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Weekly Message | May 6th, 2007
A MODEL TO ALL BELIEVERS
Passage: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Key Verse(s): Key Verse: 1:7
"And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia."
The study of 1Thessalonica is about the church of Jesus Christ. Each Christian is an unique individual becomes a part of the Church of Christ that manifests the invisible kingdom of God in this world. Today, we will think about Christians in Thessalonica that showed a model to all believers. May God bless this study to form a clear vision of what kind of Christians we become before God in this generation.
First, “We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers”(1-3). Look at verse 1: “ Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.” Paul, Silas and Timothy are mentioned as the senders of this letter. The Christians in Thessalonica were the recipients of the letter. This shows the relationships that Paul had with the Christians in Thessalonica. Then, why did Paul mention the other two leaders in this letter?
This was about 30 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection. The numbers of Christians throughout the world were probably no more than 20,000. Paul pioneered this city during his 2nd Missionary Journey immediately after he left Philippi. He stayed there about three weeks. Acts 17:1-5 briefly describe how the Thessalonian Church was pioneered. When Paul and his co-workers had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he said. Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women. But the Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason's house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. As many people responded to the teachings of Paul and left the Jewish synagogue, many of Paul’s accusers poisoned the minds and hearts of Christians in Thessalonica. Anyway, Paul had to leave the city after three weeks. Since then, Paul probably maintained the contact through the other leaders such as Silas and Timothy to support this young church.
Look at verses 2 and 3: “We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ”. Paul along with the other fellow leaders (Silas and Timothy) were always thanked God for all of them, mentioning them in their prayers. They continually remember before God about them—particularly their work produced by faith, their labor prompted by love, ad their endurance inspired by hope in Jesus Christ.
Here, Paul mentions about their faith, love and hope. These are three primary drivers of Christian life. Faith produces work (i.e., what people actually do by faith) that displays visible and tangible outcomes. Love prompts to labor (i.e., visible effort of devotion) for the Lord and others. Hope inspires us to endure (i.e., attitude and behaviors that demonstrated steadfast commitment and faithfulness) all things. This is the sign toward mature Christian living—works by faith, labor by love and endurance by hope. In other words, sound Christian confession is accompanied by solid Christian practices.
Consider the basis of our Christian living--faith, love and hope through Jesus Christ. We trust Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins. We depend on Jesus Christ for the strengths at the present. By faith in Jesus Christ we approach God with joy. By faith in Jesus Christ we care for our families, do responsible jobs at work and faithfully discharge our duties in the ministry each week.
With the love of Christ we speak with the affection for Christ and invite others for Bible studies, fellowship and discipleship. With the love of Christ we pray for others. The love of Christ motivates us to labor for others.
What do we do with the hope for the appearing Jesus and his kingdom? By this hope we engage in the early morning prayers and for the world mission. By this hope we endure hardships. By this hope we take hold of our calling for the gospel mission.
During this message preparation I thanked God for many of our leaders in Toledo who demonstrate these mature characteristics. Last Friday Toledo UBF received UT Song Fest 2007 Philanthropy Award. Many of our leaders have been generous in their giving—time, money, service and love. We all strive to focus on Christ Jesus and make effort to balance in our important aspects of living—personal devotion, family responsibilities, work and ministry duties. Who said that integrating all these is not an easy task? But we do this for Jesus and his name’s sake.
Here is the nature of Early Church—small, personal and loving. Paul probably could remember many names of Christians. After 2,000 plus years more than two billion people claim their faith in Jesus. It is unrealistic to have a sense of community. Even in our immediate area there are so many churches. However, it is still a good practice to maintain personal relationship with fellow Christians who are distant away.
Thanksgiving is the basic attitude that bears fruit. We must always thank God for all of Christians, mentioning them in our prayers. We thank God for Brian and Mary Karcher in Detroit. We thank God for Mark and Hannah Calalang in Cleveland. We thank God for Dr. Tom and Maria Kalapos in California and many more. We approach to God mentioning other fellow Christians by name. In thanksgiving Paul addressed practical problems in Thessalonica. Likewise, how wonderful it is if we thank God first before we address any problems. This is the basic attitude in approaching issues among Christians. In brief, always be thankful toward others and be prayerful toward others mentioning their names.
Second, “You became imitators of us and of the Lord”(4-6). Look at verse 4: “For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.” To Paul they were brothers loved and chosen by God. The gospel came with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. The gospel came through the life style of Paul.
How did Paul preach the gospel? How did he speak for Jesus? He did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as he proclaimed to you the testimony about God. He came to them in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. His prayer was that his message and his preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that their faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power. Such principles Paul established when he came to Corinth (1Cor 2:1-5). He certainly adopted such principles of humility and dependence in preaching the gospel in Thessalonica, too.
