In 1 Thessalonians 1, Paul, Silvanus and Timothy write to the believers in Thessalonica. Acts 17 tells us that Paul and Silvanus had spent only a relatively short time there — perhaps just a few weeks — before opposition forced them to leave.

And yet, in that short time, a remarkable work of God had taken place. These new believers had embraced the Gospel so wholeheartedly that the message of the Lord was ringing out far beyond their own city. Their faith was becoming known throughout the surrounding regions.

How could a church, so young in its faith and with so little time under the teaching of Paul, have such a powerful impact?

We will look at three principles that made their ministry so effective. As we study this passage, we will see how they proclaimed the Gospel faithfully, lived out the Gospel authentically, and ministered in the power of God's HolySpirit.

In 1 John 3:1 John issues an instruction to stop and behold the manner of love that the Father has for us. Often, we find ourselves motoring through life focused on attaining our goals which can lead us to forgetting that God has called us His children. It is particularly fitting at such times to stop and take on board John’s instruction to see how great a love the Father has bestowed on us.

Today I want to take on board John’s exhortation and pause and to consider what does it mean to be called a child of God? And how did I, or how can I become a child of God?

We all believe different truths. Some us believe in absolute truth, others believe that there is no such thing and all truths are relative. What is true for one person is not true for another. The Bible teaches there is absolute truth, that is universally true, even if it is not universally accepted.

The question becomes, is the Bible actually true and can we trust the truths about Jesus and God that it proclaims.

In 1 John 1, John addresses this issue, stating that he was one of many eyewitnesses who personally witnessed the ministry of Jesus, and were convinced by His actions that he was the Son of God.