Las coronas son el símbolo de la victoria, de ganancia, de reconocimiento, orgullo y aun de realeza. En el tiempo de Pablo las coronas, especialmente las que se daban en competencias s eran hechas de laureles así que no eran muy perdurables. Sin embargo estas coronas, se daban para otorgar el reconocimiento que una persona se había ganado y merecía.
En este pasaje miramos como Pablo habla de la iglesia en Tesalónica como su corona en la venida de Cristo. Para Pablo ellos eran tan estimados y valiosos que no había mejor premio que pudiera recibir del Señor en su venida que no fueran ellos mismos. Pablo y sus colaboradores habían sido los que Dios usó para traerles al conocimiento de Cristo. Para ellos, este hecho y el hecho de que permanecían fieles al Señor era considerado como su corona “delante de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, en su venida”. Ellos eran “su gloria y gozo”.
Ya sea que nosotros seamos considerados coronas para alguien más o que consideremos a otros como nuestras coronas (si los hemos llevado a conocer a Cristo o al crecimiento espiritual), hay ciertas cualidades que vemos en esas personas que revelan nuestro valor hacia ellas.
In 1 Thessalonians 1:5-6, Paul shared with the Thessalonian church that he did not have unworthy motives when he and his team went to them and started the church. He did not have any unworthy motives of the Gospel of Christ. These are applicable not only to those who serve in some form of Christian leadership but also to any Christian that is involved in service. Paul was clear that these were not their motives that he nor his team had when they started the church in Thessalonaica.
There are four types of behavior that Paul mentions that are contrary to the Gospel. The Gospel flatly rejects this type of behavior.
1. He didn’t use flattering words to win the favor of others v. 5a
The Thessalonians did not hear from Paul words to win their favor. They did not use soft and pleasant words with the intention of earning their favor. This was something they knew Paul hadn’t done. The purpose of using these words would be win their favor to get from them personal gain. This is a kind of shrewd deception.
How many leaders today do this, both in and out of the church. They use words to win people’s favor so they can then make a profit from people.
2. He was not looking for financial gain (being greedy) v. 5b
Paul could not be accused of deceiving the Thessalonians in search of financial gain (greed). There were some who were accusing Paul of this. So serious was this accusation that Paul says “God is a witness.” At this time there were many people who came to Thessalonaica as traveling preachers teaching all kinds of ideas and philosophies to make money out of people.
Today it’s similar and you can watch “Servants of God” on TV looking for money from people who watch their programs.
I remember once visiting a church where a student of mine was attending. During the offering, there was a call asking for money based on denominations starting from lower denominations up to $100 bills. The man in front promised something tangible in return for this. I thought how ridiculous this was!
Certainly, the church must sustain its ministry, but being greedy seeking financial gain is contrary to God’s truth. The ministry of the church must be transparent in such a way that everything it receives as an offering must be well documented.
3. He did not seek the flattery of men v. 6a
Paul also did not seek flattery from the people in Thessalonaica or elsewhere to seek recognition or personal fame/glory. To seek personal fame/glory would be to rob God of what belongs only to Him. Paul did not seek to be the “Great Apostle Paul” and build his megachurch. Paul did not seek to be the center of attention of the ministry entrusted to him by God.
It’s something that seems to be a pandemic in the United States. Leaders are looking to be famous and recognized. Many are and their followers treat them as if they were Christ’s replacement. Paul rejected this.
This kind of attention does not mean that there is no respect for pastors. There must be. And that’s the other side we abuse too. God’s servant is respected for his calling, position, and character but not flattered to the point of being idolized. I remember when we were young we visited a church. At the time of preaching the pastor entered from the back of the stage and at that moment the church applauded him. He didn’t do anything special. I thought that was weird and honestly, I could sense the pastor’s arrogance.
4. He did not seek to be an economic burden for anyone v. 6b
Paul, as an Apostle of Christ, was worthy to be financially supported by the churches he planted (1 Cor. 9). According to Scripture in 1 Timothy 5:17-18, this right also applies to every pastor who serves full time in the ministry. However, Paul’s custom was not to receive financial help from the church he planted. He didn’t want to be an economic burden on them, and he didn’t want this to be a distraction to share the gospel.
Whatever role we have, we should stay away from flattery, material/financial greed, seeking personal fame/glory and being careful that nothing distracts us from serving and sharing the Gospel of Christ.
En estos sermones aprendemos lo que el Señor enseñó en el sermón del Monte en Mateo caps 5-7.
