Model C. (1 Thessalonians 1:1-10)
The sermon outline can be found in the ministry guide.
Today we shall begin studying Paul’s first letter to the church at Thessalonica.
Like Singapore, Thessalonica is situated in a very strategic location. By road it was connected to Byzantium and by sea one could sail to Rome. Hence it was the provincial capital of Macedonia and well-populated.
In the year AD 49, Paul and his companions were busy evangelizing Asia Minor when a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” And when Paul had seen the vision, his team immediately sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called them to preach the gospel there (Acts 16:9-10).
Luke tells us in Acts 17 how the Thessalonians received the missionaries. Some Jews and many Gentiles believed the gospel and a church was formed. However, within a few months, the unbelieving Jews were jealous and instigated a riot. As a result, Paul and his team were forced to leave abruptly and went to Berea. But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. (Acts 17:13).
The Thessalonian Jews were indeed a formidable force that fiercely opposed Christianity. They stuck their noses in the affairs of other cities just to ensure that Paul was not welcomed.
It was under such difficult circumstances that the Thessalonian church was formed. Hence Paul was particularly concerned for the church and how they would fare when he was suddenly taken away from them. In the same way that a parent would be overly anxious when their child is living in a different country, so Paul worried about the spiritual health of the church. Was their conversion genuine or did they lose interest the moment persecution began? Were they bearing fruit or stagnating in their faith?
Since the Jews had made it impossible for him to return, Paul sends Timothy to Thessalonica to assess things (1 Thess 3:6-7). And the report Timothy has for Paul is overall positive. The Thessalonian church is persevering in the face of opposition (1 Thess 3:6-10). In fact, they have become an example to all the believers in the region (1 Thess 1:8).
Thus Paul writes this letter that we know as 1 Thessalonians to encourage the church and help them grow in holiness as we await the return of our Lord Jesus. Today, we begin with chapter 1 where Paul gives thanks to God for the spiritual growth of the Thessalonian Church and commends them for their example to others.
One of the most powerful forms of teaching is role modelling. Whilst some people can learn a skill by reading, most find it easier to learn by watching someone perform the task. We see this most obviously in young children.
After watching aunties and uncles use wet wipes to clean toys in the nursery on Sundays, my 18-month-old child will pull out a wet wipe when he sees a packet lying around at home and instinctively starts wiping down furniture.
I, myself, have benefited from imitating good role models. Before I went on my first mission trip to Thailand, I had to attend cultural immersion classes. There was quite a bit of information to absorb. But what really helped at the end of the day was travelling with others who had gone before. I just observed what they did and imitated them. When they put theirhands together to bow and greet the locals, I did the same. When they took off their shoes to enter a classroom, I did the same. When they avoided certain foods, I did the same.
Similarly, God aids us in the faith by giving us godly examples to follow. We are not expected to figure out Christian living on our own. We are not expected to pioneer what a healthy church should be like. Wise church leaders know that the most effective way to disciple others is to teach God’s Word and model faithfulness.
This is what we see in 1 Thessalonians.
Paul, Silas and Timothy shared the gospel faithfully and left the new converts a godly example to follow. The missionaries modelled how the gospel should be received even amidst much affliction. They exemplified finding joy in the Spirit even when they encountered suffering. They demonstrated steadfastness and endurance when attacked for their faith. They exalted Christ as the ultimate role model for all believers to imitate.
Like Jesus we are to trust in God with all our heart. Like Jesus we are to honour God above all else. Like Jesus we are to love one another as God has loved us. And when the Thessalonians had imitated Jesus, Paul, Silas and Timothy for some time, they themselves became role models to other churches.
They became renowned for their evangelistic fervour. They faithfully proclaimed the word of the Lord to the surrounding region. They exemplified Christian living in the way they turned away from idols to serve the living and true God.
It is no wonder that Paul is full of thanksgiving and encouragement in the opening of his letter. The Thessalonians had not only been great imitators of Jesus and the missionaries, but had become a godly example to others.
Friends, isn’t this a beautiful picture of the gospel bearing fruit?
Paul, Silas and Timothy modelled for the Thessalonians faithful preaching of God’s truths and Christian living. And the Thessalonians were such good imitators that they bore much spiritual fruit and became examples to others. They became renowned for their faith in God.
