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1 Thessalonians Chapter One

 
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
 
1) To understand how the virtues of faith, hope, and love should 
 express themselves
 
2) To notice the potential a new congregation has for spreading the 
 good news of the gospel of Christ, and being a positive example to 
 all believers
 
SUMMARY
 
Joined by Silvanus and Timothy who had been with him when the gospel
was first preached in Thessalonica, Paul offers his salutation along
with a petition for grace and peace. He follows with an expression of
thanksgiving for their work of faith, labor of love, and patience of
hope, knowing their election by God (1-4).
 
His assurance of their election is bolstered by the manner in which
they received the gospel. It had come to them not only in word, but in
power, in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance. Having imitated Paul
and the Lord by receiving the word in much affliction and joy, they in
turn had become examples to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.
From them the word had sounded forth in every place, and the news of
their own faith toward God had so spread that Paul did not need to tell
others about them. Indeed, others were telling Paul of the
Thessalonians' conversion from idols to serve the true God, and how
they were waiting for the resurrected Jesus to return from heaven who
would deliver them from the wrath to come (5-10).
 
OUTLINE
 
I. INTRODUCTION (1-4)
 
 A. SALUTATION (1)
 1. From Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy (1a)
 2. To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the
 Lord Jesus Christ (1b)
 3. Grace and peace from God and Jesus (1c)
 
 B. THANKSGIVING (2-4)
 1. Offered to God in their behalf, making mention of them in his
 prayers (2)
 2. Mindful always of their:
 a. Work of faith 
 b. Labor of love 
 c. Patience of hope in the Lord Jesus Christ
 ...in the sight of our God and Father (3)
 4. Knowing their election by God (4)
 
II. REFLECTIONS REGARDING THEIR CONDITION (1:5-10)
 
 A. THEIR RECEPTION OF THE GOSPEL (5-7)
  1. The gospel came to them not only in word, but...
 a. In power
 b. In the Holy Spirit
 c. In much assurance
 ...for they knew what kind of men Paul and his companions had
 been for their sakes while with them (5)
 2. They had become followers of Paul and of the Lord, having 
 received the word...
 a. In much affliction (6a)
 b. With joy of the Holy Spirit (6b)
 3. They had became examples to the believers in Macedonia and 
  Achaia (7)
 
 B. THEIR REPUTATION IN EVERY PLACE (8-10)
 1. From them the word of the Lord had sounded forth in Macedonia,
 Achaia, and beyond (8a)
 2. Their faith toward God had gone out, so Paul did not need to
 say anything (8b)
 3. Others were telling Paul...
 a. What manner of entry Paul had to them (9a)
 b. How they had turned from idols to serve the living and true
 God (9b)
 c. How they were waiting for the resurrected Jesus to return
 from heaven, who delivers from the wrath to come (10)
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
 
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
 - Introduction (1-4)
 - Reflections regarding their condition (5-10)
 
2) Who joined Paul in the salutation of this epistle? (1)
 - Silvanus and Timothy
 
3) How did Paul address the church? (1)
 - The church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord 
 Jesus Christ
 
4) What three things was Paul especially thankful for regarding the 
  Thessalonians? (3)
 - Their work of faith
 - Their labor of love
 - The patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ
 
5) What did Paul know concerning the Thessalonians? (4)
 - Their election by God
 
6) How had the gospel come to the Thessalonians? (5)
 - In Word, in power, in the Holy Spirit, in much assurance
 
7) How had they become followers of Paul and the Lord? (6)
 - By receiving the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy
 Spirit
 
8) For whom had they became examples? (7)
 - All the believers in Macedonia and Achaia
 
9) What two things had sounded forth, or gone out, from the
 Thessalonians? (8)
 - The word of the Lord
 - Their faith toward God
 
10) What two things describe the manner in which they received Paul?
 (9-10)
 - Their turning from idols to serve the living and true God
 - Their waiting for Jesus from heaven
 
Introduction To The Epistle (1:1)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. A wonderful hope of the Christian is the promise of the Lord's
 return...
 a. A promise given when Jesus ascended into heaven - Ac 1:9-11
 b. A promise designed to motivate Christians to live holy and godly
 lives - 2 Pe 3:10-14
 
2. How then should we live as we anticipate the Lord's return? This
 question is addressed in Paul's first epistle to the Thessalonians
 a. In which every chapter has some mention of the Lord's return
 b. In which we find practical instructions for holy and godly living
 
[That we might be ready for the Lord's return, we begin this series of
sermons based on First Thessalonians. In this lesson, we shall consider
some background information on this epistle...]
 
