Hope and Holiness in a Hostile World
Hope and Holiness in a Hostile World
Introducing 1 Thessalonians
Introduction
I trust, as Believers in this time and place, we are regularly asking the following questions:
Is it possible for the Christian faith to survive and thrive in a world that’s indifferent at best and hostile at worst?
What does such a faith look like at home, at work, at school and at church?
Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians helps us with questions like these.
1 Thessalonians gives us: a model to follow, in Paul’s own commitment and service to fellow Believers; a vision for the Church, in the call to live distinctive, Christ-centred lives; and clear instructions, in the foundational truths of the Gospel. For these reasons, and many more, it is a great letter for us to study in the coming months.
But, as I have said, many times before, it is unwise for us to simply ‘jump in’ without becoming a little more familiar with the letter. So today we want to spend some time considering:
Context
Content
Central Message
In 1 Thessalonians we hear words of hope and instruction for holy living so that we might glorify God in a hostile world. May we all be challenged and encouraged as we study God’s Word together.
We begin today by consider the… Context
The story of 1 Thessalonians begins with Paul’s second missionary journey in 49 A.D. In Acts 17 (which we read earlier) we learn that Paul, Silas and Timothy arrive in the city of Thessalonica and share the Gospel.
Now, we may be tempted to assume New Testament cities are just part of ancient history and far removed from our own lives. However, Thessalonica resembled many modern cities: it had a rich past, was situated in a key location, enjoyed a bustling economy, and offered plenty of opportunities to those who could afford it.
Indeed, Thessalonica was the proud capital of the Roman province of Macedonia and had a population of over 100,000. Its natural harbour and placement on the busy east-west Egnatian Way meant that it was a flourishing centre of trade and an important city with strategic value.
Thessalonica’s location influenced it’s religious atmosphere. Since Thessalonica was on a major road, and had a major harbour, Thessalonica had many temples which catered to every kind of god in the known world- Roman, Greek, and numerous others.
But the most important religion of the city concerned the worship of the Roman emperor. This was called the Roman imperial cult. This movement claimed Caesar as god, demanding all Roman citizens worship Caesar- and as long as they did so they would lead a trouble-free life as free citizens.
So, Thessalonica was not a place naturally ready to accept the Gospel. But there was a sizable population of Jews in Thessalonica also. It was into that environment that Paul came preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We read in Acts 17 how Paul, Silas, and Timothy founded the church in Thessalonica. On arriving in Thessalonica, following his usual pattern, Paul spoke in the synagogue over three Sabbaths, and a number of Jews and God-fearing Gentiles and prominent women believed.
But all was not well. In Acts 17 verses 5 to 9 we see the growth of the Gospel in Thessalonica provoked widespread and violent opposition- the truth about Jesus as Saviour and Lord was seen as a potential threat to the religious, economic, and political status quo.
Are we not challenged at this point? Are we causing a stir in our homes and schools and workplaces because we live wholeheartedly for God? Do people see that Jesus has captured our hearts and we are enjoying the fullness of life only He can provide?
For the sake of the Christians in Thessalonica, Paul and the others were forced to leave for Berea and then Athens. But while Paul was absent in the body, the Thessalonians were constantly upon his heart. And so, he sent Timothy to them to encourage the Believers and report back to him how they were getting on.
In time Timothy would meet Paul in Corinth. There he gave an encouraging update on the Thessalonian church. They were suffering, yes, but their faith, love, and hope were thriving. And they were missing Paul as much as he was missing them.
Paul would have longed to have seen the Thessalonians again but writes this letter as a substitute for visiting them. And he writes 1 Thessalonians with thankfulness and joy. Having been in Corinth for a while, Paul probably wrote the letter from there, in or around AD 50.
Like other letters in the New Testament, Paul is responding to very specific circumstances as he writes to a specific people. The Thessalonians were a new church, doing well in difficult circumstances, but needing instruction. However, as we read 1 Thessalonians, we should be mindful that what Paul writes, inspired by the Holy Spirit, should also help us today.
