Skip to content 1 Thessalonians 1-3: Characteristics of a Christ-centered Church Sep 17 · 14 min ...more
1 Thessalonians 1-3: Characteristics of a Christ-centered Church
September 17, 2025 · 14 min
Discover the five traits of a Christ-centered church through Paul's teachings to the Thessalonians.
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Characteristics of a Christ-Centered Church and Pastor 0:10 Good morning. Welcome to Stand on the Word. Thanks for joining me this morning as we look at Paul's first recorded letter to 1 of the churches. We're looking at first Thessalonians chapters 1 through0:22 3 today. Verse 8 of chapter 3, for now we live if you stand fast in the Lord. What a great verse. Alright. Paul, after planting those seeds of the gospel there in Thessalonica, because of the0:33 opposition, he was driven out. But now sometime later, he gets word that despite the opposition that the new believers continued to face, that they were standing firm in the Lord and they were growing in their faith. And0:45 this was like wind in the sails of Paul's ministry. So we just read about this in Acts chapter 17. Paul went to Thessalonica on a second missionary journey with Silas and0:57 Timothy. Now this was the second place that the gospel was preached in Europe, Philippi being the first. So according to Acts, Paul spent 3 Sabbaths reasoning in the, Thessalonian1:09 synagogue, and opposition rose just like we've seen elsewhere. It always does when the truth is proclaimed, and he was sent away to Berea, then on to Athens.1:21 Silas and Timothy remained behind for a time. And when Paul was alone in Athens and he was concerned about the church there in Thessalonica, he sent Timothy back to them. So Paul1:33 then goes on to Corinth where he stayed for, 18 months. Timothy and Silas then joined Paul in Corinth, having come from Thessalonica with a good report about the1:45 believers there. So encouraged by what he had heard, Paul writes first Thessalonians from Corinth around 50, 51 AD. So in chapter 1,1:57 Paul commends the Thessalonian believers for 5 what I see is 5 specific characteristics that reflect a Christ centered church. Now as you read through this, see if you can pick them2:09 out. Then in chapters 2 and 3, through Paul's own conduct, through what he says he focused on what he did and his concern, I think we can find 5 characteristics2:21 of a Christ centered pastor or shepherd. So let's let's read through this. Verse 1, chapter 1, Paul, Sylvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians, and God the father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.2:33 Grace to you and peace from god our father and the lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to god always for you, making mention of you in our prayers. Well, that would encourage me right there. In fact, I get encouraged when2:43 people send me an email or a message that they're praying for me. I I to be brought before the lord in prayer by another believer is a source of encouragement. Remembering2:55 without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our lord Jesus Christ in the sight of god, our father. Knowing, beloved brethren, your election by god. For our gospel did3:07 not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the holy spirit and in much assurance as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. And you became followers3:19 of us and of the lord, having received the word in much affliction with joy of the holy spirit. So let's begin looking at at the the first of these 5 characteristics of a Christ3:31 centered church. Number 1, they followed the lord even in the face of opposition and affliction. You see, they were what what was the affliction? What was, the opposition? Well, they were we read3:43 this over in Acts. There were lies and false accusations. These were the men who were turning the world upside down. They were acting against the decrees of Caesar according to the words of the3:54 opposition. But here's the reality. The claims of our spiritual adversaries are almost always opposite of the truth. Alright? And they didn't buy it. They were discerning. They didn't believe the4:06 lie. Verse 7. So that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia and Achaia who believe. Now here's the second characteristic. They4:18 inspired others to be bold. They set a pattern or they became a model to inspire others to live courageously for Jesus. You see, courage breeds courage.4:30 Live faithfully for lord, and soon, you will find others doing the same. Verse 8, for from you, the word of lord has sounded forth in every place. Your faith toward god4:42 has gone out so that we do not need to say anything. I mean, their lives were telling the story. And so here's the third characteristic. They proclaimed the gospel in word and deed. The word of the lord is4:53 sounded forth. Your faith toward god has gone out. You know, James 4 20 says, but do you not know, oh, foolish man, that faith without works is dead? People saw their faith in the lord Jesus Christ by the5:05 way they conducted themselves. Verse 9, for they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you and how you turn to god from idols to serve the living and true god.5:17 So here's number 4. They embrace the truth of god over the deception of man. They turn from idols to god. They worship the creator, not the created. An idol an idol, now remember, is5:29 anything that is exalted above god, and it is connected to the demonic. They are countercultural. They are. They're living counter to the culture. Romans 12 2 says,5:41 and do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will. So when we talk about the church and you're looking these5:51 characteristics, who makes up the church? We do. Each and every 1 of us. So these characteristics are not, you know, attributed to some inanimate object.6:03 It is to the body of Christ, to believers, and they should be reflected in our lives that we will embrace the truth of god over the deception of a man. And the final characteristic is is