It is my prayer that we will be a Model Church like the Thessalonians. May we imitate the Model Christians God has given us and be good role models to others.
Members, what do we want Grace Baptist Church to be known for? Several visitors I have met have commented on the nice building we have. But wouldn’t it be encouraging if visitors talked about our faith in God and labour of love?
Thus it is my prayer that we will be a Model Church like the Thessalonians. May we imitate the Model Christians God has given us and be good role models to others.
Acknowledge God’s sovereignty in ministry
Firstly, acknowledge God’s sovereignty in ministry. One of the reasons we are hesitant to share the gospel with others is because we are afraid of the outcome. We are afraid that people will reject the gospel. We are scared to ‘fail’. We fear disappointment. But Paul reminds us through his example of ministry that the outcome of our evangelistic efforts is actually in God’s hands.
He says in 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5: “For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.”
Although Paul is celebrated as a great evangelist, he humbly acknowledges God’s sovereignty in ministry. Paul never claims credit for converting a single soul. He neither boasts about persuasive powers nor advocates certain strategies. Instead, he attributes the conversion of the Thessalonians entirely to the Lord.
The Thessalonians became Christians because they are loved by God. Even before they were created, God knew them. God made them in His image. Even while they were sinners, God demonstrated His love by sending Jesus to die for their sins. Before they could do anything deserving of praise, God had chosen the Thessalonians to be His people. In the same way that God had chosen Abraham’s descendants to be His people, so God had chosen the Thessalonians to be His church.
The proof that the Thessalonians were loved and chosen by God is in the way the gospel was preached and received.
Just before coming to Thessalonica, Paul had been ministering in Philippi. There he had been unjustly imprisoned and beaten with rods. He then had to hobble for several days to reach Thessalonica. Thus Paul probably arrived in a weakened and unflattering state. Yet the Thessalonians were willing to give Paul an audience. With great power, Paul preached the Good News of Jesus Christ. The Thessalonians were probably amazed to hear how the Lord delivered Paul and Silas from adversity and even gave them the opportunity to convert the jailer. The Holy Spirit gave power to the preaching of the gospel. The Spirit helped the Thessalonians understand the gospel and believe. The Spirit convicted the Thessalonians of their need for Jesus even though they would have to suffer persecution.
God gave the Thessalonians faith that led to great works. God poured out His love upon the Thessalonians so that they were enabled to labor for others, to serve others, to love others. God gave the Thessalonians steadfast hope so that they would not waver under affliction, so that they would hold fast to Jesus and endure suffering.
God’s sovereignty in ministry is meant to encourage us. God can produce the outcome that none of us can guarantee. God can work through imperfect evangelists like ourselves.
Friends, God’s sovereignty is not meant to trouble our hearts or cause us to create divisions in the church. Rather, God’s sovereignty in ministry is meant to encourage us. God can produce the outcome that none of us can guarantee. God can work through imperfect evangelists like ourselves. God can convert people who are at present enemies of Jesus. God can redeem people whom we have given up hope on.
Therefore, God’s sovereignty in ministry should free us up from the fear of facing rejection. God’s power to save should give us hope when we feel discouraged or have even given up.
Perhaps we have been questioning why our children or Sunday School students are not walking with the Lord even though we have taught them His Word. God is not depending on us to convert people. God will illumine the hearts of His chosen ones. God will give salvation to His beloved children.
So let us imitate Paul’s example of acknowledging God’s sovereignty in ministry. Let us worry less about how people will respond to our evangelistic efforts. Let us be more patient with God’s timing to save. Instead, let us faithfully tell people about Jesus, trusting that God will bring about salvation in His time.
Recognising God’s role in salvation should also lead to greater worship. If we acknowledge how undeserving we are of God’s saving grace, and are aware that without divine help we would never have been able to respond to God’s gracious offer of salvation, then we should be full of thanksgiving to God for what we have received.
If we acknowledge that God alone softens hearts and gives people faith to believe, then we will praise God for each conversion. If we recognise that Jesus alone can change people and that the Spirit alone can bear fruit, then we will give thanks to God for the work he has done in our lives and in the lives of others. We will praise God when we resist temptation. We will give thanks when believers chose to put God first. We will rejoice in the Lord when we see our children bear spiritual fruit.
