Serving as a Model

Introduction

A. Have you ever tried to teach someone how to do something? We might take the time to teach someone to swim or to mow the lawn or to work on a computer or how to build a wall or how to fix an engine or a hundred other things. What we usually discover though is that there are a number of things that we take for granted because we have done the activity so many times that it has become almost second nature to us. If part of your job is with a computer then there are a number of key strokes you know how to do without thinking about it. If you have tried to teach someone how to do your particular job, then somewhere along the line you have probably uttered those famous words, “I’m sorry, I left that step out. Now here’s what you need to do.”

B. How many times have you heard the gospel? Hundreds of times no doubt. Is it still wonderful to hear or has it become so commonplace that we leave out some of the important parts. I remember hearing a person say that when he became a Christian not much changed in his life. He had grown up in a religious home and had already been practicing the specific acts of worship. Jesus never leaves people alone. The gospel is about change. Does the gospel still make an impact on you?

C. According to Acts 17, Paul goes to the city of Thessalonica and spends a short time there preaching the gospel. Some are converted. He is soon forced from the city. He preached three Sabbaths before trouble started. We aren’t sure how long he stayed after the trouble began, but we do know it wasn’t longer than two or three months at best. He didn’t have much time to teach these young converts. There were some things that they didn’t quite understand and there were some things that he needed to clarify. But the gospel produced a significant change in the lives of these new converts. Paul left Thessalonica because of persecution and it was not until he reached Corinth several months later that he finally got a chance to rest. At that point, he was deeply concerned about those who remained in Thessalonica and so Paul sends Timothy back to the city to check on things. 3:6, Timothy returns with a report which gladdens Paul’s heart. Two things must be corrected: 4:1-8, sexual immorality must be given up and 4:13-5:11 new information about the second coming must be given.

D. Overall Paul is excited about Timothy’s report. Good things are happening in Thessalonica. The faith of these new believers is not only intact but is making an impact in the region. In a short time they have moved from imitating Paul to serving as a model for others. What made such an impact on them? What could possibly cause them to change their lives so dramatically? The same thing which should change our lives---the gospel.

Faith in Action

A. Paul has fond memories of the church in Thessalonica. He remembers their work which sprang from their faith. Paul remembers how that because of their faith they set their heart and hands to work for Paul and for each other. Paul remembers their labor of love. Closely related to the first, Paul remembers that because of their love they labored to the point of weariness. Out of their great love they labored for Paul and for each other. Paul remembers their endurance based on hope. These new Christians patiently endured great difficulties because they were waiting for Jesus to return. This is a wonderful start to a letter. It is upbeat and positive. But Paul tells only the truth.

B. These new converts heard the gospel. The heard the good news that Jesus was the Anointed One of God. But now look at verse 6. They received the gospel with great suffering. Paul’s preaching brought the wrath of those who hated Paul and Jesus onto those who were hearing the gospel. In order for these new Christians to begin their walk with Christ life became hard. Those who were mad at Paul and his teaching turned their anger on those left behind after Paul’s departure from the city. The word that Paul uses in verse 6 which is translated suffering in its verb form is used to describe the wine making process in which grapes are squeezed until they burst. We are talking about some heavy duty pressure being placed on these new converts. According to Acts 17, Jason found himself in real hot water because of his faith. He wasn’t alone. All of these new Christians suffered because they heard the gospel, and, yet, Timothy’s report is that they are not giving up on their faith. The gospel makes an impact.

C. Paul goes on in verse 4 reassuring his readers that God is with them. He knows this because they received the words of the gospel. The message had to be taught. Paul preached the message of the gospel and the words were received. But the words were not preached alone. The Spirit of God was at work. This does not refer to the miraculous work of the Spirit but rather to what Jesus says in John 16 that the Spirit will convict of sin and guilt. The power of the gospel is not only in the words, but in the working of the Spirit to convict the listeners. Paul knew God was working in Thessalonica. But Paul also preached the gospel with great conviction. He was certain of his message and that it would not only change their life but bring them into relationship with the Father through Jesus. Paul boldly preached the message.

D. So in verse 6 they welcomed the message. With great joy their received the message. They were never the same. The gospel makes an impact. They received the message and then became a model or a pattern to all in the region. Their faith was unparalleled. In a short time, they accepted the message. They initially imitated Paul and his lifestyle, but when Paul left they became a model of faith, love, and hope for others. All those around could tell the story of these Christians how they turned from their idols to serve the living and true God and to patiently wait for the return of Jesus. Their lives were not the same. It was obvious to all. The gospel makes an impact.

Now What?

A. Look at verse 8. Found only here in all the New Testament is the word “rang.” It means to ring, peal or boom as with bells or trumpets. Because of the Thessalonians the gospel made a loud noise throughout the region. How did that happen? We are media conscious. Every form of media is at our fingertips. We may even think in terms of buying t.v., radio, or print to spread the gospel and there is absolutely nothing wrong with using these venues. But the Thessalonians didn’t have our modern media. And, yet, the gospel was being trumpeted or loudly rung out from their city. John Stott calls it “Holy Gossip.” They couldn’t keep quiet about the gospel. They were attacked, persecuted, and cut off from mainstream society. They were ignored and ridiculed. They were dragged before the city officials. And they kept making a loud noise about Jesus. You couldn’t shut them up, turn them off, or knock them down. They wanted to share the gospel. What about us? We try to find just the right method. Learn the right techniques. Discover the quick fix. Or we are too shy, too uncertain, too confused, too embarrassed, too afraid, or we just haven’t been changed by the gospel. Why don’t we tell others about the gospel?

B. Is it because we haven’t turned from our idols to serve the living and true God? Idols always generate the idea of wood and stone and carved images. But our idols are much more sophisticated but equally powerful. Selfish ambition, the desire to have more, obsessed with work, sport, television, infatuated with a person, or addicted to food, sex, drugs, gambling. On and on we could go. Maybe we haven’t given up our idols yet. Maybe our desire is for the gospel to be just a neat little package which takes care of not only our sin but any suffering as well. The heart of the gospel is that it is to produce a significant change in our lives. We turn from our idols; we make a break from our sin and we turn to serve the real and genuine God. Our idols are counterfeit, we think they will bring us joy and peace. Our idols cannot take away our sin. Only God can do that. God is not counterfeit. He is real and genuine.

C. Maybe we don’t share the gospel; maybe our faith isn’t being heard because we aren’t waiting for Jesus to come from heaven. Maybe our eyes are set on this world and what this world has to offer more than looking upwards so that we can see Jesus first when he arrives. Maybe the lure of this world is too much in us and there isn’t enough room for the gospel to make an impact to significantly change our lives. If we falsely believe that we aren’t supposed to suffer in this world; if there isn’t much kept from us in this world; what’s the lure of spending eternity with the Father?

D. Here is the point. Is your life worth modeling? When it comes to the gospel has it made an impact on you? Have you changed significantly because of what Jesus did for you? In just a short time the Thessalonians went from imitating Paul to being imitated. How? The gospel. The gospel makes an impact. Is your life a model of faith? Has the gospel made an impact on you? The greatest news of all is the gospel. Invitation.

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