24th September 2021
A Model Church Proclaiming The Gospel Of Jesus
If you could build a church from scratch what would it be like? What would you include and what would you leave behind? I suspect there would be many different shades of opinion on that question.
The Apostle Paul gives us insight into what a new church should look like in his letter to the Thessalonian Church. He begins his letter by giving thanks to God for the way their lives were impacted by God’s Word and how they were rescued from sin because of the powerful and radical work of the Holy Spirit. The Thessalonian believers’ faith in Jesus Christ was very evident and genuine.
For we know brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our Gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5)
We too are called to thank the God of truth for each and every occasion we hear from His Word – either through a sermon, in a Growth Group we attend, during family devotions and in our personal reading of God’s word. These are Gospel opportunities by which the Holy Spirit brings us to God and continues His transforming work in us, so that we may grow in the grace, knowledge and power of Christ. One such opportunity will be this Sunday, as we hear from the English pastor at Padstow Chinese Congregational Church, Alan Best. He will be speaking from Hebrews 12:1-3 on running the race of faith.
Paul’s short missionary stay in Thessalonica in Northern Greece had a remarkable impact through the preaching of the cross of Christ. It resulted in the lives of ordinary people being transformed and led to their praise and rejoicing in the good news of the cross. It filled their hearts with hope and they gladly served the Lord. Lives were radically changed, families changed and a community changed.
“You became imitators of us and of the Lord: in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.” (1 Thessalonians 1:6-7)
The Gospel of Jesus Christ calls us to speak the truth in love and to express and display that love in tangible ways. As we share the truth of the Gospel it does its powerful work of exposing the lies of Satan, of rescuing many from his grip, and of equipping and strengthening believers to live for Him. Let’s ring out that Gospel loud and clear!
“The Lords message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaea – your faith has become known everywhere. Therefore, we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead – Jesus who rescues us from the coming wrath.” 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10)
Matt, on behalf of the Elders