Work of Faith

1 Th. 1:3 1 Thessalonians

Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds 1 Thessalonians 1:3, focusing on the phrase "work of faith." He distinguishes between two crucial aspects of faith and works: how a sinner finds acceptance with God (by faith alone, works denounced) and how one knows if their faith is genuine (by works, faith questioned if absent). Martin warns against the errors of legalism (dead works) and dead orthodoxy (dead faith), emphasizing that true faith is a living, working principle sustained by God's promises, even amidst apparent fruitlessness. He applies these truths to the congregation, urging self-examination regarding their reliance on Christ alone for salvation and the evidence of genuine faith in their lives and labors.

6 illustrations in this sermon

The Three Jewels of Christian Virtue: Faith, Love, and Hope

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Primary Colors of Virtue

In this part of the sermon: Martin identifies 'work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope' in 1 Thessalonians 1:3 as the three great jewels of Christian virtue, akin to primary colors from which all…

Just as all colors can be traced back to red, yellow, and blue, all Christian virtues can be traced back to faith, hope, and love, which Paul mentions as primary.

the Apostle says, we pray for you since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and the love which you have to all the saints, for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven. So you have these three things again, faith, hope, and love. That classic passage, 1 Corinthians 13, verse 13, but now abideth, these three, faith, hope, and love, which then is love. Just as all the colors that adorn the bodies here this morning, and there are many, I see some pink, yellow, well, I don't know what I'd call some of them, sort of half mustard browns, and all the rest, but all of those colors,

4:06 - 4:50 Read in full sermon

Faith Commended, Works Denounced: How a Sinner Finds Acceptance

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Nothing in My Hands I Bring

Driving home: Faith is the empty-handed embrace of Jesus Christ and his salvation.

The hymn lyric 'Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to thy cross I cling' illustrates the empty-handed embrace of Christ for salvation, emphasizing that no works are brought for acceptance.

Faith is the empty-handed embrace of Jesus Christ and his salvation. So in all of these verses, Paul is commending faith. What is faith? The empty-handed embrace of Christ that I might be accepted with God and anything that we would bring in our hands.

11:59 - 12:17 Read in full sermon

The Danger of Legalism: Putting Works Between the Sinner and Christ

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Severed Tree Roots

Driving home: And any works that do not flow from faith are dead. They lack the principle of life.

Just as a tree severed from its roots is devoid of life, works that do not flow from a living root of faith are 'dead works' lacking the principle of life.

A dead work is getting hooked in and connected with a living root of faith. You see, works must flow out of faith. And any works that do not flow from faith are dead. They lack the principle of life.

17:24 - 17:41 Read in full sermon

Sustained by Faith: Laboring in the Climate of God's Promises

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Preacher's Labor and Fruit

The point: As parents, carry on your ministry to your children in faith, believing God will honor your efforts despite societal opposition and their resistance.

Martin uses his own experience of preaching and not seeing all converted or receiving thanks to illustrate how one knows their labor is not in vain, despite outward appearances.

Are all of you converted? I don't believe so All of you come to the door and hug me and say oh is this the most wonderful thing? No On some occasions they thank you I appreciate that How do you know your labor is not in vain in the Lord? How do you know?

32:57 - 33:17 Read in full sermon

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Witnessing to Neighbors and Children

The point: As parents, carry on your ministry to your children in faith, believing God will honor your efforts despite societal opposition and their resistance.

The example of witnessing to a neighbor or trying to influence children, only to face resentment or apparent fruitlessness, illustrates the need to labor by faith, not by sight.

He says be steadfast, unmovable, abounding in the work of the Lord You know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord Well how do you know that? You don't know it by what you see Looks like you're pouring out your labor like pouring water out on the ground only to have it sucked into the ground and taken out of sight and it seems that all your labor is gone How do you know your labor is not in vain? You witness to that neighbor You try to have some kind of a a godly influence upon your children and all it seems that the more you try the more they resent it How do you know your labor is not in...

33:17 - 33:58 Read in full sermon

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Mother's Faith in Parenting

The point: As parents, carry on your ministry to your children in faith, believing God will honor your efforts despite societal opposition and their resistance.

Martin shares his mother's experience of praying over her children and teaching them biblical concepts despite societal opposition and their chafing, illustrating how parents labor by faith, trusting God to honor their ministry years later.

If we faint not Then Lord by your grace I will not faint I shall reap I don't see much harvest coming to fruition But Lord this is what you've said It becomes then a what A work of faith That's what puts life into your labor As a parent you pray over your children You try to teach them some of the basic Biblical concepts of decency And morality And ethics And responsibility And submission to authority And everything in society Militates against it And you feel at times it's a losing battle What's the use A work of faith Carry on in faith That God who put you as the parents over those children ...

35:55 - 36:38 Read in full sermon

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