In my reading plan this morning, I came to this description Paul gave of his aim as he ministered to the Thessalonians.

“For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory (1 Thessalonians 2:11–12).”

This is a great summary of our weekly aim in our gathered worship. This week, we will continue in Acts and our passage is very much focused on what it looks like to walk in a manner worthy (and unworthy) of God.

Just a few verses earlier in 1 Thessalonians 2, Paul describes the manner and means by which he ministered like this among them.

“But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us (1 Thessalonians 2:7–8)

This is also our desire as we gather each week. That this sort of exhortation and encouragement and charge is delivered with gentleness and brotherly affection and is grounded in the gospel of God, the gospel of free grace bought by the precious blood of Jesus. You are very dear to us!

Erik Thoennes will be preaching Acts 4:32-5:11 this Sunday and Cole Jones will be leading our sung worship. Would you take some time this week to read the passage and pray for each as they prepare? And let’s ask the Lord to help us all receive this teaching like the Thessalonian church did, accepting it “not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers (1 Thessalonians 2:13).”

See you Sunday, Grace. Come hungry!

 

SONG OF THE WEEK

The Free Gift – one of this year’s Adventure Week scripture memory songs