Good news makes a difference 1 Thess 3:6-10

What if what you do didn’t seem to last—make any real difference? What if the houses a contractor builds forever sit there empty, never become a home? What if the flu shots a nurse gives don’t keep anyone from getting sick, or a fantastic meal is put together but nobody comes to the table? What if a teacher gave their all, stayed late to finish study guides and review notes, but nobody studied and they all bombed the test? What if you planted a garden, but pestilence and pests seemed to keep anything from growing and bearing fruit? We want we do to matter, to make a difference.

In the middle of this weeks text, Paul declares, “For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord” 1 Thess 3:8. The record in Acts 18:5 shows that once Timothy arrived with that great news of how the Thessalonians were thriving spiritually in faith, in the midst of trouble and opposition, it made a difference to Paul. Hearing this news, he pressed even harder, devoting himself all the more to the ministry of the gospel. It seems even Paul was encouraged to press on in ministry by the good report that the gospel he had sown was bearing lasting fruit. And so it should- the Good news of Christ should make every difference!

There are many ways for us to encourage one another, but perhaps the best is this: if someone has invested in you, given you God’s truth and their own lives, take it up and run with it. Most of us have been given much, by many. What will you do with what you’ve been given? The difference it makes in you will make a difference to others.

God's word well sown bears fruit.

That's a simple statement, borne out, I think, by 1 Thess 2:13 (at right).

I remember different times when I got a little clearer glimpse that the Bible really was God's word, that it could be counted on, and that it was worth making life-altering decisions in response to it. God's word, powerful, making a difference, changing us. Wow. How?
Is God's word having its effect in me? It's good seed, is there something wrong with the soil? What should that fruit look like? Maybe it's supposed to look different than we think? Maybe we're busying hanging stuff on the branches that's in the way of the fruit God desires to grow...

like a nurturing Mother, 1 Thes 2:7

My mom had it tough, and I didn't make it any easier for her. She was hard on me at times, but even that was out of love, and her fear of where I was heading. God made moms and dads to love, yet sometimes they blow it, sometimes terribly - we're broken in sin - family is not what it is supposed to be.

But, even in God's family there should be the love of a mother's care (2:7) and a dad's strength (2:10-11). How have you seen it? What could it look like?

Hey, what are you doing here?!

I want to serve others for Christ, I want to come close, to live out our church mission statement: Reaching through Relationships. But often, there's something in the way... looking a little closer, it looks like me!
In 2:5-6, Paul says he didn't come to them using flattery, hidden agenda, looking for praise or seeking to control. Like it or not, these things are there, they are real in our relating with others.
I do these things because of what I need, or think I need. For instance, in serving you, I will try hard because I hunger for praise, I need to be affirmed. I'm trying to meet my own need--maybe more than serving you? We're all a jumble of mixed motives to be sure, but putting my finger on distracting needs, that I'm trying to fill, is the starting point. Finding those needs met by God in Christ frees me to serve you and glorify God.