"THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS"

A Church Worthy Of Imitation (1:6-10)

INTRODUCTION
  1. A good role model is very important...
    1. It demonstrates what can be done
    2. It provides direction for what should be done
    3. It inspires one to do what ought to be done
  2. Christians are blessed to have many role models...
    1. As individuals, we have many good role models in the Scriptures
    2. As churches, we also have role models that ought to inspire any congregation
  3. Among the many churches described in the New Testament, the church of the Thessalonians proved to be a congregation worthy of emulation...
    1. Paul commended their example in 1Th 1:7
    2. Even though they were a rather young church

[In 1Th 1:6-10, Paul mentions several things for which the Thessalonians were exemplary. To encourage us both individually and as a congregation of the Lord, we shall review why they were "A Church Worthy Of Imitation". Note first that they were commended for...]

  1. THEIR IMITATION OF PAUL AND THE LORD (6a)
    1. NOTE THAT THEY WERE IMITATORS THEMSELVES...
      1. Following after the example of Paul and the Lord
      2. Following after the example of other churches - 1Th 2:14
      3. Something Paul commanded the church in Corinth to do - 1Co 4:16
      4. He likewise commanded the Philippians to imitate or follow the example of others - Php 3:17
      5. Even as he himself sought to imitate Christ - 1Co 11:1
      -- Note well: those who would be good examples to others must first be imitators!
    2. HOW ABOUT US TODAY...?
      1. Are we seeking to imitate others who are good examples?
      2. As disciples of Jesus, we should certainly seek to imitate Him! - cf. Jn 13:13-15
      3. As children of God, we should also imitate Him - Ep 5:1
      4. It is likely that we also have other role models worthy of emulation, both individuals and churches
      -- Focus on being good imitators, and we shall also be "A Church Worthy Of Imitation"!

    [Next we notice that Paul commends them for...]

  2. THEIR RECEPTION OF THE WORD (6b)
    1. NOTE HOW THEY RECEIVED THE WORD...
      1. First, it was "in much affliction"
        1. They received the word despite persecution - cf. Ac 17:1-10; 1Th 3:1-4
        2. In this they were like the churches in Judea - 1Th 2:14
      2. Second, it was "with joy of the Holy Spirit"
        1. Joy is a fruit of following after the Spirit - Ga 5:22
        2. In response to prayer, God imparts joy to the believer through the Holy Spirit - Ro 15:13
        3. Especially when the Word is received in times of persecution - Ac 13:49-52
      3. Later, Paul describes further how they received the Word - 1Th 2:13
        1. Not as the word of men
        2. But as the Word of God
        -- An important part of becoming an example worthy of imitation is receiving the Word of God in the right way
    2. HOW ABOUT US TODAY...?
      1. How is our reception of the Word of God?
        1. Do we receive the Word only when it is convenient?
        2. Do we take advantage of opportunities to study God's Word?
        3. Is our attendance of worship and Bible study classes haphazard?
        4. If we do not experience the joy the Holy Spirit imparts, could it be related to neglecting the Word of God?
      2. Are we "A Church Worthy Of Imitation" when it comes to the Word Of God?
        1. If every one studied the Bible like we do...
          1. Would churches grow?
          2. Would churches have elders?
        2. As individuals, are we receiving the Word properly?
          1. With meekness, aware of our need for the Word? - Jm 1:21
          2. Like newborn babes desire their mothers' milk, knowing that the Word is necessary for spiritual growth? - 1 Pe 2:1-2
          -- If we do not set the right example regarding our reception of the Word, then we will be following the example of those who were rebuked - cf. He 5:12

        [The Thessalonians were not only good students and learners of the Word, they were also commended for...]

