A church to give thanks for (Proverbs 22-23; Ps 117; 1 Thess 1)

Paul had only been with the Thessalonians for a few weeks (see Acts 17), before he was torn away but he was so thankful for the way they responded to the gospel.

In 1 Thessalonians 1 we read of Paul’s delight in these believers who have proved to be the real deal. Three things mark them out, their work of faith, their labour of love and their steadfastness of hope (v3).

What was it about their faith that Paul could see? In v8 he says that the message of their faith has spread. Many have heard about their genuine faith. What a great thing for a church to be known for, here was a group of people who trusted the Lord Jesus. Their lives had been changed. They had turned from worshipping idols to serve the true and living God (v9). Could the same be said of your church? Is your faith known about? Have lives been changed so that Jesus comes first?

What about their labour of love? They seem to have followed the example of the apostle Paul who laboured among them (2v9), the apostle loved them so much to bring the gospel message to them free of charge. His love drove him to labour for them. They in turn have responded with a labour of love. Pouring themselves into Christian service.

Where has the energy for this come from? What’s kept them going? It’s their steadfastness of hope (v3). Hope in the Bible is not a vague wish that the weather would be better – the way we often use the word today! But it’s a certain hope based on real events in the past – Jesus’ death and resurrection. We see the hope of the Thessalonians in v10. They are waiting expectantly for the return of Jesus and are confident that He will deliver them from the wrath to come. This is Christian hope, we know that Jesus has died in our place, taking the wrath we deserve for the way we have treated God. Jesus has done everything for us, if we are trusting Him, we can be confident for the future, eagerly expecting his return. But we don’t sit idle while we wait. Our faith is to be a faith that works and labours and love.

Here is a church to be thankful for. Why not pray that these three characteristics mark out your church more and more.