WHEN FAITH GOES FORTH . . . . 1 Thesssalonians 1:1-10; for 10/16/11
Two things happened to me when I was twelve years old that served as a turning point in
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| There it is! That little Bible changed my life . . . . |
But the other thing that happened was even bigger. That spring a brand new Bible translation came out. It was called Today’s English Version, published by the American Bible Society. First they came out with the New Testament only, and the name they gave it was Good News For Modern Man. The leaders of First Methodist Church in Crane, Texas had the vision to buy a small truckload of these New Testaments in paper back, and distribute them to every member.
I remember how peculiar looking that Bible was: paperback, and with a cover that showed pictures of the headlines from newspapers all over the world. As if the American Bible Society was saying, “here are some selections of news stories all around the world right now; but none of them offers the best news. Because none of these secular human newspapers offers God’s Good News about Jesus to people of our time – only this little book. That was the impression I got anyway. And I began reading that book – the first Bible I ever really sat down and read. It was the whole idea that what happened in the Bible was news for my life right now! I didn't believe it. It was the most bizarre concept I had ever had to grapple with. So of course I had to read the book to see if it was true!
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| The entire Good News Bible is just that. Later the ABS added the Old Testament. |
At first, the thing I liked most, believe it or not, was the pictures – the little line drawings of scenes from the scriptures. And the captions under the pictures were taken from the text of the Bible itself (that also was a novel thing to me). I read through the New Testament, and I savored every picture. It seemed to make God’s story come alive for me. This was especially so with the Gospels and the Book of Acts. There were days when I couldn’t put the thing down!
I got to Paul’s writings, and that was much harder going; but I kept looking for the references to Paul’s activities, his goings and comings. And it is there to be found even in his epistles. When I got to the Thessalonican correspondence I recall in the edition I had back then, there was the picture of a group of people standing on a globe. The caption underneath was, as before, lifted from the text itself of chapter one (which is our text for this morning). It said, “your faith toward God has gone out into every place.”
And I thought to myself, “what could that mean?” What kind of people can do that? To have faith, but to have it go outside of oneself, and even out into the world? Who are those people, and how do they get that way?
And I didn’t have an answer for years. Finally much later on, I began to read a little deeper in Paul’s writings. And finally I received an answer to my question – “how do Christians get that way”; because in the final analysis, we would like for others to be able to say that about the people of St. Paul’s; to say, “their faith goes outside their walls. Why in fact, their faith goes out to many places all over the world.” I want to talk about what that means in the context of this Bible passage.
But first, I want to answer the question about what makes Christians like that – so that
I got to Paul’s writings, and that was much harder going; but I kept looking for the references to Paul’s activities, his goings and comings. And it is there to be found even in his epistles. When I got to the Thessalonican correspondence I recall in the edition I had back then, there was the picture of a group of people standing on a globe. The caption underneath was, as before, lifted from the text itself of chapter one (which is our text for this morning). It said, “your faith toward God has gone out into every place.”
And I thought to myself, “what could that mean?” What kind of people can do that? To have faith, but to have it go outside of oneself, and even out into the world? Who are those people, and how do they get that way?
And I didn’t have an answer for years. Finally much later on, I began to read a little deeper in Paul’s writings. And finally I received an answer to my question – “how do Christians get that way”; because in the final analysis, we would like for others to be able to say that about the people of St. Paul’s; to say, “their faith goes outside their walls. Why in fact, their faith goes out to many places all over the world.” I want to talk about what that means in the context of this Bible passage.
But first, I want to answer the question about what makes Christians like that – so that
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| The faith of those people at Thessalonica would not stay home! |
1st, THE WORD GOES IN.
The word must go in. God’s Word about Jesus Christ must come into us, to fill us, nourish us, and change us. We need a steady diet of it to grow a faith that sprouts out beyond ourselves. They knew this in the ancient Macedonian city of Thessalonica.
Paul says that in these verses:
READ 1 THESS. 1
5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
They received the Word (“the Word – the message about Jesus – went into them”); and Paul writes, “the gospel, the good news came with power, along with the Holy Spirit, and with great
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| The ruins of ancient Thessalonica. Perhaps Paul and Silas stood here . . . . |
When Paul, Silas, and Timothy came to Thessalonica, they began preaching God’s Word: specifically they preached what Paul wrote here: that Jesus was the Messiah; that he died, was raised on the third day, and that God sent Him to save us from the God's righteous wrath that is to come on the final judgement day (all of which is mentioned either in Acts 17 or in 1 Thess. 1).
