Let's stir things up a bit.
6 So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord. 7 As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Greece--throughout both Macedonia and Achaia.
8 And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don't need to tell them about it, 9 for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God. 10 And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God's Son from heaven--Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the One who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment.
Ever been on a mission trip? Missionary work is exciting, it is so cool to watch the Lord work and to used in his work in a concentrated way for a few days or a week.
The early missionaries, Paul, Silas, and Timothy with the help of the Holy Spirit brought the good news to the Thessalonians where it was received wholeheartedly. They were full of joy when they received the gospel message, joy that they had never known before despite the suffering and persecution that came with the good news.
The church was a testimony throughout all of Greece, there was a big stir as these people began living out the "Christ-follower" lifestyle, dropping their old ways for a better life.
There was no way to hide what was happening here. The world couldn't help but notice this church that was setting aside their idols, imitating Jesus and they were living with joy despite the suffering that came their way from the government and religious leaders.
Most of the churches across the United States are not creating any kind of commotion, there should be an excitement about church that rises above our circumstances. We should be giving the world a good reason to be talking about us and cause them to want to learn more about what makes us different.
I want to be a part of a church that stirs things up and causes the world to take notice.
Lord help our churches to always be an exciting place of hope and joy.
