What makes an effective local church? The world seems to define “effective” in terms of large numbers of people in attendance, diverse programs for people of all ages and categories, and with charismatic and well-known leaders. Our concern should not be with what the world thinks, but what God thinks.

In Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonian saints, he holds them up as an “example” (I Thess. 1:7) of an effective church. The word “example” is from the Greek word “tupos” which means a type, a pattern, or a model. Certainly they were not a perfect church. When comparing them to the Berean saints, Luke describes the Bereans as “more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). Yet, as we read I Thessalonians, chapter 1, we find the Thessalonian saints demonstrated five characteristics of an effective assembly of believers; characteristics which every church should take as a pattern to follow.

The first thing we find about the Thessalonian believers is that they

Set Their Hearts on the Lord Jesus Christ

“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 ...” (I Thess. 1:3-4a)

Paul remembered their “work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope” (verse 3). These three words, faith, hope, and love, are so important to us as believers in Christ, and they are found together in several passages of Scripture, but in this verse Paul specifies that all three of them were “in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Their work was a work of faith; their faith in Christ. Their labor was a labor of love; a love for Christ. Their patience and endurance was founded upon hope; their hope in Christ. As they focused their minds and hearts upon the Lord Jesus Christ, these believers were able to effectively work for and serve Him.

As we read further, we see that the Thessalonian believers also

Sought to Please God Who Called Them

“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, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.” (I Thess. 1:4-5)

Not only was their work, labor and patience “in our Lord Jesus Christ,” it was also “in the sight of our God and Father,” for these saints knew “their election (calling) by God.” The Thessalonian believers understood that it was God who had called them and saved them, “according to His own purpose and grace” (II Tim. 1:9). They realized their reason for living was to serve and please the Father and to accomplish His purpose for them, thus they lived “in the sight of our God and Father,” not seeking the favor of men, but the favor of God, who called them. They were effective in their service, for it was truly service for the Lord.

The third characteristic of this “model” church is that they

Stayed Focused on the Word of God

“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. And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.” (I Thess. 1:5-7)

When Paul, Silas, and Timothy proclaimed the gospel of Christ in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-4), these saints were receptive to the Word. Paul states that they did not receive it “in word only,” meaning it was not just “head” knowledge; it was not simply finely crafted speeches or persuasive words; it was not the wisdom of men. Instead, “they welcomed it, not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectively works in you who believe” (I Thess. 2:13). They received it in power, “the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16). They received it in the Holy Spirit, knowing that it was the Spirit who inspired men to write the Scriptures (II Tim. 3:16, II Pet. 2:21). Thus, they received it in much assurance, knowing it was, indeed, the Word of Truth.

The Thessalonians also became followers (or literally “imitators“) of Paul and his fellow-laborers in the gospel, “having received the Word in much affliction.” Throughout his ministry, Paul suffered great affliction because of his faithful teaching and preaching of the Word of God. This was especially true in Thessalonica, where the unbelieving Jews “set all the city in an uproar” in opposition to Paul, who was forced to leave the city by night and go on to Berea. These unbelieving Jews from Thessalonica were so opposed to Paul's ministry of the Word, that they even followed him to Berea and stirred up opposition there as well. This is the type of affliction the Thessalonian saints were patiently enduring for the sake of the gospel (I Thess. 2:14-16). Though they received the Word in much affliction, they also received it “with joy of the Holy Spirit.” The power of God's Word and God's Spirit working in their lives made the Thessalonian church an effective example to all who believe.

The Thessalonians not only received the Word, but then they

Sounded Forth the Word of the Lord

“For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.” (I Thess. 1:8)

It is vital that a local church emphasize receiving the Word of God. The teaching and preaching of God’s Word should be the central focus of a church’s worship services. Yet, just as important is the giving forth of God’s Word to others. The Word of the Lord “sounded forth” from the church in Thessalonica, locally in Macedonia and Achaia, but beyond that, “in every place.” How was this accomplished? There were no mass media outlets during those days; no television, no radio, no internet, etc. The Word was “sounded forth” by individual believers as they lived, worked, and traveled. Those who came in contact with these saints heard the good news of Jesus Christ and His Word. Not only was the Word sounded forth by these believers, but their “faith toward God” was also clearly seen. People heard of their faith in Christ unto salvation, and people saw their faith in action as they lived and effectively served the Lord on a daily basis.

Lastly, the Thessalonians were an effective church because they

Served the Living and True God

“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.” (I Thess. 1:9-10)

The Thessalonians had “turned to God from idols” to be saved from their sins. They continued to live apart from the world that they might “serve the living and true God.” The word “serve” means to serve as a bond slave, to submit or yield to God. In order to effectively serve God, we must turn away from the things of the world and submit to Him. Paul wrote to Titus regarding this.

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Tit. 2:11-13)

God’s grace not only saves us, but it then teaches us that, before we can live “soberly, righteously, and godly,” we must “deny ungodliness and worldly lusts.” We must also be continually “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” This is what the Thessalonians believers were doing, “waiting for His (God’s) Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead.” As they waited with patience and full trust, for God’s Son from heaven, they served Him more effectively.

As you think about what makes for an effective church and consider this first chapter of I Thessalonians, remember that a local church is made up of individual believers. For your church to be effective, each one of you, as individuals, must put into the practice the characteristics we have seen in the Thessalonian church:

• hearts centered on the Lord Jesus Christ,
• minds seeking to please God, who called us,
• ears ready to hear the Word of God,
• mouths boldly proclaiming the Word to others,
• bodies submitted to serving the living God, and
• eyes looking for His glorious appearing.

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