"For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.¨
This entire letter from the Apostle Paul to the church in Thessalonica is one of instruction and encouragement. In fact so focused is he on the positive that we might more accurately characterize it as a letter of encouraging instruction; putting the emphasis on the encouraging part.
He jumps right in, after identifying himself and those in ministry with him from whom this letter comes as though it was a group effort, assuring the Thessalonians that he and his company thank God for this church, praying for them and remembering their work and faith and their expressions of love through their labors in the body and their steadfastness of hope in the Lord.
So right from the beginning this is a joyful letter in nature and an expression of Paul¡¦s pleasure in all the reports he has received about them.
Now I think it’s safe to say that there were two things that made Paul happiest. One was preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the other was seeing people respond to the gospel positively in faith and life that is, belief and action that demonstrated that belief.
Today I want to talk about the marks of a true Christian, as my title makes evident, and I think we can use chapter one verses 9 and 10 as a foundation upon which to build. Before we get into that topic though I think it will be helpful to us to talk about the message that brings about this faith, and the sort of acceptance of that message that invites and results in the kind of life response and behaviors that identify a person as a true Christian.
THE GOSPEL COMMUNICATED
If you’ve ever been in a class on communication, one of the first things you will learn is how to define communication. Communication takes place when there is a two-way exchange. In other words, I can say something to you, but I won’t know whether I have actually communicated the thought to you unless and until you respond to what I have said in a way that expresses understanding.
And of course, once you respond to me, I have the opportunity to respond to your response and communication continues.
Paul demonstrates in verse 5 how the Gospel was presented to the Thessalonians, then in verse 6 he shows how they responded and received that Gospel, thus completing communication.
See how he ends verse 4? "knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you. As we go through this, remember that they were chosen by God.
They did not choose Him, although their response to the Gospel is celebrated by Paul in these verses and they are commended for their faith and action, ultimately, they were chosen by God.
This is a fundamental doctrine of the Church. Jesus told His disciples, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you¡¨ and in his second letter to the Thessalonians (2:13) Paul writes that they were chosen by God from the beginning for salvation.
There are many proof texts to support this doctrine, so we believe it and we move on.
"for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit¡¨
No matter how true words are, they are only words unless the Holy Spirit is acting in them. There are a lot of words floating around out there to be sure. Not all of them are true.
But Paul’s gospel is true and we know that to the Romans he said the gospel is "the power of God for salvation¡¦. But even that gospel that truth about Jesus Christ must be accompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit in order to have its effect in the human heart and manifest the hearer as one of God’s chosen.
So Paul assures them, reminds them, that this message did not come to them in words only. This wasn’t just a group of well-meaning men standing before you and giving you good advice for living.
This was the good news of Jesus Christ being preached with conviction by men who in their lifestyle proved Godly and sincere, and it came to you in the power of the life-giving Holy Spirit of God!
So that’s the first half of the communication process. The truth was conveyed and it was brought through men but in supernatural power.
The second half of the process, finishing the communication and bringing about the results of completed communication, is recorded in the words "You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word.¨
Now he goes on to describe the conditions under which the word was received but let’s not move too quickly here.
The second and completing half of communication is responding to information conveyed with acknowledged and demonstrated receipt of the information. So Paul’s gospel was conveyed with conviction and it was received with joy, and at both ends the Holy Spirit was working!
How do I get that? I get that out of verse 6 and the phrase "in much tribulation." Only the true believer, empowered by the Holy Spirit, can respond with joy during much tribulation. It is one thing to say Paul preached and they heard. But it is by the Holy Spirit’s power that they believed unto salvation and it is by His power that they who were in tribulation received it with joy.
Now just before we move to verses 9 and 10 I want you to see from verses 7 and 8 that there were evidences of this initial process of these Thessalonians becoming Christ-followers. This was not a mental assent only. This was not done quietly and secretively, and the change that took place in these folks was not only inward.
They became a good example to believers all over the vast region, and their own declaration of what they had heard and come to believe was trumpeted to people everywhere they went.
When a person is chosen of God and brought to Him by the power of the Holy Spirit in salvation and new life there is change. There is dramatic change. Old things are passed away, new things have come, said Paul to the Corinthians, and that is true of every person of every age.
