People Know

1 Thessalonians 1:7-10 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia — your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell 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 — Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.  
         
HAVE you ever been told, “The Lord’s message rang out from you.” Paul is excited for the Thessalonica church. He tells the good news that they have become a model for other churches. Their faith in God has become known everywhere. What is it like for your faith to “ring out”? How do people from “everywhere” know if a church has faith in God? Paul gives some answers.
    Frist, they tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God. This is worship in action. The church turned to worship God only. They rejected the worship of dead images and evil omens. They put aside legalistic rituals and useless sacrifices. The Thessalonians no longer bowed down to images of stone, wood and metal. Their worship became only God-focused. People in other regions knew Thessalonica turned to God because they worshiped God and worshiped him only.
    Second, their faith rings out to other nations because they serve God. Their daily lives changed when they began to “love one another”, tending and living God’s truth as they obeyed his commands. Jesus’ church lived into Jesus’ words from John 15:10-12 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. People know you worship God when you obey his commands based on your love for Jesus and for one another.
    Third, their faith in God is known because they wait for his Son from heaven. They have declared their hope and assurance is knowing Jesus will return one day to establish his Kingdom on earth. They know this because their faith tells them Jesus is raised from the dead. They can stand firm against persecution because they know it is Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. Paul, Silas and Timothy have preached the gospel. They have declared the truth of sin, repentance, forgiveness, salvation and sanctification. The Holy Spirit has opened hearts and minds in Thessalonica to receive and live into Jesus’ truth. As a result, their reputation for God has spread to neighboring countries and cultures.
    Thessalonica demonstrated God’s character to the nations. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”  (John 15:8-9) A church is known to worship God when it remains in Jesus’ love.