Good morning everyone,
" Paul, Silas and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and LordJesus Christ:
Grace and peace to you .
We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before God and Father your work produced in faith, your labor prompted by love and your endurance inspired by hope in Jesus Christ.
I Thessalonians 1:1-3
This church letter is considered to be the earliest writing we have from Paul. Notice that there are three persons writing the letter, or at least three people who signed it. Of course, we do not have the original, but these three leaders of the movement are giving their testimony of their faith in Christ by putting their names on it. Paul worked with a group of people, the church's first committee. He was never alone in ministry.
"Grace and peace", is the usual greeting in Paul's letters. They are the key words that would invite both Jews and Gentiles into the Kingdom. Grace comes from the word for charisma, and peace comes out of the Jewish understanding of shalom. Two small words that are for the inclusion of everyone into the Jesus people movement. Everyone is invited to the Party!
Then the two other verses are again usual for these earliest letters. "I want to thank you for all you have done for me" and for the "ways that you have lived out your faith in Jesus Christ ". Paul wants to inspire and love the small congregation here in the port city along the Aegean Sea. And, Silas and Timothy too.
I want to thank you for the many ways you have welcomed me as your full-time pastor here at Poole. I appreciate your phones calls, emails and responses. It is a different time and it will be remembered for a long time in our minds and in our faith. Thank you for your work, your labour, your endurance, your hope and your love .
" And now these three remain, faith, hope and love and the greatest of these is love. " I Corinthians 13: 13
Fred
Ponder Anew 