October 18, 2024 - 1 Thessalonians 1-3

Paul was very encouraged with the church in Thessalonica.  The gospel had come to them in power, and they had acknowledged it as the word of God.  Following Paul's example, they had become an example to believers throughout the region.  They were eagerly awaiting the return of Jesus.  They had suffered and faced opposition with faithfulness.  Timothy had brought back to Paul this good report and he was greatly encouraged.  I once asked Dr. Adam Greenway, at the time Dean of the Billy Graham School, if he would consider a church to be a church if it does not do evangelism and is not concerned about missions and the spread of the gospel.  His answer, “Of course not!  It’s only a social organization.”  Well, I think that’s probably a bit harsh.  I think I would answer my own question, “It is a church that clearly is being unfaithful to its calling.”  You certainly can’t say that about the church in Thessalonica.  Paul writes, “From you the message of the Lord has echoed forth not just in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place reports of your faith in God have spread, so that we do not need to say anything” (1:8).  With whatever group of believers we find ourselves associated with, may the same always be said of us.

Tell it! Tell it out with gladness--

     God’s good news to every land,

sin forgiven, lives transfigured,

     all in God's great loving plan.

In the Book is found the witness

     to his mighty acts of yore:

listen, heed, obey, and serve him,

     kneel before him and adore.

“Go and teach,” thus spoke the Master,

     risen victor from the grave.

Still he gives this great commission

     to his faithful ones, and brave.

Go and tell the gospel story

     of what all through Christ can be.

Send it! Send it to the nations

     that God’s love may set us free.   -- Georgia Elma Harkness (1966)