CTG 0012

MULTIPLICATION

1 Thessalonians 1:8

2 Thessalonians 3:1

Paul was eager to fulfil the call of God on his life, the commission revealed to him from heaven by the Lord Jesus Christ. Together with his co-workers, he brought the gospel especially to the Gentiles (the Nations) as well as to his own people (the Jews).

Focussing on Roman Provinces in close proximity to the Mediterranean Rim, he travelled overland and by sea. It was his constant objective to spread the good news of God's grace to those who had never heard of Christ. There was no desire to hijack someone else's work and claim it as being his own. His passion was to push into the regions beyond, believing the promise: "Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand (Romans 15:21 NIV)."

With the help of the Holy Spirit he established new Christian communities, who in turn would continue to proclaim the message near and far. Here is his description of the believers after planting a church in Thessaloniki, a seaport in NE Greece (capital of Roman Macedonia), when the gospel was gaining new ground in Europe: "... not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere ... (1 Thessalonians 1:8 ESV)."

And Paul calls on these believers for their prayer support, after he had moved on, probably writing from Corinth: "... pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honoured, just as it was with you (2 Thessalonians 3:1 NIV)."

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING

1) Sowing the seed, God's word, the message about Christ.

2) Praying that the message will spread effectively. Compare Acts 4:29-30.

3) Objective: planting churches, communities of believers committed to the commission.

4) A mutual desire among all believers that the gospel will have success everywhere, not just where we are ourselves.

5) Ongoing cross-cultural evangelism/mission.

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For further reading:

Acts 13:1 to 18:28

Acts 9:1-19; 22:3-21; 26:9-29

Acts 18:9-11

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

2 Corinthians 10:15-18

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These blogs are written to encourage all believers, but especially for those who find themselves in difficult places with a difficult task.

The simple format is designed for use with hand-held devices.

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