God does some of his best work through difficult beginnings. Paul’s first two weeks in Thessalonica were memorable but not in a good way. He and his companions barely got out of Thessalonica with their lives. In Berea, the people listened and studied their words, but the Thessalonian opponents followed them and caused trouble for them there as well. But in those two weeks, God started a church. Two of the letters in our New Testament are written to that church.
What does prayer have to do with the church? Paul wrote to the church and told them he was praying for them with gratitude. How did Paul pray for the Thessalonians? He prayed based upon his knowledge of them. He lifted the church to the Lord in prayer remembering their labor of love, their faithful work, and their endurance based on hope. The church at Thessalonica was known for faith, hope, and love. Their message spread like wildfire in the ancient world.
At a wedding this weekend, I listened to two families love their kids out loud at the rehearsal dinner. Then I thought, “People who are loved learn to love and live lives of love.” The church in Thessalonica, for all its early challenges, had learned to love from the very best. They were so loved by the Father that they learned to love and they labored for the Lord in love. Why do we do what we do as a church? Why do we labor, work, and endure? We are loved by the Father.
There is good news for the church in a time that appears to be bad news. Here is the good news: the gospel is not just a word. It comes with power, the Holy Spirit, and deep conviction. God has started something among his people. He will finish it. David Bryant says, “God has waited 2000 years to do what he is about to do among us right now.” When the dust settles, there will be faith, hope, and love. We stake our lives on this good news.