I. THE AUTHOR OF THE EPISTLE (1:1a)
 
 A. PAUL...
 1. Known formerly as Saul of Tarsus, persecutor of the church
 - Ac 9:1-2
 2. Who became known as the "apostle to the Gentiles" - Ac 9:15
 3. Author of half of the books of the New Testament
 
 B. JOINED BY SILVANUS AND TIMOTHY...
 1. Silvanus, also known as Silas
 a. Originally an emissary from the apostles and elders in
 Jerusalem - Ac 15:22,27
 b. Identified as a prophet, who exhorted the brethren in
 Antioch - Ac 15:32
 c. Who remained in Antioch, later to become Paul's traveling
 companion - Ac 15:34,40-41
 d. Who suffered mistreatment and imprisonment with Paul in
 Philippi - Ac 16:19-25
 e. Who together with Paul established the church in
 Thessalonica - Ac 17:1-4
 2. Timothy, also known as Timotheus
 a. A young disciple who traveled with Paul - Ac 16:1-3
 b. Who is mentioned with Paul in many of his letters - e.g.,
 2 Co 1:1; Ph 1:1
 c. Recipient of two letters from Paul - 1 Ti 1:1; 2 Ti 1:1
 d. Who suffered imprisonment himself - He 13:23
 e. Who had just returned from a trip to Thessalonica - 1 Th 
 3:1-2,6
 
[These three men had a vested interest in the welfare of the church in
Thessalonica. Speaking of that church, let's now focus on...]
 
II. THE RECIPIENTS OF THE EPISTLE (1:1b)
 
 A. THE CITY OF THESSALONICA...
 1. It was the capital and largest city of the Roman province of
 Macedonia
 2. Located on the Egnatian Way, a major road from Rome to the
 eastern provinces
 3. The city served as a center of trade and commerce
 -- Today, it is known as Thessaloniki (formerly Salonica)
 
 B. THE CHURCH OF THE THESSALONIANS...
 1. Its establishment is recorded in Ac 17:1-9
 a. On his second journey, Paul and his companions had just
 left Philippi
 b. Traveling through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they arrived at
 Thessalonica
 c. Paul immediately located the synagogue and used their
 Sabbath gathering as an opportunity for evangelism
 d. For three weeks he reasoned with the Jews, converting some
 and a number of prominent Gentiles
 e. Unbelieving Jews soon caused a disturbance, forcing Paul to
 leave
 2. Despite such ominous beginnings, a strong church was 
 established
 a. It quickly gained a good reputation - 1 Th 1:8
 b. It was mostly Gentiles - 1 Th 1:9
 c. Members included Jason (Ac 17:9), Aristarchus and Secundus 
 (Ac 20:4)
 
[The reputation of this church is even more remarkable when we consider
how young it was. The young age of the church becomes apparent when
we consider...]
 
III. THE PLACE AND DATE OF WRITING
 
 A. THE PLACE...
 1. The letter itself indicates it was not written long after 
 Paul's departure
 a. Paul had only been gone a short time - 1 Th 2:17-18
 b. He had sent Timothy from Athens, who had returned - 1 Th 
 3:1-6
 2. From Luke's record in Acts, it is evident Paul wrote this 
 epistle soon after arriving in Corinth on his second 
 missionary journey
 a. For Paul did not stay long in Athens - Ac 17:16-18:1
 b. And Timothy came back from Macedonia after Paul arrived in
 Corinth - Ac 18:5
 -- So the place of writing is most likely Corinth
 
 B. THE DATE...
 1. Writing soon after his arrival in Corinth, this would place 
 the date sometime around 50-52 A.D.
 2. This would make First Thessalonians one of Paul's earliest 
 known writings, if not the first
 
[Now let's examine...]
 
