Explanation of the text 1Thess 1:8 The Master's Message

1Th 1:8  For it was not only from you that the Master's Message sounded forth throughout Macedonia and Greece; but everywhere your faith in God has become known, so that it is unnecessary for us to say anything about it.

1Th 1:9  For when others speak of us they report the reception we had from you, and how you turned from your idols to God, to be bond-servants of the true and ever-living God, 


Via Ignatia from Constantinople to Rome. Wikipedia
"How Beautiful are the Feet" on the Via Egnatia
Non-Technical - Feb 19, 2014 - by Gordon Franz MA

Notes:
The Master's Message: (the Word of  Lord); this Message about our Lord Jesus Christ and this Message of which Christ is the Author.
Thessaloniki was a great commercial port and Political Centre for the disseminating of the Gospel of Salvation especially as it was the Capital of Macedonia and on the Via Egnatia.


The Message was sounded forth by the Spoken Word throughout Macedonia and Achaia ( Greece).

everywhere your faith in God has become known, (lit. the faith of you that is toward the true God and not towards the Idols and goddesses from which you have turned away.

T
The Proclamation of the Good News and their Faith in God had been carried far and wide.

Oh, that many today will be Radically CONVERTED and put their trust in Christ alone. May these dramatic conversions and testimonies be carried across the airwaves and the TV screens.

how you turned from your idols to God, to be bond-servants of the true and ever-living God,

Notes: They themselves report or keep on reporting (linear present active indicative); they report the reception we had from you. What manner of entrance we had from you.


Barnes : The testimony which they bear of you is, in fact, the testimony of the manner in which we preached the Gospel. The very fact that we were intent on our Master's Work (with no other Motive.)

The Effects of the Gospel Preaching in Thessaloniki.

1. They turned from Idols to God. Is there any idolatry among us which the Good News aught  to dethrone? Any materialism? Mammon? or addictions of this world? [To games, or substance abuse or drugs?]
2. They turned from the idols. They repented and made a complete 180 degree turn around. 
3. They turned to serve the True and Ever-living God.
He has the right which none other has. He will reward as no other can.


T
Repent for the Kingdom of God is near
My Question to You?
Have you turned from the idols in your life?
Are you serving the Lord of Glory or are you caught up with the worship of self in self-centeredness.



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