Started 1 Thessalonians today. Read this short book along with us. To get a good history of the city of Thessalonica you can also read Acts 16-17. While we learn many came to trust in Jesus during this time there was drama to the point, they had to sneak Paul and Silas out of the city by night.
Years later Paul writes to the church he poured into, “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,” 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
He continues, “For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance... (1 Thessalonians 1:5 ). To the point their testimony is written about in this manner, “For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,” 1 Thessalonians 1:9
There is power in your turn. When we confess what the Lord has done and live out the grace and mercy, we’ve received it’s a powerful thing. Truly, just our testimony of serving the Lord makes an impact larger than we could ever imagine.
John says as we abide in Jesus, He abides in us. May we spend time with Jesus. May we spend time serving Jesus. And as we do, the same power that rose Jesus from the grave, that saved a bunch of idol worshipers, will in turn be transformative to those around us for the glory of God and the advancement of His Kingdom.
- To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.