This is why Paul was full of thanksgiving to God. Because Paul attributed the conversion and fruit of the Thessalonians to God, He could not stop giving all praise and glory to our Heavenly Father. May we join Paul in giving thanks to God for saving us. May we give thanks to God whenever we see His transforming work in others. May we give thanks to God for all the spiritual fruit that we have borne as a church. May our hearts be filled with thankfulness to Him who reigns above, who floods our weaknesses with strength and causes fears to fly.
Rely on the Holy Spirit for joy amidst affliction
Secondly, let us imitate and model reliance on the Holy Spirit for joy amidst affliction.
Many seeker-friendly churches and popular Christian authors emphasise the blessings God gives. They talk about the wonderful life God offers. That you will experience healing, that you will enjoy prosperity, that you will have a great spouse and cute children. They convince you that you can have your best life now. Hence many people think that followers of Jesus will enjoy a blissful life.
But the problem with that is whilst God does give us many blessings to enjoy in this present age, it is only when Christ returns that we will have a perfect life. Only when Jesus comes again that He will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body. Only when Jesus comes will he banish the devil and renew this world.
Until then, we continue to live in a broken world. We continue to live in a world that is marred by sin. We continue to live in a world that the devil seeks to destroy. Hence, we are to expect challenges and affliction. We are to expect persecution for our faith.
Perhaps you have been shunned or ridiculed by your family and friends for becoming a Christian. Perhaps you have endured financial penalties or hurtful words for trying to be a faithful disciple. Perhaps you are battling with loneliness because you have resisted the impulse to marry a non-believer. Perhaps you are out of favor with your boss because you refused to do something unethical.
Paul himself suffered much for being a Christian. Just before coming to Thessalonica, Paul had been beaten and imprisoned in Philippi for sharing the gospel. Even when the magistrates realized that they had unjustly beaten a Roman citizen, they still asked Paul to leave the city. Yet Paul modelled for the Thessalonians how to find joy even when he was suffering for Jesus.
He says in 1 Thessalonians 1:5b-6: “You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,”
It would have been easy for Paul and the Thessalonians to allow their circumstances to determine their attitude and mood. Yet they relied on the Holy Spirit for joy. In Acts 17:5-8, Luke records the turmoil the Thessalonians faced. Jason, who had hosted Paul, along with other believers were attacked and dragged before the authorities. Only after they had taken money as security were they let go.
I am not sure who among us would feel joyful after being assaulted, threatened and penalised financially. Yet the Thessalonian Christians were able to imitate Paul’s example of being joyful amidst suffering. In our affliction, the Spirit divinely gives joy. The joy of the Lord does not minimise suffering. Rather it is supernatural joy that comes from God’s future promises of vindication, reward and renewal. The Bible contains many such promises and today I will like to highlight three.
Firstly, a promise of vindication to those who are oppressed from Deuteronomy 32:36, “For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants.”
Secondly, a promise of reward to those who suffer for Christ. Jesus says in Matthew 19:29, “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.”
Thirdly, a promise of renewal to those who are grieving and in pain from Revelation 21:3-4, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
These promises about our future are uplifting and glorious. They declare to us that the suffering we are presently experiencing will end. They exhort us to lift up our drooping heads and look to Jesus for vindication, reward and renewal.
By the Spirit’s divine enabling, God’s promises give us deep-seated joy that is not quenched by the greatest of trials.
Hence when we meditate upon them and believe that God will bring it to pass, we can experience joy amidst our present suffering. By the Spirit’s divine enabling, God’s promises give us deep-seated joy that is not quenched by the greatest of trials.
If you are feeling discouraged or are going through a spiritually dry period, look to the Spirit for joy. Meditate upon God’s promises of vindication, reward and renewal and allow the Spirit’s joy to fill your heart. The Spirit is a wonderful gift that we can enjoy through our faith in Jesus. So if you are not yet a Christian but would like to experience supernatural joy amidst your present suffering. I encourage you to turn to Jesus today. Tell Jesus how difficult life has been, and ask Him to be your Lord and Savior. By believing in Jesus, you will receive both the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Like Paul and your Christian friends, you can experience supernatural joy amidst the trial you are going through.
Turn from idols to serve the Lord
Thirdly, let us imitate and model turning from idols to serve the Lord.