Indeed, we should be convinced that God will use the words that He inspired for the Thessalonians to speak to us today. We need words of hope and instructions in holiness as we seek to glorify God and enjoy Him in a world that is so often hostile. So, despite the differences between ourselves and the Thessalonian Believers, there is much in this letter that we can learn and apply to ourselves in the coming days and weeks.
And to help us do that, then, we must become familiar with the… Content
1 Thessalonians is most likely the earliest letter Paul wrote. And he writes in response to the events we have considered in Acts 17.
After just one month of preaching, a large number of Jews and Greeks gave their allegiance to Jesus and formed the first church there. But trouble was brewing. The Believers were accused of defying the Roman emperor by ‘…saying that there’s another king, Jesus…’. This led to persecution that became so intense that Paul was forced to leave. Paul found this terribly painful as he loved the people in Thessalonica.
So, 1 Thessalonians is Paul’s response after receiving a Timonthy’s encouraging report. Paul writes to a church under pressure to strengthen them- celebrating their genuine faith, encouraging them in their love for others and their hope in Christ; and assuring them that their current circumstances are a normal part of following Christ.
As we journey through 1 Thessalonians we will be challenged and encouraged by these truths. We will be challenged by the fact that genuine faith needs to be evidenced by godliness. We will be encouraged to face the pressures of this life with true hope in our Lord Jesus.
Paul writes to encourage this newly planted church to grow in godliness. And so, the letter is written with two main sections. Chapters 1 to 3 celebrate the Thessalonians faith, hope and love- that they have heard the Gospel and put it into practice. Then, in Chapters 4 to 5, Paul challenges the Believers to continue growing in holiness and encourages them with hope in the Lord Jesus.
Thes two larger sections are surrounded by three prayers. The letter opens with a thanksgiving prayer in Chapter 1 verses 1 to 5, it concludes with a final prayer in Chapter 5 verses 23 to 28, and the two main sections are linked together by a transitional prayer in Chapter 3 verses 11 to 13.
This is a wonderful design that teaches us a powerful lesson: God’s People need to pray and be prayed for at all times. God’s People must prioritise prayer. As individuals and as a congregation we need to be praying for one another.
Paul opens the letter by giving thanks and celebrating the Thessalonians’ faith, their love for others, and their hope in Jesus despite persecution. In Chapter 1 Paul retells the story of their conversion; how they ‘…turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven…’. For the Thessalonian Believers the overwhelming love of Jesus and the hope of His return was their strength as they sought to live holy lives in the face of hostility.
When you face trouble in your life does the vast love of Jesus, the abundant mercy of God, and the ministry of the indwelling Spirit encourage you? When things in this life are difficult, do you remind yourself of all the wonders of the life to come, of true life in Christ, and does this give you the strength to endure?
Paul continues to retell the story of his mission in Thessalonica and the dear friendships that he formed with the people. Paul uses intimate metaphors to show his love for them; and in Chapter 2 verse 8 we read that Paul and his missionary partners:
…cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well…
Paul reminds us that the essence of Christian leadership is healthy relationships and humble, loving service in the name of Jesus.
The truth of the Gospel allows us to be open and honest with our Brothers and Sisters in Christ- to share our lives with them. Remember: if Christ has died for your sin, then there is no more condemnation or judgement. In Christ, sin and shame have been dealt with, we are free to fellowship with our Gospel family- to encourage each other to find fullness of life in following Christ more closely.
Next Paul reflects on their common persecution. Just as Jesus was rejected by His own people, so Paul was persecuted, and the Thessalonians now face opposition from their neighbours. Paul draws comfort from knowing that, together, their suffering is a way of participating in the Gospel.
Paul shares the pain he experienced when he heard of the Thessalonians’ hardships after his departure. He had sent Timothy to support them and see how they were doing. To his joy, Timothy discovered that they were flourishing!
They were still faithful to Jesus, full of love for God and neighbour, and longing to see Paul as much as he longed for them. Paul concludes this thought with a prayer; in Chapter 3 verses 11 to 13 we read:
Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
Here Paul introduces topics that he will address in the letter’s second half.
