1 Thessalonians

1.1-10

As we transition again into a new book/letter of the New Testament, we read a note of Paul's encouragement. He is thankful for the response of the believers in Thessalonica to the gospel they had previously brought (v.5). Their response was one of having become imitators of both Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy's example and imitators of the Lord. The Thessalonians had become a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia (vv.6-7). So different from many of Paul's other church letters, he says plainly that they have sounded forth the word of the Lord "so that they have no need to say anything" to them (.8). Place yourself into this scenario. Who is God calling you to be? Are you to be the faithful respondent to another's example, so that there is no fault in your testimony? Are you to be an imitator of the Lord? Are you from another church that Paul addressed, still in need of repentance from addictions to the world? Are you to be one that declares the Gospel, and makes mention of others in your prayers, in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full assurance for their sake (v.5)? Indeed, we serve an audience of One, but we will also be held accountable for the report of others. The report Paul received of the Thessalonians was how they'd turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God (v.9). What report will be made of you? What are the idols you need to turn from, to serve a living and true God?

CHAPTER 1

Thanksgiving

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.
2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers;
3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ before our God and Father,
4 knowing, brothers beloved by God, your election,
5 for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full assurance; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.
6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction with the joy of the Holy Spirit,
7 so that you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.
9 For they themselves report about us what kind of an entrance we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,
10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.