Did the Church Fail?

By the world’s standards, the Thessalonian church looked like a failure—just like their crucified Savior. But what if losing is actually what victory looks like in God’s kingdom? In 1 Thessalonians 2, Paul reminds us that following Jesus means embracing weakness, rejection, and sacrifice. This message explores how Jesus redefines success, why opposition doesn’t mean defeat, and how looking like a failure may be the clearest sign that we’re actually walking in His victory.