The Thessalonians had heard and received the good news of Jesus Christ in faith and that faith had been put to work, even in much tribulation, with joy sounding forth the Gospel all over Macedonia and in Achaia because when the Holy Spirit brings life and Jesus Christ becomes the Lord of the heart a process has been accomplished that cannot be hidden or stifled. It is Light. It is Life. It is Joy. It must find expression.
In these Thessalonians it did find much expression; so much so that Paul as he went around the region, without having to say anything himself, was hearing stories about himself and his fellow ministers and how well-received they were in Thessalonica! Can you imagine that?
Imagine you go to a city and find a public forum to tell the people the gospel, and they believe it and you stay and work with them a while. Then at a later date you come back through the region and as you go people are stopping you and saying, "Hey, I heard all about how you went to that town and told them the good news, and they all changed! And they came here and told us also, and we’ve changed¨ What a great story!
TURNING FROM PAGANISM
Now there are two basic evidences that mark the true believer in Christ. All other evidences that are expressed through the new nature and character, I believe, are built up on these two.
The first one is that there is a turning away from paganism in general. So the first order of business is to define paganism.
I looked up the word "paganism" in Merriam Webster’s dictionary and it was very helpful. It said, "The quality or state of being a pagan¨.
So I looked up "pagan"
1 : HEATHEN 1; especially : a follower of a polytheistic religion (as in ancient Rome)
2 : one who has little or no religion and who delights in sensual pleasures and material goods : an irreligious or hedonistic person
Now someone who is sharp and paying attention may be thinking right now that Paul did not use the word "pagan" in our text, so why is this preacher going on about pagans and paganism?
I¡’m doing this because Paul is commending them for turning to God from idols, but the actual worship of idols is only a demonstration of paganism in general. And since most people in our modern society would not see themselves as worshipers of idols, I want to go right to the root of the matter and show that fundamentally a person must turn from his lifestyle of paganism and Godlessness, however that paganism and Godlessness might be practiced in the life; that he or she must turn from that to serve the living and true God.
Ok, so we’ve defined paganism and we know that often paganism is manifested in the worship of idols. And I think we can now define the nature of paganism by describing the changes from paganism to Godliness that take place when a person turns to serve the true and living God.
These are the marks of a true Christ-follower; they are the changes you will see if a person’s testimony is true when they claim to be a Christian.
1. They will have new values. Their entire system of values will change.
They will go from a general acceptance of the world view which has few if any firm convictions and says things like "If it feels good do it", or "If it doesn’t hurt anyone else there’s nothing wrong with it", or "The ends justify the means", or "There is no absolute truth, but all truth is relative¡" and things such as this, to a view that God is true and every man a liar. You see? It is a complete reversal.
They will begin to see and believe that no matter what information comes to them from whatever source, God’s Word is the ultimate authority and that it is true and infallible and inerrant.
They will begin to see right as right and wrong as wrong and develop a firm conviction that there is a black and white distinction between the two.
They will value God’s glory and His worthiness to be worshiped and obeyed, and they will want to defend His holy name.
They will begin to devalue and recognize the lack of value in the passing things the people of the world cling to. They will begin to recognize those things as idols of the heart and they will turn from them to serve the living and true God.
2. They will have new desires.
The true Christ-follower because of the Spirit of Christ in him, will cease to desire that which is harmful and ungodly and selfish and lacking in eternal value, and begin to desire the things that are eternal. Listen to Paul:
"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.¨ Col 3:1-3
"For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.¨ 2 Cor 4:17-18
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.¨ Rom 12:2
One more:
"For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, 3 inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. 4 For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.¨ 2 Cor 5:1-5
This is just a smattering of Scriptural examples of the sort of unworldly desires, other-worldly desires , that mark the true born again believer.
The true Christian desires less and less of the things and comforts and pursuits and goals of this world, and desires more and more the things that are eternal, that are pleasing to God, that are divine in nature.
