The Inside-Out Life (1 Thess. 1-2, 3:8)

[disciple]

Chapter 5: the Inside-Out Life
(1 Thessalonians 1-2)

I. Introduction & Background (1 Th. 3:8, 1:19-20, 2:7-12)
- 1 Th. 3:8—“YOU” We typically think it’s about being a good Christian, when our focus should be on others. Jesus lived inside-out (Mk. 3:14, Matt. 11:29, Matt. 28:19); He only lived if THEY (12 trained men) stood for Him
- Great Commission requires us to live others centered lives as we help people with a strategy that brings glory to Jesus and builds multiplying disciples
- 1 Th. 1:17-20—God used satan to hinder Paul temporarily and locally so that truth would be passed on indefinitely and globally through 1 & 2 Thessalonians. “YOU” major emphasis again in v. 19, 20.
- How many believers do you know who would consider OTHERS their hope, joy, crown, & glory? Paul was focused primarily on people, ahead of the purpose, process, & product he used to help them.
- 1 Th. 2:7-12—pictures of a nurturing mother (love & sacrifice) and instructive father (instruction, correction, support, discipline) to describe Paul/Silas/Timothy. Also described as evangelists (v. 2), pastors (v. 8), teachers (v. 9).
- other examples: Phil. 2:3-4, 3:17, 4:1, 4:9; 1 Cor. 10:32-11:1; 2 Cor. 12:19, 13:9. How much of your spiritual activity is for the building of others? Do your vision and strategy accurately represent Jesus? What is your strategy for building Jesus-standard disciples?
- A New Testament Christian lives for the building, success, ministry, reproduction, & multiplication of somebody else!!

II. Threefold Portrait of the Thessalonians (v. 6-8)

1) Imitators (v. 6)—Gr. Mimites, “mimes.” Imitated “us” first, which led them to imitate the Lord

2) Models (v. 7)—God desires an army of people who model Jesus’ strategy & purpose, being and building New Testament disciples.

3) Echoes (1:8)
- Gr. Execheo, “echo out.” God’s truth is something we echo, not our own invention. It is transferred from object to object, reproducing itself as many times as it can find quality material on which to reproduce itself.
- Paul was in Thessalonica 3 weeks (or slightly longer), and wrote Thessalonians a year later. Became echoes of the strategy in just a year’s time, with only a month of help! “FROM YOU” major emphasis, shows Paul’s surprise. If they can do it, surely we have no excuse. Why are we not having this kind of impact?
- Gr. word relates to the sound of a trumpet, which is: a clear sound (1 Cor. 4:8), commanding sound (walls of Jericho, trumpets blown to completion [7 times]. We must “echo” God’s truth to completion), controlled sound (trumpet doesn’t play itself, Holy Spirit “playing His song” through us)

III. Concluding Principles
1) The gospel must be “echoed out” by people, just materials is not enough
2) A work of grace in 1 place + Great Commission vision & strategy = a work of grace in other places
3) The gospel will be most effectively echoed out from strategic locations (trumpet in city v. in desert)
- Paul uses “you/your/yours” 116 x in 1 Thessalonians. Who is your “YOU”? Are you living for somebody else, as Jesus and His disciples did?