THE CHURCH IN THESSALONICA

1 Thess. 1:1-4

It is not easy to be Christian. Not so much because we are persecuted for our faith.

But more because of the temptations we face.

Everything tells us to give up our faith and give in to our desires…the lust of the flesh…the lust of the eyes…and the pride of life.

And it is not only our desires that tempt us…but also the philosophies of the world.

You see, the world says that we are fools for believing in a resurrected Savior.
We are fools to believe in a heaven and a hell.
We are fools to believe that Jesus is coming back some day to take those who have been obedient to Him, home with Him.

Everything tells us to give up our faith in Christ…so it is hard to be a Christian.

And that is why we need to study this letter written to the Christians in Thessalonica.

You see, Paul wrote this letter to a group of New Christians who were being persecuted.

Paul and Silas had gone to the city of Thessalonica and Paul had preached in the synagogue for 3 Sabbaths.
As a result, some of the Jews along with some Greeks and some of the leading woman were converted to Christ.

But some of the unconverted Jews of Thessalonica got upset and stirred up a mob…and this mob went looking for Paul and Silas.

And to protect them, the new Christians at Thessalonica, sent Paul and Silas out of the city and on to Berea.

And when they got to Berea they began preaching again…but some of the Jews in Thessalonica came to Berea and stirred up the people again…and Paul, once again, had to leave the city…and he went to Athens.

Now, let me ask you something.

If Jews came from Thessalonica and stirred up the crowds in Berea…what do you think the other Jews back in Thessalonica were doing?
They were persecuting the New Christians.

In fact, in verse 6 here in chapter 1, and verse 2 of chapter 2, and verse 4 of chapter 3 Paul mentions the persecution and suffering those New Christians were experiencing.

Well, in the midst of the persecution, Paul finds out that these New Christians are “hanging on” to their faith.

So, to encourage them continue to hold to their faith, in spite of the persecution, Paul sits down and writes this letter.

And even though written to them, to encourage them, it is also written to us to encourage us.

To encourage us to “remain faithful to Christ” even in the face of many temptations.

Now, this morning we are going to look at just the first four verses.

And in these four verses Paul says some very encouraging things, not only to these brethren that he is writing to…but to us also.
But he not only encourages us…he also teaches some things that many people do not know.
So, lets look at the first four verses, and lets not only be encouraged…but, if need be, lets also learn some very important truths…that once learned…will help us to stand confident and encouraged in our faith.

Look at verse 1. Paul writes: Paul and Silvanus and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

I want you to notice how Paul refers to these Christians. He says: “to the church of the Thessalonians.”

Many people do not understand this but when he said to THE CHURCH that meant something.

Do you see the word “church”?
In the Greek the root word is “ek klesia” and it literally means “to call out.”
So Paul is referring to these Christians as “the called out.”

Well, what are they called out of?

Well, look at this, they are the “called out of the Thessalonians”.
Thessalonica was a pretty big city with a lot of people.
But only these Christians were the “called out.”
So these Christians are “called out” from everyone else who lives in Thessalonica.

But there is much more to it than that. Look at what Peter says in 1 Peter 2: 9-10:

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

When Paul referred to these Christians at Thessalonica as “the church” he was reassuring them of who they are.

They are the “called out”…those called out of darkness into HIS marvelous light.”

And notice who “called them.” “Him…God.

And when they answered “the call” look whose they became….”the people of God.”

And notice what Paul says to these Christians in 2 Thessalonians 2:14. Notice how they were “called.”

And it was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Listen, when Paul refers to them as “the church of the Thessalonians” he is saying, “You are God’s people.”

Of all the people in Thessalonica who heard the gospel preached…you are the ones who responded to the “call”…and you are the ones who are God’s people.”

Now, that is encouraging because look what happens to those who are “God’s people.” Look at verse 10.

God’s people…the church…the called out…will be “delivered from the wrath to come.”
And look at chapter 4: 17…”the called out”…the church…”shall always be with the Lord.”
And in chapter 5: 9…the “called out” will obtain “salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

When Paul referred to these people as “the church” he was referring to them as the “called out”…and that was an encouraging thought to them.

And it should be encouraging to us as God’s people today.

These people were being tempted to forsake their faith and go back to the world…and Paul tells them…and he tells us…”You are the church…the called out…the people of God…the blood purchased of God…the saved…you hang in there.”

Look what else he says in verse 1. He says: …to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

They had two addresses.
They were the church in Thessalonica.
But they were also the church IN God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

And this is an idea that is found all through the NT. In fact, Paul speaks of believers being IN Christ 164 times in his letters.

They had a physical address as well as an eternal address.

And this is significant.
You see, those Jews could persecute them…and cause them to have to change their physical address.
They could even kill them…and rob them of their physical address.

But no matter what the Jews did to them…they could never rob them of their eternal address.

The only thing that could cost them their eternal address is if they abandon their faith…and moved out themselves.

Let me show you something. Paul says these brethren are “IN” God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Look at how you get IN Christ. Romans 6:3:

Gal 3:26-27 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

This is how you get INTO Christ.

You are not prayed INTO Christ…you are not worked INTO Christ.
You are not wished INTO Christ…you are BAPTIZED INTO Christ.
That is the only way you get INTO

And look at this: Rom 8:1-2

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Eph 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

Listen…if you, by faith, have been baptized INTO Christ…there is no condemnation…and every spiritual blessing is yours…

And they may persecute you…and cause you to suffer…and even rob you of your physical address.
But they can never take away your eternal address.

Now, look at verse 2-4. We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you;

Paul tells these brethren that they are “the chosen of God.”

Because of their faith IN Christ.
Because of their obedience to His word.
God “chose” them.

You know what it is to be “chosen” don’t you.

Remember in school when they chose up teams.
And remember how you felt when someone “chose” you.
It made you feel good…made you feel honored.
It said, “You are one of the best.”

But if you weren’t chosen…well, it was disappointing.

When Paul tells these brethren that they are the “chosen of God” he is telling them that in spite of the persecution…in spite of the suffering…if they will hang on…they will not be disappointed.

And it is the same for us.
If you are IN Christ…if you have obeyed His word…then you too are ‘the chosen of God”.
And the world may mock you…and all these physical pleasures may tempt you and make you wonder if following Christ is worth it.
But if you will ‘HANG ON” you will not be disappointed.

Paul wrote this to encourage us to HANG ON TO CHRIST AND REMAIN STEADFAST IN OUR FAITH AND SERVICE TO HIM.

I hope you will.

And not only that, I hope you will do what Paul is doing here…I hope you will encourage each other to remain faithful.

You know, Paul was a member of the church too…and Paul is telling these other Christians…you are a member of the Church…you are IN God and Christ…You are the chosen…Hang In there.
WE need to do the same…you are a member of the church…you are IN God and Christ…You are one of the chosen.
YOu can’t do that if you stay at home…if you stay away…if you stay by yourself.

These brethren were members of the Church…they were In God and Christ…and they were the Chosen of God.

As a result…they would be delivered from the wrath to come.

What about you? Are you IN Christ…a member of His church…are you one of His chosen ones? Will you be delivered from the wrath to come?

If not…why not?
Don’t make excuse…be delivered to day by confessing Christ as Lord, repenting of your sins, and by being baptized INTO Him thus becoming a member of His Church.