The DNA of a Christian

For Christmas this year my family gave me a DNA kit from 23andMe.com, which is a competitor with Ancestry.com. This particular DNA test has a way of predicting potential health risks for an individual. One of the things I’ve learned about myself is that I’m more likely than most to have thin hair! Who’d have thunk? Another thing is that I’m more likely than others to develop Type 2 Diabetes — so far I am beating those odds. I’ve also learned that I am predisposed to being lactose intolerant. I’m unlikely to be an athlete. And I’m more like to move more than average while sleeping. I do get a kick out this one though — I’m predisposed to weigh less than average!

If you have not yet done so, please turn in your Bible to 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10 as we consider the DNA of a Christian. This passage deals with Paul’s confidence regarding the election of the believers in Thessalonica.

Election is one of those doctrines that is often divisive. I’ve personally been warned on more occasions than one to avoid the topic altogether since it is so divisive. But it’s really difficult to avoid a doctrine that is broadly mentioned in the Bible. Though I try to not go out of my way to deal with it, when it is in the text I believe that it must be dealt with to be faithful to the Scriptures.

Peter exhorted the believers in Asia Minor with these words:

2 Peter 1:10 ESV

Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.

Though I don’t intend to delve into the DNA characteristics that Peter mentioned, I believe the exhortation fits well with our text as well.

As we look at our passage we will consider how those who have The DNA of a Christian receive the message of the gospel, share the message of the gospel, and live out the message of the gospel.

Let’s read our passage together: 1 Thess 1.4-10

1 Thessalonians 1:4–10 ESV

For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among 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, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Let’s consider first

The Positive Reception of The Gospel

Note that:

Those with Christian DNA receive the Message of the Gospel.

I want to point out that this passage refers to Paul’s confidence regarding the election of the believers in Thessalonica, not the believers own confidence. Let’s look at why Paul was confident that these believers were numbered among the elect.

Paul’s Confidence in the Received Word

Look again at verse 4-5 as we consider Paul's’ confidence in the Word.

English Standard Version Chapter 1

For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.

Paul was confident because of the content of the gospel message.

Paul was confident because of the presentation of the gospel message.

Paul was confident because of the source of the gospel message.

Paul was confident because of his conviction regarding the gospel message.

Paul’s Confidence in the Receivers of the Word

Look at the last sentence of verse 5-7.

English Standard Version Chapter 1

You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

First we see that the Thessalonians were careful observers of the missionaries.

Second we see that they became Imitators of the missionaries.

They imitated the sufferings of the missionaries as well as of Christ

They imitated their joy as well

True Christian joy comes from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit

Paul was not only confident of the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the gospel, but he was confident that these believers were indwelt by the Holy Spirit since they had the joy that only comes from Him

Third we see that the Thessalonians became an example for others to follow.

We’ve been looking at the positive reception of the gospel message by the believers in Thessalonica. Let’s consider next

The Willingness to Share The Gospel

Note that:

Those with Christian DNA Share the Message of the Gospel.

Look again at verse 8.

1 Thessalonians 1:8 ESV

For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.

First we see

The Regional Witness

“The word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia ...”

The term translated “sounded forth” literally refers to a resounding sound such as from a trumpet or from thunder

Paul had boldly proclaimed the gospel to the Thessalonians (1 Thess. 2.2)

The Thessalonians followed his example by boldly proclaiming the gospel themselves

They did so knowing full well that it was likely to bring persecution (See Acts 17:5-9)

Acts 17:5–9 ESV

But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

Second we see

The Universal Witness

“Your faith in God has gone forth everywhere.”

Thessalonica served as the hub of political and commercial activity in Macedonia, and became known as “the mother of all Macedonia.” Located along the main east-west highway, the Via Egnatia, there was a lot of traffic in and out of the city. And of course, it is natural for people to tell others about what has been happening at a place where they have been. It apparently was gossiped around the whole Roman empire about what had occured as a result of the preaching of the gospel in this important city.

Look at verses 9-10 as we see the content of what has been reported everywhere:

1 Thessalonians 1:9–10 ESV

For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among 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, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

How did Paul know that their faith in God had gone forth everywhere? Remember, he is writing from Corinth, which is the place where he met Priscilla and Aquila. This dynamic Christian couple had been chased out of Rome. And it is possible that they shared with Paul what they had heard about him in Rome.

As I considered this text it reminded me of a couple songs. One is titled Pass it On, written by Kurt Kaiser.

It only takes a spark to get a fire going, and soon all those around can warm up in its glowing. That’s how it is with God’s love once you’ve experienced it; you spread His love to everyone, you want to pass it on.

I’ll shout it from the mountain top (sounded forth) I want my world to know the Lord of love has come to me, I want to pass it on.

We see here that Paul is confident that these believers are among the elect of God because they turned away from serving their manmade idols, and turned to the only true God, giving evidence of their faith by serving Him.

