Sermons
July 23rd, 2023 by Pastor Solley072323AM Be An Example
Sub. A Godly example
Theme: Example of Thessalonica
Text: 1 Thess 1:7-8
“Be An Example” 1 Thess 1:7-8
Introduction
I want to speak to you this morning about being an example, a role model for others to see and emulate. People, young and old, saved as well as lost, need examples to see and follow, they look for role models. Older ones here will remember the “Be like Mike” ads that held up Michael Jordan and he became a hero to millons. Michael Jordan has made to date 1.9 billion dollars off of Nike for those air Jordan sneakers and brought in 256 million in 2022 alone. Labron James announced he is changing uniform numbers next year to produce millions more in sales and will do so because so many hold him up as a role model. Actors make millions of dollars each year because people look up to them as worthy examples. Those type of people may be talented but are not good examples to follow as many of them live lives ruined by sin and are headed to hell because they have no regard for God and even mock God.
I. But the Bible does tell us of the importance of good and Godly examples and role models: 1 Thess 1:7-8 This church, this body of believers is being held up as an example. – 1 Thess 1:7 – The Bible devotes one entire chapter to heros of the faith, role models, examples for us to follow. Hebrews 11 is devoted to good and Godly examples, role models for us to follow.
A. In fact entire books of the Bible are devoted to good and Godly examples to follow: More than one.
1. The book of Job: All about Job and the example that Job set for the child of God to follow.
2. The book of Ruth: All about Ruth and Boaz and the example that they left for the child of God to follow.
3. The book of Esther: All about Esther and Mordecai and the example they left for the child of God to follow.
4. Clearly God wants us to know the importance of being an example for others to follow: Good, Godly examples and role models.
B. The Bible also warns of bad examples and warns us not to follow them: Speaking of Israel being barred from entering into the Promised Land the Bible says in Heb 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Speaking of Israel again in 1 Cor 10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
1. People look for examples, role models to follow: Several years ago we were in Coastline Baptist Church in NC and they had what they called spiritual hero Sunday in which people brought in folks that had a spiritual influence upon them, had been a role model. The only drawback to the service is that man received most of the praise and not Christ.
2. But the Bible does tell us the importance of being a good and Godly example, a role model for others to follow:
II. We find the church at Thessalonica being praised for being that type of example: 1 Thess 1:7-8 Something to note here.
A. They are being held up because of the example they set for other believers to follow: 1 Thess 1:7-8 We certainly are to be good examples to those who are lost and apart from Jesus Christ. Our lights for Christ are to shine in such a way that it draws the lost to Christ like a moth to light. We are to be good examples to the lost.
1. But these believers are held up as an example to the redeemed in Christ: 1 Thess 1:7-8 We also need examples to follow.
2. And we also can choose the wrong ones: Just like the lost we can also choose the wrong examples to follow.
3. So we are given an example to follow in this body of believers that make up that local church at Thessalonica: The type of example we are to set for other born again believers to follow.
B. We are going to look this morning at the example those ones set:
PROP: Every Christian should be familiar with the examples set by the believers at Thessalonica. TS: So that can as well be an example for other believers to follow.
Body
I. The example they set in changed lives: 1 Thess 1:9-10 The city of Thessalonica at that time was not much different than what we are seeing in society today. Notice they turned from idols. – 1 Thess 1:9 – Thessalonica was a city given to idols, pagan worship. It was a populated city and a wealthy city. It housed a large military contingent. It was a city ruled by sin.
A. We know there is to be a change in lives when people get saved: Old things are to pass away and all things are to become new.
1. Those outside of Christ need to see a visible change in the born again believer: We know that to be true of all of us.
2. But remember their example is to the redeemed in Christ: Their example is not to the lost but to the saved individual.
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B. Doesn’t it seem to be that some who get saved want to remain as close to the world as possible? There is a change, a slight one. They claim Jesus Christ but want to remain as close to the world as possible, one foot in heaven and one foot in the world if you would. That is certainly the case with the emerging church as it is called. Today’s church as it is called. The modern church.
1. I recently watched on You Tube a Christian band as they call themselves, a contemporary Christian band for research: Playing before a huge gathering of mostly young people they put on the same show that the rock band KISS did in the 70’s. Same show.
a. The lyrics were different, claiming them to be God honoring but they were blasphemy. Jesus is not my “Homie or dude”.
b. Nothing God honoring at all.
c. I watched another and they were playing a Fleetwood Mack song .Different lyrics but the same tune. There was nothing God honoring about Fleetwood Mack.
