August 15 2026

Saturday August 15

Becoming an Example

1 Thessalonians 1:7

Welcome to Pastor’s Chat. Today we continue our journey through 1 Thessalonians chapter 1, and we come to verse 7. Paul writes: “So that you were examples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.” Yesterday we saw in verse 6 that the Thessalonian believers had become followers of Paul and of the Lord. They had received the Word in the midst 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 to becoming examples. I love that progression.

First, we follow the right example. Then, as we grow in Christ, we become the right example for someone else. Paul says, “So that you were examples to all that believe.” The word translated examples has the idea of a pattern, a model, or an impression that can be reproduced. It reminds me of an old-fashioned stamp. You press the stamp onto the paper, and it leaves behind an impression of the original. That is what these Thessalonian believers were doing. The life of Christ had made such an impression upon them that now their lives were making an impression upon others.

And that should challenge every one of us today. Someone is watching our life. Our children are watching us. Our grandchildren are watching us. Our neighbors are watching us. The people we work with are watching us. Other believers are watching us. And whether we realize it or not, our lives are leaving an impression. Paul didn't say these Thessalonians were perfect. They were relatively new believers. Paul had only been with them for a short period of time before persecution forced him to leave Thessalonica. Yet something genuine had happened in their lives. Remember what we have already seen in verse 3. They had a “work of faith,” a “labor of love,” and a “patience of hope.” Their faith wasn't simply something they talked about. Their faith was producing something others could see.

Then in verse 6, they received the Word despite affliction and persecution. And now in verse 7, other believers were looking at them and saying, in effect, “That's what following Jesus looks like.” What an amazing testimony! Notice also how far their influence had spread. Paul says they were examples “to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.” Macedonia was the northern region of Greece where Thessalonica and Philippi were located. Achaia was the southern region where cities such as Athens and Corinth were located. So their testimony had spread far beyond their own city. They probably never dreamed that people hundreds of miles away would hear about their faithfulness to Christ. And there is a lesson here for us.

You never know how far the influence of a faithful Christian life will reach. Sometimes we think that unless we have a large ministry, preach to thousands of people, or accomplish something that receives public recognition, our life doesn't make much difference. But that's not how God measures influence. A faithful mother or father can influence generations of a family. A faithful Sunday school teacher can influence a child who someday influences thousands. A faithful pastor may never have a large church, but the people he disciples may carry the Gospel around the world. A faithful Christian neighbor may quietly demonstrate the love of Christ to someone who desperately needs hope. We may never know on this side of eternity how far our influence has reached.

There is another important truth here. The Thessalonians didn't set out to become famous. They simply set out to be faithful. Their influence was the result of their faithfulness, not the goal of their faithfulness. That is important in our day when so much emphasis is placed on being noticed, gaining followers, and building an audience. The Christian life isn't about people noticing us. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” The purpose of our influence is not that people would say, “What a wonderful person.” It is that they would say, “What a wonderful Savior!” Paul could tell the Thessalonians, “You followed us, and now others are following your example.” That is discipleship. Someone helped us follow Jesus, and now we should be helping someone else follow Jesus.

So today, maybe we should ask ourselves a simple question: If someone followed my example, where would my example lead them? Would they learn to pray? Would they learn to love God's Word? Would they learn to forgive? Would they learn to serve? Would they learn to trust God during difficult circumstances? Most importantly, would our lives point them to Jesus Christ? My friend, you may never stand behind a pulpit. You may never teach a Bible class. Your name may never be widely known. But you can live such a faithful Christian life that someone else sees Jesus in you and wants to follow Him. First we become followers, and then, by God's grace, we become examples.

Let's pray. Father, thank You for the people You have placed in our lives who have been faithful examples to us. Thank You especially for Your Son, Jesus Christ, Who is our perfect example. Help us today to follow Him closely so that our lives might point others to Him. Give us a work of faith, a labor of love, and a patience of hope that others can see. May our words, our attitudes, and our actions leave an impression that brings glory to You. Help us to remember that someone is watching our life, and may what they see lead them closer to Jesus. We ask these things in His precious name. Amen.

God bless and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!