Maranatha Baptist Church of Columbus, OH

1 Thessalonians 1:4-7
4 For we know, brothers[a] loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

1 Thessalonians 1:1-3 - Paul, Silas and Timothy,To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you. We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 11:19-30
19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists[a] also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers[b] living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
The Foundation of a Grace-Filled Community
Gospel preaching (11:19-20)
Faithful living (11:23)
In-depth teaching (11:26)
Faith-filled loving (11:27-30)
The Fruit of a Grace-Filled Community
New life in Christ (11:21, 24, 26)
New impact in the community (11:26)
New passion for the world (13:1-3)
The Features of a Grace-Filled Community
Power of God at work (11:23)
Presence of godly leaders (11:22-24)
Practice of discipleship (11:25-26)
Provision for the saints (11:27-30)

1 John 5:6-21