给初信者的信
帖撒罗尼迦一章1至10节
1保罗、西拉、提摩太，写信给帖撒罗尼迦在父神和主耶稣基督里的教会：愿恩惠、平安归与你们！
2我们为你们众人常常感谢神，祷告的时候提到你们，
3在神我们的父面前，不住地记念你们因信心所做的工夫，因爱心所受的劳苦，因盼望我们主耶稣基督所存的忍耐。
4被神所爱的弟兄啊，我知道你们是蒙拣选的，
5因为我们的福音传到你们那里，不独在乎言语，也在乎权能和圣灵，并充足的信心。正如你们知道我们在你们那里，为你们的缘故是怎样为人；
6并且你们在大难之中蒙了圣灵所赐的喜乐，领受真道，就效法我们，也效法了主，
7甚至你们作了马其顿和亚该亚所有信主之人的榜样。
8因为主的道从你们那里已经传扬出来，你们向神的信心不但在马其顿和亚该亚，就是在各处，也都传开了，所以不用我们说甚么话。
9因为他们自己已经报明我们是怎样进到你们那里，你们是怎样离弃偶像，归向神，要服事那又真又活的神，
10等候他儿子从天降临，就是他从死里复活的、那位救我们脱离将来忿怒的耶稣。
信息分享
我们在这里的第2、3节便看见保罗称赞帖撒罗尼迦的信徒。他由衷地表扬他们的信心、爱心和盼望。他们因着信心而愿意为主作工；因着爱心而甘愿忍受劳苦；并因在基督里的盼望而保持忍耐。这些都是值得我们仿效的特质。
信心不单是被动的相信；反之，信心驱使他们离弃偶像，决志为主而活，是他人有目共睹的（8-9节）。
我们的信心有否在我们里面作成这工呢？倘若我们容许在他们里面动工的圣灵（5节），也自由地在我们心中工作，我们就会经历同样的结果。信心会驱使我们服侍基督，并在日常生活中见证基督。
当我们与人分享我们所蒙受的大爱，我们就能见证神的爱。
当我们想到基督耶稣必会再来，同时又承认基督今天仍然活着，便能加增盼望。按照神的时间表，下一件要发生的大事就是基督再来了。
第7节指出，帖撒罗尼迦信徒成了整个希腊，甚至是世界各地基督徒的榜样。这是一个何等荣誉的赞赏啊！我们的教会能否成为社区的榜样？我们怎样能成为别人的榜样呢？
紧记：对许多人来说，我们就是他们惟一能看见的圣经！
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!!