The Church: A Model for Other Churches

...so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord 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. —1 Thessalonians 1:7,8

I would like to see a church become so godly, so Spirit-filled that it would have a spiritual influence on all of the churches in the entire area. Paul told some of his people, "you became a model to all the believers" and "your faith in God has become known everywhere" (1 Thessalonians 1:7,8).

It is entirely right that I should hope this of you. I could hope that we might become so Spirit filled, walking with God, learning to worship, living so clean and so separated that everybody would know it, and the other churches in our area would be blessed on account of it....

There is no reason why we could not be a people so filled with the Spirit, so joyfully singing His praises and living so clean in our business and home and school that the people and other churches would know it and recognize it. The Counselor, 9,10.

"Lord, our church will probably never be an example of great success or size, such as the ones usually held up as models. But please, Lord, enable us to be a model of godliness, Spirit-filled victory, joy, and worship. Amen."