Gidoy folks, welcome to the Church of the City, New York podcast. Good to have you with us.

This summer we are going to be in a series called Rediscovering Church. It is going to be a verse by verse teaching through the book of

one Thessalonians. This is a beautiful book, short book, potent book, with a ton of implications

for how to follow Jesus in a world like ours. If we can serve you anyway, please jump on our website

church.n.yc. And as always, hope you're doing well. Peace.

Tonight's teaching text, which is first Thessalonians 3, 1 through 5. And it says,

So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens.

We sent Timothy, who was our brother and co-worker in God's service, in spreading the gospel

of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled

by these trials.

For you know quite well that we are destined for them.

In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted, and it

turned out that way, as you well know.

For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent out to find about your faith.

I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our laborers have been in vain.

This is the word of the Lord.

Good evening, folks. If I haven't met you before, my name is Sam, and I'm one of the pastors here at Church of the City. So excited to be with you.

Very excited for the 6 p.m. service.

If you don't know this, this is hands down the best service.

Unapologetically.

John says this often, I feel the same way today.

I've consciously under preached all day just for you.

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