Paul's Praises

I always get a bit excited when I start a new sermon series. For one thing, it gives me the opportunity to gather some background information that helps in a better understanding of the book. Though this might seem a bit like trivia, I believe it will help as we walk through these two letters which Paul wrote to the Thessalonians.

Thessalonica was not always named this. Originally, the city was called Therme. You might guess why it had this name, especially for those of us who carry coffee or some other hot beverage with us. We use what is called a thermos. That’s right; it was named for the hot springs that were nearby.

When Cassander, king of Macedonia, refounded the city in 315 B.C., he named it after his wife, who was also a half-sister to Alexander the Great. When the Romans established Macedonia as an official province, Thessalonica then became the capital. As a result, it became the main commercial center of Macedonia. It had a fairly good mix of Jews and Gentiles.

The lifestyle of the city was full of pagan practices, especially that of idol worship. Considering that there was a constant flow of people from all over, since it was the commercial center, it was a perfect melting pot to the variety of pagan practices.

Even though there was a synagogue there, it seemed that those who attended did so simply out of obligation of their conscience, or because of legalistic Jewish tradition. As we read through Paul’s writing to them, as well as other sources, we can easily see that the city was full of all sorts of teachings, idol worship, sexual impurities, you name it.

So how did this church get started amidst such surroundings? We read in Acts 17, that Paul started the church on his 2nd missionary journey. As was his custom, when Paul first got to a city, he would go to the synagogue to teach first. According to Acts, Paul tried to preach Christ to the Jews for three weeks. However, the majority of the people rejected his message. Yet, the Bible states that some Jews, Greeks, and prominent women believed. Historians suggest that those prominent women were some who held a very high place in public. In some of the archaeological findings, there are documents that were dedicated to some of these women.

These letters which written to the Thessalonians were written to more than just the original believers. We gather from Acts, that Paul stayed longer than the original three weeks. He even worked there for awhile, plus he had received gifts from the Philippians while there. Some scholars suggest that Paul may have been doing ministry there for 6 months or so.

According to Acts 18.11-12, as well as certain archaeological discoveries about the leadership of that time, we can assume that this book was probably written around 50 A.D.

We also can see from all of Paul’s writings that he would not just start a church and leave it without any followup. Paul was just as concerned with growth as he was with beginning a church.

We know that he was also concerned that those in the church might become discouraged as a result of persecution. He did not want them to give in to temptation and end up stumbling. As a result, Paul sent Timothy to the church at Thessalonica to see how things were going. We’re glad to know that Timothy came back with a good report, along with other information, which we’ll be looking at in this series.

Let me give a brief outline as to why Paul wrote this letter. First, he wanted to encourage them for their dedication.

Second, he wanted to help them to continue in their growth by giving advice on how to lead a holy life.

Third, he wanted to help them to understand what the end result of all of this would be—Christ gathering together His own.

A theme for the whole letter might be this: Be mentally and spiritually ready to meet the Lord when He comes to take you to be with Him forever!

The entire first chapter, which is what we’ll be looking at today, is focusing on Praise; Paul’s Praises.

The first verse reminds us of the way that we read letters. “Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.” Most of us don’t read the letter, an email, or a text straight through. We usually look at the return address, the signature at the end, the email address, or the phone number, to find out who actually wrote the letter or message.

During the time of this letter’s writing, the literary style was quite logical. It usually began with the signature at the beginning, as we’ve seen. After that, there were the usual greetings, here being, grace and peace. Even this particular greeting is of great importance. Grace was a Greek form of greeting; Peace was a Hebrew from of greeting. So we can already assume that those reading it would have Gentile and Jewish background. We also see in this introduction, the focus on God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This would seem to be a great reminder that grace and peace can only originate with God.

Paul’s Praises Prompted by Their Christian Virtues—1.2-3

1 Thessalonians 1:2–3 (NASB95)

We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father,

In these verses, we see that Paul’s praise was inclusive and continual. All three of the senders of this letter were praising God for the wonderful works which He had done in the lives of this church. We recognize that this prayer also contained thanksgiving for those who had chosen to accept the message of salvation.

One of the Christian Virtues seen here is their spiritual excellence. All of the works that were being done, were produced by faith. Notice that works didn’t produce faith, but faith produced works. This was an energetic and productive faith, not just busywork. It was genuine in that it wasn’t based on their salvation being a fire escape ticket or even that of allowing them to belong to a group of warm, loving people. Their faith was on fire and active for the Lord, because of what God had done for them.

We see also that their labor was prompted by love. They labored to the point of weariness. It was not just a labor of convenience when they felt like it. This labor expressed the cost of their love. If they would not have experienced that agape love, they would not have been able to persist in carrying out the hard and difficult activities to which God had called them.

We see endurance inspired by hope. They had an active hope in Jesus Christ, not in humanity or programs. The word for endurance, shows a heroic consistency that courageously faces various obstacles, without giving up. It’s like the commander of Galaxy Quest—Never give up, never surrender! Regardless of whether the battles are from without or from within, because of the hope of Christ, they would endure. Friends, that is the only true hope; that biblical hope and expectation of being with Jesus Christ.

