"More Than Words" - 1 Thessalonians 1:4-8

Image result for blowing on a trumpet
"4For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 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."

 Today Paul begins his letter to the Thessalonians.  This is one of the earliest letters Paul wrote, as most believe it was written about 52 A.D., a mere 20 years after Jesus' death and resurrection.  One of the issues that Paul will address in this letter is that the Thessalonians had thought Jesus was going to return soon, so they began to withdraw from society.  

 Paul commends them for their response to the gospel.  As Paul preached the gospel, the Holy Spirit convicted them and they responded in great power.  It was more than words.  Later he says that when they received the gospel, they were going through severe suffering.  As they imitated Paul and the others, they became a model for the other churches in Corinth and Philippi.  They were so "on fire" for the Lord, their message rang out and their faith became known everywhere.  One commentator remarked, 
Sounded forth”means “a loud ringing sound, as of a trumpet blast.” The good work the Lord did among the Thessalonians became known all over the region, and everyone talked about the changes. In a cosmopolitan trading city like Thessalonica, the good news could sound forth in every place to all the earth. (Guzik)
This is such a great synopsis of how the power of the gospel works in the lives of those who believe.  Notice it is the power of the gospel and the Holy Spirit that changed the Thessalonians' lives. There was no cajoling them or entertaining them to come to Jesus.  This transformation began as they responded to the work of the Holy Spirit.  Then as they followed Paul and Silas' example, they matured in their faith. We call this discipleship.   

 Even as they suffered their faith became purified like gold.  The changes in their lives were so palpable that everybody took notice and now people started modeling their lives after them.  Their faith in Jesus and the change in their lives affected people even far away from them.  

 So a question you might ask yourself is ... who are you imitating? Would your life be imitatable?  When you face suffering, do you find joy through the Holy Spirit who lives in you?  Let's be like the Thessalonians so that our faith and lives would ring out like a trumpet blast so that more people might see the power of the gospel.  Let's make the gospel more than words.  




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