Common Words - Uncommon Significance: 1 Thessalonians Lesson 2

Common Words – Uncommon Significance

1 Thess. 1:1

 We begin in earnest our look at the letter of Paul to the Thessalonians. Today we are going to be looking at the first part of chapter 1. As we typically find in the first part of any letter Paul wrote, there is a greeting. We might call this the salutation. Because Paul used similar greetings in all the letters he wrote to the churches, these words are familiar to us. Let’s read verse 1. “Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.”

 If you are like me, I often read these salutations and move quickly past them to the good stuff. Today I want to avoid that mistake. What do we know of the word of God? Every word is important. It’s all good stuff. While these may be common words, their significance is anything but common. We may be able to get by with quickly surveying the salutation to a letter we get from a friend, or a business, or a political candidate, but we don’t want to miss the treasure of truth from any letter in the word of God. I get letters addressed to me personally from former President Donald Trump. I do little more than open them and toss them in the trash. I won’t do that with a letter from Paul to the Thessalonians. This is the word of God. Every word is inspired and worthy of our undivided attention.

 This is not unlike most of Paul’s salutations. It does have one fairly unique aspect. In most of Paul’s letters he identifies himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ. In the letters he wrote from prison he often calls himself a prisoner of the Lord. Here, he is simply Paul. Because Paul is writing to a church that was such a sound, solid church, he didn’t need to say anything else. In most cases Paul felt the need to defend his apostleship and clarify his calling and the accompanying authority that went with his office as an apostle. But not to the Thessalonians. 

 Because of the special relationship between Paul and these believers, all he needed to say was “Paul.” Let me read to you what I believe is the best indicator of the fact that this church never questioned the apostleship of Paul. 1 Thess. 2:13 says, “For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.” This solid church of committed believers recognized the gifts of an apostle working in Paul and they knew he was speaking on behalf of God. He was speaking God’s word to them.

 There was such a strong connection with this church that “Paul” was enough. Paul and these believers had a mutual love and respect for one another. Look at 2:8, 2:19-20.

 I am more than a little fascinated with Paul. Paul was likely about 34 years old when he was converted. He was killed when he was probably 67. There are some interesting parallels to my life. I was 34 when we started Grace Bible Church and I am now 67. This was humbling for me. In the 33 years I have been here you can see God has done here. In the 33 years of his life, his work was nothing short of world changing. His 33 years of ministry literally turned the world upside-down. His ministry had a far reaching impact that continues to today and will continue through eternity.

 His contribution to the word of God is unmatched. He wrote 13 of the 27 New Testament books. His writing career began about 15 years after his conversion on the road to Damascus. His last letter was written in probably 67 A.D, very near the time of his death. This was a writing career that took only 18 years to complete, but the impact of which is both immense and eternal. His literary impact could arguably be the greatest impact of any author on humanity in the history of mankind. This is because no other man or woman more adequately, eloquently, or accurately defined and defended the gospel message. In Philippians 1:7 he describes his duty as to defend and confirm the gospel. He boldly proclaimed that anyone who preached a gospel other than the gospel he preached was to be accursed. (Gal. 1:8-9) We would not understand the gospel without the writings of Paul.

 We would not have the church without the work of Paul and his missionary efforts. His three missionary journeys took about 10 years to complete. God used him to bring the gospel and start churches into the areas that are now in Europe. His calling was to be a missionary to the Gentiles, a mission he fulfilled so effectively. The argument could be made that the gospel has come to us as a direct result of the efforts of the Apostle Paul.  His impact on the world with the gospel is unparalleled in church history. Aside from the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul is my biggest hero in the Bible. Paul – common name, common word, uncommon significance. 

