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In a world full of fake news, counterfeit products, and surface-level relationships, there's something refreshing about authenticity. The book of 1 Thessalonians gives us a glimpse into what a real church looks like - not perfect, but authentic in their faith and love for one another.

What does it mean to be real in our faith?

Being real simply means admitting we need help in areas of our life. When we're fake, we're actually in worse shape because we won't admit our need for help - from others or from God. We're the only part of creation that says, "I've got this" instead of acknowledging our dependence on our Creator.

Church is for messed-up people who admit they have issues. That's the beauty of Christianity - at the foot of the cross, we're all equal. No matter our background, wealth, or status, we've all fallen short of God's glory and need His grace.

What happens when the gospel is preached with power?

When the gospel is preached with power, churches form and lives change. The Apostle Paul writes to the Thessalonian church with deep affection:

"We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly... We think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3)

Paul's joy in this church wasn't because they were perfect. In fact, we'll discover they had plenty of problems. His joy came from seeing how the gospel was transforming them.

What is a church according to the Bible?

The word "church" in Greek means "a called-out assembly." When the gospel is preached with power, it calls people out:

Called out from the world

Called out from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light

Called out from the realm of Satan into the realm of God

Called out from being unloved to being loved

Called out from being sinners to being saints

 

We've been invited and summoned by God to live in a realm where He is King and Lord.

What are the marks of a real church?

From 1 Thessalonians 1:5, we can identify two essential marks of a church called by God:

1. God is their Father

A real church recognizes God as Father - not just in name, but in relationship. What does a father do?

Takes care of his children

Provides care

Gives oversight to the family

Is the ultimate authority

Nurtures

Meets needs

 

A church without God as Father is merely a country club. Our heavenly Father designed the church for this specific time and place.

2. Jesus Christ is Lord

Jesus must be more than just our Savior - He must be our Lord. He's the captain of the ship, the pilot of the plane. If Jesus isn't in charge of our lives and our church, then we aren't truly a church and can't genuinely call ourselves Christians.

Why is joy not dependent on perfection?

For perfectionists (and all of us), here's a liberating truth: Joy is never based upon perfection. It is rooted and grounded in understanding who we are in Christ and what Christ has done for us.

When we recognize our identity in Christ, we can experience joy regardless of our circumstances or imperfections. This is what made the Thessalonian church so special to Paul - not their flawlessness, but their authentic faith despite their flaws.

Life Application

The challenge before us is to be real and authentic believers who can enjoy a real and authentic church that experiences transformation and brings honor to Jesus.

This week, commit to being honest and open with your words, thoughts, and actions. Remember that authenticity doesn't mean being brutally honest or unkind - it means being genuine while still showing love.

Ask yourself:

In what areas of my life am I trying to maintain a façade instead of admitting I need help?

Have I allowed Jesus to be both my Savior AND my Lord?

Where do I find my joy - in perfection or in understanding who I am in Christ?

How can I use my sphere of influence to share what Christ has done for me?

 

Remember, we all have a platform and sphere of influence. When you belong to Christ, you have a responsibility to share His love with others. Just as we eagerly talk about things we're passionate about, our relationship with Jesus should naturally overflow into our conversations and interactions.

Let's be a church that's productive - taking what we've experienced and sharing it with others, united in our common purpose of glorifying God and making disciples.