2. I watched the preacher follow them: Dressed in cargo pants or khaki and in a polo shirt. No Bible, no preaching, just heart warming stories pointing out that God loves all and all can get to heaven in a very simple and easy way.
3. If a Bible is used it is a perversion and not the KJB: And what I have found is that was the first step that led to leading those churches back into the world, a departure from the Bible.
4. The emerging church, the modern church, the church for today wants to stay as close to the world as possible:
C. But not the church at Thessalonica: They wanted to honor Jesus Christ, wanted to be different, wanted to please Christ. Thessalonica, a city given to idols, became a stronghold for Christianity. They had both feet in heaven.
1. They would stay true to the Bible, the true gospel that brought them to salvation: 1 Thess 1:5 The Bible version issue did not begin with the ASV, or NIV, or the ESV, it was going on at that time. Satan has from the beginning tried to corrupt the Word of God and men claiming to be spiritual have changed the Bible. Not those believers, they would stay true to the Bible. – 1 Thess 2:13
2. They would look different in their dress: The more worldly one is the more they follow the fashions of the world. Not them.
3. They would be different in the places they would go: No longer going to the same places as the idol worshipers. – 1 Thess 1:9
4. They stood out as an example for other Christians: Stay true, stay separated, keep both feet in heaven.
D. This is the example we need to follow today: There is constant pressure on this preacher to change, more than you might think.
1. But we are going to keep the same Bible:
2. We are going to keep the same standard of dress for serving in the church:
3. We are going to keep the same music:
4. We have an example to follow: 1 Thess 1:9
E. The example they set in changed lives: 1 Thess 1:9-10
II. The example they set in fellowship and love for brothers and sisters in Christ: 1 Thess 4:9-12 Paul says he has no reason to write to them of this matter. – 1 Thess 4:9
A. There are other local churches that had to be corrected because the believers did not get along, because there was a lack of love: That was not a new problem and is not a new problem.
1. The church at Corinth: 1 Cor 1:10-11 ; 1 Cor 3:1-4 ; 1 Cor 6:1-6 They did not love and get along.
2. Those to whom James wrote: James 4:1-3 They did not love and get along.
3. There were others as well: That did not love and get along.
B. But not the church at Thessalonica: 1 Thess 4:9 Notice who it was that taught them to love. – 1 Thess 4:9 – Taught of God. And how is it that God wants us to love one another? God is not looking for a superficial love between His children. Many use the word love and never really mean it. God is not looking for a superficial love between His children.
1. God wants us to show our love: 1 John 3:17-18 Don’t just tell someone you love them, show that you love them. – 1 John 3:18
2. God doesn’t want us to pick and choose who we will love: Rom 12:9 Part of the meaning of the Greek word for dissimulation is undissembled. In other words God doesn’t want us to divide our love.
a. I am not to look at others I have much in common with and choose to love them.
b. I am not to look at those who have things I want and choose to love them so they will give things to me.
c. I am not to withhold love from those who do not share my interest or agree with me on everything.
d. God doesn’t want me to pick and choose whom I will love.
3. God doesn’t want me to use the word love as a hypocrite does: Rom 12:9 That is another meaning of the word dissimulation.
a. God wants me to be true in love. – 1 Peter 1:22 – Unfeigned love is a sincere love.
b. God doesn’t want me to say I love, God wants me to mean it when is say it.
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3. God wants me to show love in putting disagreements aside: 1 Cor 6:7 I don’t have to be right all of the time and when it is not a spiritual matter why not take the wrong?
a. I have went and apologized to many and would willing take the wrong.
b. When I let things go and others will not I have still done my part.
4. God wants me to show love by putting the interest of others before my own: Phil 2:3-5 I am so thankful today that Jesus put my interest above His own.
a. Life is not about me.
b. We live in a me first world and that is not the way God wants me to love.
5. God wants me to love as Christ loves me: 1 John 3:14-16 The only way that one can love like this is to allow God to teach them to love. To be filled with the Holy Spirit and to allow Him to lead us in love. Let God teach you to love.
a. You then will find a true love for your brothers and sisters in Christ. – 1 John 3:14
b. You will find things that hinder that love, at least on your part, taken out of the way. – 1 John 3:15
c. You will know what true love is. – 1 John 3:16
C. The example they set in fellowship and love for brothers and sisters in Christ: 1 Thess 4:9-12
III. The example they set in enduring afflictions and trials: 1 Thess 3:3-8 This seems to be a reoccurring theme in messages the past few weeks and the Holy Spirit continues to lead in this area. Perhaps because this preacher has never seen so many people in so many different trials all at the same time. This is not in this church alone but in many different churches where I know the pastors.
