1 Thessalonians 1:6-10 - The Word of the Lord Sounds Forth

6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 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. 9 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, 10 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.

Target Date: Sunday, 20 March 2022

Word Study/ Translation Notes:

Sounded - ἐξηχέω – has made a blast like an unrestrained trumpet.

The verb ἐξηχεῖν (here only in NT) denotes a loud ringing sound, as of a trumpet blast.

The term translated rang out (exēchētai) appears only here in the NT, but in other literature of the era it could be used to describe a clap of thunder (Sir. 40:13), the loud cry of a multitude (Philo, In Flaccum 39), a rumor that runs everywhere (3 Macc. 3:2), or, as Chrysostom suggests, “every place near is filled with the sound of a loud trumpet” (Chrysostom, Homily on 1 Thessalonians 2). The proclamation from Thessalonica was set at high volume and went out with great force over a large area.

The word exēchētai, translated rang out, could be rendered “reverberated.” Paul saw the Thessalonians as amplifiers or relay stations that not only received the gospel message but sent it farther on its way with increased power and scope. Paul’s preaching in Thessalonica had the effect of speaking into a public address microphone; his words were received and repeated by many different “speakers” in many remote places where his unaided voice could not have reached.

“The figure is of an echo that continues indefinitely (perfect tense, eksechetai, ‘rang out’) and implies the persistence of the testimony over an ever-increasing expanse . . .”

Gone forth - ἐξέρχομαι –

It might not be too strong a word to use the term “infiltrated”.

The picture is that their faith has outgrown their locality and has spread to the surrounding areas.

This passage can be seen as a group of bullet points:

Knowing…His choice of you

Gospel not in word only

But in power

And the Holy Spirit

And with full conviction.

You saw what manner of men we were

And you became imitators of us

and the Lord

Having received the word in tribulation

With the joy of the Holy Spirit

To the result that you became an example to all the believers around you,

And your example is still rippling out

They are proclaiming YOUR testimony (to God’s glory)

And you hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ

You hope in the return of Jesus Christ

3 Great Evidences of God’s Election:

5 – Their faithful initial response to the gospel.

6-7 – Their faithful growth in the gospel.

8-10 – Their faithful proclamation of the gospel.

Thoughts on the Passage:

The great evidence of their election found here is: your faith is contagious!

When the apostles entered Thessalonica, they were accused of “turning the world upside down.” Now, the Holy Spirit through the Thessalonian church was doing just that.

The word of the Lord has sounded forth…

It would be a mistake to think that the word that spread from Thessalonica was about themselves – it was the word of the LORD.

Everything the other places knew of them they learned because the word of the Lord Jesus Christ had gone out from them.

This is not merely even the word ABOUT Jesus Christ, as if they are spreading news.

This is Jesus Christ’s WORD, His message, given by His commandment and powered by His Spirit.

The gospel is not what you have done; the gospel is what God has done.

the Lord’s message rang out from you

Many churches are expert in touting their distinctives, their programs, their advantages.

A truly praiseworthy church will be known for the gospel of Jesus Christ and their fervent, consistent proclamation of that truth.

So why does Paul mention the events regarding the Thessalonian church in verse 9, like the fact that they left idolatry for the truth of Jesus Christ and the reception the missionaries had?

This certainly seemed to be common knowledge. So why are these things important to the story? Why is this testimony relevant?

Because it shows the work of GOD in their lives and in their hearts.

Their testimony was not simply about THEIR transformation; it was the transformation GOD wrought through the gospel.

They did not testify about themselves – the idolatry of Thessalonica was previously well-known.

They, in all their dealings, testified to the power of God to convert them from sinners destined for wrath into children of God held close to Him forever.

In every place…

Often treated as hyperbole, but Chrysostom took it as quite literal:

The Macedonians were held in higher esteem than the Romans, and what occurred in the seat of Macedon would reverberate through the known world.

