HONORING GOD (1 Thes 1:7-10)

The world knows how to honor it’s own. If you don’t believe me just look at the salaries of sports figure and compare them with the salaries of most of our church leaders today. The greatest purpose and duty of man is to honor God. How can we go about it? What are specific ways we can give Him all that He deserves through our lives? A good example of specific ways is found in the church at Thessolonica. I would like to look at three of theiways in which they honored God. First by their

Mention the name of Billy Graham and what is the first thing that comes to mind. To me it is someone who has devoted his life to evangelism, sharing the good news of salvation in Christ. It is a name highly respected by a great number of Christians. The Thessolonians were much like that. They were "ensamples" models or patterns, to all believers in their area. There testimony was not only in word but in actions. Verse 6 says they were followers, literally imitators, of the Lord. The world needs more examples of people who are willing to spend their lives for God. Are we that kind of testimony? Do people in your neighborhood know you are a Christian? Do they recognize you are a follower of Jesus on the job and in the home? All we do in word and deed should be for the honor of God. Second they honored God by their

I was looking at the list of teachers we have at Baltimore School of the Bible and it came to me that many have been teaching for over 30 years. Now that’s commitment. Especially when you consider that they teach without compensation as unto the Lord. The church at Thessolonica had turned from idols to serve the true and living God. They took their testimony on the road. They recognized God as living and true in contrast to the dead and lifeless, false idol worship they had before. Committing themselves to Him they had seen their lives change and now their allegiance to God was easily recognizable. When God is at work in your life, you desire to serve Him with all your being. (Phil 2:11, 12) "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who worketh in you to will and to do His good pleasure." Third the Thessolonians honored God with their

A ship was in a terrible storm yet a little boy aboard was calmly playing without concern. One of the other passengers asked, "Aren’t you afraid of the storm?" The little boy said, "No, my daddy is the Captain." His trust in his father made all the difference. The same is true of believers who place their confidence in God’s word. The Thessolonians believed God and acted on their belief. He said it and they were looking for it to happen. They were confident of Christ’s claim to be the Son of God, His resurrection from the dead and His soon coming again to take them to Himself. That’s why they were busy going about the Fathers business. Working while it is still time. How about you? Are you looking forward to Christ’s coming soon? Are you serving Him to the best of your ability. I trust God is speaking to you about ways you can serve even better.

The cartoon Peanuts is one of my favorites. In one edition Linus is talking to Lucy about Charlie Brown. He said, "Charlie Brown has been so faithful in his dedication to our baseball team. Don’t you think we should give him a testimonial dinner?" Lucy thought a moment and replied, "Do you really think he’s worth it? How about a testimonial snack?" Unfortunately some today are only willing to give God a snack . What we need to do is turn ourselves over to Him and let Him be the Captain and Finisher of our faith. By God’s grace may it be so. God bless.