November 14, 2015
Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16
13And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. 14For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews 15who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone 16in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.
Questions for Reflection:
Paul reminds the church at Thessalonica of his thankfulness for them. Why did he say he was thankful? What evidence did Paul see in the church that they were applying the word of God to their lives? When we encounter Scripture, it is not enough to say “Hmm. That was nice” and then continue with our everyday lives. We must allow the message to grab us. Beverly Gaventa, professor of New Testament at Baylor University, writes, “He does not praise the Thessalonians for wearing what Jesus wore or eating what Paul ate. He praises them for embodying in their own setting a response to the gospel that is consistent with Jesus’ own faithfulness and with the faith of their teachers.” What does it look like for you ot embody the gospel in your life? How can you be more faithful to God in response to His faithfulness to you? How can you love more because He has loved you?