RTW 2023

As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 1:3

“The mere preaching of the Gospel has done much to convince and convert sinners; but the lives of the sincere followers of Christ, as illustrative of the truth of these doctrines, have done much more.” – Adam Clarke

“Everybody asked, ‘Why, what has happened to these Thessalonians? These people have broken their idols: they worship the one God; they trust in Jesus. They are no longer drunken, dishonest, impure, contentious.’ Everybody talked of what had taken place among these converted people. Oh, for conversions, plentiful, clear, singular, and manifest; that so the word of God may sound out! Our converts are our best advertisements and arguments.” – Charles Spurgeon

Christ should be evident in sincere followers of Christ.

• Am I sincere follower of Christ?
• What kind of advertisement for the faith am I?
• Does my life illustrate well the truths and doctrines of the faith?
• Do people see a change in me because of my devotion to Christ?

A sincere follower of Christ lives unashamedly the great commandment:

• “‘And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
  Mark 12:30-31

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For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.
1 Thessalonians 2:4

As for human praise, we have never sought it from you or anyone else.
1 Thessalonians 2:6

What if all people in ministry, well, every Christian, lived by this truth?

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Live like a nobody, illustrating the truths of Christ, not seeking praise from people.