TODAY’S PROPHETIC WORD
You were never meant to be an island. Islands are solitary, therefore easily attacked. Without allies and community within the body of Christ, you’re like that island. Connect to the mainland. Let others jump into your battles and you leap into theirs.
YOU DO THE SAME
The book of 1 Thessalonians is all about how to have effective life ministry, whether it’s a pulpit ministry, your marriage, your kids, jobs, prayer team or anything else God has put in your life for you to reach people through.
“For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. 3 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. 4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:1-4 (NKJV)
You’ll like this. This is how the International Children’s Bible words verse four:
“But we speak the Good News because God tested us and trusted us to do it. When we speak, we are not trying to please men. But we are trying to please God, who tests our hearts.” –1 Thessalonians 4 (ICB)
Paul is saying something absolutely amazing to the Thessalonians because he’s dealing with people a mess. These people have a lot of conflict, they have a lot of hurt, confusion, and disappointment. They are under a lot of fear and there’s a lot of testing. What he’s saying is, “I know you’re tested. I’m tested, too.”
No judgment. No condemnation or one-upmanship.
The reason God gave us community with each other is to share in the blessings of each other’s messes. It’s a picture of Him. He didn’t wait for us to clean up our acts before the rescued us. He jumped in. You do the same.
FROM MY SERMON SERIES FIRST THINGS