“So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. 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. For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 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 Thessalonians 1:7-10).
Introduction
We have already seen that the Thessalonian Christians sought to live up to the message brought to them by the apostle Paul. The life and power of a church is determined not so much by activities but how the congregation responds to the preaching of God’s word. Here is a church which not only believed the gospel but was an influence upon others near and far.
They were examples
Paul compliments these Christians by telling them that they are held in high regard by those who hear about them. What makes this tribute even more precious is that he never speaks of any other church in this way. The word “ensample” comes from the Greek word “tupos” from where we derive the English word “type.” It literally means “a mark left after a strike or blow.” It can also mean the impression left by a signet ring on sealing wax. Therefore, they were a true example of what Christianity is all about, and one to which others could shape and direct their lives. They were renown for their holy living and their zeal for Christ.
They were heralds of truth
The use of the word “sounded” in our text indicates that they fearlessly and boldly declared the word of God. The meaning behind the Greek word “execheomai” is “echo”, revealing that they recounted the good news time and time again. Since the word is also used in speaking of the rallying blast of a trumpet we can see that theirs was not a compromised or watered-down version of the truth. “For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” (1 Corinthians 14:8). They were evangelical missionaries who spoke of the life-changing power of the gospel at every opportunity. This is a thought most churches today need to deeply consider.
They turned from paganism
Almost every industry had its god to watch over them. Every home had an image or two to ward off problems. Individuals wore amulets for personal protection Thessalonica was a very superstitious city. Little has changed over two thousand years, for people still cling to saints, charms, crystals and religious icons. “Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods” (Galatians 4:8) … “Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led” (1 Corinthians 12:2).
Those who come to Christ today must come exactly as the first century example did. The Catholic must put away Mary and saint worship. The Muslim must reject Islam and the Koran. The Jew must lay aside his rituals and traditions. The atheist must denounce evolution. Whatever keeps a person away from Christ must be dethroned before He can take His rightful place.
They served God
It is not enough to give up evil and live a moral life, for without actually turning to and serving God the sinner remains lost. What we have turned from is meaningless unless we turn to Christ. But once we have turned to Him, it is important that we go on to serve and obey Him. “I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. Thou shalt have none other gods before me. Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments” (Deuteronomy 5:6-10). In other words, God will not tolerate divided loyalties. He is not the co-pilot of our lives, He is the Almighty God we are called to be servants of.
They were ready to meet Christ
This church was premillennial. They looked forward to and were assured that the Lord Jesus Christ was returning to this earth to set up His Kingdom. “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). They believed this because they accepted that Jesus literally and bodily rose from the dead.
It is sad that this wonderful truth has become just a series of wild and wacky predictions in the church today. The promise of the rapture was not intended to be just a spiritual vehicle to escape “the wrath to come”, but a source of comfort in this life too. “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:14-18). The knowledge that Jesus will return is not meant simply to give us hope for the future, but also to encourage and equip us in the present. While we see history racing towards its prophesied conclusion it is vital that we serve God by faith. “When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8).
Conclusion
Paul might have called the church at Thessalonica “well-rounded, level-headed, and doctrinally sound”, but most of all he would have described them as “Bible-believing Christians” who walked the walk as well as talked the talk. They believed the gospel and obeyed it by living it out in their daily lives, that is, they were holy and righteous before all.
Living Word Bible Church 