MY DEAR THESSALONIANS…
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Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for your grace and mercy that are greater than my sin. Undeserving as I am, I praise you for your love and care.
Read 1 THESSALONIANS 1
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
1 Paul, Silas and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace to you.
Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Faith
2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 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.
4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell 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—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
Reflect
In today’s passage, Paul encourages the Thessalonians. God had Paul write this passage for you, as well.Paul, Silas, and Timothy send greetings (v. 1). Paul states that the Thessalonians’ identity is rooted in their relationship with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace and peace are also found in Jesus (see John 14:27).
In verses 2 and 3, Paul says that they give thanks to the Thessalonian Christians. What three things does Paul thank God for (v. 3)? These are rooted in faith, love, and hope in Christ. Faith refers to constant loyalty and trust. It takes willpower to keep trusting Jesus, especially in times of hardship. Take a moment to identify the fruit of Christ’s faith, love, and hope working in you.
Paul reminds them of how they came to faith in Christ (vv. 4–7). Identify his reasons for knowing God chose them (vv. 4, 5). He helps them understand how precious they are to God. They came to faith at a time of suffering (v. 6). In verse 7, Paul speaks of them modeling faith to others. What was it that caused this (v. 6)?
In verses 8–10, Paul reminds them that they are famous for following Jesus faithfully. Worshipping idols was common in their culture. These verses demonstrate how radically their lives have changed since they came to faith in Jesus.
Apply
In what ways does your reputation speak to the work of Christ in you?
Closing prayer
Holy Spirit, thank you for bringing me to faith in Christ and showing me that I am precious to him. I ask for strength to trust him, even in hard times.
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