THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
Between 1590 and 1613, William Shakespeare wrote close to forty plays that are still performed around the world. So in 1795, when William-Henry Ireland produced documents supposedly written by Shakespeare, the world took notice. Several experts authenticated the documents. When Ireland “found” a previously unknown Shakespearean play called Vortigern and Rowena, it was immediately put into production. But the first performance revealed a play so bad that fighting broke out and Ireland was revealed as a fraud.1
Ireland didn’t find these documents at all. He had cleverly aged parchment paper and learned to forge the handwriting of the famous playwright; eventually however, these works were seen for the forgeries they were. At some point, inauthenticity will always be revealed—even when it is in a Christian’s attitude.
Most of us can be polite and friendly when we have to, but genuine joy calls for something deeper. People can detect the difference between a superficial “I’m glad to see you” and authentic joy. We cannot manufacture such genuine joy, but we will possess it when we’re consumed with the gospel and the love of Christ.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
1 Thessalonians 1:1-3
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy: To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace. 2 We always thank God for all of you, making mention of you constantly in our prayers. 3 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.
The Christian church did not have a peaceful beginning in Thessalonica, the capital and largest city of Macedonia. Paul, Silas, and Timothy visited the city on Paul’s second missionary journey. Many people in Thessalonica accepted the missionaries’ message of Christ, but the Jewish community incited a mob to attack the house where the missionaries were staying. (See Acts 17:1-5.)
Nonetheless, the church had gotten off to a good start overall, but then Paul had to leave hoping the good work of the gospel would continue. Paul was not disappointed. He later received word that the new Christians in Thessalonica were continuing to grow in the faith and were persevering despite the continued persecution they were experiencing.
So great was Paul’s joy that he wrote the letter we know as 1 Thessalonians. In these first few verses, you can hear not only his relief but also the great joy Paul felt after hearing what was going on there.
The Thessalonian Christians were working, laboring, and enduring. Paul was certainly thankful, and his thankfulness carried a sense of confidence that all these things would continue. But how could Paul be confident that these believers, young in their faith—believers he had spent so little time with—would continue working, laboring, and enduring?
His confidence was not in the Thessalonians’ ability. They were just ordinary people, weak and fallible. No, his confidence was in the foundation of their work, labor, and endurance. Faith produced their work. Love motivated their labor. Hope inspired their endurance.
Because the foundation was sure, the outward actions would continue. It is important for us to remember that any outward signs of our faith—like joy, for example—are ultimately dependent on the firmness of our foundation.
The battle and the work of the Christian are to be done at the heart level. And though it might not be as immediately gratifying as focusing on the beauty at the surface, this deep soul work where the Holy Spirit molds and shapes us is where we find our true strength. Long before our joy is expressed outwardly to others it is formed inwardly through our faith, hope, and love.
1 Thessalonians 1:4-6
4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 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, 6 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.
The foundation of our entire being is built on our salvation in Christ. These Christians believed the gospel, received the Holy Spirit, and were confident they had been accepted and welcomed into the family of God. As a result of that sure foundation, they had a joy that was unshakeable.
If we are truly confident in our salvation in Christ, then we should have a true and authentic joy that is apparent to all who come in contact with us—and such joy is infectious to those around us. This authentic joy is one of the greatest ways we can have a welcoming heart and spirit. With such joy we truly desire for others to experience the same certainty and joy that we have experienced.
What does this kind of joy look like? Authentic joy that arises out of salvation in Christ has at least these three characteristics:
- Authentic joy does not wax and wane with circumstances. We tend to associate joy with what’s going on during our day. But joy is deeper than a mere sentiment or emotion; joy does not ebb and flow with our circumstances. Joy finds its source in God and in God alone.
- Authentic joy is more solid and stable than the rising sun. Because joy comes from God, our unshakable Rock (see Ps. 18:2), we can know our true source of joy will never be shaken. That means we are never without hope.
- Authentic joy is not found in immediate gratification but by pushing past it. Everywhere we turn, the promise of happiness is held out for us, but joy is much deeper. Author C. S. Lewis wrote: “We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”2
1 Thessalonians 1:7-10
7 As a result, you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 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, 9 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 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
The Thessalonian believers presented just such a joyful witness. Paul reported that the believers in this city had become an example for others throughout the region and beyond. These believers had a reputation—a joyous designation that pointed to Christ and served as an invitation for others to embrace what they had. What a wonderful thing!
