Introduction to 1 Thessalonians
A Portrait of the Healthy Church
Welcome to our study of 1 Thessalonians. Every weekday we focus on a section of Scripture, combined with Malcolm’s commentary and practical ways to reflect, pray, and act. The entire commentary is available as a book here.
Introduction
The Thessalonian church was a healthy church:
… you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 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. (1 Thess. 1:7-8)
Moreover, it was healthy a short time after being planted.
How did this happen? What were the key elements that went into this?
In 1 Thessalonians Paul tells us how he did this. He shows us in this rich and practical letter how he nurtured a culture of life and health.
This exposition will study the letter, verse by verse, through the lens of the Healthy Church Model.1
The Thessalonian Church shows us that:
It is possible for health to be achieved by a church. The Thessalonians were “an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia” (1 Thess. 1:7). Sometimes we feel helpless and hopeless when we look at the condition of many churches and we give up and settle for less than God’s highest. But health is possible!
Health can be achieved quickly. Paul had only been with them for a short time. We don’t know exactly how long he was there. Acts 17:2 speaks of Paul speaking at the synagogue on “three Sabbath days,” but the fact that the Philippians sent him financial help two times (Phil. 4:16) indicates a longer stay – perhaps a couple of months or so. What did Paul do in that short time to establish such profound and enduring life? That is what we will study in this book.
A healthy church will have powerful ministry impact. This church had significant impact across two provinces (1 Thess. 1:8). A healthy church is not merely healthy for its own sake. God has called us to impact our communities and nations!
Health in a church can be achieved with a minimum of outside influence when dependence on the Holy Spirit is fostered. Paul was there for only a few months initially (Acts 17:1-10), and Timothy was there briefly later (1 Thess. 3:2). Thus, there was not much outside help for these new believers. Church planting and church building is the work of the Holy Spirit. Paul and his team trusted in the Holy Spirit to do the work and He did it well!
“Health” does not mean “perfection.” Paul addresses problems in this same letter (e.g., 1 Thess. 4:1-8). The Thessalonian church was not perfect. Our goal must be realistic.
In short, 1 Thessalonians shows us what a healthy church is and how it is built.
Our hope for this exposition is that it will provide a practical roadmap for those who plant and lead churches.
As you read this exposition, please go slowly. This will help you to dig deeply into Paul’s words and the spiritual reality of New Testament church life.
Much of the writing today on churches focuses on structure, strategy, programs and systems. Our focus here will not be on techniques but on the life of the leaders and the churches they lead. If we can get the life right, then, by God’s grace, the right structure will follow – and the Church will be the beautiful Bride, the glorious Temple and the mature Body that Jesus died for and will soon return for!
Reflect: Take a moment to reflect on your feelings toward your own local church. Have you become discouraged about its health, perhaps even to the point of giving up on it? Are you frustrated in any way with the results of your investment in it? Perhaps your church is on a path to health, and you are eager to get involved?
Pray: Seek God, in dependence on the Holy Spirit, to transform your feelings and attitudes toward His Church — to see it as holy, beloved, and destined for greater things. Pray for clarity regarding what your next steps should be to bring about health in your local Body.
Act: Make a list of 2-3 simple ways you can help your church grow, based on your prayer, then put them into practice.
Please see Building Healthy Churches by Malcolm Webber for a complete study of this model.
“Health” does not mean “perfection.” Lord make my local Church beautiful bride for your return