Over my working life, I’ve had a few different jobs. I’ve worked in a corner shop. I’ve worked in a shoe factory. Worked a couple of production line jobs. Worked with a victims’ support group. And I’ve been a minister for the past ten years. A few years’ ago, though, I could add another entry onto my CV, when, not once but twice, I did a little turn on the catwalk.
Yes, for two nights only, I was a catwalk fashion model. The local primary school (and later the Methodist church) were doing fundraisers and I got roped into modelling some clothes. Walk down the catwalk, stop, turn, and walk back and make sure you don’t trip! Several times each evening, while the compere described what I was wearing and where to buy it.
The idea of the fashion model is fairly easy to grasp. You wear some fancy clothes, so that others will say - yes, I like that shirt, or that dress or whatever. I want to have that, be like that. An example, a model.
So if we jump from fashion models to Christian models, who do you think of? Who are the Christians you look up to? Could you be a model for other Christians? Now, maybe when you hear the phrase ‘model Christians’ you are already shrinking in your seat, thinking that could never be you - not with the doubts you have or the sins you’re still dealing with or whatever. So what do you think a model Christian would look like? What would make someone a model Christian?
We’ll see in our reading this morning from 1 Thessalonians. You see, the Christians in Thessalonica were described in verse 7 in that very way. Do you see? ‘And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.’ So how did they come to be thought of so highly by Paul? What was it that made them model Christians? Could we also be model Christians throughout Armagh and beyond?
This morning we’re starting into Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, but we got the background story last week. Remember, Paul had been a missionary in Thessalonica for just about three weeks before he was chased out of town. He flees to Berea, then Athens, then Corinth. When he gets there, he writes this letter back to the church in Thessalonica. He didn’t get to tell them everything he wanted to (we’ll see that later in the letter, as he fills in some gaps); but even in that short time, they have become model Christians. They are recent converts, but they are an example to others.
It all starts in verse 6, where we’re told ‘You became imitators of us and of the Lord...’ You see, to be a Christian is to be a ‘little Christ’ - to be modelled on Christ, to become like him. This group of people are copying Christ (and the apostles), so they are a model to others. And we see this especially in how they received and believed the word of God. In a sense, that’s it. Nothing special or secretive - no ten top tips to becoming a model Christian. Model Christians have received and believed the word of God.
Down in verse 9, Paul mentions ‘what kind of reception you gave us.’ Everyone in the whole region knew about the Thessalonian’s reception of Paul and the others - it was a warm welcome. A joyful welcome. And that warmth was because of what the missionaries were bringing to them. You see, they received not just the missionaries, but they received the word of God. Look at verses 6-7. They imitated Paul and the others, and the Lord, because ‘in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.’
They received the word with the joy that comes by the Holy Spirit. Paul preached the gospel, the word of God, and they welcomed it. The church was mixed, there were Jews and Gentiles, but all received the word of God, in contrast to the jealous Jews that we saw last week.
But there’s one more thing about receiving the word of God. Something we’ve glossed over so far, but which is vital to grasp. You see, when we think of receiving the word of God, and hear how the Thessalonians are described as model believers, you might think to yourself - but it was easy for them! They’re in the Bible! It was easier and less complicated then than in our non-stop busy world.
But just think what they’ve been through. Paul covers it in two words in verse 6 - ‘severe suffering.’ Last week we saw the riot that started when the jealous Jews tried to get rid of Paul. And it’s the reason why the Thessalonians are model Christians - they received the word in spite of severe suffering. They were not fair weather believers. They were in at the deep end. One of the church leaders (Jason) had a criminal record, bailed by the city authorities. It’s not what we might expect to copy. Yet the Thessalonians received the word in spite of severe suffering with the joy of the Holy Spirit.
As Paul writes in verses 4-5, it’s a mark of their being loved and chosen by God - that they received the word in such circumstances and are still holding on - ‘our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with deep conviction.’
Model Christians receive the word of God. So what steps are you taking to receive the word of God? Coming along to church is great, but it’s just the start. The All Togethers and Growth Groups will be ways to engage with the Bible. Or you could start up a daily reading plan. Or even, read one Psalm per day, as a way of getting going. So how are you receiving the word of God?
Model Christians receive the word of God. but more than that, they also believe the word of God. You see, just hearing God’s word read and preached, or reading the Bible every day won’t do much for you if you still don’t believe the word of God! So we see in the letter how the Christians in Thessalonica received AND believed the word of God.
Believing God’s word was revolutionary for them. Literally. Look at verse 9: Everyone in Macedonia and Achaia is talking about ‘how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God...’ What a turn around! Believing God’s word means turning away FROM dead and false idols, small g gods, and turning instead TO the living and true God.
They believe that God is, that he exists (the theme of tonight’s Cafe Church - come along to find out more tonight). But they also believe his word, about his Son, the Lord Jesus: ‘...and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead - Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.’
For such a short visit from Paul, they have certainly grasped and believed the key doctrines of the faith. In a little while we’ll say the Creed, and here we have a good part of it covered. They know that Jesus is God’s Son. They know that Jesus’ death rescues us from the coming wrath - because he died for our sins. They know that God raised him from the dead. And they know that Jesus will return from heaven. Are you convinced about all this? Is this what you believe?
It’s what the Thessalonians believed, and because of it, they were thoroughly converted. There was evidence of a changed life. Look at verses 2-3. Paul gives thanks to God for them, every time he prays for them, because he remembers ‘your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope.’ Faith, hope and love - these are the three essential Christian characteristics - and we’ll see them as we work our way through this letter. Are they evident in our lives, as believers?
The Thessalonians, having received and believed the word of God, were the talk of the town. In verse 8, Paul says ‘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...’
Churches can sometimes end up in the news and the gossip for the wrong reasons, but here, people are talking about the church for all the right reasons. Their faith has become famous. Wouldn’t it be great if people were talking about St Matthew’s like this? how we are a group of Christians who have turned from our idols and are serving the Lord in single-minded devotion?
Model Christians receive and believe the word of God. We’ve already thought about receiving the word, but what can we do to believe the word of God? Maybe this morning, you need to believe it for the first time. To turn from your idols and turn to the Lord as your Saviour. Or perhaps you take his promises seriously, and depend totally on them, no matter what comes. It might be that you develop a holy boldness to live for Christ even under persecution from family or friends.
Let’s seek to make sure that we receive and believe the word of God so that it really does change us. Then we will be model Christians, an example to others, known for our faith.
This sermon was preached in St Matthew's Church, Richhill on Sunday morning 9th September 2018.
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