Marks of a Model Church

Introduction

Paul mentions Silvanus, who is Silas whom Paul was imprisoned with him in Philippi.

Paul also mentions Timothy, the young preacher that was saved under Paul’s preaching.

Paul is writing this letter to the church at Thessalonica. The church comes from the Greek work Ekklesia. It means, “a called out assembly for a purpose.” This word could refer to any such assembly whether secular, pagan, or religious. The fact that he says “which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ”

By identifying the called out of assembly in Thessalonica being those that are in God he is identifying that he is speaking to the people of God that are called together to serve Christ.

He begins by greeting them with grace and peace to the people of the church.

Paul lets them know that he is thankful for them and prays for them continually.

Paul then lets them know of his appreciation for their service to the Lord. In verse 4 he mentions that he knows that they know the Lord. Their salvation is evident by their service to the Lord.

Their faith is genuine, their love is active, and their hope is steadfast.

This chapter gives us a picture of what every church should strive to be: a church of faith, love, and hope.

1 Thessalonians 1:3 “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;”

Work of Faith

1 Thessalonians 1:5–7 “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 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.”

The works of the Thessalonians is derived from their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Their faith wasn’t empty words—it produced visible works.

They became Believers

1 Thessalonians 1:5 “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.”

They became Followers

1 Thessalonians 1:6 “And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:”

They became Leaders

1 Thessalonians 1:7 “So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.”

Application: True faith works—it transforms us into believers, followers, and leaders for Christ.

Labour of Love

1 Thessalonians 1:8–9 “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. For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;”

The service of the Thessalonians is completed out of love for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Love for Christ compelled them to labor tirelessly.

They Preached the Gospel

1 Thessalonians 1:8 “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 word of the Lord sounded out everywhere.

They Lived the Gospel

1 Thessalonians 1:9 “For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;”

their testimony was so clear that others spoke of how they turned from idols to serve the living God.

Application: Love for Christ drives us not only to proclaim the gospel but also to live it out authentically.

Patience of Hope

1 Thessalonians 1:10 “And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”

The endurance of the Thessalonians comes from the hope they have in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Their hope wasn’t wishful thinking—it was confident endurance rooted in Christ’s return

Hopeful for Christ’s Return

they were waiting expectantly for the Son from heaven.

They were Hopeful for Christ’s Deliverance

they rested in His promise of deliverance from the wrath to come.

Application: Hope in Christ gives us patience to endure trials and assurance of our eternal future.

Conclusion

The Thessalonians are remembered for their faith, love, and hope.

This is what makes a church strong, enduring, and effective.

The question for us: Do others see in us the same evidence of Christ—faith that works, love that labors, and hope that endures?