Church Planting Insights From 1 Thessaloniansናሙና

Paul, Timothy, and Silas started churches in Macedonia, including the one in Thessalonica. But their work was not easy. In Philippi, people became so angry about what Paul and Silas said about Jesus the Messiah that they formed a mob to accuse the apostles of rebellion against Roman law (Acts 16:20).

When the team went on to Thessalonica, they continued to suffer. Yet their work was very fruitful. Paul, Timothy, and Silas certainly admired the character qualities that their new disciples demonstrated. Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 1:2,3, “We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. Before our God and Father, we remember your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Why do you think Paul and his team were so pleased by the behavior of the new Thessalonian believers? These new Christ-followers’ lives had been changed. The faith of the Thessalonians was real. Their faith didn’t just change their thinking. Their faith resulted in good works. Their faith led to action. Their love for Christ caused them to labor for the Lord, and they didn’t quit. They kept going. The Thessalonian believers demonstrated endurance. All of this — the work produced by faith, the labor prompted by love, and the endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ — all of this was proof to Paul that God had truly transformed the lives of the new believers in Thessalonica. Nothing could make him happier! Paul’s joy spilled over into thanksgiving to God. All the suffering, persecution, and trouble that Paul and his team had gone through to start the church in Thessalonica was worth it. Why? Because God was at work, the result was clear for all to see.

This is what all church planters dream of: changed lives. Getting a large group of people together to listen as we preach does not satisfy us. Simply hearing people say they like the Bible or love the story of Jesus is not enough. We want to see people taking action based on their faith. Faith without works is dead. Faith that results in good works is full of life.

Church planters who want to see transformed lives will not demand work from their church members. Instead, they will lift up Christ's example and tell the story of Jesus to build up faith. Strong faith results in good work—great love for Christ results in great labor for Christ. Hope in the Lord Jesus Christ is what keeps disciples of Jesus working even when the work is hard and the rewards are not immediately apparent.

So keep lifting up Jesus as our supreme example. Preach, teach, and tell Bible stories that inspire faith in Christ. Testify about Jesus’ power and grace at work in your life. God will use your words and example to inspire faith and transform your church members' lives!

o Acts 17:1-14

o 1 Thessalonians 1:2,3