給初信者的信
帖撒羅尼迦一章1至10節
1保羅、西拉、提摩太，寫信給帖撒羅尼迦在父神和主耶穌基督裡的教會：願恩惠、平安歸與你們！
2我們為你們眾人常常感謝神，禱告的時候提到你們，
3在神我們的父面前，不住地記念你們因信心所做的工夫，因愛心所受的勞苦，因盼望我們主耶穌基督所存的忍耐。
4被神所愛的弟兄啊，我知道你們是蒙揀選的，
5因為我們的福音傳到你們那裡，不獨在乎言語，也在乎權能和聖靈，並充足的信心。正如你們知道我們在你們那裡，為你們的緣故是怎樣為人；
6並且你們在大難之中蒙了聖靈所賜的喜樂，領受真道，就效法我們，也效法了主，
7甚至你們作了馬其頓和亞該亞所有信主之人的榜樣。
8因為主的道從你們那裡已經傳揚出來，你們向神的信心不但在馬其頓和亞該亞，就是在各處，也都傳開了，所以不用我們說甚麼話。
9因為他們自己已經報明我們是怎樣進到你們那裡，你們是怎樣離棄偶像，歸向神，要服事那又真又活的神，
10等候他兒子從天降臨，就是他從死裡復活的、那位救我們脫離將來忿怒的耶穌。
信息分享
我們在這裡的第2、3節便看見保羅稱讚帖撒羅尼迦的信徒。他由衷地表揚他們的信心、愛心和盼望。他們因著信心而願意為主作工；因著愛心而甘願忍受勞苦；並因在基督裡的盼望而保持忍耐。這些都是值得我們仿效的特質。
信心不單是被動的相信；反之，信心驅使他們離棄偶像，決志為主而活，是他人有目共睹的（8-9節）。
我們的信心有否在我們裡面作成這工呢？倘若我們容許在他們裡面動工的聖靈（5節），也自由地在我們心中工作，我們就會經歷同樣的結果。信心會驅使我們服侍基督，並在日常生活中見證基督。
當我們與人分享我們所蒙受的大愛，我們就能見證神的愛。
當我們想到基督耶穌必會再來，同時又承認基督今天仍然活著，便能加增盼望。按照神的時間表，下一件要發生的大事就是基督再來了。
第7節指出，帖撒羅尼迦信徒成了整個希臘，甚至是世界各地基督徒的榜樣。這是一個何等榮譽的讚賞啊！我們的教會能否成為社區的榜樣？我們怎樣能成為別人的榜樣呢？
緊記：對許多人來說，我們就是他們惟一能看見的聖經！
A LETTER TO NEW CHRISTIANS
1 Thessalonians 1: 1-10
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.[a]
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,
3 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,
4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.
5 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.
6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.
8 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.
9 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,
10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Message
Paul did this in verses 2 & 3. He spoke warmly of the Thessalonians’ faith, their love, and their hope. Then he added a phrase to each of these three words. Their faith produced work (for Christ), their labour was prompted by love, and their endurance was inspired by their hope in Christ. Those characteristics are worth imitating.
Faith is more than passive belief. It turned them from idol worship and enabled them to live for Christ. Others saw this, too (vv.8-9).
Has our faith done this for us and in us? When we allow the same Holy Spirit who worked in them (v.5) to work in us, the same results will occur. Faith will develop, resulting in service for Christ and He will be seen in our daily lives.
Love, the same love as God's love, will be seen as we share what we have with others.
Hope will be strengthened especially in the return of Jesus Christ. This will happen as we recognize Christ is alive today and He may return soon. It is the next great event on God's calendar.
Then verse 7 says that they became a model to all the believers in the whole of Greece and in fact to Christians everywhere. What a commendation! What kind of a model do the people of our areas see in your church and my church? What can we do about it?
REMEMBER: WE ARE THE ONLY BIBLE MANY PEOPLE EVER SEE!!