A. We do know that as born again believers in Christ we will face trials and tribulations in this world: That is one of the promises left by Jesus Himself during His earthily ministry. – John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Jesus has never broken a promise and never will. This is one I would rather He had not made but there it is. “In the world ye shall have tribulation”.
1. The servant is not above his master: If Christ suffered as He did then why not His servants as well? 1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
2. But we are to endure: 1 Cor 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. We will be rewarded if we finish well, if we finish strong for our Lord.
B. That group of believers were going to finish well: 1 Thess 3:3-4 Notice verse four, the afflictions, the tribulation had come to pass and they were no longer waiting for it, it was there. – 1 Thess 3:4 – We are not given the details of what they were going through.
1. But Paul was so concerned, so worried about them he sent others to them when he could not go himself: 1 Thess 3:5 Paul could no longer forbear. He couldn’t wait any longer, he had to know how they were doing.
2. The word afflictions in verse three means they were in great anguish: 1 Thess 3:3
3. The news Paul receives was good news: 1 Thess 3:6-7 It would have broken Paul’s heart to have heard differently. – 1 Thess 3:7
4. But they would endure for Christ’s sake: 1 Thess 3:8
5. They would endure because they knew they were walking in the will of God: 1 Thess 5:16-18
C. We need remain true and steadfast as well: None of us knows what tomorrow will hold but some things I do know to be true.
1. We will face many hard trials in this life: We are not exempt as they were not exempt.
2. But we are to finish well: Why turn our backs, why walk away from the one who suffered for us?
3. Even in our times of trials and afflictions there is no better place to be than in the will of God:
D. The example they set in enduring afflictions and trials: 1 Thess 3:3-8
IV. The example they set in keeping their eyes on the prize: 1 Thess 4:13-18 Perhaps this why all those other things were true. Why they lived changed lives, why they loved, why they endured afflictions and trials as they did. They had their eyes on the prize.
A. When this was written all prophecy had been fulfilled up until the rapture of the church: The promise was given that this same Jesus would return. Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
1. That is the very next prophetic event to take place: Nothing else needs to happen.
2. Society will self destruct: Things will worsen to the point of the days of Noah.
3. But they were living in a very sinful city at that time:
4. They were looking for the sure and sudden return of the Lord Jesus Christ:
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B. We should be doing the very same thing today: We should be looking at the eastern sky keeping our eyes on the prize.
1. Very few things we look at in this world can bring us any real joy: There are some.
a. My family brings me real joy. My wife, my son, my daughter, my grandchildren, my son in-law bring me joy.
b. But that is about it.
2. But spiritual things bring me joy: To look at spiritual things brings me joy.
a. My church family, my brothers and sisters in Christ bring me joy.
b. My calling brings me joy.
c. Spiritual things bring me joy.
3. But above all Jesus and my mansion in heaven brings me joy: More than anything else when I keep my eyes on the prize He brings me joy and it is joy unspeakable. – 1 Peter 1:8
C. What are you looking at today? If you are lacking joy you need to keep your eyes on the prize.
D. The example they set in keeping their eyes on the prize: 1 Thess 4:13-18
V. This is the example people, young people, older people need to see in you and me: They need to see one who will give a good and Godly example to follow.
A. Do others see a changed life in you, a separated life in you, a Christian life in you?
B. Do people see one who loves in the right way in you?
C. Do people see one who endures afflictions and trials in you?
D. Do people see one who has His eyes on the prize in you?
Conclusion
I. The example they set in changed lives: 1 Thess 1:9-10 The city of Thessalonica at that time was not much different that what we are seeing in society today. Notice they turned from idols. – 1 Thess 1:9 – Thessalonica was a city given to idols, pagan worship. It was a populated city and a wealthy city. It housed a large military contingent. It was a city ruled by sin
II. The example they set in fellowship and love for brothers and sisters in Christ: 1 Thess 4:9-12 Paul says he has no reason to write to them of this matter. – 1 Thess 4:9
III. The example they set in enduring afflictions and trials: 1 Thess 3:3-8 This seems to be a reoccurring theme in messages the past few weeks and the Holy Spirit continues to lead in this area. Perhaps because this preacher has never seen so many people in so many different trials all at the same time. This is not in this church alone but in many different churches where I know the pastors.
IV. The example they set in keeping their eyes on the prize: 1 Thess 4:13-18 Perhaps this why all those other things were true. Why they lived changed lives, why they loved, why they endured afflictions and trials as they did. They had their eyes on the prize.
V. This is the example people, young people, older people need to see in you and me: They need to see one who will give a good and Godly example to follow.