One of the privileges I have as a pastor is hearing people’s testimonies. A brother shared how he had joined a church and even been baptised. Yet he continued to live a life of sin. It was only after understanding the gospel properly, that he realised his blatant sins revealed that he had yet to become a true believer. By God’s grace he recognised the need to turn away from sin and became a genuine Christian.
Turning from idols is not something that only saints do. Rather, turning from idols is one of the first signs of genuine conversion. Turning from idols indicates that one is now living for Jesus since no one can serve two masters.
Idols can refer to physical statues. But the phrase “turn from idols to serve the Lord” indicate that idols compete with the devotion we are to show the Lord. Idols take the place that is supposed to be reserved for God alone. Thus more broadly speaking, idols refer to anything that hinders our utmost devotion to God. Idols keep us from serving God.
Jesus addressed one common idol of the heart in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
Other idols that compete with our service to the Lord can be our need for companionship, our hunger for power, our lust for instant gratification and our desire for approval and praise. Such idols take the place of God. They turn our attention away from God. They consume our minds and energy so that we have nothing left for God.
A very important sign that we are growing in our faith is an ever-increasing change in our view of past idols. We are to grow in love towards God whilst growing in hate to past idols since we cannot serve God and our idol.
Whilst conversion does not make us a saint overnight, genuine conversion does lead to a gradual but perceivable change.
Whilst conversion does not make us a saint overnight, genuine conversion does lead to a gradual but perceivable change. When we look back to the past few years, we should note a trend of turning away from things that once took God’s rightful place, to an increased desire to honour God.
We should be finding more and more satisfaction in God rather than in accumulating riches, fame and power. We should be finding joy from the Lord rather than from indulging in worldly activities like travels and fine dining. We should be enjoying God’s beauty more than fleshly pleasures.
So let us evaluate the changes in our life. Have we crucified our sinful desires? Do we have greater and greater distaste for the sins that have been repeated? Are we praying daily for the Spirit to help us resist temptation, to guard our eyes and control our lusts? Are we pleading more fervently to Christ for a spiritual breakthrough over a persistent sin?
Perhaps you have been less sinful then in the past, and that is something to celebrate. However, it is noteworthy that Paul is not just commending the Thessalonians for being less sinful, but is commending them for being less sinful and more faithful in service to the Lord. Thus it is good to not just pat ourselves on the back for sinning less, but to also evaluate whether our service to the Lord has increased. We are not to just give up idolatry, but replace idol worship with serving God.
Whilst many of us in the workforce may be working towards the day when we can retire, it is interesting to note that the Bible never talks about retiring from serving the Lord.
Whilst we may have the luxury of living off our hard-earned savings after working for a few decades, the Bible does not shed light on such a concept for our spiritual life. Rather the New Testament gives us a picture of younger and older saints being active in church and helping one another grow in holiness.
If we agree that God’s exhortation to turn from idols is something that we need to apply on a daily basis, then we ought to also apply His exhortation to serve God as long as He gives us strength. Rather than increase our expectation of others to step up, we ought to press on in serving our Lord with joy, knowing that it pleases Him.
Serving God does not just mean working at church. God has given each of us various spheres that we can serve in. We can serve God by ministering to our family. How active have we been in shepherding our children and grandchildren? How can we build up our brothers and sisters? How can we encourage our parents to press on? How are we helping our spouses to flourish spiritually? Consider setting aside 10 minutes a day for family devotions. Pray together before a meal. Share with one another how God is working in your life. Memorise a verse together.
We can serve God in our workplace. How intentional have we been in ministering to our colleagues? Offer to pray for them when they vent to us about their challenges. Invite them to read the Bible with you during your lunch break.
We can serve God by being more involved in church ministry. Make time to talk to others after service. Come alongside the older saints and families with young kids. Encourage one another in the faith.
We can serve God by telling others about Jesus.
The Thessalonian Christians glorified God by being a light to the nations. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 1:8 that the word of the Lord sounded forth from Greece and had gone forth everywhere. Similarly, God desires us to make disciples of all nations. He desires us to preach His word in season and out of season. He desires us to bear witness to Jesus.
Like Thessalonica, Singapore attracts people from all around the world. We have about 1.8 million foreigners working here. It is also easy for us to go to many countries. Our airport is well connected to the rest of the world, and our passport allows us to travel visa-free to 167 countries. Thus we should recognise the immense reach God has given us to evangelise others in Singapore and overseas. May the word of the Lord sound forth from GBC to the corners of Singapore and beyond.