Perhaps you desire that too, but the circumstances of life seem to constantly threaten living in such joy. Maybe we can begin by reminding ourselves daily of a few things:
Remember what you deserve. One of the great enemies of joy is entitlement. Entitlement creeps in when we look around at our circumstances and begin to foster the idea that we deserve something better than the situation or circumstance in which we find ourselves.
Remember what you have. Another enemy of joy is comparison. We can get so caught up in our own covetousness that we simply don’t have any room for joy. In those moments we should reflect on what we truly have.
Remember what was paid. A great price has been paid for our salvation. We were not rescued from our empty way of life by silver or gold; no, it was by something much more valuable. Jesus was given for our sake. And in response, we begin to cultivate hearts that are no longer entitled. Instead, our hearts burn white hot with joy for the glory of the Lamb that was slain.
LIVE IT OUT
A faithful walk nurtures authentic joy with Christ. Choose one of the following applications.
- Thank someone. Who is one person in your life who lives with authentic joy? Write a note and thank that person for his or her example.
- Grow in joy. Take a hard look at the three suggestions for growing your joy (see page 49). Write them on index cards and place them in spots where you will see them on a daily basis.
- Journal your thanks. Because joy is linked with gratitude, begin a “thankful” journal. Each day for the next month write down something you are thankful for and watch your joy begin to grow.
Happiness and a plastic smile can be manufactured easily enough, but time and circumstances will reveal the phoniness behind it. Authentic joy, on the other hand, will shine through, for it is rooted in what God has done for us in Christ.
Hope to see you on Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
Teacher Notes:
Teacher Notes:
Video: Billy Graham
Click Here to Watch
Not long ago I visited the dean of a great American university. We looked out the window of his office and watched hundreds of students walking to their classes. I asked the dean, “What is the greatest problem at this university?” He thought a moment and answered, “Emptiness.” So many people today are bored, lonely, searching for something. You can see it in their faces.
One girl home from college told her wealthy father, “Father, I want something but I don’t know what it is.” That’s true of many people; we want something to meet the deepest problems of our lives, but we haven’t found it.
David said, “I have found it. I shall not want.”
Paul expressed it, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.”
You don’t have to give up on life, to throw up your hands and cry, “It’s no use.” . . . You can have God’s peace, God’s joy, God’s happiness, God’s security; and yours can become the most thrilling life in the world. - Billy Graham Devotion
The Christian church did not have a peaceful beginning in Thessalonica, the capital and largest city of Macedonia. Paul, Silas, and Timothy visited the city on Paul’s second missionary journey. Many people in Thessalonica accepted the missionaries’ message of Christ, but the Jewish community incited a mob to attack the house where the missionaries were staying. Paul had to leave hoping the good work of the gospel would continue. Paul was not disappointed.
Authentic joy flows from a relationship with Jesus. And the Thessalonians give us an initial understanding of what it means to have a relationship with Jesus.
I. Faith, Love, and Hope Drive Everything We Do
1 Thessalonians 1:1-3
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy: To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace. 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.
First Thessalonians was written about 18 years after Jesus' resurrection; therefore, it provides a glimpse into early Christian life. Faith, Love, and Hope must drive everything we do.
How are faith, love, and hope connected?
We must look beyond our activities (work, labor, endurance) to the reasons we do them and the purpose they fulfill.
The pursuit of happiness (JOY) is an innate drive found in every man’s nature.
Everyone wants to be happy and seeks it in varying ways and with varying degrees of intensity. Some seek it through pleasure, others through entertainment, possessions, work, position, education, and success; still others seek it in athletic endeavors, hobbies, travel, fashion, physical beauty, wealth, status, bigger homes, boats, planes, and vacation homes, as well as alcohol, food and drugs.
King Solomon pursuit of meaning, happiness and joy.
He conducted a series of experiments in a quest to get the most and best out of life —and found it to be nothing but vanity and a striving after wind” (Ecc 2:1-12). Therefore, said Solomon, “I completely despaired of all the labor in which I had toiled under the sun… it was all vanity” (Ecc 2:20-25).
Most people think they would have had an endless amount of joy were they as blessed as Solomon was… but Solomon concluded that it is God who determines whether or not we experience joy (Ecc 2:26).
The experiences of men the world over tell us that no matter how secure and wonderful their sources of joy may be, human joy does not last long.
Biblical joy is a fruit, a byproduct, an additional blessing, not an end in itself.
Is your goal in life to search for “JOY” or to search for God who gives JOY? The fruit of hard work done to glorify ourselves will be passed on to those who may later lose or spoil it all. Such toil often leads to grief, while serving God leads to everlasting JOY.
