Bible Reference:  1 Thessalonians 2:7-12 Fearless preachers; they were out there.  They were stoned, imprisoned, yet they considered themselves blessed. The message cuts, if the world likes us then we need to consider what message we are preaching. In book of Galatians the people got the message but then people came along to say they had to follow the Law (Judaism).  But that's not the gospel message given to them. Thessalonians models how the church should operate. They took the beatings; they faced persecution and they praised God and loved the people around them. V 7 - the apostles put into people wholeheartedly.   The gospel is not a commodity we give to people.  It's not a duty.  The gospel penetrates and transforms us. Nursing mother - who cared, fed and brought up children.   They gave; they didn't take. The nursing mother took care of child as if the child was their own.  The church in Thessalonica was like a newborn who needed a nursing mother.   It require

Bible ref:  Genesis 2:19-24; Genesis 1:27 We are to look after what we've been given. We are made in God's image and this gives us responsibility.   Hallelujah! Jesus Christ is our Lord and we are made in God's image.   Psalm 139:13-14  This is how much God knows you.  Psalm 139:23-24  Ephesians 5:30-32 Whose image are you made in? Psalm 139:23-24

When I say you are made in God's image; how would you describe that? It was an honour to make mankind last.  God put all in place before he made people. God made wild animals and livestock.   He made male and female.   He gave us a job - rule over.  He gave us food and resources.  In His image he created mankind.   We are made in God's image.  Who are we going to follow? Colossians 1:15-18