Audlem Baptist Church Online Service for the 27^th July 2025 1 Thessalonians This is the second service in a series of six.
	Welcome and Introduction This series of sermons comes from Chichester Baptist Church and is from May this year. Of all Paul’s letters that we have in the Bible, this was probably the first one he wrote. It was written to encourage them because he was hearing from multiple sources how well they were doing. It is a great way to follow on from our Easter and Pentecost series and then the slow spread of Christ’s Church across the Roman empire.
	Song: Adoration In this series I have tried to use the same hymns that were used in Chichester before and after the message. This song of praise and adoration was their choice and is a great way to prepare for the message. The words are both simple and meaningful. Click here to watch the video.
	Bible Passage and the Message: Christian Imitation: Pleasing to God This message is the second in our series and is from the 25^th of May. If you have a Bible or Bible app to hand, please find 1 Thessalonians chapter 2 before you start the video. This week the minister, Andy Morgan brings the message. Click the filmstrip icon below to start watching the YouTube video. It should start automatically at about 50 minutes into the complete service. When Andy has finished a short prayer at the end of the message I suggest that you stop the video when the musicians return to the stage. We will watch a video of the song that they sang after our own prayers. Click here to watch the video. You can adjust the YouTube settings using the controls at the bottom right of the screen. The gear wheel on the left adjusts the quality (480 may be enough) and the box frame on the right shows the video full screen.
	Our Own Prayers As you watched the message today was there a moment when you sensed the Holy Spirit speaking directly to you? Then tell Jesus about it. Or maybe you simply had a ‘lightbulb’ moment which you would like to thank God for. Spend a few moments to thank God for all his goodness to you in the last week. Spend a few minutes in confession. Take a few minutes to pray for others who you feel burdened for. If you have received the Church Email, it will give you some suggestions. Now spend a few moments praying for the fellowship of the church to which we belong and its witness to friends, family, neighbours, the young and the old, and to the wider world.
	Song: Jesus, Be the Centre This is the song that they sang after the message. Click here to watch the video.
	A Closing Prayer Heavenly Father, We thank you for the example of Paul and his companions in our passage today. We are grateful for their boldness in preaching the gospel, their gentleness in sharing it, and their love for the Thessalonian believers. We pray that we, too, would be filled with such courage and compassion as we share our faith with others.  Lord, we ask that you would work in us to cultivate hearts that are genuine and selfless, like those of Paul and his team. May we be willing to share not only the message of the gospel, but also our lives, our time, and our resources with those around us, just as Paul and his companions did.  We pray for protection from opposition, knowing that those who follow you may face challenges and even persecution. Strengthen us to stand firm in our faith, even when facing adversity. May our lives be a testament to your love and grace, reflecting the character of Christ in all we do.  We commit ourselves to you, asking for your guidance and blessing as we continue to live out our faith in the world. May our lives be a living example of your transforming power. We ask all this in Jesus' name, Amen.