Daily Scripture
“Remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 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. 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. 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, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”
1 Thessalonians 1:3-10
Daily Devotion
The church at Thessalonica was a thriving young church. This church was poor and persecuted but terrific followers of Christ. No one had anything negative to say about this church as their fame spread throughout Macedonia and Achaia. Paul says that the church was a model to other churches. They were especially significant in the sight of God. The Thessalonian Church was the church to join.
What does it take to be the church to join? Great facilities? Current programs? Phenomenal guest services? Nothing is wrong with any of those things. However, the Thessalonian Church had no facilities or programs and sometimes had to meet secretly. The Thessalonian Church was the church to join because of its work produced by faith, labor prompted by love, and endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. It really is that simple. The church to join is the one whose core values include work produced by faith, labor prompted by love, and endurance inspired by hope. What those values practically generate is a church that:
Possesses True Salvation (v. 4-5, 9)
Is Engaged in Joyful Service (v. 6-7, 9)
Leads in Faithful Sharing (v. 8)
Looks for the Promised Savior (v. 10)
Belmont is not a perfect church, but I love my church. I believe with all my heart that Belmont has the qualities of a church to join. I pray that we keep maturing as we seek to be the church that pleases God. We can if we prioritize true salvation, joyful service, faithful sharing, and hope in Christ.
Stephen Williams