Then, in the second half of the letter, Paul challenges the people to live a life that’s consistent with the teachings of King Jesus. This means, firstly, a serious commitment to holiness and purity. Those who follow King Jesus must live according to the laws of His Kingdom and not the ways of this world; they must display the glory of living under His gracious reign
Following Jesus also means a commitment to loving and serving others. The Thessalonian Believers should be known as hard-working, reliable people. This is not only to earn a living but so they can generously share with those in need.
We can rejoice in the generosity of our congregation. But we should also be challenged to think Biblically about our resources and how we might use them for the Kingdom- do we see our time, talents, money, jobs as opportunities to display the fullness of life we have found in Christ?
After this, Paul addresses several questions the Thessalonians had raised about the future hope of Jesus’ return. Paul makes it clear that, despite the grief and loss they have suffered, not even death can separate Christians from the love of Jesus. When He returns as King, Jesus will call both the living and the dead to Himself and establish His Kingdom.
Paul wants the Thessalonians to see how this hope should motivate faithfulness to Jesus. In Chapter 5 Paul focuses on being spiritually prepared for the sudden, unexpected return of Jesus, urging Believers to remain alert and sober. Paul encourages the Believers in Thessalonica to live as ‘children of the light’- they are to live goldy lives because they belong to God and their salvation is guaranteed.
Paul closes all these encouragements as he began, with a prayer that the Thessalonian Believers would be live holy lives until the return of King Jesus. And so, we see that throughout this letter Paul speaks of faith, hope and love as central to true faith that is lived out in a hostile world.
With this in mind we turn, finally, to consider the… Central Message
Paul writes to the Thessalonian Believers, rejoicing in the genuineness of their faith in Christ but concerned that they would continue to grow. He is excited to see the evidence of God at work through the Gospel, there is signs of true life in Christ. The shoots and buds that he can see demonstrate that something decisive has happened. Paul focuses on the evidence of changed lives- of their faith, their love and their hope.
But Paul is clear that he does not want this newly planted church does not become stunted in its growth. Instead, he wants to see them grow to maturity as Believers and produce Gospel fruit.
This is the desire of every pastor: Believers growing in their faith and producing the fruit of a godly lifestyle. We long to see churches where love is continually developed and displayed. We long for Believers to have confidence in Christ’s return that shows in endurance and strength when facing all kinds of difficulties.
1 Thessalonians teaches us that we must not just be hearers of God’s Word, but we must act upon it. The good seed of the Gospel must produce healthy fruit in our lives. This Gospel fruit is seen as we humbly serve our Lord and His People. The Gospel will also provoke us to genuine repentance as we seek to be like our Lord.
So we must ask ourselves: Is our faith just mental assent to a set of statements, or is it truth that impacts how we live and think and speak?
For us, Believers today in Greystone Rd, we need to hear this message and embrace it. In a world of hostility to the Gospel and living in opposition to the God we love, we need to remember the hope we have and the holy calling we have been given.
And we are a people of hope. Our hope is in the Lord Jesus and all that He has done for us. Our confidence, joy and peace is in sins forgiven and a welcome into the Family of God. Our Hope is in Heaven because from there, One Day, Christ will return and establish His eternal and glorious Kingdom- we face the troubles of today knowing that One Day we will reign with Christ and dwell with our God in total perfection.
Conclusion
So, when we read 1 Thessalonians, we can no longer have a low view of the Church, a limited view of the Gospel, or a loveless devotion to Christ.
In Christ we are God’s People, bought at great cost and lavished with the love of God.
In the Gospel we received fullness of life through the forgiveness of our sin and are called to live for our Glorious, Returning King.
As the Church today in this place, we must pursue fullness of life as we put our faith in Christ, love as He first loved us, and set our hope in His glorious return. As God’s People, in this time and place, we have a new way of relating to the world- we are to be people of hope and holiness called to live for the glory of God in a hostile world. We do this as we set our focus continually on Christ: He is our hope in life and death.