In I Thessalonians 3:6, we read these words, "But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you" What a joy it would be if the apostle Paul were alive today and could say this about our congregation! What happiness it must have brought to Paul to hear Timothy's report about those faithful brethren.
We might ask, what was the congregation doing that brought that report? There were three things about the congregation in Thessalonica that brought happiness to Paul:
1. Faith - Paul preached in Thessalonica for only a short time, but
those
that were converted remained faithful to his teaching
about Christ,
(Gal. 5:6).
2. In love - Showed how their faith in Christ was working. They were
concerned about the welfare of fellow members,every
man, especially
of Paul and Silas, (1 Thess. 4:6).
3. In spirit of memory - They remembered Paul and Silas and all that"
they taught and were followers of them as they followed
Christ, (1",
Thess. 1:6).
These three things brought Paul and Silas joy. This was the good tidings
for them. This is what brought joy then and it will bring joy today. Three
works of the church anywhere that should make all the brotherhood rejoice:
Be faithful to Christ with a faith that works. Do this in love and keep
in remembrance all that God and Jesus have done for all mankind. Lastly,
remember Paul's admonition in 1 Thess. 3:8, "For now we live, if ye stand
fast in the
Lord."