Future Glory | Present Trial: 1 Thess. 1:6-10
The Contrast of Joy - An Echo of Eden
1 Thessalonians 1:6-10
The Bible establishes in history and the revelation of God what the daily newspapers offer in evidence: this world is dark and dangerous. Yes, there are many bright spots and beautiful stories of redemption and selflessness, but we celebrate them because they are the exception. They run in opposition to the main force and current of the world. It is corrupt and corrupting. The evidence is everywhere.
But this was not always so, and it will not always be so. In the beauty of God’s creation, there existed a time of unknown length where there was only joy, happiness, beauty, life. The rebellion of sin brought a curse that still ravages the soul of every human and the very physical universe itself. But we are headed to a place and time yet future that will be like Eden but even better. There will be no tears, no death, no curse and no sorrow.
In between these two places, the people of God are called to be an echo of eden, to live a life of contrast. The very reception of God’s revelation makes them so in truth. The decisions and relationships they make sharpen and develop this contrast. And of course this life of contrast is no greater than when in the dark of trial, in the cold of suffering, in the valley of the shadow of death.
This is the main reason why the Apostle Paul was so very proud of the young church at Thessalonica. They were truly living out a life of contrast is the direst of persecutions. They truly were an echo of Eden in a cursed world. The main contrast Paul mentions is their joy - a joy that led to a spreading reputation and testimony in all of ancient Greece. A joy that was sourced in the Holy Spirit.
G.K. Chesterton has been called “the Master without a masterpiece.” As a journalist, he leaves behind a large collection of essays and articles on all manner of topics. But his faith and brilliant whit are undeniable. Consider his offering on joy from his work entitled Orthodoxy.
“Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, “Do it again”; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony.
It is possible that God says every morning, “Do it again” to the sun; and every evening, “Do it again” to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daises like; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we.”
—G.K. Chesterton
Joy in and of itself is something. But joy in a specific context, especially a context that runs counter to the “natural” creation of happiness or joy is quite another. When Paul mentions the joy of the Thessalonians, he places it in the context of their faith, for they “received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit is clearly the source of this peculiar joy, for it is doubtful that joy is something that can be created or manufactured by man.
Verse 6 either functions as a theme/thesis statement for 1 Thessalonians or perhaps a simple summary statement for the story of the church. In this way, verses 7-10 function as background context to the statement in verse 6. Some have noticed how verses 9-10 may also function as an informal outline for the rest of the letter.
Group Discussion Questions:
Prayer Challenge:
Remember, for the month of February, we are praying together, every day, for specific things from our study of 1 Thessalonians. The prayer points for the week ahead are:
1 Thessalonians 1:6-10
The Bible establishes in history and the revelation of God what the daily newspapers offer in evidence: this world is dark and dangerous. Yes, there are many bright spots and beautiful stories of redemption and selflessness, but we celebrate them because they are the exception. They run in opposition to the main force and current of the world. It is corrupt and corrupting. The evidence is everywhere.
But this was not always so, and it will not always be so. In the beauty of God’s creation, there existed a time of unknown length where there was only joy, happiness, beauty, life. The rebellion of sin brought a curse that still ravages the soul of every human and the very physical universe itself. But we are headed to a place and time yet future that will be like Eden but even better. There will be no tears, no death, no curse and no sorrow.
In between these two places, the people of God are called to be an echo of eden, to live a life of contrast. The very reception of God’s revelation makes them so in truth. The decisions and relationships they make sharpen and develop this contrast. And of course this life of contrast is no greater than when in the dark of trial, in the cold of suffering, in the valley of the shadow of death.
This is the main reason why the Apostle Paul was so very proud of the young church at Thessalonica. They were truly living out a life of contrast is the direst of persecutions. They truly were an echo of Eden in a cursed world. The main contrast Paul mentions is their joy - a joy that led to a spreading reputation and testimony in all of ancient Greece. A joy that was sourced in the Holy Spirit.
G.K. Chesterton has been called “the Master without a masterpiece.” As a journalist, he leaves behind a large collection of essays and articles on all manner of topics. But his faith and brilliant whit are undeniable. Consider his offering on joy from his work entitled Orthodoxy.
“Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, “Do it again”; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony.
It is possible that God says every morning, “Do it again” to the sun; and every evening, “Do it again” to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daises like; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we.”
—G.K. Chesterton
Joy in and of itself is something. But joy in a specific context, especially a context that runs counter to the “natural” creation of happiness or joy is quite another. When Paul mentions the joy of the Thessalonians, he places it in the context of their faith, for they “received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit is clearly the source of this peculiar joy, for it is doubtful that joy is something that can be created or manufactured by man.
Verse 6 either functions as a theme/thesis statement for 1 Thessalonians or perhaps a simple summary statement for the story of the church. In this way, verses 7-10 function as background context to the statement in verse 6. Some have noticed how verses 9-10 may also function as an informal outline for the rest of the letter.
Group Discussion Questions:
- As a reminder, start your group discussion by recalling the birth of the church in Thessalonica, the context of Paul’s leaving the city and the struggle the new church was left to face in his absence. See Acts 17:1-15 for a refresher.
- How does the character of the messenger of the gospel affect the reception of the message? Share with your group. Are there any recent stories or news that help illustrate this impact?
- In what way did the Thessalonian church imitate Paul, Timothy and Silas - as well as Jesus? (see the beginning of 1:6)
- Discuss the circumstances of persecution and tribulation that the Thessalonian church endured? Read ahead in 1 Thessalonians for examples. See 2:13-16; 3:4 etc.
- How would you define joy? How is joy different than happiness or contentment or gratitude?
- What kind of impact comes from someone who experiences and expresses real joy in the midst of great trial? Can you share an example from real life?
- What is the relationship between joy and the Holy Spirit?
- Would you be willing to share with your group some of the current idols that remain in your life? Remember, an idol is anything - anyone - from which you expect the things that only God can provide.
- The Thessalonian church, as we will see in our series, was confused about Jesus’ return. What role should Jesus’ return play in the life of the believer? Is it fully doing that for you?
- Share with your group at least one thing that is heavy on your heart or mind right now as a matter of prayer. Close your time with prayer for each of these requests.
Prayer Challenge:
Remember, for the month of February, we are praying together, every day, for specific things from our study of 1 Thessalonians. The prayer points for the week ahead are:
- Christians who are experiencing persecution. Go to opendoorsusa.org for a shocking look into the realities of modern-day persecution of Christians worldwide.
- Pray for a revival of holiness and joy in the Church that leads to a massive swelling of our testimony and the sharing of the gospel.
- Pray for a new level of rebellion against idols among Christians.
Posted in Sermon Notes