Look at verse 6: “You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” They became imitators of Paul, Silas and Timothy. They adopted their attitude toward God and the Bible. They studied the Bible in the same way as their Bible teachers did. As their Bible teachers approached the Bible as the Word of God, they also did the same. These Greek people prayed in the same way as their Bible teachers did—with some Jewish accents. They loved God and engaged in suffering together. They were humble and faithful like Paul, Silas and Timothy. They had great learning mind to learn from their Bible teachers.
Many people falsely accused their leaders including Jason. They dragged them, humiliated them and accused them for the crime they did not commit. Yet, they learned from them the spirit of devotion, faithfulness and passion for the Lord. They adopted Paul, Silas and Timothy as their role models. They learned from them.
An important growth pattern of Christian living is to learn from role models. What is the primary role of Christian leaders? People may not attain perfection in every aspect. However, they expect from their leaders humility, faithfulness and integrity. Leaders must humble before God in words and action. Leaders must be faithful in their devotion to God. Leaders live according to what they teach and preach.
Third, “And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.”(7-10). Look at verses 7-8: And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it.” As they modeled after Paul, Silas and Timothy, they became influential to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia (i.e., the larger region in Greece at that time).
God’s message rang out from them not only in Macedonia and Achaia—their faith in God had become known everywhere. Since they built such good reputation among so many people, Paul, Silas and Timothy did not need to say anything about it. Christians in Thessalonica served others—especially those around them. They welcomed others who came to them. They helped them in love. As they continued to serve other fellow believers with hospitality and practical help, their reputation spread out the whole world.
Look at verses 9-10: for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.” How could they serve other Christians in such wonderful way? They remembered how they were served. Through the preaching of Paul and other leaders they turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God. They put their hope in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. In the name of Jesus they gave to others freely and joyfully just as they received from others freely and joyfully.
In this passage we see a role model for all Christians even in today’s America. Truly influential Christians demonstrate work by faith, labor by love and endurance by hope. Truly influential Christians have proper attitude toward the Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit. Truly influential Christians are humble learners. Truly influential Christians serve others as they were served. This passage shows that the strengths of the Christian church lies in the numbers of Christians who model after the good examples. God has used Toledo UBF as a model to many believers over the years. Let’s pray for God may use Toledo UBF as a model to all believers. This is not an easy task but it is a noble ambition. May God bless this summer ministry as we strive to model after these wonderful Christians in Thessalonica more than 2,000 years ago. The power of God that worked in them still is working in us today. May God bless each of you as a model to all believers in this generation.
Toledo UBF. May 6, 2007.
First, “We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers”(1-3). Look at verse 1: “ Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.” Paul, Silas and Timothy are mentioned as the senders of this letter. The Christians in Thessalonica were the recipients of the letter. This shows the relationships that Paul had with the Christians in Thessalonica. Then, why did Paul mention the other two leaders in this letter?
This was about 30 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection. The numbers of Christians throughout the world were probably no more than 20,000. Paul pioneered this city during his 2nd Missionary Journey immediately after he left Philippi. He stayed there about three weeks. Acts 17:1-5 briefly describe how the Thessalonian Church was pioneered. When Paul and his co-workers had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he said. Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women. But the Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason's house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. As many people responded to the teachings of Paul and left the Jewish synagogue, many of Paul’s accusers poisoned the minds and hearts of Christians in Thessalonica. Anyway, Paul had to leave the city after three weeks. Since then, Paul probably maintained the contact through the other leaders such as Silas and Timothy to support this young church.
Look at verses 2 and 3: “We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ”. Paul along with the other fellow leaders (Silas and Timothy) were always thanked God for all of them, mentioning them in their prayers. They continually remember before God about them—particularly their work produced by faith, their labor prompted by love, ad their endurance inspired by hope in Jesus Christ.
Here, Paul mentions about their faith, love and hope. These are three primary drivers of Christian life. Faith produces work (i.e., what people actually do by faith) that displays visible and tangible outcomes. Love prompts to labor (i.e., visible effort of devotion) for the Lord and others. Hope inspires us to endure (i.e., attitude and behaviors that demonstrated steadfast commitment and faithfulness) all things. This is the sign toward mature Christian living—works by faith, labor by love and endurance by hope. In other words, sound Christian confession is accompanied by solid Christian practices.
Consider the basis of our Christian living--faith, love and hope through Jesus Christ. We trust Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins. We depend on Jesus Christ for the strengths at the present. By faith in Jesus Christ we approach God with joy. By faith in Jesus Christ we care for our families, do responsible jobs at work and faithfully discharge our duties in the ministry each week.
With the love of Christ we speak with the affection for Christ and invite others for Bible studies, fellowship and discipleship. With the love of Christ we pray for others. The love of Christ motivates us to labor for others.
What do we do with the hope for the appearing Jesus and his kingdom? By this hope we engage in the early morning prayers and for the world mission. By this hope we endure hardships. By this hope we take hold of our calling for the gospel mission.
During this message preparation I thanked God for many of our leaders in Toledo who demonstrate these mature characteristics. Last Friday Toledo UBF received UT Song Fest 2007 Philanthropy Award. Many of our leaders have been generous in their giving—time, money, service and love. We all strive to focus on Christ Jesus and make effort to balance in our important aspects of living—personal devotion, family responsibilities, work and ministry duties. Who said that integrating all these is not an easy task? But we do this for Jesus and his name’s sake.
Here is the nature of Early Church—small, personal and loving. Paul probably could remember many names of Christians. After 2,000 plus years more than two billion people claim their faith in Jesus. It is unrealistic to have a sense of community. Even in our immediate area there are so many churches. However, it is still a good practice to maintain personal relationship with fellow Christians who are distant away.
Thanksgiving is the basic attitude that bears fruit. We must always thank God for all of Christians, mentioning them in our prayers. We thank God for Brian and Mary Karcher in Detroit. We thank God for Mark and Hannah Calalang in Cleveland. We thank God for Dr. Tom and Maria Kalapos in California and many more. We approach to God mentioning other fellow Christians by name. In thanksgiving Paul addressed practical problems in Thessalonica. Likewise, how wonderful it is if we thank God first before we address any problems. This is the basic attitude in approaching issues among Christians. In brief, always be thankful toward others and be prayerful toward others mentioning their names.
Second, “You became imitators of us and of the Lord”(4-6). Look at verse 4: “For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.” To Paul they were brothers loved and chosen by God. The gospel came with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. The gospel came through the life style of Paul.
How did Paul preach the gospel? How did he speak for Jesus? He did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as he proclaimed to you the testimony about God. He came to them in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. His prayer was that his message and his preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that their faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power. Such principles Paul established when he came to Corinth (1Cor 2:1-5). He certainly adopted such principles of humility and dependence in preaching the gospel in Thessalonica, too.
Look at verse 6: “You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” They became imitators of Paul, Silas and Timothy. They adopted their attitude toward God and the Bible. They studied the Bible in the same way as their Bible teachers did. As their Bible teachers approached the Bible as the Word of God, they also did the same. These Greek people prayed in the same way as their Bible teachers did—with some Jewish accents. They loved God and engaged in suffering together. They were humble and faithful like Paul, Silas and Timothy. They had great learning mind to learn from their Bible teachers.
Many people falsely accused their leaders including Jason. They dragged them, humiliated them and accused them for the crime they did not commit. Yet, they learned from them the spirit of devotion, faithfulness and passion for the Lord. They adopted Paul, Silas and Timothy as their role models. They learned from them.
An important growth pattern of Christian living is to learn from role models. What is the primary role of Christian leaders? People may not attain perfection in every aspect. However, they expect from their leaders humility, faithfulness and integrity. Leaders must humble before God in words and action. Leaders must be faithful in their devotion to God. Leaders live according to what they teach and preach.
Third, “And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.”(7-10). Look at verses 7-8: And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it.” As they modeled after Paul, Silas and Timothy, they became influential to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia (i.e., the larger region in Greece at that time).
God’s message rang out from them not only in Macedonia and Achaia—their faith in God had become known everywhere. Since they built such good reputation among so many people, Paul, Silas and Timothy did not need to say anything about it. Christians in Thessalonica served others—especially those around them. They welcomed others who came to them. They helped them in love. As they continued to serve other fellow believers with hospitality and practical help, their reputation spread out the whole world.
Look at verses 9-10: for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.” How could they serve other Christians in such wonderful way? They remembered how they were served. Through the preaching of Paul and other leaders they turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God. They put their hope in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. In the name of Jesus they gave to others freely and joyfully just as they received from others freely and joyfully.
In this passage we see a role model for all Christians even in today’s America. Truly influential Christians demonstrate work by faith, labor by love and endurance by hope. Truly influential Christians have proper attitude toward the Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit. Truly influential Christians are humble learners. Truly influential Christians serve others as they were served. This passage shows that the strengths of the Christian church lies in the numbers of Christians who model after the good examples. God has used Toledo UBF as a model to many believers over the years. Let’s pray for God may use Toledo UBF as a model to all believers. This is not an easy task but it is a noble ambition. May God bless this summer ministry as we strive to model after these wonderful Christians in Thessalonica more than 2,000 years ago. The power of God that worked in them still is working in us today. May God bless each of you as a model to all believers in this generation.
Toledo UBF. May 6, 2007.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. NIV®;. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
