FAITHFULNESS TO THE LORD

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Lets see why Apostle Paul commended the Faith of the Thessalonian believers….why they were faithful to the Lord
I. Introduction

Author: The Apostle Paul, joined in his salutation by Silvanus and

Timothy (1:1)

Date & Place of Writing: AD 51 at Corinth

The City of Thessalonica:

It was the capital and largest city of the
Roman province of Macedonia. Located on the Egnatian Way (map), a major road
from Rome to the eastern provinces, the city served as center of trade
and commerce. Today, it is known as Thessaloniki, or Salonica.

The Church at Thessalonica:

The establishment of the church is recorded in Acts 17:1-9. On his second missionary journey, Paul and
his companions (Silas and Timothy) had just left Philippi and passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia
to arrive at Thessalonica. As was his custom, Paul immediately located the synagogue and reasoned/ with
the Jews for three Sabbaths concerning Jesus Christ. While some of them were persuaded, including a
great number of devout Greeks and leading women, the unbelieving Jews became jealous and created an
uproar in the city. Therefore it became necessary to send Paul and Silas away secretly by night to Berea.

Despite such threatening beginnings, a strong church was established in Thessalonica (cf. 1:2-10).
Mostly Gentile (cf. 1:9), its members included Jason (Ac 17:9), Aristarchus, and Secundus (Ac 20:4).

The Purpose of the Letter:

The abrupt/sudden departure from Thessalonica so soon after the beginning of the church naturally left
Paul anxious/concerned about the condition of the new believers/new born church. When Timothy joined
Paul at Athens (cf. Ac17:14-16), his concern provoked Paul to send Timothy at once back to
Thessalonica to encourage and ground the new believers in the faith, and to learn how they were enduring
persecution (cf. 3:1-5). Paul wanted to check on the state of the Thessalonian Faith for fear that false
teachers might infiltrate their number.

When Timothy returned to Paul in Corinth (cf. Ac 18:5), the news was mostly encouraging (cf. 3:6-7).
Despite persecution they had remained strong (2:13-16), and even proved themselves to be an example to
others (1:6-8). Yet, as with any young church, they needed further instruction concerning holy living (cf.
4:1-12). They also needed to be reassured that their loved ones who died in Christ would not miss out on
the blessings involving the coming of our Lord (cf. 4:13-18). Therefore we can summarize by saying that
Paul's purpose in writing was:

 To praise them for their steadfastness/perseverance under persecution

 To strengthen them in their Faith
 To instruct them concerning holy living
 To correct any misunderstanding, especially about the second
coming of Christ
- They had mis understood Paul about the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ, some quit their jobs, sat
down ang waiting for the coming of Jesus Christ
- Others were discouraged about their loved ones who died before the Lord and wanted to know
what would happen to them
- Others were rebellious in their attitude towards lawful authority believing that as citizens of
heaven, they needed to answer only to God and not to other authority
 …….That’s why Paul write these letter to the Church in Thessalonica…….

Theme of the Epistle: This book is unique in that every chapter ends with a reference to the second coming of
Christ (1:10; 2:19; 3:13;4:13-18; 5:23). With his emphasis on steadfastness and holy living, an appropriate
theme might be: "holiness in view of the coming of christ"

1 Thessalonians 1:2-10
2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 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.

4 For we know, brothers and sisters[b] loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to
you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we
lived among you for your sake. 6 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. 7 And so you became a model to all the
believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 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, 9 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, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead
—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

II. The Thessalonians’ Faith

A. They were Chosen (v4-5)
for when the Gospel of salvation came to them they….
a. Receive the Gospel with Power
b. Receive the Gospel with the Holy Spirit
c. Received the Gospel with deep Conviction (belief) (proven by the life of Paul & his companions
to further proof the truth of their message)

As a result they the Thessalonian believers….

B. The Outcome (v6)
a. Became imitators/followers of Paul & of the Lord
b. Received the word of God with joy of the Holy Spirit in spite of suffering/affliction/persecution
to those who do not believe in Jesus

Because of these they were….

C. They were Recognized/Acknowledged (v2-3)
a. Work produced by Faith
b. Labor prompted by Love
c. Endurance inspired by Hope
 In our Lord Jesus Christ

They were also commended….

D. They were Commended as Good Example/Model (v7-9)
a. How their Faith has become known not only to the believers in Macedonia & Achaia but known
everywhere
b. How they turned to God from Idols to serve the living and true God
c. How they wait for His Son from heaven whom He raised from the dead and will rescue us from
the coming wrath.

III. Application
- Are we Chosen/(election by God) just like the believers in Thessalonians? Of course we are…..
- When we were new born Christians, do we have a Faith like the Thessalonian believers?...Of course….we
are like them also
- Putting in our present context, sometimes the way how act when we first believed Him is not the same now
di na kagaya ng dati…Why? Maybe because there is something wrong with us & I know na alam na natin
yun but still we are being deceived by ourselves, we put on so much reason to ourselves, defendeng
ourselves

- We know the purpose why we are created….(Ish. 43:7,21)

- We are still under training and preparation for the restoration of the purpose of creation
o Its just but normal in our life to experience unpleasant things in our Christian life
o If we are down, lets force ourselves to get up and go back when we first believed Him

- Like the Thessalonian Believers…..

o As Chosen people, we have received the Gospel with power of the HS & with deep conviction

o The outcome/result must be seen in our life, we must be follower of the Lord & not of this world
anymore for we are Serving the true & living God

o The time will come & the Lord will approved our work produced by faith, labor with Love &
endurance inspires by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ…

o Our Lord will also commend us as a good example to our fellow believers

o We must always Look forward to the return of Jesus Christ by remaining FAITHFUL to our LORD