Followers of the Lord

1 Thessalonians 1:6-10

Introduction

The term ‘Christian’ basically refers to a follower of Christ.

It should be the desire of every believer to follow Jesus.

As Paul continues to express his thankfulness for the believers at Thessalonica, he highlights what it looks like to truly follow the Lord.

Like the Thessalonians, are you known as one who follows the Lord?

In this passage we find four basic descriptions of one who follows the Lord.

I. Receive the Word (v. 6)

In verse six Paul describes the Thessalonians as following him now that they have received the word.

Here we find a basic discipleship relationship.

2 Pronged applications:

1. Young or new believers should respect spiritual leadership and learn from them.

Warren Wiersbe says, “It is important that young Christians respect spiritual leadership and learn from mature believers. Just as a newborn baby needs a family, so a newborn Christian needs the local church and the leaders there.”

New believers should be imitators of those who lead them.

Evangelical Commentary says, “Having welcomed the gospel into their lives, the Thessalonians began to live in a Christian manner. “You became imitators of us and of the Lord.” What they imitated in the lives of the apostles was what the apostles had learned from Christ.”

2. Mature believers should disciple others.

Wiersbe goes on to say, “It is not enough for us as mature believers to win souls; we must also watch for souls and encourage new Christians to obey God’s Word.”

Mature believers should also encourage new believers to imitate them as they imitate Christ.

This receiving of the Word by one who follows the Lord through the effective leadership of spiritual mentors does not come without a price.

As the Thessalonians were taught and grew in their faith they abandon the idols and worldliness they were accustomed to which put them at odds with the society in which they lived.

Therefore, they received the Word in much affliction.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary says, “The Gentile converts must have had to swim against the swift current of paganism that flowed like a torrent through the conduit of commercial Thessalonica.”

Do you ever feel that way?

Like your swimming upstream, going against the flow.

This is true for all believers down through the ages.

As we receive the Word, our lifestyle and behavior changes that in many ways intimidates the pagan world around us.

Therefore, they bite back and make life difficult for followers of the Lord.

Followers of the Lord will receive the Word and grow even in an adverse environment.

II. Responds to the Spirit (v. 6)

Followers of the Lord will receive the Word and grow in their faith even in the midst of affliction which brings much joy.

As one responds rightly in submission to the Holy Spirit, he or she will experience an abundant and joyous life that is only experienced by true followers of the Lord.

When the Word of God is taught and we follow our spiritual mentors, the Holy Spirit will fill us.

As we are filled with the Spirit, we are then sensitive to His promptings which lead us to obedience that invites God’s hand of blessing on our lives.

As we grow in our walk with the Lord we become increasingly present in the sphere of His Kingdom.

This is where we hear the still small voice of the Spirit. As we respond to Him we get to a place where we hear Him directly in addition to learning of Him through our spiritual leaders.

Are you responding to the Holy Spirit in your life?

Do you hear His voice?

Do you have the joy of the Holy Spirit as you follow the Lord?

III. Lives as an Example (v. 7-9)

In verses 7-9 we see that followers of the Lord will not only receive the Word and respond to the Spirit, but will also live as an example.

The word ‘ensamples’ in the King James can be translated as ‘model.’

The Thessalonians became an example or model for others.

The Holman Commentary says, “In the first century, the word model referred to the mark left by a hammer or die as in the making of a coin, leaving an impression like the original. Thus, the Thessalonian church became a “model” of believers banded together, a prototype of what a church should be.”

Followers of the Lord set an example for others as they grow in their faith.

The truth is, there is someone watching and following all of us.

We all have someone who looks up to us and walks in our steps.

What kind of example are you?

Are you modeling Christ-likeness?

IV. Wait for His return (v. 10)

In verse 10, Paul adds that those who follow the Lord are waiting for the return of Christ.

This is not passive waiting, but active.

It is not waiting and doing nothing.

It is doing something while we wait.

We engage in discipleship while we wait.

We follow our spiritual leaders while we wait.

We disciple others while we wait.

We respond to the Holy Spirit while we wait.

We listen to His voice while we wait.

We obey Him while we wait.

We preach the Gospel while we wait.

We set an example while we wait.

A true follower of Christ will wait for His return as they receive the Word, respond to the Spirit, and live as an example.

Conclusion

Paul’s thanksgiving for how the Thessalonians followed the Lord is a true Biblical pattern of the church.

As the Holman Commentary says, “This pattern forms a great circle of discipleship and leadership which still applies today. Leaders and teachers in the church are to follow Christ; those in the leader’s care follow after his example; they, in turn, become models of Christlikeness to people outside the church.”

This is who we are.

This is what we do while we wait for His return.

Followers of the Lord.