The other night, we hosted a dinner at our church that was attended by some of the families that are involved in our mid-week community groups. Meals like that are always a lot of fun, and I always enjoy the conversation and fellowship. As the meal was winding down, I noticed something else that I appreciated. Many families had their young children with them, and as those kids saw their parents cleaning up, and moving tables and chairs, they joined in. They did their best to get the room set up again because that's what the adults they admired were doing.
Most people underestimate the level of their influence. I think it's more likely than not, that each of us have several, if not many people who are imitating us. We may not realize they're doing that, but they absolutely are. Have you ever tried to figure out who might be imitating you? Are you comfortable with them doing that, or does that create a sense of pressure that feels a little intimidating?
The young church in the city of Thessalonica was setting an example for other believers living during their era. Their example was an inspiration to Christians throughout the known world at the time, and their example is profitable for us as well.
As we study this letter together, the example of the Thessalonians, and the teaching the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to deliver, will serve as a helpful combination to enable us to progress in our faith. So what does the opening chapter reveal to us about being an example that's worth imitating?
I. Give thanks for the labor God is inspiring
“Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace.
We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. ”
I find the life and ministry of the Apostle Paul inspiring. When I read stories of how the Lord used him during the second half of his life, I feel motivated to take greater steps of faith, and care less and less about the trappings of a safe or comfortable life in this world.
Thessalonica was a prosperous city in the Roman empire that enjoyed a considerable amount of freedom. It was the capital of Macedonia, and was well populated. Roman gods were worshipped there, but there were also plenty of Jews in the city.
When Paul visited there, he spoke in the local synagogue over the course of three weeks. He showed from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah, and people began placing their trust in Christ. Many of these early believers were quite enthusiastic in their faith, but not everyone was happy about that. Acts 17 tells us that a riot broke out in opposition to the gospel, and a man named Jason who was hosting Paul and Silas, was brought before the authorities, questioned, and forced to pay a security. While this was going on, other brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea so they wouldn't be harmed in the midst of the uproar.
Yet by the grace of God, the church in Thessalonica continued to grow strong. The Lord inspired them to live out their faith in Christ, disciple new believers, and maintain their hope in Christ, even though there were plenty of people who threatened their well-being.
II. Demonstrate the power of the gospel in your life
“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.”
When you're in the midst of a ministry like Paul's, there can be setbacks that leave you feeling drained and discouraged. There are also moments when you find yourself saying, "I'm so glad I didn't quit, because now I get to see this!" I suspect that's how Paul felt toward the Thessalonians when he received good reports about the way their faith was progressing.
The Thessalonians were demonstrating the power of Christ's gospel which was at work within them. Paul said that it was obvious to him when he observed what was taking place in their lives, that God had chosen them. They received the gospel joyfully. They worshipped Christ openly. They demonstrated the power of Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit. And the way in which they conducted themselves in the midst of their decadent society made it clear that they were people who possessed new convictions. Their hearts had been changed.
It's interesting to observe what the Lord does in a person's life when He changes their heart. Not only do their beliefs change, but their practices change as well. Frequently, it will be the people who know them best who will observe this change most noticeably.
When the Lord grabbed hold of my heart as a young person, the first people to really notice the change were my younger sisters. They watched me transition from being harsh, insulting, and mean toward them, to being kind, patient, and forgiving. This was a demonstration of the power of the gospel in my life. As I embraced the good news of Jesus Christ, He created new desires in my heart, and my new approach to life became a blessing to those I was closest to.
If you believe the gospel, don't hesitate to be transformed by it. It you believe it, don't hesitate to demonstrate it.
III. Copy, and be copied
“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, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.” ”
I read an obscure fact about President Harry Truman many years ago that made an impact on me. I learned that whenever he sent personal correspondence from the White House, he made sure to use his own stamps. He didn't think it would be an honest use of taxpayer money for him to use official postage for personal letters, even though I'm certain no one would have noticed or complained. But he felt, correctly, that if you can't trust a man to show integrity in small areas, you can't trust him in larger areas either.
Paul and his ministry companions were men of integrity, and they proved that while they were with the Thessalonians. Even before the pages of the New Testament were written, that young church learned what it was like to be a Christian by hearing the words these men spoke, and observing the lives these men led. The Thessalonians became imitators of them and of the Lord who they learned about through Paul's teaching.
We're told that they received this teaching with joy. I wish we always received the teaching of God's word joyfully. The other day, one of my daughter's friends told me that her pastor "gives a long speech every Sunday." I asked her how long it was and she said, "It has to be at least 15 minutes." Then I told her how long I typically preach, and I'm pretty sure I may have scared her away from visiting our church now.
But as the Thessalonians were learning to model the heart of Christ, which was first demonstrated for them by Paul and others, they had now become an example to many other believers who had heard about their steadfast faith. They copied, and now they were being copied. The reputation of their faith was inspiring people in places they had never been, and even now, the example of their enthusiastic faith encourages us.
We're called to copy Christ. As we copy Him, we're also invited to set an example for those around us to copy. If you want to change your spouse, copy Christ. If you want to change your children, copy Christ. They will see your example, and in time, I believe the Lord will use that example to speak to their hearts.
““In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives.””
IV. Throw down your idols
“For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you 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, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”
The final area that I see in this chapter regarding the example of the Thessalonians was their willingness to turn from worshipping idols to worshipping Christ. In their culture, they were surrounded by nationalistic deities tied to Greek and Roman myths. The risk you ran when you didn't worship these deities was being thought of as unpatriotic, and maybe even "bad luck" for your city.
We're told in Acts 17:7 that one of the criticisms they received as believers was, "they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus." So to turn from idolatry involved genuine social risks in their context.
I wish it wasn't true, but in our modern context, we're just as likely to develops idols as the Romans were. Our idols might not be made of wood and bronze, but there are plenty of things in our lives that take our focus off God and promise us a false sense of deliverance.
Work can become an idol. So can success, materialism, the opinions of others, phones, dating relationships, money, sex, and power. I have also witnessed some Christian leaders turn their ministries into idols.
What takes your focus off God? What are you relying on for deliverance from grief, anger, or loneliness? Paul tells us that the Thessalonians had turned from their idols, and turned to God. They were now being encouraged by the hope they had in the imminent return of Jesus, and His promise to deliver us from the wrath to come. Our idols can't deliver us, but Jesus can.
So, who are you imitating, and who is imitating you? As you learn to imitate Christ, He will influence others through the power of His gospel that is being displayed in your life. Don't be afraid to be copied. Your life is one of the most powerful tools the Lord is using in His mission to rescue and redeem humanity.
© John Stange, 2020
