⏱ 10 min read

• We are going strong! Super excited to start 1 Thessalonians today! 📖🔥🤗
• Maybe you missed Galatians, Ephesians, and Philippians, Colossians but hey, join in and let’s “tattoo” God’s Word in our hearts! 📖🤍
• God bless you, and looking forward to your lessons, insights, and comments.

• In this life, everyone somehow admires a model. Be it a professional model or a role model.
• Whichever it is, we have people we wish or aspire to be like, look like, dress like and act like. As children of God, you and I are called to be models for the world to follow.

For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. ~ 1 Thessalonians 1:4‭-‬7 NIV

Paul says this about the Thessalonian church, “And so you became a model to all the believers…” A model simply means an example. Beloved, the best role models in this world are supposed to be in the presence of the Lord! You and I are called to be God’s professional models.

• So how can we do this? “You became imitators of us and of the Lord...” Simply put, follow and imitate people who love God and you’ll love Him more.
• We cannot overemphasize the need to follow and copy from the fathers of faith. Learn from their mistakes and their successes.
• Then become a model yourself, so that through you, others can know God and love Him too.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. ~ John 13:35

People out there in the world are looking for satisfaction in life, and God wants the church to be a place where people can come and drink from the spring of life.

But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, and leading them out, he said,
“Go, stand and continue to tell the people in the temple [courtyards] the whole message of this Life [the eternal life revealed by Christ and found through faith in Him].” ~ Acts 5:19-20

• Note the church is not just the building, you and I are the church of God. God wants us, as Christians, to become a positive influence to the world. (Matthew 5:14-16)
• Church is not a social club; it’s not a place we go to display new clothes, take pictures or feel good about ourselves;
• It is not a place where we go because your pastor/friend/parent will call and ask why you didn’t go to church. 

The Church is a family of God! And when you give your life to Jesus, you become a part of God’s family. We must appreciate that we are a family. I think this is one of the best things that can happen to anyone. God loves you just the way you are, and as the Head of this family, He chose you.

In 1 Thess 1:4 Paul says, "You are loved by God and you have been chosen by God (paraphrased)."

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man... ~ Ephesians 3:14-16

• Woow… isn’t that the best thing!? You are chosen by God! God says you are valuable and you are acceptable.
• Other people may not accept you, and other people may say you’re not lovable. But God accepts you and loves you just the way you are—and He loves you too much to let you stay that way.
• That’s why Jesus stretched out His arms on the cross and said, “I love you this much. I’d rather die than live without you. I love you so much, it hurts. You are worth dying for.”

Jesus is the only person who will have scars in heaven. You won’t have any, but the scars of the cross will be on Christ as reminders for eternity of how much He loves you.

Are you happy to belong to God’s family? Are you proud of it? Will you be a good model of it? May the Lord help us be good models for each other and especially for the world out there.

The Greek word for church is ‘ekklesia,’ which literally means ‘the called-out ones’ and in this case ‘the chosen ones.’ I wish you could be crazy about this and say to yourself: I am chosen by God!”

In 1 Thessalonians, Paul seems to point out some characteristics of a model church. We will list out five(5) below:

1. A model church is a Word-based Church! (v5)

“For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.” ~ 1 Thess 1:5

• It is a place where God’s word is taught with power, clarity, and the Holy Spirit’s conviction.
• Ever been to church and you feel the Pastor is speaking to you personally? That is God’s Word with the power of the Holy Spirit.
• This Word is the Gospel (Good news). Please find a place where God’s word is taught in all its wholeness.

2. A place where lives are truly transformed! (v9)

True conversion takes place in a model church. As you fellowship, your life will get better,
day by day, week by week, month by month, etc. Because the word of God changes our lives (v9). People will tell how you have been transformed!

"For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God." 1 Thess 1:9

• There is a turn from some sort of idol to serve the true and living God!
• These days our phones, movies/series, relationships, etc., have become idols.
• Most people go to various places these days, but do not change. That is not the model church described in the Bible.

True transformation takes place in a model church. The Holy Spirit will work on you and change you. With the Holy Spirit comes a new heart, a change of mind, and a change of direction! May that be your story as you fellowship in Church.

3. A model church is a Praying Church!

A model church is a place we go to make our plea to God. It is not a place of gossip nor fashion, but a place of prayer! Prayer is the lifeline to our deadline. Prayer to the believer is like air to a living being – without it, your spiritual life will die.

And as He (Jesus) taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.'" ~ Mark 11:17

• So a model church is a place where we offer constant prayers for each other.
• Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

And listen, Prayer Works! When push comes to shove, everyone calls on God! You wait till it gets to the point of life and death, you’ll see that everyone in this life believes in prayer.

4. A model church is a Working Church! (v3)

"We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father..." ~ 1 Thess 1:2-3

• It is a place where everyone works for God (v3). Dear friend, there is nothing as fulfilling as working for God!
• Don’t be a pew warmer. Whatever it is you’ll do in life, please make it an aim to work for God!
• Remember your Creator in the days of your youth. One day, you’ll look back and smile.

“For God is not unrighteous to forget or overlook your labor and the love which you have shown for His name’s sake in ministering to the needs of the saints (His own consecrated people), as you still do.” ~ Hebrews 6:10 (AMPC)

Invest your life in the things of God! God sees it, and your reward won’t elude you (Hebrews 6:10)! He said to the Ephesian church in Revelations 2:3, “I know your works, your labor, your patience…”

5. A model church is a heavenly-minded Church! (v3)

For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and 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, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. ~ 1 Thess 1:9-10

• Dear friend, life here on earth must be lived with eternity in mind.
• Life on earth is useless if you miss heaven (v10). Jesus is coming soon, perhaps today!
• Let’s set our minds on Heaven’s glory and wait in earnest for that glorious day!

Hey, you're blessed and highly favoured and dearly loved! Do share your lessons from 1 Thessalonians 1. Remember to tag us and your friends on 📲:
☆ IG: @awg_devotional or @cfc_knust
☆ FB/X: @AWGDevotional

[Models in cover photo: Charis Family Choir - Gracefields Chapel KNUST]