The gospel has immense power to save and transform. As believers of Jesus, let us imitate and model turning away from idols to serve God more.
Live in light of Jesus’ return
Fourthly, let us imitate and model living in light of Jesus’ return.
In 1 Thessalonians 1:10 Paul highlights the Thessalonians’ example to “wait for Jesus from heaven, whom God raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Thess 1:10).
Our Christian worldview is incomplete if we only believe that Jesus came, died for our sins, resurrected and was exalted to heaven. The return of Jesus is a very important theological truth for two reasons.
Firstly, Jesus’ second coming is a warning of the wrath to come and a promise of salvation to those who have professed faith in Him. Whilst Jesus’ primary focus in His first coming was to seek and save the lost, He will judge the living and the dead at His second coming (Acts 10:42). All those who have put their faith in Jesus and repented of their sins will be welcomed into His glorious kingdom. But those who remain in their sins will experience His wrath. Thus Jesus’ imminent return should urge us to rid ourselves of unrighteous thoughts and deeds and urge us to make peace with God through faith and repentance.
Secondly, the return of Jesus is a reminder that we are neither expected to solve all the problems we face nor establish paradise. Rather it is a promise that Jesus is coming again to set things right. Our current afflictions and troubles will end. Persecution and oppression of Christians will end. Declining morals and godless living will be a thing of the past. Illnesses and death will be no more. Jesus will rid the world of all evil and establish a new and perfect kingdom. He will make all things new. He will establish a world that is even better than what Adam experienced in Eden.
Thus the return of Jesus offers us hope that the world can never offer. Whilst the world has no solution to the eternal problem mankind faces, Jesus’s return is a promise that we who are in Christ will be delivered from God’s coming judgment on the world.
Jesus’ second coming is a promise that we who believe in Him will be delivered from evil and that all things will be made new. We will finally experience the ultimate blessing of living with our Lord for the rest of eternity.
If you are not a Christian, I encourage you to reflect on God’s gracious offer. By repenting of your sins and believing in Jesus, you will be delivered from the wrath to come and inherit eternal life.
For believers, Jesus’ return should re-orientate the way we live. It should affect our priorities and investments. If we truly believe that Jesus is coming again, we should be less focused on obtaining earthly goals and more focused on doing the work of the Father.
For believers, Jesus’ return should re-orientate the way we live. It should affect our priorities and investments. If we truly believe that Jesus is coming again, we should be less focused on obtaining earthly goals and more focused on doing the work of the Father. We should be more intent on learning God’s truths and growing in the faith since knowledge of God and spiritual fruit will last for eternity.
Jesus’ return should also give us comfort when we experience suffering. A day is coming when our trials will end. A day is coming when God will grant relief. A day is coming when God will redeem and restore. Because Jesus is coming, there can be light at the end of the tunnel. So let us not suffer as those without hope. Instead let the promise that Christ is coming strengthen our feeble hearts and give us grace to press on another day.
Given the strong anti-Christian sentiment in Thessalonica, one might not have expected the young church to survive. Yet God divinely protected His church and enabled them to experience remarkable growth. God had given the church His Spirit and godly examples to follow. By imitating model Christians like Paul, Silas and Timothy, the Thessalonians themselves became a model church.
Like a city on a hill, they proclaimed God’s Word to the surrounding region and modelled Christian living. They were known for their work of faith, labor of love and steadfastness of hope in Jesus.
Friends, God desire for the Thessalonians is the same as His desire for other churches like ours. God also desires GBC to showcase the gospel’s power to save and transform people.
The good news is, God has given us the same empowerment as the Thessalonians. He has given us His Spirit and godly examples to follow.
So with the help of the Spirit, let us imitate and model the examples of:
Acknowledging God’s sovereignty in ministry (1 Thess 1:1-5)
Relying on the Holy Spirit for joy amidst affliction (1 Thess 1:5-6)
Turning from idols to serve the Lord (1 Thess 1:7-9)
Living in light of Jesus’ return (1 Thess 1:10)
May God be pleased to make us model Christians for His glory. May God be pleased to make us a model church that strengthens others and displays Christ to the world.
Let us pray.