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"To serve the living and true God."

Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:9

OBSERVATIONS MADE

The testimony of the apostle Paul concerning the Thessalonian church was uplifting. His words of commendation take on greater significance when others spoke similar words about the Thessalonian believers.

“For they themselves declare concerning us what
manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned
to God from idols to serve the living and true God.”

1 Thessalonians 1:9

1. “For they themselves”

a) The Macedonians

b) The Achaians

c) Those beyond these two regions.

2. “Declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you”

a) These new converts found themselves going back to the commencement of the Thessalonian church.

b) They noted what Paul and his team were like.

i) Paul had gone to the synagogue for worship in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-2).

ii) He preached the gospel of Christ to them (Acts 17:3).

iii) He reasoned from the Scriptures (Acts 17:3).

c) These activities :-

i) They were ordinary things that Paul did customarily.

ii) However the impact and consequences were astonishing.

3. “And how you turned to God from idols”

a) Somehow the Thessalonians were convicted in their hearts.

b) They turned away from idolatry.

c) They turned to God in new-found faith.

4. “To serve the living and true God”

a) The Thessalonians did more than just express faith in God.

b) They began to serve this God they had embraced.

i) They acknowledged Him as a living God.

ii) They confessed that He was the true God.

c) It would be natural to want to serve this living and true God.