ECHOES OF FAITH
Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10
Introduction:
Well, with that, let’s turn our attention to God’s Word. If you have your Bible, open with me to the New Testament book of 1 Thessalonians, chapter 1. This is understood by scholars to be the first book, or letter written in the New Testament. And, it was written by the apostle Paul. (I’ll tell you a little more about it in a moment). But turn there with me. While you find it, I want to tell you a story…one of my stories.
As a boy, some of my most treasured memories come from time spent in the western hills of North Carolina. I grew up in Florida, but every summer my family would pack up the car, hook up our camper, and head for the Mountains. Eventually, my parents bought a small piece of land in Bryson City. In time, they built a house there—which we affectionately called “the cabin.” It sat on the side of a hill, surrounded by trees, trails, creeks, and lots of wildlife. Well, I’ll never forget this one particular spot—just up from the cabin, near a ridge where the hills curved and the trees opened up. If you stood in just the right place and shouted, your voice would carry — and then bounce back to you. Not once, but sometimes multiple times — as it echoed! And I remember thinking how amazing it was that I could shout into the air—and it would just keep going. It didn’t stop when I did. It continued. It reverberated. And in a sense, it lived on.I’ve never forgotten that.
In fact, it’s that picture of an echo that comes to mind when I read 1 Thessalonians 1. Because Paul writes to a group of believers whose faith was doing the same thing!
Their faith in Christ was echoing throughout the ancient world!
And, not just because of their words, but because of the transformation that had taken place in their lives.
So, if you have your bible, look with me at 1 Thessalonians 1. And follow along as I read. Beginning in verse 1, Paul writes:
1 Paul, Silas and Timothy, To thechurch of the Thessaloniansin God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you. 2 We always thank God for all of youand continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you,5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 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, 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, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. — 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 (NIV)
Well, before we unpack all of this—let’s take a moment to understand where this church came from. The context of this passage makes it even more powerful.
Context:
In Acts 17, we find the origin story for the Thessalonian church. You might remember, Paul and his companions visited Thessalonica during their 2nd missionary journey.
Thessalonica was a major port city in northern Greece. It was an economic power house—strategic, influential, and filled with wealth.
It was also situated along the Via Egnatia (known as the Roman Road), which stretched from the eastern coast of Albania (on the Adriatic Sea, across from Italy)—all the way through Northern Greece — and over to Turkey (on the Black Sea). It was a long and amazing road.
No doubt, Paul would have travelled it often, as he carried the gospel to the gentile people throughout the region. And Thessalonica was one of his stops! It was known as a “free city” (not directly under Roman rule), but still greatly influenced by power of Rome. And many people worshipped the Emperor — the Cult of Caesar. And it was popular. For someone to say “Jesus is Lord”(in that city), would have been viewed as political rebellion. So, when Paul came preaching Jesus, and called Him the risen King, it caused a riot.
Again, Acts 17 tells about it. You can read it later.
Luke tells us, that things got so crazy that many of the new believers became concerned for Paul’s life, and even persuaded him to slip out of town at night. But, in the wake of the chaos—a new community was formed, and the church in Thessalonica was planted. They were small, and new to faith, and had much to learn, but THEY believed! And the Holy Spirit empowered them to live as LIGHT in the darkness of their world.
History tells us they faced harsh persecution and ridicule. But here’s the remarkable thing: even in the face of suffering, they stood strong in their faith and lived boldly for Jesus!And their testimony spread quickly. So Paul writes to them and says, “Your faith… your endurance… and your example—it’s being talked about everywhere!”
Just as my voice once echoed through those valleys in North Carolina, their faith was echoing throughout the streets and towns of the ancient world. And that’s my challenge for you today — that you would live in such a way, that your faith would echo far beyond these walls and throughout the world.
Well, Paul addresses several things in this passage.
And the first is this: HE SAYS, YOU MUST…
1. LET THE GOSPEL WORK IN YOU!
Notice again in verse 5, Paul says,
“Because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction…” — 1 Thessalonians 1:5a (NIV)
What he’s describing is the dynamic impact, the gospel had on their lives.
It wasn’t simply ideas and information — what Paul described was transformation.
And I think that’s so important to understand, because there’s a temptation to think that the message of Jesus is about religion. As if it’s about theological ideas and spiritual arguments. But that’s not at all what Paul is describing here. He saying when the gospel came to these people — it changed them. It didn’t just inform them — it invaded their lives! It didn’t just land in their ears—it planted inside their hearts!
Paul makes it clear that the gospel is so much more than simple words — it’s actual power.
Now, think about that. We live in a culture filled with words…our lives are inundated with words, with speech, with news and messages. You can’t step outside your door without being bombarded with words. Right?
So many opinions. And messages, and emails, and texts. Even online — podcasts. And news reports. Because we live in the information age. Our era is characterized by the rapid proliferation of information, the internet, and digital communication, making information more accessible than ever before.
