Title: Proud Church
Contents
*** Proud Church / 1 Thessalonians 1:2-8
** Introductory words
1 Thessalonians 1:2-8, “2 We always give thanks to God for all of you, and mention you in our prayers 3 for our work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. I remember without ceasing before God the Father. 4 I know that you are chosen, brethren loved by God. 5 For our gospel did not come to you only with words, but with power and the Holy Spirit and with great conviction, as you know what kind of people we became among you for you. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word with the joy of the Holy Spirit in much affliction, 7 so that you became examples to all who believed in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 We have nothing to say because the word of the Lord is not only heard from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but also the news of your faith in God is spreading everywhere.”
People refer to this era as the ‘information age’. You need to know a variety of information quickly to be ahead of the current era. So, various high-tech electronic devices are being developed day by day, and they are competing for purchase. Now the Internet is also used while walking and working through cell phones and other mobile devices. Under the influence of science that is advancing day by day, all data and rumors sweep the entire globe in just a few seconds.
There is a place called ‘Anheung’ near Wonju, Gangwon-do. Anheung is very famous for steamed bread. People usually wait in line for two or three hours to try Anheung steamed bun. The store is not big. It is a small shop. It's not a big advertisement either. Even so, it is always crowded and full of people. The reason is that people who have eaten the bread come to hear the word of mouth passed on by word of mouth.
Rumors matter. In this information age, it is very important to make a good image and good rumors for the country, society, church, and even myself. If the good news spreads a lot, it goes well and thrives. But when a lot of bad news spreads, it quickly fades away. So is the church. It should be a church with good rumors. Only then will people have a heart to believe in Jesus and the church will grow. So, how can we become a proud church with good news?
The recipient of the letter containing the text is the Church of Thessalonica. When the apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church, he praised the Thessalonian saints. Judging from the text of the text, the Thessalonian church must be a proud church that sets a model for all churches. Let's take a look at the lovely church focusing on the text.
1. It must be a church that is remembered as a good thing.
Let's look at verses 2-3. “We always thank God for all of you, and speaking of you in our prayers, we do not cling to remember before our God and Father your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” The Thessalonian Church was a church where the faith, love, and hope that appeared in their lives were remembered by Paul's missionary group. In the Bible, some people are remembered for good things while others are remembered for negative things.
David is a prime example of being remembered as a good thing. David was a good memory not only for people but also for God. Let's look at Acts 13:22. “… He made David king and testified, saying, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, and he will do all my will.’” David was a man after God's heart. From then on, David became the standard by which all the kings of Israel were judged. 2 Kings 14:3 says, “Amasha did what was right in the sight of the Lord, but not like his father David… 2 Kings 22:2 says, “Josiah did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the ways of his father David, and did not turn aside to the right or left.” Even today, the nation of Israel uses the Star of David as its national flag to remember David.
On the other hand, a typical example of what is remembered negatively is King Saul. Saul received God's approval and was appointed as the first king of Israel. However, for his disobedience, he was not only rejected by God, but also remembered by the prophet Samuel as an object of tears and sorrow. 1 Samuel 15:35. “He did not go back to see Saul until the day Samuel died, because he mourned for Saul, and the Lord regretted that he had made him king over Israel.” Another person, Pilate, is the governor. He is remembered as the representative of the crucifixion of Jesus to all Christians until now for one wrong judgment.
What kind of rumors do you have with your relatives, neighbors, work, school, or people around you, and how are you remembered? And how do you think our church is rumored and remembered in this community? And how do you think you are remembered by God?
To be remembered as a good thing is a life in which faith is manifested in life, a life of devotion in the Lord with love, and a life of perseverance in hope for the kingdom of God. This must be realized with clear conviction in the Holy Spirit. This is effective faith. Many believers donate money, spend time and effort to serve, and seem to follow the Lord, but are not remembered by the Lord. As in Matthew 7:21-23, we say “Lord, Lord, Lord,” and do many things in your name, but when the Lord declares, “I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.” Where is this unhappy faith? would you?
