Paul's letters to the Thessalonians reveal a church that displays all the great qualities of a local family of God that truly brings honour and glory to Jesus. I highly recommend you to read them through. Paul commends them for their "faithful work", "loving deeds", and "enduring hope", and for becoming "an example to all the believers". He writes that "the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere" and that "wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith". "God himself has taught you to love each other … and you already show your love for all the believers throughout Macedonia." "Encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing."

One is left with the impression that they were conscientiously carrying out his exhortations – "Always be joyful … Never stop praying … Be thankful in all circumstances … Do not stifle the Holy Spirit" – so that what he was saying was by way of reminder. I believe this had a lot to do with his godly team-leadership style. He didn't lord it over them; he simply loved them. He writes, "We were like children among you [gentle and humble] … Like a mother feeding and caring for her own children … We shared our own lives with you … We treated each of you as a father treats his own children." And his prayer for them was: "May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God".

And as a true spiritual father he never ceased to remind them of the simple and foundational truths of the Good News: that they individually "belonged to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ"; that they, by faith, were "included" amongst the holy people of God who would welcome Jesus at his second coming with great joy; that they would "share in his glory" on that day. How so? Because of God's initiative.

"We are always thankful that God chose you from the very beginning to experience salvation – a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say."