Super Models – 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10
A. We live in a world devoid of role models. Who’s your role model going to be? Kobe? Arnold? Ladies – Martha Stewart? Hopefully, the answer that comes to all of us is some fine Christian man or woman we know.
B. As Christians, we need to find a model to serve as an example to us. We also need to be able to provide a model for the churches we serve with.
C. In light of the fact that we, as future and current church “leaders”, are striving to be Christ-like, striving to be the Christian examples that we have got to be, we must look into God’s Word and follow the examples it provides us.
D. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul writes to a group of new Christians in a great spot. Due to its excellent location, right on a main trade thoroughfare, Thessalonica was an ideal center for the spread of the gospel. However, they were also a short distance from both Rome and Athens, centers of power and centers of idol worship. What would you write to encourage a group of new Christians who were being harassed for their faith and had questions about their new faith? The apostle Paul, in 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10, tells them that they are models.
1. Models in the way that they received the Word – vs 6-7.
2. Models in the way that they spread the Word – vs 8.
3. Models in their service to God alone – vs 9.
4. Models in the way they expectantly wait for the return of Christ – vs 10.
· Transition: Beginning in vs 6, the text reads…{READ}
I. Models in the manner in which they received the Gospel.
A. They joyfully received the word in spite of the great affliction – vs 6.
1. They received the word in spite of severe circumstances. What we have to realize is that not all of the persecution came from Rome even though they were right in Rome’s front yard. Acts 17:1-10 – Jason and folks dragged out of their homes by Jews for what they were teaching. But…
2. They received the word with joy – vs 6. The word implies a warm, respectful reception of the message Paul had for them. They didn’t balk at it; they didn’t fight it; they didn’t refuse to accept the message in spite of persecution – they accepted it warmly!
3. In doing so they became examples to the people around them – vs 7. The word “examples” here is, in the Greek, singular. It refers not to a number of individual examples of Christian living but to the single pattern of response to the Word of God that these new Christians portrayed.
B. The illustration is given of an old man seated on a park bench when a boy of about five sat down beside him and takes out what appeared his most prized possession – a gold pocket watch. "My, what a pretty watch," the man said. "Does it tell you the time?" With a puzzled look on his face, the boy replied, "No sir, you gotta look at it." God’s Word is everywhere, we probably have 15, but you must look into it in order for it to be effective. A closed Bible is a sword in the sheath.
C. Do we receive the word like these did? Do we receive God’s truth when it’s tough? When it’s uncomfortable? Do we receive the word only as it is convenient to us? Do we preach the truth no matter what? What each of us has to ask ourselves is: If everyone studied like we do, would churches grow – would Christians be strengthened?
1. The Thessalonians are an excellent model for us to follow in the proper way to receive God’s word.
2. Receive the word, accept the truth of God’s word in spite of any affliction or discomfort it may bring us and accept its’ words as complete truth with joy.
· Transition: Not only were they an excellent model for their acceptance of the Word of God, they were applauded for their sharing of their faith.
II. Vs 8. {READ} Models in the way they spread the Word.
A. The Thessalonians were people who had not kept quiet about their faith. These folks were, by their efforts, proclaimers of their faith in Macedonia, Achaia, and vs 8 says, “…in every place.”
1. They did not limit the sharing of their faith to “Presence Evangelism” – just be a good person and people will want to be Christians.
2. Paul says that from them the word of the Lord has “sounded forth.” The word literally means “to bounce off” and is the word that we get our word “echo” from.
3. The Thessalonians had become a sounding board from which the gospel would echo across the world. They had an evangelistic effort that reached outside of their community.
B. Consider for a moment the way God had used these people. They were in an ideal location for the spread of the gospel.
1. They took delight in sharing their faith and God took advantage of their location and their willingness to share their faith. The Word went up and down the Ignatian Way out to other Roman provinces because these Christians were willing to share their faith against all odds.
2. When you have good news, it’s tough to keep it to yourself. When you first met your beloved – didn’t you keep it to yourself? NO! You shared it – and these folks couldn’t help doing the same, and others in their area heard about it – vs 8b – to the point that Paul didn’t even have to mention it. People knew!
