Spread the Word.

Monday, July 13, 2009: 1 Thessalonians 1:8

For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.
Background: Paul, Timothy and Sylvanus are under persecution for preaching their faith in the city of Corinth and are concerned about the Assembly (Church) planted in Thessalonica.
Is Paul joyful because of the Thessalonians’ faith in the word of the Lord? Paul’s joy is that the word of God has been transmitted (sounded forth) and their faith has not been kept to themselves but has gone out.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009: 1 Thessalonians 2:13–14

For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans
What was the similarity between the Judeans (Jews) and the Macedonians (Thessalonians)? Those who did not believe the good news actively persecuted the believers in both places.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009: 1 Thessalonians 3:12

And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you
Why differentiate between ‘one another’ and ‘all’? The former group is the Assembly (the Church, which really means people who are called out of the world) while the latter is the people of their world.

Thursday, July 16, 2009: 1 Thessalonians 4:1

Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God
What does Paul urge the Thessalonians to do? Paul exhorts them to walk to please God in more aspects of life.

Friday, July 17, 2009: 1 Thessalonians 5:15

See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
What are we to do? We do not take revenge. We pursue good deeds (instead of a pursuit of pleasure) towards self and others, even enemies!