A Model Church: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Paul, Silas and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.

Paul dictated from Corinth. Timothy had just returned from Thessalonica with news—good news. The church had survived.

He had been driven out of Thessalonica after only a few weeks. The mob, the accusations before the city officials, the hasty nighttime departure. He had left behind a fragile church, barely formed, facing opposition.

And they had survived. More than survived—they had flourished.

We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.

Always. Continually. The thanksgiving was constant. The prayers unceasing. All of you—not some, not most. Every Thessalonian believer.

We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul remembered them. Before God the Father—in the presence of God, as part of worship.

Three things: work, labor, endurance. Three sources: faith, love, hope.

Work produced by faith. Ergon—deed, action. Faith wasn't passive; it produced work. Labor prompted by love. Kopos—toil, hard effort. Love drove the exertion. Endurance inspired by hope. Hupomone—patient steadfastness. Hope made endurance possible.

For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you.

We know. Certainty. Brothers and sisters loved by God. Identity before information. Chosen. Eklogen—election. God chose them. Not they chose God—he chose them.

Because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.

The gospel came. It arrived. Not simply with words—though words mattered. Also with power. Dunamis. Supernatural effect. With the Holy Spirit—the Spirit accompanying the message. And deep conviction. Plerophoria—full assurance, complete certainty.

You know how we lived among you for your sake.

They knew. They had watched. Paul's life backed up Paul's words. Among you—he had lived with them, not above them. For your sake—their benefit was his goal.

You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

Imitators. Mimetai. They copied Paul and Silas and Timothy. They copied the Lord himself.

How? By welcoming the message in suffering. Severe suffering—thlipsis, affliction, pressure. The opposition was real. And yet joy. The Holy Spirit gave joy in the midst of pain.

And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.

They became a model. Tupos—pattern, example. Not just surviving but exemplifying. All the believers in Macedonia—Philippi, Berea. And Achaia—Corinth, Athens. The Thessalonians were the standard.

The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it.

The message rang out. Execheomai—sounded forth like a trumpet. From Thessalonica to everywhere. Your faith in God has become known everywhere. News traveled. People talked. The Thessalonians were famous for faith.

We do not need to say anything. When Paul arrived in new cities, people already knew about Thessalonica. The reputation preceded him.

For they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.

The reports circulated. What kind of reception—how the Thessalonians had welcomed the missionaries despite the cost.

They tell how you turned. Epistrepho—converted, turned around. From idols to God. The Thessalonians had been pagans, idol-worshippers. They turned. To serve the living and true God. The idols were dead and false. The God of Israel was living and true.

And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

And to wait. Anameno—expectant waiting. For his Son from heaven. The return. Jesus was coming back.

Whom he raised from the dead. The resurrection grounded the hope. Death defeated. Jesus was alive.

Who rescues us from the coming wrath. Rhuomai—delivers, snatches away. Wrath was coming. Judgment was certain. Jesus rescued from it.

Paul set down the dictation. The Thessalonians had become what every church should be.

Faith working. Love laboring. Hope enduring.

A model to all believers.

The message ringing out.

Turned from idols.

Waiting for the Son.

In only a few weeks of teaching, this church had emerged. The Spirit had done something remarkable.

Now Paul would address their questions. About those who had died. About the day of the Lord. About how to live until Jesus returned.

But first—thanksgiving for what God had done.

The model church.

The example for all.