The word sounded forth

For from you the word of the Lord has 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. For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,  - 1 Thessalonians 1.8-9

The previous verse spoke about the importance of being an example. Here Paul goes on to describe exactly how much that example matters and what being an example can accomplish.

As a result of their example the Thessalonians accomplished much. Through them the word of God sounded forth. Their faith was seen by everyone around them. People saw the impact of them turning from idols to serve the living and true God.

Let’s go back a couple of days. We saw a couple of days ago that the gospel cannot just be a bunch of words that we speak. While our verbal witness is important it needs something to back it up. It is being an example that makes that difference. Here is how the Thessalonians made a difference.

Their faith went out to people around them. It was so obvious that Paul didn’t even need to talk about it.

The Macedonians and Achaians were so impressed by the lives of the Thessalonians that they told Paul about it.

The proof in the pudding was that they ‘turned from idols to serve the living and true God.’ The testimony of these Christians was such that Paul didn’t even need to talk about it.

Our lives should shout out our faith. Our faith must be real and visible.

And our changed lives must back it up.