La Influencia Del Cristiano – Mateo 5:3-6
Cumplir La Ley, No Quitarla – Mateo 5:7-20
El Enojo y La Codicia, Pasiones Bajo El Control De Cristo – Mateo 5:21-30
Viviendo Como Hijos Del Rey: Mostrando El Amor De Dios – Mateo 5:38-48
El Patrón De La Oración – Mateo 6:5-15
La Solución Para El Afán y La Ansiedad – Mateo 6:25-34
La Solución Para El Materialismo – Mateo 6:19-24
Verdadera Fe y El Destino Eterno – Mateo 7:1-7
El Caracter Del Cristiano Mateo 7.1-11
No Tomes El Rol De Juez – Mateo 7:1-6
El Cristiano Y Las Relaciones – Mateo 7:7-20
Estos sermones tratan con la Providencia de Dios basado en el libro de Rut. Puede comparar el libro que contiene estos cuatro sermones aquí.
Respondiendo A La Providencia De Dios Rut 1
El Cristiano Bondadoso Y La Providencia De Dios Rut 2
Nuestras Decisiones y La Providencia De Dios Rut 3
La Redención y La Providencia De Dios Rut 4
Respondiendo A La Providencia De Dios: Tres Perfiles – Libro de Rut
Esta serie es mayormente los “Yo Soy” de Jesús en San Juan
Three marks of a believer
Paul in 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 gives us three marks of believer.
1. They share the gospel with others v. 8
“The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it” (NET Bible)
The Thessalonians (the Gospel) “resonated” (like a sound that resonates) or spread the word of the Lord, the gospel, with their witness as followers of Christ. Their lives were an example of the transformation of the gospel. It resonated throughout Macedonia and Achaia. Believers living in Thessalonica in their daily lives were in contact with many people since it was a commercial center. Many had heard how they had believed in Christ and had been persecuted for it. This made their “faith in God become known everywhere”.
When you have a good testimony or reputation of your faith in (before) God before others, it is easy to share the gospel because the way has already been prepared. They both go together. When you have bad testimony, it’s hard or impossible.
Their testimony impacted many in such a way that Paul and his team had no need to go and carry the message there. The disciples were already making disciples!
Sharing the gospel was not a formal act but a real act of daily life.
Their lives showed that they were true converts of Christ. But this would not be enough if it is not accompanied by the transformation of their lives.
2. They show with their lives how they have been converted to Christ v. 9
“for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (NET Bible)
Paul received reports about Thessalonians’ faith. Those reports included how they had received Paul and his team when they came to share with them. They received them in a very open manner and were willing to listen to the truth of God. He also heard about their conversion to Christ.
The word out was that they had left their idols and turned to the true living God v. 9a. This is in a society that was polytheists and shunned and persecuted those who were not. They had “turned to God” or had converted to God. Conversion is not personal reform to become acceptable to God. This is religion. Conversion comes from God (the order of words in Greek is like this: “You turned to God from idols”) first. Then comes the turning away from “idols”. This is repentance. It means I recognize that I am separated from God because of my sin, that I am serving other gods, and I make a change of direction toward God. The negative aspect of repentance is leaving the wrong path. It’s a definitive act and not a process. The positive aspect is turning to God.
Conversion “means serving the living and true God” v. 9b
Before they were converted, the Thessalonians served false, lifeless gods. Now they served the living and true God. Their positive change was to “serve the living and true God.” The Lord does not save us so that we continue to live our way and to continue with our idols (and our idols are more sophisticated). He takes us out of the world of idolatry to serve Him and to be His servants. Our God is the living God who has always existed. He’s the Author of all lives. In Him is eternal life. He is the only true God. All other gods are false.
3. They confidently await the Second Coming of Christ v. 10
“and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath”
Paul taught about the Second Coming of Christ to these new believers in the brief time he was with them. He told them that the risen Lord would come again, and when he came he would deliver them from the “coming wrath.” This “anger” is not uncontrollable, but is the execution of God’s punishment on sin and sinner that refuse to repent. God’s holy and righteous character demands that sin be punished. This anger is God’s judgment is only for non-believers (Rom. 2:5) because Jesus Christ received the punishment for sin for all of us who have believed.
We don’t talk much about the coming of Christ and what will happen when the Lord comes. It may be for a number of reasons. First, there is always controversy as to when he will come, whether before or after or during tribulation. But the truth is that God’s wrath will come in what the Bible calls “Great Tribulation.” What we have experienced with the pandemic does not come close what will come to this world in the future from the hand of God. Second, we don’t want to make people uncomfortable thinking they shouldn’t consider this world their home. This would alter many of their lives, what an irony!
Are these three marks evident in your life? This is a good time to pause and learn from the church in Thessalonica about what it means to be a Christian. If you haven’t turned to Christ and repented of your sins, do this now. Serve him with all of your life. Live in a way that shows your love for Him. Live expecting his return.
¿Porqué Dios Tolera la Maldad y Violencia?
Esta serie tiene tres sermones.
¿Porqué Dios Tolera la Maldad y Violencia? Habacuc 1
Internet Archive – bookmarks for: despond
