Learning the way from the Thessalonians

 

COLERAINE INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY 5 JANUARY 2025 – MR HENRY MONTGOMERY

1 Thessalonians 1

The background to the book of Thessalonians is found in Acts 17.  When the gospel came to this city it made some people mad.  So much so that a riot started and Paul had to flee the city.  For others it made them glad and it started them on a journey.  They turned their back on their community and started to follow Jesus.  All the people around them gave them problems and hated them because of their faith.   Paul writes this letter to encourage their hearts.  The phrase that should jump out is the one in verse 9 – “ye turned to God from idols.”  They were a big deal in Thessalonica.  Idols are big everywhere, even here in Coleraine.  They might not be made of gold or wood but include things in our lives that are trying to jockey for position and push God out.  Is Christ first in our lives?  Paul stated what it was that made the difference – the gospel.

The way the gospel was presented to them.  The gospel is able to make the transformation from the inside out.  Verse 5 Paul spells out the few characteristics of how the gospel was presented to them in the first place – “not just in word but also in power.”  We can never underestimate the power of the word of God.  Some say all you need to do as a Christian is to live it out, that good deeds will be enough.  But that doesn’t explain what the gospel is about.  The Muslims and the Buddists do that.  It is the truth behind our words.  If you brought people to a wonderful landscape where they could see all the beauty around them or they could see a starry night that would convince people of the presence of God. Paul’s words came, not just with words but in power.  Human words are not powerful enough.  When God speaks things happen.  Politicians are good with words during a campaign but they don’t mean a thing when they come into power.  “And in the Holy Ghost”.  That of course is linked to the idea of power.  We need and long for the work of the Holy Spirit in our preaching.  In our evangelism work, in our teaching among children and young people and in our preaching from the pulpit.  Paul says the Holy Spirit was at work when they were in Thessalonica.  Paul said “and in much assurance.”  Paul preached with a sense of urgency and passion.  He got passionate and enthusiastic.  He put his heart and soul into his preaching.  If someone announced the bible is true they can preach it with full heart, with conviction.  Paul preached the gospel with much assurance, a full heart and with a verdict.  He called people to repentance.  “You know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.”  While Paul was with them there was nothing of his lifestyle that conflicted with the message he was bringing.  His testimony backed up what he said.  There was nothing detrimental to the gospel.  If someone preaches and doesn’t live right, if they share something and their life contradicts it well it is useless.  People hear what you say but they also need to see what you do.  If it doesn’t match up then it is worth nothing.  Paul’s work matched his talk.  It is important that our lives back up what we say rather than take away from the message of the gospel.

The way the gospel was received by them.  Verse 6 tells us it was with “affliction and joy”.  If you are afflicted how could you be joyful?  Affliction and joy go together.  Maybe you know someone whose life is characterised by affliction and yet so are so joyful.  There was nothing socially advantageous to them to say they were Christian.  It did not increase their chances of getting a job or a place in university or gave them status in the community.  In fact they would be discriminated against.  They would be disadvantaged in looking for a job.  There would be difficulties for them.  Affliction and joy.

The way the gospel was spread by them.  They were getting on with sharing the gospel.  Paul was convinced that just because he had to leave the gospel was not going to stop.  These people had embraced the gospel and were now preaching it themselves.  Paul is convinced that the Christians in Thessalonica, young believers, even though persecuted were getting on with the work of spreading the gospel.  They worked him out of a job.  Verse 8 – “every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad so that we need not to speak anything.”  Nothing has stopped them, they kept on going.  Paul writing to Thessalonica said you are preaching the gospel and I am removed from that, not involved in it any longer.  It thrilled his heart to know that the gospel made a massive difference in Thessalonica.