An example for the modern church – Part 1

Pastor Kumuyi

 Every church must aspire to be exemplary, to be a model Church, a church that is pleasing to God, a “crown of rejoicing and glory” to her ministers. Such a church exists in Thessalonica, in the early years of the New Testament. The church stood because of the divine work of grace, genuine conversion of its members, their lively faith, love and hope, patience and perseverance in persecution, their obedience and practical holiness, their well-known evangelistic zeal and focused expectation of Christ’s return for the saints.
Nothing is said about their large membership, financial strength and wealth, their political power or impressive position in the society or popularity in their community. Indeed, the Thessalonian Church was a persecuted church (1 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:4). What made the church great in God’s sight was their clear experience of salvation, sanctification, steadfastness, and unwavering commitment to the whole counsel of God as “taught of God” and as taught by the Apostle Paul (1 Thessalonians 4:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:15). They were teachable and their lives reflected what they had been taught of God and by the Apostle.
This second Epistle, our text today, was written some months after the first Epistle. The Apostle had prayed for their growth and he had also exhorted them to grow (1 Thessalonians 4:1,10). Now he commends them for growing exceedingly. He was really pleased with their progress and he wrote this Epistle to guide them into fuller revelation, while encouraging them to stand firm and remain faithful to the Lord in persecution and trials.
Although Silvanus and Timothy were co-workers with Paul (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1: p19), he was the sole author of the Epistle (2 Thessalonians 2:5; 3: 17). Silvanus or Silas was a faithful missionary partner and he ministered effectively with Paul (Acts 15:22,27,32-34,40,41; 16:19-26; 2 Corinthians 1:19). Timothy was Paul’s faithful son in the faith, who frequently served as his emissary and representative (1 Thessalonians 3: 1,2; 1 Corinthians 4: 17; 16: 10; Philippians 2: 19-24; 1 Timothy 1: 3). This team of supportive ministers working whole-heartedly and faithfully with Paul had raised up heavenly-minded churches in Thessalonica and in many other cities. The
Thessalonians had genuine repentance (Thessalonians 1:9) and were brought into vital union and relationship with God and our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1).
“Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”. Grace is God’s undeserved, unmerited favour to us. When we were sinners, enemies of God and enemies of righteousness, God in His grace granted us repentance and forgiveness (Acts 5:31). “By grace are ye saved.” We are “justified freely by His grace.” The “manifold grace of God” is available to all of us to keep us victorious in all circumstances. His manifold grace includes saving grace (Titus 2:11), sustaining grace (Hebrews 4: 16), supplicating grace (Zechariah 12: 10), sanctifying grace (Hebrews 10; 29), serving Grace (Hebrews 12:28), strengthening grace (2 Timothy 2: 1), sufficient grace (2 Corinthians 12:9), great grace (Acts 4:33), more grace (James 4:6), super abundant Grace (1 Corinthians 15:10). We receive peace and grace from the same Source. From Christ and in Christ, abiding peace, abundant peace can always be ours.
Further Reading (King James Version): Thessalonians 1:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 1:1,2; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 2:11-14; Acts 13:43; Hebrews 13:9; 2 Peter 3:17,18; Colossians 3:15-17; Philippians 4:7-9; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; Romans 1: 16,17; 3:23-28; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Galatians 2:20; Acts 15:9, Ephesians 6:16; Colossians 1:21-23; Hebrews 10:22, 35-39; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:9,10; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 Corinthians 13:1-8,13; Matthew 22:37-40; John 13:34,35; Romans 12:9,10; 13:8-10; 1 John 3:11-18; 5:2,3.
Culled from The Guardian Newspaper,Nigeria