Hope of Salvation: Gospel Followers

1 Thessalonians 1:6–8 KJV 1900

And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

The Self-indulgent Christianity of America is killing American Christianity.

The American dream promises the ability to pursue happiness because the founding fathers knew that they could not promise it outright.

America has been bombarded with a counter Gospel message that gives all the illusion of joy but ends in misery. The information pumped into our lives preach that fame and money can bring fulfillment. Just imitate the music, movie, athletic stars and you too could find your hearts desire.

And yet more and more we are finding that the ones they tell us to imitate are unfulfilled, miserable, and often end their life with wealth but no hope.

“Like Mike”

Tom Brady in 2007

Why do I have three Super Bowl rings and still think there’s something greater out there for me? I mean, maybe a lot of people would say, “Hey man, this is what is.” I reached my goal, my dream, my life. Me, I think, “God, it’s got to be more than this.” I mean this isn’t, this can’t be what it’s all cracked up to be

James H. Grant Jr., 1 & 2 Thessalonians: The Hope of Salvation, ed. R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2011), 44.

As believers, we can, in our most honest of times, say just as Tom did. “it’s got to be more than this.”

Often it is because we have bought into the message of the media rather than the Gospel message. We are imitating the wrong person.

Sometimes we try to imitate the recent “hero’s of the faith” and find that we don’t know their whole story. It might seem like their spiritual and if you imitate their practices and follow their principles in hopes of finding a more successful relationship with God or even a better marriage. But we often do not pause to consider that the principles might not apply to our particular location, time, or spouse.

“Seven Steps to Spiritual Success”

“Ten steps to financial success”

“Eight principles for making marriage work.”

In our Journey of Gospel imitation We must

Weigh actions in light of the Word

1 Thessalonians 1:6 KJV 1900

And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

Followers imitators.

of us - Paul is saying this as an apostle whom God had given the direct command to instruct the churches in Gospel culture. There is merit in learning from someone who has and is living a life that is glorifying Christ. But ultimately Paul is saying follow the Word.

This is signified when he says that they recieved the word in much affliction with joy of the Holy Ghost.

1 John 4:1 KJV 1900

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

We need to be cautions of creating a sceptic christianity. But we are commanded to have discernment.

1 Thessalonians 2:11–12 KJV 1900

As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

2 Thessalonians 3:6–9 KJV 1900

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

Ultimately this imitation is more focused on your goal of striving to glorify God.

Strive for unity with Christ

1 Thessalonians 1:1 KJV 1900

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 1:7 KJV 1900

So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

Paul imitated Jesus to the people of Thessalonica by bringing the Gospel and suffering for it. Paul bore his own cross.

Ephesians 2:6 KJV 1900

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Ephesians 2:13 KJV 1900

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Galatians 3:26 KJV 1900

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.