Be Ready!
"The Stained Glass Aquarium"
1 Thes. 1
Intro.
Israel is once again at war. We’ve all heard the news. It’s a powder-keg over there. Whenever something happens in Israel, we wonder again if this could be the end, when Jesus returns. It’s a valid question because we know that the end times will center around Israel.
This is a scary time for the world.
It’s a time when we’re forced to think about our relationship with Christ.
It’s a time when we’re forced to reflect on the hope we have in Christ.
A few months ago, the Lord led me to do a study in 1 Thes. In His sovereignty, this study comes at a perfect time in history. 1 Thes. speaks about real hope in the midst of suffering.
Warren Wiersbe has written a commentary on 1 Thes. called “Be Ready”. That really sums up this Book as well as these current times. We begin our study by looking at 1 Thes. 1.
How many of us have ever had an aquarium/fishbowl?
What do you do with an aquarium? What do you do when you visit an aquarium? Just look. The fish, for the most part, are oblivious – they could care less.
As Christians, we live in a spiritual fishbowl (see title). People are constantly examining us and looking at us, especially now. They let us know when we mess up. (Bakker, Swaggart, New Era)
There’s another reason why they watch us (noted later)
The problem is, we’re oblivious – we could care less, which means that they may be viewing the wrong things.
Barna: no difference between believers and unbelievers. That’s tragic – it’s no wonder Christianity isn’t growing like it should.
This was definitely not the case with the Thessalonians. Here was a church who realized they were being watched. They gave the spectators quite a performance - reputation spread. Paul hears about their reputation/testimony and writes them. It is a lesson for us to heed.
Our reputation is at stake. The world is watching us.
They need to see a difference in us.
Turn to 1 Thes. 1.
Background: fledgling church (?Paul only 3 weeks there), familiar with persecution (Paul kicked out, riots, founding pastor gone)
It was like being a Christian in Afghanistan or Iraq.
You would think they wouldn’t be too concerned about their reputation. The opposite is true.
Read Text.
1PAUL, SILAS AND TIMOTHY, TO THE CHURCH OF THE THESSALONIANS IN GOD THE FATHER AND THE LORD JESUS CHRIST: GRACE AND PEACE TO YOU.2WE ALWAYS THANK GOD FOR ALL OF YOU, MENTIONING YOU IN OUR PRAYERS. 3WE CONTINUALLY REMEMBER BEFORE OUR GOD AND FATHER YOUR WORK PRODUCED BY FAITH, YOUR LABOR PROMPTED BY LOVE, AND YOUR ENDURANCE INSPIRED BY HOPE IN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.4FOR WE KNOW, BROTHERS LOVED BY GOD, THAT HE HAS CHOSEN YOU, 5BECAUSE OUR GOSPEL CAME TO YOU NOT SIMPLY WITH WORDS, BUT ALSO WITH POWER, WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND WITH DEEP CONVICTION. YOU KNOW HOW WE LIVED AMONG YOU FOR YOUR SAKE. 6YOU BECAME IMITATORS OF US AND OF THE LORD; IN SPITE OF SEVERE SUFFERING, YOU WELCOMED THE MESSAGE WITH THE JOY GIVEN BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. 7AND SO YOU BECAME A MODEL TO ALL THE BELIEVERS IN MACEDONIA AND ACHAIA. 8THE LORD’S MESSAGE RANG OUT FROM YOU NOT ONLY IN MACEDONIA AND ACHAIA—YOUR FAITH IN GOD HAS BECOME KNOWN EVERYWHERE. THEREFORE WE DO NOT NEED TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT IT, 9FOR THEY THEMSELVES REPORT WHAT KIND OF RECEPTION YOU GAVE US. THEY TELL HOW YOU TURNED TO GOD FROM IDOLS TO SERVE THE LIVING AND TRUE GOD, 10AND TO WAIT FOR HIS SON FROM HEAVEN, WHOM HE RAISED FROM THE DEAD—JESUS, WHO RESCUES US FROM THE COMING WRATH.
Here is a church whose reputation was faultless. They had an incredible testimony. We can learn a lot from their example.
What should others see when they look at us?
1 Thes. 1 gives us three distinct qualities (in v. 3, expounded in the chapter).
Outline:
I. THE WORLD SHOULD SEE OUR WORKING FAITH.
v. 3: "YOUR WORK PRODUCED BY FAITH" - salvation (visible)
Phil 2:12 "THEREFORE, MY DEAR FRIENDS, AS YOU HAVE ALWAYS OBEYED--NOT ONLY IN MY PRESENCE, BUT NOW MUCH MORE IN MY ABSENCE--CONTINUE TO WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING,"
In our spiritual journey, faith gets us on the road.
Notice in vv. 4-6 what Paul says about our faith.
A. Election makes our faith possible. v. 4
4FOR WE KNOW, BROTHERS LOVED BY GOD, THAT HE HAS CHOSEN YOU,
He has chosen us (v. 4), not vice versa.
