1 Thessalonians 1

1 Thessalonians 1:1

After their miraculous release from a Philippian prison by way of an earthquake, Paul and Silvanusor Silastraveled to Thessalonica, where there was “a synagogue of the Jews” (Act_17:1). The church at Thessalonica was comprised of Gentiles who had turned from idols to God, and of Jews who, recognizing their Messiah, believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul begins his second epistle the same way he began his first (Gal_1:3). It is also the way he would begin his subsequent epistles to the Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, and the Colossians. He links grace with peace. Man cannot experience peace until he receives God’s grace because true peace is the result of an understanding that our salvation rests on what God has done rather than on what we must do.

1 Thessalonians 1:2

I believe a mature church will possess the same three characteristics Paul saw in the Thessalonian church. First, a mature church demonstrates the work of faith. “Master, what must we do to do the works of God?” the disciples asked in John 6. “This is the work of God,” Jesus answered, “that you believe on Him whom the Father has sent.” When a church says, “We believe in Jesus Christ and marvel at what He did on the Cross,” that is the singular work of faith. Second, a mature church labors in love. This is only logical, because whenever a person begins to comprehend how much the Lord has done for him, he can’t help but love others. During his visit to the Boys’ Town orphanage in the 1940s, a reporter for Life magazine observed a ten-year-old boy carrying a much older boy on his back. “Isn’t he heavy?” asked the reporter. “He ain’t heavy,” replied the younger boy. “He’s my brother"giving rise to the song that would later be written about this true story. It’s not a burdensome obligation, but a labor of love that says, “God’s been so good to me that I can’t help but carry someone else.” Third, a mature church patiently hopes for the return of the Lord. The night before Jesus’ crucifixion, and after telling His disciples He would be betrayed, Jesus arose from the supper, girded Himself with a towel, and began to wash their feet. Why? Scripture says it was because He knew from whence He came and where He was going (Joh_13:3). Knowing we’re going to heaven is a key ingredient of maturity because heaven alone allows us to see the big picture. Only heaven puts everything in perspective.

1 Thessalonians 1:4

The election of God is not a matter of the Lord casting His vote on our behalf because He sees something that impresses Him. No, God elected us before the foundation of the earth apart from anything we have or haven’t done (Eph_1:4). I agree with D. L. Moody when he said, “I’m glad the Lord chose me before I was born. I don’t think He would have chosen me after I’d done some living!”

1 Thessalonians 1:5

“You shall receive power when the Holy Ghost comes upon you to be My witnesses,” Jesus promised His disciples in Act_1:8. Thus, the power to believe in Jesus, love others, and to patiently hope for the Lord’s returnas seen in the Thessalonian churchwas evidence of their being chosen by Him. How can there be joy in the midst of affliction? When Cascade High School played football against St. Mary’s High, the guys were batteredas evidenced by the teeth, hair, and blood left on the field. Yet even though bones were cracked and bodies were bruised, there was great joy at Cascade because of their victory. The same thing happens spiritually. Sure, we get beat up. Sure, there are trials and tribulations. When we start to see the Lord’s presence in the midst of the problem, we find joy in the big picture; joy in the knowledge that we’re headed for heaven.

1 Thessalonians 1:7

Unlike the Pharisees who blew their own horns (Mat_6:2), the Thessalonians trumpeted the sweet song of salvation to such a degree that everyone in the Greek peninsula heard about their radical faith.

1 Thessalonians 1:9

Recounting verse 1Th_1:3, Paul says, “You turned to God from idols, which is the work of faith. You serve the living God, which is the labor of love. You wait for His Son from heaven, which is the patience of hope.” The idea of waiting does not infer apathy. In the Greek language, the word is used to describe what a mother does when she is anticipating the birth of her baby. She readies the nursery and eagerly prepares for his arrival. So, too, we should say, “Jesus is coming. I must make sure my family and friends are ready.” Revelation 6-19 describes a time called the Tribulation, when God pours His wrath on a Christ-rejecting, sinful world. Scorpions are released. Hundred-pound hailstones come crashing down. Water turns to blood. Islands disappear. There is starvation, plagues, war, and famine. It’s a hellish time, causing the people to cry, “Who shall save us from the day of the wrath of the Lamb?” (Rev_6:16-17). Let me highly encourage you to miss that. Become a Christian today. Believe on Him whom the Father has sent, and, like the Thessalonians, you’ll find yourself turning from the idols of our present day, laboring under the light burden of love, and waiting for the Son with joyful hope.