Take Two: 1 Thessalonians 1, Proverbs 9

A little historical background as we begin 1 Thessalonians. The letter is one of the first that Paul wrote. It was written around 50-51 AD. Paul established the church at Thessalonica (named for the sister of Alexander the Great) during his 2d missionary journey (See Acts 15:36-18:22). The church was comprised of converted Jews and God fearing Gentiles who had ascribed to Judaism before their conversion to Christianity (Acts 17). Paul's preaching at the synagogue had created quite a disturbance and persecution began immediately.

1 Thess 1:1 is the greeting that identifies Paul (and his party) as the author of the letter and identifies the recipients.

1 Thess 1:2 begins an opening statement of thanksgiving and prayer for the believers there. Paul gave thanks for characteristics that identified this church: Their work of faith, labor of love, steadfastness of hope (1 Thess 1:3), and their election by God (1 Thess 1:4).

These characteristics had become evident due to the violent way the chruch at Thessalonica burst onto the scene. Persecution began almost immediately. Yet...the church did not shrink from it. It stood firm and developed a reputation that rand out throughout the region of Macedonia and Achaia (1 Thess 1:7). [Note: Struggles and persecution ar ehte best way for character to be revealed. Everyone looks good while things are going well. When trouble comes...you really get to see what a person is made of.]

The dominant feature of their testimony was that of transformation. These believers had turned to Christ from Judaism and idolatry (1 Thes 1:9) and were bold in sharing where their hope lay: in the return of Christ (1 Thess 1:10). Their testimony was prevalent where they were in Thessalonica, throughout Macedonia and Achaia, and everywhere they went. (Sounds like Acts 1:8...huh.)

A couple of key features of this chapter bear repeating: There was evidence of changed lives in the church. The church was different than the culture. This change brought some resistance/persecution from the culture...yet the church seemed only to get stronger as the opposition arose. God used the faithfulness of the church (their testimony) as an example to believers everywhere to encourage them. The believers were encouraged, but the culture was only aware.

Notice...just because you experience a change in your life...doesn't mean that those outside of Christ will appreciate it. They may even come against you. However, if there is really a change...even the culture knows it.

Notice also...this church was not known for its academic understanding of Christ. They were not known for their creed or confessional statement. They were known for their WORK of faith, LABOR of love, and STEADFASTNESS of hope. Even in the midst of life and cultural opposition, they continued to labor and work in the Name of Christ. No...this does not mean they hung out in a house church and just let others be. They did not watch idly by while their friends and neighbors walked about blindly following idols. They were intentional in going to connect and communicate with others about their hope in Christ. How do I know? 1 Thess 1:6 says they became imitators of Paul and of Christ.

AND Notice...there is never a shortage of those who can TELL you what you ought to do (in their opinion.) We sometimes look to those who have opinions and seem to know what they are talking about...as sources of authority. This church was known for its action. They had patterned themselves after the pattern of action of Paul. I have found that there is no shortage of people who can tell you what it takes to be successful and accomplish God's will. There is a shortage of people who seem to be doing it.

If someone observed you and I...would we be known for the same characteristics as this church?

Proverbs 9:11 is the takeaway. The pursuit of Wisdom is the only key to abundant and blessed living. Foolishness calls out to people the same as Wisdom. The end results of each pursuit is fixed. Foolishness (living apart from God's purpose) leads to death (Prov 9:18), but Wisdom leads to blessing.

Grace,