I THESSALONIANS CHAPTER 1
THE MODEL CHURCH
I. INTRODUCTION
It is obvious from the nature of the writing that the apostle Paul had very deep feelings for the individuals with whom he had shared the gospel. He was concerned with their spiritual welfare. This great pastor of churches held them close to his heart and held them up before God.
II. THEY WERE AN ELECT PEOPLE 1 Thessalonians 1:1-4
A. "Unto the Church"
It is important to remember that church in the New Testament has an
uncluttered meaning. Today we commonly associate. the term with the
building., Sunday morning services, or an organization with membership,
officers, programs, and planned activities. None of these ideas was
characteristic of the church of New Testament times. At that time, church
meant something basic and clear, namely community. The church was an
assembly of people, called out of the world into the closest of all possible
relationships. The church was and is the family of God.
(Lawrence Richards)
The word "church" in the Greek is ekklesia which means "a called out group." The church is not a social organization; it is a spiritual organism composed of people whom God has "called out of darkness into His marvelous light." W.W.
B. Paul was thankful for the people of Thessalonians.
C. How did Paul know these people were saved? Because of the evidences in
their lives:
1. Work of faith--> When a person honestly trusts Christ, his faith will be shown in works.
I Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
2. Labor of love --> The unsaved person lives a selfish life but the true believer is willing to labor because of love.
Hebrews 4:11 Let us labor
therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
3. Patience of hope --> The lost person is without hope; the believer has
endurance because he knows Christ is coming again.
D. It must be understood that they had accepted the Gospel in the midst of many
doctrines and philosophies. The did so with there lives. They received the
Word in much affliction.
E. They were in God's election. 1:4
Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
II Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
The mystery of God's election and man's decision will never be solved this side of Heaven. Just keep in mind that the Bible teaches BOTH. "How do you reconcile these truths?" a man once asked Spurgeon. The preacher replied, "I never have to reconcile friends." These twin truths of election and decision are
Not contradictory; they are complementary. W.W.
III. THEY WERE AN EXEMPLARY PEOPLE 1:5-7
A. They heard the Word, received it, and lived accordingly. v. 5
The Word came in power.
I Cor. 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
Romans 1:16 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even zHis eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
I Cor 1:23-24 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
B. They marked the perfect man and followed. v. 6
"followers" = imitator
"ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake."
1 Cor 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
1 Cor 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
This lead to persecution.
C. They became examples to others round about them --> ensamples. v. 7
1. Suffering for Christ
2. Encouraging others.
"Christians either encourage or discourage each another." W. W.
IV. THEY WERE AN ENTHUSIASTIC PEOPLE 1:8
"you sounded out the word of the Lord"
sounded out = to sound as a trumpet
"It is the responsibility and privilege of each local church to share the message of salvation to the lost world." W. W.
V. THEY WERE AN EXPECTANT PEOPLE 1:9-10
A. Serving God while others serve idols
"turning to God from idols to serve the living and true God."
Those who served idols had no hope after death.
dumb idols, even as ye were led.
I Cor 12;2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these
Ga 4:8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
B. Waiting for the Son, not wrath. (More later in Chapter 5:9)
Salvation is related to the second coming of Christ.
Titus 2:12 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;
Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Romana 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
C. Two aspects of the Lord's return distinguished.
1. Jesus Christ will come in the air for His church. This will usher in a period
of Tribulation on the Earth (I Thes. 5:1-3).
2. At the close of this period, He will return to the earth with His church
(II Thes. 1:5-10; Rev. 19:11-21), defeat His enemies, and then set up
His kingdom (Rev. 20:1-6).
D. "Wait" = "to await someone with patience and confidence, expectantly"
1. Some of the Thessalonians believers quit their work and became idle busybodies sarguing that the Lord was coming soon.
2. A local church that truly live in the expectation of seeing Jesus Christ at any
Time will be a vibrant and victorious group of people. This is
encouragement for:
a. Soul-winning.
b. Christian stability.
c. Comfort in sorrow.
