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 assurancet that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you.Have we received the gospel with all assurance? This is a question we need to continuously ask ourselves. I believe that if we did, we would be able to conquer all temptation and will be able to get through any trial! I feel that this is the underlying verse in this chapter...The people of Thessalonica had the fruits of the spirit and it was because they accepted the word of God fully, without any reservation...Their seed landed on good ground! Where has the seed of the Gospel landed in your life?
8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.
ReplyDeleteAs all of chapter 1 discusses, the Church at Thessaloniki received the Gospel in power and it was evident through their changed lives that they were now followers of the Most High through the blood of Jesus Christ. Does my life reflect my relationship with God? Is my faith going forth everywhere? Does every person I encounter know for who, and for what I stand for and am willing to give my life up for?
6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
ReplyDeleteHere is very cool to learn about the faith these people had. It says they were imitators of Christ. Even when put through trial and suffering. Really makes me wonder if i am at all an imitator of Christ, and makes me want to learn more to see what it truly means to be an imitator of Christ. Then try to strive to become one to the best of my Ability.
6 ... in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
ReplyDeleteThis verse has two effects on me. First, I feel completely insufficient of God's grace. I stray from my walk with Christ because of mere temptation. I doubt that I have ever known true suffering. Yet the Thessalonians took every misfortune in stride and did not let it shake their faith or their obedience to God. At the same time this verse encourages me and shows me that imitating Christ is possible even in the midst of hardship and sorrow. I hope that one day I can live up to the precedent set by this beloved church.
7 "And so you become a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia"
ReplyDeleteWe are called to be followers of Christ as we are brought from death of sin to life in Jesus, but more importantly we are called to model ourselves after Christ as the Thessalonians have. It is not enough for us to believe in Christ, but to also follow his teachings and live a Christ centered life. We are called to spread the Good News and not only speak of our Lord, but show others his power through our actions and love for one another. This is what it means to model yourself after Christ. To not only speak the name of Jesus, but act out of His love for us so that not only Macedonia and Achaia, but the entire world can see the power of our Savior.
9 " For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,"
ReplyDeleteThis verse reminded me that even when I have sinned I can still repent and return to the lord. It also gives me hope that my friends and family who aren't saved can still be saved.
verse 4:
ReplyDelete"For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,"
This verse strikes me as a huge compliment. But then again, we were all chosen by God (John 15:16). So let's go show the world what that means by bearing some fruit!
...Our Gospel came to you...with full conviction...how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for his Son from heaven.
ReplyDeleteAHHHHHHHHHHHH True repentence. 180 degree turn from one direction and begin moving in the other direction. A breath of fresh air in Paul's lungs with an aroma of the Holy Spirit dad gum alive in the people's lives. And so let me delight in the freedom that repentence brings to run towards God fixing my eyes on Jesus instead of idols.
"Renew my mind by your Spirit, Father. That I might see the kingdom come in full in my life and your will of my sanctification to continue."
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
ReplyDelete--
The Thessalonians were able to predicate the word of God to many countries and nations, and had people telling other people about their faith in God. In my case, I find it difficult to even talk to family members about faith and Jesus so this verse served not only as inspiration but also as a goal.
3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
ReplyDeleteI think it's really awesome how Paul, Silas, and Timothy think of this when they think of the Thessalonians. But this statement really makes me question myself. Is my work produced by faith? Is my labor prompted by love? Do I have any endurance inspired by hope in Jesus? I wish that I could say yes to all of these questions, but unfortunately it is a resounding "NO" more often than not. These are the kinds of things that I want to be remembered for, however I think there is only one way that this can happen. I think this all comes after you give your ENTIRE life over to Christ; it happens once you have turned from all other idols to serve the living and true God, like it says in verse 9. I really want to do this, but it is extremely difficult. All I can say is that I'm working on it.
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
ReplyDeleteWe give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Rejoice when you see a brother loving God. Be steadfast in your faith, never waving back and forth but instead seeking the Lord with all your heart.
3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
ReplyDeleteThis passage is interesting for me because I feel I can somewhat relate to the Thessalonians. While I have been in a real relationship with Christ since elementary/middle school, I faced my biggest spiritual falling out this past semester. As I am regaining the ground that I once had in my walk with Christ, I feel that I can relate to the Thessalonians' repentance and living for Christ.
The Thessalonians began producing works as products of their faith (James 2:14-17). For me, this is something I need to examine: are the things I do evident of my relationship with Christ? The Thessalonians began to serve and work out of love for others and love for God rather than because they felt a necessity or obligation to do so. They also were able to endure challenges and be patient because they held their hope in Christ and not the things of this world.
4: "For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you."
ReplyDeleteGod has chosen us to do His good work! How amazing is that? God selected us- do we waste it or do we fully utilize that amazing power? How do we respond to that? We need to focus on spreading the gospel of Christ since we have been chosen by God to do His labor.
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,.. (NLT)
ReplyDeleteThis is my prayer for Georgia Tech students that people would see an awakening and see the glory of God within it. We want to be like Thessalonias and turn away from our idols and praise the one true God. First we must allow the Holy Spirit to flood into the campus and reach all people and bring them to Christ through disciples(Christians).
All is Good in Glenn