Mary Jenner was always ready to help someone out when there was a need. She was quick to make a meal for a sick family or come over and clean someone’s house when they were recovering from surgery. Mary was always giving and serving to those in her church and community. What made her story unique is that she had very little herself. Out of what she did have, she was always giving it to others. When people would thank her for her kindness, she always replied: “Pleased to share with you.”
1 Thessalonians 2:8
We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the Gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.”
Gospel & Community
Paul knew that sharing the Gospel took more than just preaching. He was pleased to share his whole life with those he came in contact. There is power in a community when the Gospel is at the center of it. It allows the Holy Spirit to have free reign to work in every area of our lives. That is when real transformation starts to happen, and churches and communities are changed.
Powerful Tool for Transformation
When we make ministry a task, we take the life out of it. When church attendance becomes just a Sunday event, we lose much of what was intended. The Gospel should be shared, but the fellowship that comes with that is just as important. Now, fellowship without the Gospel is just a club, but when the two are combined, it is a powerful tool to see lives transformed. Paul and his crew immersed themselves in the cities and churches they worked with and in that process who regions were impacted by Jesus Christ.
Pleased to Share with You
Make sure you are part of a loving church community. It can be scary to put ourselves out there and become part of a community of believers. Maybe you’ve been hurt in the past and don’t want to go through that again, but in doing so, you are missing out on opportunities to love those who need it. Care enough for those in your life where you are willing to give it all to see them grow in their relationship with Jesus.