1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 [Prayer of Hope]

1. Paul’s Concerns about the Church of the Isolated Thessalonians

Paul, Silas and Timothy went to Philippi in Macedonia to begin their mission in Europe. But they encountered vigorous opposition. So much so, they set off again to Thessalonica, which was the capital of one of the four Roman districts of Macedonia. Thessalonica, with its spacious harbour, was of great commercial importance.
The scriptures tell us that it was there that they preached in a Jewish Synagogue, which was generally their custom: ¡ÈAs his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ” (Acts 17:2-3).
The book of Acts continues to develop this scene : ¡ÈSome of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women¡É (Acts 17:4).
Even though Thessalonica was an idol-worshiping city, there were people there who were looking to faithfully embrace a Real Unique God. They went to the Jewish Synagogue, and read the Jewish Bible. But converted gentiles and women were not respected at all among the Jewish men.
Paul appealed to those who were neglected in this way: ¡ÈFor all of you who were baptized in Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus¡É Galations 3:27-28).
All Jews, gentiles and women were profoundly impressed by Paul’s appeal. This call for unification gave birth to the christian community, which generated serious jealousy among Jews, because a lot of believers in traditional judaism began to attend Paul’s assemblies. So much so, that those who were not persuaded by Paul¡Çs message, accused him and his companions of causing trouble, and defying Caesar’s decrees.
But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus¡É (Acts 17:6-7).
Because of this riot, Paul, and his companions left the city. But after that, Paul was always concerned about the new believers in Thessalonica because of the infancy of the early church. He only spent a few weeks with them before leaving for Corinth. In his concern, he sent his delegate, Timothy, to visit the Thessalonians, and to return with a report. The news brought back by Timothy was very encouraging:
¡ÈBut Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith¡É 1 Thessalonians 3:6-7).
The Thessalonian believers remained solid in their faith after Paul¡Çs departure. Paul, being delighted and encouraged by this news, decided to write this letter to the Thessalonians.

2. The church stays faithful, with hope and love - even without a Pastor

This letter expresses the joy of Paul, knowing the firm faith of the Thessalonians, even under difficult circumstances:
We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you¡É(1 Thess.1:3-4).
In these short verses he put 3 important key words we need to think about:
*work produced by faith
*labor prompted by love
*endurance inspired by hope
To work is to act, and Paul often repeated that we would be saved, not by our acts, but by the grace of God. So, what does Paul mean when he says, firstly, “work produced by faith”? Here he talks about “acts” because when we are saved by God’s Grace, our life must change, and we are spiritually moved to work by preaching and teaching God’s love, even in difficult and hostile environments.
Secondly, ¡Èlabor prompted by love.¡É Put simply, love, results in acts, equals labor. Paul reinforces this meaning when he says: ¡È We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us¡É (1 Thess. 2:8).
And then the last key word is, “endurance inspired by hope”. This hope is the hope in Jesus Christ. Seemingly, there would be no hope for the Thessalonians under their present circumstances. They were oppressed by the Romans, and the Judaizers, because of their faith in Jesus Christ.
But by believing in the second coming of Christ, they could maintain the Hope that on the day of the Last Judgment, their hard and difficult days would be recompensed.
Paul gives thanks to the Thessalonians for their solid standing in the faith. Their love and hope will remain obvious to all, and they will be a magnificent witness throughout the land. ¡ÈThe 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¡É (1 Thess. 1:8).

3. “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

We chose 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 as today’s verses of invocation.
I recently attended a Pastors¡Ç study class where I learned about a similar case to that of the Thessalonian Church.
A Pastor was appointed to a minuscule church in the north of Japan where there was no previous Pastor or leader. This area of Japan is a very cold, snowy, and remote region. His previous appointment was at a big church in the center of Tokyo, with more than 300 people in attendance at the Sunday service. When he arrived at the new place, there was practically no church members.
He faithfully conducted Sunday worship with only his wife and children for many years, while praying, and sometimes even groaning. Now that small church has a faithful and devoted congregation. What supported them during those difficult times was their faith, love and hope. In any circumstances, real believers can pray, be joyful, and give thanks, all of which raises up the Church. This story is really an object lesson from which we can learn much, and its a message I want to leave with you, as we conclude our lesson here today.

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