The name of the church was: “The Church of the Thessalonians”. Apostle Paul says that the church is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ. Three names are mentioned in this first verse: Paul, Silvanus and Timothy. Grace and Peace are the apostolic greetings to the believers in Thessalonica. Grace means unmerited favour of God. Peace means calmness or tranquillity. When the ships and Mariners come into the Harbour, they experience tranquillity. God gives grace and peace in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jesus said: “ Peace be unto you”. (John20:26). And He said unto me,” My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness”( 2.Cor.12:9a).

God’s peace passes all understanding. Love God’s word and you will experience His peace. Be still and know that He is God. God’s grace is God’s energy or God’s strength. You can overcome your weakness. God’s favour will promote you in a day.

2. Thanksgiving and Prayer:

“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you all, in our prayers. Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; knowing brethren beloved, your election of God.”( 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4).

There are three good things to remember about our believers:

1. Work of faith ( faithful work) ... you turned to God from idols (v3 with v9)
2. Labour of love (loving labour)...to serve the living and true God(v3 with v9)
3. Patience of hope(hopeful patience) ... to wait for His Son from Heaven (v3 with v10).

Paul mentions all the believers in his prayers. He remembers the above mentioned three things in their prayers. Faith produces work. Love produces labour. Hope produces Patience . These evidences prove that they are chosen by God.

“ Knowing beloved brothren, your election of God. (4). “ Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you”. ( John 15:16).

God has chosen you, Jesus said: “ I HAVE CHOSEN YOU”. The purpose is You should go and bring forth fruit and your fruit should remain”. This reveals that we must win souls for the LORD.

Paul says to Corinthians: “ you see your calling” They were not wise, they were not mighty, they were not noble. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise... that no flesh glory in His presence.

3. Our Gospel and its Effects

Let us study this verse 5 of Chapter one:
“ For our Gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake”.

The Gospel should be preached in 4 ways:

1. In word,Mk.16:15
2. In power, 1.Cor.4:20
3. In the Holy Ghost, Acts 1:8
4. In much assurance, Col.2;2

The Apostles demonstrated the Gospel in word, in power, in the Holy Ghost, and in full assurance. In doing this demonstration of the Gospel, they suffered for doing it.

They received the word whole heartedly. They believed the word of the LORD and they received it. The word was working mightily in them. They became Believers and followers (disciples) of the Lord. We should receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save our souls. They became followers of Paul and His co-workers, and of the Lord. Though they were afflicted for the Gospel, yet they received the word with the Joy of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Spirit imparts in you the joy of salvation.

4. Models and Patterns

The Thessalonians believers were ensamples to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Bible says in 1 Timothy 4:12:

“ Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity”.

These believers became models or patterns for all churches in Macedonia and Greece(v7-8)- models, in faith and power that worked effectually through all of them which believed. They were also imitators of the apostle and the Lord, as well as of the churches in Judea who also exercised the power of God.

“ For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not speak any thing). (Verse 8).

From Thessalonica went ministers preaching and confirming the word of God in Macedonia, Greece and many other places. This indicates a healthy New Testament Church, fulfilling the great Commission. The Merchants from Thessalonica went to all the parts and preached the Gospel with power. Therefore, we need not speak any thing. They fulfilled the Great Commission:

“ And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature”( Mark 16:15).

5. To serve the Living and True God

“ For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God. And to wait for His Son from Heaven whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come”( 1 Thessalonians 1:9,10).

Seven Major Christian doctrines are mentioned here. These are called sound doctrine, which are very essential for our Christian life.

1. Conversion- “turned” (v9; Mt.18:3)
2. The Living and True God(v9;Jn. 17:3)
3. Against Idolatry (v9; 1. Cor.8).
4. Jesus the Son of God (v10;Jn.3:16)
5. Second Advent of Jesus Christ (V.10)
6. Resurrection of Jesus Christ (v.10)
7. Salvation from the wrath to come (v10).

Verse 9 and 10 cover these seven fold important Christian doctrines. First, it describes about conversion. It is also termed repentance. You should turn from your sins. You should turn from idols to God. Jesus and the Apostles preached about repentance:

“ And saying, The Time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the Gospel. Mark 16:15.”And said, verily, I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven”(Matt.18:3).

Repentance happens in the mind and make you to believe the Gospel. Then you enter into kingdom life: righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. When you change your mind and life style, you are changed like an innocent child. Your whole life is changed. You should repent and turn from Television (America’s idol is Television: People are wasting time in watching too much time Television). You should turn to the Living God who gives all things to enjoy.

Our God is the Father. He is the True and Living God. To know Him and to have fellowship with Him is to have eternal life. He is full of life and He gives you abundant life, when you turn to Him and believe Him as your God and Father.

“ And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto The Living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein”(Acts 14:15).

You will experience a tremendous change in your life, when you turn from these vanities of idolatry, unto the Living God. Sin is rebellion against Him, idol worship is sin. Robotics is sin. Dead person speaking in the church is sin and idolatry. You should turn from these idols. Turn to the Living God. Let us serve Him with passion and genuine love.

Jesus the Son of God is coming again for us believers, who are waiting for His coming again. He will deliver us from the wrath to come (7 years Tribulation period). This is the first N.T. Prophecy in 1 Thessalonians (1:10, unfulfilled). Jesus is coming again. Let us expect His coming!

“ He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, Come, Lord Jesus” ( Revelation 22:20).

Review Questions for Chapter One

1. How did Paul address the Church? Where is this church spiritually and Geographically located?(v.1)
2. Explain the words: Grace, Peace (v.1).
3. What three things Paul remembers about Thessalonians believers in his prayers?(v.2)
4. “Ye are chosen by God”- Explain (v.4).
5. The Gospel should be preached in four ways. What are they?(v.5)
6. How are the Thessalonians believers become models or patterns for all the churches?(v.6-7).
7. What two things had sounded forth, or gone out, from the Thessalonians?(v.8)
8. What are the Seven Christian Doctrines revealed in 1.Thessalonians 1:9,10?
9. What two things describe the manner of Thessalonians believers?(v.9,10)
10. Explain the Prayer: “Come, Lord Jesus”.

Send your Answers for these Questions to :

Pastor. C. Peter Chandran, The Living God Ministries,#46/61, First Floor,Ravi Electronics, East Jones Road, Saidapet, Chennai- 600 015. Tamilnadu.India.
www.thelivinggodministries.org Email: peterchandran@hotmail.com