Supermodels: Thessalonians Believers

Good Morning,

And so, you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. 1 Thess. 7-8a 

The church in Thessalonica was established by Paul and Silas in about 50 AD. Thessalonica, being a port city, was an excellent place for commerce. It was an eclectic city with Jews, Greeks, and Romans present. Many gods were honored but particularly Jupiter, believed the father of Hercules. Low morals seemed to be the standard.  It was a place with great beauty outside, but much decay within. 

Into this setting Paul preached Christ for three consecutive sabbaths in the synagogue. Among the first converts to Christianity were some Jews, quite a number of devout Greeks, and fairly large group of women. Without question, life for early believers was difficult and perilous. Paul and Silas were chased from the city by a mob of Jews. Persecution of believers was common. In large part, the gospel was opposed there, and rejected by the majority of the people.

Yet, in the midst of great trial this early church served as a supermodel not only in that region but everywhere. The source and fuel for their diligence and courage was a gospel that had captured not just their minds, but their hearts, will, hope and passion. Indeed, they could not have survived on an intellectual faith alone (and neither can we).

Notice the pillars of their faith described in 1:3, “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Verse 6 goes on to acknowledge that in spite of severe trial they experienced joy supplied by the Holy Spirit.   

In our relative comfort, we Americans have difficulty grasping the desperation with which these early believers relied on God. For them it was literally supernatural strength from God or defeat and possibly death. They were all in. And it carried them through. 2000 years later we marvel at the strength and resilience made possible by their faith (beyond cognition), labor prompted by love (Christ and other’s focused) and endurance because of a living, unshakable and unconquerable hope in Jesus.  

Theirs was not a compartmentalized, whimsical, comfortable faith, but an all-consuming one. It not only allowed them to persevere, but also made them a model for Christians everywhere, including us.

Have you been captured by the gospel in that way?  Indeed, have I? 

Questions to ponder this week:

1.    To what degree has my faith captured all of me?

2.    What stands in the way?

Live on purpose,

Ron Klopfenstein, CPLC