1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 (NKJV)
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, 4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. 5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. 6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 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. 9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and 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, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Many a faithful pastor begins his sermons with these or similar words as he expounds the Holy Scriptures to the people he is called and ordained to serve. As he preaches, he delivers God’s grace, His love for all, shown in Christ’s death for all, and God’s peace, which is the peace Christ won for them. As this faithful preaching continues and bears fruit, the congregation grows stronger in Christ and becomes an effective witness to those in the community and other places.
In this letter, Paul, speaking not only on behalf of himself but also for his coworkers, thanks God as he recalls the Thessalonians’ “work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope” in the Lord Jesus. Yes, he’s bragging on them, and for good reason. He commends these Christians for their respect and appreciation for those who spoke the Gospel to them and for believing the right things. The Thessalonians “received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit.” They were experiencing challenges for their faith in Christ and for their having “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” It could not have been easy for them to make a spiritual 180, leaving behind their former false beliefs and trusting the preaching and teaching of Paul and his companions about Christ crucified for sinners. But with the help of the Holy Spirit working through the preached Word, they were on the right track. This resulted in Paul praising God for their strong, clear witness to the surrounding areas.
May God grant your pastor and your congregation to be faithful always to God’s holy Word and not to bow to any false teachings that can and will lead God’s people astray. And may God make them a strong witness to His grace and peace in Christ.
Let us pray: O Holy Spirit, grant us grace that we our Lord and Savior in faith and fervent love embrace and truly serve Him ever. Amen. (TLH 293:1a)
