Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 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. And you became imitators of us and of the

1 Thessalonians 1

Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 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. 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, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians 1

μιμητής - mimetes – “imitator” τύπος - tupos – “example”

tupos physical example

mimetes representation

“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ”

1 Corinthians 11: 1

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” [authority, community, communion, bonds of love]

1 Corinthians 10 – 11

Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4 – 5

Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 4 – 5

tupos physical example

mimetes representation

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

1 Timothy 4

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.

1 Timothy 4

In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds… and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech

Titus 2:7

For you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit…

1 Thessalonians 1: 6

The path of “being made new” and maturing is marked by perseverance through suffering, by “practicing” the disciplines of faith and good

works, and through the hard work of daily laying down our lives

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death even death on a cross!

Philippians 2

Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.

Hebrews 12

“Upside Down Kingdom Values” That the first will be last, and the last first. That the place and role of a leader is in acting as a servant. That we don’t gain God’s love by working hard to do it just right. That each of us must lay down our lives and die in order to truly live.

POWER… versus service, enduring misunderstanding, and persevering in doing what is good. PROTECT my life, my rights, my status... versus caring “for the least of these” TO BE SEEN BY MEN, and building up our own reputations… versus willingly working and sacrificing and remaining faithful even in obscurity

Practicing a discipline puts us in a posture to experience God in a new way. It’s a way of

presenting ourselves to our loving Father, and fixing our eyes on Him as he leads us into greater

maturity and understanding.

Romans 5: But we [also] rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.

Romans 5

Romans 5: But we [also] rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.

1 Peter 5: But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.

Romans 5; 1 Peter 5