1 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.
The Faith of the Thessalonian Believers
2 We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. 3 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.
4 We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. 5 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. 6 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. 7 As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Greece—throughout both Macedonia and Achaia.
8 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, 9 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. 10 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.
When I first started reading chapter 1, it appeared to be just one of Paul’s typical greetings. In this first chapter of Thessalonians, Paul opens with encouragement (something that we all like to hear). Then I noticed something that made me start thinking! In the encouragement, an implicit warning is hidden.
When Paul writes, “Do you know that all over the provinces of both Macedonia and Achaia believers look up to you?”, he says it with joy. The following verses echo similar joy at the church at Thessalonica’s actions and their affects on the people around them. So far, everything seems great! The WARNING that I take to heart is, *people are watching me*! When I do something right, people are watching me. When I do something WRONG, people are watching me. I may never know how my actions affect others, but knowing that EVERYTHING that I do will be a witness (good or bad) to others is a sobering thought.
It’s funny how easy it is to forget that our actions have such a powerful impact on the world. My actions can either lead someone to Christ or turn them away. I pray that no one decides not to go to church or learn about Jesus, because I was having a “bad day”! You may have hear the term "God is always watching"? The thing to remember is, so is everyone else!
Posted by: Thomas Price | October 08, 2007 at 09:48 AM
http://picasaweb.google.com/dippository/1stThessalonians/photo?authkey=b-hmK3-MAj0#5119059928377177426
Posted by: Jim D. | October 08, 2007 at 01:16 PM
The thing that stuck out to me the most was that they took what life threw at them, the good and the bad. The Message says in verse 6 they were "taking the trouble with the joy, the joy with the trouble." They got the bad and they still found the good. Like Pastor Rod said last night, they chose their emotions. There are so many opportunities to take the bad and just pout over it. It's a little more difficult to find the good and take it in, too. Today was a rough day for me, Mondays usually are. I didn't leave school until 6:45. My kids had been restless that afternoon and I was exhausted. But when I stepped outside I saw the most amazing sky I have ever in my life seen. The colors in the sky ranged from yellow to orange to red to purple to blue. It was absolutely breath taking. In that moment, I found that little bit of joy to go with my trouble. As I stared in wonder I thanked God that he knew exactly where I was and what I needed. Taking the trouble with the joy, the joy with the trouble. Something I will be practicing this week.
Posted by: Sara | October 08, 2007 at 06:24 PM
I had the same thoughts as jim, minus all the colorful documentation.
I was encouraged to see that Christianity had a good start; encouragement was being sent because word got out they were staying strong. It shows their humanity by expressing their need for perseverance even at the very beginning.
Waiting for the Lord, inspired by hope in Jesus Christ.
Somehow I think they're describing a lifestyle more difficult than a little foot tapping.
Posted by: Levi Rodney | October 08, 2007 at 06:58 PM
What sticks out to me is the joy they find in one another. I want that. The first few verses remind me to find joy in my friends who love and serve Christ, to think about them often, to pray for them "constantly." I also love the "attitude of prayer" that Paul alludes to here. Is it really possible to keep that frame of mind? I think so...
Posted by: Becca W. | October 09, 2007 at 04:26 AM
As I read this passage the further I got the harder it was for me to accept. It is how you react to your suffering that sets you apart from all others. Many times I do look for the easy way out and cause myself greater suffering, while not being a light to the world. Take Joy in your suffering because their is someone else in this world who is suffering more. We need to use that to motivate us to help others even through our pain. Everyone has a good attitude when they are on top. When things don't go our way is how others see the real you. Being positive during this negitive times will show others the light they are missing! This is a big area God is helpping me adjust to. I have me good days and then my bad days. At the end of my days I don't react well I feel horrid. I wish I could start the day all over, but all I can do is pray that I handle the next day better.
Posted by: Jason M. | October 09, 2007 at 10:27 AM
In chapter 2, I saw the points that I read in chapter 1 even more explicitly explained. By our actions, people will measure whether or not to believe our words. Isn’t it wonderful how God gives us daily opportunities to connect with others through the way we live, act, and treat others. Isn’t it great that these connections allow us to speak the word of God to open ears and be a witness everywhere we go!
Posted by: Thomas Price | October 09, 2007 at 09:14 PM