Greetings And Thanksgiving

INTRO

This is Paul’s first letter to the church at Thessalonica. Paul spent about three weeks, or three Sabbaths, in Thessalonica, which prompted him later to write two letters to this church. We can learn so much from Paul about the steps of beginning a work in a new city: model, assist, watch, and leave. Our phrase for this book is Coming Lord. First Thessalonians 4 is a chapter of hope and comfort, because it encourages us to keep our perspective on Jesus as the Coming Lord: “We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep” (1 Thessalonians 4:15b). “Fallen asleep” refers to those who have died. Verses 16-17 describe Jesus’ return from heaven and the reunion of those both dead and alive with Him. Paul concluded this letter by encouraging the people in Thessalonica to “be kept sound and blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23b).

Paul identifies himself as the writer in two places: 1 Thessalonians 1:1 and 2:18. Silas and Timothy traveled with Paul on his second missionary journey. Acts 17 says that these men visited Thessalonica and started the church in that city. Paul’s two letters were written while he was ministering in Corinth around AD 51. According to John MacArthur, “The date has been archaeologically verified by an inscription in the temple of Apollos at Delphi near Corinth.”¹ In Acts 18, Paul referred to Gallio, who was proconsul in AD 51. Since Galatians was probably written around AD 50, this letter would have been Paul’s second canonical correspondence.

Thessalonica is modern-day Salonica, a modern city with an old look located by the water. It lies near the ancient site of Therma on the Thermaic Gulf, which reaches into the Aegean Sea. It became the capital of Macedonia in 168 BC. They enjoyed the status of a “free city,” meaning they were ruled by their own citizenry ² This is supported by Acts 17:5-9, which states that some of the Jews “dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city officials.” Thessalonica was part of the Roman Empire and was referred to as “the other of all Macedonia.”³ Two hundred thousand people lived in the area. Paul travelled from Philippi to Thessalonica, a distance of roughly 100 miles.

As was his custom, when Paul entered the city, he looked for a synagogue where he could teach the gospel to the local Jews. Acts 17:1-4 paints the best picture of Paul’s entry into the city. For three Sabbaths, Paul proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah in the synagogue. Some of the Jews, as well as the Greeks and God-fearing women, joined Paul in believing the gospel. The Jewish leadership then became jealous, formed a mob, and started riots in the city until they brought Jason and some of the other brothers before the city officials. The brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. Paul then traveled on to Athens while Silas and Timothy stayed in Berea. Silas and Timothy eventually joined Paul in Athens. Later Timothy was sent back to Thessalonica and Silas back to Philippi. In Acts 18, Paul went on to Corinth (v. 1), where Timothy and Silas joined him (v. 5). Paul wrote the first letter to the Thessalonians after Timothy brought a report to him about the status of the church in Thessalonica.

TEACHING

1 Thessalonians 1:1-4: Paul began the letter with his usual greeting, “Grace to you and peace” (v. 1). Paul said he constantly remembered them in his prayers (v. 2). He never stopped praying for the churches he established. Paul recognized their “work of faith, labor of love, and endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 3). As Paul traveled, he heard how well these new believers were doing. Their “work produced by faith” indicated they were hearing something from the Holy Spirit and walking it out. Their “labor motivated by love” meant they were actually doing something to express their love. And all the while, they were holding onto their hope. They were anchored in the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 1:5-8: Even though Paul spent only three weeks in Thessalonica, the believers there became an example “to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia” (v. 7) because God did something special there. We have four words that describe the steps Paul took: model, assist, watch, and leave.

Model: In verse 5a, Paul modeled the gospel for them in word, in power, and in the Holy Spirit with assurance, conviction, and passion. People need to hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), and Paul modeled sharing the Word. If we truly believe Christ went through death, burial, and resurrection, then we need to speak about it (2 Corinthians 4:13). Paul also came to them in power. This word comes from the Greek word dunamis meaning the force, might, ability, and strength that inherently resides in something by its very nature. In other words, the Spirit of God gave them power and enabled them to share the gospel. We need the power of God (Acts 1:8) to be His witnesses. Not only does the Spirit enable us to share the gospel, but the gospel is the power of God. They are interchangeable. Romans 8:14 says, “All those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons.” As we share the gospel, we must do so with much assurance, confidence, conviction, and passion because we actually believe the gospel. The Spirit of God brings forth the fire when we believe that everything about the gospel is true.

Assist: We can’t lead people from afar. We have to get in the mix, into the streets and neighborhoods, to share the gospel. Paul assisted them in the process of sharing the gospel (v. 5b).

Watch: The Thessalonians became imitators of Paul and of the Lord, welcoming the message with joy from the Holy Spirit. Paul was able to watch them as they began to imitate the faith Paul modeled.

Leave: From Thessalonica, the message went all over Macedonia and Achaia and “in every place that your faith in God has gone out” (v. 8). Who knows how far their witness extended? Even though Paul and Silas left Thessalonica, the message continued to spread. That was an effective move of God.

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10: They turned to God from idols (v. 9) and were waiting in confident hope for Jesus’ return (v. 10). This is a message we can replicate wherever we go: model, assist, watch, and leave. But it starts and ends with Jesus.

CLOSING

This is why I get excited about 1 Thessalonians, because even though Paul only spent 3 weeks with the people that lived there, it was enough for them to be an effective witness for Jesus. I pray you’re encouraged as well.