The Gospel Travels Life to Life

On Sunday, four people walked out of church with a cross stamped on the back of their hand. If you ate lunch with one of them, you probably asked about it. That was the point.

Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians to a church that was only a few months old. He had been run out of town in the middle of the night, and he wasn't sure they would make it. Then Timothy came back with good news. The church was standing, and the story of what God had done there was spreading faster than Paul could carry it. So Paul did the only thing that made sense. He thanked God.

Here's the whole sermon in six words: the gospel travels life to life. It came to the Thessalonians in Paul's life. It spread from them to the churches around them. And underneath all of it, they had turned to God from idols to serve Him and to wait for His Son.

So what does that look like on a Tuesday? Try three things this week.

First, thank God for the person whose life carried the gospel to you. Name them. If they're still living, tell them. A text counts. Paul opened his letter with thanks, and that's a good place for us to start too.

Second, pull out your notes: Who am I investing in? Somebody is already watching how you follow Jesus. It might be your kid, a coworker, or the newest believer in your small group. Ask God to show you who, and then invite that person to open the Bible with you. Coffee is optional but strongly encouraged.

Third, ask the hard question from Sunday. If somebody filed a report on your life, what would they say you turned from? We may not keep statues in the den, but we know how to serve a paycheck, a reputation, or our own comfort. Pick one. Bring it to God in prayer this week, and turn from it toward Him.

And if you've never turned to Jesus at all, start there. He died for people who were still serving their idols, and He delivers everyone who comes to Him. You don't have to clean yourself up first. Reach out to me or one of our elders. We'd love to talk.

The gospel came to you in somebody's life. Let's see where it goes from yours.