One Year Journey Through the New Testament
1 Thessalonians 1
Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!
Greeting
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(1 Thessalonians 1:1, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- Paul gave the Thessalonians his normal greeting, identifying Silvanus, Timothy, and himself as being the authors or originators of the letter. He addresses it to the believer in Thessalonica.
- He then offers blessings of grace and peace through the Father and Christ.
Their Good Example
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, 3 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, 4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. 5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. 9 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, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
(1 Thessalonians 1:2–10, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- Paul then offered thankfulness to the church, telling them that he often prays for them and remembered their work of faith. He has faith that they are believers, saved by faith, and full of the Holy Spirit. They are living what they have seen in Paul’s ministry.
- These Christians had been afflicted and yet lived for Christ in joy. This joy was a result of the Holy Spirit’s life in them. The Thessalonians were examples to other believers in the regions around them. They received the gospel, shunned idols, and served the true God, awaiting His soon return.
- What an example this church was! They learned, they applied, and they lived the gospel. They did not reject the message, but embraced it and showed that gospel to the world.
- May we also share the gospel with the world and see the salvation of God in our communities and families. Jesus is coming soon! Be ready and help as many others to be ready as you possibly can.
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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.
Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.
Devoted To You 