C. Are we looking beyond the spiritual needs of just “me”? Granted we have to take care of our own house, but we have to look into the world around us and see the lost that need the gospel.
1. We must be willing, like these Thessalonians, to not just live as Christians but to share our faith as we are commanded.
2. When you fall in love with Jesus you want the whole world to know Him. You cannot help but take the Gospel out of the realm of self-edification and share it with others. It’s part of our labor of love.
· Transition: Continuing in verse 9, Paul says…{READ}
III. Models in the way that they served only God – vs 9.
A. Paul says that they have turned to God from idols. The word “turned” suggests a conversion. True conversion involves both a positive and a negative; one turns from one thing to something else. Genuine, faithful service to God requires a true conversion in which we turn away from the things of the world and turn toward God – to serve Him alone.
B. Consider where they were. Mt. Olympus, the mountain of the Greek gods, was probably on their southern horizon! Rome was nearby! Yet these Christians turned away from the life of idol worship to serve the living and true God.
1. It is obvious to us that men cannot serve God and idols. That’s not an idea that we struggle with.
2. But, Jesus Himself said that no man can serve two masters in the context of materialism.
C. Our modern world is one of the most idolatrous in history. We may not have temples to false gods but we have structures set up all over to the great god of Self!
1. Who do we serve? Money? Approval of our peers? Making our kids happy? We struggle with sitting at the feet of appearance and status. We bow down to them and serve them – they control our lives. Are we trying to serve God while still clinging to the things of the world?
2. The Thessalonians turned away from idols to serve the living God. You see, real conversion to Christ is so complete that one is “sold out” completely to God. That’s the idea of a servant – a bond-slave who is the personal property of another. It is the very heart of Christianity.
· Transition: Lastly, Paul commends these Thessalonians for their willingness, as he puts it…{READ vs 10}.
IV. Models in their anticipation of the return of Christ – vs 10.
A. When Paul uses the words “to wait” here – the Greek word is anameno – he is trying to convey an idea that is more than just sitting around waiting.
1. He is describing an active, eager anticipation of Christ’s return.
2. There is no dread; no fear. They not only believed that Christ would return…they were eager for it!
B. A mature Christian has hope for a future with God in Heaven. Even these new Christians had that hope. They had turned to God in one decisive act but still had in mind to be mindful of the return of Christ.
1. Throughout this letter, if we were to read on, Paul relates to the Thessalonian church how the expectant waiting for Christ’s return is related to daily Christian living.
2. The Christian hope is laid up in Heaven – the object of that hope is Jesus Christ.
C. How often do you hear folks say, “Lord come quickly?” (I might just before Warren hands out a mid-term.) But truly, how often does the return of Jesus Christ cross our minds?
1. Sadly, it is simply a matter of fact that hope in this sense does not hold this same place in the hearts of many professed Christians today.
2. Men instead hope that their lives are right. Men hope that Christ doesn’t come back before…before what? How much time and instruction do we really need?
3. The mentality of the Christian ought to be that of the apostle John’s in Revelation 22:20 when he said, “Even so, come Lord Jesus.” Why? Because we know that Jesus is our deliverer from the wrath to come.
4. Jesus came the first time to provide the means of salvation from sin. He’ll come the next time to take us home and save us from the wrath due the ungodly.
A. Paul encourages this young congregation in Thessalonica, and thereby provides an encouragement to us, by letting them know that they are models. They’re models in their honest reception of the Word in spite of whatever oppression they may face. They’re models in the way they spread the news of their new relationship with God. They’re models in the way that they have chosen to serve God and God alone. Lastly, Paul tells them that they are models in the way they eagerly wait for the return of the King!
B. Because we, as current and future ministers of the Word are striving to be the Christian examples that we have got to be, we must look at – look into God’s Word and follow the examples it provides us.
C. Notice, in vs 6, that Paul says that the Thessalonians, to get to where they are, had an example to imitate. That’s what we are going to be to the Christians around us. When people look at how we study, how we evangelize, how we serve God, are they going to find in each of us, the model they need to follow?