What do you witness in the people around you who claim to be Christians? Do you see these changes in values and desires? Do you see Godly values demonstrated in their life and decision-making? Do you see in them expressions of heart-felt desire for the things which are not seen and eternal? If you don’t, they are not a Christian. I don’t care what they tell you.
If I am walking in the woods and I see a snake, and the snake says, "Don¡¦t worry, I’m just a friendly puppy dog and I won’t hurt you,¨ I am going to say, "No, I see that you have no appendages, and you slither on your belly, and you have all the physical characteristics and mannerisms of a snake, therefore I conclude that you are a snake.¨
3. They have a new joy.
This is the next thing that demonstrates a turning from paganism to serve the living and true God. They will have a newfound joy that Peter calls a ’joy inexpressible and full of glory’. Do you remember what Peter equates this sort of joy with? Listen to 1 Peter 1:6-8
"In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,¨ 1 Pet 1:6-8
Remember what Paul has said about the Thessalonians? They received the word (the gospel) in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit.
Tribulation and joy. Tribulation and joy. They seem to go hand in hand in the New Testament like soup and sandwich; horse and carriage; love and marriage! ļ
4. The next mark we see of someone who has turned from paganism to God is new behaviors in general. I’m talking about just everyday reactions and responses to life, and behaviors that express the new values, desires and joy just talked about.
A sister passage to our text can be found in Titus 2:11-13
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,¨
EXPECTANT WAITING FOR JESUS
The second fundamental mark of the true Christ-follower is that he, with eager anticipation, waits for the coming of Jesus Christ.
Now think about this for a second. Expectancy is an emotion, isn’t it? Eager anticipation is an emotion.
So if this is a mark or a characteristic of the one who is a true believer, and we are talking about others being able to recognize the true believer by these marks, then it follows that the expectant waiting must somehow manifest itself physically.
Well, I think Paul has given us the evidences of a people eagerly awaiting the fulfillment of Christ¡¦s promise to return, right here in his praise of them in the opening verses of this letter.
Now let me remind you, that in our text he has said that people in Macedonia and Achaia reported to Paul that the Thessalonians had given Paul a good reception, that they turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.
So we back up in order to find our evidence.
Let me give you an example of my thought process. Imagine you are watching a detective program on television or reading a detective novel. Early in the story the detective investigating a certain case observes the actions of a young man. He sees the young man playing baseball. The next day he goes to the young man¡¦s home and the fellow is wearing a baseball mitt and is casually tossing a baseball in the air and catching it. The detective goes to the young man’s room and sees baseball memorabilia and collector’s items spread around the room.
Later, the detective is in another place talking to the young man¡¦s uncle, and the uncle says "My nephew is fanatically interested in baseball. He’s hoping someday to play in the major leagues.¨ And the detective replies, "Yes, I have observed over the past few days that baseball is his great obsession.¨
Well, when Paul tells the Thessalonians in verse 10 that it has been reported to him that these people are expectant about the return of Christ, we can go back to what we observed earlier and say, "We agree; we have seen the signs". Let’s look at them.
Here is verse 3 again.
"constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father¨
I submit to you, fellow Christ-followers, that the evidences in the life of a believer that he is expectant that the Lord will soon return as promised, is that his faith will be demonstrated in work, that is in activity and lifestyle consistent with that expectation, and his love will be shown in faithful and dedicated labor among the brethren and in the ministration of the Gospel, and he will exude a steadfastness of hope in the promise of Christ, even in the midst , perhaps more so in the midst, of tribulation, trial, even persecution.
Now I want to say just a few words about the last phrase of verse 10, so before we go there let me just run down the list of the marks of a true Christian that are given to us in verses 3 ¡V 9, remembering that I’m putting before you today these two foundational marks upon which the others are built; a turning to God from idolatry (paganism), and a joyful watchfulness for Christ’s coming.
Here is the list.
Verse 3a, Working faith
Verse 3b, Laboring love
Verse 3c, Enduring hope
Now number 4, found in verse 5, is really the first thing that marks the believer, but it’s in verse 5 so we come to it now: reception of the Gospel. That’s just a given. Just let me remind you at this juncture that while we know that God chooses us for salvation, we are held accountable for our reception of the Good News when it comes to us. Those who reject the Good News will also be held accountable, to their destruction.
