It is my highest privilege and pleasure to tell you this truth: God’s will for you is to be loved by Him. He loves you! John 3:16 states clearly that, “God so loved THE WORLD…” (emphasis mine). “The world” includes you!

When Paul addressed the Thessalonians in verse four, he described them as “loved by God.” Everything in this chapter revolves around that one phrase and our ability to receive the love God has for us. His love for us should be the foundation of everything that follows in our life. God’s will is to encompass us in His love.

 

Questions for further study:  

How did God show His love to the world? (see John 3:16)
What comes to mind when you ponder God’s love?
When did you first encounter God’s love?
What has been the result of God’s love in your life?
What makes you doubt, forget, or dismiss God’s love?
What are some constant reminders of God’s love in your life?

LET GOD’S LOVE MOTIVATE YOU (It’s all about your heart) (Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3)

Take a moment right now to think about one or two people that you know love you. It could be parents, siblings, spouse, children, or friends. Doesn’t their love affect the rest of your life, the decisions you make, your plans, your expressions, your entire outlook?

How much more should the love of the Creator of the universe impact our daily lives?
God LOVES you! What difference is that fact making in your life?

 

For Paul, Silas, Timothy, and the Thessalonians it made all the difference in the world. God’s love invaded their hearts and motivated them fully. How? They took His love personally.

 

Paul begins his letter with an immediate reference to the Thessalonians’ personal relationship to God the Father and Jesus (he mentions the Holy Spirit later as well). They are “in God.” They live in His embrace, in His protection, in His family, and that placement motivates all that emanates from them.

 

Paul’s own intimacy with Christ is obvious as he reflects on his thankfulness, prayer life, and general remembrances before God concerning his new friends. Paul spends a great deal of time with the Lord, and it is obvious. He includes the possessive phrase “our God” in verse 3 which portrays his closeness with God as well. Jesus’ love is the reason he exists and it motivates him relentlessly.

 

If we are not motivated by God’s love, we must determine what is motivating us and pursue the desired changes.

 

We should immediately examine our personal relationship with God. There is no substitute for solo intimacy with Jesus. Fellowship and growth with other believers has its place, but God never promotes unhealthy dependency upon people.

 

Grace and peace, a hallmark of Paul’s letters and his life in Christ, should be an integral part of this personal relationship. If our life is cluttered with frantic chaos and anxiety, our friendship with God is usually the first thing to suffer. Grace and peace do not necessitate favorable circumstances. Grace and peace are a heart condition dependent solely and completely on the love of God. How are Gods’ grace and peace being thwarted in your life?

 

Thankfulness should be a direct result of God’s love in our lives. It’s automatic to be thankful for pleasant outcomes, but Paul’s example extends to the dailies, the blessings that are so easy to take for granted, the spiritual miracles. When we become thankful in this way, negative circumstances have little or no impact on our spiritual well-being.

 

Prayerfulness is a recurring theme in these letters. For Paul, as it should be with us, prayer was not limited to church services, prayer closets, or group settings (though those are all excellent avenues for prayer). The apostle repeatedly encourages prayer as a lifestyle. Awareness of God’s unlimited listening ear motivated him to converse with God regularly. 
 

Finally, our motivations and personal relationship with God will stay strongest as we trust in His love always – no matter the circumstances. We cannot embrace the closeness of God only when things are “going our way.” Paul encountered so much opposition throughout his earthly life, as were the Thessalonians, but they all learned that closed doors are as important and as much of a blessing as open doors. They learned that God is good even when the situation is not. What is hindering your relationship with God? Have you ceased to be conversational with Him? Have you lost your thankful heart or prayerful spirit? Have you exchanged the motivation of God’s love for the lure of money, status, power, or pleasing people? When the motivation changes, the outcome changes. What motivates you?

 

In conjunction with analyzing our motives, we must also evaluate the reasons for our service to God. The Thessalonians labored because of God’s love for them, not in an effort to earn God’s love or because they felt obligated to God or people. Serving God out of loveless duty is lifeless and fruitless.
 

As Paul continued in verse 3, we glimpse more of the Thessalonians passion. They worked, they labored, and they endured, but how? What kept them going? Faith, love, and hope in their Lord Jesus Christ. They weren’t seeking accolades, notoriety, or fame. Their eyes were fixed on Jesus.

