Learning from I Thessalonians 1

The message was brought by Rev. Eddie Foster on 4/14/24.

I Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; 4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. 5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost. 7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

To see the founding of the church at Thessalonica we have to go back to Acts 17. In Acts 16 Paul and Silas were beaten, put in stocks and thrown in the inner prison. Instead of being in despair, they began to praise and worship God. God shook the foundation of the jail; the cell doors opened. You’d think all the prisoners would run but they didn’t.  The jailer assumed they did, so he was getting ready to kill himself because the prisoners escaped on his watch. Paul yelled out to him not to do himself any harm because they were all there.  He was so moved he asked what he must do to be saved.  Paul told him Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. The man and his house believed in the Lord and were baptized.

After that Paul and Silas went to Thessalonica. Many Jews lived there. As was his custom he went to the synagogue to preach first.  He had a heart for his own people even though he was the apostle to the Gentiles.  For three straight Sabbaths he preached and many Jews, Greeks and some of the prominent women were saved.  The church was organized.  The house of Jason was their headquarters.

So why was this letter written? It was a response to one he received from them. It concerned the rapture and those who died ahead of the coming of the Lord.  Chapter 4 clears it up.  I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  So let’s note a few things in these verses in Chapter 1.

Look at verses 2-3.  Always remember and give thanks.  Remember your conversion. It changed our lives.  After it we are to grow in the Lord.  Remembering it helps us to remember what the Lord did for us.  Sometimes we’ll focus more on what’s not going right and forget what is.  I can’t preach to anyone who isn’t here, but I’m glad for you faithful ones.  Remember these good times with each other. We’re brothers and sisters in Christ but we’re also friends. Remember that. Remember good times with your spouse and others in your life.

Verse 3 shows us it is right to commend those who do well.  We don’t want the praise of men; we know our praise goes to God.  But it never hurts to commend someone for what they do.  Everyone appreciates genuine praise.  Give a pat on the back now and then.  If someone has been a blessing to you, tell them.

We need to keep everything in order.  Conversion is first. Then the good works follow.  Work in love.  Without the conversion being first, it is folly.  No one can work their way to heaven. Salvation is a gift from God that we receive by grace through faith in the Lord.  Read Ephesians 2.  Without love our work will become drudgery.  Think of all a mother does. Many work outside the home. They come home and clean the house, fix the meals, and do the laundry.  Why?  Because she loves her family. If you don’t love the Lord it will become drudgery and you’ll quit.  Everyone can be saved–the whosoever in John 3:16 is each person who calls upon the Lord.  That’s you and me.

Look at verse 5.  We’re commanded to spread the Word.  Back up those words by the way you live. The gospel was presented in power. People responded.  We need the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit. We can present the gospel with assurance.  I believe it’s the only truth. The only way to be effective in sales is if you believe in the product you are selling.  We must believe Jesus is the best thing going and that he saves the lost.  Then we can reach others.

Look at verse 6.  They were imitators of Paul and the Lord. If everyone imitated your spiritual life, what kind of church would this be?  I thank God for people who respond to the Lord’s message. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves to stay focused.  Don’t let your mind wander. The people received it in much affliction.  We need to break up the fallow ground. Think of a garden. It’s time to plant but you must prepare the ground for the seed by breaking it up.  Sometimes God uses affliction to break up a hardened heart. The people were happy. Christians should be the happiest people in the world!  God has been good to us!

Verse 7 reminds us to be examples of believers. Don’t be a stumbling block to others because of the way you conduct yourself.  Don’t give lip service only to God. Don’t be inconsistent in your way of living. I read this one time.  Think about it:  “many people would become Christians if it weren’t for other Christians.”  Don’t let that be you.  When a person’s heart is right with God he will take care of what’s on the outside.  Are you influencing others toward Christ or away from him?  Let’s all examine ourselves today.