So admirable and even unexpected was their bold loyalty to Jesus that the message about him spread quickly, moving even faster than the apostles could travel to share this news. One is reminded of the Israelite spies who encountered Rahab. The Canaanite prostitute did not need to be told about the fame of Israel and the power of Yahweh because she had already heard and she revered the God who “dried up the water of the Red Sea” (Joshua 2:9–11)!

The manner of going, the context of their proclamation, is interesting here.

The gospel has been preached, the word of the Lord has spread, in every place their faith toward God has gone forth.

Now certainly, there may have been some small number of missionaries sent from this church, although we have no record of any.

And Paul and his team do not call anyone out that may have been a part of these evangelistic endeavors.

We do see some later:

A number of persons from this church had gone out to proclaim the gospel, a few of whom are mentioned at a later stage in the NT. Aristarchus and Secundus of Thessalonica traveled with Paul and arrived with him in Syria and Jerusalem (Acts 20:4). Aristarchus also went with Paul to Ephesus on the second missionary journey (Acts 19:29), and he even accompanied him to Rome (Acts 27:2; Col. 4:10; cf. Phlm. 24). Jason, who had served as the patron for the apostles during the time of the initial evangelization of the city, traveled with Paul to Corinth (17:6–9; 18:1; Rom. 16:21, written at a later date from Corinth).

Rather, it appears that the CHURCH, as a whole, carried this gospel.

Were they sent out as missionaries?

No. Thessalonica is at a major crossroads, like the Roman equivalent of a US highway.

One ran west-to-east into Byzantium (Istanbul); the other ran north-to-south into Macedonia and Achaia (Greece).

As the believers in the Thessalonian church were conducting their business, they carried the gospel as well.

How many believers live separate lives?

One life at church; one in the home; one at work.

For the commendable believer, these lives must be IDENTICAL.

Too many people think because they spend an hour or two a week at church, that baptizes or redeems the rest of the week they spend ignoring God and straining after this world’s treasures.

A follower of Jesus Christ works relentlessly to bring the life not spent in worship into the sphere of God’s control as well.

Their FAITH had gone forth – not their PREACHING.

People saw they were different:

More honest in their dealings.

More loving in their relationships.

EXAMPLES of and for Jesus Christ.

And this, far from removing the necessity for words and the preaching of the gospel, enhanced those words because they were shown to the world as tested and proven.

So that we have no need to say anything…

Recall the chaotic departure and temporary sundering of the missionary group in Thessalonica and Berea.

So that as they were brought back together in Corinth (Acts 18), they had found in many places that the word of the work of God among the Thessalonians was already known, and people desired the same thing to happen among them in those places.

Imagine if you and the believers around you lived such an obviously loving Christian life that the word of the gospel is sought first rather than proclaimed first.

It would be like casting the same nets that have returned empty time and again, but this time finding them full-to-bursting with fish as we become fishers of men.

Nothing of this takes from the work and effort required on behalf of the gospel; but we see the result of the gospel in a giant harvest through the Holy Spirit.

For the disciples on the lake, it took nothing more than simple obedience to know the great bounty of God’s effectual call.

It does not remove the need for the preaching of the gospel, but simply prepares the hearts of people, by our example enlightened by the Holy Spirit, to receive the word.

Sermon Text:

We are looking again this vital beginning to the first epistle to the church of the Thessalonians.

You may recall that the last time we considered this passage, we looked in verse 6 at the tribulation and joy these believers experienced.

That brings us to this morning where, in what may seem a strange turn of events, we will be looking at a few verses: 7, 8, and the first part of verse 9.

so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 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. 9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you

We will take these as a unit because they are all describing the same idea.

Namely, the impact their testimony to God’s grace and goodness has had on the churches and believers around them.

To begin to understand that, let’s review the history surrounding this letter and the people involved.

Paul, Silas, and Timothy came to Thessalonica to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ there.

For three Sabbaths, Paul taught in the synagogue, attempting with some success to show the Jews in that major city the truth that Jesus Christ is the Messiah of God.

When the remaining unconverted Jews refused to budge, he began preaching to the Gentiles of the city as well.

