Newsmakers

Transformed by the Gospel (Read 1 Thessalonians 1) Reflection on the passage: Picture first-century Thessalonica, a busy seaport city, an important trade and communication center, and the capitol of the Roman province of Macedonia (ancient Greece). Today Thessaloniki (it's now called) is the second largest city in Greece, and all these years later we can read a letter to the first group of Christians there. 1 Thessalonians, written about 51 A.D. during Paul's second missionary journey, is the earliest letter of Paul in the New Testament. This letter gives us a glimpse of people transformed from paganism to life in Christ. The missionary team that went into Thessalonica - Paul, Silas, and Timothy (1:1)- was formed after the split between Paul and Barnabus over John Mark (Acts 15:36-41). Paul begins the letter not so differently from an email we might write to Christian friends, basically saying that we are thankful for them and we have been praying for them regularly (1:2-3). But notice that their prayer is essentially lifting before God these Thessalonians' work that is sourced in the faith, love, and hope of Christ (1:3). Then in the rest of this chapter, Paul describes how these people who used to worship the idols popular in their city (1:9) were totally changed when they encountered the gospel. Paul and his team shared the gospel not with words alone, but with the power of the Holy Spirit and with their own "deep conviction" - it was clear that their faith was real and something that Paul, Silas and Timothy truly lived out (1:5). This authenticity was compelling to the Thessalonians The gospel took root quickly in these people, loved and chosen by God (1:4). They went from the beginning stages of imitating Paul and his team to imitating Christ Himself and then to becoming a model to other believers throughout the region and beyond (1:6-8). Faith grew in them amid suffering and persecution which led them to turn ever more to Christ for future hope (1:6,10). May we, like Paul, Silas, and Timothy, continue to be conduits of God's powerful gospel as we share authentically the hope that lives deeply within us with the people of our own city. And then watch with joy the transformative work of God! Praise God for the transformation of lives we get to witness regularly through our ministries here at CRISTA. Focus verse for prayerful reflection: "We 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." (Thessalonians 1:3) 1. As you enter a time of prayer, remember before God someone who is laboring and enduring in Christ. 2. Then reflect on your own work. Which phrase most speaks to you today? "work produced by faith," "labor prompted by love," or "endurance inspired by hope." Choose one to meditate on. Photo: Tom Bradley