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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Thursday, 1 August 2024:
Note: Here is a short video overview of 1 Thessalonians: https://youtu.be/No7Nq6IX23c
1 Thessalonians 1:4 — For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.
Paul shared the Gospel with as many people as he could, and he continuously discipled other Christians to greater maturity in Christ. Often Paul’s words and testimony were not well received; he was mocked, rejected, threatened, beaten, cast out, and imprisoned, but that didn’t stop him. In fact, on more than one occasion, when he was persecuted by a group of people, rather the shutting up as most would do, he only preached more emphatically. Paul understood that his mission was to “proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15), “in season and out of season,” (2 Timothy 4:2) and the Holy Spirit would convict hearts in ways beyond his understanding – “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:6-8)
Paul understood that he could not know where the Holy Spirit was moving among those to whom he preached and proclaimed the Gospel, but he did rejoice over the evidence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of many. Today’s readings point out some of the attributes which should be naturally visible among true followers of Christ –
– Receiving the word with joy (v. 6)
– Full conviction (v. 5)
– Imitators of the Lord (v. 6)
– Supernatural joy through affliction (v, 6)
– Living exemplary lives before others (v. 7)
– Caring for others and hospitality (v. 9)
– Turning from idols, things that previously detracted from wholehearted fidelity to God (v. 9)
– Waiting upon the Lord with steadfastness, perseverance and hope (joyful confidence) (v. 10)
Paul makes the point, “For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.” (1 Thessalonians 1:8) These Christians proclaimed the Gospel through their changed lives, and the news concerning the impact of the Gospel on their character spread throughout the land. We have all heard the saying, “Actions speak louder than words,” and certainly the behavior of these Christians was a powerful testimony; but actions are not a substitute for words. When Paul said, “we need not say anything,” he didn’t mean we don’t say anything. The truth of the Gospel must be proclaimed verbally – “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’” (Romans 10:14-15)
Too many Christians hope to influence others through their behavior alone without ever sharing the Gospel message. You may have heard some Christians misquote Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” What he really said is a person’s words should match his or her deeds – practice what you preach. Good deeds apart from the Gospel certainly have a positive impact on others but also potentially give glory to the person rather than to Christ — ‘Julie is a great person. I want to be like Julie.’
Also, our salvation is not based on our behavior, but rather in the grace of God bestowed on us through Jesus despite our behavior. In our performance-based, contractual culture, we must be clear about God’s grace and covenantal love by which He saves even sinners like us – “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” (1 Timothy 1:15) Without the Gospel message, we are merely ambassadors for moralism rather than ambassadors for Christ. It feels good to live a moral life, but sharing the Gospel with others can be very uncomfortable. Get out of your comfort zone, and do what God called you to do, authorized you to do, and empowered you to do in the Great Commission – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
1 Thessalonians 1: 4-7 — For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction…. you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
John the Baptist, Jesus, Peter, and Paul both began their preaching with the following word: “Repent.” (see. Matthew 3:12; Matthew 4:17; Acts 2:38; Acts 26:20). They all also spoke of the need to “perform deeds [or “bear fruit”] in keeping with repentance.” Of course, this message was not received by the “scoffers.” Proverbs talk about these scoffers, warning us not to “correct” or “reprove” a scoffer but rather to save our reproof for wise people (scoffers are not wise) who will accept it. So, what does it mean to be a scoffer? This is not a word we use much today. Other Bible versions use the words “scorner” or “mocker.” We know from other passages that scoffers “delight in their scoffing” and are compared to fools who “hate knowledge.” (Proverbs 1:22) A scoffer won’t listen to a rebuke, and “seeks wisdom in vain,” and refuses to “go to the wise.” (Proverbs 13:1, Proverbs 14:6; Proverbs 15:12) The Bible says that the scoffer is the root cause of “strife… quarrelling… and abuse,” and they have the power to “set a city aflame.” (Proverbs 22:10; Proverbs 29:8) “’Scoffer’ is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride,” a person motivated by “their own ungodly passions.” (Proverbs 21:24; Jude 1:18) “The scoffer is an abomination to mankind…. Condemnation is ready for scoffers.” (Proverbs 24:9; Proverbs 19:29) So, the Bible warns us about preaching to scoffers, but how do you know if you are dealing with a scoffer?
Paul reminds us today that it is God who convicts a person’s heart, not us. If God is working on someone’s heart, they will respond to the Gospel with humility, and repentance. If God has not “chosen” them, they will not respond and will take great offense to those words “repent,” “confess,” and especially “Jesus Christ.” Interestingly, Paul, before his encounter with Christ, though very ‘religious,’ was a leader among the scoffers.” He not only took offense to the Gospel, he persecuted the scoffers with great resolve and persistence. It wasn’t until Jesus “chose” him that everything changed and that he listened to God’s people – “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide.” (John 15:16) I do not fully understand how this works, but I can relate with it from my own salvation experience. However, I don’t think we can perfectly discern who God is working on, so I believe the Bible is warning us that we just need to be as discerning as possible and to be prepared to take a beating for sake of the Gospel of Jesus.
At one point, Jesus tells the disciples that, “if anyone will not receive you our listen to your words, shake of the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town” (Matthew 10:14) However, we are also told to proclaim the Gospel to the “the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15) The Bible is full of martyrs (persecuted witnesses), and I believe that God does use people like Stephen to convict the hearts of people like Saul (Paul). Sometimes we will preach “in season,” and sometimes “out of season.” (2 Timothy 4:2) I think we should seek to be led by the Holy Spirit in this, trusting not on our own understanding, and focusing our very limited time on where we believe the Father is already working — “My Father is working until now, and I am working…. Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.” (John 5:17-21)
1 Thessalonians 1:5 – …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.
A person cannot receive God’s word without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 1:6 — You received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit.
Those who have truly received God’s word will joyfully work to exemplify the character of Christ in their actions.
1 Thessalonians 1:8 — Your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.
Actions speak louder than words. We are called to verbally proclaim Jesus to everyone, but our behavior will validate our words and reveal the truth of the power of Jesus in the lives of sinners. Your faith will be evident to others by the way you live. Ralph Waldo Emerson – “What you do, Speaks so loudly, I cannot hear what you say.”
1 Thessalonians 1:10 – …and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Wrath is coming. This is a critical part of our message.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 1 August 2024: Proclaim the Gospel through your actions while sharing the Gospel through your words. True love speaks the truth in love.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 