What do people see and experience when you first enter their lives with the gospel? Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 2:1–12, this message explores Paul’s “entrance” among the Thessalonians as a model for how believers should approach evangelism and relationships with unbelievers. We see the integrity of the messenger—boldly proclaiming the pure gospel without deceit, manipulation, flattery, greed, or a desire for human glory, all under the searching eye of God who “trieth our hearts.” Paul’s manner shows that what we refuse to do as we share Christ is just as important as what we say.

The sermon then unfolds Paul’s deep affection and clear aim. Like a nursing mother and a caring father, Paul was gentle, sacrificial, and personally invested—imparting not only the gospel of God, but his own soul, laboring night and day so as not to burden them. His goal was not merely a momentary decision, but that they would “walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.” Listeners are challenged to embody the gospel they proclaim: entering unbelievers’ lives with integrity, genuine love, and a long-term aim for their salvation and growth in a life worthy of God.

***first 33 minutes no audio - sorry for the inconvienence

In this message, Pastor Josh Strelecki, Pastor-Teacher, walked through 1 Thessalonians 1:5 to show how the gospel first came to the Thessalonians and what that means for us. He highlighted that Paul’s “our gospel” arrived “not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.” The gospel is not mere religious talk or human wisdom; it is the very power of God unto salvation, carried by weak vessels but effectually working in those who believe. It came to Thessalonica through great distance, in the midst of persecution, and it overturned their thinking—turning them from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven. This same message is distinct from all other words, sanctified by the Holy Ghost, and able to penetrate to the heart and conscience.

Pastor Strelecki exhorted us to remember how the gospel first came to us and to recognize what it has produced: a work of faith, a labor of love, and a patience of hope. The Thessalonians received the word “in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost,” becoming followers of Paul and of the Lord, even under pressure and opposition. We, too, have been entrusted with this powerful gospel; our task is not to dress it up with flattering speech or human technique, but to proclaim it plainly and confidently, trusting its inherent power. Rather than letting Scripture become competing “content” alongside our devices and distractions, we are called to open this book, believe what it says, and allow its power in the Holy Ghost to renew our minds, shape our relationships, and anchor us with much assurance in what God has done and will yet do in Christ.

In this introductory message to 1 Thessalonians, Josh Strelecki, Pastor-Teacher, surveys the historical and biblical background of the church at Thessalonica. He traces Paul’s movements from Philippi to Thessalonica in Acts 16–17, highlighting the city’s strategic importance as a major Macedonian seaport and crossroads, and explaining how Paul’s customary practice was to begin in the Jewish synagogue with the Scriptures. Over three Sabbaths, Paul reasoned from the Old Testament that Jesus had to suffer and rise again, and many Jews, Greeks, and chief women believed—forming the nucleus of the Thessalonian church. Due to ensuing persecution, Paul was forced to leave quickly for Berea, then Athens, and finally Corinth, all the while burdened with concern over how these young believers were faring under affliction. He sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to establish and comfort them, and when Timothy returned with a strong report, Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians from Corinth (around Acts 18:5).

Josh Strelecki, Pastor-Teacher, then outlines the primary purposes and themes of the letter. Paul writes to encourage the saints in their steadfastness, defend the integrity of his ministry, comfort them in suffering, exhort them in their daily walk (including diligent work), correct misunderstandings about prophetic events, and address relational tensions within the assembly. A key structural lens for the epistle is found in 1 Thessalonians 1:3—their “work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope”—which he uses to frame the letter’s flow: faith expressed in gospel reception and proclamation, love expressed in serving the living and true God and one another, and hope expressed in waiting for God’s Son from heaven. The coming of the Lord Jesus is woven throughout, not as mere prophecy charts, but as a practical motivator for holy living in light of the judgment seat of Christ. The aim, as presented, is that this “lovely epistle” would not remain a distant historical document, but actively renew our minds and shape how we walk, suffer, serve, and abound more and more until Christ’s return.

Have you ever started your view of God’s plan with yourself, your needs, or even with sin and redemption—rather than with Christ Himself? In this sermon from Colossians 1:15–17, we explore the “determinant counsel of God” before the foundation of the world and learn that everything God purposed began not with man, but with the exaltation of His Son. Christ is revealed as the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature, the One by whom and for whom all things were created, and the One in whom all things consist. From creation to authority structures, from history to eternity, everything is designed to center in and display the glory of Jesus Christ.

Building on supporting passages in 1 Peter 1, John 17, Psalm 2, Proverbs 8, Hebrews 10, and Ephesians 1, the message shows that Christ was foreordained before the world began, set up as the Father’s wisdom and delight, and willingly accepted the Father’s eternal will. Redemption, then, is not God’s main purpose but the necessary means to reach His ultimate goal: the full exaltation of His Son and the gathering together of all things in Christ. The sermon challenges us to stop beginning with ourselves and to start thinking from Christ outward—seeing creation, history, salvation, our identity, and our future all “in Him,” where God has placed every spiritual blessing.