 The next character we find here is Silvanus. We would more readily recognize him as Silas. He was the traveling companion of Paul when Paul made the first trip to Thessalonica. He was with Paul in Philippi when they were arrested and beaten and thrown into the deepest part of the prison. He was along side Paul when they decided, about midnight, to start praising God and singing hymns. He was a beneficiary of the miraculous deliverance. He witnessed the conversion of the Philippian jailer and his entire household. I believe they also witnessed the conversion of a prison full of hardened criminals that night. There is no other explanation for no one running away when the prison doors opened. 

 That event alone in Silas’s life would probably tell us everything we need to know about this man. But Scripture reveals more. Acts 15:22 tells us that he was a leading man among the brethren. He was among the recognized leadership in the early church. He was highly respected. He was commissioned, along with Barnabas, Paul, and Judas to deliver the decision of the first church council to the churches. You can read about this council’s decision in Acts 15. The importance of the council’s decision was that it confirmed that salvation was by grace alone through faith alone, not by works of the law.

 Silas, or Silvanus, was a Hellenistic Jew, meaning he had grown up with a Greek background and influenced greatly by Greek thought and life. This would make him a perfect addition to Paul as the gospel moved westward into the heart of regions steeped in Greek influence. He would play a vital role in bridging the gap between Jews and Gentiles. Acts 15:32 tells us that Silas was a prophet. In that passage he encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message. Before the canon of Scripture was complete, the role of the prophet was crucial in the early church. As a prophet Silas was proclaiming the word of God under the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Today, prophets are not proclaiming new revelation from God, they are simply explaining the revelation God has given in the Scriptures.

 Silas is mentioned in 1 Peter 5:12. Peter calls him a faithful brother. Silas may have been Peter’s amanuensis, or secretary, writing the letter on Peter’s behalf. Peter tells us that he was writing to exhort and testify of the true grace of God. This is something Silas would have been able to assist with authoritatively and effectively.

 A man like Silvanus, or Silas, deserves recognition and respect for his contribution to the spread of the gospel and the establishing of the church. He was a wise leader who helped with mediation on divisive issues. He was unaffected by adversity and unafraid to boldly proclaim the gospel to unbelievers and biblical truth to Christians. He was a humble man. We know from Acts 16 that he was a Roman citizen. He and Paul were both Roman citizens. At the moment of their arrest they could have immediately made that fact known and they would have been spared the beating, and the imprisonment. The fact that neither of them did shows us that they were willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel. They could have leveraged their Roman citizenship for personal gain. Rather than do that, they rejoiced in the opportunity to suffer hardship so that the gospel might have an opportunity to impact others. It is easy to see why Silvanus, or Silas, was a key factor in Paul’s success.

 We also find the name Timothy here. Timothy is a very familiar character in the New Testament. In 1 Cor. 4:17 Paul calls Timothy his faithful and beloved child in the Lord. He was from the city of Lystra. This was a city visited by Paul during his first missionary journey. It may have been during this visit that Timothy heard the gospel and become a Christian. By the time of Paul’s visit on his second missionary journey, Timothy had grown in the Lord and had a great reputation among the brethren. This is why Paul wanted to take him along on the journey.

 Timothy had been greatly influenced by his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois. Both of these women Paul acknowledges as having genuine faith in 2 Timothy. These godly women had taught Timothy the Scriptures. Paul was impressed with his knowledge of and understanding of the Scriptures. Turn to Acts 16:1-5 and we learn there how it came to be that Timothy became Paul’s traveling companion. He went on to become the most well known of Paul’s protégés. The letters of Paul that bear his name were written to this young man who needed instruction and encouragement in the work of ministry.

 From the historical account in Acts, we know that all three of these men were at Thessalonica when the church was founded. When we get into chapter 2 we are going to see just how intimate and strong this relationship was. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy poured their lives into the Thessalonians and the Holy Spirit of God did His work and the result was an incredible group of Christ-followers. Paul uses mostly first person plural pronouns throughout this letter which leads us to understand that while he is the primary author, he is writing on behalf of all three. All three men played vital roles in the work of God in the lives of the Thessalonians.