Then the Jews hired thugs from the local marketplace to harass the believers, especially these missionaries.

After a suit was brought to the governor of the region, the local man Jason was required to put up a bond against the risk of having the apostles preach in the city – and the damage the mobs might do in response.

As a result, the church asked the missionaries to move on to another town.

So they went to nearby Berea, where they had a fruitful ministry as well.

That is, until those same Thessalonian Jews came there and began to stir up the rabble against Paul and his companions there as well.

When that happened, the believers there were able to book passage for Paul all the way to the south of Greece – to the city of Athens.

Silas and Timothy stayed behind, strengthening the Berean church, and, presumably, the Thessalonian church as best they could.

Once Paul had ministered in Athens, he headed north. Silas and Timothy headed south from Berea.

They came together in Corinth, and this letter was written from there right after they had reunited.

But we learn something more about the journeys of Paul, Silas, and Timothy in this passage today – what they found along the way toward Corinth.

That at every point along the roads, at every town in these two Roman provinces, people had already heard the gospel because of the testimony of the Thessalonian church.

They put it this way in verse 7: you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

You became an example…

Not that they just became a model that ought to be followed,

Paul wasn’t simply commending them on a job well done by telling them he wished every church would follow their example.

No, the example they provided in receiving the word of God in tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit – that was an example that WAS being followed throughout the area.

When other churches who were experiencing the same types of trouble the Thessalonians did saw their faithful and joyful response to their troubles,

Those other churches followed their example, becoming, in effect, imitators of this baby church.

It was not their maturity nor their understanding that was the example to follow – it was their faithfulness and joy.

Another thing to notice is that their example was to other believers in these regions, not to the pagans and idolaters.

you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

Why is that important? Because those other believers have the same FOUNDATION on which to build the same faithfulness – the foundation of faith in Jesus Christ.

Christians, and even churches, in our area and in our day, spend too much time preening for the world.

The invitation of too many churches is to come and join us prior to joining with Jesus Christ.

It’s as if we believe that an unconverted sinner can become saved by ACTING like a Christian.

Do what we do; believe what we believe about the things of this world.

The problem in that is that we have not introduced them to the grace of Jesus Christ, but to another law, another way to act.

For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 3:11

The first and only example that it benefits a sinner to follow is to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and follow Him.

And once that foundation is laid, then the person has something to build upon.

In verse 8, Paul describes even further how they had become examples to other believers: For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you

Notice, though, that even as he has told them others are following their example, it is not word of their achievement that has sounded forth:

It is the word of the Lord.

The gospel of Jesus Christ was echoing out from them.

The message of the Lord rang out from them.

That word “sounded forth” is used only once in Scripture – right here.

It is used in other Greek instances to describe a great thunder clap, or a great trumpet blast –

It is a sound that fills the air completely.

But that word that sounded forth was not what THEY had done – it was what God had done in Jesus Christ.

The gospel is NEVER about what we have done or how we have done it.

The gospel is at all points the message of what God has done.

So even when Paul mentions that everyone knows how they have turned from idolatry to follow God through Jesus Christ, this is a message of what God has wrought in them.

How many churches compete with others by touting their distinctives, their methods, their programs, or their advantages?

Do you want to be a model church according to the Scriptures?

Be a church that resounds with the word of the Lord!

Declare God’s grace through Jesus Christ in every breath.

Let every word you speak be words of praise to God.

If you want to be an example, be an example in faithfulness to HIS word, not to your own programs.

Be known as a church that fervently, consistently proclaims God’s truth in love, joy, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

We are then told the extent of the reach of their testimony to Jesus Christ: not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth

Thessalonica was positioned at a great crossroads:

A major Roman road ran from west to east from norther Italy to Byzantium.

Another ran north to south through Macedonia and Achaia.

So to say that their faith had gone forth to every place may be hyperbole, it may not be that much of a hyperbole.

