1 Thessalonians 1:7 - Becoming an Example

“So that you were examples to all that believe in Macedoniaand Achaia.” Yesterday we saw in verse 6 that the Thessalonian believershad become followers of Paul and of the Lord. They had received the Word in themidst of much affliction, but they received it “with joy of the Holy Spirit.”Now Paul tells us what happened next. They went from being followers tobecoming examples. I love that progression. First, we follow the rightexample. Then, as we grow in Christ, we become the right example for someoneelse. Paul says, “So that you were examples to all that believe.” Theword translated examples has the idea of a pattern, a model, or animpression that can be reproduced.  Then in verse 6, they receivedthe Word despite affliction and persecution. And now in verse 7, otherbelievers were looking at them and saying, in effect, “That's what followingJesus looks like.” What an amazing testimony! Notice also how far theirinfluence had spread. Paul says they were examples “to all that believe inMacedonia and Achaia.” Macedonia was the northern region of Greece whereThessalonica and Philippi were located. Achaia was the southern region wherecities such as Athens and Corinth were located. So their testimony had spreadfar beyond their own city. They probably never dreamed that people hundreds ofmiles away would hear about their faithfulness to Christ. And there is a lessonhere for us. You never know how far theinfluence of a faithful Christian life will reach. Sometimes we think thatunless we have a large ministry, preach to thousands of people, or accomplishsomething that receives public recognition, our life doesn't make muchdifference. But that's not how God measures influence. A faithful mother orfather can influence generations of a family. A faithful Sunday school teachercan influence a child who someday influences thousands. A faithful pastor maynever have a large church, but the people he disciples may carry the Gospelaround the world. A faithful Christian neighbor may quietly demonstrate thelove of Christ to someone who desperately needs hope. We may never know on thisside of eternity how far our influence has reached. There is another importanttruth here. The Thessalonians didn't set out to become famous. They simply setout to be faithful. Their influence was the result of their faithfulness, notthe goal of their faithfulness. That is important in our day when so muchemphasis is placed on being noticed, gaining followers, and building anaudience. The Christian life isn't about people noticing us. Jesus said inMatthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see yourgood works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” The purpose of ourinfluence is not that people would say, “What a wonderful person.” It is thatthey would say, “What a wonderful Savior!” Paul could tell the Thessalonians,“You followed us, and now others are following your example.” That isdiscipleship. Someone helped us follow Jesus, and now we should be helpingsomeone else follow Jesus. So today, maybe we should askourselves a simple question: If someone followed my example, where would myexample lead them? Would they learn to pray? Would they learn to love God'sWord? Would they learn to forgive? Would they learn to serve? Would they learnto trust God during difficult circumstances? Most importantly, would our livespoint them to Jesus Christ? My friend, you may never stand behind a pulpit. Youmay never teach a Bible class. Your name may never be widely known. But you canlive such a faithful Christian life that someone else sees Jesus in you andwants to follow Him. First we become followers, and then, by God's grace, webecome examples.