Thoughts from the Ssalonians

Insights from the gang of 24-7 summer 07:
1st bible study - 1 Thessalonians 1
Main thoughts:

1) “work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope” (v. 3) - comes from 1 Corinthians 13 - all things in love. We should do all things in love, but all things should be done in faith because “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb. 11:6) and we should have hope for what is to come in God. And the “hope of glory” which is Christ Jesus (Col. 1:27). “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). Let us work with faith, love and hope but the greatest of these is love (1 Cor. 13:13).

2) “in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father” (v.3b) - we are to do all things in God. Not for God, but in God. Amazing thought if you dwell on it.

3) “knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you” (v. 4) - He chose us, who cares how it happened - predestination/free will doesn’t matter. He chose us. Let us know that intimately. Let us be acquainted with that idea. He chose us.

4) “for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power” (v. 5a) - in power. It came by His power. It came to change our very hearts. Changing us to the core.

5) “in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction” (v. 5b) - probably because the gospel came in power, it comes with full conviction to change us and the Holy Spirit to bring to remembrance all that we must know to follow God more.

6) “just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.” (v. 5c) - we changed because of God. We have been on a journey into more of God and we are doing this for your sake. Not only our own but because we want to help others grow in God and to get a more accurate glimpse of God.

7) “You also became imitators of us and of the Lord” (v. 6) - imitation is what Christianity is all about. “Follow Me” is what Jesus always says. We are to “be an example to all the believers in …” (v. 7) Fill in the dots to finish where you think you are supposed to be.

8) the Message says it best here: “the news of your faith in God is out. We don’t even have to say anything anymore - you’re the message.” (v.8) We are to be the message of God to the world. St. Thomas of Assisi once wrote, “Preach the gospel at all times if necessary use words.” Ouch, that is convicting.

Let us be people who are so into God that we can’t help but share our lives with others. Paul defines what life as a Christian should be: “Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us” (1 Thess. 2:8).