The Lord said, “You remember a bowl of cold water, and you do not lose your reward.” Therefore, even one small service should be remembered by the Lord. Do your best in small service and service. Making food for the saints, serving them, cleaning the church, and serving others in society and serving others with sincerity and sincerity so that God remembers them is an effective faith that God rewards.
2. It must be a model church.
The main text is verses 6-8. “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, receiving the word in much affliction with the joy of the Holy Spirit; therefore, you became examples to all those who believed in Macedonia and Achaia. We have nothing to say because the word of the Lord is not only heard from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but also the news of your faith in God is spreading everywhere.” Thessalonica is a small coastal city in eastern Macedonia. The word of faith spread from this small town's church to all of Macedonia and to Achaia located in the south of Macedonia. Macedonia is a region that includes present-day Greece, southern Albania, and southern Yugoslavia. Achaia also belongs to present-day Greece. In other words, a church in a small city was a church that was known as a trusted faith throughout Macedonia. The Thessalonian Church became a model for many retarded believers in Macedonia and Achaia, and became a lamp of their joy and hope. Isn't this a proud church!
Today, we Christians need to gain trust from the retarded churches and even from the unbelieving society. We must set the example of believers in society by doing good deeds and living a holy life. The church cannot be a lamp that bears witness to Christ if the members are not trusted. That's why Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
In order for us to be an example, we must first follow the example of those of earlier faith. In the text, it is said that the Thessalonian church was modeled after Jesus and the apostles. The eternal example of a Christian is Jesus. In John 13:15, after washing his disciples' feet, Jesus says, "I have set an example for you to do as I have done for you." Also, in Philippians 3:17, the Apostle Paul said, “Brothers, imitate me together. And show those who do the same, as we have set an example.”
The Thessalonian church set the example by receiving the gospel amidst difficulties and following the teachings of the Lord and the apostles. The Thessalonians were a region of extreme idolatry. However, the Thessalonians heard the gospel and boldly abandoned their idols. Not only that, he prepared for persecution and followed the Lord. Going backwards against the environment of society is no easy feat.
In the early days of the gospel in Korea, would it have been easy to stop the family rituals and accept Jesus against the Confucian tradition? In our society, in the traditional Confucian and Buddhist culture, stopping family rituals and changing to Christian faith can only lead to persecution and difficulties. It was a matter of choosing between family and faith, and it was also a matter of accepting the severance of family ties. However, because of this, the church was able to achieve the revival and growth as it is today at the cost of the blood of martyrdom that the ancestors of faith shed.
The Thessalonian church was a church that overcame such adversity and triumphed with the gospel. The Thessalonian church was an outwardly growing church and an inwardly mature church. This rumor of the Thessalonian church spread throughout the country and became a model for all churches. We must set an example in the life of each individual member so that our church today can spread such good news in the local community.
Korean sentiment hates Japan. But religiously, we have to think about the Japanese churches. The church in Korea is said to have 12 million members in about 50,000 churches. This is more than 20% of the total population. On the other hand, Japan is a country of idols that can be said to have as many idols as there are people. Christians make up only 1% of the total population. Each church has an average of 30 members. However, the influence of these 1% of believers is enormous. It is said that the church is in charge of almost all of the social welfare implemented by the government, and it is said that despite many persecutions, it is an example of life with thorough faith.
For example, it is said that only about 10% of the crimes that drain society's water, such as fraud, innocence, and breach of trust, account for only 10% of Korea's. Our society, which has 20 times the Christian population, is 10 times more turbid.
This is something that churches in our country should be alert and think about. We need to be a role model for trustworthy and beautiful living in our neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, and family communities where we live. And our church should be a good example as a believer in this community and a good word. When we set an example in our lives, as in verse 8 of the text, the word of God spreads through society and becomes a proud church before God.
The preaching of the gospel is what the Lord has commanded us to do, and it is our mission. The best way to fulfill this mission is to practice a life that is remembered as a good thing in society and is an example of a believer. When such good news spreads, the word of God spreads through society, and people will come to the Lord. I pray that we can make our lives like this and become a proud saint before God and a proud church.