Thessilonians (3)
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God’s word, God’s grace, God’s wrath
God’s word, God’s grace, God’s wrath
1 Thessalonians 2:13–16 (NKJV)
13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans,
15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men,
16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.
Intro:
1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NKJV)
13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
For this reason we also thank God without ceasing.
.
We have seen the character of the church in Thessalonica . Their faith, love and hope.
They were an example to others in Macedonia and Achaia
They were a model church.
One of the reason for them being what they had become was because of Paul.
7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.
11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children,
Paul, Silas, Timothy had been an example for them.
“For this reason we thank God without ceasing”
They thanked God because they heard, recieved, believed Gods word.
We should thank God when someone receives God’s word.
because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
“they received the word of God” Speaking of the gospel.
We have the word of God, the Bible.
Gods word transforms, and it can be trusted. The Thessalonians, heard it, they trusted, the believed it, and it transformed their lives.
“If the Bible is untrue at any point, it is untrustworthy in all points” Bro Ronnie Walker. Refresh Pastors Conf.
Lets look at word Gods word does.
POWERFUL
1 Thessalonians 1:5 (NKJV)
5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
29 “Is not My word like a fire?” says the Lord, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
Gods word has the power to change lives like it did the lives of the Thessalonians.
PRODUCES FAITH
As we hear (or read) it, it is able to develop faith in our hearts
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
HAS POWER TO SAVE
Gods word is the gospel, God's power unto salvation -
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
BRINGS SPIRITUAL GROWTH
2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,
HELPS TO OVERCOME THE DEVIL
14 I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.
13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe
The Thessalonians received God word and they believed Gods word.
And they believed Gods word came from God and not from man.
They heard Gods word, and they believed Gods word.
13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God
There are men who have spoken and written some great words. But the word of God is truth.
but as it is in truth, the word of God
Paul, Silas, Timothy spoke the word of God. The Thessalonians knew it was from God. How? The Holy Spirit spoke to them.
When you share the gospel with someone, the Holy Spirit will speak to them. It is their chose to believe it and except it, or to reject it.
Exodus 19:7–8 (NKJV)
7 So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which the Lord commanded him.
8 Then all the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” So Moses brought back the words of the people to the Lord.
Moses didn’t have a Bible, God spoke to him, and Moses spoke to the people.
Paul didn’t have a Bible. God spoke to him, and he spoke to the people.
They believed Gods word was the truth.
You are not saved if Gods word is not true to you.
When God’s word if true to you, it will have an effect in you.
which also effectively works in you who believe
Amplified Bible Chapter 2
the Word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its superhuman power in those who adhere to and trust in and rely on it]
Just because you believe Gods is not enough.
The Devil believes God word. He knows Gods word.
When you really believe in Gods word, you will act out in what you believe in. That means you trust it, and rely on it.
15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.
If Gods word has an effect in you, you will be a doer.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;
24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
They heard God’s word, they believed God’s, they responded to God’s word. God’s word transformed them.
God’s word. God’s grace.
1 Thessalonians 2:14 (NKJV)
14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans,
Look at what Paul says. He said that they became imitators of the churches in Judea.
Something happened to them. When they followed Christ, their lives changed. No one had to teach them the importance of church membership, or Christian fellowship.
They immediately identified with the people of God
For them to identify with God’s churches in Judea was to identify with their suffering.
The Thessalonians were willing to go the distance for Christ, even if it meant persecution, pain, and suffering. The only possible explanation for such a transformation was the power of God at work in them.
Imitators: The Judean Christians were the object of intense persecution and suffering. Much of this persecution began as a result of Paul’s intense hatred of Christians prior to his conversion.
1 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.
Now the Thessalonians were being prosecuted.
5 But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.
15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men,
16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.
“Who killed the Lord Jesus”
14 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
Why did they kill the one who came to save them? They rejected His words. They rejected the word of God.
They killed the prophets, OT. .......Why? