An Exemplary Church

This is a sermon that is based on 1 Thess. 1:2-7 and it speaks about the qualities in this church that caused the Apostle Paul to say that they had become examples to all who live in the entire region of Asia Minor.

1 Thessalonians 1:2-7 (NKJV) ² We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, ³ remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, ⁷ so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.

Background Reading: Acts 17:1-12

These verses in Acts 17 help provide some background information for our study in the Epistle that Paul wrote to the Christians in Thessalonica.

Introduction:

Probably most of us here today have already learned the value of having a model or an example to watch and follow. In nearly every subject one can imagine, it is so much easier to understand verbal or written descriptions when we have an example to watch.

On a website called sermonillustrations.com, I recently found some stories or comments that illustrate the importance of being a good example:

Years ago the communist government in China commissioned an author to write a biography of Hudson Taylor with the purpose of distorting the facts and presenting him in a bad light. They wanted to discredit the name of this consecrated missionary of the gospel. As the author was doing his research, he was increasingly impressed by Taylor's saintly character and godly life, and he found it extremely difficult to carry out his assigned task with a clear conscience. Eventually, at the risk of losing his life, he laid aside his pen, renounced his atheism, and received Jesus as his personal Savior. Whether we realize it or not, our example leaves an impression on others.

I would not give much for your religion unless it can be seen. Lamps do not talk, but they do shine.

(And finally, another illustration apparently written by someone who was exasperated for lack of a good “role model” for his veggie plants.) I'm not much of a gardener. Once I took a seed catalog and started out the door. "Where are you going with that?" my wife asked. "I'm going to show it to my tomatoes!" I exclaimed. (Illustrations taken from: http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/e/example.htm)

For the message today I felt impressed to take a look at the passage in First Thessalonians, chapter 1, which was read earlier in the service.

In verse 7 of that chapter, the Apostle Paul wrote that this congregation in the city of Thessalonica was an example to all the believers in the regions of Macedonia and Achaia.

These regions would include nearly all of the mainland area of Greece except for the area that extends across the northeastern shore of the Aegean Sea.

Paul is telling them in this letter that they have been examples to all the believers throughout this whole region.

What a tremendous compliment to give! They weren’t perfect. But they had demonstrated a positive image of what the Christian should be so others could follow.

Interrogative: What were the specific areas in which these Christians had been examples for others?

Transition: The areas they had shown such a positive example for other Christians included their “work of faith,” their “labor of love,” and their “patience of hope.”

Proposition: I want to examine this passage for a little while this morning in order to challenge each one of us to learn from their example and demonstrate our own faith, love and hope to the world that is watching us.

I.    Their Work of Faith

The first area in which the Christians in Thessalonica had become examples to others was their “work of faith.”

Before we go any further I want to explain some of the grammatical structure here that also applies to the other two phrases that follow.

Language scholars tell us that the prepositional phrases, “of faith” “of love” and “of hope,” are all known as genitives of description in Greek grammar. So what Paul is actually referring to is “faith that is working,” “love that is laboring,” and “hope that is enduring.”

He is not describing faith that is worked up by human effort, or love that is a chore to live out, etc.

No, Paul is affirming that their faith is working or active, and it has become known throughout the region as a model for others to follow.

This is a point that I have tried to stress at various times in my preaching. I believe that no one can honestly read the Scriptures and conclude that the only thing that is required to be saved is to “believe” a few facts about Jesus.

Genuine faith produces some evidences in our lives that wouldn’t have shown up if there was no faith. Evidence includes things such as obeying God’s Word like Abraham did, or resisting the king’s orders like Daniel and the three Hebrew young men did, etc.

For example, Hebrews 11, is a chapter that is full of examples of people who performed various kinds of works because of their faith. (Abraham moved from Ur to Canaan, Noah built an ark, Abraham offered his son Isaac, Rahab hid the spies, etc.)

I’m amazed at the number of people I meet that would likely be insulted if anyone questioned their Christianity, or their “faith in God.” Yet, their “faith” doesn’t seem to produce any actions that confirms they are really trusting God for salvation.

I remember reading quite some time ago a quote from someone who said, “Many people think their faith is strong enough to get them to heaven, but it apparently isn’t even strong enough to get them to church.” (The pastor we had in Ohio told a story about a family that missed church and the following week they reported to their pastor, “We would have been here last Sunday, Pastor, but we had to go to the circus!”)

