A look at the Thessalonian church...

We come this evening to a book that we’ve preached through in the past and I want us to return there again to the book of 1 Thessalonians.

After Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica (3:1–5), Timothy returned to the apostle with a largely positive report about the Thessalonian church (3:6).

Yet Timothy also informed Paul about four concerns that caused the apostle to write 1 Thessalonians:

1. Paul’s Integrity. Non-Christians in Thessalonica accused Paul of impure, selfish motives,

causing the apostle in the first half of the letter to defend his ministry and that of his co-workers, Silas and Timothy (2:1–3:10).

2. Persecution. Paul encourages his readers who were being persecuted for their new faith (2:14; 3:1–5).

3. Proper Moral Conduct. Paul exhorts his readers to live a holy life (4:1–12; 5:12–22).

4. Christ’s Return. Paul comforts his readers about the fate of both deceased (4:13–18) and living (5:1–11) believers at Christ’s return.

For out purposes tonight let’s look at some high lights for us to pray over tonight as we might ask God to conform us, as a church body, to His own word...

We see first of all that it was a

1. A Converted church.

1 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. 2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, 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, 4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.” ()

They were “in the Lord Jesus Christ” (v1). Thier lives evidenced that they knew the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior.

This is the beginning of a true church.

How many churches do you think are ineffective due to the rate of tares among the wheat?

Unconverted preachers, do you think that would cause a problem?

When there are unregenerate people in place, this works against God’s purposes and confuses the church’s message.

Let’s see how this church began. Go over to . It says in v1 that Paul started in Thessalonica at the Jewish synagogue.

Since he was a Jew himself, he would find his greatest opportunity to spead the gospel among other Jews.

vv 2-3 contain the content of Paul’s message: 2 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 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.”” ()

Here Paul opens and explains and presents that Jesus is the Christ.

That the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. Here is the gospel of the suffering Savior.

There’s a continual response to those who believed that Jesus couldn’t be the Messiah since He suffered and died.

This of course was prophesied in and among many other places.

So naturally Paul would have taken the time to unfold these marvelous truths!!

What the result of Paul’s teaching? 4 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.” ()

Go over to . What does a converted church do, after the Spirit of God converts these people what do they do?

42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” ()

They were devoted to these elements. That what a group of born again people do.

And because they were, they turned the city of Jerusalem upside down.

They were making such an impact that the Jewish leaders were tearing their hair out, saying, 28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”” ()

When you have a totally regenerated assembly of people moving through town in the power of the Holy Spirit, they are bound to make a great impact.

It was no different for the Thessalonians. Paul said, 5 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.” ()

2. A Committed church

6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord...” ()

You see that? “followers of us and of the Lord”. This is the character of a converted church, it’s a committed church!

A Chastised church

Not just as a collective whole do we follow Christ but each individual represents and seeks to imitate Christ.

The pursuit of the Christian is to be like Christ. Don’t you think that the key to unity in the church revolves around whether or not a person is following Christ?

If all of us were like Christ, we’d have no problem getting along with each other.

But unfortunately, we are not always in tune with one another because we are not all following Christ.

This church was committed to Christlikeness, which had been demonstrated in the live of Paul, Silas, and Timothy.

When we look at the NT about this role of imitating, it becomes a very rich study and also provides us something with which to ask ourselves,

“How much of the actions and character laid out in Holy Scripture, that I can look into my own church body and find?”

For example.

7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.” ()

v7 the word translated “disorderly” actually means ‘idle’.

In v8 the labored and toiled and worked unceasingly because they didn’t want to be a burden to anyone!

They did these things to set an example to be imitated (is what v9 says).

Or in . Let’s go there. 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me.” ()

When we see the word, “therefore” we have to go back to what was written to see what Paul’s talking about.

What are we imitate in v1? That we are servants and

stewards or managers of God’s word, who in v2 are to be faithful managers.

vv3-5 we could sum up about living our daily lives in light of God’s eternity!

Am I living today in light of that final day when the Lord comes and He’s going to reveal what was in my heart.

To take the things that in hidden in darkness and He’s going to reveal them.

v6 seeking to benefit others and not going beyond what is written in Scripture

that we wouldn’t sin by pridefully favoring one over the other. Do not be arrogant.

v7, if I’ve done anything good, it’s only because the Lord gave it!

8-13 we live to make others live better.

The apostles are in last place

condemned to die

a spectical to the world(v9)

In v10 we are

Fools for Christ

weak

dishonored

In v11

Hungry and thristy

poorly cloted

roughly treated

homeless

In v12

laboring

reviled

persecuted

In v13

slandered but respond graciously

scum of the earth

like everyone’s garbage

what a stark contrast between himself and the Corinthians,

what awful and insensitive pride in the face of the lowly existence of the apostles.

So we warns them, he’s not shaming them (v14) but warning.

We are warned tonight that we should imitate Paul who lived as a

servant (v1)

(not seeking to be served)

manager of God’s Word (v1)

(not just being fed)

who sought to be faithful to it.

who sought to be faithful to it (v1-2)

(gave accurate counsel from God’s word and properly applied it)

Who lived daily, in light of God’s eternity (vv4-5).

(not in hypocrisy)

Who sought the benefit of others and not going beyond what is written. (v6)

(not for the benefit of himself)

Have an understanding of grace, so that you don’t become boastful. (v7)

(not as boasting as though he was some how better than anyone else)

(vv8-13) lived lowly so that others may be built up.

[not seeking to look as kings (v8) or as wise, strong, distinguished (v10)]

3. A Chastised church

“...having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit” ()

This church didn’t have it easy. We learn that all converted and committed churches will have a difficult time.

We read where we were in in the next verses 5 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. 6 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.” ()

4. A Convert-making church

7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.” ()

Here’s the first way that they spread the gospel, which was by the way that they lived.

Others could look upon that church and say, “Hey, that’s the way that we ought to be living.”

It’s not the programs or creativity that give a church a credible testimony.

Rather it’s how Christ-like we are.

So how did the believers in Macedonia and Achaia respond to this churche’s testimony?

9 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,” ()

Paul didn’t have to tell others of their conversion because they told it with their lives.

Of course they didn’t just live it, they spoke it as well.

8 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.” ()

“sounded forth” is where we get our English word echo.

Our testimonies are never independent from God’s Word.

Our testimonies are simply and echo of God’s truth. An echo alway repeats what is origninally spoken.

God has put His voice in you- the Holy Spirit.

5. A Continuing church

8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.” ()

“When we got the message that you were standing fast in the Lord, we were really living!

That report made our day!”

Standing fast in the Lord means two things: not wavering doctrinally and maintaining a steadfast love.

A person can stand fast doctrinally but dry up spiritually.

That is why a Christian needs to stand fast in terms of love.

Unfortunately the church at Ephesus didn’t.

Our Lord reproved them, saying, 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” ()

The Thessalonian churhc stood firmly on the Word of God. Paul said,

5 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. 6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,” ()

Paul also said to them, 13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” ()

7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith.” ()

How glorious it is when a church doesn’t waver from its doctrine or its commitment to love one another!!

6. A Complying church