  3. THEIR SPREADING OF THE WORD (8)
    1. NOTE HOW THEY HAD PROCLAIMED THE WORD...
      1. From them the Word had "sounded forth"
        1. They did not keep quiet about their faith
        2. They did not limit their evangelistic efforts to just being good examples of what it means to be a Christian
      2. From them the Word spread to other places
        1. Throughout Macedonian and Achaia (provinces of modern day Greece)
        2. Also in every place (to regions beyond their own country)
      3. Such was clear indication of their "faith toward God"
        1. Not only the Word itself, but their own faith had become known to others
        2. Implying that spreading the Word is an indication of faithfulness
        -- "A Church Worthy Of Imitation" will be one with an evangelistic focus that looks beyond the local community
    2. HOW ABOUT US TODAY...?
      1. Do we have a similar evangelistic focus?
        1. Are we looking beyond the needs of our local community?
        2. Are we working toward spreading the gospel in other places?
      2. The need for such churches is still great today!
        1. How shall people believe unless they have heard, and how shall they hear without preachers who are sent? - Ro 10:14-17
        2. Just as Antioch sent out Paul and Barnabas - Ac 13:1-3
        3. Just as Gaius helped missionaries along the way - 3Jn 5-8
        -- Until a church grows to the point that it sounding forth the Word in other places by sending or supporting preachers, it has yet to become "A Church Worthy Of Imitation"

      [Just as the Word of God and the faith of the Thessalonians spread and become known, so had news regarding...]

  4. THEIR SERVICE TO GOD (9)
    1. NOTE THE CHANGE THAT LED TO THEIR SERVICE...
      1. They had "turned to God from idols"
        1. The word "turned" suggests a conversion
        2. A dramatic shift from devotion to idols to devotion to God
        3. Which Paul preached on other occasions - cf. Ac 14:15
      2. This conversion made their service to God possible
        1. One cannot serve both God and idols
        2. To serve God, we must turn away from those things that would draw us away from God - cf. Mt 6:24
        -- Genuine, faithful service to God requires a true conversion, in which we turn away from things of the world as well as turn toward God
    2. HOW ABOUT US TODAY...?
      1. There are "idols" from which we need to turn away
        1. E.g., covetousness is defined as idolatry - Ep 5:5; Col 3:5
        2. We can be just as guilty of idolatry today, when we allow other things to distract our service to God
      2. Is our service to God hindered by divided devotion?
        1. Trying to serve God while still wanting to serve the world?
        2. Wanting to love the things of the world while loving the Father?
        -- As John made clear, such divided devotion is not possible! - 1Jn 2:15-17

      [Finally, the church in Thessalonica was "A Church Worthy Of Imitation" regarding...]

  5. THEIR ANTICIPATION OF JESUS (10)
    1. NOTE THAT THEY WERE LOOKING FOR JESUS TO RETURN...
      1. The word "wait" suggests they were looking for and anticipating His return - cf. Php 3:20
      2. This anticipation is one that all Christians are to have - Tit 2:11-13; 2Pe 3:11-12
      3. For Jesus will come for salvation to those who "eagerly wait for Him" - He 9:28
      -- A church worth imitating will be one that always has the hope of Jesus returning
    2. HOW ABOUT US TODAY...?
      1. Are we eagerly waiting for Jesus to return?
      2. Does the return of Jesus even enter our minds?
        1. When it does, do we hope that it will be delayed?
        2. Or is our attitude like that of John, who prayed "Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" - Re 22:20
        -- How we answer such questions reveals much about our spiritual condition, and whether we as a church are worthy of imitation!
CONCLUSION
  1. Remember that the church in Thessalonica was very young...
    1. It had been established only a short time before Paul penned these words
    2. Yet Paul could write such complimentary words about them
  2. It demonstrates what can happen when people totally give themselves to Jesus...
    1. When they seek to imitate Jesus and His apostles
    2. When they receive the Word, even it the middle of persecution
    3. When they turn from the world, and turn to God in full devotion
    4. When they let the promise of Jesus' return motivate their lives
    -- Through such a church the Word of God will be "trumpeted forth", as well as the reputation of their faith...Will this be true of us?
  3. In conclusion, we note that Jesus' coming will deliver us from "the wrath to come"...
    1. In his second epistle to this church, Paul described that wrath to come - 2Th 1:7-10
    2. How does Jesus deliver us from that wrath?
      1. Through His death on the cross - Ro 5:8-9
      2. Through His life which reconciles us to God - Ro 5:10-11

Will Jesus deliver us from that wrath to come when He comes again? It all depends upon whether we accept the goodness of God that should lead us to repentance - cf. Ro 2:4-10