Received with Joy

.

June 6, 2010

Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10

Key Verse: I Thessalonians 1:6

.

Introduction

During his second missionary journey, Paul preached to the people of Thessalonica “that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead” (Acts 17:3). Some came to believe in Christ and had fellowship with Paul and Silas. Timothy was also present in Thessalonica. The saints at Thessalonica were being tried in their faith. They needed that divine comfort and strength of the Holy Spirit in their time of persecution.

Paul writes on behalf of himself, Silvanus, and Timothy. Christian faith and support are always found in the fellowship of the saints, not in words of platitudes and prayers without the substantive love and strength of one another. Paul writes to those who belong to the fellowship, the gathering of people “which is in God the Father.” These people belong to the Father, “and to the Lord Jesus Christ.” They are a people to whom will be given grace and peace “from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” The Church at Thessalonica is reminded that they are “peculiar” or “God’s possession.” Thus Paul writes to Titus of the Christ “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14).

Paul, in giving thanks to God for the church of Thessalonica, reminds them that they received the word of God in affliction, “with joy of the Holy Spirit.” It was a joy which can only come by the Holy Spirit whose presence and strength guides our zeal for Christ and his Gospel in the midst of persecution. Matthew Henry wrote that “the Thessalonians embraced the word cheerfully, and followed the example of the suffering apostles joyfully, ‘with joy in the Holy Ghost’—such solid and spiritual and lasting joy as the Holy Ghost is the author of, who, when our afflictions abound, makes our consolations much more to abound.

.

We Give Thanks—1 Thessalonians 1:1–5

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy give “thanks to God always” for the saints at Thessalonica, intentionally mentioning them in their prayers. In other words, Paul, with love and concern for their welfare in Christ, supports the church in Thessalonica by expressing his love for them. He does this by giving thanks in prayer, remembering their work of faith, and in knowing to whom they belong. We ought to be able to express our love for one another, of having fellowship with another, in the same way. We need to remember those of the body of Christ in prayer with much thanksgiving. We need to purposefully bring to mind the work of faith in our brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those in persecution. We need to be able to bring to mind the labor or troubled hearts of those who love Christ and face trials and tribulation. We need the “patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ,” which we have with all the saints. We need to give thanks and pray for that endurance which comes with expectation of the presence and grace of God in the facing of tribulation. Then there is the remembrance that we live in faith and love before the very presence of God our Father. In Paul’s thoughts of the church, he finds joy in “Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.” We must be moved by the truth that our unity with one another rests in our adoption into the household of God through the one Savior, Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Christ-like character of the church in Thessalonica came about because of Paul’s preaching of Christ: “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” Clothed with the authority and power of the Holy Spirit, Paul and his fellow servants in Christ preached the Gospel in word and in action. Paul’s commission is summed up in these words which he wrote to the church at Ephesus: “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance unto the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory” (Eph. 1:12–14). It is to the praise and glory of our Savior that, as we who trust in Christ rejoice with the angels in heaven over those who also have believed in him who has purchased their souls with his sacrifice, he too may live with us in the household of God our Father.

Discussion: What are the many things for which we must give thanks to God our Father?

.

The Gospel Word—1 Thessalonians 1:6–10

Paul, because of his faithfulness in preaching the Gospel, which brought him to the saving grace of God in Christ Jesus, reminds the Christians at Thessalonica that they have become followers of him, and “of the Lord!” This fellowship has come about because they had “received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit.” The word ‘follower’ means one who is an imitator. Those of the church become like those who faithfully preach the Gospel, yes, but more so they become imitators of the Lord! We become imitators of Christ by having his Word and the Spirit of Truth in us. We become like-minded, growing in righteousness, in truth, and in justice. Our whole life reveals the glory of our Savior. The writer to the Hebrews expresses the same thought when he urges us not to be slothful, “but followers (imitators) of them whom through faith and patience inherit the promises” (6:12). Through affliction, such faith is sharpened that we truly become imitators of Christ our King. Thus, the Thessalonica Christians become examples “to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.” Not only do we have around us examples of faith in the throngs of persecution today, but these true imitators of Christ are to encourage us in our fight of faith. We are to show a pattern of conformity to the moral and ethical character of Christ our Savior. It is in his moral strength that we find strength to stand firm in righteousness. We are also to be “a dissuasive example,” giving a warning to ourselves and others of the danger involved in the teaching of evil around us. In other words, we are to be more and more like Christ and less and less like the deceivers who want our allegiance.

Paul continues to speak to the Thessalonica Christians that they have been practicing their faith: “For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak anything.” What a glorious thing it is to see, or have someone see, in us—Christians who are faithful in their witness for Christ to others; and whose moral character in Christ is revealed to those to whom we witness. “For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” Our witness should reveal the difference between those who believe and those who do not. Do we compromise to the extent that we act no differently than those around us? Does the Christian politician express his faith only when seated in the church pew? Do Christians need to be so patient that there is no longer any trace of moral righteousness and truth in the teaching of our children? There are many places where our faith is being tested in much affliction.

Paul reminds us that in this moral conflict where the Gospel must be preached, we “wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come.” Our walk and witness in Christ are not executed in a vacuum, nor are they practiced in private. For we live by faith in the very presence of Christ, who is with us, and in the fellowship with one another. We also live by faith in the midst of affliction because we know that our Lord is alive, that he who is coming to be with us is the Christ who has delivered us from that wrath, that judgment to come. Our hope rests squarely upon our Savior. Calvin’s comments remind us of our hope in the midst of sure judgment upon wickedness: “For this is felt by none but those who, being reconciled to God by faith, have conscience already pacified; otherwise, his name is dreadful. Christ, it is true, delivered us by his death from the anger of God, but the import of that deliverance will become apparent on the last day. This statement, however, consists of two departments. The first is that the wrath of God and everlasting destruction are impending over the human race, inasmuch as all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. (Rom. 3:23) The second is that there is no way of escape but through the grace of Christ; for it is not without good grounds that Paul assigns to him this office. It is, however, an inestimable gift, that the pious, whenever mention is made of judgment, know that Christ will come as a Redeemer to them.”

Discussion: How is the Word of God to be effectual in our lives?

.

Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2010 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.