Author: Theodore Enke
Company: Conejo Koinonia Church

The Apostle Paul writing to the Thessalonians says,
"We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 
remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."  1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
By doing these things in the face of much tribulation Paul was able to say in Vs. 7,
"So that you became an example to all believers in Macedonia and in Achaia."  
(Read verses 2-10 for the example set before believers.)

In the community of believers where each of us fellowship, can this be said of us?  Do our lives express our faith in good works, our labor in love and our steadfastness in hope?

Concerning good works we see that--
They glorify God:
"...let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."  Matthew 5:16

They enrich life:
"Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,
storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."  1 Timothy 6:18-19

They furnish a pattern for imitation:
"Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opportunity may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us."  Titus 2:7-8 

They tend to summon others to their tasks:
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."  Hebrews 10:24-25

They demonstrate the reality of faith:
"So also faith by itself, if it does not have works,is dead.
But someone will say, "Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."  James 2:16-17 

1 Peter 2:12 tells us,
"Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."

Believers render all service to Christ for:
"...It is the Lord Christ you serve."  Colossians 3:24

"If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there will My servant be also.  If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him."  John 12:26

"Not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart."  Ephesians 6:6

So in love and steadfastness we serve our precious Lord Jesus Christ,
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."  Ephesians 2:10

All praise, honor and glory to Almighty God:  Father, Son and Holy Spirit!     Amen