Look at that Book of Acts passage for a moment: Luke tells us Paul and his friends started as usual first in the synagogue, among the Jewish people. They preached and discussed things there for several weeks. Here is what Luke says about that visit:
READ: Acts 17
1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.
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| Paul was very convincing in his preaching at the synagogue there. |
I can remember when the Word about the Messiah first went into me. Of course it was going in to me during those afternoons when I would get my homework done, then open the window to the south, catch the autumn breeze, and open up my paperback Good News for Modern Man and read. (And by the way: I was nowhere near to being a perfect adolescent! I had lots of problems, but all I can say was it was a part of God’s plan for me to become excited about what was in the Bible at that age; even though I couldn’t even understand most of it.)
But during those same years, I would go to Oklahoma in the summers to visit my grandparents. My grandfather Cornel was a real man of faith. Every morning that I was there he would open up his Bible and the Upper Room. He would read the recommended passage for the day, and then the devotional lesson that went with it. Fairly quickly I began to think the day could not even start normally unless I heard Him read the Bible and then read from the Upper Room. When I got a little older he would shove the Bible across the table to me, and I would take a turn reading. I didn’t know it at the time, but – to use Paul’s words -- God’s Word was coming into my life with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with great conviction. And with that
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| He would read from the Upper Room each morning and from the Bible. |
Now that may sound corny, and pretty old-fashioned to some of you younger folk. But all I can say is, it worked for me. So for heaven’s sake, find something that works for you. Find some regular set of disciplines by yourself and with others, by which God has a chance to instill more of His Word into your life.
One more thing comes to mind when we think about the Word going in. We cannot help but think of the words of Jesus Himself, when He told the parable of the Sower:
READ Mark 4 (Jesus’ explanation of the parable of the Sower to His disciples)
(the seed is the Word of God . . . .)
14 The sower sows the word. 15 And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. 18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirty-fold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”
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| The sower went forth to sow THE WORD! And some fell on good soil |
And the people in Thessalonica also received the seed of God's Word – but not by itself: power came with it, and the Holy Spirit to stir them to life, and great assurance or conviction also filled their lives. And when that happens in any church today, faith grows, and it doesn’t stay in its container. It moves out into the world. So the Word of Christ comes in; and then
2nd, FAITH GOES OUT.
That’s the second really big thing I want to focus on this morning. The Word of God goes into His people; and great faith comes out.
But what about that? What specifically happened in that community to make their faith in Jesus so powerful that it travelled out into the rest of southern Europe? You can already imagine that it must have been something so powerful that it really caught the eyes of everybody; it must have been some transformative experience which took those new believers away from the mainstream of their own culture. Maybe it even shocked other people who lived in the neighboring Macedonian towns. So in fact, those neighbors had to sit up and pay attention!
And in fact that is exactly what happened, when their faith went forth.
Paul describes that in these words:
Paul describes that in these words:
READ
7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.
8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.
9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God . . . .
Did you see the chief way by which their faith was made manifest to others? They turned from idols to serve the living God. And in that day of so much idol worship; in that place where there was an entire family of Greek and Roman gods, they turned away from that to know, believe, and follow Jesus Christ, as the only true God. And when they did that, Man, it caught people’s attention!
They had been worshiping objects; statues. The statues represented the different Greek gods that were known in that day. It probably strikes us as odd today that someone would worship an object that looked like a man or an animal, but it really wasn’t. It probably sounds even more unusual that someone might worship a living animal, like a bull or a deer. But those people back then believed there was divine power in all of life, and they made idols to symbolize that power. The statue became a focal point of their attention and daily observance. They would see things happening in their lives, either good or bad, and attribute it to the favor or disfavor of that false god. It was a vicious cycle and extremely enslaving. So when the Thessalonican Christians turned away from that it was a really big deal! That's because they were turning away from a kind of slavery into a new freedom.
Other things are idols for us today. So when you meet a Christian today with a living faith that goes out into the world, often that is a person who has repented, literally, in a big way. He or she has turned from a modern idol; a false god. That woman or man has turned away from a modern idol to believe in the God of the Scriptures and to follow Jesus in the world.
So what are some of those idols today?
When you see the way some people pour over their stock portfolio, or play with their cell phone constantly, or watch several hours of satellite tv every day, you have found the thing that has power over their life. You have found the supreme thing of significance for them. You have found their modern idol.
In connection with that I’ve been very impressed with Adam Hamilton’s little book, Enough. In the opening pages he talks about modern idols and how they have influenced him. (Refer to his story of how he heard about the new i-fone and decided he just had to have one – even late at night before the store closed!).
But like the people at Thessalonica, Adam Hamilton became one more person who turned away from idols to serve the living and true God. (God is not a cell phone, or a cell phone company . . . !)