A Christian’s joy can be just as short-lived as anyone else’s, if he seeks it for itself as the world does.
Biblical joy is a fruit, a byproduct, an additional blessing, not an end in itself. It flows into and grows within the person whose life and energies are not focused merely on being “joyful.”
The lives of those in this world who so zealously chase after it prove this point. If they are still chasing it, then they must not have it! God’s Word also substantiates this. God knows that even among His people, relaxation and merriment tend to become their most important interest… and in the end their joy becomes gaiety, hilarity, revelry, and even debauchery… and God-produced joy is lost. On the other hand, when we follow God’s prescription, He feeds us in such a way that we experience real joy and satisfaction.
God makes it very clear in Scripture that real joy lies in the quality of our relationship with Him; therefore, can we actually be so foolish so as to think that we can somehow produce it ourselves?
One thing is certain: dwelling on ourselves and our wants will never produce true joy — rather than being obsessed with ourselves we must become obsessed with Christ; if we do, we will immerse ourselves in His Word, and seek to know Him more intimately “and our joy will be made full” (Jn 15:1-11).
Believers are to rejoice and give gratitude to God for one another. Fullness of life – including grace, peace, faith, hope, and love – can be realized only by being in right relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. Believers in Jesus are to be known for their faithful service, labors of love, and enduring hope.
II. Joy Flows from Our Salvation
1 Thessalonians 1:4-6
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.
It is only through God’s Spirit that we can experience true joy (Ps 15:11-12; Gal 5:22; 1 Th 1:6); it cannot be accomplished apart from God (2 Cor 12:10; 13:4).
The harder we try to be joyful through our own efforts, the more miserable we will become. Paul writes in Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Twice in Philippians 4:4 Paul gives this command: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say rejoice.” Just because God’s Spirit dwells within us does not mean that we will necessarily experience joy— we must make a choice to let Christ be our joy. When we falter in our faith, we try to manufacture our own joy, and that is simply not possible, because God is its author. Only when we find our happiness in the person of Christ can we experience true joy.
Our Lesson Says: The foundation of our entire being is built on our salvation in Christ.
The Thessalonians believed the gospel, received the Holy Spirit, and were confident they had been accepted and welcomed into the family of God. As a result of that sure foundation, they had a joy that was unshakeable.
If we are truly confident in our salvation in Christ, then we should have a true and authentic joy that is apparent to all who come in contact with us—and such joy is infectious to those around us.
III. Love and Joy Flow Out of Us as a Witness and Example
1 Thessalonians 1:7-10
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. (How You Changed)
Jesus Christ changed their lives. (vv. 3, 7-10) The Thessalonians believers became an example for all believers. They were an example in their:
Work (v. 3). Paul knew that these Thessalonians had come into a relationship with Jesus because he saw a change in their lives through their work produced by faith, motivated by love and inspired by hope. Their work did not save them, but it testified to the change their relationship with Jesus had made.
Witness (v. 8). These believers could not keep silent about Jesus. As the Thessalonians shared Christ, the message reverberated throughout the entire region. They lived in relationship with Jesus, and they told others about the relationship. Their message sprang from personal experience. They were satisfied, fulfilled, and joyful followers. A satisfied customer is always the best advertisement for any product. When our life has been changed, we can’t keep silent about it.
Walk (v. 9). The Thessalonians had made an about-face, turning to God from their former life of worshiping "idols to serve the living and true God." They made a radical change.
Waiting (v. 10). While serving, they were looking for Jesus’ return. They had a confident expectation in Jesus’ coming. They wanted to see face to face their King with whom they had a personal relationship. He was their Redeemer and their Rescuer.
Paul reported that the believers in this city had become an example for others throughout the region and beyond – they were a joyful witness.
When have you found it most challenging to exhibit joy as a Christian?
One of the great enemies of joy is entitlement. Entitlement creeps in when we look around at circumstances and begin to foster the idea that we deserve something better than the situation or circumstance in which we find ourselves.
Another enemy of joy is comparison. We can get so caught up in our own covetousness that we simply don’t have any room for joy. In those moments we should reflect on what we truly have.
LIVE IT OUT
Happiness and a plastic smile can be manufactured easily enough, but time and circumstances will reveal the phoniness behind it. Authentic joy, on the other hand, will shine through, for it is rooted in what God has done for us in Christ.
Conclusion: The person who claims to be a Christian, but whose life does not change, is only fooling himself. Those whom God chooses; He changes. This reality does not mean they are perfect, but they are possessors of a new life that cannot be hidden. That new life is evident in their work, their witness, their walk, and their waiting.
