1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 (NRSV)
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.
Verse 2We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly Verse 3remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. Verse 4For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, Verse 5because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake.
Verse 6And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, Verse 7so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. Verse 8For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. Verse 9For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, Verse 10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead-Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.
Devotion
How satisfying would you find it to be a member of a congregation where the pastoral team included Paul and Timothy? I'm guessing most of us would love hearing Paul or Timothy remind us how each day finds them taking time to remember us by name, seeking out our well-being. How inspiring to realize that as your pastors they are taking time to offer up thanks to God for your works of faith and your labors of love. Also, as members of this congregation Paul and Timothy would be reminding you how you have been "chosen by God and showered with the gospel in all of its dimensions and with full conviction."
How might you imagine yourself as you leave this place of congregational gathering? Thankfully we continue to have access to such places—congregations where we gather and find ourselves in the presence of pastors faithfully sharing these words of grace and peace.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank you for revealing the gospel in all of its fullness and for raising up pastors willing and faithful in their proclamation of grace and peace. Amen.