believe in God the Father – meets His children’s needs

3. We believe in God the Lord Jesus Christ – “Lord” N. T. equivalent of O.T. Jehovah - Lord God of Israel . Jesus is not a god. He is not the offspring of god. He is God! There are so many gods. NO, there is only ONE GOD. He wrapped Himself in the flesh of humanity (without sin), walked on this earth, went to an old rugged cross and died for our sin, was buried, but on the third day walked out of that grave! Who is God? He is Jesus Christ the Lord of Glory!!! That’s the creed of the Church. That’s what we believe!

            C.        God’s Claim On The Church (1c)

Who’s Church is this anyway? It’s not mine, or yours, or anyone else’s. It is God’s Church! A Church that will focus on God will have God’s manifest favor on it.

1. “Grace be unto you” - What is grace? It is God’s favor. What makes the Church powerful? The favor of God! Without the blessing of God we have nothing.

2. “and peace”  -   “peace” = to weave together. When a Church has its mind on His concept, His creed, and His claim there won’t be time for fussing and fighting. Just people thankful that their not going to hell and saying, “God, what’s next on your agenda.”

II.         PRAYER WARRIORS (V.2)
God responds to prayer. He has chosen to use prayer to put us in contact with the only one who can meet our great needs. They prayed for people. They prayed for needs. Anywhere you see a Church of power and of destiny it’s a praying Church.

III.       INVOLVED MEMBERS (V.3)
Our motives for serving God

            A.        Faith - Real faith works

B.         Love - “labour of love” = to work to the point of exhaustion

C.        Hope - The blessed hope – Jesus is coming

(Ills: You may think you can’t do much, but only heaven can reveal what you do for Jesus)

IV.       TRUE BELIEVERS (V.4)
Those God chooses God changes. How did he know the reality of their faith? God’s call is with purpose and he witnessed of their faith, love, and hope.

Conclusion:       We need some people today who will ask themselves this, “Do I have a religious routine or do I have a relationship with God in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.