Archive for month: July, 2023

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13.  Let’s go!

1 Thessalonians 3:1-5 (NIV)
1  So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens.
2  We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
3  so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them.
4  In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.
5  For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.
 
On verses 1-5:  From this passage we get an inside look into what makes a pastor’s heart beat.  First, we learn that a pastor is concerned for the well-being of the church.  Notice that in verses 1 and 5, Paul repeats these words, “When we/I could stand it no longer”.  Paul here is talking about the pain of being separated from his spiritual family in Thessalonica and not being able to know how the church was doing.  So what did Paul do? He sent his spiritual son and disciple, Timothy, to the Thessalonian believers to find out how they are doing (v2).  

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20.  Let’s go!

1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 (NIV)
13  And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.
14  For you, brothers, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews,
15  who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to all men
16  in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.

On verses 13-16:  In these verses Paul praises his church in Thessalonica for two things: (1) the way they received the Word of God from Paul’s preaching (v13); and (2) the way they persevered in their faith despite great trials and opposition (v14-16).  
From these verses we can learn the following:

Hi GAMErs!

Today’s passage is 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12.  Let’s go:

1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 (NIV)
1  You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure.
2  We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition.
3  For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.
4  On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.
5  You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed–God is our witness.

On verses 1-12:  In this passage we get an inside look at what made Paul and his companions such excellent ministers of the gospel and such excellent leaders.

You too are called to be a leader, whether it’s in your home, your workplace, your school, your church, or a team you lead.  Here are 10 traits of excellent leaders we learn from today’s passage:

1. Excellent leaders don’t let fear or suffering keep them from chasing the dream God has placed in their heart.  Paul and his companions “had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi” (v2).  They faced “strong opposition”.  Still “with the help of our God” they “dared to proclaim the gospel” to the city of Thessalonica (v2).  Excellent leaders push through pain to get to their dream.

Hi GAMErs!

Today we begin the book of 1 Thessalonians, a letter written by Paul in approximately 50 AD to the church in the ancient city of Thessalonica.  Ancient Thessalonica was an important port city, located in what is now modern day Greece.  Paul established the church there during his second mission trip (Acts 17:1-10).  1 Thessalonians is one of the earliest letters of Paul in the New Testament.
 
Today’s passage is 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10.  Let’s go!
 
1 Thessalonians 1:1-2 (NIV)
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.
2 We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. 
 
On verses 1-2:  Typical Paul — he begins his letter with thanks.  In whatever you do, it’s a great idea to begin with saying thanks.