“For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything“
not only in Macedonia and Achaia,
The gospel from the church at Thessalonica reverberated throughout both northern and southern Greece.
but also in every place.
The gospel reverberated throughout the Roman Empire. The gospel rang out to the then known world. Thessalonica was a great seaport. Christians from this city went preaching the gospel throughout the world. As Paul writes First Thessalonians one year after he left the city, he hears reports from all over the world about their faith.
Your faith toward God has gone out,
The Thessalonians directed their faith toward God, not toward idols. They exercised a vital faith in Him. It was a vital faith because they expressed their trust in God using their testimony.
so that we do not need to say anything
The faith of the Thessalonians went out to such an extent that Paul did not have to say anything. Wherever Paul went, the faith of the Thessalonians preceded him. They prepared the way for his witness.
Principle:
A church can be famous for its faith.
Application:
Churches can be famous for many things but are they famous for their faith? The Roman church was famous for its faith throughout the world. Is your church known for its faith?
“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world” (Romans 1:8).
