June 21, 2026

BUILT TO LAST: THE MARKS OF THE MISSION

June 21, 2026

Senior Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads. It is always good to be reminded of Proverbs 17:6: ‘The glory of children is their father.’ Dads, let that simmer on your back burner for a day. Today, we are looking at the marks that should characterize believers in this day of a world gone crazy. Are we held to a much higher standard than the world? Amen! We want all people to see and understand that the things we do, the lifestyles we live, and the attitudes we reflect are on a higher plane than how this world wants us to live. We live to bring glory to God, the One who loves us and gave His life so that we could be with Him for eternity. If you don’t believe in Jesus or have questions about the authority of the Bible, this is a great time to listen to the sermon and join our study. Learn with us as we hear how believers in this world should be marked as we follow Jesus.

Focal Passages: 1 Thessalonians 4 and 5.

Purity:

  • Read 1Thess. 4:1-8 Do you recall how Paul felt about the church in Thessalonica? He—like a good teacher—reminds these believers again how much he loves them as they do what they should be doing. In verse one, what does he ask of them? Why does he want them to do ‘more’? What is an overabundance? What does ‘overflowing’ bring to mind?
  • Where had the commands he taught them come from (vs. 2)? Paul recognizes believers want to know God’s will for them. What ‘Will’ of God is in verse 3? What does ‘our sanctification’ mean? What does it mean to be ‘set apart’?
  • Think about today’s world. How common is sexual immorality? How many people do you interact with daily who are in an immoral relationship? Do they know they are in sin?
  • Are you aware that young people are redefining the acts of immorality so they feel they are not ‘in sin’? Does this remind you of Satan’s redefining (or questioning) God’s word in Genesis 3:1? If he can get young people to reinterpret sexual activity, will they believe they can be Christians? How can they understand that God has not changed His standards?
  • Why was/is it so important to keep one’s body pure for the spouse God has prepared? Read 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, Matt. 5:8, 1 Tim. 5:22, 2 Tim. 2:22. Why is God so concerned about His children being pure in all areas of life? What is Paul’s ultimate statement in verse 8?

Passion:

  • Read 1 Thess. 4:9-12. What does Paul want these believers to be passionate about? By ‘brotherly love,’ does he mean other Christians, or anyone with whom you come into contact? If you replied ‘believers,’ what does verse 9 say? Was the church already loving the people of Macedonia well (10a)?
  • Why does Paul use the same phrase in verse 10b that he did in 4:1? How much does he want them to love other people? Do you love anyone with that much sincerity? What does it look like to love other people with an overabundance of love or compassion?
  • Paul tells this church to have three goals: what are they? How do you envision a quiet life? In these days of social media, how do you mind your own business? How do you justify your time on social media? Why can it be so detrimental to your walk with Jesus?
  • Why is it important to ‘work with your own hands’? Do you know people who either refuse to work or make excuses to remain out of work? What are the ripple effects in a home where the ‘bread-winner’ doesn’t want to work? How could this rebound on the church or on other believers? Read 2 Thess. 3:10. Why is this a mandate set by God?
  • In verse 12, what was the reason Paul wanted the believers to follow these admonitions? Is your testimony really that important? Yes!

Perspective:

  • Read 1 Thes. 4:13-18. Why does Paul want the church in Thessalonica to realize why God has set them apart? Do they have the same hope after death that the world has?
  • How is that hope expressed in your life today? Do people understand why you do not grieve with the abandon that the world does when someone who knows Jesus dies? What comfort does he give you in verse 14?

Preparation:

  • Read 1 Thes. 5:2-6. Who is heaven prepared for? How does a person prepare to go there? Will anyone get there by any other way than believing in Jesus Christ?
  • What will be some of the situations or events going on in the world when Jesus returns? What does Paul mean that ‘you are not in darkness, so that this Day will overtake you like a thief ‘? Are you constantly alert to Jesus’ imminent return? Even if it is through your death, rather than His Second Coming, are you anticipating that Day with eagerness?
  • Read vv. 14-23. Paul finishes chapter 5 by discussing how believers should live. Following is a checklist grouping the instructions. Discuss these so you can be grounded.

CHECKLIST:
Do good!
Live with joy.
Pray about everything.
Be thankful.
Let the Holy Spirit guide your steps.
Seek truth!
Be holy!

Close:

As we see the Day approaching, are you excited? Or perhaps you are like Paul in Philippians 1:21ff, who says that to live is to continue living for Christ, but dying is even better! In today’s passage, we see Paul continuing a conversation he had with the believers in Thessalonica, expressing hope for Jesus’ return. If we have prepared our hearts to live forever with Jesus, the saints, and the angels in God’s beautiful place prepared for us, then we understand that heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people! There will be no one crawling in through a window, or (as in Matt. 7:21-23), trying to get in by their good works. We know from Acts 4:12 that ‘there is no other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved.’ If you are still enjoying a lifestyle of sin or sexual immorality, please realize you may not be saved, and come today to the Savior.

Sandy Day
June 21, 2026

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