Session 1 - Mike MacIntosh

I Thes. 1

• The return of Jesus is mentioned in each of the chapters


• The Church is in the Lord - not a man, or a denomination.


• It's so important for us to be praying for each other.


• We have a lot of power in our prayers


• George Mueller & his 5 college friends


• 65 years of praying for his friend


• Paul's fruit among the Thessalonians came through the teaching of the Word.


• Acts 17:11


• Chuck Smith was always ministering - so much for the "you gotta take a break!" guys...d'oh...


• Whatever we're doing today for the Lord should be a work of faith.


• Pastoring the church takes faith


• The day you stop loving the people is the day you walk out.


• Labor of love - I.e., no strings attached.


• No fingerprints.


• We get "it" (it being a labor of love) when the devil knocks you down, & the Lord holds you & picks you back up.


• Patience of hope - trust Him to work & deliver you.


• Hope comes through affliction


• If any man boast, let him boast that he knows & understands Me...


• God will shake us, test us - do I really love Him, really love the people?


• I should always give thanks to God for/in the ministry - not complain, not become embittered, not backtalk


• "Mike, it's just a bump in the road."


• Do I want to go on with the Lord? Then the afflictions will come.


• These three things:
  
  • The Word
  
  
  • The Holy Spirit
  
  
  • Much assurance
    
    The last comes only with the first two.


• I need to be an example even in how I suffer, forgive, & live in & give out grace.