Preaching in the late 300’s AD, the great preacher Chrysostom stated that the Macedonians (meaning the Thessalonians) had a greater esteem in Paul’s day than the Romans themselves.

That the respect held by Rome in the hearts of many was due to the fact they had conquered the Macedonians.

And Thessalonica was THE major city of Macedonia, its capital; what happened there MATTERED to the rest of the area and to much of the world.

This was, after all, where Alexander the Great was from.

And in his life, and for centuries afterward, he was known not as “Alexander the Great” but “Alexander the Macedonian”.

But then we should ask how the faith of that small, young church went out at all.

Did they organize mission teams to go and duplicate the ministry of Paul and his companions?

I think, rather, that it was the effect of the whole church that God used to accomplish this.

And further, that in many cases the church member themselves may have been entirely unaware of how God was using their example.

I will explain what I mean.

Because of its geographic position and the established commerce with the towns all over the region,

The members of the Thessalonian church would be in a position, as they conducted their normal business affairs, to conduct them in a new way after they came to Jesus.

And the change in their ethics and tactics was so apparent that the people they dealt with could not help but see something had changed in them.

That is, I think, why Paul seems to be revealing this information to them for the first time:

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.

They were simply living an authentic life in Christ, but it affected everything else they did in ways they may not have even realized.

It reminds me of the response of the faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ on His seat of judgment in Matthew 25:34ff:

Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38 And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

The point of this is that the faithful followers of Jesus Christ were so habitual in their caring for others, they did not recognize anything special in their own behavior.

That is the purest type of humility – when you don’t even recognize you are doing something good when you are doing it.

These Thessalonian believers didn’t live different lives in different places.

But many people who claim to follow Jesus Christ today do.

We have the person we are at home, or at school, or at work, or with our boyfriend or girlfriend, and then we have the person we are when we gather for worship.

And the difficulty for us is when these people we become don’t match up.

Have you ever been embarrassed for your work or school friends to meet your “church” friends?

There have been times in my life where I was.

You live in the constant worry that those separate worlds will one day collide, and the real you will be discovered.

That is a terrible, tumultuous way to live because at every turn, you are having to put on a different mask, to become a different person.

Can you see the freedom and simplicity of living a single life to Christ, and letting Him permeate every other part of your life?

Let that word of Christ sound forth in your own life?

In doing that, you no longer have to fear the collision of worlds or persons in your life – you are the same person in all situations.

But so many fear that one set of friends will find out the secrets you share with other friends;

Or you young people, perhaps you fear that your parents will discover who you are when you are not with them.

Secrets are heavy, particularly when we have to be ready to hide them at a moment’s notice.

It is a far better life, one free of the fear of discovery.

To live in every situation, among every group, in every location consistently in Jesus Christ.

It is that kind of life that so characterized the Thessalonian believers that the word of their conversion spread everywhere.

To the extent that as Paul moved north to Corinth from Athens, and Silas and Timothy moved south to Corinth from Berea, in each town they heard the same thing before they could even open their mouths:

Have you heard what God has done in Thessalonica?

Have you heard of how He has made these former lying, cheating, greedy idolaters into a new kind of person?

Imagine what it was like for these missionaries as they entered each town only to be asked by the local people – “Do you know what happened in Thessalonica?”

They didn’t have to announce it; they didn’t even have to mention it.

They were asked about God’s work before they could say anything.

What if your life gains such integrity that people are waiting in line to discover what made you different?

Even if you are sitting here thinking “My life isn’t consistent at all.” – That is a great place to start!

Because it is the change that God accomplishes through His Son and through His Spirit that deserves all the glory and praise.

It is His work that deserves the recognition.

There is an old statement that your life may be the only gospel people see.

Or some others might say that the life you live is more important than the gospel you preach.

I don’t really agree with those.

I would, rather, say that your life, the testimony of your obedience to Jesus Christ may be the FIRST evidence of the gospel people see.

And when they see your good works, they will glorify your Father in heaven.

When they see your good, consistent, faithful life, they will be able to trust the word of the Lord you carry to them.