Sermon Tone Analysis

AN AUTHENTIC, PROVEN CHURCH

Spring Valley Mennonite; January 23, 2022; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3

I am holding in my hand a genuine lump of gold.

I guarantee that it is authentic, and at today's price of about $1800 per oz., this piece of gold is worth around $15,000.

However, there is one issue with this lump of gold: it is an authentic piece of "fool's gold" or iron pyrite.

Basically, it is worthless compared to real gold.

Fool's gold is so called because many an amateur miner, upon striking a vein of iron pyrite thought he had struck the mother lode only to be proven wrong.

The search for things that are genuine and authentic is challenging in a world that is ruled by the "father of lies."

Whether it be products that make claims they don't live up to, relationships that turn sour, or politicians who fail to keep promises, we all have been disappointed by something we thought was authentic but proved false.

Perhaps another way to put it is that we all search for truth.

As believers in Jesus Christ, our search for truth has borne fruit.

Jesus Himself said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."

God's plan and will for we believers is for us to join together in local churches.

Every Christian church makes claims to follow Jesus Christ, yet sadly, many fall far short of these claims.

To establish strong and healthy churches was the life-calling of the Apostle Paul, perhaps the most effective church planter in history.

In this letter to the Thessalonian church he gives thanks that this church was proving itself authentic.

We see in these introductory verses several principles about authenticity in this church and its members.

After having to leave Thessalonica abruptly because of opposition by the Jews, the church planting team moved on, but Paul had a deep burden for this church.

Were they continuing in the faith?

Had the seed of the Gospel fallen on fertile soil?

Timothy was sent back to Thessalonica on a fact-finding mission.

Paul wrote this letter in response to Timothy's favorable report about the progress and growth he observed in this newly planted church.

This personal and encouraging letter was written several months, perhaps a long as a year after their initial ministry in Thessalonica.

We'll begin our study by reading the first three verses.

(Read vv.

1-3)

I. THE TEAM INTRODUCED

In most of the letters Paul writes he refers to himself as "The Apostle Paul."

Notice here we see simply "Paul."

The significance is that in this earliest letter among his epistles, any opposition or question about his qualifications as an Apostle is missing.

He writes simply as "Paul."

Although Paul is the author of the letter, he gives equal standing to the other two church planters, Silas or Silvanus, and Timothy.

Let's spend a moment becoming acquainted with these men: Silas is first seen as a representative of the Jerusalem church sent to Antioch from the Jerusalem Church Council, as we read about in Acts 15.

This Council settled the issue of Gentile believers and their observance of the Mosaic Law.

The ruling absolving them of obedience to the Law's ceremonial requirements, including circumcism.

Silas is described as a prophet, and it is noted that he proved his ability as a teacher and preacher by delivering a lengthy sermon to the Antioch church at his arrival.

He remained in Antioch as a leader and teacher after delivering the Council decision.

He accompanied Paul on the second Missionary trip.

Silas later shows up as a scribe for the Apostle Peter as recorded in 1 Peter 5:12.

Silas' personality seems to be more assertive than Timothy.

Timothy is found to be very prominent in the development of the early churches.

He was from the town of Lystra and was converted in Paul's ministry on the first of his travels through Asia Minor.

He had a Jewish mother named Eunice and grandmother named Lois who taught Timothy well in the Old Testament scriptures. 2 Timothy 3:15 states: "From childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."

Note that the Old Testament gives the background information preparing those who listen to accept Jesus as Savior.

Timothy is seen to be highly esteemed by Paul: Speaking of Timothy in Philippians 2:19: "But you know of his proven worth that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father."

Timothy is mentioned more often than anyone else of Paul's companions.

He was a willing and dependable disciple who was sent on many difficult errands.

He accompanied Paul on his second and third missionary expeditions.

Their relationship was deeply personal and enduring.

He was with Paul in Rome, being mentioned in the prison epistles of Philippians, Colossians and Philemon.

He also served as the Pastor of the Ephesian church.

There is a principle we see in this greeting, and that is how God uses a variety of gifts and personalities to accomplish His Kingdom work.

Paul was very powerful and forward in his approach to ministry.

Silas seems to have been a studious preacher, in for the long haul.

Timothy was sensitive and more of a follower, younger than the other two and willing to serve.

Together these three formed an effective team.

God uses different personalities and gifted individuals to accomplish His purposes.

There are no unimportant people in God's kingdom.

Verse 2 begins with "We give thanks...", not "I."

Reading between the lines, we see Paul affirming the "We principle" of team ministry.

Another important principle is how Paul addresses the church as a whole rather than individuals.

Of course, the church is made up of individuals, but I believe a point is being made of the body life of the church.

In many of the other of his letters, Paul addresses "the believers" as Rome, or "to the saints" as in his letters to Ephesus, Philippi, and Colossae.

I would ask, "Do we see ourselves more as an individual believer or as a believer vitally connected to this church?"

Perhaps it is a cultural thing, the rugged individual idea of the American pioneer, being able to exist independently without needing anyone else.

Perhaps in this study we will gain an appreciation of our identity as a body of believers.

One further thing is how the church is described "In God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

Both the Father and the Son are presented on an equal basis.

The importance of the statement that the church is "In the Father and Christ" is the mysterious union we have with God that we have as believers, and that the church has as the body of Christ.

In his commentary on this verse John MacArthur observes, "They participated in the very life of God and the life of Christ.

There is an indivisible spiritual union between Christ and His own.

In his New Testament letters, Paul taught that believers do not simply believe facts about Jesus Christ, but that they are in Him.

He told the Galatians, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Gal.

2:20).

"For you have died," he reminded the Colossians, "and your life is hidden with Christ in God" (Col.

3:3).

That is the inexplicable and incomprehensible mystery of what it is to be a Christian-that God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit (Rom.

8:9, 11; 1 Cor.

3:16; 2 Tim.

1:14) live within the believer and the believer lives in them in a sharing of divine and eternal life.1"

Paul continues his greeting with his customary "grace and peace."

But let's not miss the significance of the order here.

Grace is God's unmerited favor toward the sinner.

Grace is unearned and is a free gift of God.

God takes the initiative in extending grace through the Lord Jesus Christ.

God's grace is the beginning point of salvation.

Peace, on the other hand is the result of grace operating in our life.

Why do we need peace?

Before believing, we were enemies of God, at war, serving God's enemy.

This lack of inner peace leaves humanity troubled and fearful, for it is terrifying to think of falling under the judgment of a wrathful God.

All men seek inner peace because the soul without God is also restless, seeking meaning and purpose.

Think of the many directions in which men seek meaning and this inner peace: Some would deny that God exists, for there is no judgment if there is no God.

But for others, they seek purpose in various religions, relationships, causes, careers, hobbies, identity as a "fan" as in "I never miss a Chief's game!", business, wealth, or as avid collectors of stuff-some people actually devote their lives to collecting things!

Do you realize some people collect and establish museums for things like umbrellas, back scratchers, airsickness bags, and chocolate wrappers (one person has 38,579 of them!).

But significance, identity and purpose in life-all tied to inner peace, cannot be found apart from Jesus Christ.

His grace applied to our life is the only pathway to peace.

Jesus promised, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you.

Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."

II.

THANKFULNESS FOR AN AUTHENTIC CHURCH OF AUTHENTIC BELIEVERS

Verse 2 begins again with "We." Paul is writing on behalf of the team.

They gathered to pray for the church, giving thanks and glory to God for what was happening.

Although we will cover verse 4 in depth next week, it will serve as a starting point for verses 2 and 3: "Knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you."