A Walk Through 1 Thessalonians 1
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
'This letter is from Paul, Silas, and Timothy. We are writing to the church in Thessalonica, to you who belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May God give you grace and peace.' 1 Thessalonians 1:1
Paul and Silas and Timothy together sent this letter to the believers in Thessalonica. Beginning with ownership, he reminds the believers that they belong to God the Father, and the Lord, Jesus Christ. These are not Paul’s or any other teacher’s possession, but are members of God’s family. They stand in God’s grace, and they live in God’s peace.
We do as well. We are not attenders or observers, we are family, and our Father bought us. He soaks us in His grace. We are washed clean, made pure, and we have peace from God Himself. There is no better place to be, and no better situation in which to live.
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'We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.' 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
Apostle Paul and his traveling team are first and foremost prayer warriors. Paul is a messenger sent with the good news of Jesus, yet his work is bathed in prayer. His follow-up is lifting up. He isn't as much about the message as he is about the result in people. He thanks God constantly. The topics he brings before the Lord are the faith and work of the hearers, their loving deeds, their enduring hope. Transformation happens because of Jesus Christ, and Paul's team is lifting up the hearers so that God might keep shining in all they do. All of this is from Jesus Christ, who is our lord and master!
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'We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you.' 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5
We bring the good news. And God shows up. His power, His demonstration in you tells us that indeed, you are also His kids. He loves you. He has chosen you. He pours His Spirit in you with power, giving you full assurance that you are His.
This works everywhere Paul goes. And it works here today as well! Share the good news. Declare healing. Pour Holy Spirit in, and then watch Him work. Amazing!
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'So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord. As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Greece—throughout both Macedonia and Achaia.' 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7
Persecution travels with Holy Spirit restoration. These believers received the message from the Holy Spirit with joy. They were excited to find redemption and restoration to the Father, and gladly embraced it. And they knew the cost, they would suffer for their faith. And they ran full speed to Jesus anyway. They saw how Paul and Silas had done it, and they chose the same race willingly. Now all of Greece is seeing their brave example, recognizing the joy and blessing, and they are running to Jesus too. Count the cost, but receive it and run to Jesus. It’s so worth it.
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'And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don’t need to tell them about it, for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God. And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment.' 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10
The believers in Thessalonica became known for their faith in God. They turned from idols, and found rescue in Jesus. They now serve the living and true God. And now you are looking forward to the coming of God's Son from heaven - Jesus. He is the one who rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment!
Did you know His rescue of us gives us amazing assurance? We don't fear the idols, and we don't fear the coming judgment. Walking with Jesus brings safety and assurance!
About the author: Brett and Debbie Mason joined All Nations in 2016, and serve on coaching and pastoral care teams. They have worked in the Philippines, Singapore, Japan, Honduras, and now encourage and mentor workers in the US, and many regions abroad.
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