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 1 Thessalonians 3 - God’s Kingdom - Growing with Love Overflowing

        The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed.  It starts small and grows large.  That’s exactly what has happened with the Church over the last 2,000 years.  From the tiny church shown here in Thessalonica through the centuries.  And that is one of the overarching messages of the Bible.  The Kingdom of God advancing.

        The Bible assures us to be strong and not to fear.  We see the message Isaiah gave about 2750 years ago that Jesus would come and destroy God’s enemies and save God’s people (Isaiah 35:4).  And that’s exactly what happened.  Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.

        Jesus is our Rescuer.  He is the one who has rescued us from the troubles and terrors of eternal judgment.  The final judgment is the day the Lord returns.  In the first century, Paul and Silas and the church were to go through terrible troubles and incredible suffering.  And they did.  I can’t imagine what the church went through during the persecution of Nero and all of the forces opposed to God’s reign.  Yet the church pressed on.  They believed the message of the Good News and trusted Jesus.

        It’s amazing how hard the early church prayed and how much they loved each other.  They desperately wanted to see each other face to face and to encourage each other.  Do we have an intense longing to see believers in Christ and to see them succeed in Jesus?

        Good news can bring us encouraged spirits and renewed vigor.  Share the good news of what God is doing in your lives.  As coworkers in Christ let’s encourage each other.  As God’s children, we are to practice the truth.  This means we live lifestyles of complete trust in Jesus.  Trust God today no matter what.  There is peace and freedom in such a lifestyle.  For God is absolutely dependable.  His Kingdom come and His will be done - on earth as it is in heaven!  We must continue to turn from our sinful ways and learn to trust God, more and more.  

        Don’t try to manipulate God to get what you want.  Instead, let’s trust God.  Let’s surrender to God’s ways.  For Jesus is the way, truth, and life.  Let God's power transcend the situation.  Lead us and show us, Lord Jesus.

        The Kingdom of God is filled with those who know and trust Jesus.  The Kingdom is ruled by a righteous servant, the Messiah.  Jesus reigns, and He does so with righteousness and love.

        God’s grace rescues us and produces in us godliness - the will, desire, and need to obey and grow in Christ.  Let’s thank God today that His Kingdom continues to grow.  And as it grows it glorifies God and salts this earth with lives transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.  

        Thank you, Lord Jesus, for what you show us in 1 Thessalonians 3 - God’s Kingdom advancing.  We see God’s people living in a way that pleases God.  May we do so today.  May we live in freedom from sin and with grace and peace as we trust God.  May we be marked as Jesus’ children - by love and faithfulness and overflowing with love.  Amen.


In LYH with Jack, Colt, and Arch.

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