Paul the
apostle declared “the word of the Lord” “sounded out” “not
only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place” the
church of Thessalonica's “faith to God-ward is spread abroad”and
the affect of their witness was so impactful that Paul and his
entourage did not “need” to “speak any thing”
concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ to the cities which surrounded
Thessalonica. In chapter one and verse nine of his letter to the
Thessalonican church, Paul shared how the people of Thessalonica
“turned from idols to serve the living and true God” where
we read:
For they
themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you,
and how
you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
The verse begins, “For
they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto
you,...” Paul
began with the word, “For”
which is a conclusion word meaning, “because, since, on account of
and no doubt” “they themselves
show”
which is the Greek phrase “apaggellō
autos apaggellō” and
refers to the people surrounding the Thessalonian church “bringing
tidings, word, report and proclaiming, making known and declaring”
“of us” which
refers to “Paul and his fellows” “what
manner”
which means “what sort or quality” “of
entering in” or
“entrance, place, or leading in” “we
had unto you”
which is the Greek phrase “echo echo pros hymas” or “possessed,
held, owned and had towards, near and with regard to the
Thessalonians”. The surrounding cities of Thessalonica declared to
Paul and his group how they knew of the church of Thessalonica's
hospitality toward him.
The
verse continues, “...and
how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;”
Paul went on to add,
“and how you turned” which
means “transitively, brought back, reverted and converted” “to
God” which refers to “the
Godhead trinity which is composed of God the Father, Christ the Son
and the Holy Spirit” “from idols”
or “images, likeness and whatever represents the form of an object
either real or imaginary” “to serve”
or “be a slave to, do service to, obey and submit to” “the
living” which means “alive,
breathing and active” “and true God”
which refers to “that which has not only the name and
resemblance, but the real nature corresponding to the name, in every
respect relating to the idea signified by the name, real, true and
genuine Godhead trinity which is composed of God the Father, Christ
the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Paul
knew the people of Thessalonica worshipped false gods and idols, and
when they heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, not only did they turn
from their “idol”
worship, but they also began “to serve the living and
true God”.
When
we think through these words of Paul, we understand this is the
function of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the ministers of the same.
The good news of Jesus Christ dying for our sins and being
resurrected from the dead affords opportunity for people to “turn
from” the “idols” or “false gods” they have been
worshipping to the “living and true God”. Everyone
worships something, and whether it be a religion, a car, a house, a
job, a person or some other physical or spiritual thing, whatever
occupies our time, energy, effort and money can be an “idol”
and may be worshipped. Paul knew the testimony that the
Thessalonian church members had not only “received” he and the
others with him well, but also “turned from” worshipping
their “idols” and were serving the “living and true
God”. We must wonder, do others know whom we serve and would
they have enough evidence to convict us of serving the “living
and true God” or would they find us with “idols”
within our lives? May the Lord Jesus search our hearts and make us
aware of “anything” that attempts to replace Him.
Next
time Paul shares about the church waiting for God's “son
from heaven”, so read ahead,
and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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