Berean Baptist Church

What does it mean to live a life that is pleasing to God? How should our relationship with Christ influence the way we live, the choices we make, and the way we treat others?

In this week's message from 1 Thessalonians 4:1–12, we continue our series, The Church on the Move. The Apostle Paul reminds believers that following Christ is more than simply knowing what God desires—it is about continually growing in holiness and demonstrating genuine love for one another.

God calls us to live differently, pursuing sanctification, honoring Him with our bodies, and reflecting His love through our everyday actions.

📖 Sermon Outline:

I. We Are Called to Live Lives That Are Pleasing to God (vv. 1–2)

• Following Christ means continually growing in obedience.

• Our daily walk should reflect our desire to please God.

II. Lives That Are Pleasing to God Continue in Sanctification (vv. 3–8)

• God's will for believers includes holiness and purity.

• We are called to exercise self-control and honor God with our bodies.

• The Holy Spirit enables us to pursue a life set apart for God.

III. Lives That Are Pleasing to God Are Marked by Love for One Another (vv. 9–12)

• Genuine Christian love should continue to grow.

• Living quietly, working faithfully, and minding our own affairs reflect a Christ-centered life.

• The way we live provides a testimony to those outside the church.

💡 Main Takeaway:
We are called to live lives that are pleasing to God, continually growing in sanctification and love for one another.

📖 This Week's Scripture Reading:
Colossians 1:15–23

Read, Reflect, Respond in Prayer, and Rest.

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In 1 Thessalonians 3:6–13, Paul shares the joy and encouragement he receives from hearing about the Thessalonians' continued faith and love. Despite facing persecution, opposition, and personal struggles, Paul finds renewed strength in knowing that these believers are standing firm in the Lord.This passage reminds us that true encouragement is not found in worldly success, possessions, or circumstances, but in spiritual faithfulness.

As followers of Christ, we are called not only to grow in our own faith but also to encourage and strengthen others in their walk with Jesus.📖

Scripture:** 1 Thessalonians 3:6–13 🙌 Main Idea:We should be encouraged by the spiritual faithfulness of others and actively encourage others to grow in Christ.🕊️ n this message, we see:• Be encouraged by spiritual faithfulness • Paul's joy came from seeing the Thessalonians stand firm in their faith and love • Spiritual growth in others should bring us genuine encouragement • Encourage others toward spiritual faithfulness • Faith provides a new foundation with Jesus at the center of our lives • Love produces a new lifestyle that reflects Christ to others • Hope gives us a new direction as we look toward Christ's return and eternity • Every believer has an opportunity to help others grow in their relationship with Jesus

📌 Personal Challenge:

Consider these questions as you reflect on the message:

• What am I living for?

• What truly encourages my heart?

• Am I spiritually invested in the lives of others? • Who will look more like Jesus in six months because of my encouragement?

📌 Homework:

Read Hebrews 10:19–25 using this pattern: Read, Reflect, Respond, and Rest.

Join us as we study what it means to find joy in the spiritual faithfulness of others and become an encouragement to those around us. Together, we can grow in faith, love, and hope as we stand firm in the Lord.

In 1 Thessalonians 2:13–3:5, Paul reminds believers that following Christ does not mean a life free from opposition, disruption, or suffering. The Thessalonian church faced persecution and hardship, yet God's Word continued to work in their lives, strengthening their faith and encouraging them to remain faithful.

This passage reminds us that as we pursue our one goal of knowing Christ more and making Him known, the enemy will seek to oppose the truth, disrupt our fellowship, and discourage our faithfulness. But through God's Word, the encouragement of His people, and the hope we have in Jesus Christ, we can remain anchored even in the most difficult circumstances.

📖 Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:13–3:5
🙌 Main Idea: God's Word anchors our faith through opposition, disruption, and discouragement.

🕊️ In this message, we see:

• When opposition comes, trust God's Word as your authority
• God's Word strengthens believers and helps them remain faithful through persecution
• When disruption comes, remain connected to God's people
• Christian fellowship provides encouragement, accountability, and spiritual growth
• When suffering comes, find encouragement in the hope of Christ
• Our struggles remind us of our dependence on God and His promises
• Every believer is called to pursue one goal: knowing Christ more and making Christ known

📌 Personal Challenge: Consider these questions as you reflect on the message:

• Am I staying grounded in God's Word when opposition comes?
• Am I actively connected to other believers who encourage my faith?
• Who is discipling me, and who am I helping grow in Christ?
• When suffering comes, am I placing my hope in Christ?

Join us as Student Pastor Micah shares how God's Word anchors us through life's challenges and encourages us to remain faithful to our mission of knowing Christ and making Him known.

#AnchoredInChrist #1Thessalonians #ChristianFaith #GodsWord #HopeInChrist #Berean

In 1 Thessalonians 2:1–12, Paul reminds believers what faithful Christian living and ministry should look like. The gospel had been entrusted to Paul and his companions, and they worked hard to make it known with boldness, sincerity, humility, gentleness, encouragement, and godly conduct.This passage calls Christians to imitate faithful believers who labor for the gospel, seek God’s glory instead of their own, balance grace and truth, and practice what they preach.📖 Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1–12🙌 Main Idea: We need to imitate Christians who work hard making the gospel known, seek God’s glory, balance grace and truth, and practice what they preach.🕊️ In this message, we see:• We need to work hard to make the gospel known• We need to seek God’s glory, not our own• Faithful Christians balance grace and truth• Believers are called to encourage others to walk in a manner worthy of God• We should practice what we preach through holy, righteous, and blameless conduct📌 Homework: Read James 1:19–27 using this pattern: Read, Reflect, Respond, and Rest.Join us as we study the blueprint for Christian living and consider what it looks like to faithfully live out the gospel for God’s glory.