IV. THE PURPOSE AND CONTENT OF THE EPISTLE
 
 A. THE PURPOSE...
 1. Paul had been anxious about the condition of the church
 a. Occasioned by his abrupt departure - Ac 17:10
 b. He wanted to return, but was hindered - 1 Th 2:17-18
 c. His anxiety prompted him to send Timothy to encouraged them
 - 1 Th 3:1-3
 2. Timothy had brought back good news! - 1 Th 3:6-8
 a. Of their faith and love, and of their desire to see Paul
 again
 b. Their steadfastness comforted Paul greatly
 3. From the content of the letter (see below), it becomes 
 apparent that Paul had a three-fold purpose in mind as he 
 wrote this letter:
 a. To praise them for their steadfastness under persecution
 b. To instruct them concerning holy living
 c. To correct any misunderstanding, especially regarding the 
 second coming of Christ
 
 B. THE CONTENT...
 1. The epistle is unique in that every chapter ends with a 
 reference to the second coming of Christ - 1 Th 1:10; 2:19; 
 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:23
 2. Here is a brief outline of the epistle:
 a. Personal reflections (1-3)
 1) Regarding their condition - 1:1-10
 2) Regarding his conduct - 2:1-12
 3) Regarding his concern - 2:13-3:13
 b. Apostolic instructions (4-5)
 1) Walk in holiness - 4:1-8
 2) Walk in love - 4:9-10
 3) Walk in diligence - 4:11-12
 4) Walk in hope - 4:13-18
 5) Walk in light - 5:1-11
 6) Walk in obedience - 5:12-28
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. With such an emphasis on steadfastness and holy living, an
 appropriate theme for this epistle would be:
 
 "Holiness In View Of The Coming Of Christ"
 
2. In keeping with such a theme, I offer the following passage as the
 key verses of the epistle:
 
 "And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one
 another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish
 your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the 
 coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints." 
  - 1 Th 3: 12-13
 
As we proceed through this epistle, it will be my prayer and aim that
our study will lead to greater faithfulness and holiness in our service
to God as we wait for the coming of Jesus!
 
Are you ready for His coming? Even if you should die before He
returns, are you ready to face Him in the Judgment? Let the apostles
of Christ tell you what you need to do be ready for that day - cf. Ac
2:36-38; 17:30-31
 
Only then can it truly be said: "Grace to you and peace from God our
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Th 1:1c)
 
Their Faith, Love, And Hope (1:2-3)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. As noted in our previous study, the beginning of the church in
 Thessalonica is recorded by Luke in Ac 17:1-10...
 a. On his second missionary journey, Paul and his companions had 
 just left Philippi
 b. Traveling through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they arrived at 
 Thessalonica
 c. Paul immediately located the synagogue and used their Sabbath 
 gathering as an opportunity for evangelism
 d. For three weeks he reasoned with the Jews, converting some and a 
 number of prominent Gentiles
 e. But unbelieving Jews soon caused a disturbance, forcing Paul to 
 leave
 
2. We also noted that the epistle commonly called 1st Thessalonians...
  a. Was written not long after Paul had left Thessalonica
 b. Probably from Corinth, sometime during 50-52 A.D.
 
3. What was the church in Thessalonica like?
 a. Without Paul, did the young church survive?
 b. Had persecution discouraged the new converts?
 -- These were some of the concerns that prompted Paul to send 
 Timothy - cf. 1 Th 3:1-6
 
[Timothy brought back news that was certainly encouraging, and in
Paul's opening remarks in this epistle we learn about "Their Faith,
Love, And Hope."  First we notice that Paul is thankful to God for...]
 
I. THEIR WORK OF FAITH
 
 A. THEY HAD A WORKING FAITH...
 1. In other words, a faith that was alive! - cf. Ja 2:20,26
 2. Their faith was likely centered in the person of Jesus Christ 
  - cf. Co 1:4
 3. It was likely prompted by love - cf. Ga 5:6; Jn 14:15
 -- In his second letter to them, Paul would remark about how 
 their faith continued to grow exceedingly - 2 Th 1:3
 
 B. WHAT ABOUT OUR FAITH...?
 1. Is our faith a living faith?
 a. A faith manifesting itself in obedience to the word of God?
 b. Or are we like some who believe, but do not obey Jesus?
 1) Such as some of the Jewish rulers who believed in Jesus
 - Jn 12:42,43
 2) Such as the demons who believe, but only tremble - Ja 
 2:19
 2. Is our faith strongly centered in Jesus Christ?
 a. A faith produced by the word of God? - cf. Ro 10:17
 b. A faith that leads to life in Jesus Christ? - cf. Jn 20:
 30-31
 -- If our faith is like that of the Thessalonians, then it too 
 will "grow exceedingly", evidenced by our faithful service to 
 the Lord!
 