Jn. 15:16 YOU DID NOT CHOOSE ME, BUT I CHOSE YOU AND APPOINTED YOU TO GO AND BEAR FRUIT—FRUIT THAT WILL LAST.
Somewhere in eternity past, God chose us to believe on Him. Election makes our faith possible, but not automatic. That takes the next step.
B. Conversion makes our faith actual. v. 5
5BECAUSE OUR GOSPEL CAME TO YOU NOT SIMPLY WITH WORDS, BUT ALSO WITH POWER, WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND WITH DEEP CONVICTION.
“Because” shows why Paul is convinced that God chose them. He sees their changed life, their “conversion”.
The Gospel isn’t just some fancy speech we give. No amount of persuasion can “convince” someone to turn to Christ. What makes our faith actual is the powerful work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Col. 2:13 WHEN YOU WERE DEAD IN YOUR SINS AND IN THE UNCIRCUMCISION OF YOUR SINFUL NATURE, GOD MADE YOU ALIVE WITH CHRIST.
Our conversion, the transformation of our old dead nature to our new nature in Christ, is what makes our election sure.
The Thessalonians didn’t just hear the Gospel, they experienced the Gospel! It transformed their lives!!
Illus. A country family in the big city.
Elevator (old lady got on, young woman came out).
Father stared and said, “Go get your mother, son.”
Appl. Have you experienced a transformation in your life? Have you experienced the power of the Gospel?
Has your faith changed your life? It should.
Election makes our faith possible. Conversion makes it actual. But it doesn’t stop there. We need to have a working faith, a visible faith.
C. Action makes our faith visible. v. 6
6YOU BECAME IMITATORS OF US AND OF THE LORD; IN SPITE OF SEVERE SUFFERING, YOU WELCOMED THE MESSAGE WITH THE JOY GIVEN BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.
They became imitators (of Paul and the Lord). They acted out their faith. They welcomed the message with joy (in suffering).
Illus. A baby learns by imitating/children playing "copy-cat".
The same is true in our spiritual lives (we learn by imitating). When someone comes to Christ, they immediately begin looking at other professing believers to see how to behave, how to act.
Prayer, church etiquette, sit in the back, express/hold our emotions, worship.
Appl. Who are you imitating? Your spiritual parents? Your Pastor? Are they truly imitating Christ?
1 Cor. 4:16 (Paul says) THEREFORE I URGE YOU TO IMITATE ME.
He could say that because in Gal. 2:20, he says I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST AND I NO LONGER LIVE, BUT CHRIST LIVES IN ME. THE LIFE I LIVE IN THE BODY, I LIVE BY FAITH IN THE SON OF GOD, WHO LOVED ME AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME.
Are we imitating those who imitate Christ? Are we imitating Christ? Is our testimony/reputation such that others can imitate us?
Paul commended the Thessalonians because they had a real, working faith. They wore their faith on their sleeve. It was visible to everyone. There was a great difference between them and their pagan neighbors.
Paul did not need to defend them. He bragged!
7AND SO YOU BECAME A MODEL TO ALL THE BELIEVERS IN MACEDONIA AND ACHAIA. 8THE LORD’S MESSAGE RANG OUT FROM YOU NOT ONLY IN MACEDONIA AND ACHAIA—YOUR FAITH IN GOD HAS BECOME KNOWN EVERYWHERE. THEREFORE WE DO NOT NEED TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT IT, 9FOR THEY THEMSELVES REPORT WHAT KIND OF RECEPTION YOU GAVE US.
Appl. Can other believers "brag" about our testimony?
Appl. How many times have we been embarrassed to say we’re a Christian?
People often wonder how we can know if someone is saved or not.
Paul knew that God chose the Thessalonians for salvation because he saw the power of the Gospel in their lives. He saw their transformation, their working, visible faith.
Do we have that kind of faith? The world should see Christ in us.
If everyone you met knew you were a Christian, would it draw them to Christ or drive them away?
Illus. Contractor in the kitchen. “I thought there was something different about you”.
Expected me to complain/yell. Didn’t know I was close to that!
The world is watching us! Our reputation is at stake!
They should see our working faith.
II. THE WORLD SHOULD SEE OUR LABOR OF LOVE.
v. 3 - "YOUR LABOR PROMPTED BY LOVE"
Whereas faith gets us on the spiritual road,
On our spiritual road, love is the vehicle.
Love is what drives us on our spiritual journey.
Will Rogers "Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there".
We need to have a visible faith AND a labor of love.
And what is this labor of love?
1 John 3:18 "DEAR CHILDREN, LET US NOT LOVE WITH WORDS OR TONGUE BUT WITH ACTIONS AND IN TRUTH."
Jn. 14:15 “IF YOU LOVE ME, YOU WILL OBEY WHAT I COMMAND.
