Good Morning “Hope Inspired, Joy Filled Followers”. Today we start 1 Thessalonians Chapter 1.
Paul, Silas and Timothy traveled to Thessalonica to tell them about Jesus, and many became Christians. However because they were preaching about another King named Jesus, a riot broke out. They had one king - Caesar. The guys barely escaped with their lives. Later, concerned the Thessalonians might fall away with all the pressure, Paul sent Timothy to check on them. To Paul’s surprise they had remained faithful! 1Thessalonians is Paul’s letter to them to express his joy, commend them for their good work, and to encourage them to keep it up.
As Paul is telling them that he prays for them daily, check out some of what he says:
“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. 1 Thessalonians 1:3
Notice they are not serving God on their own strength. It’s by faith. Faith in what? The power of the Holy Spirit in them! Through Him and His strength they / we - can move mountains.
“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”” Matthew 17:20 NIV
Notice also, it’s out of Love they are serving. Love for God first and then out of His overflowing Love in them - they Love those around them. Their labor is prompted by their Love. When you Love someone you do whatever you can to help them. You willingly serve them. It’s not our love though… Its Gods Love through us.
Their endurance through opposition and suffering comes by their hope in Jesus. This life and its suffering is temporary. Eternity is FOREVER… with or without Jesus. You choose.
They literally received the Gospel when it wasn’t cool to do so… remember there was a huge riot! “You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 1:6.
They were full of Joy as they received the message! But how, they were suffering at the time? Remember, happiness depends on circumstances. As long as everything is cool I’m happy. But joy is way more awesome! It comes only by the Holy Spirit and depends on NOTHING! They had Joy, in the midst of great suffering, because they had the Spirit! We can too!
Much to apply here! Love you all! Dig in!
Paul, Silas and Timothy traveled to Thessalonica to tell them about Jesus, and many became Christians. However because they were preaching about another King named Jesus, a riot broke out. They had one king - Caesar. The guys barely escaped with their lives. Later, concerned the Thessalonians might fall away with all the pressure, Paul sent Timothy to check on them. To Paul’s surprise they had remained faithful! 1Thessalonians is Paul’s letter to them to express his joy, commend them for their good work, and to encourage them to keep it up.
As Paul is telling them that he prays for them daily, check out some of what he says:
“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. 1 Thessalonians 1:3
Notice they are not serving God on their own strength. It’s by faith. Faith in what? The power of the Holy Spirit in them! Through Him and His strength they / we - can move mountains.
“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”” Matthew 17:20 NIV
Notice also, it’s out of Love they are serving. Love for God first and then out of His overflowing Love in them - they Love those around them. Their labor is prompted by their Love. When you Love someone you do whatever you can to help them. You willingly serve them. It’s not our love though… Its Gods Love through us.
Their endurance through opposition and suffering comes by their hope in Jesus. This life and its suffering is temporary. Eternity is FOREVER… with or without Jesus. You choose.
They literally received the Gospel when it wasn’t cool to do so… remember there was a huge riot! “You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 1:6.
They were full of Joy as they received the message! But how, they were suffering at the time? Remember, happiness depends on circumstances. As long as everything is cool I’m happy. But joy is way more awesome! It comes only by the Holy Spirit and depends on NOTHING! They had Joy, in the midst of great suffering, because they had the Spirit! We can too!
Much to apply here! Love you all! Dig in!
Recent
Archive
2025
2024
January
Leviticus 5Leviticus 4Leviticus 7Leviticus 6Leviticus 9Leviticus 8Leviticus 10Leviticus 11Leviticus 12Leviticus 13Leviticus 14Leviticus 15Leviticus 16Leviticus 17Leviticus 18Leviticus 19Leviticus 20Leviticus 21Leviticus 22Leviticus 23Leviticus 24Leviticus 25Leviticus 26Leviticus 27Numbers 1Numbers 2Numbers 3Numbers 4Numbers 5Numbers 6Numbers 7Numbers 8
February
Numbers 9Numbers 10Numbers 11Numbers 12Numbers 13Numbers 14Numbers 15Numbers 16Numbers 17Numbers 18Numbers 19Numbers 20Numbers 21Numbers 22Numbers 23Numbers 24Numbers 25Numbers 26Numbers 27Numbers 28Numbers 29Numbers 30Numbers 31Numbers 32Numbers 33Numbers 35Numbers 34Numbers 36Deuteronomy 2Deuteronomy 1
Categories
no categories
Tags
no tags