The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Thessalonians 1:2-5, “We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father; knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you, for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.”

We have all experienced the denial of something only to later discover that what we were denied had been replaced by some?thing better. We did not understand it at the time, but later we were thankful. Sometimes the Lord denies us what we think we want. Ultimately, we find that His way was best.

It was this way with the Apostle Paul. Having been saved and put into the Lord’s ministry, Paul went everywhere telling people about Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:15-16)! Paul had worked his way up through the central part of Asia Minor, an area we know today as Turkey. There was a northern section of Asia Minor known as Bithynia that had not heard the Gospel. Paul wanted to preach the Gospel in Bithynia; but the Holy Spirit told him, “No!” (Acts 16:6-7).

Paul was obedient to the Lord’s will, and the Lord revealed to him in a vision that he was to go instead to Macedonia. The man in the vision said to Paul, “Come over into Macedonia and help us” (Acts 16:9). One of the Macedonian cities Paul visited was Thessalonica. He founded a Church there in A.D. 51.[1] Now, a year later, he writes the first of his two letters to the church and the first of his fourteen New Testament epistles.[2]

Paul identifies the relevant people in his letter: “Paul and Silvanus and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians…” (1:1). One immediately identifiable characteristic of an ancient writer is that they commenced their letters with a signature. If you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. Paul himself is, of course, the author; that is why he names himself first. Yet, he graciously shares identity with Silas and Timothy, his companions. Christian grace always acknowledges the presence of others and their contribution to the work.

The Thessalonian Church is the recipient of the letter. In all but one of Paul’s epistles, he commences with the expression, “Grace to you, and peace.” The Grace of God always precedes the peace of God. You must have received His grace before you can know His peace. God’s grace is the activity of His love through His Son, Jesus Christ. Use your computer and identify the context of the word “grace” throughout the New Testament.

Paul then expressed prayerful thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ experience: “We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers…” (v. 2). Prayer is one means by which we direct our thankfulness to God. Psalm 26:7 says, “That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, and declare all Thy wonders” and Psalm 69:30 says, “I will praise the name of God with song, and shall magnify Him with thanksgiving.”

I’ve heard a lot of people say, “I’m really thankful”; but the actions and attitudes they convey through their lives say the opposite. Paul was truly thankful. He said to the Romans, “For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you” in prayer (Rom. 1:9).

Are you telling people about Jesus regardless of the cost? Are you following the leadership of the Holy Spirit? Are you openly thankful for others who are witnessing? Are you praying for both the lost and those who are sharing the Gospel? If not, what is the LORD’s purpose with you? Let’s get started witnessing! We may not have much time left.

We are praying for you most earnestly,

Nana & Dado III

(Rose Marie & Gene)

P. S. Rose Marie is home from the Jamestown Rehab! No one ever wants to be in hospital. But we can and do testify to

the love and professional competence of the personnel there. (And the food was good, too!) Thank You, LORD!

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

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[1]Coynebeare and Howson, The Journeys of the Apostle Paul….

[2]I have elected to follow Goodwin’s dating of the New Testament books