Where can we practice this labor of love?
At Work: working for the Lord or our boss?
Col 3:17 "AND WHATEVER YOU DO, WHETHER IN WORD OR DEED, DO IT ALL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS, GIVING THANKS TO GOD THE FATHER THROUGH HIM."
At Home: patience? loving our families as Christ loves us?
In Society: Lifestyle evangelism? integrity?
In Church: seeking to meet others’ needs, rather than our own.
There are so many opportunities for us to reach out in true Christian love.
Faith and love go hand in hand. You can’t have visible faith without real love.
Gal. 5:6 FOR IN CHRIST JESUS NEITHER CIRCUMCISION NOR UNCIRCUMCISION HAS ANY VALUE. THE ONLY THING THAT COUNTS IS FAITH EXPRESSING ITSELF THROUGH LOVE.
The world is watching us! Our reputation is at stake!
They should see our working faith and our labor of love.
III. THE WORLD SHOULD SEE OUR ENDURING HOPE.
v. 3 …YOUR ENDURANCE INSPIRED BY HOPE IN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Paul actually uses these three qualities as bookends to this chapter.
(9-10)THEY TELL HOW YOU TURNED TO GOD FROM IDOLS/ TO SERVE THE LIVING AND TRUE GOD/, 10AND TO WAIT FOR HIS SON FROM HEAVEN, WHOM HE RAISED FROM THE DEAD—JESUS, WHO RESCUES US FROM THE COMING WRATH.
Faith gets us on the spiritual road. Love is vehicle that drives us.
On our spiritual road, Hope shows us where we’re going.
Gilbert Beenken "Other men see only a hopeless end, but the Christian rejoices in an endless hope".
There’s a difference between hope and wishing.
This hope isn’t like dropping pennies into a wishing well.
This hope is like saying, “I hope tomorrow is Monday!”
The Thessalonian believers had a real, visible, enduring hope.
They hoped for 3 things that we, too, should hope for (v. 10).
A. They hoped for Jesus’ return.
10AND TO WAIT FOR HIS SON FROM HEAVEN
They knew Jesus was coming soon. And they were ready for it.
The times are telling us that Jesus’ return is very soon! He may come today!
B. They hoped in Jesus’ resurrection.
WHOM HE RAISED FROM THE DEAD
Because of Jesus’ resurrection, they knew that they, too, would eventually conquer death and be raised to new life in Christ.
When Christ returns, all those who hope in His resurrection can have confidence that we will live with Him forever.
C. They hoped in Jesus’ rescue from God’s coming wrath.
10…JESUS, WHO RESCUES US FROM THE COMING WRATH.
There is coming a Day when God will return with vengeance and infinite wrath upon this godless and evil world.
Those who have been chosen by God, those who have been transformed, those who have a visible faith and a labor of love can rest confidently in the hope that they will be rescued from His great wrath.
Hope is what kept the Thessalonians focused through suffering.
Appl. How do we handle persecution/suffering/trials?
How do we deal with finances, health, anything that causes anxiety?
Do we fret and worry and get stressed out or do we place our complete trust and hope in God’s loving hand?
Do we have hope that Christ will ultimately deliver us?
1 Cor. 15:13-19 tells us what would happen if we had no hope.
13IF THERE IS NO RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD, THEN NOT EVEN CHRIST HAS BEEN RAISED… 17AND IF CHRIST HAS NOT BEEN RAISED, YOUR FAITH IS FUTILE; YOU ARE STILL IN YOUR SINS. 18THEN THOSE ALSO WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP IN CHRIST ARE LOST. 19IF ONLY FOR THIS LIFE WE HAVE HOPE IN CHRIST, WE ARE TO BE PITIED MORE THAN ALL MEN.
Our hope is not just for this age, but for all eternity.
We need to have a hope that weathers the storms of life.
The world is looking for hope, for something to deliver them, esp. now.This is the primary reason they’re watching us!They’re looking to see if we’re for real, if we have found real hope!
Only Christ can give us hope. Only He can deliver us.
"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid rock, I stand. All other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand."
The world is watching us! Our reputation is at stake!
Do they see our working faith? Our labor of love? Our enduring hope?
Conclusion
If someone were to accuse you of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
What do people see when they look into our fishbowl?
Do they see Christ in us?
Do they see a work of faith? a labor of love? an enduring hope?
Do they see a difference in us? If not, why would they want to become a Christian?
Whether we like it or not, we’re living in a stained glass aquarium.
We’re putting on a show for the world to see.
How’s the show going?
We need to be ready for our Lord’s soon return.
In the meantime, we also need to be busy bringing people to Him before it’s too late.
The Bottom Line: Do people see Christ in me?
Do they see real faith, real love, real hope? Or do they simply see a “religious” person?
The world is watching us! Our reputation, Jesus’ reputation, is at stake!
The world needs to see our working faith and our labor of love and our enduring hope before it’s too late!