But Paul is clear that the message of the gospel is (and was),so much more than words.
In fact, it’s the message about “THE WORD.” Jesus! And the difference He made through His life, death, and resurrection. And when that message (empowered by the Holy Spirit), penetrates the crustiness of our hearts, the result is explosive!
Paul says it was an encounter of power (dunamis), supernatural power, as the presence of the Holy Spirit altered the lives of those who were open and receptive to the gospel.
- This wasn’t just emotional hype. It was Holy Spirit clarity.
- The veil had been lifted. Idols were no longer necessary. They no longer satisfied.
- And sin was no longer tolerated.
- Jesus became the Lord of their lives.
What a moment!
Let’s be honest: there are many who are content to believe in a gospel that is theoretical, religious, and respectable. But when true gospel of Christ is understood and embraced — when it is believed and welcomed into our lives, it will produce genuine change and life transformation. And that’s what happened in Thessalonica!
Application: So let me ask you:
Has that happened in your life?
- Have you welcomed the message of Gospel (the message of Jesus), in your life?
- Have you surrendered to His call, and placed your trust in Him?
- Isthere any evidence of the gospel’s work in you?
If so, then you’ll begin to see a difference in your appetites, and attitude, and your actions! So, I challenge you today, LET THE GOSPEL WORK IN YOU!
Well, the second challenge I believe Paul is making is this: HE SAYS, YOU MUST…
2. LET HOPE FLOW THROUGH YOU!
Notice again, in verse 6 — he doesn’t use the word hope, but he certainly describes it. In verse 6 he writes of the believers in Thessalonica,
“You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” — 1 Thessalonians 1:6 (NIV)
That’s not normal behavior. That’s not how most people respond to hardship.
But again, Paul is describing something radical—something we might define as hope. Genuine hope. Not a feeling or wishful thinking, but a sense of confidence that truth brings. Let me explain…
We live in a world where people are obsessed with ease, comfort, and convenience. And when things don’t go their way—when life gets hard—they grumble, lash out, and spiral into despair.
But NOT the believers in Thessalonica? They were different. Not because of where they lived, but how they lived.
They welcomed the gospel in the middle of persecution—not after the pressure lifted, but while the storm was still raging. They chose to follow Jesus even when they knew it would cost them. And they didn’t hesitate. They didn’t retreat. They didn’t complain.
Instead, they modeled their lives after Christ. And lived with hope. Just like Hebrews 12:2 describes Jesus—
“Who for the joy set before him endured the cross.”
And, the same Spirit who empowered Jesus also empowered these believers. How was this possible? Because their hope wasn’t rooted in their circumstances. It was founded upon Jesus. And their joy flowed from the Holy Spirit, not from their environment. It was the byproduct of their faith and confidence in their risen Savior.
That’s what hope looks like. Not wishful thinking. Not shallow optimism. Not hype—but hope! Holy Spirit-born hope. The kind that holds on through hardship because it sees what’s ahead. They understood, this life is temporary—but life with Jesus is eternal. And their lives reflected that hope!
That’s what the world can’t explain. That’s what makes your faith interesting and compelling. It’s not just what you believe—it’s how you respond when belief gets tested.
In a recent report from the Voice of the Martyrs, an Iranian believer named Soro shared what it was like to lead a house church under constant threat of discovery. She said, she and her husband, Ali, had escaped persecution (and the country) — only to return and start a house church. She said they knew the risks, and that preaching Jesus might cost them their freedom and even their lives. Yet, they chose to return anyway. Well, eventually they were discovered and arrested. And, while sitting in a prison cell—completely cut off from her family, Soro wrote these words: “God was allowing us, His children, to suffer… because He wanted us to carry His presence into their presence.” Think about that. She didn’t say, “God abandoned us.” She didn’t say, “Why me?” She said, “God sent us to carry His presence to those who did not know Him.”
Folks, that’s what genuine hope in Christ looks like!
It’s what Paul witnessed in the Thessalonian believers—and it’s what the world still needs to see in us today.
Application: So, let me ask you:
Can others see the hope of Christ in you?
Not just when everything’s going well—but when life is hard?
Can your kids see it in how you respond to stress?
Can your coworkers see it in the way you carry yourself under pressure?
Can your friends—and even your critics—look at your life and say, “I don’t fully understand what they believe, but they’ve got something I don’t”?
That’s the kind of life that makes people lean in and ask questions. That’s a life that reflects hope.
Let me encourage you today:
- Don’t waste your trials.
- Let your hardship become your platform.
- Let your pain become your pulpit.
And know this, God is at work in you—even in the pain. And the promise of scripture is, if we will give our hurt to Him, He will never waste it. He will redeem your pain and make good out of bad. He will take what the enemy meant for evil and turn it for good. That’s the hope of Romans 8—God works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
So hear me clearly—when you endure suffering with joy, when you walk through fire and still lift your eyes, you are reflecting the supernatural hope of the gospel.
