1 Thessalonians 1:7-10

In 1 Thessalonians 1:7-10 Paul continues his thoughts about making disciples of the Christians at Thessalonica. He had just told them to “become imitators of us” and now goes on to give the why. There is one major responsibility of a disciple – to make more disciples. That is the entire premise of discipleship. A disciple is a learner – someone who follows the teaching of another. In our case as Christ Followers – we are to learn and follow Jesus but that often happens through another believer. Paul makes clear the charge to the church there – “so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.”

So a disciple maker lives out what they know and become examples to those in their patch. That’s exactly what God wants from each of us. The Christians in Macedonia and Achaia needed examples, and the Thessalonians supplied that need. This was true even though they had only been followers of Jesus a short time. As Christians, we always need others who will show us how to follow Jesus Christ, beyond the need of hearing about how to follow Him. How we live matters, not just for our own walk with Jesus, but for the impact that walk has on those around us whether we recognize it or not.

This was part of the good example that the Thessalonian Christians provided. “Sounded forth” means “a loud ringing sound, as of a trumpet blast.” The good work the Lord did among the Thessalonians became known all over the region, and everyone talked about the changes. “For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.” Since Thessalonica was a city where much trade and travel occurred, they couls make their voices heard easily literally across the region.

Guzik explains “Paul pairs two ideas. The word of the Lord sounded forth, and their faith toward God has gone out. Those two aspects are essential if a church will spread the Gospel. First, they need a message to spread, and that message first needs to impact their own lives. Second, they need the faith to go out, so that their faith toward God goes out to all the world.” The world was wondering what the Christ Followers there were up to as their lives were changed and it was noticed.

The impact was real and major changes were observed. “For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” How we live matters, not only to ourselves, but in our efforts to serve God and wait for our Savior!