In 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3, Paul says, "We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in your Lord Jesus Christ." Here Paul gives us an inside look into the hearts of the Thessalonian Christians. They were a church that was ignited and fueled by faith, a labor prompted by love, and a perseverance inspired by hope in Jesus Christ.
Could it be that the most powerful ingredients for awakening an apostolic ethos are right before us? Could it be that while we've been searching for innovations and new strategies to effectively engage this radically changing world, the secret to seeing first-century results lies in the first century church?
Erwin McManus
An Unstoppable Force (p. 148)