James tells us that believing certain facts is not enough; even the devils believe in God and tremble.

Paul told the Ephesians (2:8-10) that we are “saved by grace, through faith… unto good works.”

According to 1 Thess. 1:6, the faith of these Christians in Thessalonica was based on the Word of God that was received in “much affliction” or accompanied by persecution. (I read a little about that in Acts 17.)

It was a faith that had remained true in spite of suffering and tribulation.

See 1 Thessalonians 3:2-7 

I want God to help me and all of us to trust Him so much that it shows up in our words and our actions to the point that others will know about it and the message will spread.

II.   Their Labor of Love

The second area of commendation the Apostle gives to these Christians is their “labor of love,” or their toil and labor that is done with love or characterized by love.

Interestingly, the word used for “labor” here is a different word than the word “work” used with faith. This word has been defined as: to cut, to lash, to beat the bread, to toil.

The same two words used in this verse (work, labor) are used in Rev. 14:13 and a distinction is drawn between kopou (toil) from which the saints rest and erga (works, activities) which follow with them into heaven. So here it is the labor that love prompts, assuming gladly the toil.
(Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament.)

It is possible sometimes to identify work that is just being done out of obligation or duty, while some is clearly done because of the love people have in their hearts.

I forget where I first heard this stated, but someone said, “Love is a verb.”

Many people think of love principally as a feeling that might be described as romantic and idealistic. However, love goes a lot deeper than that.

Genuine love and compassion for someone will lead to labors of love that go far beyond any so-called “warm, fuzzy feelings.”

Ask any mother how many romantic or fuzzy feelings she has when it’s time to clean up after a sick child.

When we truly love someone it shows in the kind of toil we are willing to go through for their benefit.

Even though they were commended for their love, Paul prays for them to abound even more in love. (3:12)

It isn’t really mentioned here in this context, but I imagine that one of the reason their love characterized by toil was such an example to the whole region could be that they were practicing the commands of Jesus Himself, “Love your enemies, do good to those who despitefully use you.”

That isn’t normal human behavior – that is divinely motivated behavior!

III.  Their Patience of Hope

Finally, they were commended because of their “patience of hope.”

Their patience was a courageous endurance that was exhibited in the face of obstacles, trials, and persecution.

It was an endurance that was characterized by hope.

One author wrote that the phrase “in our Lord Jesus Christ,” was a descriptive phrase that applied to all three of these areas – faith, love and hope.

In other words, their faith was founded in “our Lord Jesus Christ;” their love was founded in “our Lord Jesus Christ;” and their hope was as well.

While I agree that this view makes sense, I’m more inclined to think that this phrase particularly describes their hope.

I think we all agree that faith and love cannot have genuine meaning apart from Jesus Christ, but it is especially true about our hope.

“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.”

“On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

Conclusion:

I want to close by quoting one author that I believe summarizes this passage very well.

(Lenski New Testament Commentary) The faith is manifested in work: in confessing its trust in the Lord in a thousand ways. As one looks at all this work, the faith that is back of it is seen. This is not self-chosen work but the work that the Lord wants and that the Father approves. It is work full of toil, and this toil reveals the love that prompts it, love for the Lord, love and toil that he inspires and that please the Father. Hope looks forward to the last great day and to eternity. It is full of perseverance, remaining under any load the Lord imposes, ever looking with brave endurance to the day of fulfillment promised by the Lord, always holding out as in the Father's presence. 

As we think about the example and role model that was provided by the Christians in Thessalonica, I trust that the Lord will inspire our hearts to seek to be true examples of faith, love and hope in our society and our realm of influence.

We often talk about how desperately the church needs revival.

Sometimes I think when we talk about revival, we have some romantic idea of God’s Spirit sweeping us off our feet in spiritual ecstasy that lifts us above all our troubles.

After reading this passage, I’m a little more inclined to think that it might have more to do with God’s Spirit igniting a holy fire in our hearts that produces a faith that is demonstrated by works that glorify God; and produces a love that is expressed by toil and labor in God’s kingdom, even labor directed to our enemies; and produces a hope that never gives up because it is rooted in the life and promises of Jesus Christ, Who said He is coming back again someday to receive and reward those who are faithful.

I think we all can agree that the church certainly needs that kind of revival.

Let us close our time of worship by singing: Revive Us Again