A Faith That Sends Shockwaves

It’s finally beginning to warm up outside which means that fishing season is right around the corner. One thing I love about fishing is getting out on a calm lake and throwing a top-water plug out there and watching it send ripples all around it.

As a matter of fact, I think about that on a weekly basis when I prepare my lessons because studying the Bible is a lot like that. When I learn something new, I have to ask myself, “How do the ripples from this truth affect the rest of what I believe?”

Well, as we look at 1 Thessalonians 1 today, we will learn of the ripple effects from the gospel changing the hearts of men and women in Thessalonica and what we will find is that where the gospel comes in power, people are changed, and others take notice.

Is that your desire when it comes to the gospel? That God would radically shake up our own hearts and work through us to send ripples through our city? I believe that as we look at 1 Thessalonians today, we will find ourselves encouraged by the faith of these believers and how God used it in the lives of those around them.

1 Thessalonians 1:5–10 NKJV

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. 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.

Is Rooted in Conviction (6)

In our lesson a few weeks back, we looked at how the gospel came to the Thessalonians in power. How the Spirit used it to convict their hearts and to assure these people that what they heard was the truth. We also looked at how they almost immediately faced persecution in Acts 17. What we need to notice in verse 6, however, is that one of the most remarkable parts of this Church which really encouraged Paul was that although they faced a lot of hardship and persecution, they had a joy that couldn’t be stripped away from them. The reason for this is because, as we just said, they were convinced by the Spirit that what they heard was the truth and second, because the joy they had wasn’t rooted in the things of the world, but was given by God.

We need to think of how encouraging this verse must’ve been to this believers. Not only is Paul saying, “Hey, you guys are such an encouragement to me that I can’t help but to thank God for you.” But he is also telling them that they are like Christ in their suffering. Hebrews 12:2

Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The other day I was reading a book and the author wrote a chapter on making the most of your trials because that is the way that God works to make us most like Christ. Could you imagine how beat down and hurt these people must’ve been and how much it would’ve encouraged them to hear, “Hey, I know its hard, but I see Christ in you.”

Are you going through hardships in your personal life? If so, there are two encouraging things I want you to know. First, I want you to rest in the fact that although we might not understand, this is God’s will for us and that He has promised to use this for your good as Romans 8:28 tells us

Second, I want you to think of what Paul uses to encourage their joy. And that is that God is using their joy in the midst of hardship for a purpose. What is that purpose? Well, in verse 7-10 we find that God uses the joy of Christians to spread His word and to display His grace.

Is Received through Conversation (8)

Next, I want you to notice that the faith that sends shock waves is a faith that is spread through conversations. Paul says that the word of the Lord has sounded forth from them. One writer pointed out that the word here for sounded forth could resemble a trumpet blasting out or thunder rolling. It’s an undeniable and clear sound that has been sent out all over the world.

All throughout the Bible, it is clear that a faith worth believing is a faith worth sharing. If what we believe is really true, then its worth everyone hearing. How are we going to impact Burlington? How are we going to reach the world? We’re going to share the gospel. One conversation at a time, one missionary at a time, one tract at a time. It’s not flashy, it’s not fancy, but it’s what we’ve been told to do by Christ in Matthew 28:18-20

Matthew 28:18–20 NKJV

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

What we learn here is that these aren’t a people who are stuck looking on the inside. They aren’t obsessed with themselves, or their group, or even their city. They’re obsessed with getting the gospel everywhere they can. They were so committed to sharing the gospel that Paul writes that he was basically out of a job because he kept going to preach and the people had already been reach. To put it simply, they took the privilege to share the gospel personally.

Now, we need to remember that this is a group of Christians from Thessalonica in Macedonia. This isn’t just a town in the sticks, but is a massive city that was known throughout the whole world. So, for these people who were once pagans living in an idolatrous culture to have their lives completely changed was an undeniable thing and that’s what we find in our last point. Which is that the faith that sends shockwaves is a faith that

Is Reinforced by Our Conduct (9-10)

They Turned To God From Idols

Notice that Paul doesn’t say that they made God apart of their religious lives, but that they forsook all of their idols and followed God. Their religious loyalty was committed to Him with all they had. In this culture, everyone worshipped multiple idols and it wasn’t a big deal to adopt a new god as apart of who you followed. What was shocking was that the message that Paul preached was that God demands us to follow Him with all that we have and that we must follow Him alone. When Paul uses the word, “turn” it’s not just their actions, but their attitude. This is a people whose lives were marked by serious repentance.

I also want you to notice that in verse 6 and 8 talks about their faith in God and then in verse 9 it talks about their turning away from idols. I think it’s important for us to emphasize that you cannot forsake your sin and then come to Christ. That’s not how the gospel works. Instead, you come to Christ and it is by His grace and strength that you are able to forsake your sin and rest in Him.

They Began to Serve God

Not only did they turn to God, but they turned to serve the living and true God. Paul is taking a shot at their old idols here insinuating that they were not real and certainly not the true God. It’s as though he is saying, “You left those dead and fake idols and now you’re life is committed to serving the one true God!”

That phrase, “To Serve” reminds me of Jesus’s statement in Matt 6:24

Matthew 6:24 NKJV

24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

I am also reminded of Romans 6:6

Romans 6:6 NKJV

6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

Not only was their life marked by repentance and sincere service, but it was marked by hopeful anticipation.

They Began Waiting for Christ’s Return

Who is seated in Heaven

Who has risen from the grave

Who delivers us from final judgment