This sermon wraps up a three-month study on the book of First Thessalonians by exploring how spiritual maturity is a joint partnership between the believer and God. Pastor John breaks the biblical text down into two distinct roles: God's massive part and our relatively small part. God acts as the sovereign initiator who continuously works for our ultimate well-being (shalom) and promises to faithfully finish the process of making us holy. Our role is compared to physical therapy exercises after a surgeon replaces a failing joint; God replaces our hearts, but we must choose to daily build spiritual muscle. Believers partner in this process by actively practicing daily habits like choosing joy, maintaining ongoing prayer, and choosing gratitude regardless of how their physical circumstances look.
