Concerning The Coming Judgment

Series: 1 Thessalonians

Preacher: Jared Blankenship

Date: 16th February 2025

Passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

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In 4:13-18, the issue was a lack of information that produced hopeless grief. In 5:1-11, the issue was a lack of assurance that produced fearful anxiety. The point of this text is to reassure and instruct believers of their destiny at Christ's return. To fully grasp the comfort that Paul sought to provide in this passage, I want to point out the reality of coming judgment, two reassurance for those who trust Jesus, and the proper response of those who have received assurance of future salvation.

I Don't Want To Miss A Thing

Series: 1 Thessalonians

Preacher: Jared Blankenship

Date: 9th February 2025

Passage: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

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While the Thessalonian Christians had great expectations for the Second Coming of Christ, there were gaps in their understanding that were producing tremendous grief at death. In this passage, Paul began to fill those gaps so that by being rightly informed, they would be greatly comforted. Rooted in the gospel of Jesus' death and resurrection as well as the explicit teaching of Jesus, Paul's explanation of Christ's return is an encouraging call for unbelievers to prepare themselves and believers to long for that day.

Called To Be Holy

Series: 1 Thessalonians

Preacher: Jared Blankenship

Date: 26th January 2025

Passage: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

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Belief always affects behavior, and we should not be surprised that following Jesus involves submitting to His authority over our lives. While godly behavior doesn't contribute to our salvation, it is a consequence of it. The opening verses of 1 Thessalonians 4 make that truth abundantly clear. The bottom line is that God calls His people to be holy. Paul instructs the holiness of the Thessalonian Christian broadly through living to please God and narrowly through being sexually pure. He concludes that disregarding God's call is to disregard God Himself.

For Now We Live!

Series: 1 Thessalonians

Preacher: Jared Blankenship

Date: 19th January 2025

Passage: 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

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Paul's life was bound up in magnifying Christ through making disciples. It's the passion that superseded all other passions for him. There are four features to his response and reaction to Timothy's report from Thessalonica that model what it looks like to passionately serve Christ by ministering the gospel to others.

It's That You Finish

Series: 1 Thessalonians

Preacher: Jared Blankenship

Date: 12th January 2025

Passage: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

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Sermon Summary:

It is often said that it's now how you start but how you finish that matters. For Christianity, it's not how you start but that you finish that matters in the end. Only those who finish will be saved in the judgment, and it is this doctrine of perseverance with which we are called to wrestle in this text.

Series Summary:

Called the "Cinderella Epistles of the New Testament" by some, 1-2 Thessalonians are an often overlooked treasure of gospel hope for those who follow Jesus. Despite intense persecution, the Church of the Thessalonians persevered in the faith, longing for the day that Jesus returns to deliver his people and judge the wicked. Exemplifying the unique and genuine bond that arises through a shared faith and struggle, the Apostle Paul wrote to remind the beleaguered Thessalonians of their hope in Christ and to instruct them on how to carry on until he comes. Join us as we study these divinely inspired letters!

Preached on Sunday, January 12, 2025

Do You Have A Heart For Ministry?

Series: 1 Thessalonians

Preacher: Jared Blankenship

Date: 5th January 2025

Passage: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

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Sermon Summary:

The Christians we read about in the New Testament immersed themselves in the life of the church and labored diligently to make disciples of Jesus. For them, it was more than a willingness to participate in gospel ministry; the very heart was oriented toward it. Few lives demonstrate this heart for discipling as Paul's, and his testimony in these verses gives us a glimpse of what it looks like to truly have a heart for gospel work.  

Series Summary:

Called the "Cinderella Epistles of the New Testament" by some, 1-2 Thessalonians are an often overlooked treasure of gospel hope for those who follow Jesus. Despite intense persecution, the Church of the Thessalonians persevered in the faith, longing for the day that Jesus returns to deliver his people and judge the wicked. Exemplifying the unique and genuine bond that arises through a shared faith and struggle, the Apostle Paul wrote to remind the beleaguered Thessalonians of their hope in Christ and to instruct them on how to carry on until he comes. Join us as we study these divinely inspired letters!

Preached on Sunday, January 5, 2025

God's Plan In The Birth Of Jesus

Series: Christmas

Preacher: Jared Blankenship

Date: 22nd December 2024

Passage: Galatians 4:4-5

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Preached on Sunday, December 22, 2024

Waiting For Jesus

Series: Christmas

Preacher: Jared Blankenship

Date: 15th December 2024

Passage: Luke 2:22-38

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Perhaps no one in the biblical narratives of the incarnation better exemplifies the spirit of Advent than Simeon and Anna. They have a significant role in Luke's gospel record as witnesses of Jesus as the promised Messiah. They also provide a wonderful example of how believers should live as they await Jesus' return. Listen to this Advent sermon that meditates on the part of Simeon and Anna in the Christmas story.

Preached by Jared Blankenship on Sunday, December 15, 2024.

The Work Of The Word Against Unbelievers

Series: 1 Thessalonians

Preacher: Jared Blankenship

Date: 8th December 2024

Passage: 1 Thessalonians 2:15-16

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Sermon Summary:

While the Thessalonians Christians represent those who, upon receiving the gospel–the Word of God–accept it, the unbelieving Jews represent those who continually reject it. This passage is a warning for those who refuse the gospel, and it is a reminder of the immense value of Christ to those who accept it and suffer for it.  

Series Summary:

Called the "Cinderella Epistles of the New Testament" by some, 1-2 Thessalonians are an often overlooked treasure of gospel hope for those who follow Jesus. Despite intense persecution, the Church of the Thessalonians persevered in the faith, longing for the day that Jesus returns to deliver his people and judge the wicked. Exemplifying the unique and genuine bond that arises through a shared faith and struggle, the Apostle Paul wrote to remind the beleaguered Thessalonians of their hope in Christ and to instruct them on how to carry on until he comes. Join us as we study these divinely inspired letters!

Preached on Sunday, December 8, 2024

The Work Of The Word In Believers

Series: 1 Thessalonians

Preacher: Jared Blankenship

Date: 1st December 2024

Passage: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-14

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Sermon Summary:

As he reflects on the miraculous conversion and perseverance of the Thessalonian Christians, Paul highlights the Spirit's work through the ministry of the Word of God–the preaching of the gospel of Jesus. This text teaches us that the Word of God works to save sinners and strengthen saints. 

Series Summary:

Called the "Cinderella Epistles of the New Testament" by some, 1-2 Thessalonians are an often overlooked treasure of gospel hope for those who follow Jesus. Despite intense persecution, the Church of the Thessalonians persevered in the faith, longing for the day that Jesus returns to deliver his people and judge the wicked. Exemplifying the unique and genuine bond that arises through a shared faith and struggle, the Apostle Paul wrote to remind the beleaguered Thessalonians of their hope in Christ and to instruct them on how to carry on until he comes. Join us as we study these divinely inspired letters!

Preached on Sunday, December 1, 2024