 Let me ask you a question. Who is the Paul, or Silvanus, or Timothy in your life? You are not here simply because you stumbled across the gospel and believed. Who was it that shared the gospel with you? Who was it that God used to help turn your life from sin to salvation? Who was it that went to great lengths to reach out and invest in your life? Who has been there for you when you have faced struggles and affliction and been in great need? I want to encourage you to take some time to pray for them. Thank God for them. If appropriate and possible, send them a note, a text, or an email and thank them for being available to God to accomplish His work in your life.

 Let me tell you why it would be good for you to do that. There aren’t any like Paul in this world today. Most of us don’t get to be involved in a ministry with world-wide impact. The overwhelming majority of people in ministry labor for years and years and see few results. It may well be that to hear from you might provided tremendous encouragement to the one, or ones, God used in your life. Who is your Paul? Silvanus? Or Timothy? I hope to make these common words have some uncommon impact today.

 Paul writes “to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” “Church” is another common word. The meaning and implications are anything but common. The church is the “ekklesia.” The noun “ekkletos” means “called out.” The verb “ekkaleo” means “to call out.” The church is the congregation of the called out people. When the New Testament speaks of those called, it refers to the effectual call to respond to the offer of salvation. The word “ekklesia” refers to the redeemed of God in two respects. First, it refers to all who have been called by Christ and to Christ into the fellowship of His salvation. It refers to the worldwide church of all time. Secondly, as it is used here, it refers to the individual church confined to a particular place. Paul wrote this letter to the assembly of Christians who were in the city of Thessalonica.

 I need to tell you a little about this city and why this was such an important location for an assembly of the called out ones. You can read the details of this missionary journey in Acts 16. Let’s read Acts 16:6-12. This takes them to the region known as Macedonia. The cities of Philippi and Thessalonica are in the Macedonian province. 

 Both of these cities are on the northern edge of the Aegean Sea. We know what happened at Philippi. By the way, this beating and imprisonment at Philippi came just after the vision confirming that this was exactly where Paul was supposed to be. Most people would have looked at that experience of suffering and decided they had made a mistake. Not Paul. He left Philippi and kept going deeper and deeper into the province of Macedonia. Let’s read about his experience in the city of Thessalonica. Read Acts 17:1-10.

 The important thing about this city was its location. It was the most important city in the Macedonian province. It was a busy, thriving sea port. It was also on the Egnatian Way. This was the main east west trade route between the Roman Empire and the Far East. The city was home to about 200,000 residents at the time. It was typical of big cities on trade routes. It was home to native Greeks, Romans, merchants, sailors, soldiers, and immoral practices. The city had a large enough population of Jews to have a synagogue. The Jewish presence in the city was influential.

 Paul was a mission’s strategist. Founding a church on this busy seaport that was also on the main trade route would facilitate the spread of the gospel quickly into those areas the Holy Spirit had just forbidden him to evangelize. The coming of Christianity to Thessalonica was crucial to the spread of the gospel.

 Again, these are common words that carry an uncommon significance. This church wasn’t just anywhere. It was in the city of Thessalonica. It was in the city which served as a gateway to the east. It was a port city into which and from which people traveled the world. This church was part of God’s plan. There was a reason the Holy Spirit said “no” to the other directions Paul intended to travel. This was where God wanted this church.

 What are we? Where are we? We are the called out ones who are in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We are in the church in Muskogee, Ok. We are a different kind of port city. We are not on any significant trade route. But we have ample opportunity before us to carry out the Great Commission and impact the world for Christ right where we are. The church has a job to do wherever it is located.

 The world has changed but the needs of people have not. We are surrounded by people who are lost, hurting, addicted, damaged, confused, lonely, sick, and dying. Their only hope is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. This church is here to take the gospel to them and to love them and to share God’s truth with them. This is what the church is to do. The commission of Christ was to go and make disciples, baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all He commanded. He promised to be with us always, even to the end of the age. “Church” is a common word. The meanings and implications are anything but common.

