Community Ministry: this is a message of thanks to
all who have served the Lord in the church down through the years.
(Particularly the teachers) This is community ministry.
We are all called to serve one another in the church and the community.
The church is the community of origin for most believers and we give
back to the community of Faith that which we have received.
Therefore the message of the gospel is complete to carry on throughout
the world. Without the
continuance of the message in word and deed the gospel message is empty, but
with the Thessalonians it was complete in walk and talk.
1Thes. 1:1
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.
3 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. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has
chosen you, 5 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. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord;
in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by
the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in
Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord's message rang out from you not only in
Macedonia and Achaia--your faith in God has become known everywhere.
Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves
report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God
from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from
heaven, whom he raised from the dead--Jesus, who rescues us from the coming
wrath.
We give thanks for ALL of you.
Why am I thankful for the church? For all of you?
We are thankful for your:
1.
Work produced by faith
2.
Labor prompted by love
3.
Endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Why are we thankful?
1.
God has chosen you.
2.
You became imitators of our lives.
3.
You welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
4.
You became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.
5.
Your faith in God has become known everywhere.
6.
You turned from idols to serve the living and true God. (Walked the walk and talked the talk)