Date: SUN 11:30 AM 29th June 2025
Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlin
Bible Reference: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
Sermon Summary: Godly Characteristics of a New Testament Church
Overview: The sermon, delivered by Rev. David McLaughlin, focuses on the first chapter of 1 Thessalonians, emphasizing the characteristics of a vibrant New Testament church as exemplified by the Thessalonian believers. The preacher draws out the historical and spiritual context of the church in Thessalonica, highlighting its formation, challenges, beliefs, and behaviors. The message underscores the relevance of the Bible in modern times, the transformative power of the gospel, and the enduring faith, love, and hope that define a true Christian community.
Key Points:
1. Introduction and Relevance of Scripture
- Scripture Reading: The sermon begins with a reading of 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, emphasizing the Authorised Version as the most reliable translation.
- Relevance of the Bible: The preacher addresses the misconception that the Bible is outdated or irrelevant, comparing it to a young boy’s dismissive attitude toward a history museum. He asserts that the Bible is a living, valuable book, more relevant than any modern resource for navigating life in the 21st century.
- Quote: “A working knowledge of the Bible is more valuable than a college degree.”
- Concern: The preacher laments a “famine” of hearing God’s Word (referencing Amos), particularly among university students who lack biblical knowledge despite academic achievements.
2. Background to Thessalonica and the Church
- The City of Thessalonica:
- Historical Significance: Thessalonica was a major city in ancient and modern times, known as Therma for its hot springs, renamed in 316 BC after Alexander the Great’s half-sister. It was captured by the Romans in 168 BC and had a population of about 200,000 (Greeks, Romans, Jews). It served as an Allied base in World War I and was occupied by Germans in World War II, during which 60,000 Jews were deported and executed.
- Modern Context: Thessalonica remains Greece’s second-largest city after Athens.
- Formation of the Church:
- The church was established around AD 50 during Paul’s second missionary journey, alongside Silas and Timothy, after their ministry in Philippi (Acts 17).
- Paul preached in the Jewish synagogue for three Sabbaths, reasoning from the Scriptures about Christ’s suffering and resurrection. This led to conversions among Jews, God-fearing Greeks, and prominent women, forming the second New Testament church on European soil.
- Paul worked as a tentmaker to support himself (1 Thessalonians 2:9) and received financial aid from the Philippian church (Philippians 4:16). He appointed leaders to oversee the church (1 Thessalonians 5:12).
- Persecution from unbelieving Jews forced Paul and Silas to leave Thessalonica for Berea after a mob attacked the house of Jason (Acts 17:7).
3. The Burden of Paul’s Letter
Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians for five primary reasons:
- To Give Thanks: To express gratitude for the Thessalonians’ conversion and their status as brothers and sisters in Christ.
- To Ground Them in Doctrine: To strengthen their understanding of core Christian beliefs.
- To Encourage Amid Persecution: To support them as they faced ongoing persecution, primarily from Jews (1 Thessalonians 2:14).
- To Urge Holy Living: To encourage righteous living in anticipation of Christ’s return.
- To Correct Misunderstandings: To address confusion about the Lord’s return, including concerns about deceased believers and the “day of the Lord.” Some Thessalonians had stopped working, believing Christ’s return was imminent, while others grieved over the fate of deceased loved ones (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
4. The Blessings of Thessalonica
- Transformative Power of the Gospel: The establishment of the Thessalonian church in a pagan city known for idolatry and iniquity demonstrates the gospel’s life-changing power. The Thessalonians turned from idols to serve the living God (1 Thessalonians 1:9).
- Hope for Today: The preacher applies this to modern contexts, asserting that God can work in even the most challenging environments (e.g., Northern Ireland). The gospel is the “power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16), capable of transforming alcoholics, drug addicts, the mentally ill, and those in broken relationships.
- Encouragement Through Preaching: Paul’s preaching of Christ’s sacrifice and the necessity of the new birth led to conversions, showing that faithful proclamation of the gospel is God’s ordained means for salvation (1 Corinthians 1:21).
5. The Battles and Beliefs of the Thessalonians
- Battles: The Thessalonian believers faced intense persecution but remained steadfast, maintaining a vibrant Christian testimony that impacted Macedonia, Achaia, and beyond (1 Thessalonians 1:8). Their faith withstood a “hellish backlash” from the devil.
- Beliefs:
- Trinitarian Theology: They believed in the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 1:1, 5)—and were in communion with Him despite persecution.
