Walking With Jesus V.
“that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.”
Introduction and Context
Welcome to another exciting and insightful small group conversation around the Holy Scriptures. We continue discussing walking with Jesus in 1 and 2 Thessalonians. The first of these two Epistles was the first letter of Paul to the church in the city of Thessalonica. Paul, who quintessentially modeled walking with Jesus, is qualified to teach walking with Jesus as he famously stated, “Imitate me as I also imitate the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 11:1.) During his missionary journeys, he visited Thessalonica with Silas and preached there successfully, establishing a church among new gentile (non-Jewish) believers. His work with Silas in the city of Thessalonica was not without confrontation from obviously envious religious Jews who banded together to work against them. Read Acts 17:1-10. Interestingly, just as Paul and Silas and their new believers faced resistance in those days, we are no different, even as we see in this account in Thessalonica. We are facing headwinds of opposition as well. But just as they persisted and won, and the church is still alive, growing, and well today, we also will succeed and overcome the envy of the wicked in Jesus’ name. Amen!
But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
Acts 17:5 NKJV
Guided Conversations
Scripture Text: Read 1 Thessalonians Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 (Total of 27 verses.) Discuss your findings using the questions in this sub-section:
- What came to mind as you were reading both chapters? Did any verse or sets of verses stick out to you? What do you feel the Holy Spirit pointing out to you?
- Paul presents the church in Thessalonica as an example (See Ch 1 Vs. 7) or model of Jesus’ followers. If you agree, why? Please review the exemplary things Paul states about them to buttress this view—verses 3 to 10 of Chapter 1.
- In Chapter 2, Paul says they suffered persecution in Philippi and conflict in Thessalonica. How would you describe Paul’s attitude following these realities?
- From Paul’s assertions, we can safely say that conversion and growth in Christ, in other words, “Walking With Jesus,” have specific identifying markers. Would you agree? Discuss Chapter 2 Vs.13-14 to establish this biblical view.
Summary and Conclusion
Hatred from the world, despite not harming anyone, is something that many Christians are not comfortable with. But we must expect it. While some will soften due to receiving the love of Christ in the gospel or a sovereign act of God, the unconverted will hate us because of Jesus. Despite this, we must “walk worthy of the Lord.” Here are Jesus’ own words emphasizing this truth:
“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
John 15:18-19 NKJV
This hatred and confrontational attitude from “haters” should not stop us from being who God has called us to be; we should take consolation in this reality and embrace it joyfully, just like the early Christians:
So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
Acts 2:41-42 NKJV
We are on the winning side now and in the future.
Prayer Time
- Are there any Praise Reports or Prayer Requests to share?
- Give thanks for the year 2024.
- Pray using 1 Thessalonians 1:5 that all those who preach the word (Andaza, Folusho, Matt, Daniel, Guest Preachers, and other leaders) at Joy Fountain will preach “not in word only, but also in power, and the Holy Spirit and with much assurance.”
- Please use 1 Thessalonians 2:12 to pray for all who call Joy Fountain Church home that we would walk worthy of God, who calls us into His kingdom and glory. Mention pastors, leaders, the worship team, and all volunteers you know by name.
- Pray for revival in Joy Fountain Church in our City, Winnipeg, and Manitoba.
Announcements
- January 14 Day Fasting and Prayer: 6th to 19th January 2025 online 6.30 -7.30 am and 6 pm in person. Register to receive early morning devotion texts.
- Small Group Meetings resume on January 15, 2025. We continue our conversations, “Walking With Jesus.”