[Paul was also thankful to hear of...]
 
II. THEIR LABOR OF LOVE
 
 A. THEY HAD A WORKING LOVE...
 1. A love that was not in word only, but in deed and truth! - cf.
 1 Jn 3:18
 2. Their love was likely directed toward their brethren in Christ
 - cf. Co 1:4
 3. Paul would later commend their brotherly love - 1 Th 4:9-10
 -- In his second letter, Paul would remark about how their love 
 continued to "abound" - 2 Th 1:3
 
 B. WHAT ABOUT OUR LOVE...?
 1. Is our love in word or tongue only, or in deed and truth?
 a. Do we "walk the walk"?
 b. Or do we just "talk the talk"?
 2. Is our love directed toward our brethren in Christ?
 a. Which is a mark of true discipleship - Jn 13:34-35
 b. Which is an indication of spiritual life - 1 Jn 3:14,18-19
 -- If our love is like that of the Thessalonians, then it too 
 will "abound", evidenced by serving one another in love - cf.
 Ga 5:13
 
[Finally, we note Paul's gratitude for...]
 
III. THEIR PATIENCE OF HOPE
 
  A. THEY HAD A HOPE THAT GAVE THEM PATIENCE...
 1. A strong hope is that which gives one patience - cf. Ro 8:25
 2. Their hope was likely focused on what was laid up for them in 
 heaven - cf. Co 1:5
 3. Peter referred to this hope as an inheritance "incorruptible 
 and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven 
 for you" - 1 Pe 1:3-4
 -- Paul would later encourage them to wear this "hope" as a 
 helmet - 1 Th 5:8
 
 B. WHAT ABOUT OUR HOPE...?
 1. Do we have a strong hope?
 a. A hope that comes from reading the Scriptures? - Ro 15:4
 b. A hope that spurs us to be diligent, living holy and godly 
 lives? - cf. 2 Pe 3:10-14
 c. A hope that prompts people to wonder why we have it? - cf. 
 1 Pe 3:15
 2. Is our hope focused our "inheritance" laid up for us in 
 heaven?
 a. That city whose builder and maker is God? - He 11:10,16; 
 13:14
 b. The new heavens and new earth, in which righteousness 
 dwells? - 2 Pe 3:13
 c. Which is beautifully described by John? - Re 21:1-7
 -- If our hope is like that of the Thessalonians, then we too 
 shall let it be a "helmet" protecting our minds from the 
 distractions of this world which is passing away! 
 - cf. 1 Jn 2:17
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. This "triad" of faith, love, and hope is a common refrain of Paul...
 a. He wrote of them in his epistle to the Colossians - Co 1:4-5
 b. Also in his first epistle to the Corinthians - 1 Co 13:13
 -- But he likely first wrote of them in this epistle to the 
 Thessalonians
 
2. While they do not constitute all the graces to be found in 
 Christians (cf. Ga 5:22-23; 2 Pe 1:5-8)...
  a. They certainly are among the most important - 1 Co 13:13; Co 3:14
 b. Where found, the others will likely follow
 
May the remarkable faith, love and hope of the church of the
Thessalonians, who were but recent converts, inspire us to grow in our
own faith in Christ, our love for the brethren, and our hope for the
inheritance reserved in heaven!
 
Their Election By God (1:4-5)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. As Paul contemplated the condition of the church at Thessalonica, he
 had much for which to be thankful - 1 Th 1:2-3
 a. They had a faith that worked
 b. They had a love which labored
 c. They had a hope that gave them patience
 
2. He also took consolation in knowing that they were "chosen"...
 a. He refers to their "election by God" - 1 Th 1:4
 b. As evidence, he reminds them of how God had worked through such 
 men as Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy - 1 Th 1:5
 
3. In some way, these Thessalonians had become part of God's chosen 
 people...
 a. A special people as described in 1 Pe 2:9-10
 b. Just as the nation of Israel had been chosen by God - Deu 10:15
 
4. Several questions naturally come to mind regarding the Thessalonians
 and their election by God...
 a. When did God make His choice?
 b. Were the Thessalonians chosen individually, or as part of some
 coporate or general choice?
 c. Was their election by God final, i.e., was it impossible for them
 to lose their privilege of being God's chosen people?
 -- And how might the answers to these questions relate to our own 
 election by God?
 
[Let's first focus our attention on the idea of...]
 
