In Part One of this message, we will review background explanation of the text before getting into the meat and potatoes as we look at explaining the identity of the “people” numbered and described by John in this chapter as well as the identity of the “seal”.
Without doubt, God has moved in the lives of these Jesus-followers in Thessalonica to encourage and sustain them in the midst of severe persecution. But that also moved Paul. He was moved to gratitude, to prayer, and to recognize a way he could serve a purpose among this fellowship.
In today’s passage it begins with a thanksgiving. Specifically, a thanksgiving expressed by Paul which details his conviction that the word of God worked in a mighty way in the lives of the Jesus-followers he’s writing to in Thessalonica. This “word of God” certainly includes scripture, but because the New Testament wasn’t complete in Paul’s day in the way we have it today, it also can encompass the message of the Good News itself as well as the God-given truths proclaimed and passed on by His prophets and preachers. The ability of the word to “go to work” among God’s people was not merely something the church in Thessalonica experienced and enjoyed, but something even today’s church can experience and enjoy!
This message is part 2 looking at the sustained thanksgiving by Paul found in 1 Thessalonians 1 verse 6-10.
This message is part 1 looking at the sustained thanksgiving by Paul found in 1 Thessalonians 1 verse 2-5.
David’s instructions on worship in 1 Chronicles reveals how important singing is for the people of God to experience corporate worship.