A Famous Faith

As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Greece—throughout both Macedonia and Achaia.

And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don’t need to tell them about it, for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God. And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment. 1 Thessalonians 1:7-10, NLT

This whole concept of "a famous faith" took root in my thoughts last night as we studied the book of 1 Thessalonians at First Norfolk. At first glance, the knee jerk reaction is to say, "We are not faithful for the purpose of fame!" To that, I would say, "Amen!" But when you take this passage in context, it overwhelms me with the reality of Matthew 5:16 that says,

"In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."

I think of all that God has done through the people of First Norfolk over the past two weeks and I am just amazed! We were able to see about 1,000 children pass through our halls for VBS and then we took VBS to disabled children every afternoon at St. Mary's Home for Disabled Children. We hosted four nights of family friendly comedy for the Hampton Roads community by taking this opportunity to Norfolk, Suffolk, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach. We conducted a medical clinic at the Union Mission in which over 30 people received health care and at least one person made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ! We held a cookout for the residents of the Gosnold apartments who are recovering from chronic homelessness. And the list goes on and on.

When a church is famous for being faithful, it is the body of Christ that is receiving the fame! Much like the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 115:1,

"Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness." We do have to wage war against the pride that so easily entangles our souls and make sure that we are delighting in God's glory over everything else. There is not a litmus test for such, but rather it is a personal, Holy Spirit guided and controlled, examination that we undergo as we take up the cross daily and follow Christ.

So the question remains...do you have a famous faith? Are you pioneering into new territory in your spiritual life or have you become rather comfortable in the status quo? As you hear our current series on being "STRETCHED," how does that apply to your life? We have a significant opportunity to make a great impact in Hampton Roads by reaching out to the people of North Suffolk. It may require the abandonment or partial abandonment of some of our comforts so that God's fame might spread...but isn't it worth it?!

I love what has become the theme for our first t-shirts at North Suffolk Fellowship:

"...as long as the sun shines, may his fame increase." Psalm 72:17

May we always be missionary followers of Christ who wholeheartedly seek God's glory and fame through faith!

Don't forget to join us on July 29th at the Riverfront Swim Club from 6-9p.m. for a great time of fellowship and prayer towards the future of North Suffolk Fellowship.