The church at Thessalonica was the Apostle Paul’s first church plant, founded on his second missionary journey. In Acts 16, Paul had received the “Macedonian” vision from the Lord to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to Europe.
Thessalonica was the capital city of Macedonia. It was a strategic city because its famous harbor and roadway known as the Egnatian Way (went West to Rome and East to Asia) made for the rapid spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Paul was not a welcome guest to Thessalonica. Because of the fierce persecution that rose up against him, he had to flee for his life only a couple weeks after arriving.
Knowing the need for need for new Christians to develop a deep faith and ongoing devotion to the Lord Jesus, Paul wrote them a letter encouraging them in the basics of Christianity – assurance of salvation, strong biblical doctrine (eschatology), maturing faith in the midst of persecution, strong morals in an immoral world, respect for church leadership and one another, living in the power of the Holy Spirit, etc.
In light of the Lord’s return, Paul urged these new believers to be FOUND FAITHFUL in their worship of the Risen Savior.
I. Experienced A Great Salvation
A. Bedrock of Salvation
Paul, Sivlanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: - 1 Thessalonians 1:1
Note – Great churches are made up of people who have experienced a great salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Note – The local church is not a country club to which you pay dues, but is a community of faith - people whose lives have been purchased by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Note – “The church is not a club we join, a retirement plan we subscribe to, or a competition we enter to win a trophy. It is a family of love where we serve one another. This is only possible because of our relationship to God.” – Knute Larson
Note - The Lord Jesus Christ is the Lord, leader, lover of the church.
and salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone, to the glory of God the Father alone.
Note – The word “Gospel” means good news. It is the Good News that God loves you so much that He sent His Son the Lord Jesus Christ to live a sinless life, die on the cross of Calvary, buried, risen on the third day, and alive forevermore! He desires a personal relationship with you, relationship not religion.
Note – There is no greater joy in life than to serve God from a heart filled with gratitude and grace to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Note – Remember the day you got saved…
Note – Do you know for sure you are saved? Some rest on feelings, some believe they’ve lost salvation due to failures. Salvation is based on faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!
B. Benefits of Salvation
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Thessalonians 1:1
Note - Grace – God’s unmerited kindness and favor upon us and Peace – Peace with God, Confident, secure in the love of God
Note – God’s grace and peace daily - Not just for when we get to heaven, but now!
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27
Note – No matter how hard we try, only God can give us this peace when we trust in His Son.
Note - Peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of God. —J. Oswald Sanders
Note – More benefits of salvation – (1) Partners (2) Prayers (3) Purpose – “work of faith,” “labor of love, “patience of hope”- we can confidently worship and serve the Lord Jesus Christ – no matter what – the best is yet to come!
Note – “Chosen” – Jesus said in John 6:44, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him…” There will be a desire for worship…word…to leave sin behind and live a genuinely changed life.
Note – Genuine salvation brings about a changed life. There is great encouragement in knowing God is for you and not against you! We worship and serve the Lord Jesus not to “get” but to “give” out of gratitude for who He is and what He’s done/doing in our lives.
II. Empowered By God’s Spirit
A. Life In the Spirit
Note – The most important thing a preacher can do is preach the gospel of Jesus Christ! Without Jesus as Savior, people are hopeless, helpless, hell-bound.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” Romans 1:16
"For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5
Note – Jesus is the One who suffered on the cross (in my place and yours) – Jesus is the One who sympathizes with the sinner – Jesus is the One who offers you salvation and new life – It is only in the Name of Jesus that we have everlasting life (Acts 4:12)
Note – Oprah Winfrey promoted recently on her show - A Course on Miracles - teaches the New Age worldview which includes the belief that there is no sin, no evil and no devil. The book asserts false beliefs such as, “a slain Christ has no meaning” and “Do not make the pathetic error of ‘clinging to the old rugged cross.’” Of the biblical view of the atonement, the book asserts: “The atonement…teaches that, never having sinned, (man) has no need of salvation.”
Note - Word of God (Scriptures) and the Witness of God (Spirit) brought about this new life.
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.” John 16:7
B. Leadership of the Spirit
Note – The Spirit of God brought peace, power, and also helped these new followers of Christ pattern themselves after great men of God.
Note – In High School, I was fortunate to have two great friends, Wayne Patton and John Rennie, who stood out to me as a great examples of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Character, Compassionate, Consistent, etc.)
Note – Today, I am thankful for the spiritual leadership being shown in the SBC by men of God such as Pastor Johnny Hunt, Dr. Robert White, Dr. Frank Page, etc. They are blazing in their devotion to the Lord and a lost world!
Note – There is a great need for godly role models today! (Tim Tebow)
Note – It’s natural for children to desire to be like their parents – in the same way, children of God desire to be more like their Savior.
Ephesians 5:1-2, “…be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and an sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling sacrifice.”
Note – Can you think of the person who was the best Christ-like example in your life?
Note - If we become too comfortable in our churches, we lose compassion for the lost!
Note – Two of the strongest NT churches were Philippi and Thessalonica – Corinth was the most gifted, but they were not the most godly. God is looking for Christians and churches that are following hard after Him!
Note – It’s not about being “perfect” but following the “Perfect One.”
III. Expecting God's Son
A. Turn from Sin
Note – They had turned to God from idols
Note – Golf was an idol to me as a young person. The Lord Jesus Christ will not play #2 in your life. When He is truly Lord and first in your life, sin is not nearly as attractive…godly living is.
Note – How many people today are empty because they’ve never found a real reason for living? People measure success by their material gains, possessions, promotions. God measures success through knowing, following Him, believing His word. True fulfillment is in the “Living and True God.”
Note – “The idols are counterfeit; God is true. An idol has no ability to help; God can enter our lives and bring victory out of defeat, order out of chaos, blessing out of cursing.” – Jimmy Draper
B. Turned to the Savior
Note – The Lord Jesus Christ is coming back and in the meantime we are to wait for Him and also serve Him.
Note – What relationship would you seek to mend? What lost soul would you witness to? What ministry would you serve in if you knew Jesus was coming this time next year?
"You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!" (James 5: 8-9).
"…and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away" (1 Peter 5:4).
"And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming" (1 John 2: 28).
Note – Had Jesus stayed in the grave, we would all be hopeless, and there would be no need to turn to Him. However, Jesus is the risen Son of God, He is our Creator, He is the Judge.
Note – Trusting in Jesus means we acknowledge what He’s done for us on the cross of Calvary and relying on Him alone for everlasting life.
"…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).
"For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living" (Romans 14:9).
Note – Would you receive Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior right now?