 
Corrie ten Boom’s sister, Betsy, reflected the motivation of God’s love as much as anyone I have ever studied. Though Corrie has become well known through her books and speaking, it was Betsy’s example that truly made the difference for her. While others complained of lice in the barracks of the concentration camp, Betsy rejoiced because it kept the guards away so they could have Bible study. When they were horribly mistreated, Betsy continually found ways to share God’s love with many.
 

The account in Acts 17 reveals only the beginning of the trouble the Thessalonians would battle, but they would not turn their backs on the love of God. His embrace would fuel their hearts. What is the fuel of your heart? What is your response to God’s love? Why are you doing what you are doing?
 

Remember that the expression of His love takes many, many forms. The young mother changing diapers, the businessman providing excellent service, the church volunteer lending a hand, God has many ways of loving the world through us. How is His love motivating you today?

 

How did God’s love express itself through Paul, Silas, and Timothy?
How did God’s love express itself through the Thessalonians?
How is God’s love expressing itself through you?
Who or what are you most thankful for? Why?
Who or what occupies the majority of your prayer time? Why?
What motivated the Thessalonians in their work? Their labor? Their endurance?
What motivates you?
Why are you doing what you are doing?
What area of your life is most motivated by God’s love? What area is least motivated by God’s love?
How can you incorporate God’s love as your motivation in life more fully?
What does God see as He examines your heart?
What is God’s will for your heart today?

Additional note of interest: Paul’s use of the word “church” – he wasn’t there long enough to build a building or vote on committees; they were “the church” because they embraced the love of God.

LET GOD’S LOVE BE YOUR MESSAGE (It’s all about your words)
(Read 1 Thessalonians 1:4-8)

The NIV translation of the Bible contains 411 references to “words.” The human race has become quite adept with the use of words both written and spoken. My question is, what are we actually saying with all of our words? How productive is our use of the gift of language?

 

When Paul discusses the sharing of the gospel in verse 5 he explains that the message came, “not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.” Words shared as a function of God’s love in our life will always be more than just words. When we allow God’s love to flow through our speech it is powerful. It is supernatural. It is life-changing.

 

Unfortunately, words can also have the exact opposite affect bringing hurt, destruction, and oppression. We must examine the message we are espousing and the effect it is having. What are we spending our time talking about?

 

In verse 6 Paul mentions that though the Thessalonians were suffering, “they welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” The severity of their persecution cannot be overstated. The wicked people who drove Paul out of their community then followed him to Berea to cause trouble there as well. But the Thessalonians were not fair-weather followers. They experienced God’s love in the message of the gospel and no amount of negative circumstances would succeed in deterring their devotion. The joy of the Lord was their strength. What about you? Have you embraced God’s message of love through the good times and the hard times?

 

My heart breaks when believers suddenly begin questioning God’s love simply because of some pain in their life. Jesus never tried to hide the hardships from us. He said clearly, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). Why then are we so quick to blame God and question His love in times of trouble? The Thessalonians not only held on to the message tenaciously, they allowed it to produce joy in their lives. What does God’s message in your life look like?
The gospel never ceases to be a message of joy. Why do we allow circumstances to steal that joy? 
 

Finally, I love Paul’s comment that, “The Lord’s message rang out from you…” (verse 8). When God’s message becomes your message you cannot hold it in. You will find someone to tell. Better yet, let God show you who to tell. Does it come as a surprise to you that God does not expect you, personally, to tell every single person in the world His message? He doesn’t even expect you to tell every person you encounter. Paul will testify to that principle more willingly than most. If you read his account in Acts 16:6-10, you see that he wanted to share the message everywhere! However, verse 7 explains that Jesus would not let them go to certain places. Paul then had a vision one night of where he was supposed to share. God has a plan, and His plan is always better than ours! Ask Him. Let Him lead you, and then share with gusto!

 

Of course the question will ultimately arise as to the best way to go about sharing the message. If we study the examples God gives us in His Word, we will we see there is no one best way. God is very creative, sometimes subtle, sometimes loud, often intrusive, and always sensitive to the need of the moment. 
 

A friend of mine shared the message of God’s love by simply cooking meals for a sick neighbor. Another friend actually led someone to visit her church after she smashed their car! (It was an accident!)