And that’s one way that faith goes out into the world: when people become Christians, and then sometimes when they get converted all over again, and Jesus has a chance to root out one idol after another. When that happens, others, in other places, find out about it. Faith in Jesus has gone forth. This is what happens when the Word about Jesus Christ truly comes into a person’s life. Faith goes out: others find out that they have turned away from idols to serve the living and the true God.
And maybe your sitting here today, and you say to yourself, you say to God, “You know: I’m
not sure this has ever happened to me. I’m not sure my faith in Jesus Christ is strong enough to travel -- anywhere.”
And if that is your thought this morning, I invite you either here, or in the privacy of your home to say, “Lord Jesus: that’s never happened to me. Your word has never come into my life in such a way as to grow the tree of the Gospel, and produce the fruit of faith that goes far. So, Lord Jesus, today – would you let that happen to me. Send your word in; and let faith go out.”
And in that spirit, let us continue in prayer:
Lord Jesus: this is our collective prayer for us here at St. Paul’s Church. Let your good news of the original, divinely inspired, St. Paul come into us. Let this word come with power, and the holy spirit, and with great conviction. Help us recognize what is an idol in our life, so that we may turn from it, to serve you – the one and only True and Living God. And may our faith in you become known to others. In your name we pray this. Amen.
BIBLE TEXT FOR U TO READ, USE, AND LOVE!
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| Yep. They worshipped these things. |
8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.
9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God . . . .
Did you see the chief way by which their faith was made manifest to others? They turned from idols to serve the living God. And in that day of so much idol worship; in that place where there was an entire family of Greek and Roman gods, they turned away from that to know, believe, and follow Jesus Christ, as the only true God. And when they did that, Man, it caught people’s attention!
They had been worshiping objects; statues. The statues represented the different Greek gods that were known in that day. It probably strikes us as odd today that someone would worship an object that looked like a man or an animal, but it really wasn’t. It probably sounds even more unusual that someone might worship a living animal, like a bull or a deer. But those people back then believed there was divine power in all of life, and they made idols to symbolize that power. The statue became a focal point of their attention and daily observance. They would see things happening in their lives, either good or bad, and attribute it to the favor or disfavor of that false god. It was a vicious cycle and extremely enslaving. So when the Thessalonican Christians turned away from that it was a really big deal! That's because they were turning away from a kind of slavery into a new freedom.
Other things are idols for us today. So when you meet a Christian today with a living faith that goes out into the world, often that is a person who has repented, literally, in a big way. He or she has turned from a modern idol; a false god. That woman or man has turned away from a modern idol to believe in the God of the Scriptures and to follow Jesus in the world.
So what are some of those idols today?
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| These durned thangs have become the modern destructive idol to so many. It's too, too bad. |
When you see the way some people pour over their stock portfolio, or play with their cell phone constantly, or watch several hours of satellite tv every day, you have found the thing that has power over their life. You have found the supreme thing of significance for them. You have found their modern idol.
In connection with that I’ve been very impressed with Adam Hamilton’s little book, Enough. In the opening pages he talks about modern idols and how they have influenced him. (Refer to his story of how he heard about the new i-fone and decided he just had to have one – even late at night before the store closed!).
But like the people at Thessalonica, Adam Hamilton became one more person who turned away from idols to serve the living and true God. (God is not a cell phone, or a cell phone company . . . !)
And that’s one way that faith goes out into the world: when people become Christians, and then sometimes when they get converted all over again, and Jesus has a chance to root out one idol after another. When that happens, others, in other places, find out about it. Faith in Jesus has gone forth. This is what happens when the Word about Jesus Christ truly comes into a person’s life. Faith goes out: others find out that they have turned away from idols to serve the living and the true God.
And maybe your sitting here today, and you say to yourself, you say to God, “You know: I’m
not sure this has ever happened to me. I’m not sure my faith in Jesus Christ is strong enough to travel -- anywhere.”
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| Let what's written here -- your Word -- go into me, stay there, and take over. Yes, Lord and Amen. |
And in that spirit, let us continue in prayer:
Lord Jesus: this is our collective prayer for us here at St. Paul’s Church. Let your good news of the original, divinely inspired, St. Paul come into us. Let this word come with power, and the holy spirit, and with great conviction. Help us recognize what is an idol in our life, so that we may turn from it, to serve you – the one and only True and Living God. And may our faith in you become known to others. In your name we pray this. Amen.
BIBLE TEXT FOR U TO READ, USE, AND LOVE!
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,
3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,
4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.
5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.
8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.
9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
LBC
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,
3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,
4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.
5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.
8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.
9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
LBC
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