Twin City church of Christ Blog
“Jan 30, 2024 - Sounding Forth the Word”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsSounding Forth the Word
Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10
Persecution forced Paul to leave the Thessalonians shortly after their conversion, yet they have remained faithful to Jesus. In fact, they have done far more. “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia”(1 Thess 1:6-7). Their willingness to accept Paul’s message and obey it in rough circumstances has made them an example to their brothers in the surrounding regions.
But it goes beyond the surrounding regions: “For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything”(1 Thess 1:8). Their dogged faith in Jesus is the talk of the whole region. When Paul encounters other Christians whom he wants to encourage by telling about the Thessalonians, he finds that “we need not say anything” because they already know! “For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God”(1 Thess 1:9). Everyone is talking about how these uninterested pagans suddenly hear the gospel and abandon their former idolatry in favor of Jesus. What kind of a God can bring about this kind of change?
The term “sounded forth” means to make a loud, clear noise. God has done a mighty work in Thessalonica and everyone has noticed. It is a reminder that our actions have an influence on others (even if we are unaware). We can be an example to them (v. 7) and bring glory to God by what we do. Paul’s words encourage the Thessalonians, especially in a moment where they might have felt isolated and neglected. God can take our little lives, everyday choices of faith, and small relationships and use them to sound forth his word.
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One Thing to Think About: How am I “sounding forth the word”?
One Thing to Pray For: The patience to wait for Jesus (1 Thess 1:10) even through hardship
