The Results of Paul's Entrance

Introduction:

In this morning’s message, we saw Paul explain his thanksgiving.

We also saw him explain what he knew about his own behavior among the Thessalonians.

Power

Holy Spirit

Full certainty (confident certainty)

Tonight, we will see what he explains to have been the results or broader “fall out” of what happened in Thessalonica.

A Reminder of Their Personal Knowledge of His Behavior

Paul wanted the Thessalonians to use their first-hand knowledge about him.

See passage list for usage of variations of “you all know” in this letter.

We now have a fuller explanation of “our gospel did not come to be unto you all...”

Paul now shifts to something much more personal.

The Thessalonians knew “what sort of ones we came to be among you all for you all.”

Paul was genuinely interested in them, and how he conducted himself demonstrated that to them.

The Results of Paul’s Preaching

You all came to be imitators of us and of the Lord.

Five of the six uses of “imitator(s)” in the New Testament come from Paul.

1 Cor. 4:16.

1 Cor. 11:1.

1 Thess. 2:14.

Heb. 6:12.

Conversion calls for discipleship in the form of mimicking or imitating the behavior of the Lord himself.

Clearly, the Thessalonians understood they were to follow the example Paul had set for them in his own conduct.

He remained obedient without giving in, just as Jesus had done.

They had done this even after the tribulations they had suffered and that Paul experienced in its communication to them.

The conversion of the Thessalonians, and how Paul conducted himself among them, had ramifications beyond them.

In Macedonia and in Corinth, people believed and subsequently obeyed despite the severe local response to Paul’s preaching.

In spite of the difficulties, they received the word with imitation.

The Thessalonian Example

Paul gives one result of their interaction as the Thessalonians becoming an example.

People in Macedonia and Achaia believed and obeyed despite the severe local response to Paul’s preaching.

Paul explains, as well, that information had spread faster than he and his companions traveled.

He does not mean the Thessalonians sent messengers, instead he refers to rumors or reports that made their way from Thessalonica.

This is made clear from the “but rather” clause in 1 Thess. 1:8.

The end result was that Paul did not have to say anything.

People already knew what happened in Thessalonica.

They already knew of the word of the Lord from what happened in Thessalonica.

They already knew about Paul and his companions from Thessalonica.

In 1 Thess. 1:9-10, he clarifies what people already knew.

What kind of entrance we had with you.

This is transitional and will become the focus of the next paragraph (see 1 Thess. 2:1-10).

How you all turned toward God from idols.

To be serving the living and genuine God.

To be awaiting his son from heaven whom he raised from the dead, Jesus.

This future component of the message is part of what made Paul a dangerous man in the context of the times.

“In the Roman empire, a universal confidence that the future could be known either through rites of official priests on public occasions, or privately, produced an infinitely combustible audience for predictions. Against these, as sometimes dangerous to public order, it was correspondingly important for the state to defend itself by legislation” (MacMullen, Enemies of the Roman Order, 128).

We also learn the full extent of the message Paul preached.

They heard this not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God.

Conclusion

How credible is the witness of our lives and lifestyles?

Are we mere purveyors, or do we practice?