The Church That God Wants

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