Joy in Spite of Persecution – 1 Thessalonians 1

Joy:  You’re listening to the Lifting Her Voice podcast, Episode #183.  Today we’ll read 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 together.  Paul gives thanks for and encouragement to the Thessalonians for their joy in spite of persecution.

Welcome to the Lifting Her Voice podcast.  I’m your host, Joy Miller, and I invite you to grab your Bible and join me as we simply read God’s word together.  Some things require discipline and sometimes that’s just not easy to muster by yourself, no matter how badly you want to do it or how much you know you should.  It’s just easier to do it with a friend.  So refill your coffee or tea, get comfortable in your favorite chair and follow along as I read aloud.  I’m so glad you’re here!

Welcome

Today we begin the book of 1 Thessalonians.  And before we get any farther, I have a confession to make.  In my prepping for this book, I learned that 1 Thessalonians is probably the earliest letter we have from Paul.  He wrote it just a few months after leaving the city in about AD 51.  As I recall, I said the letter to the Galatians was probably the first and now I realize that I misread our timeline.  I suppose this would be a good time to encourage you to always trust but verify!  It keeps me accountable to know you’re checking my work.  But I do apologize, and I hope I didn’t lead anyone astray in their studies.  Okay…let’s get started with our new book.

Grace Under Pressure

We actually read about the beginning of the church in Thessalonica back in the book of Acts, as we did for most of the churches to which Paul wrote letters.  The Thessalonians were drawn to Paul’s preaching and they believed hard.  But the church suffered much persecution about that time, so much so that Paul and Silas and Timothy had to run for their lives.  You’ll recall reading in Acts chapter 17 that Paul resisted leaving and it broke his heart to have to do that.  So, he was thrilled to get a report from Timothy that the church was not only doing well, but it was thriving!   Paul immediately sat down to write this letter of love and encouragement to the Thessalonians.

Probably the most intriguing in this letter is the time Paul spends touching on end times.  Apparently, some of the Thessalonian believers had died and the others needed assurance that those loved ones had not missed the Day of the Lord.  Paul gives them that assurance and we’ll talk more about that when we come to those chapters.  

This little book is a gem when it comes to teaching us about maintaining our faith in the face of persecution.  If you struggle with standing firm while others around you are tearing you down for your belief in Christ, you will find much encouragement here.  Let me know what you’re looking forward to most as we read this letter to one of Paul’s first churches.  You can contact me at Lifting Her Voice.com, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

1 Thessalonians Chapter 1

Greeting

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy:

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace to you and peace.

Thanksgiving

We always thank God for all of you, making mention of you constantly in our prayers. We recall, in the presence of our God and Father, your work produced by faith, your labor motivated by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with full assurance. You know how we lived among you for your benefit, and you yourselves became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message with joy from the Holy Spirit. As a result, you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. For the word of the Lord rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faith in God has gone out.

Therefore, we don’t need to say anything, for they themselves report what kind of reception we had from you: 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 rescues us from the coming wrath.

Closing Thoughts

I appreciate so much how Paul encourages the persecuted but joy-filled Thessalonians.  I mean, I know we’re not supposed do good things for recognition but hearing kind words feels good and spurs us on to do more.  It seems Paul knew that.

But what resonated with me – what really rang true – was when Paul spoke of how the Thessalonians received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of severe persecution.  But they took it to an even higher level.  Paul goes on to point out what a fine example they were for all of the believers in Macedonia and Achaia, which was actually attested to by those believers.  Have you ever known someone whom you knew was suffering great trials?  And yet in spite of those heavy trials, they never allowed them to overshadow the joy they had because of Christ.  How were you affected by that person?  Were you compelled to do likewise?  We just never know the impact we have on others; the inspiration we might be providing to others simply by choosing joy rather than sorrow.  Let’s pray.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for placing these kinds of examples in my life.  Believers who spread joy; who choose joy over the sorrow.  Help me to imitate them and may others be drawn to You by what they see in me.  Amen.

Thank you for joining me here today.  I pray God will grow in you what has been planted and watered here.  In this time of unprecedented struggle worldwide, we can look to God for guidance and comfort.  Be sensitive to those in your circle of influence who need a word of encouragement and invite them to join us.  If you like this show, it would be great if you give it a five-star review.  Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.  See you right here tomorrow.  Be well!

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible(r), Copyright (c) 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible(r) and CSB(r) are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.