TEXT:
‘For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come’ (1 Thessalonians 1:8-10).
The genuineness of the Thessalonians’ faith was revealed by the things they did which caused Paul, Silas and Timothy to rejoice that their labours in pioneering the church had not been in vain. This fledgling church not only stood the test of time but actively sought to share their faith within the surrounding communities and beyond. In our text, four times the word “To” is used and this helps us to understand why their faith was so real.
1. To God – ‘How you turned to God from idols’
This was a true reflection of repentance. We turn from something to someone. They turned to God from idolatry. Greek mythology was widespread but the conquering Roman Empire brought their own gods. People would have felt they needed to adopt the principles and practices of the oppressor if they wanted to survive and even prosper.
When Paul arrived with the gospel message that idols are nothing and should not be worshipped, but to believe in Jesus who had been raised from the dead, many responded. It was not easy to be a believer at that time because a Jewish backlash against Christianity had caused Paul and Silas to quickly move on to Berea, but God can look after those who are His, even if apostolic leaders are no longer around. Thank God the same Holy Spirit who empowered the disciples to evangelise after Jesus had ascended, helped these Thessalonian Christians to do likewise.
2. To Serve – ‘To serve the living and true God’
The responsibilities that go with being a Christian have been watered down over the years. Churches pander to the needs of the congregation instead of challenging them to serve God.
Ultimately all our service is Godward as the Bible makes clear, ‘And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ’ (Colossians 3:23-24).
All too often Christians are blind even to the practical needs of their church, concerning the preparation for services and the packing away afterwards. As long as they feel they are getting something, they continue to attend, but can stop at a moment’s notice if something they hear or see is not to their liking.
Where is their commitment, faithfulness and service? These were the qualities our beloved Queen Elizabeth displayed for seventy years, even welcoming the new Prime Minister a day or so before her death.
Let’s raise the bar again and teach Christians their responsibility to serve, to give, to pray and to evangelise. Not in a dictatorial way, but by reminding them that Jesus said, ‘The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve’ (Matthew 20:28).
3. To Wait – ‘And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead’
Paul’s message to the Thessalonian Christians was so clear. They would actually see the Jesus they had believed in. They died waiting for His return.
Jesus said to Thomas, ‘Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed’ (John 20:29).
Do you ever wonder what the resurrected Jesus looks like? One day we shall find out. ‘Yes, dear friends, we are already God’s children, right now, and we can’t even imagine what it is going to be like later on. But we do know this, that when he comes we will be like him, as a result of seeing him as he really is’ (1 John 3:2 TLB).
It’s a tragedy when Christians stop waiting and turn from the living God back to their old ways and practices.
4. To Come – ‘Even Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come’
The warning is clear, God’s wrath is coming. The Bible paints a terrible picture of what it will be like.
‘Then everyone—the kings of the earth, the rulers, the generals, the wealthy, the powerful, and every slave and free person—all hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. And they cried to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to survive?”’ (Revelation 6:15-17 NLT).
It’s not God’s intention for anyone to face His wrath. He loves the world and has made it possible for everyone to escape that wrath by believing in Jesus. On the cross He took God’s wrath and the punishment for our sins so we could experience mercy not judgment. Paul reminded the Thessalonian Christians of this, ‘For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (1 Thessalonians 5:9).
Throughout the world we see how bad things are: morally, economically and health issues, but much worse is coming. Don’t ignore God’s warnings and run from Him, but to Him and be saved.
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