1 Thessalonians 1 : 6 - 10
6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. 9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to 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, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
1. Received the word in much affliction – a church faithful in the midst of persecution
• The Thessalonian people were facing intense persecution for their faith but that did not discourage them from being faithful.
• 2 Timothy 3 : 12 - Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
• We should not be surprised at persecution. It was promised in the bible.
• We should not look for persecution. There is no need to. However sometimes I think persecution is good for the church.
• Persecution reveals the depth of our faith – parable of the sower – the response of the shallow soil
• Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, including the persecution
• Acts 5 : 41 – 42 - 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
• Rev 2 : 10 - 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
2. … with joy of the Holy Spirit … - a church of joy
• Not only did the Thessalonian church receive the gospel in the midst of persecution, they did so with joy
• Joy is not dependent on circumstances. Happiness is but not joy.
• Rejoice always – note the circumstances in which this verse was written and addressed to. (1 Thessalonians 5)
• 1 Peter 1 : 6 – 8 - 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
• Joy is the fruit of the Spirit.
• The joy of the Lord is my strength
• One thing which will always make Christians attractive to the outside world is the joy of the Lord.
3. ….. so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe … - a good example
• As a result of the manner in which the Thessalonian Christians received the gospel and lived it out in their lives, they became an example to other believers
• What a great testimony if other Christians were to hear about what God is doing in your lives, individually and corporately so much so that you become examples for them.
• If another Christian were to look to you, would what they see be an inspiration?
• Paul said these words, ‘Follow me as I follow Christ’. Would we be able to say such a thing?
• Titus 2 : 7 - 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness
4. 8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything – a church that preached the gospel
• ‘for from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth’ – what this means is that the gospel was preached throughout the region from the Thessalonian church.
• It was a church that preached the gospel, they evangelised, they shared the gospel to the non believers in their region
• As a church, it is your responsibility to share the gospel, to your friends family etc. It is not only the responsibility of the church leadership, its your responsibility as well. Because you can reach certain people whether in your village or your neighborhood, in ways that this church leadership can’t.
• Now, some of you may say, ‘ But I am not trained, I haven’t gone to bible college, I don’t know the bible very well … etc’
• But I am always reminded of the story of Jesus and the woman at the well.
Romans 10 : 14
14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
5. and how you turned to God from idols - a church that turned from idols
• So the believers were previously idol worshippers but they turned away from their idol worship to worship the one true God.
• Idols today are different – not necessarily a wooden figurine.
Colossians 3 : 5
Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
• An idol is simply anything which is more important to us than God.
• As Christians it is possible for us to have idols.
• What you treasure most – of you treasure something in your heart more than God, than that is an idol. It could be anything – a person, a relationship, money, possessions, career. As long that thing is more important to you than God, if it occupies your mind and your heart more than God does, than its an idol.
• Sometimes as Christians, idols can develop. So we need to watch our hearts.
6. to serve the living and true God – They served God
• They served God
• There is no greater calling in life than to serve God. Not all of you will serve full time. But all of us are called to serve.
• One of my favourite illustrations is that of a human body. Its made up of many parts. In order for that body to function properly, all the parts must do their part.
• This church is like the human body of which Christ is the head. In order for this church to function as a church, all of you, the different body parts must do their part so that this body can grow and thrive.
• Parable of the talents, Jesus spoke of how all of us are given different talents. Some talents are more prominent then others.
• All of us are called to be faithful with our talents anyway because they will come a day when God will judge us based on how faithful we have been with our talents.
• We should strive to hear those words, ‘Well done good and faithful servant. You have been faithful, enter into joy of the Lord.’
7. 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. – They looked forward to Jesus’ return
• They looked forward to Jesus’ return
• Do you look forward to Jesus’ return?
• I know in the busyness of our lives, it is hard to think of Jesus coming back again.
• But the bible clearly says that we should look forward to His return with anticipation.
Matthew 24 : 42
42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming
James 5 : 7
7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.
1 John 3 : 2 – 3
2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
2 Timothy 4 : 8
8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
Recap – The church that God wants
1. A church that received the word in persecution
2. A church of joy
3. A church that was an example
4. A church that preached the gospel
5. A church that turned from idols
6. A church that served faithfully
7. A church that looked forward to the return of Jesus
