THE LABOR OF LOVE--1 Thess. 1:1-10 Key verse 1 Thess. 1:3

Introduction: The church at Thessalonica was an exemplary church. More than once the apostle Paul said he thanked God for them.

I would like to live in such a way, to be a blessing to people so much that when they prayed they thanked God for me, wouldn't you?

One of the things for which Paul thanked God, found in our text, was the "labour of love" of the saints at Thessalonica.

The expression occurs twice in the Bible, here and in Heb. 6:10. When used today, it usually refers to a particular task or occupation that a person enjoys and to which he is dedicated. I want to use it this morning to refer to the labor that love produces. That is, love DOES something. Love WORKS. Love PRODUCES. It LABORS.

One of the reasons why we meet at church is to provoke each other to love and good works. I think you are all familiar with the verse:

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

That verse is preceded by:

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

May God provoke us unto love and to good works this morning, as I ask you to consider with me this morning what love does. I'm titling the message:

THE LABOR OF LOVE

  I. LOVE GLOWS LIKE A LIGHT--Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

     A. LOVE GLOWS TO SINNERS

        1. John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to

           another.

        2. Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and

            glorify your Father which is in heaven.

     B. LOVE GLOWS TO THE SAINTS

     C. LOVE GLOWS TO THE SAVIOR

II. LOVE GROWS LIKE A FLOWER 2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

     A. IN ITS ROOTS

        1. Our love should be rooted in the Lord and in His word

     B. IN ITS REACH

        1. Reaching up above the dirt and weeds, to be a blessing to others

     C. IN ITS REPRODUCTION

        1. Bearing seed for more flowers -soul-winning (Ps. 126:6)

III. LOVE GLUES LIKE AN ADHESIVE--Ephesians 4:1-3 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

     A. LOVE, LIKE GLUE, FOCUSES SCATTERED THINGS

        1. Some art is made by putting a design on paper or board in glue, then dropping small bits of

            glitter, tinsel, or paper on it. A beautiful picture is made by the glue.

     B. LOVE, LIKE GLUE, FASTENS LOOSE THINGS

        1. A fellowship

        2. A marriage

        3. A friendship

     C. LOVE, LIKE GLUE, FIXES BROKEN THINGS

        1. A broken heart

        2. A broken home

        3. A broken fellowship

  IV. LOVE GIVES LIKE GOD--John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

     A. SACRIFICIALLY

     B. STEADFASTLY

     C. SINCERELY