1 Thessalonians 1:4-5
Loved and Chosen - Silver City Church
Sermon Overview
“Loved and Chosen,” from 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5, delves into election as Paul assures the Thessalonians of God’s love and choosing, evidenced by the gospel’s powerful arrival in word, power, Holy Spirit, and conviction. The sermon contrasts election with human presumption, emphasizing God’s sovereign grace—not based on merit but His will—saving undeserving sinners. Addressing misconceptions, it portrays election as comfort, fueling evangelism and humility. Paul’s thanksgiving flows from seeing God’s work, a Trinitarian cord of faith, love, hope. Believers are called to know their election through gospel transformation, living with assurance, rejecting fatalism or open theism, and glorifying God’s mercy.
Key Takeaways
Paul knows their election because the gospel came powerfully (1:4-5). The sermon assures believers through transformation, not presumption, emphasizing humble confidence in God’s choosing.
Election is God’s free choice of sinners for salvation (1:4). The sermon contrasts with human merit, portraying it as undeserved grace, fueling humility and awe.
The gospel came in word, power, Spirit, conviction (1:5). The sermon shows this as evidence of election, igniting change and assurance through the Holy Spirit.
Election holds God’s sovereignty and human responsibility (1:4-5). The sermon urges accepting both, rejecting fatalism or open theism, living boldly in grace.
Weekly Devotional
Day 1: Loved by God
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:4
Devotional Idea: Rest in God’s electing love.
Paul calls them “loved by God” (1:4). The sermon portrays election as sovereign grace. Reflect on your unworthiness. The sermon calls for humble awe. How does being loved change your view of self? Ask God to deepen assurance in His love.
Day 2: Gospel’s Power
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:5
Devotional Idea: Experience the gospel’s transforming power.
The gospel came in power (1:5). The sermon shows this as election’s evidence. Reflect on your gospel transformation. The sermon urges assurance through change. How has the Spirit convicted you? Ask God to empower His Word in you.
Day 3: Holy Spirit’s Work
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:5
Devotional Idea: Yield to the Spirit’s conviction.
The gospel came in the Holy Spirit (1:5). The sermon highlights His role in election. Reflect on Spirit-led change. The sermon calls for full conviction. How has the Spirit illuminated truth? Ask Him to convict and transform.
Day 4: Full Conviction
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:5
Devotional Idea: Live with gospel assurance.
The gospel came with full conviction (1:5). The sermon portrays this as resolute faith. Reflect on your gospel certainty. The sermon urges bold living. How does conviction fuel endurance? Ask God for unwavering assurance.
Day 5: Election’s Mystery
Scripture: Ephesians 1:4-5
Devotional Idea: Embrace election’s sovereign grace.
God chose us before creation (Eph 1:4-5). The sermon contrasts with merit, urging humility. Reflect on undeserved love. The sermon calls for comfort in mystery. How does election humble you? Ask God to reveal His grace.
Reflection and Application Questions
- Reflection: How does Paul’s knowledge of the Thessalonians’ election in 1 Thessalonians 1:4 provide comfort and humility?
- Reflection: Why is election based on God’s sovereign will, not human merit, and how does this change your view of grace?
- Reflection: How does the gospel’s arrival in power, Spirit, and conviction (1:5) evidence God’s choosing?
- Application: Examine your life for gospel transformation; thank God for evidences of His work in you this week.
- Application: Share the gospel with someone, trusting God’s sovereignty in election and human responsibility.
Scripture References and Cross-References
- Main Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5
- Cross-References: Ephesians 1:4-5 (chosen before foundation), Romans 8:28-30 (predestination chain), Romans 3:23 (all have sinned), John 6:44 (drawn by Father), 2 Peter 1:10 (make election sure)
Westminster Confession Connection
1 Thessalonians 1:4-5’s assurance of election through the gospel’s power aligns with the Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 3, Section 5, which teaches God chooses some to everlasting life out of His free grace, without foresight of faith or works. The sermon’s emphasis on sovereign love reflects this, securing salvation in Christ. Believers are called to humble confidence, living in grace’s overflow.
Westminster Confession Citation
Chapter 3, Section 5: Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to His eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of His will, hath chosen, in Christ, unto everlasting glory, out of His mere free grace and love, without any foresight of faith, or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving Him thereunto; and all to the praise of His glorious grace. [Scripture proofs: Ephesians 1:4, 9, 11; Romans 8:30; 2 Timothy 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:9]
Catechism Connections
Shorter Catechism, Q. 20: Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery? God having, out of His mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a Redeemer. [Scripture proofs: Ephesians 1:4; Romans 3:21-22; Acts 13:48]
Larger Catechism, Q. 30: Doth God leave all men to perish in the estate of sin and misery? God doth not leave all men to perish in the estate of sin and misery, into which they fell by the breach of the first covenant, commonly called the covenant of works; but of His mere love and mercy delivereth His elect out of it, and bringeth them into an estate of salvation by the second covenant, commonly called the covenant of grace. [Scripture proofs: 1 Thessalonians 5:9; Titus 3:4-7; Galatians 3:21; Romans 3:20-22]
-
Ramada Inn Conference Center