A new book today...1 Thessalonians 1:1-5 says...
Today's verse are 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, which read,
v.1 - Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.
We have the author of the letter but we also have a couple other people mentioned. This is important because Paul is pulling alongside of him others who he is discipling or mentoring who will carry on the gospel message after he is gone. Does this sound like the process that Jesus used with His disciples?
Silvanus was with Paul on his second missionary journey and later was a writer and companion for Peter. Timothy was with Paul on his second and third missionary journeys.
Paul gives the definition of the church in this opening. The church was "in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:..." The church was based on God "and" Jesus. Jesus was more than just a physical man by His name but also Lord and Christ.
v.2-5 - We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you; for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.
The first thing you might observe is that this is one long sentence. Sometimes Stephanie corrects me when I do this. Many times I type or write like I talk and therefore the period doesn't get used enough. Maybe Paul is so excited about what he is going to say that it is just pouring out of him. This is going to be such a different letter to write to the Thessalonians that he wrote to the Galatians.
Paul is praying for the people of the church. What is he praying about? The answer is "...your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ..." The "work of faith" would be their sharing of the gospel message. The "labor of love" would be their actions of service to others. The "steadfast of hope" would be their worship of who Jesus is. This would be a great guide for us as we pray for one another. I pray for you as you have opportunity to share the gospel and as you serve others physically and as you continue in your devotion to Jesus.
Paul knows something about them. He knows that they are loved by God and also His choice. How does he know this? Well the rest of the letter gives information for this conclusion but Paul starts with the presentation of the gospel to them. It came in word but not only in word. When the word was presented, something happened. It took hold and Paul describes it as "in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction;..." Something was being seen in the lives of his listeners and readers. Transformation was happening before their eyes in relationship to the word of the gospel that had been shared. How important it is to make sure the word of the gospel is shared.
The transformation that was happening was a reflection of those who were sharing the message. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy were not just giving the message but also living the message. The Thessalonians could "hear" the message but also "see" the message. The combination is so necessary today in our lives and the life of the church.
"Lord, may those who walk through the doors of the church or into the lives of members of the church not only hear the message of You but also see the message of You. I pray for us to have opportunities to share Your words and to also share Your loving actions to others today. May something stop us today and overwhelm us so much that we can not not worship You in that moment. Amen."
Pastor Adam
v.1 - Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.
We have the author of the letter but we also have a couple other people mentioned. This is important because Paul is pulling alongside of him others who he is discipling or mentoring who will carry on the gospel message after he is gone. Does this sound like the process that Jesus used with His disciples?
Silvanus was with Paul on his second missionary journey and later was a writer and companion for Peter. Timothy was with Paul on his second and third missionary journeys.
Paul gives the definition of the church in this opening. The church was "in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:..." The church was based on God "and" Jesus. Jesus was more than just a physical man by His name but also Lord and Christ.
v.2-5 - We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you; for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.
The first thing you might observe is that this is one long sentence. Sometimes Stephanie corrects me when I do this. Many times I type or write like I talk and therefore the period doesn't get used enough. Maybe Paul is so excited about what he is going to say that it is just pouring out of him. This is going to be such a different letter to write to the Thessalonians that he wrote to the Galatians.
Paul is praying for the people of the church. What is he praying about? The answer is "...your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ..." The "work of faith" would be their sharing of the gospel message. The "labor of love" would be their actions of service to others. The "steadfast of hope" would be their worship of who Jesus is. This would be a great guide for us as we pray for one another. I pray for you as you have opportunity to share the gospel and as you serve others physically and as you continue in your devotion to Jesus.
Paul knows something about them. He knows that they are loved by God and also His choice. How does he know this? Well the rest of the letter gives information for this conclusion but Paul starts with the presentation of the gospel to them. It came in word but not only in word. When the word was presented, something happened. It took hold and Paul describes it as "in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction;..." Something was being seen in the lives of his listeners and readers. Transformation was happening before their eyes in relationship to the word of the gospel that had been shared. How important it is to make sure the word of the gospel is shared.
The transformation that was happening was a reflection of those who were sharing the message. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy were not just giving the message but also living the message. The Thessalonians could "hear" the message but also "see" the message. The combination is so necessary today in our lives and the life of the church.
"Lord, may those who walk through the doors of the church or into the lives of members of the church not only hear the message of You but also see the message of You. I pray for us to have opportunities to share Your words and to also share Your loving actions to others today. May something stop us today and overwhelm us so much that we can not not worship You in that moment. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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