The next mark is a desire to emulate the Lord , to be like Jesus. That’s in verse 6a.
In 6b we find the joyful endurance of tribulation. Not just a muddling through with shoulders hunched and a hangdog look on our face. No. What marks the true believer and sets him apart from all others is his confidence that no matter what comes he is safely in the palm of the omnipotent, omniscient God, and all His promises are true and sure. This is what brings joy from way deep inside, and a peace and contentment that can be seen by others.
The next mark is exemplary behavior. "so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.¨
Christian, your life is supposed to be an example to other believers. A mark of the true Christ-follower is that others who are also Christ-followers will see by your life example that Jesus is Lord in your life.
Now I make this distinction. Unbelievers are not qualified to judge whether your life testifies of Christ. Sure, they can see if you’re a hypocrite; but they often misunderstand our actions and our expressions, and since they don’t know the Scriptures they have no accurate information to gauge by. Therefore their assessment of a Christian is way off base.
But Paul commends them for being a good example for other believers because their behavior has both inspired and instructed the brethren.
Finally, in verse 8 to 9a, we find the faithful proclamation of the Word of God.
Not all Christians are called to preach, but all Christians are certainly called to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
"but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;¨ 1 Peter 3:15
In Colossians 4:5-6 there is no specific mention of the Gospel, but it is unarguable that Paul has the proclamation of the Gospel in mind as he exhorts them:
"Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person¨
This cannot be disputed, church. The Gospel is the power of God for salvation for all who believe. If a person is ashamed and embarrassed to talk about what Jesus has done for him on the cross and in His resurrection, or if he is unwilling because for some crazy reason he feels another person is too sinful to deserve hearing it, he (or she) should examine themselves closely and ask God to reveal to them if they are actually in the faith.
The joyful proclamation of the Good News should flow from a Christian at every opportunity that presents itself, because it is the fundamental truth that has given them life.
So those are the marks of the true Christian. Turn from self and the world to serve the Living and True God, and eagerly await the coming of Jesus Christ your Lord. If these things are true of you, they will be demonstrated in your life as they were in the Thessalonians and in all true believers everywhere and in every age.
DELIVERED FROM WRATH
Listen to the way JB Phillips paraphrases the last line of verse 10
"who personally delivered us from the judgment which hung over our heads¨
Paul has been talking about God’s choosing of the elect and the salvation that comes upon joyful reception of the Gospel message.
When he gets to this portion in verse 10 his reference to wrath specifically means the wrath of God against all ungodliness that is manifested in the condemnation of sinners.
Generally speaking we could say that Paul is teaching here that believers will be delivered from the wrath of God that will be poured out in the Great Tribulation. But that specific and physical deliverance will only apply to those who are raptured and kept from the period of tribulation prophesied in John’s Revelation.
Paul is teaching something here in 1 Thessalonians that applies to every true Christian from beginning to end. We are all destined for wrath until we are justified by God¡¦s grace through faith in the shed blood and resurrection of Christ.
In Romans 5:9 Paul says:
"Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.¨
The word translated ’delivers’ in some Bibles is ’rescues’ in others. It is a rescue. In the ancient world the concept of divine wrath was believed in and accepted but there was no hope of rescue from it.
Paul’s good news is that God’s Son, whose coming from heaven the true believer eagerly awaits, rescues us from wrath.
This was the purpose of the cross! This is the end goal of God’s eternal purpose in us, believers, to deliver us from wrath and bring us into His kingdom.
"in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." 2 Tim 4:8
This is the final mark of the true Christian, and you can rejoice in this if you know you are a true believer, born from above by God¡¦s choosing and grace through faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ; you are rescued and are rescued eternally from the wrath of a holy God against sin.
His final stamp of ownership on you will be your glorification; the final mark of the true Christian that does not come through and out of the believer’s behavior and lifestyle, but that God Himself marks him with as He makes the true Christian just like His Son Jesus in the glory of his eternal home.
I’m going to leave our text to bring this to a close, and let this be our benediction today.
We have been in chapter 1:9-10; listen to chapter 5:9-10
"For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.¨
The final mark of the true Christian.
