THOUGHTS, December 13, 2020, I Thessalonians 1:8

"For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything."  

Adam Clarke said, "As Thessalonica was very conveniently situated for traffic, many merchants from thence traded through Macedonia, Achaia, and different parts of Greece.  By these, the fame of the Thessalonians having received the doctrine of the gospel was doubtless carried far and wide."

Remember these were Gentiles Paul was writing to.   John the Baptist said, "and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father'; for I say to you, that God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham." Matthew 3:9  Non-Jews became children of Abraham too.  

Here is another reference to stones.  Luke 19:39-40 says, "And some of the Pharisees in the multitude said to Him, 'Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.'  And He answered and said, 'I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!'"

In the coming days, greater attempts will be made to keep Christians silent.  Threats will be made to accept and say things contrary to Scripture.   We cannot remain silent.

Sounded forth, usually in Scripture is referring to trumpets.  These converts were not afraid in spite of persecution to lift up their voices and speak forth and share the Good News of the Gospel.  

Isaiah 55:12 says "For you will go go out with joy , and be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will breath forth into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."

 Have you ever been in a sea of golden aspen as their golden leaves are heard clapping in a sweeping wind?  Joy and shouting go together in Scripture.  Some translate joy as jumping with  joy.   This is the season of joy.  As a reminder, we lit the Advent candle of joy today.

In Luke 2:9ff says, "An an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.  And the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people...And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.' And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds began saying to one another, 'Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.'  And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.  And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and see, just as had been told them."

Unless angels arrive again to proclaim the Good News, it is left to us to joyfully sound forth the Gospel like the shepherds did.  Once you've seen Him, you cannot contain the joyful message. Make haste!