1 Thessalonians 1:1-5

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5  Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.  We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.  We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by 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 simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.  You know how we lived among you for your sake.

Our lives tell the true story of our convictions.  As Christians if our dedication to the Lord remains shallow so will our walk in the Lord lack depth.  If our commitment to God is weak, we will display an anemic faith.  We will constantly seek the next miracle, the next sign, the next testimony, the next song, the next book to bolster our belief in God that He is really there and we can keep on believing He loves us and has a plan for our lives.  We will be as the double-minded man described by James, constantly swaying between decisions, never finding solid ground to live out a life of action by faith.  This person will receive nothing from the Lord because of a lack of consistent faith.  Believers who need a sign from heaven or a tingling in their emotions before moving out wholeheartedly for God face confusion and walk on paths leading to darkness.  One day they stand on the mountaintop and the next day in the valley.  One moment they experience euphoria then suddenly fall into a deep despair when faced with difficulties.  Christians face trials but when we know we are in the will of God, we walk in his strength and his power, knowing we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.  James wrote: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.  (James 1:2-8)  Paul said I come not with mere words but with the power (authority of God) to overcome the world and the devil.  I come with the manifestation of the Spirit.  I come with a strong conviction that God is on the throne and that this world is under his authority.  

We see the early church exuding this confidence in God, living in the power of the Holy Spirit, believing what Paul believed when he wrote: But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.  And  if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.  (Romans 8:10-11)  They willingly spread this Good News everywhere, in spite of hardships and troubles.  Some faced persecution, even death; however, others experienced healings, great miracles.  Regardless, they exuded the power of God, knowing He was in control and always on their side despite harsh circumstances or tribulations.  They believed they were IN CHRIST, HE WAS IN THEM.  They had answered his call, did not question God's perfect will.  Consequently, we do not see them continually moaning, complaining or questioning God about their lives: we see the church serving with great anticipation for the life which was to come.  What great favor would God do for them next?  Paul wrote: 

As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.  For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.  

(2 Corinthians 61-:2)  Paul said those words of optimism even though his life was packed full of trouble.  We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.  Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.  (2 Corinthians 6:3-10)  

Looking at the record of the early church, Paul's life in particular, most of us would ask, "What favor?"  Paul's life does not look as if God favored him.  But Paul was a man of faith with his eyes fixed on his Master.  He believed in God rather than in circumstances or in his feelings.  He saw a way where there was no way.  He believed when there were no visible signs of deliverance.  As Abraham before him, he believed when Isaac was not even in existence, when Sarah's womb was too old to bear a child  Therefore, Paul did not come with mere words that said maybe there is a God who favors us, who desires intimacy with us.  He came with words of faith, knowing the Holy Spirit intimately, knowing God had a plan for his life that would go far beyond his finite vision.  Paul developed this faith in chains, in prison cells, when stones struck his body, while men beat him with heavy clubs, when he was left for dead outside the city gates, when people said he was not fit to live.  Paul knew a servant is not greater than his Master.  Paul said, "Here am I Lord, use me."  Can you envision this kind of life for yourself regardless of the circumstances?  Has God told you He has a mission for your life?  Surely He has.  In every family, each child has a special place in the family.  No one but that child can fulfill that assignment.  God has a mission for you to benefit the family of God.  He may have asked you to go early to church to greet folks as they come in the door.  You might be the children's teacher they have been seeking.  Perhaps He wants you to read to an elderly person at a convalescent home.  Did God ask you to increase you giving, but you ignored his voice?  Did He tell you to start praying for people at the altar, and you said, "No, surely you jest, Lord."  James says strongly, Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and he will come near to you.  Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Grieve, mourn and wail.  Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.  (James 4:7-10)  Paul served as an example: You know how we lived among you for your sake.  My friend, live your life with conviction; fulfill your mission with passionate words and actions.  A burning light will light the path for many.