Are You Known For Your Faith, Hope, and Love? (1 Thessalonians 1:2-10)
"So, how's the church doing?"
I get that question a lot. And I appreciate it. I'm glad people care, either members of Grace or friends from other parts of my life.
And there are a lot of ways to answer that question. We could talk about organizational health, missional effectiveness, or metrics of attendance and giving.
None of these are "bad" answers, but they pale in comparison to how Paul commends the Thessalonian church at the start of his letter to them.
"We give thanks to God always for all of you... remembering... your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thess 1:2-3)
This Sunday at Grace we're going to dive into our study of 1 Thessalonians, which begins with Paul's gratitude for how God was at work amongst them in these key areas of faith, love, and hope.
As we reflect on how the Thessaloanians were known for these three virtues, it's worth considering how God could work in similar ways among us today.
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
We 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. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 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. 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, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come
-1 Thessalonians 1:2-10