This week, Pastor Chris continued in our Driven by Eternity series with a message from 1 Thessalonians describing the marks of a healthy church, beginning with the foundational truth that we are chosen by God and empowered by the gospel through the Holy Spirit. Such a church reflects Christ by imitating His example, enduring hardship with joy, and demonstrating genuine transformation in both character and conduct. Ultimately, a healthy church lives under Christ’s lordship and eagerly awaits His return, anchoring its hope in His saving work and promised future.
1 Thessalonians 1:1–3 (ESV)
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 give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
A Healthy Church…
- Is Chosen by God
1 Thessalonians 1:4 (ESV)
4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you…
John 6:37 (ESV)
37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
John 6:44 (ESV)
44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
1 Corinthians 1:9 (ESV)
9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
John 15:16 (ESV)
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
A Healthy Church…
- Preaches the Gospel in Power
1 Thessalonians 1:5a (ESV)
5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.
Ephesians 2:4–5 (ESV)
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
John 14:16–17 (ESV)
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
John 14:23–26 (ESV)
23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me. 25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
John 15:26–27 (ESV)
26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.
1 Thessalonians 1:5 (ESV)
5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.
A Healthy Church…
- Imitates the Lord
1 Thessalonians 1:6a (ESV)
6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord
1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV)
1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
A Healthy Church…
- Joyfully Endures Hardship
1 Thessalonians 1:6b (ESV)
for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,
1 Thessalonians 3:4 (ESV)
4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.
Philippians 4:4 (ESV)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
A Healthy Church…
- Experiences a Change of Lifestyle
1 Thessalonians 1:7-8 (ESV)
7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.
1 Corinthians 6:9–11 (ESV)
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
A Healthy Church…
- Submits to a New Master
1 Thessalonians 1:9 (ESV)
9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
A Healthy Church…
- Looks Expectantly for the Return of Christ
1 Thessalonians 1:10 (ESV)
10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
2 Timothy 4:8 (ESV)
Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Titus 2:11–13 (ESV)
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
1 Thessalonians 5:9 (ESV)
9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Corinthians 11:26 (ESV)
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Discussion Questions:
- A healthy Church is chosen by God.How should God’s initiative in salvation shape the way we view ourselves and others?
- A healthy church preaches the gospel in power.What’s the difference between hearing the gospel in “word only” versus experiencing it with power and conviction?
- A healthy church joyfully endures hardship.Why do you think joy and suffering are connected in the Christian life?
- A healthy church experiences a change of lifestyle. Why is life change an important mark of a healthy church—not just belief?
Application Questions:
- A healthy church looks expectantly for the return of Christ. How often do you think about Jesus’ return? Why do you think that is?
- A healthy church experiences a change of lifestyle. Are there areas where your lifestyle hasn’t caught up with your faith yet?