August 20, 2001

Lessons for September 2

EXPLORE THE BIBLE:
Being a model is hard but worthwhile work
___ 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
___By Pete Freeman
___First Baptist Church,
___The Woodlands
___I like new beginnings! They afford us opportunities for something fresh and different. Beginning a study of 1 Thessalonians is going to give us the opportunity to look into the heart of a pastor who genuinely loved his people.
___Paul began pastoral work with the Christians of Thessalonica during his second missionary trip. There he was able to preach and interpret the Old Testament in the synagogue (Acts 17:1-10). This resulted in a large number of Jews and Greeks becoming believers, but it also stirred up opposition from the leaders of the local synagogue. He was eventually forced out of Thessalonica.
___Paul kept in contact with the Christians in Thessalonica through his associate, Timothy. A caring and mentoring relationship developed between them. Such a relationship resulted in Paul writing what may have been his first pastoral letter--1 Thessalonians.
___Written around 50 A.D., it contains Paul's affirmation of their faith and some practical information about their mission as a church, the role of the minister and the believer's response to death and the Second Coming. Paul gives us "snap shots, not picture albums" of these everyday concerns.
___When I read a book, I read the first and last chapters first. I always want to know in what direction the author is headed (first chapter) and where he will be when he gets to end of the book (last chapter). I think reading the back of the book gives a balanced perspective for understanding a book. I suggest you try this with 1 Thessalonians.
___Our focal text this week is 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10. As we look at the entire chapter, we find a central theme in the words of Paul. It is found in his observation of these Thessalonians, "And so you became a model to all believers..." (1:7). The word for "model" comes from the root to mean "receive a blow, an impression, a stamp or a pattern." Paul is saying that the believers in Thessalonica had become role models for all believers. Role models are important in this day and time. What the body of Christ needs is coined in the title of one of Tony Campolo's books, "Following Jesus Without Embarrassing God."
___How do we present-day Christians become the kind of role models we need to be? Our text, in describing the Christians at Thessalonica, gives us some help on this matter. Note the three words used by the writer to characterize these early Christians: work, labor and endurance. His compliment of their work ethic is set in the context of the "imminent return of Christ." Some were being distracted from everyday Christian living by their preoccupation with judgment day. We have this same problem today as some believers seem more interested in the rapture than they do in redemption. Paul bragged on the folks because they didn't mind getting on with the work of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.
___If you look closely, you will see they were motivated by the three things Paul considered as essential: faith, love and hope. They did what they did not through their own strength but through trusting God's ability. They were driven to work hard for Jesus because of their love for him. As well, they kept at it day after day because they possessed hope for the future. I believe when we stand before God, the people will receive the greatest rewards are not the ones who occupied the pulpits or who received the accolades of men but the Christians who day-in and day-out "kept at the task." In this day of "entertainment and consumer Christianity," the Lord knows we need role models who are committed to just doing the Christian thing.
___Other characteristics of these early believers are described in verses 4-6. We find several very familiar theological terms: love, chosen, power, Holy Spirit and conviction. What is being talked about here is how these people entered God's kingdom and how they developed as kingdom people. An elaborate theology of election shouldn't result from the words, "brothers loved by God ... chosen you." We all know God loves and desires to have a relationship with everyone. The other theological words found in these verses give a picture of beginning a relationship with Christ. A person hears the gospel, it is accompanied by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, and they respond with a deep commitment of their life to Jesus.
___It is important to note that these early "role models" became serious disciples. The idea of just getting their ticket punched for heaven was foreign to them. They welcomed the privilege of "severe" suffering with great "joy." They joined God in his "divine conspiracy" to change the world. That is why Paul labeled them as "a model" of Christianity.
___One other thing needs to be understood about becoming a model for other believers. In verse nine, we see that being a model involves "becoming a model." Note that they had to change their lifestyle and their belief system in order to be good models. They got rid of their idols, and they declared their belief that Jesus was raised from the dead and is coming back one day. May the Lord send more models!

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