found in verse 10. And6:15 to wait for the son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. They await with confident anticipation the return of6:27 king Jesus. They focus not on what is, but what shall be. In other words, they have an eternal perspective. You see, when eternity is your focus, you lose fear6:40 and anxiety for today. You don't have the fear and the anxiety for today when our focus is on eternity. Right. In chapters 2 and 3, as I mentioned, we see the6:52 actions of Paul, which, from that, I I've labeled the 5 characteristic of a Christ centered pastor. Let's begin verse 1, chapter 2. For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in7:03 vain. But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. For our exhortation7:16 did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but7:27 God who test our hearts. For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness, God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you7:39 or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. So here's number 1. They boldly proclaimed god's truth. We were bold in our god to speak to7:51 you the gospel of god in much conflict With boldness and courage and resolution. Paul talks about that in his final letter to Timothy in second Timothy chapter 4. He talks about this vital characteristic of a8:03 pastor speaking with courage and boldness. And look at that verse 4, not pleasing men, but God who test the hearts. The doorway for deception to enter a church is when a pastor has a greater8:15 desire to please people than preaching the word of God. Verse 7. But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. So affectionately longing for8:26 you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives because you had become dear to us. Here's number 2. A a a good shepherd, following the8:38 model of the good shepherd, gently cares for his people. Verse 9, for you remember, brethren, our labor and toil for laboring night and day that we may not8:50 that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preach to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe, as9:02 you know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every 1 of you as a father does his own children. You that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into9:14 his own kingdom and glory. So here's here's number 3. A a a a a shepherd here's 1 of the characteristics of a good shepherd. Blamelessly conducts himself wholly and justly9:25 understanding understanding that their accountability is to god. That's all that's called integrity. Alright. Chapter 3 verse 1. Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to9:37 be left in Athens alone and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of god, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, that no 1 should be9:49 shaken by these afflictions for you yourselves know that we were appointed to this. Right? So so Paul sends Timothy back to check on to make sure they're rude and they're doing well in this10:01 affliction and tribulation. So this is number 4, the characteristics of a of a of a a loving pastor, of a good shepherd, reassuringly reassuringly walking10:13 with those in affliction and tribulation, caring for them. Alright. Verse 4. For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation just as it happened,10:25 and you know. But now that Timothy has come to us from you and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us as we10:36 also to see you. Therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress, we were comforted concerning you by your faith. For now we live,10:49 if you stand fast. And, Lord, all that we have faced by planting those seeds in Thessalonica, it it it is worth it because we see the life that is within you, and11:01 that gives us joy. It's it's like a breath of fresh air. For what things can we render to God for you for all the joy with which we rejoice for11:12 your sakes before God, night and day, praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith. Here's number 5, is11:24 that a a good shepherd, a loving pastor rejoices in their people's spiritual growth. It's encouraging, and they take heart, and it makes everything11:36 worth it to see the growth in their spiritual children. Wow. What an an amazing few chapters. Very first letter that Paul writes that we have recorded in scripture.11:48 He writes to the Thessalonians and commends them for their conduct, those 5 characteristics we see. And then in the way he handles it, we see the 511:59 characteristics of a godly pastor, of a good shepherd. Father, once again, we thank you for your word. Lord, it's so encouraging. We're so grateful to have your word.12:12 Lord, how often we take it for granted. It is, still 1 of the best selling books, but 1 of the least read. May we read it and may we heed it. May we not just be hearers of the word, but12:24 may we be doers just as the Thessalonians were as Paul commended them, that their lives were a testimony to the power of the gospel. May the same be said of us.12:36 Father, guide each 1 that's on this journey with us. Bless them, strengthen them, and, lord, use us today to bring glory and honor to your name, to point others to the power of the cross.12:48 For we pray and ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. Alright. Thanks for joining me this morning. And, again, you need the reading plan because this is chronological, and we're gonna be bouncing back and forth from Acts to,12:59 some of the epistles over the next few weeks. So check it out. F r c dot o r g slash bible. Until next time, keep standing on the word.13:14 Today's study comes from the Stand on the Word Bible Reading Plan available for free at f r c dot o r g slash bible. By following along in just a few minutes a day, you13:26 can read through the entire Bible in just 2 years. Learn more and request the free reading guide at frc dot org slash bible.In this video 0:00 Characteristics of a Christ-Centered Church and Pastor
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