Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians was full of relief
and joy! These “baby Christians” had endured persecution. They were deprived of
their teachers far too long as Paul and Timothy were establishing new mission
posts. Still, they stood strong and within months became an example of
unwavering faith to the rest of Greece,
spreading the Good News far and wide by word and actions.
Jesus affirmed the positive
actions of the church of Philadelphia “I know your deeds. See, I have placed
before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little
strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” Revelation 3:8. The church of Philadelphia
was weak in some respects, yet they had remained faithful in the face of trial.
Because of this, the Lord promised them an open door of blessing.
A Contemporary Model of Conviction:
In 1999,
Pastor John Thomas heard a shocking statistic at a local minister’s meeting.
Forty-four percent of the population of a slum community of black migrants,
embedded near the tiny seaside town of Fish Hoek, South Africa, were
HIV-positive. Pastor Thomas' predominantly
white church of 300 members had little awareness of this. He was provoked. "How can I face God on judgment day, (he thought,) realizing I’ve done nothing about the greatest problem that lies on my doorstep?" He decided to share his heart
with his church and nothing has been the same since. Fish Hoek Baptist Church, now called Living Hope is known as “the church that cares.”
Ten years later their AIDS ministry had a budget of $1.2 million a year and a full-time staff of 147. This small
church near the bottom of the globe, garnered the attention of the world with White House commendations for Pastor Thomas. (The Hole in Our Gospel, Richard Stearns)
"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful
servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of
many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" Matthew 25:23
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