Eugene International Church of Christ

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Amy and Jeremy Ciaramella

“For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.” 1 Thessalonians 1:4-8

Paul, Silas, and Timothy wrote these moving words to the church in Thessalonica. You can feel the deep sense of relationship between these leaders and the church they planted. (Acts 17:1-8) Later in the 1 Thessalonian letter, they compare their involvement in each other’s lives to “a mother caring for her little children” as well as “a father dealing with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging [them] to live lives worthy of God.” (1 Thessalonians 2: 11-12)
The brothers and sisters in Thessalonica experienced firsthand “the power, the Holy Spirit, and deep conviction” in Paul, Silas and Timothy’s words and lives. (1 Thessalonians 1:5) Since the Thessalonians imitated their faith and lives, their church became a model for other churches, the message rang out from them and their faith became known everywhere!

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