with Elder Elico Manenji
The gospel of Paul and Silas to the people of Thessalonica, now called by the Turks Salonichi which is a corruption of its ancient name, is a seaport town of Turkey in Europe. It is situated on what was called the Thermaic Gulf, and was anciently the capital of Macedonia. According to ancient records of Stephanus Byzantinus, it was embellished and enlarged by Philip, king of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great, who called it Thessalonica, or the Victory of Thessalia, on account of the victory he obtained there over the Thessalians. It also was called by different names such Thermae, Strabo, Tzetzes and Zonaras before it got its name of Thessalonica from Thessalonica the wife of Cassander who was the sister of Alexander the Great and daughter of Philip the king of Macedonia. This letter was written by Paul, Silvanus, and Timotheus to the Church of the Thessalonians. The Apostle gives thanks to God for their good state in the Lord as he prays for their continuance in the faith. He retraces how the Gospel came to them and how blessed he blessed they are in life and conversation. He mentions how the gospel came to them from Macedonia and Achaia and how their faith was everywhere was celebrated as they turned away from.worshipping idols into becoming worshippers of the true God and were waiting for the revelation of Jesus Christ at His second coming.
1️⃣1 Thessalonians 1:1-6: Greetings and the gospel to the Thessalonians.
The Apostle gives thanks to God for the good news brought to him by Timothy pertaining the faith, love and labour of the believers in Thessalonica. For by their belief in Christ their lives had been changed so that in everything they do they showed faith, love and patience as seen it their lives. The wiseman says, "As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country"(Proverbs 25:25).
⏭️It is the Christian duty to be grateful for personal benefits and generosity from others because of their work of faith. The Lord says, "I know your works, and charity, and service, and faith, and your patience, and your works; and the last to be more than the first"(Revelation 2:19).
⏫Faith itself is a work to be reckoned as it is the laying hold of salvation through Christ. When faith is exercised, mankind is able to meet with opposition as faith becomes a fight, for faith without works is dead. The Apostle says, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him"(Hebrews 11:6).
⏹️The Thessalonians believers were known for their labour of love. For it is labour that tests the strength of love. We show our love to Christ by what we do for Him and for others. Love makes our joy complete, love gives us hope to the end as we renew our faith each day, each moment in intercession and prayer for each other. Hoping till the end as the election of God, beloved of God and chosen by God because of our response to the gospel. The wiseman says, "A man has joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!"(Proverbs 15:23).
⏭️Those chosen by God, the elected by His grace are followers and imitators of both Paul and Christ as they live according to the revealed truth of the gospel. The Apostle Peter says, "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, to obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you, and peace, be multiplied"(1 Peter 1:2).
2️⃣1 Thessalonians 1:7-10: How they responded to the gospel call.*
Preachers and ministers of the gospel are to be examples in the firmness of the gospel they embrace, examples in fidelity, examples in trials and affliction and zeal in spreading the gospel. Never can they live in luxury at the expense of the gospel. The Apostle says, "I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need"(Philippians 4:12).
The word of God, the gospel is quick and powerful. It testifies that you are a sinful man, a dying creature but that eternity is about to open to you as you accept the influence of the Holy Spirit. The Apostle says, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart"(Hebrews 4:12).
It is He (the Holy Spirit) who convinces of sin, righteousness and judgment thus creating a sense of the need of the Saviour and preparing for the reception of the message of God's mercy.Jesus said, "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment"(John 16:8).
⏫ He (the Holy Spirit) applies the gospel salvation to the heart and sheds abroad the love of God in it as He renovates the whole nature and models it for faith, love and hope in the coming kingdom. The Apostle says, "In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise"(Ephesians 1:13).
*🅰️Appeal*
The effects of the gospel should be seen in our faith as the Thessalonians quit idolatry and abandoned all the false worship they had been educated into. The effects of faith are seen when we give ourselves to God, to the living and true God as we devote ourselves to his service. The results of faith are seen when with joyful anticipation we wait patiently for the Son of God from heaven to come and take up the kingdom, when the kingdoms of this worlds will become the kingdom of our Christ when mankind shall be delivered from wrath of His anger to salvation eternally. The Revelator says, "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever"(Revelation 11:15). Amen!!!
Elico Manenji
(+263712952704).
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