I. THEIR ELECTION BY GOD
 
 A. THE "WORD" TRANSLATED ELECTION...
 1. Comes from ekloge {ek-log-ay'}, meaning "the act of picking
 out, choosing"
 2. Related to the idea of being chosen, which comes from the 
 Greek eklegomai {ek-leg'-om-ahee}, and means "to pick out, 
 choose, to pick or choose out for one's self"
 
 B. THE "TIME" OF GOD'S ELECTION...
 1. God made His choice "before the foundation of the world" - Ep
 1:4
 2. Just as with Christ Himself, who was foreordained "before the
 foundation of the world" - 1 Pe 1:20
 
 C. THE "OBJECTS" OF GOD'S ELECTION...
 1. When God made His "choice" before the world began...
 a. Did He chose certain individuals to become His elect?
 b. Or was His choice more general in nature?
 2. Two popular answers to this question:
 a. The Calvinist believes that this choice was...
 1) Individual (only certain select individuals have been
 chosen)
 2) Dependent solely upon God's gracious and mysterious 
 will, without any foreknowledge of good or evil on the 
 part of those selected
 3) Unconditional and final (there is no possibility of
 apostasy)
 b. The Arminian believes that this choice was...
 1) Individual (certain select individuals have been chosen)
 2) Based upon foreknowledge of those souls who would 
 respond to the gospel and persevere in the faith
 3) Unconditional and final, in the sense that God already
 knows those who will persevere to the end
 3. Paul says simply that God "chose us in Him" (i.e., Christ)
 - cf. Ep 1:4
 a. I understand this election by God to have been general, not
 particular; corporate, not individual
 b. To refer to the body of Christ, the church as a whole, 
 which God chose for His divine and gracious purposes He 
 planned to carry out in Christ
 c. Just as Israel (as a nation) had been chosen by God to 
 receive His blessings
 
 D. THE "PROCESS" OF GOD'S ELECTION...
 1. How did the Thessalonians become part of God's chosen people?
 2. Paul explains in his second epistle - 2 Th 2:13-14
 a. "through sanctification of the Spirit"
 1) Here we see God's part, the sanctifying work of the
 Spirit
  2) This the Spirit did through the truth, or Word of God,
 which He revealed through the apostles - cf. Jn 16:13;
 17:17; Ep 6:17
 b. "and belief of the truth"
 1) Here we see man's part, as the Thessalonians heeded the
 Word of God
 2) Therefore when they heeded the preaching of the gospel, 
 they were saved, and as such became God's elect!
 c. This God accomplished by calling them through the gospel 
  proclaimed by the apostles - 2 Th 2:14
 
[Today, when a person heeds the gospel of Christ, they are "sanctified"
(set apart) by the Holy Spirit as a result of believing the truth.
According to God's choice made before the world began, all who obey
Christ become part of that great body of the saved in Christ, God's
elect! But is their participation in the blessings of the elect
final...?]
 
II. MAKING OUR CALLING AND ELECTION SURE
 
 A. GOD'S ELECTION IS UNCONDITIONAL...
 1. God's election or choice was general
 2. He chose to save people "in Christ"
 3. That choice is unconditional and final
 a. There is no way anyone can be saved without Christ
 b. As Jesus Himself said, "no one can come to the Father 
 except through Me" - Jn 14:6
 c. As Peter would later say, "there is no other name under 
 heaven given among men by which we must be saved." - Ac 
 4:12
 
 B. OUR ELECTION IS CONDITIONAL...
 1. Whether we as individuals remain in the body or church, (God's
 elect) is conditional
 2. We must be "diligent to make your calling and election sure" 
 - 2 Pe 1:10
 a. Just as Israel (as a nation) had been chosen by God to 
 receive His blessings
 b. But individually, the Israelites also had to "make their 
 calling and election sure" 
 c. Remember the many Israelites who became God's elect at
 Mount Sinai, but died later in the wilderness!
 3. Thus we find many warnings in the Scriptures to remain
 faithful
 a. Or fall just like many did in the wilderness - He 3:12-19
 b. Or come short of our heavenly rest, like they failed to 
 enter the Promised Land - He 4:1-3,9-11
 4. Jesus Himself warned His disciples
 a. Be fruitful, or be cut off! - Jn 15:1-6
 b. Be faithful, to receive the crown of life! - Re 2:10
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. It was the faithful and fruitful lives of the Thessalonians that 
 gave Paul confidence concerning their election...
 a. Their active faith, love and hope - 1 Th 1:2-3
 b. Their reception of Paul and the Word - 1 Th 1:6-7
 
