Episode 461: 1 Thessalonians 1 Part 2 What Have We Done To the Church?

When we look at what Paul says about the church at Thessalonica, it puts the American church to shame. This church was facing severe persecution yet they worked hard and did loving deeds. The Greek word for “deeds” is kopos and it means they toiled and labored, even against opposition, to the point of exhaustion. They made such an impact for the kingdom that Paul said everywhere they go, people are talking about the church in Thessalonica. In America, we have turned “church” into big buildings with air conditioning, we come in and sing a few songs then listen to a preacher for a few minutes, while our kids are hanging out in youth ministry where they are entertained for a while. We soak it all in like a sponge, go home, and hardly mention Jesus, if at all, outside of that building. We expect people to just “come in” instead of us “going out” and bringing them in. What have we done?