Faith Ringing Out Series

The Liberty Bell changed the world on July 8, 1776, with the Liberty Bell ringing out from the tower of Independence Hall summoning the citizens of Philadelphia to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. It speaks of the rights and freedoms valued by the people.

The Liberty Bell gained iconic importance when abolitionists in their efforts to put an end to slavery throughout America adopted it as a symbol. The Bible verse on the bell is: "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof," (Leviticus 25:10).

(Reference https://www.ushistory.org/libertybell/)

The Thessalonian church was like a liberty Bell for Paul, Silas, and Timothy. The testimony of faith, hope and love in Jesus Christ rang out to the whole of Greece. Let it ring! Let people throughout the land know that Jesus is the Christ.

Intro and Background vs 1

1Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.

Right from the beginning we find Paul along with Silas and Timothy are writing to the church at Thessalonica. Acts chapter 17 talks about how the three of them were there in Thessalonica. It says they were there for three sabbaths and there is some evidence they were there for more than three weeks because in Paul's letter to the Philippian church he states they sent him aid more than once while he was at Thessalonica (Philippians 4:16).

That is why some think he was there more than three weeks. So, they may have been three weeks with the Jews preaching in the synagogue and then some more time with the gentiles. Acts 17 never mentions the ministry to the gentiles, but this letter says that they had turned from idols to God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). So, this seems like the Thessalonian letter is directed toward gentiles who became believers in Christ.

We have some facts from, Acts 17 and the Philippian letter, 1st and 2nd Thessalonians and any more information than that we have to do our best to recreate what happened in Thessalonica making assumptions from what we think probably happened, beyond what is directly mentioned in Scripture.

After Paul and Timothy and Silas got the Macedonian call in Troas, they first went to Philippi. There was a lot of fruit there but also a lot of persecution and Paul and Silas were in jail overnight there and from Philippi they went to Thessalonica. At Thessalonica there was quite an uprising and they left at night for Berea.

While they were in Berea the people that were causing the stir found out about it went to Berea and caused a stir. Some who had responded favorably to Paul's message escorted him out of Berea to Athens.

When Paul was in Athens he gave the Mars hill sermon. He had told those who brought him to Athens for Timothy and Silas to come to him as quickly as possible. When Paul left Athens after his Mars hill sermon with the Greek philosophers he went to Corinth, and this is where Paul is writing from and the letters coming it says from Paul and Silas and Timothy.

So, Silas and Timothy had been in Berea. Silas and Timothy joined Paul in Athens. Then Paul and Silas stayed at Athens while Timothy went back to Thessalonica and then they all went to Corinth. (1 Thessalonians 3:2).

Now at the time of this writing Timothy brought the word back to Paul that the believers in Thessalonica were spiritually vibrant. There testimony in Christ was strong and ringing out. He's gotten word from Timothy those things are going well in Thessalonica so it's not long after he's been to Thessalonica, he's in Corinth and Paul's writing this letter to the Thessalonians

Thank God and Pray vs 2-3

2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul, Silas and Timothy were continually praying for the church at Thessalonica. They had received a lot of resistance in Thessalonica, but they had a lot to be thankful for. They were thankful for the faith, hope and love of the Thessalonians. Each of these our Lord Jesus Christ. produced in them something to be thankful for:

Faith: Your work produced by faith.

Hope: Your endurance inspired by hope.

Love: Your labor prompted by love.

One of my friends mentioned to me that he and his wife pray every day for me and my wife. That made such an impact on me. I was so encouraged. This is not the only time that someone, not even a relative, told me they prayed for me every day. It encourages me so much because even with difficulties I know I am covered in prayer.