Once again, Paul links faith, love, and hope in these verses. We can know that these are active and productive words. They are not just descriptive or meant for beautiful thoughts, for they are connected to that which can be difficult and even toilsome. One scholar framed it quite eloquently—faith rests in the past; love works in the present; hope looks to the future. In all of this, Christ is the object.

Paul’s Praise Prompted by Their Divine Election—1.4-7

1 Thessalonians 1:4–7 (NASB95)

knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you; for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

Paul uses the word brothers or brethren to show that they are of the same spiritual brotherhood. Though Paul was a Jew and the majority in the church were Gentiles, they shared a connection in Christ.

Paul doesn’t spend a lot of time discussing the doctrine of election, since he probably assumed it was understood. If you’re interested in more information about that doctrine, you can study Ephesians 1.4 and following during the week. I’ll give a brief description of it. The idea of election refers to God’s gracious act of selecting us for salvation, which was done in eternity past. I must tell you that this is really a deep mystery. Some have called this a family doctrine in that only those who are in Jesus Christ can truly appreciate it.

There are some good reasons for their assurance of salvation. Paul’s focus was not on the manner or method which the message was delivered, but rather on the very nature of the Gospel message. A clear indication of what Paul would have felt the focus to be, can be found in Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

The message which the Thessalonians received did come with the proper words, but it also came in power. This power produced spiritual persuasiveness and penetrating conviction. How? By the Holy Spirit, Who was accomplishing the work of transforming listening souls. What was the result? They experienced full [deep] conviction, which is assurance. Those are the opposites of misgiving, confusion, or doubt.

So let’s look at the response from the Thessalonians. There was outward proof. They became imitators of us and of the Lord. This could be seen by the outside world. We also teach and witness by what we do. The world will see Christ by what we do.

John MacArthur provides insight into the impact our lives make on others. How you live your life makes the Gospel believable or unbelievable. The world doesn’t judge you by your theology; it judges you by your behavior. That’s why the way to reach the lost has little to do with methodology and everything to do with holy living.

There was also inward proof. The phrase tribulation, much affliction, severe suffering, carries a picture of pressing grapes in a wine press, causing them to burst from the intense pressure. But Paul notes that they also had the joy of the Holy Spirit. It has been said that the depth of a disciple’s joy in the Lord may well be measured by the degree of his participation in the suffering of the Lord.

Look at the widespread results. They became an example. They were like a model or a type. The word picture is the idea of a mark left by a solid blow, such as the stamp on a coin. Or the imprint on wood or leather by a hammer or a special tool.

Paul’s Praise Prompted By the Reports of Others—1.8-10

1 Thessalonians 1:8–10 (NASB95)

For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.

Interestingly, this appears to be the only time Paul speaks of a church as a pattern for others. He continues by pointing out that what he is sharing is the Lord’s message. Thus, we must realize that it has also been committed to us. This requires that we must present it without apology, adding to it, or taking away from it. Sounded forth, rang out, is like a trumpet blast. Considering that this city was full of trade and commerce, the merchants and travelers would have a lot to discuss. This is some of the church’s best advertising.

What were the contents of the report? Wherever Paul went, he heard about the Thessalonians. He was aware that there were radical changes in their lives; not forced, but voluntary changes.

This is important to understand. Conversion is always the voluntary act of an individual in response to the presentation of biblical truth. Here, we see that in turning to God, they turned their backs on their idols. They were separating themselves from any further idol worship. There was a definite break with non-Christian activity.

We also understand that salvation doesn’t begin with giving up something, but with receiving someone. They turned To God from idols to serve a living and true God. The word for true means genuine; as opposed to the counterfeits to which they had been enslaved. They completely yielded their wills to God’s will.

Paul then says that they wait for His Son from heaven. This particular word for wait seems to be found only here in the New Testament. It means more than just waiting; it shows patience and trust, along with anticipation. We’ve talked previously about the abundance of focus on Christ’s imminent return. It’s been suggested that 1/13th of the New Testament speaks of this.

The fact that Christ was resurrected is the foundation and guarantee of His return for His children. We know that God hates sin and will punish it. He will not turn a blind eye. But for the believer in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, we are assured that we will be rescued from the wrath which is most certainly to come.

Summary

There is a reason that this has been somewhat of a longer message. Chapter 1 is actually a compressed theology lesson. It consists of three essential elements.

God; a living person, first person of the trinity, sent His Son, our Savior to purchase our salvation, etc.

Jesus Christ; fully God, fully man, died, resurrected, ascended to the Father, will return, delivers believers from the wrath to come.

Christian Life; teaches need for conversion as a definite break from past evil to a life of serving God, while living with hope of deliverance by a returning Christ.

We’ve seen that Paul was concerned not only with leading people to faith in Christ as Savior, but also in grounding them in the truths of the Gospel.

Friend, in your activities, do you think of Christ first and foremost? Do you desire to help others to grow and mature in Him?

Would others see your Christian virtues? Would others know that you are indeed a child of God? Are you a walking advertisement for the glory of Christ?

Would others report of your change of life because of Christ? Would people notice a radical change, or do they see you as someone who just didn’t want to go to hell? Do you find yourself unwilling to make a definite break from the world to serve God? How are you using your time for God?

There is a lot of powerful information in this chapter. It is one of the most encouraging chapters in the New Testament, while at the same time, one of the most soul-searching chapters.