THE DYNAMIC GOSPEL
1 THESSALONIANS 1:1-10
#1Thessalonians1
INTRODUCTION… HOW MUCH TIME DOES IT TAKE TO PLAN A… (p)
[wildapricot.com/blog/how-to-plan-an-event]
What does it take to plan an event? One website I consulted said that there are 10 normal steps that need to be considered for any type of event. The steps range from organizing the team to setting a budget to planning the actual date and time and place for the event. In the checklists and advice, they mention that one should leave 4-6 months to plan an event. Keep that in mind… 4-6 months.
[lifestyle.howstuffworks.com/event-planning/how-to-organize-basketball-tournament]
What does it take to organize a basketball tournament? When thinking about a sports tournament, there is gear, vendors, equipment, insurances and liability, space for games, and cost for putting on the event. One website notes: “Also give yourself plenty of time to plan the event. The Amateur Athletic Union recommends starting the preparations at least 180 days before the tournament starts. Otherwise, the weeks leading up to the event could become a mad, stressful scramble, and some important tasks might fall through the cracks.”
What does it take to plant a church? Braeden has a degree in church planting and I asked him to think back on his classes and what is the recommended time suggested for planting a church. He said there is not a recommended time for launching a church, but it is recommended that at least 1 year of planning take place in learning about the area, the people, and the needs of the community. 1 whole year!
I mention these things because today we are starting a new sermon series through 1 and 2 Thessalonians. For me personally, I have not preached through 1 or 2 Thessalonians before and I am excited to see what God has for us in these two small New Testament books! These letters are written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Thessalonica which he himself began, but it was a brief beginning for the church and Paul was not there very long. There was not a lot of planning for this church and the beginning of the church was one with much opposition which smashed all their planning and organization.
We can read about the beginning of the Thessalonian Church in Acts 17.
READ ACTS 17:1-10a (ESV)
“Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. 5 But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. 6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, 7 and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” 8 And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. 9 And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. 10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea…”
Acts 17 shares with us that Paul and Silas were with these Christians for three weeks. Verse 2 tells us that he was with them for three Sabbath days… three whole weeks. After those three weeks, they were driven from the city leaving behind new believers. I am not sure how much a person can teach and disciple in three weeks, but that was all the time Paul and Silas had to begin the church, start discipling them about the Lord Jesus, helping them to worship, and everything else that comes with being a believer in Jesus.
Paul reflects about this time in 1 Thessalonians 2:
READ 1 THESSALONIANS 2:17-18 (ESV)
“But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, 18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us.”
Eventually after a great deal of time, Paul would return to Thessalonica, but it was after he wrote 1st and 2nd Thessalonians and after he trained up leaders one on one from there to minister in the church there. The letters of 1st and 2nd Thessalonians are Paul, Silas, and Timothy’s attempt to help this church from afar even while they are trying to get back to them to build up their faith.
Hopefully that gives you a little background to the church and how strange and quick the beginning of the church actually was! Let’s read from 1 Thessalonians 1.
READ 1 THESSALONIANS 1:1–10 (ESV)
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. 2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Paul begins the letter of 1 Thessalonians by focusing on the Gospel message that he briefly introduced to them. He commends them that they received the Gospel in affliction and yet they have been a great example to other believers in other towns around them. They have spread the word about Jesus. They have done well. They are serving “the living and true God” (verse 9).
In the midst of chapter 1, Paul focuses in verses 4-5 about the Gospel message and I believe the truths he presents to the Thessalonians are truths you and I need to hear.
THE GOSPEL IS NOT JUST WORDS (VERSES 4-5)
The Apostle Paul reflects that the Thessalonians received the words they shared about the Gospel message. Looking over chapter 1… what kind of words did Paul share with them? What did he share with them about the Christian faith?
Verse 1: God is our Father in Heaven and His Son is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Verse 1: We can have grace and peace through Jesus Christ.
Verse 2: Prayer is connecting with God the Father in Jesus.
Verse 3: Faith in Jesus is steadfast hope in Him based on His love for us.
Verse 4: God has called us to believe in His Son Jesus.
Verse 5: Believing in Jesus Christ brings with it the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Verse 5: Believing in Jesus Christ brings conviction from the Holy Spirit.
Verse 6: Believers in Jesus imitate the life and teachings of Jesus.
Verse 6: Believers in Jesus do not expect easy lives, but can expect affliction because of faith.
Verses 7-8: Faith in Jesus Christ is to be shared with others.
Verse 9: Faith in Jesus means we turn from sinful worldly ways and serve God.
Verse 9: Believers in Jesus have faith that God is living and true.
Verse 10: Jesus rose from the dead.
Verse 10: Jesus will return.
Verse 10: Jesus will deliver believers in Him from wrath.
I am sure that Paul shared many things with the Thessalonians. Chapter 1, as he is beginning his letter to them, feels a little but like a review of some of the truths he shared with them in his brief time with them, but more than anything, Paul is expressing to the Thessalonians that the Gospel is not just words.
The dynamic Gospel message at its very core is faith in Jesus Christ that bears out in practical conviction that means our life aligns with God. Let me say that again because it is very important: The dynamic Gospel message at its very core is faith in Jesus Christ that bears out in practical conviction that means our life aligns with God.
What does that mean?
A Christian will have at the same time faith and also deeds that match.
You and I can’t just say we are a Christian… there needs to be fruit.
Bible reading is an essential part of our lives that not only changes what you believe, but how we live.
Prayer is an essential part of our life that changes our heart to align with God’s heart.
Worship with other believers is not optional, but essential in being part of the Body of Christ.