1 and 2 Thessalonians: The Church on the Move | October 4, 2026

What does a life changed by the gospel look like? For the believers in Thessalonica, it was evident in their work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope—even in the midst of hardship.

Join us as we explore how the gospel transforms our lives, turns us from idols to the living and true God, and makes our faith an example to those around us.

In this message, we’ll see that:

• The gospel should lead to increasing works of faith.
• The gospel allows us to truly love and to be loved.
• The gospel gives us an increasing amount of hope.

Every believer in Christ should be known by their growing faith, love, and hope. As we serve God and await the return of Jesus, we’ll consider how these qualities are taking shape in our own lives.

This week’s homework: 1 Corinthians 15:50–58
Read, reflect, respond, and rest.

#ChangedByTheGospel #1Thessalonians #TheChurchOnTheMove #FaithLoveHope #SundayWorship

Acts: The Church on the Move | September 27, 2026What does it look like to trust God’s process when faithfulness leads somewhere we would not have chosen? In Thessalonica, Paul proclaimed Jesus from the Scriptures. Some believed, while others stirred up opposition. Acts 17:1–9 reminds us that God uses our faithfulness for His purposes, even when the path becomes difficult.In this message, we’ll see that:- Everything begins with God’s Word and points to Christ.- God uses our faithfulness for His purposes.- Doing things God’s way may bring opposition.This week’s homework: Read 2 Timothy 3:10–17. Read, reflect, respond, and rest.#TrustTheProcess #Acts17 #TheChurchOnTheMove

In Philippians 4:10–23, Paul closes his letter by pointing believers to the contentment, generosity, and provision we have in Christ. He reminds the church that true contentment is not based on circumstances, but on the strength Christ provides.

This passage also highlights the generosity of the Philippian church, their partnership in gospel ministry, and the promise that God will supply every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Scripture: Philippians 4:10–23
🙌 Main Idea: In Christ, we have everything needed for a life of contentment, generosity, and provision.

🕊️ In this message, we see:
• Paul’s contentment in every circumstance
• The secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need
• The Philippians’ generosity and partnership in gospel ministry
• Giving that is pleasing to God
• God’s faithful provision for His people
• Glory belongs to God forever and ever

In Philippians 4:2–9, Paul addresses conflict between believers and points the church toward peace, prayer, right thinking, and faithful obedience. Even committed Christians can experience disagreement, but God calls His people to seek unity in the Lord and respond in a way that reflects truth and trust in Him.This passage reminds us that when we find ourselves in conflict with another believer, we should seek God’s peace and make sure our thoughts and actions are grounded in truth.📖 Scripture: Philippians 4:2–9🙌 Main Idea: When you find yourself in a conflict with another believer, seek God’s peace and ensure that you are thinking and acting in truth.🕊️ In this message, we see:• Born again believers are not immune to conflict• Christians are called to agree in the Lord• We must defend against anxiousness by turning to the God of peace• Prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving help guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus• Our thoughts should be shaped by what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise• God calls us not only to think rightly, but to practice what is true📌 Homework: Read Psalm 51 using this pattern: Read, Reflect, Respond, and Rest.Join us as we study what it means to navigate Christian conflict with peace, truth, prayer, and Christ-centered thinking.

In Philippians 3:12–4:1, Paul reminds believers that the Christian life is a continual pursuit of Christlike maturity. We have not already arrived, but because Christ Jesus has made us His own, we press on toward the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.This passage calls us to keep growing, learn from faithful examples, reject earthly-minded living, remember that our citizenship is in heaven, and stand firm in the Lord.📖 Scripture: Philippians 3:12–4:1🙌 Main Idea: Because Christ has made us His own, we press on toward Christian maturity.🕊️ In this message, we see:• Don’t let up in pursuing Christian maturity• Forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead• Learn from faithful examples who walk according to Christ• Be careful not to follow those whose minds are set on earthly things• Remember that our citizenship is in heaven• Stand firm in your faith in the Lord📌 Homework: Read Psalm 115 using this pattern: Read, Reflect, Respond in Prayer, and Rest.Join us as we study what it means to press on in faith because Christ has made us His own.

In Philippians 3:1–11, Paul warns believers to be on guard against those who would lead them away from the truth of the gospel. He reminds the church that our confidence cannot be placed in our background, accomplishments, religious efforts, or personal righteousness.Instead, true righteousness and the hope of the resurrection come from Christ alone. Paul shows that everything he once counted as gain is now counted as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ.📖 Scripture: Philippians 3:1–11🙌 Main Idea: Any attempt to become righteous in our own strength will be futile.🕊️ In this message, we see:• We need to be on the lookout for those who will lead us astray• A right view of our identity leads to rightly placed confidence• Believers worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus• We must put no confidence in the flesh• Righteousness comes through faith in Christ• The hope of the resurrection comes from Christ alone📌 Homework: Read Romans 3:21–31 using this pattern: Read, Reflect, Respond, and Rest.Join us as we study what it means to count everything as loss compared to knowing Christ and being found in Him.