Signal Fire: Being the Church as God’s Plan A

On a quiet night in 1775, a few brave souls climbed the stairs of the Old North Church and lit lanterns that would signal the start of a revolution. In the same way, God calls His people to be a signal fire in a world that often feels dark, divided, and anxious. The church is not a building or an organization, but a community of believers—God’s plan A for bringing hope, faith, and love to the world. There is no plan B. Each of us has a part to play in this mission, and what a gift it is to be included in God’s redemptive work.

Looking at the church in Thessalonica, we see a powerful example of what it means to be a signal fire. These believers turned away from the idols and distractions of their culture and turned toward the living and true God. Their transformation was so profound that word spread throughout the region—people noticed the hope, faith, and love that radiated from their lives. This is the spark that ignites revival: when people turn from lesser things and orient their lives around Jesus, the light begins to shine.

But turning to God is not a one-time event. It’s a daily, even moment-by-moment, choice to surrender our hearts, our priorities, and our actions to Him. The light that God kindles in us is not meant to be hidden; it is meant to shine out, to bring warmth and hope to those around us. Serving the living God means loving others when it’s inconvenient, giving generously even when no one is watching, and showing up with joy and peace in a world filled with anxiety.

Hope is the fuel that keeps the signal fire burning. The Thessalonian church lived with a deep conviction that Jesus is alive and that He is coming back. This hope gave them courage to persevere through hardship and made their faith contagious. Their faith, love, and hope became known everywhere, not because they were perfect, but because they were real and passionate.

This is the calling for us today: to be a city on a hill, a signal fire that cannot be extinguished. To let our faith lead to action, our love to sacrifice, and our hope to perseverance. The world still needs a church that burns bright with the passion and presence of Jesus, drawing others to the warmth and light of His love.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Turning to God requires turning away from the idols and distractions that subtly take His place in our lives. It’s not just about rejecting obvious wrongs, but about recognizing when good things become ultimate things, and reorienting our hearts daily toward the living God. This continual turning is the spark that ignites a life that shines for Christ. [10:57]
• 2. The light of Christ within us is not meant to be hidden or kept private. Our faith is designed to be visible, to bring hope and warmth to those around us. Each day, we have the opportunity to let our actions, words, and attitudes reflect the goodness of God, so that others may see and glorify Him. [15:24]
• 3. Serving the living God is an active, not passive, calling. It means loving when it’s inconvenient, giving when no one is watching, and showing up with hope and peace even when we feel anxious or afraid. True service is sacrificial and often costly, but it is through this kind of living that the world sees the reality of Jesus. [25:12]
• 4. Hope is not wishful thinking, but a living reality rooted in the resurrection and promised return of Jesus. This hope gives us courage to persevere through suffering, to keep moving forward when life is hard, and to become a beacon for others who are searching for meaning and peace. Hope is what makes our faith contagious and our love resilient. [27:48]
• 5. Faith, love, and hope are the essential ingredients of a life that burns brightly for God. Faith leads us to action, love compels us to sacrifice, and hope sustains us through trials. We don’t have to be perfect, but we are called to be real—letting these virtues shape us so that our lives become a signal fire that draws others to Christ. [31:11]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:51] - The Signal Fire: Lighting the Way
• [03:14] - The Church as God’s Plan A
• [05:18] - Paul’s Letter to the Thessalonians
• [07:08] - Faith, Love, and Hope: The Church’s Foundation
• [08:27] - Signal Fire Starts When We Turn to God
• [10:21] - Modern Idols and the Call to Worship
• [12:14] - The Power of Testimony and Transformation
• [14:08] - Letting Your Light Shine
• [16:01] - Daily Surrender and Turning to God
• [17:57] - Serving the Living God
• [22:38] - The Warmth of Community and the Signal Fire
• [23:57] - What Serving Looks Like: Love, Generosity, Joy
• [26:28] - Hope is Alive and Spreads
• [29:49] - Faith, Love, and Hope: The Signal Fire’s Heart
• [33:36] - Lighting Ourselves Ablaze with Passion
• [34:52] - Prayer and Sending Out

Bible Reading

1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 (ESV) — 2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,
3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,
5 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.
6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,
7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
8 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.
9 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,
10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV) — 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Thessalonians 1, what specific changes did the Thessalonian believers make after hearing the gospel? ([11:37])
2. In Matthew 5:14-16, what does Jesus say about the purpose of our “light”? How does He describe the effect it should have on others? ([14:08])
3. The sermon describes the church as “God’s plan A” for bringing hope, faith, and love to the world. What evidence from the Thessalonian church supports this idea? ([07:08])
4. What three qualities does Paul highlight as the foundation of the Thessalonian church’s witness? ([30:29])

Interpretation Questions

1. The Thessalonians “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” What might “idols” look like in our culture today, and why is it sometimes hard to recognize them? ([10:57])
2. Jesus says our light is meant to be seen, not hidden. What are some reasons people might hide their faith, and what are the consequences of doing so? ([15:24])
3. The sermon says hope is the “fuel” that keeps the signal fire burning. How does hope in Jesus’ resurrection and return give believers strength to persevere through hardship? ([27:48])
4. The Thessalonian church’s faith, love, and hope became known “everywhere.” What does it look like for a church or a person’s faith to be “contagious” in a positive way? ([28:26])

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to identify “idols” or distractions that take God’s place in our lives. What is one thing (even a good thing) that sometimes becomes too important for you? What would it look like to turn from it and reorient your heart toward God this week? ([10:57])
2. Jesus says not to hide our light. Is there a place in your life (work, family, friendships) where you tend to keep your faith private? What is one practical way you could let your light shine more openly there? ([15:24])
3. Serving the living God means loving when it’s inconvenient and giving when no one is watching. Can you think of a recent situation where you had the chance to serve or love sacrificially? What held you back, or what helped you step forward? ([25:12])
4. The sermon describes hope as a living reality, not just wishful thinking. When was the last time hope in Jesus helped you get through a tough moment? How can you remind yourself of that hope when new challenges come? ([27:48])
5. Faith, love, and hope are described as the “essential ingredients” of a life that shines for God. Which of these three do you feel strongest in right now, and which one do you want to grow in? What is one step you could take this week to develop it? ([31:11])
6. The Thessalonian church’s transformation was so visible that people talked about it everywhere. If someone observed your life this month, what would they notice most? Is there something you want to be more visible about your faith, love, or hope? ([12:55])
7. The sermon says, “We don’t have to be perfect, but we are called to be real.” What does being “real” about your faith look like for you? Is there a way you can be more authentic with others about your journey with Jesus? ([31:11])