The church at Thessalonica was a model church for us to follow. They shared the gospel everywhere; discipled others; helped people stand firm in the faith; pursued holiness, love and economic independence; encouraged one another because of Christ’s coming again; lived with faith, love and hope in Christ; and fostered holistic transformation. The benefits: served God in faith, love and hope; received glory and reward from God; discovered real life; won respect of unbelievers; lived with God forever; knew Christ was coming back; and sanctified spirit, soul and body.
Let’s examine the discipling culture of a model church that enabled it to share the gospel everywhere.
Share the Gospel Everywhere
Paul thanked God in his prayers for their work produced by faith, labor prompted by love and endurance inspired by hope in Christ. God loved and chose them because their gospel came with the Holy Spirit’s power and deep conviction, not only with words. After imitating Paul and the Lord, they joyfully welcomed the message given by the Holy Spirit. They became a model to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord’s message became known everywhere as they turned to Him from idols and served the living and true God. He raised Jesus from the dead who rescued them from the coming wrath (1 Thess. 1:1-10). Share the gospel everywhere so people turn from idols and serve the living God in faith, love and hope.
Disciple Others Like Mother and Father
In spite of strong opposition, Paul and his team shared the gospel without error or impure motives. Being entrusted with the gospel, they spoke as men approved by God. They never tried to please men, used flattery, covered up greed or looked for men’s praise. As apostles of Christ, they were like a gentle mother loving and caring for her children. They shared not only the gospel, but their own lives as they worked hard not to be a financial burden. As a father dealt with his children, they encouraged, comforted and urged them to live lives worthy of God. Their reception of God’s word enabled them to endure suffering from their peers. Satan stopped Paul from seeing them. They were his hope, glory, joy and crown when Christ came back (1 Thess. 2:1-20). Disciple others like a nursing mother and exhorting father to receive your glory and reward from God.
Help People Stand Firm in Their Faith
While in Athens, Paul sent Timothy to strengthen and encourage them in their faith during trials and temptations. Even though they were destined for persecution, Paul showed concern about them walking away from their faith. He was encouraged when Timothy brought good news about their steadfast faith and love. Paul really lived when they stood firm in the Lord. He thanked God for his joy in God’s presence because of them. Paul prayed earnestly to supply what was lacking in their faith. He asked the Lord to increase their love for others and strengthen their hearts to be blameless in God’s presence (1 Thess. 3:1-13). Help people stand firm in their faith so you discover real life.
Pursue Holiness, Love and Economic Independence
It was God’s will for them to be holy by avoiding sexual immorality, passionate lust or taking advantage of their brother. He punished men for such sins since He called them to holiness, not impurity. They rejected God and the Holy Spirit by ignoring this instruction. Paul urged them to love their brothers even more as God taught them. A quiet life should be their ambition as they minded their own business and worked with their hands to win the respect of outsiders without dependence on anybody (1 Thess. 4:1-12).
Pursue holiness. love and economic independence to win the respect of unbelievers.
Encourage One Another Because of Christ’s Coming Again
They were not to grieve like those without hope since Christ died, rose again and brought with Him those who died. The Lord would come down from heaven with the trumpet call of God and the dead in Christ would rise first. Those still alive would be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. They were to encourage each other knowing they would be with the Lord forever (1 Thess. 4:13-18). Encourage one another because of Christ coming again to live with Him forever.
Live with Faith, Love and Hope in Christ
The day of the Lord would come like a thief in the night while people were saying, “Peace and safety.” Destruction would come suddenly like labors pains on a pregnant woman. This day should not surprise them since they were sons of the light being alert, self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet. Since God did not appoint them to wrath, but receive salvation through Christ by living together with Him, they should encourage and build each other up (1 Thess. 4:13-5:11). Live with faith, love and hope in Christ knowing He is coming back anytime.
Foster Holistic Transformation
They should respect and regard highly those over them in the Lord who work hard and admonish them. They should warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak and be patient with everyone. They were to be kind to everyone, joyful always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances because this was God’s will for them in Christ. They should not put out the Spirit’s fire, not treat prophecies with contempt, test everything, hold on to the good and avoid every kind of evil. Paul prayed the God of peace would sanctify them entirely so their spirit, soul and body would be blameless at the coming of Christ. God would do it because He was faithful. Paul asked for prayer, greet everyone and read the letter to all the brothers (1 Thess. 5:12-28). Foster holistic transformation by respecting church leaders, ministering practically to the needy, expressing gratitude, leading by the Holy Spirit and praying for sanctification of peoples’ spirit, soul and body.
Which of the following benefits motivate you to share the gospel and be discipled to multiply your impact in the world?
1. Serve God in faith, love and hope
2. Receive glory and reward from God
3. Discover real life
4. Win respect of unbelievers
5. Live with God forever
6. Know Christ is coming back
7. Sanctify spirit, soul and body