You and I will change what we think and how we think and what we feel to match our God.
You and I will live within the boundaries of what God has established because we know His way is best.
It means all of those things and so much more.
It means the faith we profess is not just a bunch of words, but that it actually impacts our lives.
The Apostle Paul shares with these Christians that the Gospel message is not just about the words he shared with them… even though all those words are true… but it is about the change in life patterns and ways of living that are produced as a result of the living faith we profess to have. The power of the Holy Spirit in us because we believe the Gospel is not just for the salvation of our souls, but the transformation of our souls.
In Christ our souls are changed.
In Christ we have new and better purpose.
In Christ our lives should be very different than those who are not in Christ.
BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATION… Simon in Acts 8 (p)
My friend Jason and I are currently using the YouVersion Bible App to read through a devotional that covers the Books of Luke and Acts. This past week, on Monday, one of the passages was in Acts 8 and is a perfect illustration of what I am trying to say.
In Acts 8, we meet a man named Simon.
READ ACTS 8:9-13
“But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. 10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” 11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.”
We meet this man Simon and he practices magic and does not know God. He is a person of influence among the people of Samaria and enjoyed being the center of much attention and influence. He comes to believe in Jesus Christ. It says in verse 13 specifically that he believed. It says specifically in verse 13 that he was baptized. He says he believes. He has been immersed. Let’s see what happens with this fellow Simon a few verses down in the chapter.
READ ACTS 8:18-22
“Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.”
Simon had said he believed in Jesus with words. He said all the right things. The Gospel is not just words. The dynamic Gospel message at its very core is faith in Jesus Christ that bears out in practical conviction that means our life aligns with God. Simon said he believed, but went on about his life as though nothing had changed. He was speaking the words of the Gospel, but living apart from the change of the Gospel.
My friend Jason said: “Simon tried to buy the ability of laying on hands not to be doing God’s work, but rather to be the center of attention.” Simon said words, but the Gospel was empty in his life.
SUMMARY/CHALLENGE
The power of the Holy Spirit is not just for salvation, but transformation in our lives. The Apostle Paul shares with the Thessalonians that they are loved by God and He has chosen them. They accepted the Gospel message and because they accepted the Gospel message, their lives have been changed and altered and the Holy Spirit convicts them to align with Christ.
Is that true of us? Is that true of you?
Are you just playing the role of Christian on Sundays or is it deeper?
TRANSITION
The Apostle Paul speaks truth to these dear believers in Thessalonica that the Gospel is not just words. He moves on and also describes the power that comes with the Gospel.
POWER OF THE GOSPEL (VERSE 5)
The word “power” is used 250 times in the Old and New Testaments and is used 118 times in the New Testament alone. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not just words, but is associated with real power and actual transformation and life regeneration and firm connection to God. Most of the time people in the world see Christians and see what we hate and what we are against and weak faith. The Gospel is not about what we are against or what we find sinful or what might offend our sensibilities or our preferences, but rather about the regenerating transformative power of Jesus Christ in our lives.
There is nothing more powerful on this planet than a believer in Jesus Christ who knows what he or she believes and lives it out! May we as believers in Jesus Christ show the power of God in our lives in the transformation and regeneration and connection with God that we have!
What power is there in the Gospel?
POWER OF SALVATION
ROMANS 1:6 (ESV)
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”
1 CORINTHIANS 1:18 (ESV)
“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
POWER TO CONTINUE IN FAITH
1 CORINTHIANS 2:5 (ESV)
“so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”
1 CORINTHIANS 4:20 (ESV)
“For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.”
POWER TO GIVE US VICTORY IN GOD
ROMANS 8:37-39 (ESV)
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
POWER TO DESTROY STRONGHOLDS OF SIN IN LIFE
2 CORINTHIANS 10:4 (ESV)
“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.”
POWER OF HOPE
ROMANS 15:13 (ESV)
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
EPHESIANS 1:18-19 (ESV)
“having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might…”
POWER TO OVERCOME WEAKNESS
2 CORINTHIANS 12:9 (ESV)
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
EPHESIANS 3:16 (ESV)
“that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being”
POWER TO OVERCOME FEAR
2 TIMOTHY 1:7
“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control”
POWER TO BE A WITNESS FOR CHRIST AND SHARE OUR TESTIMONY
ACTS 1:8 (ESV)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
ACTS 4:33 (ESV)
“And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.”
I asked the question a moment ago… What power is there in the Gospel? Maybe the better question might be What power isn’t there in the Gospel? The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of salvation, to continue in faith, and victory in this life over sin-filled strongholds. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of hope, overcoming weakness, and overcoming fear. The Gospel of Jesus Christ empowers us to be witnesses for God about all He has done in regenerating and transforming us! What power isn’t there in the Gospel?!
SUMMARY/CHALLENGE
The power of the Gospel is real and available and infused in us by the Holy Spirit. May we not quench the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19) in our lives or have “the appearance of godliness, but deny[ing] its power” (2 Timothy 3:5). I want to encourage you today more than anything else to live out the power of the Gospel that you already possess as a believer in Jesus Christ!
GOSPEL PRESENTATION
Maybe you are here today and you know that you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. You know you are not saved and have no assurance of faith and sin rules you. Maybe you have no hope or are plagued by weakness and fear. Maybe you are only a witness in your life about yourself and your selfish desires.
God in Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit wants to much more for you than that.
PRAYER
CONCLUSION
We talked today about how the Gospel is much more than just words, but is the power of God in our lives. As we sing today, if you need to accept Jesus Christ, please come forward. As we sing today, if you are a believer, pray that these truths would be lived out in your life.
