Make an Impact

"And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For not only had the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth EVERYWHERE, so that we need not say anything. For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His son from heaven, whom He raised from the sea, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come." - 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10

Culture has a big impact on Christianity, but Christianity should be having a big impact on culture. 

Paul wrote this letter to encourage a new, young church in Thessalonica. The Christians there were persecuted believers, harassed by their culture and their economy. Thessalonica was a port city located on the Ignatia Way (essentially, the I-40 of Europe at the time). Because of this prime location, the new believers at Thessalonica could come in contact and share the gospel with many people traveling through buying, trading, and selling their goods. Then these people would continue on in their route and come in contact with other people down the way, and so on and so on until the Gospel was spreading like wild fire. 

This passage says that the word of the Lord "sounded forth" from the believers at Thessalonica. The Gospel was thundering out out of their city and spreading throughout the world. How? A few believers on fire for Jesus sharing His love at their work place, with their neighbors, at Starbucks (surely there was a Starbucks in Thessalonica?) and in their homes. 

You want to know how to make the switch from being impacted by culture to changing culture in the name of Jesus? 

Be bold. 

Share the Word. 

Show the World. 

What are you going to do with what you know? Go and make an impact on the nations. 


Just a reminder: We won't be having a MidWeek service tonight. Enjoy the evening with your family and friends! We'll see you next week for our small group prayer service!