Not only did they repent, believe, and serve, but they began to wait with anticipation for the coming of Christ. This refers back to a portion of Paul’s prayer in verse 3 — “remembering before our God and Father your … steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Notice the way Paul described Jesus:

First He is described as

The Risen Savior

If Jesus was raised from the dead, then He had to have died

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 ESV

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

His death was because of our sins, and not because of His own

His substitutionary death was prophesied by Isaiah as well as other OT prophets

He did not remain dead, because it was impossible for death to keep hold of Him

Second He is described as

The Deliverer from Wrath

Ultimately Jesus delivers His people from God’s wrath because He died in their place. He is the propitiation for the sins of His people. He is the wrath absorber.

Notice that there is a futuristic reference to this — the wrath to come. At the end of each chapter of 1 Thessalonians to is a reference to things future. It is a prominent theme in the epistle.

At the time of the Great White Throne Judgment God will sentence everyone whose name is not found written in the Lamb’s Book of Life to spend the rest of eternity in the Lake of Fire. That is God’s ultimate and final fulfillment of wrath.

But there is a sense in which God’s wrath is already being revealed from heaven. And during the seven year tribulation period His wrath will be displayed over and over again on those who refuse to repent and believe the gospel.

We believe that those who belong to Christ during this present age will be spared the horrors of the tribulation period. That is because we believe the Bible teaches that the church will be raptured prior to that horrendous period of time, which is the subject of chapter 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

We’ve looked so far at the positive reception of the gospel message by the believers in Thessalonica, and their willingness to share this message with others. Let’s consider next

The Living Out of The Gospel

Note that:

Those with Christian DNA Live out the Message of the Gospel.

That the Thessalonian believers were an example to all the believers throughout Greece implies that they lived out the gospel.

Believers are not called merely to believe the gospel, but we are called to serve. We are saved by grace, through faith, for the purpose of walking in the good works which God has prepared for us to do.

I mentioned earlier that my reflections on this text brought to memory a couple of songs. One I’ve already share with you, the second is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman titled Live out Loud. This song was written back when Regis Philbin hosted a game show titled: WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE. The lyrics go like this:

Imagine this I get a phone call from Regis He says, "Do you want to be a millionaire?" They put me on the show and I win with two lifelines to spare Now picture this I act like nothing ever happened And bury all the money in a coffee can Well, I've been given more than Regis ever gave away I was a dead man who was called to come out of my grave And I think it's time for makin' some noise

Wake the neighbors, get the word out Come on crank up the music, climb a mountain and shout This is life we've been given, made to be lived out So la la la la live out loud

Think about this, try to keep a bird from singing After it's soared up in the sky Give the sun a cloudless day and tell it not to shine Think about this if we really have been given The gift of life that will never end And if we have been filled with living hope, we're gonna overflow And if God's love is burning in our hearts well you know we're gonna blow There's just no way to keep it in

Wake the neighbors, get the word out So come on crank up the music, climb a mountain and shout This is life we've been given, made to be lived out So la la la la live out loud

I began this morning by referring to DNA. And I’ve approached this text in terms of a Christian DNA. Those who have a Christian DNA receive the message of the gospel, embracing Jesus as their Savior. They also share the message of the gospel with others — that is part of their DNA. And further, they embody the message they share with others.

I trust that we have truly embraced the message of the gospel. If you haven’t then I encourage you to do so without delay. For those who have embraced the message of the gospel, how are we doing in regards to sharing the message with others? How are we doing in regards to living out the message? Paul said in

1 Thessalonians 2:11–12 ESV

For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

Let’s pray.

Closing Song: #675

I Gave My Life for Thee

This morning we are going to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. Hopefully you picked up a communion packet on your way in. I want to remind you that there are two parts to this packet, both of which will need to be pealed. First a thin, somewhat transparent piece of wrapping to peal from the wafer. Then there is a purple wrapping to peal from the cup.

When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians he was ministering in the city of Corinth. To the Corinthians he later wrote: 1 Cor 11.23-29

1 Corinthians 11:23–29 ESV

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.

If you have not done so already, peal back the wrapping from the wafer. This wafer is a reminder of the body of Christ which was nailed to the old rugged cross. It was there that Jesus lovingly absorbed God’s wrath for the believer. He delivered us from the wrath to come. I’m going to ask Byron if he would stand and give thank for the bread.

Let’s eat this bread together in remembrance of Him.

The cup, filled with juice, reminds us that without the shedding of blood their is no forgiveness of sins. In other words, Christ had to die in order for the believer to be forgiven for their sins. And because His death on the cross satisfied God’s wrath for all who believe, then we who believe are delivered from the coming wrath. I’m going to ask Phil if he would stand and give thanks for the cup.

Now peal back the purple wrapping from the cup. And let’s drink this together in remembrance of Christ.

1 Corinthians 11:26 ESV

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Let’s stand together and sing an acapella verse of Amazing Grace.

Amazing grace! how sweet the sound that save a wretch like me! I once was lost but now am found; was blind, but now I see.