 

What is the message others are hearing from you? How are they responding?

 

For what purpose has God chosen you? (see John 15, 1 Corinthians 1, Ephesians 1, 1 Peter 2)
What were Paul’s favorite words to share? What are yours?
What is the gospel?
What is the difference between words spoken with power and words spoken without power?
What words have changed your life? How have your words changed someone else’s life?
How have God’s words of love changed or impacted your life?
How did the Thessalonians respond to Paul’s message? (see Acts 17:1-15)
What circumstances might cause you to doubt the message of God’s love?
What circumstances might dampen the message of God’s love in your life?
How do you respond when others reject and/or attack your message of God’s love?
What is God’s provision for protecting the joy of His message in our lives?
What “rang out” from the Thessalonians?
What “rings out” from you?
What message do you share with your life?
How often do you share the message of God’s love?
Who can you share His message of love with today? How?
What do you NOT need to share?
What is God’s will for your words today?

FOR DEEPER STUDY: Pray about these passages and their application to your life:
Psalm 119:103; Proverbs 25:11; Psalm 19:14; Psalm 64:2,3; Psalm 94:3,4; Proverbs 8:8;
Proverbs 10:19; Proverbs 12:18; Proverbs 16:21, 24; Proverbs 17:27; Proverbs 26:22;
Matthew 12:36-37.

 
*There are 411 references listed under “words” in the NIV concordance. God has much to say about this topic – enjoy!


LET HIS LOVE FORM YOUR LIFE MODEL (It’s all about your lifestyle)
(Read 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10)

When Paul speaks of the Thessalonians as imitators of the Lord and a model to other believers, I immediately think of Jeremiah at the potter’s house. In Jeremiah 18, God’s message to Israel is an encouragement that His love can mold their lives into something beautiful if they will only remain in His hands and trust Him with their life design.

 

Our dreams, goals, plans, and ideas for our lives are all important to God, but we must submit them all to Him. We often mark out our life path and then invite God to come along for the ride when His desire is to direct the path (Proverbs 3:5-6). He is not a self-centered dictator; He simply knows what is best. He created us. His love will always mold us in the best possible way though it may be completely different than what we anticipated.

 

The foundation of our life model should be none other than Jesus Himself as well as those who imitate Him. In the short time Paul had known the Thessalonians, he had seen this principle at work in them. What about you? Who are you modeling your life after?

 

This modeling, however, does not include a “to do” list. The focus is still on who God wants us to be, allowing our hearts to be molded so that our words and actions reveal the life transformation. No one is transformed by wearing a certain type of clothes, reading a certain list of books, or joining a certain church or civic group. God transforms us by His Spirit as we seek to become like Him through the inward changes of thankfulness, prayerfulness, joyfulness, and many other spiritual encouragements Paul discussed here and will continue to discuss throughout these letters.
 

Suffering also became an element of the Thessalonians’ life model. We strive too often to avoid pain at all cost, and I certainly do not advocate seeking out pain, but if we refuse God until He promises a life without suffering, we can never know Him. Jesus’ suffering is the open door that enables God to mold our lives. Embracing His love requires the embracing of His suffering and willingness to suffer if it will make our lives all God wants them to be. Do I understand it? No. Have I seen the fruit of it? Many, many times.

 

We need not dwell on the suffering, however, as God tends to overshadow it with His amazing gifts. The joy of the Thessalonians was exactly that – a gift, given by the Holy Spirit, and He has many, many more. He knows the gifts you need to have to form your life. They are given at His discretion for His purposes, and they are all good. He does not know how to give a bad gift. He does not possess a bad gift. So let’s take the ones He gives and let Him love and live through us with them.
 

As His love forms our life model, He tends to provide what I call spheres of influence or platforms. It is obvious from verses 7 through 9 that the Thessalonians quickly became a group of believers that many looked up to and began to imitate. When God opens up doors of influence for us we must be very careful in our response. Charles Barkley rejected his role-model status. Jim Jones used it in all the wrong ways. Elisabeth Eliot says you are always someone’s older woman or older man. There is always someone taking note of how we react at work, how we raise our children, how we minister to others, how we live out this Christian life daily. Who is watching you and what are they seeing?