 We need to look at this phrase, “in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Talk about common words with uncommon significance. These words describe the very nature of the church. The church exists and operates in this unique and important union with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This means that the church participates in the very life of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a spiritual union between Christ and His bride. The great mystery of our salvation is that when we become a Christian we become partakers of the life of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

 We could literally camp out for months in this phrase and examine what the Bible teaches about us being part of the church which is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. These common words truly carry uncommon significance and tremendous implications. To be in Christ means we are new creatures. Old things have passed away, new things have come. To be in Christ means that there is now, no longer any condemnation. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ has set you free from the law of sin and death. To be in Christ means that it is no longer I who lives but Christ in me, and the life I now live is no longer me, but Christ in me. We are in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Common words, uncommon significance.

 Finally, look at these last words of verse 1. “Grace to you and peace.” Virtually every salutation of Paul includes these words. Yes, they are common words. Yes, they are common words with uncommon significance and enormous implications. It is far too easy for us to take the grace of God for granted. It is something far too easy to be familiar with but not sufficiently appreciate. The grace of God should put us on our faces before Him in humble, honest, worship and adoration.

 Grace is the absolutely free expression of the loving kindness of God to undeserving sinners, finding its only motive in the bounty and benevolence of the Giver. It is completely unmerited favor. It is the unearned goodness of God expressed to unworthy people. God’s grace is His power working in us, working a miraculous transformation. Grace not only results in the forgiveness of the sinner, but brings joy and thankfulness. It changes the individual to a new creature without destroying his individuality.

 Ephesians 2:8-9 should be in the memory bank of every Christian. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one can boast.” Grace, when received by faith, transforms man and causes him to love and seek after the righteousness of God. Grace is initially the work of regeneration, the work of the Holy Spirit in which spiritual life is imparted to the sinner. Grace is the power that brings the sinner’s sinful nature under the dominion of righteousness. The maintenance of this condition requires an unbroken and immense supply of grace. Grace remains constant in, and basic to, a believer’s fight against sin within, and Satan without. Grace produces a renewal within the believer that is stimulated by God’s illuminating and strengthening the soul. God’s grace insures that those who have been truly regenerated will endure and persevere until the end of life.

 My friends, we will spend the rest of our lives plummeting the depths of the significance of God’s gift of grace. The significance and implications of grace are found everywhere in the Scriptures. Grace was shown to Adam and Eve in the Garden when God killed an animal to clothe the first two rebels. Everyone since who has been saved has been “justified freely by His grace.”

 It is because of grace that we have peace. “Grace to you and peace.” Grace is conferred and peace is the result. Before grace came, we were the enemies of God. We were dead in our trespasses and sins. We were of our father the devil. We were slaves to sin. We were companions with the sons of disobedience. We all lived according to the lusts of the flesh. We were by nature children of wrath. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgression, made us alive together with Christ. By grace we have been saved through faith. This was not anything we did of ourselves. It was the gift of God. It was not as a result of our good works. None of us has anything to boast about before God. It was all of grace.

 The result is that we, who were once the enemies of God, now have peace with God through the salvation which is in Christ. We were alienated, but now we have been brought near. We were children of wrath, but now we are children of mercy. We were headed for an eternity separated from God, but now we have been given eternal life. Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

 This peace becomes for the child of God the tranquil state of the soul which is assured of salvation through Christ, fearing nothing from God and consequently content with whatever life brings. This is why Paul instructed the Colossians in Col. 3:15, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body, and be thankful.” When we get to the second letter of Paul to the Thessalonians we will find in 2 Thess. 3:16, “Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!”

 When you read these salutations in Paul’s letters, you are reading words we find frequently in the Scriptures. We should never get so familiar with something in God’s word that we just pass over it. There is enough truth in a simple salutation to transform our lives.

 Let’s pray.