An exemplary people

July 6, 2009

I Thessalonians 1:6-I Thessalonians 1:8
Topics: Example

Illustration

Robert E. Lee sets the example

One Sunday morning in 1865, a black man entered a fashionable church in Richmond, Virginia. When Communion was served, he walked down the aisle and knelt at the altar. A rustle of resentment swept the congregation. How dare he! After all, believers in that church used the common cup. Suddenly a distinguished layman stood up, stepped forward to the altar, and knelt beside the black man. With Robert E. Lee setting the example, the rest of the congregation soon followed his lead. (Moody Bible Institute’s Today in the Word, September, 1991, p. 15).

Commentary

Despite severe suffering the Thessalonians had welcomed their message and became imitators of Paul and Silas (v. 6). The message of salvation, though welcomed with great joy brought the Thessalonians severe suffering because it led to persecution from both Jews and Gentiles (3:2-4). Often a new Christian first looks to other believers as his pattern, but then as he matures he realizes that Jesus Christ is his best model (I Peter 2:21). This is a good reason why we need to be very careful how we walk before others. When Paul wrote his letter to the Corinthians, he said, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” (I Corinthians 11:1). What a challenge for every one of us who know the Lord!

The way we live affects not only how we communicate the truth but how others receive it and in turn what they do with it. The modeling process did not stop with Paul, Silas and Timothy but continued through the Thessalonian Christians. What they saw in these men’s lives was then exemplified to others (v. 7).

After commending these believers for being a good example, Paul shared the results. He said, “The Lord’s message “sounded out” from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia but your faith in God has become known every­where” (v. 8). The word sounded actually means to blast out like a trumpet. In fact the “Lord’s message” was so clear that Paul didn’t need to travel to other parts of the world to share the gospel.

Application

Could I honestly say to a new Christian, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ?"  I can be sure that others are watching my life and some may even be looking to me as a role model. The responsibility I have is awesome!

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An obvious change takes place

July 6, 2009

I Thessalonians 1:9-I Thessalonians 1:10
Topics: Example, Change

Illustration

An old woman gets on an elevator

AnA man from the back mountains of Tennessee found himself one day in a large city, for the first time standing outside an elevator. He watched as an old, haggard woman hobbled on, and the doors closed. A few minutes later the doors opened and a young, attractive woman marched smartly off. The father hollered to his youngest son, “Billy, go get mother.” (Source unknown).

Commentary

Paul makes three statements describing the change that took place in these new Thessalonian Christians:

1. They turned their back on idolatry (v. 9). Keep in mind that many of the initial converts were Jews but the church soon included large num­bers of Gen­tiles. Many of these Gentiles had been idol worshipers and had bowed down to false gods. Have you ever seen people bow down to idols? Several years ago I had the privilege of spending the summer in Mexico among Indian tribes. In one of these tribes every family had a “god house” in back of their mud hut. Inside they had a clay pot with an ugly face on the front. This was their god and they would go inside and bow down to it and cry out for favors. For someone to accept Christ and stop doing this would create a stir among the whole tribe. This is what it would have been like in Thessalonica.
2. They began to worship God (v. 9). In our culture, when we accept Christ, it may not even become obvious to those around us, unless we tell someone about it. However, in this Thessalonian culture, when people turned to Christ and forsook their pagan background it was a very obvious and dramatic change.
3. They looked for Christ’s return (v. 10). They not only turned from idolatry to serving the true God but they developed a great expectancy for the second coming of Christ.

All of us should respond to this Good News as the Thessalonians did. Their labor of love made them  a good example and an enthusiastic people as they lived the Word of God and shared the Gospel. Their patience of hope made them an expectant people, looking for the Saviour’s return.

Application

Just as the Thessalonians faith and loved confirmed their testimony to those around them, so should  my testimony exemplify the power of the Gospel to change lives.

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