The Model Church: Faith, Hope, and Love
Notes
Transcript
The Model Church
The Model Church
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. 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.
And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 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. 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, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Now I have titled this sermon the Model Church…The Church of Faith, Hope, and Love! and the Church is Thessalonica really was a model Church
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.
Thessalonica was a model church in the midst of a rough and bustling environment
Thessalonica was the capital and the most important city of Macedonia
The population around this time was about 200,000
It was along what was known as the “Egnatian Way” The important and main trade route from Rome
Throughout the whole epistle of Thessalonians we get great examples of what a model church looks like and it can give us example of what we should strive to be.
Now it is important to note that the Thessalonians were a model church because they kept their eyes and hearts fixed on Jesus
They are to be modeled because they strived to look and act like Christ
They truly sought to be the body of Christ here on earth
We can be a model church by not just following the example of the Thessalonians, but if we will follow the example the Lord Jesus set for us
We can be a model church for the world if we will set our eyes and hearts on Jesus and keep them there.
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Notice here in verse 1 that Paul recognizes the church at Thessalonica as a “saved” Church… He says “in God the father and in the Lord Jesus Christ”
Now Paul visited Thessalonica on his second missionary Journey… where it is said Paul received the “Macedonian Call”
This is after Lydia got saved, the incident with the possessed slave girl that was telling fortunes, after the Philippian jailor and his house got saved, It is after all this that Paul, Silas, and Timothy
Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Now we see in our text from today that the Thessalonians were one reason for this call
Acts 17:1–4 (NKJV)
Now when they had passed through(am fipolis) Amphipolis and (App olina) Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.
So we see here that God was faithful and people were saved… and the Church was formed
1 Thessalonians 1:2–3 (NKJV)
We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, (VS 3) remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,
Notice here that Paul here gives all the credit to God… He says they have a Faith that works… that is works produced by faith
They have a Love that labors and a Hope that endures or perseveres
A true saving faith is always revealed in how we live our lives… The Thessalonians saving faith had produced change in their lives… they had righteous deeds manifested in their lives because of their faith.
Their good works verified their faith, Their faith changed their lives
Paul says that he is always giving thanks to God for these foundational spiritual qualities
1 and 2 Thessalonians: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary A Faith that Worked
Work is the Greek word ergon, which refers to the deed, achievement, or function itself. Paul was confident of the Thessalonians’ election because their faith—the authentic saving and sanctifying gift from God—was producing righteous deeds in their lives.
Now second Paul says he gives thanks to God for them for their “Labor of Love”… A second evidence of their salvation and faithfulness.
The TRUE Christian ministers on the motivation of their love for others… Loving one’s enemies is an expression of the power of salvation is it not?
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Labor is the Greek word kopos, which denotes an strenuous, wearying kind of toil, done to the point of exhaustion. An effort that strains all of one’s energies to the maximum level
The greek word for love here is agape… The noblest and most selfless form of love… it is the kind of love that motivates this kind of spiritual effort
In 2 Corinthians 5:14 Paul says, “The love of Christ controls us” (cf. Gal. 5:6). Those who are indifferent to that concern are on their way to hell, unless they repent: “If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed” (1 Cor. 16:22). The Thessalonian believers’ labor of love was therefore another mark of their salvation and faithfulness
Next Paul said they had a hope that endured
All Christians have a hope in the Lord Jesus Christ, a persevering anticipation of seeing His future glory and receiving their eternal inheritance
Paul himself had this hope… He said in 2 Timothy 4:8 “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
Of patience or steadfastness (as some translations say) here Paul is saying that they are holding on even under pressure… in fact the Greek here denotes the idea of staying under pressure… There is nothing that should cause a Christian to lose his or her trust in God’s promises
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
1 and 2 Thessalonians: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary A Hope that Endured
The Thessalonians’ hope (elpis) was firm because it was anchored in the unchangeable Lord Jesus Christ.
Now notice at the end of VS 3 Paul says 1 Thessalonians 1:3 “remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,”
Paul is saying here that they have the right motives… They have the right audience watching their actions GOD
God is their audience… They are not motivated by men, they are not acting in these manners for men… they are doing it for God’s Glory alone
knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. 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.
Paul says By these things we know your election by God. This is an assured Church
Paul asserts here that power was revealed because the message did not come to the Thessalonians in word only… in other words it wasn’t just merely talk… it was not simply the words themselves that mattered… Faith does come by hearing the words of truth but the transformation process involves far more than that.
Paul is essentially saying here that regardless of the compelling logic or rhetoric spoken or the communication style if the spoken truth is not accompanied by the power of God, it accomplishes nothing. But when empowered by God the Gospel truth saves.
Paul told the Corinthians that the “Natural man cannot understand the Gospel”
1 and 2 Thessalonians: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary A Reception of the Gospel in Power and the Holy Spirit
Paul knew the preaching at Thessalonica bore divine power because of the full conviction (“much assurance,” NKJV) he had as he delivered it.
Now I think it is important to note that Paul and his fellow preachers were Spirit empowered, they were confident, and bold men who depended on God’s power to effect salvation. That is what he wanted the Thessalonians to remember when he said “as you know what kind of men we were among you”
He wanted them to know that the characteristics that him, Silas, and Timothy no doubt exuded, were all to be attributed to the Spirit of God working in their lives. Characteristics such as truthfulness, humbleness, selflessness, gentleness, and compassion towards others
In 2 Thess Paul said he had worked among them so that he would not have to accept any money from them… So the Thessalonians had not only heard the Gospel preached by Paul but they had seen Paul live it out… Paul’s life had in this way served as an example for them of the power of the very Gospel he preached.
