The Message

It’s been said that the Christian army is the only army that shoots its wounded. Maybe we can take this a step further, by recognizing that sometimes Christians are the ones who inflict the wounds on other Christians.

There are a few similarities between what I just said and what Paul was writing about in verses 13-16 of chapter 2. In this passage, his writing revolves around his message, which is the Word of God.

This morning, I would like for us to consider the following principle. Genuineness will result when the Word of God has been fully applied.

Reception of the Word—2.13

1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NASB95)

For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.

We read in the first part of this verse that what they had received was the word of God. The phrase the word of God which you heard from us literally reads, “A word heard from us out from God.” It was not an opinion being shared by Paul, it was the actual, authoritative word of God.

We also see in this verse a natural progression, as Paul uses the words, received and accepted. Not only did they hear and intellectually understand the message, thanks to the Holy Spirit, which caused them to receive it; they also welcomed it and took it upon themselves as they accepted it.

The very last word, believe, has a fascinating meaning. It’s not just a one-time belief, but a continuous action; a process of constantly believing. If a person is genuinely born-again, they will have a genuine believing faith that is a continuing faith.

After reading the verses from the last message, we saw that there was much praise to the Lord for recognizing what God had done for the Thessalonians. The reason that this positive impact was seen by others was because the message was received for what it should have been. As a result, the power of God’s Word resulted in not just a positional, eternal destination change, but it caused outward changes.

What exactly is the work [performed] in you who believe? This word for work speaks of a divine activity. It’s not the blood, sweat, and effort from any human effort. Because of this understanding, we can suggest that the Word of God was divine, as well as was the work, which was active and dynamic. In other words, God was causing them to be effective, efficient and productive on a supernatural level.

To summarize this verse, we know that Paul and his companions were thankful to God because they knew that the Word was received by the Thessalonians as the Word of God. My friends, we are reminded that we are simply God’s mouthpiece. For the Gospel does not originate from some human idea; it comes from God Himself.

As we go on to verse 14, we see that since this was the Word of God and was received as such, there should always be a result which follows.

Persecution Because of the Word—2.14

1 Thessalonians 2:14 (NASB95)

For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews,

Sure enough! The message did indeed produce results. What were they? It seems that the message caused a willingness to fully imitate what other followers of Jesus were doing in Judea. More than likely, this church had not even been to the churches in Judea. Yet because the same Holy Spirit was at work in all of their lives, the Thessalonian church looked very similar to what was taking place in Judea.

One of the similarities would be found in something less than pleasant. This imitation involved suffering for the cause of Christ. You might recall that after Stephen was stoned, persecution continued in earnest for the Judean Christians. Interestingly, most of it was spearheaded by Saul, who later became Paul.

It was obvious to all who observed, that the Thessalonian believers were not superficial in any way. They were not “fair-weather” believers; which in essence, would have meant that they would not have been truly saved. What is a “fair-weather” believer? They’re often referred to as “stony soil” hearers. For when they are persecuted, they are willing to fall away and compromise just to keep peace.

In reality, we know from the Bible that those who do receive the Word and choose to accept it will always be hated by unbelieving people.

Here, we see that the believers suffered from their own countrymen. Because the Thessalonians had accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, this became a division and caused separation from the others. It was not of their choosing, but rather caused by others who hated Jesus and everyone who would identify with Him.

So far we’ve seen that the Thessalonians received and accepted the message as God’s Word. Because of that, they experienced persecution as a result of God’s Word. This leads us to our third point for the day.

Opposition to the Word—2.15-16

1 Thessalonians 2:15–16 (NASB95)

who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men, hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost.

By Paul’s sudden switch from thankfulness for the Thessalonians to a scathing critique of the Jews because of their rejection of Jesus, we readily see the complete opposite picture of the two groups and their response to Jesus.

As we read these verses, we see that there was violent opposition. In the original language, Paul separates Lord and Jesus by the word killed. It seems that the reason was that it was necessary to show just how horrible the impact was of what had been done. The people had attacked God and humanity; the deity and humanity of our Savior.

We see the Thessalonians as those who received and accepted the truth. Contrary to this, the unbelieving Jews rejected and opposed the truth. This had taken place throughout the majority of their time as God’s chosen people.

We know that the Jews didn’t actually do the killing of Jesus. However, they were fully responsible for his death. By placing Jesus’ death at the front, before that of the prophets, Paul shows that this was the climax to their evil treatment to the prophets, as well as to Paul and his friends.

Their opposition was anti-God and anti-man. Even in our current world, those who hate God and His ways, pretend that they care for humanity. They do not! For example, when Paul states they they drove us out. the word picture is that of extreme persecution. It actually was used to describe hunting down an animal with the sole purpose of killing it.

Besides displeasing God, they are just plain contrary to all humanity. Paul uses the phrase hostile to all men. What makes them so? They were doing everything they could do, to shut down the message of the Gospel, which was the message of salvation. Sadly, it was common knowledge that the Jews were considered haters of the human race. It wasn’t because of their ethnicity, for they were perfectly acceptable if they participated in the world’s lifestyle and worship. It was based upon a prejudice against God and all who follow Him. So, if it was your goal to keep people from being saved, unless it was done by how you said it had to be done, wouldn’t that be considered hateful? Paul stated that they preached so that they [the Gentiles] may be saved. The others did not want for others to be saved, since they themselves would not accept God’s offer of salvation.

Consider just how ridiculous and intense the opposition was. They were anti-themselves. As Paul is reflecting, he is showing an intense anger; in particular, against his own people. He should know, as he was speaking from his own experiences.

Listen to some of the wording. . . . they always fill up the measure of their sins. Basically, they are making certain that they are leaving nothing out in the list of sins.

. . . wrath has come upon them to the utmost. Paul uses a form of the verb, has come, to show that it was a done deal. Paul uses this form, not to show a time of punishment; rather it shows the absolute certainty of punishment. Folks, there is no way a person can avoid God’s judgment if one chooses to reject Christ.

It has been stated that the worst feature of unbelief is not its own damnation, but its effort to frustrate the salvation of others.

Reflections

Maybe we haven’t been persecuted physically, but we need to be prepared and expect to be. We need to understand why persecution will come our way. Let’s look at why this will happen.

First, it’s because we’ve chosen to receive the Word as God’s Word. The Bible is God’s Word.

Second, we must remember that Christ promised that in this world we would have trouble. However, He also stated that we can take heart, for He has overcome this world.

Third, we can know that it is a reality that there will be persecution and opposition to the presentation of the Word of God; whether it’s presented verbally, in written form, or simply lived out daily.

Thus, we must be faithful; as those who are entrusted with the Gospel. It’s not about pleasing men, but pleasing God.

Our goal must be to make certain that the message goes forth for all to hear. It’s not a matter of going door-to-door, or forming visitation teams, or developing a slick formula or program. We must behave the Gospel; live like Jesus. In chapter 1.3, Paul spoke of their work produced by faith; labor prompted by love; endurance inspired by hope in Jesus Christ. In chapter 1.9, we read that the other people saw the changes that occurred in the Thessalonian believers. Their walk matched their talk.

If we’ve received the Gospel as the Word of God, we should be expecting some persecution because of the message itself. We don’t need to waste time on causing or participating in drama within our own family.

The watching world is going to notice our lives. Genuineness will result when the Word of God has been fully applied.

Now, the response we receive might be persecution. Or . . . it might be that others would experience a transformed life because of the message of Jesus Christ.