Faith Follows Through Forth
Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, August 23, 2026.
Sermon text: 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10
God’s Spirit Transforms us through His Word.
If men think of the gospel only as another philosophy.., they will never have the burning zeal which sent the first Christian preachers through the world to proclaim what God had done for man. - John Stott
The Trinity and Salvation (1 Thes 1:3-5)
The Father Administers: “For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you.”
The Son Accomplishes: “steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The Spirit Applies: “because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.”
Pastors should model transformed lives.
Increasing percentages of Christians depend on media personalities whom they may never meet in the flesh. When such preachers are faithfully proclaiming God’s Word, some real good will be done. But the biblical model involves heralds of the gospel whose lives are personally known by those to whom they preach. Such men are never going to be perfect, of course, but there should be a strong correspondence between their message and the pattern of their lives. - Richard D. Phillips
God’s Word transforms churches to be:
Reputable
Acts 17:6 they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also.”
What do we desire to be known for: our social standing, our cultural refinement, our trendy sophistication, or our biblical fervor and faithfulness? -Richard D. Phillips
Repentant
We may not actually burn incense to Artemis, but when money and career are raised to cosmic proportions, we perform a kind of child sacrifice, neglecting family and community to achieve a higher place in business and gain more wealth and prestige. -Tim Keller
An idol is something we cannot live without. We must have it. -Tim Keller
Expectant
Discipleship Questions:
Sermon text: 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10
God’s Spirit Transforms us through His Word.
If men think of the gospel only as another philosophy.., they will never have the burning zeal which sent the first Christian preachers through the world to proclaim what God had done for man. - John Stott
The Trinity and Salvation (1 Thes 1:3-5)
The Father Administers: “For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you.”
The Son Accomplishes: “steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The Spirit Applies: “because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.”
Pastors should model transformed lives.
Increasing percentages of Christians depend on media personalities whom they may never meet in the flesh. When such preachers are faithfully proclaiming God’s Word, some real good will be done. But the biblical model involves heralds of the gospel whose lives are personally known by those to whom they preach. Such men are never going to be perfect, of course, but there should be a strong correspondence between their message and the pattern of their lives. - Richard D. Phillips
God’s Word transforms churches to be:
Reputable
Acts 17:6 they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also.”
What do we desire to be known for: our social standing, our cultural refinement, our trendy sophistication, or our biblical fervor and faithfulness? -Richard D. Phillips
Repentant
We may not actually burn incense to Artemis, but when money and career are raised to cosmic proportions, we perform a kind of child sacrifice, neglecting family and community to achieve a higher place in business and gain more wealth and prestige. -Tim Keller
An idol is something we cannot live without. We must have it. -Tim Keller
Expectant
Discipleship Questions:
- How well do you understand the Trinity?
- Describe the role each member plays in our salvation.
- Who at Crosspoint has modeled what it looks like to have a transformed life?
- What reputation does Crosspoint have to outsiders?
- What idols have you turned from?
- Are there things in your life that you've cast aside, removed, or reprioritized that others would notice?
- Are you banking on Jesus's return for your ultimate joy and contentment? Or are you trying to find its apex in this life?
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