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. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. (1 Thessalonians 1:5-7)
The Thessalonians received the Word. They heard the word preached, and it came not just in Word, but also with power and great assurance.
When a person is saved and surrendered to the Lord and His will, he will have a peace that “passeth all understanding”!
And when it comes to the difficulties we are facing in life, we must never forget that, as Christians, we never have to face them alone! We have the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling in us and the love of God the Father over us!
Yes, it might be hard; yes, we might fail along the way! However, following God’s Word is worth it! Why? Because it gives a peace that the world does not know!
Therefore, we need to be an example to others; we need to be the light! However, many have not been taught, or they simply do not know, how to be an example to others! The Thessalonians showed us three ways in which they were an example:
In Their Discernment of Spiritual Leaders
In many of Paul’s epistles, we notice a stark contrast between the Thessalonians and other churches. This church followed their Spiritual Leaders. They held fast to the doctrine that was given them, and they applied it to their lives!
In the other churches, this did not happen! There were those who would come in claiming to be some type of “super apostle.” They would tell the people that they were not spiritual enough or that they did not know the ways of God.
Each would go on in a manner as if to say, “if you will listen to me, if you will follow me, then it will be me who establishes your way with God!”
…as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord…
Praise the Lord, the church was not fooled! Furthermore, they did not have those who would come in to teach or preach a prosperity Gospel! They held fast to the teaching of those who loved them and cared about them. Those who were a godly example, filled with the power of the Holy Ghost!
In our present day, we hear and see many “preachers” through radio, podcasts, and television broadcasts who are very charismatic, but pay close attention because more times than not, they are not preaching the Word of God.
Moreover, we will quickly notice their motivation is self-seeking and self-pleasing with little to no love, care, or concern for the individual’s spiritual growth and well-being. Simply stated, they are trying to gain something for themselves, from us! We must beware of such “false prophets.” We must follow the godly leaders that God has placed in our lives and compare what they teach with Scripture.
In Their Suffering for Christ
…having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
The Thessalonians were literally persecuted and thrown into prison for the Gospel’s sake!
Despite having gone through much affliction, they had joy! Yes, we might receive “happiness” through some of the material things the world has to offer, but that “happiness” is fleeting.
These people, in the presence of affliction, had joy. The affliction was most likely physical, mental, social, or even economic adversity; but the joy they had was something that the lost world simply does not know!
In Their Testimony before Other Believers
So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
Standing for the truth can be hard and many times, people give in and fall by the wayside (compromise), all because it is easier.
Standing for the truth is always worth it. How do we know? Well, there are several ways that we know, but the fact that we have these words recorded in the Gospel for all generations, we know that standing fast upon the truth of the Gospel, these people “…were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.”
…but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12b)
To read more of what Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote in his epistle to the Thessalonians, please click here.