How the Gospel Transforms a Community

Bible Passage: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

The letter of 1 Thessalonians is most likely the earliest of all New Testament letters, probably written around 50-51AD. It was written by Paul to a church that he started in the city of Thessalonica during his second missionary journey (the story of it being planted is told in Acts 17). This is a group of believers who he held dearly in his heart, having had to flee the city when many of them had only been followers of Jesus for a few weeks. Unlike some of the other New Testament letters, 1 Thessalonians is not written to address a moral failing or false teaching, but to encourage a group of fledgling believers who were doing well under pressure. The affection that Paul has for them comes through clearly in this opening passage of the letter.

A Church Worth Thanking God For (v1-3): As Paul begins his letter he makes clear how thankful he is for Thessalonians by sharing with them how he prays for them. His prayers are constantly filled with thankfulness for all that has happened in their lives. This attitude challenges us whether we see other believers in the same way. Are we constantly giving thanks to God for how we have seen him work in the lives of those around us? In addition, the specific points of thanksgiving highlight to us what we long to see God doing in our own lives, speaking of the deep works of faith, love and hope as well as how they are expressed in our work, labour and endurance. It is worth lingering on the significance of faith. hope and love. They are not random virtues but a foundational response to the gospel, trusting what God has done for us in the past, receiving his love in the present and hoping in what he has for us in the future. As our hearts have been touched by the gospel it transforms our lives and hearts, this is shown in how we live and in the kind of community that is formed.

A Gospel That Comes With Power (v4-5): The source of the transformation that the Thessalonians had undergone was the gospel that they had received, and Paul draws their minds back to this in verse 4. He recalls how when he was in Thessalonica he had shared with them the gospel, and he points out three different aspects of this. First there is the words that he shared with them. He reminds them here that they are loved by God, and his confidence in their salvation comes not merely from a profession of faith but from the transforming work of God that accompanied the preaching of the gospel. The love of God they received is seen most clearly in the message of the cross. As they heard Paul explain the good news of what Christ had done, they responded in faith. But this response was not the result of words alone, and the second thing that we see brought out here is the power with which the words were accompanied. The gospel was accompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit, causing the words to register in the hearers with deep conviction. As we share the news about Jesus with those around us, we must pray that God will take those words and accompany them with his power in their lives, causing deep conviction to form. Finally Paul also highlights the way he and his colleagues lived during their time in the city. Lives that are lived in a way that reflect the gospel are one of the biggest pieces of evidence to give credibility to the words we share and we should not underestimate the impact our lives can have on those around us who do not know Jesus.

A Faith That Changes Everything (v6-10): The remaining verses of the passage are given over to sharing some of the changes that have been evident in the lives of the Thessalonians now they believed. Firstly we see how their lives started to pattern that Paul had shown them, that he himself had got from Jesus. A big part of growing mature faith is finding those who are a bit older or more experienced in the faith who can give us a pattern to imitate. Second we see that they endured suffering with the joy of the Holy Spirit. Suffering is not a goal in itself but it will come to us all at some point, and may be tied to our faith. When suffering comes we can see it as a way to draw close to Christ and find the joy that his Spirit gives in those moments. In verse 8 we see that as well as receiving the message themselves, the Thessalonians shared it with others. Receiving the gospel naturally leads to sharing the gospel and introducing others to the great news we have found in Jesus. Finally we see how the worship of their hearts is reoriented away from idols to serve the living and true God as they wait for his return in glory.

Potential Applications

• There is lots in this passage but at its heart is the impact the gospel has. This would be a great opportunity to invite people to make the same response the Thessalonians did and trust in Jesus for themselves.
• Seeing how Paul thanks God for these Christians should challenge us to give thanks for what God is doing in one another’s lives.
• The response of the Thessalonians to the gospel is comprehensive. Their lifestyle, response to suffering, evangelism and worship are all impacted. Invite people to consider what impact their own faith has had on their lives, and whether there are aspects of this Thessalonians response they need to imitate.