"WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE LIKE?"

This was the message spoken in Int'l Christian Church in Virginia Beach today (Sunday).

"WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE LIKE?"

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of the letter of Paul to the Thessalonians was to encourage the believers to stay faithful, to stay strong, and to hang in there. It talks a lot about problems and the struggles of life; it talks about the blessed hope, the second coming of Christ; and it talks about how to build a life that is pleasing to God, and life that is sturdy and dependable - like a rock.

We will look at principles on how to build a strong character. The first step is choosing the right influences for yourself. It's in deciding on who you're going to be like, whose example you're going to follow.

So we'll talk today about what to look for in a good influence.

Here are three things:

1. Look for those who genuinely care about you. Verse 2; See 2:19., 3:9

2. Look for those who can lead with authenticity. Verse 5

3. Look for those who know how to keep their ego in check. See 2: 3-6; Galatians 1:10

CONCLUSION

The Thessalonicans not only followed the example of Paul, Silas, and Timothy. They also became an example for the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.

The whole world was talking about this church in Thessalonica that had turned their back on their idols and their pagan worship and had become devoted followers of Jesus Christ - followers who had endured all kinds of persecution, and had remained faithful to the gospel.

They became an example to believers throughout the world, because they knew whose example to follow. This is step one in developing character.

Who do you listen to?

Who do you follow?

Who do you imitate?