Sunday AM
1 Thessalonians #02: This is an exposition of 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on September 30, 2012.
Intro:
What are we doing? Why are we here? I know it is Sunday and so we’ve gathered for worship but I mean as a church – why are we here? What are we to do? What is our mission, our task? That’s obvious, “We are here to see that the name and fame of our God is spread throughout the Earth. We are here to make Him known. We are to carry on the work of the Lord Jesus. We are to engage in world evangelization and the equipping of the saints.” That’s all true. In addition we are to be light in the darkness and that leads to all kinds of social ministries, caring for the poor, defending the defenseless, providing for widows and orphans. At the center of all we do is the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:18-20 – the “making of disciples.” We are to call spiritually dead people to life. We are to call folks to faith in the Lord Jesus. Let me tell you why it is important to ask and answer the question, “What are we doing?”
In the words of the great philosopher Yogi Bera, “If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up somewhere else.” If we don’t know what we are aiming for how do we know when we hit it? If we are not sure what our task is how can we measure our effectiveness? I’m afraid a large number of churches are like another “yogism” – “Lost but making good time.” If you don’t know where you are going then it doesn’t matter which road you take but if you have somewhere to go you need to right road! Just what are we to be about? For some help we turn to the first chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonian Christians.
Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Following the first missionary journey Paul and Barnabas had a falling out.
They disputed over whether John Mark should accompany them.
Paul said, “NO!” Barnabas said, “Yes.”
They split up – Barnabas and John Mark retracing a portion of the first journey while Paul and Silas retraced another. After being prevented by the Spirit from going east into Asia, Paul received the “Macedonian Call.” A vision pleading for him to come west with the message of the Gospel. Eventually they came to Thessalonica the capital city of Macedonia. A large city with a population of over 100,000. Thessalonica was a “free city” allowed to govern themselves. Located on the Egnatian Way (the main Roman Road connecting East and West) the city was a commercial, cultural and religious center. Populated by cultured Athenians, barbaric peoples from the North and a large number of Roman soldiers and politicians who had retired there. It was an important city. After just three weeks (three Sabbath Days) Paul and his companions were run out of town. They pressed on to Berea, Athens and then to Corinth. While in Corinth Paul received word on the progress of the Thessalonian church. The book, known to us as 1 Thessalonians, is his response to that report.
Three great themes run throughout – Salvation, sanctification, and the return of the Lord Jesus.
Our focus this morning is on chapter one as Paul remembers and encourages the young church. As we explore what he says to them we are reminded of something very important about our calling…
Thesis: The goal of Christian ministry is conversion and not decision.
It is not about getting people to intellectually accept a body of truth or agree that the claims of our faith are true but for them to pass from death to life. It is about change, radical, fundamental life-altering change.
In this opening chapter Paul gives his customary greeting – 1:1.
From Paul, Silvanus or Silas and Timothy to the church that is in Thessalonica and in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
He gives both their geographical and spiritual location (with the emphasis on the spiritual).
He prays that they might have the full measure of both grace (God’s active work in them and for them) and peace (the resultant state of their being due to God’s work).
Paul then speaks a very encouraging word to them about what God has done and is doing.
He speaks with great warmth, love and enthusiasm.
This is where I want us to settle in for a moment this morning because it is here we find some important information about the goal or aim of Christian ministry. Note what Paul is thankful for. Take note of why he is encouraged about this young struggling group of believers. As we explore verses 2-10 I want to point out three things about genuine conversion.
- Genuine conversion is made evident by the presence of Christian virtues. (1:2-3)
- Genuine conversion is a sovereign work of God. (1:4-5)
- Genuine conversion produces the fruit of new life. (1:6-10)
Conclusion:
They had been changed and that change was evidenced by how they lived. This is the goal of Christian ministry. It is about conversion not decision. This issue isn’t whether or not you’ve come to believe the Gospel is true. It isn’t a matter of saying, “I want to be a part of this church.” The crucial, fundamental issue is have you passed from death to life? Have you walked out of darkness into the light?