They Followed and Became Examples to All

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

"Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and Lord Jesus Christ:  Grace to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, 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, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. 

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. And you BECAME FOLLOWERS OF US AND OF THE LORD, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you BECAME EXAMPLES to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 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. 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, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come."

 "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God, for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest(plain) evidence of the righteous judgement of God, that you be counted worthy of the kingdom of God for which you also suffer;....."  (2 Thessalonians 1:3-5)

Paul informed the Philippian church that he was counting the pillars or idols in his life "loss" or "rubbish" for "the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord.........so that he may gain Christ"......"that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead". (Philippians 3:8-11)

The church of the Thessalonians were in active agreement with Paul, Silvanus and Timothy and their faith in Jesus Christ!

If We Have Forgotten, We Should Do Well In The Remembrance!

"For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. And you have FORGOTTEN the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:

'My son, do not despise the chastening (discipline) of the Lord; nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges EVERY son whom He receives' (Hebrews 12:3-6)

People sympathetic/devoted to salvation to God through faith in Jesus Christ will honor, in one way or another, this blessed event: the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The New Testament was not in force until Jesus Christ died ('for a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives')  (Hebrews 9:17).

Let us consider how we choose to honor God, in the name of the Son, who sits at His right hand. Our way should endeavor to "know what is the hope of His (Jesus') calling"! (Ephesians 1:18)