“1 Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you. 2 We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. 3 We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia--your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead--Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.” 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, NIV.

Redeeming the time. Making the most of every opportunity. How did we do this past week? I am convinced that the opportunities for encouragement and ministry are there, but we need to have the mindset focused on the Lord and on people in order to see them. In spite of our injuries, our problems, we have a plan to impact our homes, our community, our workplaces, and our church for Jesus.

What are the results of your ministry? Who have you encouraged to walk with God? Who have you prayed for? Who have you invited to church or talked to about spiritual things? What changes have you seen in others as a result of the Holy Spirit using you?

Paul’s three weeks in Thessalonica were unusual. Acts 17 tells us. “Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women.” Acts 17:4, NIV.

The word “persuaded” is translated in the KJV as “believed.” This is true. If you are persuaded, the result is that you believe. They were convinced of Paul’s argument. The result was that they believed.

If we were to summarize the effect that Paul’s short stay had on the Thessalonians, we would have to say that as a result of Paul and Silas’ energies, many of the Thessalonians believed. In three weeks time, many became Christians, many were born again.

How did Paul know they were born again? What is it that tells him that they were truly converted? How do we know if someone is born again?

We use some standards like this. We say that people are born again who say the sinners prayer. I said it when I was saved. Many of you also prayed a prayer. Or we might point to the fact that we ‘went forward’ at a meeting. An invitation was given to raise our hand or go to the altar, and there we went forward. After meetings like this, we say, “There were ten people saved last week.” In other words, ten people prayed or went forward or somehow indicated faith in Christ.

It is not my purpose to criticize this way of determining who is born again, but Paul uses some different measures. When he watches the Thessalonian church, he does not point to a prayer or a meeting or a response to an altar call. In 1 Thessalonians 1, he gives some different ways he knew that the Thessalonians had become Christians.

4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,1 Thessalonians 1:4, NIV “4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.” 1 Thessalonians 1:4, KJV.

What did Paul know? He knew they were chosen. He knew they were of the elect, the chosen.

This is another way of saying that a person is a Christian. Every Christian is chosen. Every Christian is elected of God.

We debate about what every Christian is chosen for. Some in our church believe we are chosen to believe. That before the foundation of the world, God chose those who would believe in Jesus. Other say, God chose those who believe to be blessed. That those who believe in Jesus are chosen for salvation, indwelling of the Holy Spirit, a home in heaven and other blessings.

But whatever position you take, both agree that when Paul describes a chosen person, he is speaking of the Christian. So how did Paul know they were chosen, elected by God? Was it the result of prayer or going forward in a service?

The first piece of evidence that Paul mentions is the deep conviction the Thessalonians developed. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.

There is a contrast in this verse between words and something more than words. Paul does not see that the good news, the gospel, was words only, but more than that.

The gospel came with power. What kind of power? It doesn’t say directly in the text. The gospel came with the Holy Spirit. How does the gospel come with the Holy Spirit to them and not to others? The text doesn’t answer that question. The gospel also came with “deep conviction” (NIV). The King James uses the word “much assurance.” The Greek has the idea of “supreme fullness.” When the gospel comes with supreme fullness does it result in deep conviction or in much assurance? The answer to both questions is “yes.” What we have deep conviction about is the same as what we have much assurance about.

Paul saw this in the Thessalonians. Another way of saying this is that they “swallowed the gospel hook, line and sinker.” They didn’t need convincing. They believed. As Luke tells us in the book of Acts, “They were persuaded.”

Which leads me to the second piece of evidence that Paul uses, the way they received the message. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit (1 Thess 1).

They received the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. This is so much different than those who endure messages. Sometimes we just can’t wait for a message to get over, at other times we are surprised that the message is done so soon.

We hear a lot of people say that we need Spirit-filled preachers. Paul says that the church at Thessalonica was filled with Spirit-filled listeners.

What does a Spirit-filled listener look like? First, a Spirit filled listener welcomes the message. They are not scoffing, undecided or angry at the word spoken. They want to know what the Bible says and welcome it’s message.

Second, a Spirit-filled listener welcomes the message with joy. Listening to a message from God’s word is not a trial to be endured. Nor is it something they take lightly. But a Spirit-filled listener listens with joy.

At least this was what Paul saw from the Thessalonians.

He says that he knew they were chosen by God because in spite of severe suffering, they welcomed the message with joy given by the Holy Spirit.

There are two more evidences of their Christianity that I will discuss next week.

Returning to this message, the way one knows someone is a Christian is by their conviction that the gospel is true and by the way they receive the Word of God.

We are living in a changing society. Many who go to church and claim to be Christians do not embrace the teaching of the Bible. There are many who call themselves Christians who believe that some people don’t need Jesus to go to heaven. That is against the Bible. There are some people who call themselves Christians who don’t believe in Satan. That is against the Bible. There are some people who call themselves Christians who don’t believe that homosexuality is a sin. That is against the Bible. There are some people who call themselves Christians who have no concern for the poor. That is against the Bible. There are some people who call themselves Christians who believe Jesus sinned. That is against the Bible. There are some people who call themselves Christians who believe that good people go to heaven. That is against the Bible.

The church at Thessalonica heard the message, believed the message and were convinced that it was true.

That is why Paul was so sure that they were chosen by God, believers, Christians, people of faith.

It is the same today. People who trust Christ will show these same two characteristics. They know they are saved by faith alone through the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed on the cross for them. They believe in the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This is a conviction for them. They want to hear and know the Word of God.

If you are a Christian, don’t be afraid to affirm what you believe. Do you believe that Jesus died for you? Do you believe that he was buried and rose again? Do you believe that faith in Jesus is how one gets right with God? Don’t be afraid to share it.

In the same way, if you are hungry for the word of God, show it. Bring your Bible to church. Underline or take notes on the message. Ask questions. Read your Bible at home. Get involved in a Sermon-based small group or Sunday School.

I remember a pastor sharing how people in his church came with a notebook and Bible. A group of them clamored for the front seats so they could hear and be close to the speaker as they broke the word of God. I remember saying, “I wish I could see that enthusiasm in my church.” Then I thought, “Do I have that same attitude.” God spoke to me then. He may be speaking to you now. Listen and obey.