1 Thessalonians 1

I'm going to try something out for the next few days. I want to go through sections of Scripture and provide commentary/thoughts/questions on what I read. Perhaps it will be useful to more than just me? If so, holla at me and let me know.

First read this: (1 Thessalonians chapter 1)

http://bible.us/1Thess1.ESV

“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, " (1 Thessalonians 1:2, ESV)

How often do we simply think about people rather than including them in our prayers and petitions to the Lord? (See Romans 1:9)

“remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. " (1 Thessalonians 1:3, ESV)

Three marks of true believers:

1. Works of faith- Their faith produced action in their lives. They did not simply have a belief but rather actions that flowed from their relationship with the Living God. They had not merely adopted a belief system, but a way of life
2. Labors of Love- These actions produced by faith were prompted by love. They did not serve people out of obligation or because it was what they were supposed to do. They had fallen in love. What kinds of crazy things have you done because you were in love with someone? The motives behind those actions matter! It makes all the difference!
3. Steadfastness (Enduring) Hope- Believers endure hardship because they have a hope deep down in their gut that won't go away. A trust born of experiencing Jesus firsthand, of experiencing His love and feeling His embrace through the Spirit of God coming to live inside them, that just won't quit. Verse 6 mentions that they experienced great persecution because of their decision to turn away from their former religion (idols) and follow Jesus. That just doesn't happen because of a switch in doctrine.

“because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. " (1 Thessalonians 1:5, ESV)

Not just words... So many people want to engage in religious debate. They want to understand God intellectually before ever considering giving Him their heart. I don't mean to downplay intellect. I am not advocating a stupid Christianity. Some of the most brilliant minds in history have devoted followers of Jesus Christ. However, in 21st century America we have attempted to divorce head and heart. Paul used words and power. They experienced the Gospel through their thoughts and through feelings. I long for the days of another Great Awakening where God sovereignly, by His grace, pours out His Spirit again through men and women hungry to see others know the fullness of God in both mind and spirit. This is my prayer and passion.

“And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, " (1 Thessalonians 1:6, ESV)

Lone Ranger, Rambo, John McClane (Die Hard), Jack Bauer we celebrate the individual. We love the singular hero who saves the day. Many of us try to emulate that by pretending we don't need anyone. We declare we don't need anyone's help. We were not created to go it alone. Here we see how the people of the church in Thessalonica started in their faith by emulating Paul and the other missionaries. They studied them and assimilated practices and behaviors into their own unique lives. But they didn't stop there. As their understanding grew they went on to emulate Jesus ("and of the Lord"). This is the natural growth pattern of Christians. Imitate your spiritual parents and as you grow and understand build on that to emulate Jesus as the Spirit leads and as you see Him revealed in Scripture.

“and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. " (1 Thessalonians 1:10, ESV)

Jesus has delivered all Christians from all wrath of God. Not only are we saved/rescued/delivered from the torment and punishment in Hell, but the Lord will rescue us from the Great Tribulation that will soon hit the earth. You think the world is a crazy messed up place now? Wait until the 'salt of the earth,' the Christians, are removed from it. Judgment will be unleashed as we read in the Revelation of John.