- God as Father: The repeated emphasis on “God our Father” (1 Thessalonians 1:1, 3) reflects their belief in God’s paternal care.
- Christ’s Deity and Work: They revered Jesus as Lord (deity), Jesus (humanity), and Christ (Messiah), acknowledging His role in founding and redeeming the church (Matthew 16:18).
- Grace and Peace: They experienced God’s unmerited favor (grace) and peace, rooted in their relationship with the triune God.
- Core Doctrines: They believed in the new birth, Christ’s blood sacrifice, the authority of Scripture, and living in light of Christ’s return.
6. The Behavior of the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 1:3)
The preacher highlights three godly characteristics of the Thessalonian church, drawn from verse 3: “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.” These align with psychological needs (something to believe in, love, and look forward to) but are rooted in biblical truth.
- A Faith That Endures:
- Definition of Faith: Faith is a saving grace, receiving and resting on Christ alone for salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). It is a gift of God, not earned by works or religious ceremonies (Galatians 2:16).
- Living Faith: True faith is not a one-time decision but a lifelong principle (Romans 1:17). It transforms actions, attitudes, and practices, enabling believers to endure persecution and reject sin’s pleasure.
- Application: The preacher challenges the congregation to examine whether their faith is genuine, warning that many in Northern Ireland profess faith but live in sin, lacking evidence of true conversion.
- A Love That Evangelizes:
- Object of Love: The Thessalonians loved God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength (Matthew 22:37-38), the Savior (1 Corinthians 16:22), the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures (Psalm 119:97), the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8), the church, and the souls of men.
- Active Love: Their “labour of love” was exhausting and sacrificial, motivating them to share the gospel (1 Thessalonians 1:8). They rejected love for self or sin.
- Application: The preacher asks whether the congregation’s love is rooted in redemption and expressed through service, urging them to prioritize God over worldly treasures.
- A Hope That Enjoys:
- Sure Hope: The Thessalonians’ “patience of hope” was certain, not wishful, grounded in Christ’s return and the resurrection (1 Thessalonians 1:10). Despite affliction, they were sustained by the assurance of being with Christ and receiving glorified bodies (Philippians 3:21).
- Living in Light of Eternity: They lived with the expectation of Christ’s return, which gave them comfort and purpose amid hardship.
- Application: The preacher calls the congregation to live with eternity in view, ensuring their behavior reflects their hope in Christ.
7. Application and Conclusion
- Self-Examination: The preacher challenges the congregation to assess whether their lives exhibit the same faith, love, and hope as the Thessalonians. He questions whether their behavior reflects a true, healthy church.
- Call to Faithfulness: Believers are urged to proclaim the gospel faithfully, trusting in its power to transform even the most difficult communities.
- Encouragement: The sermon concludes with a prayer that the study of 1 Thessalonians will bless and inspire the congregation to live as vibrant, godly witnesses in a hostile world.
Key Themes
- The Gospel’s Power: The gospel transforms lives, turning idol-worshippers into servants of the true God, and remains relevant for all people and problems today.
- Enduring Faith: True faith is a lifelong commitment that withstands persecution and produces godly living.
- Sacrificial Love: Christian love is active, evangelistic, and focused on God and others, not self or sin.
- Certain Hope: Believers are sustained by the assurance of Christ’s return and eternal life, enabling them to endure hardship.
- Relevance of Scripture: The Bible is a living, authoritative guide for life, surpassing worldly knowledge in value.
Key Scriptures Referenced
- 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 (main text)
- Acts 17:1-7 (Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica)
- Romans 1:16 (The gospel as the power of God unto salvation)
- 1 Corinthians 1:21 (God’s wisdom in preaching)
- Ephesians 2:8-9 (Salvation by grace through faith)
- Galatians 2:16 (Justification by faith, not works)
- Matthew 22:37-38 (Love God with all your heart)
- Psalm 119:97 (Love for God’s Word)
- John 3:16 (Believing as a continuous act)
Conclusion
The sermon presents the Thessalonian church as a model for modern believers, demonstrating the power of the gospel to transform lives and communities. The preacher emphasizes the importance of enduring faith, evangelistic love, and certain hope as defining characteristics of a New Testament church. He calls the congregation to self-examination, urging them to live out these qualities in a world hostile to Christianity, trusting in the Bible’s relevance and God’s power to work in any context.
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