1:1-4
When Paul wrote this letter he included the names of his coworkers. This is always an important point with me because it underlines the importance of working with others. Especially in the church and in the gospel it is necessary for Christians to work together. Jesus said the world will know we are his disciples by our love for one another. We see in these verses an example of Christian love in action as Paul included his brothers in this greeting to the Thessalonians.
This church in Thessalonica is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. God is three in one. There are people who attack the truth that God is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. But this is the true God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Any other god men create is a false god. God was, and is, and will always be Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. If we reject this then we will reject that Jesus is God and man. If we reject he is God then we deny the incarnation and his sinless nature is in question. If Jesus had any sin he could not be the perfect Lamb sacrificed for us. Also, if he was not completely a man he could not stand in our place on the cross. He must be fully God and fully man for us to be saved and receive forgiveness of our sins.
Since Jesus is God and the Bible makes it clear that God the Father is God then how can we deny God is more than one person? He is three persons in one God. He is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Rejection of this is rejection of the gospel, and rejection of the gospel means a man cannot be saved or have his sins forgiven.
Everything depends on who God is. God's provision of salvation is himself. If we deny who God is then we deny the only way we can be saved and forgiven. We must know God in truth. We must know God as he is.
We cannot understand the trinity but we can believe what God revealed about himself. We can take God at his word and trust in him that he revealed the truth about himself. This truth is in his Son Jesus Christ. Everything we know about God is revealed through the Lord Jesus Christ - who is God's word to us.
Paul gave thanks for the Thessalonians. He thanked God for their faith, their love, and their patience. Paul gave thanks for them in his prayers. This is an example of praying for the church which we should follow. We should remember to pray for God's people. We should remember to pray for the church, and give thanks for the love, faith, and patience of God's people.
We can know we are the elect of God. How can we know this? Because we have believed the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and he rose again on the third day, according to the scriptures. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.
1:5-7
Paul preached the gospel to the Thessalonians and when they heard it they knew it was not a man-made message. It did not come to them as philosophy or religion but it came with the power of the Holy Ghost and with much assurance. Paul not only convinced them of the gospel by his words but his life backed it up. The way he lived showed the truth of the gospel to them. These new Christians followed Paul's way of life and his example. When they heard and received the gospel it brought with it hardship and trouble. Jesus promised this. He said in this world we would have tribulation but be of good cheer because he overcame the world.
The church in Thessalonica was an example of faith under fire. They endured with faith and love. Other Christians were inspired by them. Paul used this church as an example to other churches.
Many times the word of God will bring affliction into our lives, but it will also bring much joy in the Holy Spirit. There is a spiritual joy in following the Lord Jesus that the world knows nothing about. It is the joy of having a clean conscience and knowing you are in God's will. It is the joy of knowing your sins are forgiven and you are on your way to heaven. It is the joy that comes from knowing the Lord Jesus took our place at Calvary. He died for our sins, he was buried, and he rose again on the third day. In the same way that the Lord Jesus rose from the dead we also will be resurrected one day. We will be changed into our immortal bodies and will live with the Lord forever.
1:8-10
The church of the Thessalonians was an example to other churches in Macedonia and Achaia. In what ways was their faith expressed and proclaimed? They turned to the true God from idols. They embraced the teaching that Jesus would return from heaven and deliver us from the wrath coming on the earth. They believed Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and would return again. This repentance and faith set them apart from other churches.
Each local church has something that will set it apart. Each church has a different testimony of God's grace. This church had the grace to believe the gospel that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and that he would also return again to receive them unto himself so that where he is they may also be.
What sets apart the true church from the false church? In today's world we are surrounded by men preaching a false gospel and creating false churches based on a false gospel. How can we know the true church when we see it? The true church believes the gospel that Jesus Christ rose from the dead and they are waiting expectantly for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to this earth.