Well, the last challenge I believe Paul is making here is this: HE SAYS, YOU MUST…
3. LET FAITH ECHO BEYOND YOU!
Look again at verse 8. Here he says,
“The Lord’s message rang outfrom you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known EVERYWHERE…” — 1 Thessalonians 1:8 (NIV)
This is the part that blows me away. Their message about Jesus rang out everywhere…even though:
They didn’t have a website.
They didn’t have a YouTube channel.
They didn’t have a Facebook page, Instagram account, or any kind of social media strategy.
But, what they DID HAVE was a passionate, contagious, consistent, and Spirit-filled witness. They must have lived with passion, and exuded joy. They overflowed with life.
What we know is their faith traveled far and wide — beyond the walls of their homes and gatherings. It seems to have spilled out into the streets, into their communities, in their neighborhoods and their marketplaces. And according to verse 8, it echoed beyond their town — from city to city and throughout the region.
And if you want to know what that faith looked like, you’ll find it described in verse 3, where Paul says, it was a:
“…work produced by faith, … labor prompted by love, and … endurance inspired by hope in … Jesus.”
And that’s what was talked about and was echoed all throughout the region. In fact. It reached people and places far from Thessalonica.
Paul actually wrote this letter from Corinth just a few months after having been with them. And yet, in that short time — the reputation of this church had traveled far and wide. The city of Corinth is roughly 360 miles away from Thessolonica. That’s a 15 day walk. And yet that how far and fast the story of their faith had traveled.
Notice the word Paul uses. He says,
“The Lord’s message RANG OUT from you…”
That phrase literally means to echo. It conveys the idea of a loud, resounding call—like a trumpet blast or a thunderclap. It’s not quiet. It’s not subtle.
Paul is saying their testimony didn’t whisper—it thundered. It echoed. It couldn’t be ignored. That’s the power of a Spirit-filled life lived with boldness and consistency.
What a testimony!
It makes me wonder,
- What would it look like if you were known more for your faith in Christ and love for others than you were for anything else? More than opinions or preferences, or political views….
- What if you were known more for how you served than how you shouted?
- What if the loudest testimony you offered wasn’t in what you posted online—but how you proclaimed Jesus by your actions?
- What if your daily lives—and not just our Sunday routines—became the witness of people received from you?
Application: Let me ask you today:
Is your life echoing that kind of faith? Is your love for Christ clear to those who are watching you?
Does your faith resound beyond Sunday mornings—into your workplace, your neighborhood, and your friendships?
Is your faith making any noise?
CONCLUSION:
When I was a boy, standing on that mountain in Bryson City, I would sometimes shout just to hear my voice echo.
Now, I don’t know who might’ve been on the next ridge—or who might have been hiking below. But I know this: if they were there…they heard my voice.
And that’s just the picture that Paul describes when he speaks of the faith of the Thessalonians. Long after the Sermons of their lips ended, the message of their transformed lives continued.
So the question I leave with you today is this:
What is it — that’s going to outlive you — what story will the pages of history tell” about you and your life? What us the echo that will be heard?
May it be a message of faith in Jesus, of hope in His promises, and of love for Him and others! Amen?!
PRAYER:
Would you bow your heads and as we close in prayer today?
First, I want to give you an opportunity to experience the work of the gospel that I’ve been talking about today.
If you’ve been listening — and the Holy Spirit’s been stirring in you, drawing you in with the thought of forgiveness and salvation. If you’d like experience that today — if you’d like to invite Jesus into your life this morning, then would pray with me? And say,
Heavenly Father, I admit that I have sinned and chosen my way over yours too often. But all that changes today. Because, I confess my sin before you (I’ve blown it and missed the mark). But I confess my faith in Jesus. I believe Your Son came from heaven, lived a sinless life, and then went to the cross to shed His blood for me. That He sacrificed Himself in my place. That through His death — I could be forgiven of my sin and guilt. And, I also believe that He rose again — and is alive today. So, I put my faith in Jesus. Forgive me, and save me, and allow Your Spirit to live in me. I pray this in Jesus name, Amen.
If you just prayed that prayer — I AM SO PROUD OF YOU! That’s the greatest decision you’ll ever make.
And now, for the rest of us…let’s pray:
Heavenly Father, we thank you for your word — and the encouragement we find in this passage today. We are grateful for the reminder that you know us, love us, and call us your own. It’s our prayer today that we would live our lives well — and that our testimony and the message we proclaim would live on as well. Help us to take seriously the call to speak up for You! Help us seize every-moment to proclaim Jesus and the difference you make in our lives. Don’t allow our lives or our words to just fade into the noisiness of this culture—but let our words of hope, and our example faith, and our demonstration of love for you an others continue to echo loudly long after we’re gone. May our homes, and our workplaces, and our relationships ring out with the sound of gospel transformation. May this church be a people marked by joy in suffering, boldness in witness, and depth in devotion. And, like the Thessalonians, may our faith become known—not for our sake, but for Yours. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.