INTRODUCTION:
The Apostle Paul was a missionary. Because of that, he traveled a great deal and ministered in many places. Paul's method of ministry was to go where there was no church and plant a church there. Without an established church in the town, Paul's first priority in that town was evangelism. He went into these cities and began to share the gospel message of Jesus Christ. But, being a Jew, Paul often first went to the synagogue and preached the gospel there. This is how the church at Thessalonica was established. Acts 17: 2-3 says, "Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, This Jesus whom I preach unto you is the Christ." The Bible tells us that through Paul's preaching, many turned to Jesus and were saved. Paul then took these converts and trained and equipped them to go out and tell others about Jesus v. 8. But, what happened at Thessalonica is that Paul caused such a stir in the community that he was forced out of town.
But, in spite of being run out of Thessalonica, Paul had fond memories of the people there. Pastors today also have conflicting memories when we think about places we have been. There are some places we remember with sadness due to the rejection that the gospel found there. It is one thing to reject the messenger but it is another to reject the message. All pastors know of those who said, no, to Jesus. That saddens a pastors heart. There are also places that bring us joy because of the spiritual victories that were achieved. We can look back on places where people were saved and then Godly lives. We can look back on places where marriages were put back in place and where unruly children were restored. In any church, you will have good and bad memories, but it is what we hold on to that counts. If we just major on the bad, we can get bitter and be of little use to God. It is better to be like Paul and be grateful for the good things that have happened to us. In v. 9-10, Paul shares three things about this church that he was grateful for.
PAUL WAS GRATEFUL THAT THIS CHURCH TURNED TO GOD FROM IDOLS
Their turning came about as a result of seeing the futility of worshipping idols. What is an idol but the product of man's hand. Can an idol answer the prayers of it's worshipers? No! That is seen when Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest on Mt. Carmel. The worshipers of Baal made an appeal to Baal but he answered not. When Elijah prayed, the God of heaven answered with fire. Jehovah God is a God who answers prayer-- not idols. An idol cannot give it's worshipper an answer to the problems of life. Neither can an idol spare it's worshipers the judgment of God. I realize that God has made us with an inward desire to worship, but when we turn to anyone but Him in worship, we find emptiness and futility. When the Thessalonians came to realize this, they turned from their idols.
They turned from their idols when they heard the gospel message of Jesus Christ 2: 13. Our problem today is that many have gotten used to church and hearing about Jesus that we have lost the awe and wonder of the gospel message. Let's notice a couple of things about the gospel. First, the gospel message is not a man made message. It is a message from God. Notice what Paul says in 2: 13, "For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the Word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually works in you who believe." Peter also says in II Peter 1: 21, "for prophecy never came by the will of man, but the holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." The gospel message is a message from God to man. Second, the gospel message is also a life changing message. God will anoint this message with His power to the point that it can literally change a person's life. People today can be changed if they will listen to the gospel message and then respond to it. These people were saved as they responded to the word and turned from their idols to the living God.
PAUL WAS ALSO GRATEFUL BECAUSE THEY WERE SERVING THE LIVING AND TRUE GOD
Their conversion was evident by their outward actions. One thing they did following their conversion is that they publicly embraced Jesus. They did this by openly professing their love and commitment to Christ. They also publicly embraced Jesus by being baptized. Baptism signifies what Jesus did for us to save us. Jesus died for our sins, was buried and then rose again. As we go down into the water and come up again, our baptism is a picture of what Jesus did to save us. Baptism is also a testimony of what Jesus had done in our heart. Our old man is buried and Jesus has made us a new creature and raised us up in newness of life. Their conversion was also evident by the fact they began to share the life changing message they had received. In chapter 1, verse 4, it is said, they sounded forth the Word. The reason they did this is because the gospel message was real and dear to them. They sounded forth the word because they also believed that others needed what they had. When one is saved, that salvation will be evident to others by our actions.
Salvation also makes us the servants of God. Ephesians says we are His workmanship created unto good works. God saved us so we could honor Him with the works that came from his power. Jesus said we would know those that are His by the works we bear. We can be grateful for those who are serving the risen Christ.
PAUL WAS GRATEFUL FOR THOSE WHO WERE WAITING FOR HIS SON FROM HEAVEN
Jesus is coming again. That is the promise Jesus made to His disciples when He ascended unto the Father. "This same Jesus that you have seen go into heaven shall return in like manner." When Jesus comes, it will be a time of joy for those who know Him. When Jesus comes, it will be a time of reunion with loved ones who have passed on before us. It will also be a time of reward for the labor we have exerted in Jesus' name. It will be a time of change. when Jesus comes, he is going to change this vile body and give us a new, glorified, and sin free body. Jesus' coming should be a time we look forward to, not a time we dread or fear. The only problem we have with His coming is that we do not know when He is coming.
Those who await His coming will live differently from those who aren't looking for Him. Those who are awaiting his coming will love a holy life. I John 3: 3 says, "and anyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." Those who are awaiting Jesus' return don't want to be caught up in sinful activity when He comes. Those who are awaiting Jesus' return will also have a passion for lost souls. A holy and evangelistic church is enough to make any pastor grateful.
CONCLUSION:
Paul was grateful that these people were saved. He was also grateful that they were serving God and looking for Jesus' return. Are you saved? Are you serving God? Are you looking for Jesus' return?
WHAT MADE PAUL THANKFUL
MIKE HONZELL, PASTOR
COLLEGE AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH
LEVELLAND, TEXAS
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