I apologize for the layoff over the last few days. Our
family celebrated Christmas over the New Year’s Holiday, and we were quite
busy. Know that I am praying for you that God would grant you a blessed new
year. Please join me as we continue our journey through Thessalonians. Take the
time to read these verses today.
Paul told the Thessalonicans that they were his glory and
joy, his hope and crown. Can you imagine the apostle Paul saying that about your
church? It would be the equivalent of Billy Graham saying that your church was
his favorite. “Oh, preacher,” you say, “that was just ministerial exaggeration.
It was just a little flattery to make them feel good.” No, I don’t think so.
Paul may have been accused of pulling punches when he was face to face with
some of his adversaries (2 Cor. 10:10), though I find that hard to believe, but
he was never accused of writing anything but truth. Paul had a longing deep in
his heart to return to Thessalonica. These people were like his own children
from whom he had been separated. They were his hope, joy, and crown of
rejoicing. It wasn’t that he loved his other churches less. He was closely
connected, bound to all to whom he had ministered.
So why did this church and these Christians mean so much to
Paul? Because they were like the victor’s wreath given to the athlete who had
won the race. They were his prize demonstrating the fact that he had not run in
vain. And one day it would be his privilege to present them to the Lord as his
dearly loved children. That is in every pastor’s heart: a great desire to see
those men and women that he has led to Christ become disciple-makers, to see them
run the race in the power of the Holy Spirit leading others to faith in Jesus.
It should be the cry of every believer’s heart! Is it yours?
It should be the cry of every believer’s heart! Is it yours?
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