The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Thessalonians 1:5-10, “…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.
6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,
7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.
9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,
10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.”

There was nothing really shy about Saul of Tarsus. Even before his name was changed to Paul, he maintained his zeal. Yet, it was only after his conversion did he become the chief advocate for Jesus Christ. Thereafter, he formed the Church at Thessalonica on his second missionary journey. The pattern Paul used was simple. He found the Jewish synagogue, and spoke to the Jews of Jesus the Son of God. Some of the Jews believed and the Church was formed from Jewish believers. In time, Gentiles received the Gospel and became part of the Church as well.”

The Thessalonian Church grew quickly both in numbers and in faith. Paul gave them “strong meat,” speaking of such things as election (1:4), the Holy Spirit (1:6), the Trinity (1:3-6) and Holiness (4:1-3), Yet, as wise as this church was, they became quite sorrowful for those who had previously died. Having no one to guide them, they came to believe they would have no part in the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Others came to believe that since Jesus could come at any time, they stopped working and were just anticipating His return.

Incidentally, the Lord Jesus’ coming is mentioned 318 times in the 260 chapters
of the New Testament, or once in every 20 verses from Matthew to Revelation.

This short letter of only five chapters literally shouts of “hope” throughout. Chapter one emphasizes the Lord’s Coming as an Inspiring Hope; chapter 2, an Encouraging Hope; chapter 3, as a Purifying Hope, chapter 4, as a Comforting Hope, and chapter 5, as a Rousing Hope (for those who had become drousy or fallen asleep.) We could use all of those Hopes in our churches today! We need to be stirred to willing service, understanding the times in which we live. May the LORD rouse and bless more pastors to “feed the flock of God” in such a way as to arouse them, even out of a deep sleep!

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness,
and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and
drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on
the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”
(Rom. 13:12-14 KJV)

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom