“The Church of The Thessalonians” – 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
There are several types of books in the New Testament, and 1 Thessalonians is called a church epistle. The word epistle means “letter,” and this letter was written by the Apostle Paul.
Acts 17:2-3 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.
- Paul “reasoned” with them. This means engaging in conversation with questions and answers.
- He “opened.” This term means to “explain.” Paul would read Old Testament passages referring to Jesus and explain the meaning.
- He would “allege.” This term means “to lay something beside.” Paul would put the Scripture beside Christ and demonstrate how it all fit together.
- He “preached.” Preaching differs from teaching. Preaching means to “proclaim or announce.” Paul urged his listeners to receive the Gospel message by faith.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
1 Thessalonians 2:17-18 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
I. They Were Faithful to the of God
1 Thessalonians 1:1-4 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. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 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; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
God’s will for these people was that they would respond to the gospel message by faith and then come together to carry out His will, and that is what they did.
The three attributes that stood out to Paul were their “work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope.”
James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
II. They Were Faithful to the of God
1 Thessalonians 1:5-7 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also o all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.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. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost. So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
2 Timothy 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Many who profess Christ, live unfaithfully when all is well, but the church in Thessalonica stood strong when all hell was breaking loose through being deeply committed to knowing and doing God’s Word.
III. They Were Faithful to the of God
1 Thessalonians 1:8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.
Mark 16:15b Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
IV. They Were Faithful to
1 Thessalonians 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
As our world unravels, do not look around or look down. Just look up and know in confidence that Jesus will soon return to catch us away.