1 Thessalonians 1:4-7 / Chosen By God

1 Thessalonians 1:4–7 ESV

4 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. 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.

1 Thessalonians 1:4 ESV

4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,

Let your calling be confirmed! (2 Peter 1:10)

They have been battle tested!

Illustration: Marriage that has been battle tested

When counseling couples who I know have been together together for some years and have endured some trials, I can point to that as assurance that they can take what life is throwing at them. As proof that they can trust God to be there as He has been in the past.

“Whatever doesn’t kill you will make you stronger!”

But this comes with some work.

For a marriage to mature they have to leave the Honeymoon phase.

1 Thessalonians 1:5 ESV

5 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.

“Our Gospel Came to you.”

Our Gospel:

There were false gospel messages. (Judiazers)

Never follow a leader who isn’t on the journey with you.

Came to you: The heart of this introduction was Paul acknowledgement and praise that they had truly accepted the Gospel!

Consider this Praise: There is One Gospel yet to some it results in eternal life and other eternal death.

Our response to the Gospel is no small thing.

Do you accept it or reject it?

But by saying they accepted it I think Paul meant something a little deeper.

ROMANS 12:2, “Do be conformed to this world, but be TRANSFORMED by the renewal of your mind …”

The Gospel should change you.

Are you hearing me or are you just listening to me.

Came to them: “In power”

The Gospel should be empowering.

Ephesians 6 reminds us that there is a spiritual battle taking place.

To some that sounds weird (but that is what God’s word tells us)

The body of Christ is equipped to fight that battle.

We, the body of Christ, are called, equipped, and empowered to ENGAGE in this spiritual battle that continues in this fallen world.

Who’s Power?

Certainly not our own power.

Phil 4:13: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

John 5:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Came to them “in the Holy Spirit”

The (often forgotten) 3rd person of the Trinity.

There is a noticeable difference between a church who teaches God’s word and one who teaches it with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Worship God in Spirit ( John 4:24)

Live by the Spirit (Gal 5:25)

Presence of the Holy Spirit confirms our adoption as children of God.

Romans 8:14 ESV

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Romans 8:16 ESV

16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

Came to them “with full conviction.”

We should accept nothing less than what God has called us to.

We should hold ourselves accountable to it.

You became IMITATORS of us and of the Lord (v6)

You became an example to all believers (v7)