Part 1: A Model Church

Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you; for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.

How the Gospel came to Thessalonica

Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15-18)

Acts 16.1-13 - Derbe to Philippi; while in Troas a vision called Paul to Macedonia

Acts 16.14-21 - Lydia was converted

Acts 16.22-40 - Paul and Silas were imprisoned, the jailer got saved

Acts 17.1-9 - Paul arrived in Thessalonica, preached in the Gospel, and were persecuted by the Jews

Synopsis

The church in Thessalonica was the fruit of the second missionary journey of Paul with Silas.

But the gospel met with great opposition from Jews and Gentiles. The believers endured much persecution because of the gospel.

Despite the persecution, the church grew and became an example to many churches in the region.

The Thessalonian church as a model church

There is no perfect church

But there are churches that come close to an ideal one.

Main Points

An Elect Church

The church in Thessalonica are a saved people, and they manifested their salvation. (1 Thessalonians 1.1-4)

They were God’s elect

1 Thessalonians 1:4 NASB95

knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you;

Election leads to salvation

2 Thessalonians 2:13 NASB95

But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

They manifested their salvation in three ways:

1 Thessalonians 1:3 NASB95

constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father,

Evidence of their salvation

Work of faith

labor of love

steadfast hope

Compare 1 Thess. 1.3 with 1 Thess. 1.9-10

1 Thessalonians 1:9–10 NASB95

For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.

Work of faith - you turned to God from idols

labor of love - to serve the living and true God

steadfast hope - to wait for His Son from heaven

A saved church is a people whose lives have be turned away from “idols” to serve the living and true God.

A saved church is a people with a living hope for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

An Exemplary Church

1 Thessalonians 1:5–7 NASB95

for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

They received the Word in much tribulations (v. 5-6)

They received the apostles and the gospel they brought to their city.

They followed their spiritual leaders (v. 6a)

Imitator - grk. mimetes, one who copies the words and behavior of another.

Hebrews 6:12 NASB95

so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

They suffered for Christ joyfully (v. 6b)

Philippians 1:29 NASB95

For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

2 Timothy 2:3 NASB95

Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

An exemplary church is a people eager to hear and learn from the Word of God.

An exemplary church is a people submissive to God-ordained leadership.

An exemplary church is a people who takes tribulation patiently and with grace.

An Enthusiastic Church

1 Thessalonians 1:8–9 NASB95

For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,

the word of the Lord circulated around and beyond Macedonia because of their faith

the testimony became known all over the place

An enthusiastic church is a people who actively testifies of the work of God in their lives, so that they become well known.

An Expectant Church

1 Thessalonians 1:9–10 NASB95

An expectant church is a people eagerly watching and waiting for the Lord’s return.

Conclusion

What kind of church are we? What kind of testimony do we project before the world?