1 Thessalonians 1 (5)

Pray Psalm 107.31, 32.
Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
Let them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people,
And praise Him in the company of the elders.

Read 1 Thessalonians 1.8.

Reflect.
1. What do you suppose that “sounding forth” of the Word looked like?

2. What was the “faith” that went out from Thessalonica? Was it just the words of the Gospel? Or was it more? 

Meditate.
As we read this verse, we remember that Paul has referred to the believers in Thessalonica as “examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe” (v. 7). We should thus take them as an example for ourselves and our churches. Part of that example entails how they received the Gospel – in Word and power, unto faith, love, hope, and perseverance. An important part of that example is that the Word and faith of Jesus “sounded forth” and had “gone out” from them “in every place.”

Do we have any doubt as to what this means? From the churches in Thessalonica, by some means, the Gospel was preached and the witness of their lived faith spread throughout Greece and beyond. People in many places knew that the Kingdom of God had established a beachhead in Thessalonica and was advancing from there into new places. We must consider how that happened – not by any organized program, but spontaneously, through natural relationships of family, business, perhaps even government, or as people visited synagogues of friends and family in other places. 

This is what Roland Allen has referred to as “the spontaneous expansion of the church.” Where the Gospel has been truly received in Word and power, and the Spirit is at work unto faith, love, good works, and hope, people naturally talk about what has happened to them. They share eagerly of what they have discovered in Jesus, of the lifting of the burden of sin and guilt, of the abiding sense of assurance that all is well with their soul, of the hope of glory, and of new found love for God and neighbors. The Gospel landed in Thessalonica like a large drop of refreshing water, and the ripples of that impact spread by natural relationships and everyday dealings into “every place.”

Why are our churches today not following this example? Why have we chosen to organize our church life and conduct our services of worship to attract the lost, rather than preparing ourselves daily to go among them, testifying and demonstrating the power of Jesus? The New Testament provides many examples of how the Kingdom comes and the glory of God is raised. Have we simply chosen to ignore these? Are we avoiding our calling as witnesses because we fear the opposition or affliction that might ensue? Or is it that we have little confidence in the power of the Gospel to change the hearts of the lost, or in our own example to convince them that believing in Jesus makes any difference?

Let us begin to pray daily that we might align ourselves with the examples of believers and churches that we find in the New Testament, even if it means that our present way of doing church or being Christians must change radically.

Prepare.
1. By what means is the Word of God sounding forth and the faith of Jesus going out from your church?

2. In your own Personal Mission Field, do you consistently seek opportunities to show Jesus and talk of Him with others? How might you become more consistent in this?

3. What are the primary barriers or obstacles that keep you and your church from becoming more like the believers and churches in Thessalonica? 

Here we have an elegant metaphor, by which he intimates that their faith was so lively, that it did, as it were, by its sound, arouse other nations. For he says that the word of God sounded forth from them, inasmuch as their faith was sonorous for procuring credit for the gospel. He says that this had not only occurred in neighboring places, but this sound had also extended far and wide, and had been distinctly heard, so that the matter did not require to be published by him.  John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 1.8

Lord, make me a more spontaneous witness for Jesus. Take away fear and doubt, and instead grant that I might…

Pray Psalm 107.1-9.
These verses show that the grace of God can reach even those who are wandering far from Him. Thank Him for reaching you, and pray for the people you will see today who are wandering “in the wilderness” and need the Lord.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 107.1-9 (Faithfulness: Great is Thy Faithfulness)
Lord, You are good, we give thanks and we praise You!
Your steadfast love will forever endure.
Let the redeemed, who from trouble You rescue,
Gather and say that Your mercy is sure!
Refrain vv. 1-3
Lord, for Your wondrous works, and for Your steadfast love,
We give You thanks, we exalt Your great Name!
We who from east and west, north and south gather,
Boldly redemption in Christ we proclaim!

Wand’ring in deserts, no city, no dwelling,
Hungry and thirsty and faint in our soul –
Lord, when we cried, all our misery telling,
You brought us home and in grace made us whole!
Refrain

T. M. Moore

Where do 1 and 2 Thessalonians fit in the unfolding of God’s covenant? Our course, Introduction to Biblical Theology, can help you understand the setting of all the books of the Bible, and how they fit into God’s unfolding plan of redemption. Watch the brief video introducing this course at The Ailbe Seminary (click here), then plan to register after January 1 in our Certificate in Kingdom Studies program, featuring Introduction to Biblical Theology.

Forward today’s study to some friends, and challenge them to study with you through this series on 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Each week’s lessons will be available as a free PDF download at the end of the week. Get a copy for yourself and send the link to the download to your friends. Plan to meet weekly to study Paul’s ministry and prepare for your own.

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