What makes a church, a Church?
The Church is a divinely instituted community with a task to carry out:
to share the Gospel with the world.
Scripture Reference: 1 Thessalonians 1:1b(ESV)
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.
Scripture Reference: 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3(ESV)
We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Faith, Love and Hope
Chosen and loved by God
Scripture Reference: 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5(ESV)
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.
Our words matter, but God’s power matters more
Scripture Reference: 1 Thessalonians 1:6(ESV)
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,
Scripture Reference: 1 Thessalonians 1:7-8(ESV)
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.
