This past week was the start of a new study, “A Faith That Endures: Lessons from the Thessalonian Epistles”. The Hello Morning study is going to help us explore is the question: “How can we walk daily in steadfast faith, love, and hope?”

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Paul, the writer of these epistles, went to the synagogue habitually. There he taught from the Scriptures, reasoning with those who were listening. We can gently share the Scriptures with others. It never needs to be a battle nor is it meant to become an argument. The Scriptures will defend themselves.

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The Thessalonians were known for three things:

• their faithful work
• their loving deeds
• their enduring hope.

Paul notes that they followed, or modeled, the example of the apostles in the way they received joy from the Holy Spirit.

In 1 Thessalonians 1:6 we read: “So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord (NLT). The word ‘imitated’ is the Greek word mimetes, which our English words mime or mimic derive. It means to intentionally pattern one’s life after another.

In the full study, Ali Shaw shares this quote:

“Just as we know a crab tree when we see the fruit hanging upon it, so we understand what spirit they are of when we see their walk and conversation. ‘Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord’. If we are the Lord’s elect, we shall have some substantial evidence to attest it.”
(Charles Spurgeon)

For us to be Christlike, and to imitate Jesus, we must know Him well.

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This week of study closed with reading 1 Thessalonians 2:1-4, where Paul speaks of his own conduct and reasons for coming to Thessalonica.

“For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News” (verse 4, NLT).

He and Silas had already suffered and endured much for sharing the gospel. Paul displayed much courage in continuing to preach with courage and confidence.

“The message of the gospel is a treasure God has entrusted to us. We must not bury it; we must invest it so it will multiply and produce “spiritual dividends” to God’s glory.” (Wiersbe Study Bible)

The Gospel: to be treasured, protected, and invested,
for as we do, our lives will bear fruit.

Photo 1 by Crystal de Passillé-Chabot on Unsplash
Photo 2 by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Photo 3 by Joao Cruz on Unsplash

Today I am joining … Tell His Story and Purposeful Faith and Grace Full Tuesday and InstaEncouragements .