2. But whether they remained part of God's elect was not final...
 a. If it was, why even bother to worry about them? - 1 Th 3:1,5-6
 b. As long as they remained faithful, Paul was comforted - 1 Th 3:7
 
3. Dear friends and brethren, what about us...?
 a. Are we included among God's elect?
 1) God's choice regarding salvation is still sure and final
 2) Only in Christ Jesus is there salvation!
 3) Through the gospel, God is still calling people
 -- Obey the gospel, and you will be set apart by the Spirit to
 become one of God's chosen!
 b. Are we being diligent to make our calling and election sure?
 1) Are we faithful and fruitful in our service to Christ?
 2) Will we persevere to the end, or fall short of our heavenly 
 rest?
 
That we may experience the eternal blessings God has prepared for His
Elect, let us heed the admonition of Scripture:
 
 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart
 of unbelief in departing from the living God;
 
 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest
 any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
 
 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning
 of our confidence steadfast to the end.
 (He 3:12-14)
 
A Church Worthy Of Imitation (1:6-10)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. A good role model is very important...
 a. It demonstrates what can be done
 b. It provides direction for what should be done
 c. It inspires one to do what ought to be done
 
2. Christians are blessed to have many role models...
 a. As individuals, we have many good role models in the Scriptures
 b. As churches, we also have role models that ought to inspire any
 congregation
 
3. Among the many churches described in the New Testament, the church
 of the Thessalonians proved to be a congregation worthy of
 emulation...
 a. Paul commended their example in 1 Th 1:7
 b. Even though they were a rather young church
 
[In 1 Th 1:6-10, Paul mentions several things for which the
Thessalonians were exemplary. To encourage us both individually and as
a congregation of the Lord, we shall review why they were "A Church
Worthy Of Imitation". Note first that they were commended for...]
 
I. THEIR IMITATION OF PAUL AND THE LORD (6a)
 
 A. NOTE THAT THEY WERE IMITATORS THEMSELVES...
 1. Following after the example of Paul and the Lord
 2. Following after the example of other churches - 1 Th 2:14
 3. Something Paul commanded the church in Corinth to do - 1 Co 
 4:16
 4. He likewise commanded the Philippians to imitate or follow the
 example of others - Ph 3:17
 5. Even as he himself sought to imitate Christ - 1 Co 11:1
 -- Note well: those who would be good examples to others must
 first be imitators!
 
 B. HOW ABOUT US TODAY...?
 1. Are we seeking to imitate others who are good examples?
 2. As disciples of Jesus, we should certainly seek to imitate 
 Him! - cf. Jn 13:13-15
 3. As children of God, we should also imitate Him - Ep 5:1
 4. It is likely that we also have other role models worthy of
 emulation, both individuals and churches
 -- Focus on being good imitators, and we shall also be "A Church
 Worthy Of Imitation"!
 
[Next we notice that Paul commends them for...]
 
II. THEIR RECEPTION OF THE WORD (6b)
 
 A. NOTE HOW THEY RECEIVED THE WORD...
 1. First, it was "in much affliction"
 a. They received the word despite persecution - cf. Ac 17:
 1-10; 1 Th 3:1-4
 b. In this they were like the churches in Judea - 1 Th 2:14
 2. Second, it was "with joy of the Holy Spirit"
 a. Joy is a fruit of following after the Spirit - Ga 5:22
 b. In response to prayer, God imparts joy to the believer 
 through the Holy Spirit - Ro 15:13
  c. Especially when the Word is received in times of 
 persecution - Ac 13:49-52
 3. Later, Paul describes further how they received the Word 
 - 1 Th 2:13
 a. Not as the word of men
 b. But as the Word of God
 -- An important part of becoming an example worthy of imitation 
 is receiving the Word of God in the right way
 
 B. HOW ABOUT US TODAY...?
 1. How is our reception of the Word of God?
 a. Do we receive the Word only when it is convenient?
 b. Do we take advantage of opportunities to study God's Word?
 c. Is our attendance of worship and Bible study classes 
 haphazard?
 d. If we do not experience the joy the Holy Spirit imparts, 
 could it be related to neglecting the Word of God?
 2. Are we "A Church Worthy Of Imitation" when it comes to the