The Future According to GodSample

1 THESSALONIANS 1: The Word of the Lord Sounded Forth

Today, we begin Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians. We will look at my English Standard Version Study Bible book introduction to learn about 1 Thessalonians. The Apostle Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians from Corinth during his second missionary journey, around 50 A.D. Thessalonica was the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia. Because it was a harbor town, it was a flourishing city of trade and philosophy, with a population of over one hundred thousand people.

Paul, Timothy, and Silas all preached in the synagogue in Thessalonica to Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, and many converted to Christianity. Jewish opponents instigated a riot against Jason, Paul’s host, forcing them all to leave

Thessalonica prematurely. Paul was concerned for the new believers in Thessalonica, so he sent Timothy back there a few months later. Timothy and Paul met up in Corinth, where Timothy updated Paul on the church.

Generally, the church was doing fine, but a few members had died, and because they did not understand the second coming, some thought those dead would miss it. That raised a second concern, the timing of the day of the Lord. What if they died? Could they also miss the second coming?

They also did not expect the persecution of the church they were facing to last as long as it was lasting. Furthermore, they were disappointed Paul himself did not return to Thessalonica, sending Timothy instead. Finally, some of the new Christians were depending on wealthier Christians to provide for them rather than earning a living themselves. Paul composed 1 Thessalonians to address all those issues.

The most prominent theme of the letter is the Second Coming of Jesus. It is mentioned in every chapter of the book. Paul tells us how to prepare for the return of Christ: warn the lazy, comfort the frightened, care for the weak, be patient, and do something good for someone. The church in Thessalonica was the first Paul ever wrote a letter. 1 Thessalonians is five chapters. We will take them one a day. Please read or listen to 1 Thessalonians 1.

COMMENTS

To help us through our study of 1 Thessalonians, I am going to do something different with my Bible reading journals. I found I read 1 Thessalonians three years in a row. So we are going to look at journals three years in a row: 1992, 1993, and 1994. I was thirty-seven, thirty-eight, and thirty-nine years old those years. In 1992, I read the New Testament, the next year I read various books, and in 1994, I also read various books of the Bible.

We begin with my journal entry from 1992. That year, I read 1 Thessalonians 1 and 2 on the same day. Concerning chapter 1, I wrote, “Paul was a pray-er.” Then I wrote, “The Lord gave him time by imprisoning him. Help me be an example and sound forth the Word of the Lord, referring to 1 Thessalonians 1:7, 8 NASB.”

The next year, 1993, I also read 1 Thessalonians and wrote about chapter 1, “‘Making mention of you in our prayers’ (1 Thess 1:2 NASB). I need to pray more for people.” And, “‘His choice of you’ (1 Thess 1:4 NASB). God seeks us out. I need to go back to praying for salvation for family members and friends.” Then, “‘You turned to God from idols’ (1 Thess 1:9 NASB). We need people to turn to God from their idols.”

In 1994, when reading this chapter. I wrote, “Pray. Paul was a man of prayer. I need to do better.” Then, “For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you” (1 Thess 1:8 NASB).

Let’s look at 1 Thessalonians 1. Notice in the first verse, Paul writes, “Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy” (1 Thess 1:1 ESV), so he writes as a team, not as an individual. I mentioned in the introduction, all three of these brothers preached in Thessalonica, so they are all writing back to the church.

In my journals, I mention Paul was a pray-er. Look at verse 2, “Constantly mentioning you in our prayers” (1 Thess 1:2 ESV). Paul prayed for the church. He mentions in 1 Thessalonians 1:5 (ESV), the “gospel came to (them) not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.” Is that what the Word of God means to you? Is it in your life with power? Is it in your life with the Holy Spirit? Are you living with full conviction in and through the Word of God?

Look at what happened when they heard the Word of the Lord. Verse 7 says they became an example to others. Is that what happened to you when you heard the Word of the Lord? Have you become an example to others? Do others see Christianity in you?

Their impact was broad: “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” (1 Thess 1:8 ESV). Friends, that is a challenge for us. It is a personal testimony.

What is our personal testimony? Is my walk with Christ sounding forth everywhere? If not, why not?

The words they heard from Paul, Silas, and Timothy were so impactful that they turned away from the idols they served and committed to the true and living God. “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” (1 Thess 1:9 ESV). Is that what people see in your life? Did they see a change? Did they see something happen when you became a Christian? For many of us, it has been a long time ago. But some of you may be new Christians. Have people seen a difference? This chapter is a great testimony about the power of the gospel and how it should change our lives.

DIGGING DEEPER

Paul opens 1 Thessalonians very complimentarily. Remember, they were run out of town quickly. They sent Timothy back, and Timothy reported that the church was doing pretty good. How about you? What has been the impact of the gospel in your own life? When you heard it, did it change you dramatically? Did you receive the Word of the Lord with power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction? And if you did when you became a Christian, has it faded?

I close with a story. I became a Christian at fifteen years old. I went to college, and there I started to learn more about my faith. I came home many times and visited with my parents. They were churchgoers. They raised me in the church. But the Word of the Lord was on me with power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; a bit more than they could handle.

They finally said, “Would you please stop talking about this. Please don’t ever bring your Bible into this home again. You are not a priest. You cannot teach us the Word of God.” That is what this passage means. I was on fire for the Lord then, and sometimes when we are on fire for the Lord, we burn a few people.

I would rather be on fire for the Lord than be lukewarm. Sure, that fire has faded a bit over the decades, but I am still excited to share my faith with other people. Are you? When was the first time, or the last time, you actually shared your faith with a non-believer? Is the Word of the Lord sounding forth from you? Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Father, the Word of God often convicts us. We thank You that these people in Thessalonica, when they heard the Word of the Lord, were excited and their testimony went forth all around them. Let it be so for us. May we be so excited about our relationship with You, that we want to share it with others. Holy Spirit, give us the boldness to do so.

These people turn from idol worship to You. We have people all around us worshiping everything but You. Use us to turn them from idol worship towards You. The church in Thessalonica grew because people were excited about their relationship with You. Use us to grow your kingdom here, as well. As we read through Thessalonians, may Your Word fall on us again with power and the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen.