April 10, 2016
Evening Service

Last week we began in Acts Chapter 17 and looked at Paul’s visit to the city of Thessalonica where he and Silas shared the gospel message with some very good results. Some of the Jews became jealous of those who accepted Jesus as the Christ.  They stirred up enough trouble that Paul and Silas left during the night for their own safety.  Their teaching was cut short and the believers there were not very well established and now faced even greater persecution.  Paul’s concern for the church’s status caused him later to send young Timothy back there to “establish and encourage them.” After he returned with a favorable report, Paul then wrote this letter, his first, back to them.

1 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul and Silvanus and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians, in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

·         These were the three men, who according to the Jews had “turned the world upside down.”  It was not them, but it was the life changing power of the message of Jesus Christ that they presented.

·         Notice how Paul addresses them; “The church of the Thessalonians IN God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”   He was affirming them for what they had endured and the growth they had shown, becoming a united group of believers. They had succeeded in putting away the false idols and focusing solely upon the One True God and His Son Jesus Christ.  This is what Jesus had in mind when He said this to the Peter and the other apostles:

 

Matthew 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

·         The rock He spoke on was the statement Peter had made that Jesus was “the Christ the Son of the living God.”  The believers in Thessalonian had built their fellowship of the Church on the same Rock (Christ).

·         We also strive to build our fellowship of the Lord’s church here upon that truth making decisions and plans that will bring glory to our Savior.

 

1 Thessalonians 1:2-4  We give thanks to God for you always, making mention of you in our prayers,  (3)  remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father,  (4)  knowing, beloved brothers, your election of God.

·         Paul faithfully remembers the church here is his prayers with thankfulness.

·         Do we thank God for the people in our lives that have helped, encouraged and strengthened our walk with the Lord?

·         He remembered their work of faith, which means their act of accepting the gospel message and their willingness to surrender to God’s call despite the resistance.

·          He remembered their labor of love, which means their willingness to act upon their new faith and show their love for the Lord by doing good works.

·          He remembered their patience in hope, which means them remaining steadfast with a vision of the prize that lies ahead of all believers despite their circumstances.

·         Are we as a church and individuals displaying these characteristics?

 

1 Thessalonians 1:5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

·         The message to the Thessalonian church was not one of words only; it came with power in the Holy Spirit.  The message worked in their lives spiritually to produce conviction of sin, repentance and conversion.  It changed their lives.  That is why it was said that these men “turned the world upside down.”   They did not have to necessarily tell others of their conversion, they saw it in the lives that they lived.  The gospel message is still able to do this for anyone willing to accept it and surrender to it!

·         We witnessed that same power working today in our fellowship as we baptized 7 more into the kingdom of God.

·         The Thessalonians also received the message with “much assurance.”  They believed it by faith and had the confidence in not only the words Paul spoke, but also the life he lived among them.  Paul’s best sermon was the life he lived before them. (I Cor. 11:1)

 

1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, welcoming the Word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, (7) so that you were examples to all who believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

·         This was not easy for them.  They suffered “much affliction,” yet they did it with “joy of the Holy Spirit.”  We have said before that our most difficult times become our greatest opportunities to shine for God.

 

James 1:2-4 My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into different kinds of temptations, (3) knowing that the trying of your faith works patience.  (4)  But let patience have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and entire, lacking nothing.

·         Count it joy when our struggles draw us into a closer relationship with God and also give us an opportunity to be an example to others as were the Thessalonians.

 

1 Thessalonians 1:8-9 For from you the Word of the Lord sounded out, 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 speak anything.  (9)  For they themselves witness what kind of entrance we had to you, even how you turned from idols to God in order to serve the living and true God,

·         Francis of Assisi said this, “Preach the gospel constantly, and when necessary use words.”  The church there had such a great testimony because their lives were a greater witness than their words.

 

 

·           We will never know the full impact we have on others’ lives.  In this area idols were very commonplace and the Thessalonians stood out in that they forsook those idols and began to worship the One True God.  They had no idea that throughout Macedonia and Achaia people were noticing the change that had occurred in their lives.

·         Can you recognize areas in your life that witness to others without the use of words?

 

1 Thessalonians 1:10 and to wait for His Son from Heaven (whom He raised from the dead), Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come.

·         These tie in with the message this morning and is a reoccurring theme in this letter that Jesus is coming again and we all want to be found waiting patiently when He does return.  Look how James describes it:

 

James 5:7-11 Therefore be patient, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and has long patience for it, until he receives the early and the latter rain.  (8)  You also be patient, establish your hearts, for the coming of your Lord draws near.  (9)  Do not grudge against one another, brothers, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge stands before the door.  (10)  My brothers, take the prophets who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering ill, and of patience.  (11)  Behold, we count blessed those who endure. You have heard of the patience of Job, and you have seen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is full of pity and of tender mercy.

·         We have been given many examples of the patience we are to possess in the scriptures and through many fellow believers in the Lord. 

·         We will be asked to work our way through many difficult battles in our lifetime, but we can remain full of hope and patience knowing the truth that in the end we win!

 

Lord may our loudest and most powerful testimonies for You be the ones where words are not involved.