Sermon Tone Analysis

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen Caswell © 1996

 

 

Introduction

 

We have all heard the sayings  /" True Blue, " " Dinky Di, "/ /" The Real Thing, "or " The genuine Article."/

Today I want to look at that.

What does it mean to be a " /True blue Christian,"/ what does/ " The Genuine Article "  /look like/.

/

 

Harry and Bill:

 

There were two mates who were real battlers, their names were Harry and Bill and they were garbage men.

They used to love talking about making it big and having lots of money and all that goes with it.

They would talk for hours about their dreams and plans when they made it big.

They would buy their lotto tickets each week and carefully choose their lucky numbers.

One day they both linked up with a third garbage man who had been placed on their run.

Harry began to tell this new companion of how he and Bill had spent so many years together and were great mates.

He went on to say how they intended to make it big one day when they win the lotto or something.

Then he said you know if Bill won 2 million dollars he would give 1 million dollars to me because we are such good mates.

Isn't that right Bill? yes that's right Harry.

Then Harry said if Bill won 2 Mercedes Benze motor cars he would give me one, right Bill? Yes that's right Harry.

Then Harry said you know if Bill had 2 push bikes he would give one to me, right Harry?

No way said Bill, you know that I have 2 push bikes!

Bill's generosity for his mate was only talk.

As long as it didn't cost him something.

He was extremely generous with vast sums  he didn't have, but miserly with the little he did have.

/Have you heard the saying "Practice what you Preach"?/

 

Today I want to look at this very concept.

Talk is cheap and words can be spoken now and forgotten a minute later.

A good example of this is the promises made at election time.

The politicians will say almost anything to get your vote, but once the election is over they usually don't care about you or what they have promised.

The Thessalonian Church

 

I would like to look at the Church at Thessalonica this evening; and the way they lived out the gospel.

In verse 2 we read that Paul gave thanks to God for these Thessalonian believers and mentions them in his prayers.

Then in verse 3 he tells us what he gives thanks for.

He continually remembered their /work of faith/,/ labour of love /and /patience of hope/ in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul here is reflecting on the Thessalonian Church that he had started.

He had only been able to stay there for some 3 weeks because he was driven out of town by the Jews.

(Acts 17:1-10) But Paul was concerned for this small new Thessalonian Church and sent Timothy to see how they were going.

They had turned to Christ in the midst of opposition and persecution.

Paul then writes his epistle to them after Timothy returns and informs him how well they are doing.

/The Thessalonians had a/ : A Sound Conversion

The Thessalonians received the gospel from Paul, Silas and Timothy.

We read this in chapter 1:5-6 and chapter 2:13-14.

They received it as the very word of God.

This was exactly what Christ commanded people to do; in   John 6:29 we read /Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

/Paul remembered their salvation history and he says this in *1 Thessalonians 1:2-3:/ /*/We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your *work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope* in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,/

 

The Thessalonian believers had placed their faith in Jesus Christ and received the gospel as God's word.

Their /work of faith /was their obedience to the gospel.

The persecution they suffered did not deter them.

They were convinced of what they had believed, they were sure it was true.

/But how could they be so sure?

How did they know these men were telling them the truth?/

Maybe these men were just after their money and seeking to use them.

/How could they tell if these were The Genuine Article or not?/

After all they were only in town for about three weeks.

/How did they know these men were honest?

/

 

Choosing A Precious Stone.

If you are buying a precious stone and you want to know if it's the real thing or not you examine the stone under a bright light.

You use a strong magnifying glass and examine it very closely from every angle.

In the case of a diamond you can expose it to great heat or test its hardness.

And if it's genuine it will pass all these tests.

You see a genuine diamond is hard, pure and flawless.

Such testing will further prove it's remarkable qualities and hidden beauty.

The Thessalonians did just that with Paul and his companions.

The Thessalonians saw Paul and his companions come through the test of persecution and suffering for the gospel with flying colours.

They saw them patiently endure only returning love and kindness for the abuse they received.

They saw their genuine concern and love for people.

Paul could say that their ministry amongst them was like that of a nursing mother and a caring father.

He gave a list of behaviour traits they did not exhibit in 1 Thessalonians 2:3-6.

They were not:

 

1.Deceitful or unclean.

verse 3

2.Seeking to please men, but God.

verse 4

3.Flattering them or showing covetousness.

verse 5

4.Seeking glory from men. verse 6      

 

But they: 

 

1.Were gentle as a mother cherishes her children.

verse 7

2.Affectionately longed for them.

verse 8

3.Labored and toiled night and day.

verse 9 (that they might present the gospel freely)

4.Behaved justly, blamelessly and devoutly.

verse 10

5.Exhorted, comforted, and charged as a father does his children.

verse 11

The Greek word translated deceit in verse 3 comes from the word that means fish bait.

When going fishing you put a live worm on your hook to entice the fish to swallow it.

Then when he's been tricked you sink the hook.

Paul didn't do that, what you saw was what you got.

This genuine demonstration of the Christian faith is what made the message so effective, so powerful.

The Holy Spirit was obviously at work in the lives of these men and the Thessalonians could easily see it.

There was assurance in their words.

This gave the message an authentic stamp of approval.

Paul Timothy and Silas practiced what they preached, they were genuine.

Paul writes these words *1 Thessalonians 1:5.* /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.

/ 

 

Application

 

The Thessalonians saw this */genuine testimony/* and this resulted in a */Sound Conversion./* 1:6 /Have you placed your faith in Christ?

Do you possess a sound conversion that rests on the finished work of Jesus Christ?

/The Thessalonians had a*/ Sound Conversion/*, and they also had a:

 

A Sincere Conversation: