June 3, 2014
GO TO WORK FOR JESUS EVERY DAY, RUNNING THE RACE HE HAS SET BEFORE US!
1 Thessalonians 1
Noll Saunders
Central Truth
As followers of Christ, we belong to Jesus! The work we do in our everyday lives, the love we show others, and our daily hope should all be tied to the identity we have in Christ. Our actions and attitudes should reflect a life surrendered to Him.
Key Verse | 1 Thessalonians 1:3
. . . remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 1:3)
1 Thessalonians 1
Greeting
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace.
The Thessalonians' Faith and Example
2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly 1 1:2 Or without ceasing mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers 2 1:4 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated brothers) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Dive Deeper | 1 Thessalonians 1
Paul writes this letter to a church in a city he visited on his second missionary journey. He is excited about the church and how they are working for the Lord! He talks about discipleship and how trust in God and His saving purposes leads us to work for Him. Our love for God enables us to act in love for others. We are inspired by Paul's description of the eternal promises God gives us to work patiently until His promises are completely fulfilled. The entire Bible is a story of God's love for us. Without it, there would be no gospel.
Paul's letter is an inspired revelation of God at work. Paul used his talents to share the gospel and train others to do so! The Thessalonians had a tremendous testimony for Christ, and it rang out far and wide because they had learned well to live and witness through Paul's example (verses 5-8). Even in affliction, they had received the gospel with the joy of the Holy Spirit and became examples throughout Greece (verses 6-7).
Salvation is God's gift to us, and our faith in Him rests upon the work of God, not our own work (Ephesians 2:8-9). God produces His work in us as we trust and allow Him to work. The encouragement Paul gives in this chapter shows that we are in need of the gospel and that our lives can be a great testimony to others of the power of God's redeeming love for us. The Holy Spirit gave power to Paul's words to convict the Thessalonians and to give them great joy in doing work for Him. Let us likewise be on mission for the Lord today!
Discussion Questions
1. What are the practical ways you can honor God through your work today?
2. How might God use the work you do to help someone in need?
3. How can you seek to train others in work for the Lord?
4. Can you remember a time your faith was tested and how you passed the test?