The fledgling saints at Thessalonica show us the way.
What makes a local church a model to be admired or even emulated? Most would look at the visible signs of growth. For many Christians, the number of people meeting would be proof that the right things are happening. They would conclude that the programs would have to be good to facilitate and maintain growth. The preacher must be an outstanding communicator in order to attract and retain numbers. The facilities, finances, and fame all tend to be used as measuring sticks of success. People flock to large church buildings, convinced many of their needs will be met. Church leaders go great distances to attend seminars to learn the newest methods in developing a growing church.
The church in Thessalonica was considered a pattern for the people in Macedonia and Achaia. There is no mention of any of the above modern marks of success, such as the numbers attending or the programs offered. They were not likely to have had even a building, and no names are given to attract interest. The believers were an example because of the dramatic change that took place when they were saved. The saints in Thessalonica stand as a pattern in three areas that would hardly be given notice in our modern world. Their conversion was obvious to all due to the outworking of repentance. Their consecration exhibited itself in their love of God and others. And their contemplation of the return of Christ became a visible part of their testimony.
The message of 1 Thessalonians 1 revolves around the actions implied in their work of faith, their labor of love, and their patience of hope. F.A. Tatford expresses it,
“How active and fruitful your faith has shown itself to be, how devoted and unwearied your love, and what fortitude your hope in the Lord Jesus has inspired. In Thessalonica the devoted work was motivated by faith, the labor or exhausting toil was prompted by love, and the heroic endurance or patience was inspired by hope.” 1
In verses 9 and 10 of the same chapter, the actions are expressed as “turned, serve, and wait” which amplify the meaning of “work, labor, and patience.”
Conversion
Their conversion was seen as a work of faith in that they turned to God from idols. The turn was not just intellectual but touched every aspect of their lives. It resulted in visible evidence or work that gave substance to their claim of faith.
The methods and means of a person coming to Christ often have a bearing on how the Christian life is lived out. These people responded to the preaching of the gospel and welcomed it, “not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God” (1 Thes. 2:13).
The gospel they heard conveyed the love of the Father, so that they recognized that they were “beloved” or loved of God (1 Thes. 1:4). There was also a corresponding work of the Holy Spirit giving power to the message. These people also came to know that once they were saved, they were in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ and, as such, members of the elect. This thought of being elect has nothing to do with a process but rather enjoying position and privilege with all those who are in Christ. As Dunlap says,
“In the New Testament, when the term ‘elect’ refers to the Christian, it is a collective term of endearment, dignity, and the high position the believer has in Christ.” 2
They were so glad to have heard the gospel and so full of joy that they in turn “sounded forth” (1 Thes. 1:8) the good news. The Greek word for “sounded” is our word “echo,” so the imagery is that the gospel reverberated from them to all of Greece. Their faith was so obvious that the apostles did not even have to add to the testimony of these dear believers.
Consecration
Their consecration was seen as labor that flowed from love. When they turned to God from idols, it was to “serve the living and true God.” The word for “labor” is different than the word for “work” in that it conveys the idea of fatiguing work. They saw this type of effort demonstrated by Paul and his co-workers.
The lives of Paul and his companions were like an open book, so that Paul could refer to the example that was set. As Paul preached the gospel, he was careful to maintain a testimony that enhanced the message. The example demonstrated was replicated in the lives of the Thessalonian believers. These believers were faithful in their walk as followers of the Lord and also demonstrated their love by sounding out the message of the cross.
Contemplation
Their contemplation was seen in the patience or endurance produced by hope, and that they were looking for the return of Christ. There was a strong doctrinal basis for their hope. It was tied to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and included the understanding that they would not go through the Tribulation. Paul had taught them about the return of Christ and the judgment of God’s wrath that was to follow. Every chapter in 1 Thessalonians ends with a reference to the return of Christ, giving emphasis to the importance of this event.
Ryrie explains the words “to wait for His Son” (1 Thes. 1:10):
“the Greek word is a compound of the usual word for ‘wait’ preceded by a preposition which intensifies the idea, but which also means ‘up’ when standing by itself. The meaning is they were waiting up for their Lord.” 3
There was a certain sense of expectancy and imminency. These truths so influenced their lives that they managed to demonstrate in daily living that they were heavenly-minded. The doctrine of the imminent return of Christ had a practical effect, so that the outworking of this truth became part of their testimony to the surrounding world.
Challenges
It is no wonder that Paul was continually thankful for the lives and testimony of these saints, and that he continued to pray for them. What joy they brought to the apostle’s mind as he remembered their faith, love, and hope, along with their standing in Christ.
One challenge for modern-day readers is to evaluate spirituality on the basis of God’s Word and to look for character and faithfulness in those who exhibit faith, love, and hope. Another further challenge is to consider what would be written of us individually or of our local church. Would Paul, writing today, be able to express thanks for our work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope? A third challenge relates to a question that has been asked: if it were illegal to be a Christian, would there be enough evidence in a court of law to convict us?
It would be sad if the case were dismissed for lack of evidence. The believers at Thessalonica would have been easily convicted, and the prosecution would have no lack of witnesses to testify against them. Like Paul, their lives were an open book making visible to all the evidence of the transforming power of God through the gospel. A final challenge is the expression of our hope of the immediate return of Jesus. Can the surrounding world see our endurance and patience that comes from our faithful hope in the return of Christ? Are we standing, waiting up, and looking expectantly for the return of Christ to the extent that the prospect affects our daily living and shows clearly in our testimony?
Endnotes
1 F.A. Tatford, Paul’s Letters to the Thessalonians (Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers, 1992), p. 22.
2 D. Dunlap, Limiting Omnipotence (Port Colbourne, ON: Gospel Folio Press, 2004), p. 91.
3 C.C. Ryrie, First and Second Thessalonians (Lincoln, NE: Back to the Bible, 1959), p. 30.