Congregational Commendation | 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10

Scripture

• 1 Thessalonians 1:8–10

About this sermon

Introduction: Paul begins this letter by telling this congregation about this congregation. He tells them how he prays for them, what he remembers about them, what he is assured of about them. He does this to encourage them. He does this to challenge them. But, as we have noted in our earlier studies, he also does this to protect them. It becomes more and more apparent as you make your way through this letter that Paul is having to offer a defense of himself and his missionary team. As we have said, one of the ways that false teachers attack the message of truth is to slander the messengers of truth. This is something Paul is very familiar with. He had the same issue in Corinth. People influencing the Corinthian congregation so that they are shut off from Paul. And how does he combat that? He combats this by offering a defense to the Corinthians in which they were the key piece of evidence. He told them that THEY were the best evidence of the genuineness of his ministry. 2 Corinthians 3:1–3 (LSB) 1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some, letters of commendation to you or from you? 2 You are our letter, having been written in our hearts, known and read by all men, 3 being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, ministered to by us, having been written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of hearts of flesh. Paul says to the Corinthian church, “You are exhibit-A when it comes to the authenticity of our ministry.” And notice that he emphasizes that they gave evidence of being the work of the Spirit of God, and that OTHERS could recognize this as well. That is the very same point that Paul is beginning to make in our verses. He is going to expand on this in the very next chapter, but he begins drawing this out right here. HE NOW TELLS THE THESSALONIAN CHURCH ABOUT HOW THEY HAVE INFLUENCED OTHERS — BUT HE MENTIONS THAT THEIR INFLUENCE IS AN EXTENSION OF HIS OWN. He is still speaking of that which testifies to their election — he is giving reasons for assurance about the work of God among them — but he does so in a way that mentions his time with them. God’s work through them is a testimony to God’s work through him. In other words, the clear fruit on display in this church provides the most powerful answer to his critics. This represents a congregational commendation. NOTE: This has never changed. Faithful messengers are not perfect messengers — but they are not frauds. It is true to say that faithful ministry can be rejected, so that the ministry offered is faithful despite the people not receiving it. But it is also true to say that when faithful ministry is offered and responded to with faith, the result will be good fruit. HEALTHY CHURCHES REFLECT HEALTHY MINISTRY. THIS CHURCH PROVES TO BE A COMMENDATION FOR PAUL’S GENIUNENESS. How? There are three ways on display in our verses. • CONGREGATIONAL COMMENDATION BY EVANGELISM (vs.8) A transformed people are a testifying people. “Knowing, brothers, beloved by God, your election” (vs.4) Remember that Paul is giving them reasons for his confidence in them. HE TOOK THEM BACK TO WHAT HE KNEW THEY HAD RECEIVED. “FOR” - This is how the gospel arrived in Thessalonica (vs.5). HE TOOK THEM BACK TO HOW THEY RESPONDED TO WHAT THEY RECEIVED. This is how you responded to our ministry (vs.6) HE TOLD THEM WHAT GOD HAD DONE WITH THEM. This was the resulting influence in your world (vs.7). Now he EXPANDS ON THAT IDEA OF THEIR INFLUENCE. He explains in what way they served as a model (vs.8). And he specifies THREE WAYS.