7/11/25

Where is your glory and joy? If someone asked you what defines you, what would your answer be? What if they said What do you do that you feel good about, What would your answer be? Would it have something to do with your profession, your home, your possessions, your family, or your God?

Paul writes to the Church at Thessalonica, and says we had just come from a beat down and we were the ones who were beaten down. We come to you, and yes, it was tough, but we worked hard not for ourselves but for you. We desired to make it easy for you to receive Christ so we attempted to hinder you in no way. Yet once you received Christ you did suffer at the hands of your neighbors. However, you persevered and continue to allow us to help you to grow in Christ. For this reason, we say 1 Thessalonians 2:20 NASB95 For you are our glory and joy.

You are our glory. You are our praise to the Father. You are how we worship the Father! Oh, He loves our songs and He loves our prayers. However, it is your continued discipleship that the Lord says is glorious to Him. The discipleship that Paul says, we have had the pleasure of leading you in.

Paul says you who we evangelized and discipled are the articles of our worship, and worship is joyful.

How have we been worshipping the Lord? Has it been empty worship with no real glory for the Lord? Is our worship today empty of Joy because it is nothing more than empty words and actions that bring about no righteousness?

If there hasn't been any change in you?

Paul would not call that worship because it doesn't actually show God's true glory and it only brings temporary happiness, and not real Joy.

Let's praise and worship the glory of God with the joy of salvation and discipleship which brings about Righteousness.

This is what the Church of Thessalonica was. Is it what you are?

Love Bro. Scott