And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
Here Paul is saying that the Church in Thessalonica is an enduring Church
Some of your translations will say “and you became imitators of us and of the Lord”
The Greek word used in scripture here is (mimitase) mimētai and it is the word from which the English word mimic comes from. This transforming work began at the moment of salvation when the Thessalonians believed. The Thessalonian Church was in the middle of a very pagan environment and a very pagan culture. Paul is saying here that in the Power of the Holy Spirit they had become imitators of the apostle, his co-labors and preachers and most importantly imitators or Christ
Now Paul says they did this in much affliction… Look back over in acts at chapter 17
But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king—Jesus.” And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things. So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds. Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there.
What we see here is just a glimpse of the the persecution that the believers in Thessalonica would of been experiencing… Notice that it wasn’t enough that Paul, Silas and Timothy had left and moved on to Berea… The Jews from Thessalonica went there too so they could continue to persecute them…
I feel like it is important to point out that they endured much affliction because they had that patient hope in the Lord Jesus Christ we spoke of earlier in VS 3
Notice the Scripture says they endured with Joy. Scripture doesn't say they endured grudgingly or it doesn't say they endured reluctantly… it says they Endured with Joy!
No matter how difficult circumstances become, true Christians do not lose their ultimate Joy because our Joy comes from the God and His Holy Spirit.
Paul says in Romans, Romans 14:17, The Kingdom of God is Joy
Now most translations say affliction in VS 6 but the Greek word used here is (tha leap sees) thlipsis, which means “intense pressure,” as opposed to something mild. A better translation of this word would probably be TRIBULATION… which I believe is how the CSB translates it. So the new believers in Thessalonica experienced severe persecution, but the genuineness of their salvation transcended that affliction so that they never lost their joy
so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.
Paul says that the believers in Thessalonica went from commendable imitators of Paul and Christ to those whose own Christian lives became worthy of imitation.
The Greek word used for Example here is(too pose) tupos and means “Exact reproduction” It is the word from which we get our word type from… So Paul is indicating that they are the type that all can look to and they were the type that all should try to imitate.
They were like blue prints for others throughout the region to build their lives on
Now Paul is telling them that they are examples locally and regionally… Achaia was about 500 miles from Thessalonica and was the region that Corinth was in…
Paul goes on to say in VS 8 that there example was not to be limited locally though, lets see what he had to say.
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.
Paul says that because of this Joy they put forth they have become examples to all believers… what is better evidence of that than our study of them today?
Look at this “Sounded Forth”… This is the Greek work from which we get echo… to ring out, to proclaim
Their faith in God had gone out… they witnessed verbally… they proclaimed the truth of God they had heard and learned
They witnessed by their actions!
Now notice the end of VS 8… Paul Says “so we do not need to say anything”
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,
Their influence was so clear and extensive that Paul said he had no need to say anything. In fact, news of the Thessalonians’ salvation and subsequent powerful witness was so convincing that Paul said the people who heard the testimony of the church could themselves report to us what kind of a reception we had with you. Rather than Paul telling people he met in his travels about what God had done in that city, people were telling him what was becoming commonly known.
The end of VS 9 said “how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God”
Just another true evidence of the Thessalonians salvation was that they submitted to the Lord. This salvation meant a decisive break with pagan religion and a redirecting of their whole life.
The Thessalonians abandoned all polytheism and embraced only God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The term used here for turned is a verb commonly used in the New Testament to indicate a turn in the opposite direction in regards to salvation. So they turned 180 degrees from idols… They abandoned their idols for God.
1 and 2 Thessalonians: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary A Total Transformation from Idolatry
The word Paul chose for serve (douleuein) means to serve as a bond-slave, which was the most demanding form of servitude. Paul knew that the Thessalonians had turned from slavish devotion to false, dead, demonic idols to a new and welcome slavery to the one living and true God
and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Those who love Christ long for and anticipate His return.
Jesus will return, He will return to exercise His sovereign right to rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
I found it interesting that the word Paul uses for “wait” here isn’t used anywhere else in the New Testament… It refers to expectant waiting and patient, trusting waiting.
1 and 2 Thessalonians: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary An Expectant Looking for the Return of Christ
The true believer eagerly looks forward to Christ’s return because he knows it brings to fulfillment and satisfaction God’s eternal purpose, which is, as Paul stated it, to rescue us from the wrath to come. Rescues denotes the deliverance the Lord provides. He is the Rescuer, Deliverer, and Savior of those otherwise headed for divine judgment and eternal punishment.
What a wonderful section of Scripture...
SO my question to you is “Will you be delivered from the wrath to come?”
Are you truly saved, sanctified, and assured?
If not… Will you repent of your sin and place your faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, Who can save you from the warth to come?
If you are truly converted, truly saved, sanctified, and assured, are you living that way? Are you living it out?
Is your work for the Lord produced by faith?
Is your labor motivated by Love?
Does your endurance come from your hope in Christ?
Do you have Faith, Hope, and Love like the believers in Thessalonica had? Reflect on that… As we sing