1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 CSB
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy:
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace to you and peace.
We always thank God for all of you, making mention of you constantly in our prayers. We recall, in the presence of our God and Father, your work produced by faith, your labor motivated by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with full assurance. You know how we lived among you for your benefit, and you yourselves became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message with joy from the Holy Spirit. As a result, you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. For the word of the Lord rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faith in God has gone out. Therefore, we don’t need to say anything, for they themselves report what kind of reception we had from you: 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 rescues us from the coming wrath.
>> 7 Marks of a Healthy Church:
1. Faithful
1 Thessalonians 1:3 CSB
We recall…your work produced by faith…
James 2:18 CSB
Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith by my works.
Greek : ergon = work that is pleasant and stimulating
2. Loving
1 Thessalonians 1:3 CSB
We recall…your labor motivated by love…
Greek : kop’-os = to labor intensely
3. An Enduring
1 Thessalonians 1:3 CSB
We recall…your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
4. A Powerful
1 Thessalonians 1:5 CSB
…our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with full assurance.
Romans 1:16 CSB
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…
5. A Living
1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 CSB
…you welcomed the message with joy from the Holy Spirit. As a result, you became an example to all the believers…
6. Whole-Hearted
1 Thessalonians 1:9 CSB
…you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God…
7. Expectant
1 Thessalonians 1:10 CSB
…and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus…
“Oh! This is a high mark of grace, when the Christian expects his Lord to come, and lives like one that expects him every moment. If you and I knew today that the Lord would come before this service was over, in what state of heart should we sit in these pews? In that state of heart we ought to be.” – Charles Spurgeon
1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 CSB
Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we exhort you, brothers and sisters: warn those who are idle, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all. Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Don’t stifle the Spirit. Don’t despise prophecies, but test all things. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. And may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will do it.
My Next Step With Jesus: