March 2 - 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5

March 2 - 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5

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.

The hearts of the people of Thessalonica were so ready for the word of God. It was apparent to Paul at the outset that their initial eager acceptance and then the very encouraging news that Timothy brought to him of their continued growth offered evidence that God had chosen them.

It was also very important to Paul that, as missionaries, their behavior was exemplary.  They knew the responsibility they had to the message of the Gospel.

Can you imagine the excitement happening in the hearts of this community and in the hearts of these missionaries?  God was on the move and they were part of something incredible.  There was such great honor among them all.  They believed in their message and it was part of their daily lives.  The Thessalonians were committed to sharing the message with their friends and neighbors and the church continued to grow on its own after Paul left them.

But, before that had occurred, they had experienced three men, whose commitment to sharing their faith in God through Jesus Christ drove them to live the best way possible in order that no one would ever call the power of Jesus Christ into question.  They lived as if Jesus were walking among them every day, they could not imagine betraying his name or his message.

What an amazing witness those men were and the confidence with which they delivered the Gospel took hold and exploded in a community where there was continued persecution.

Honor, integrity, passion, excitement, confidence, obedience.  These things aren't that difficult and the results that come from them are extraordinary.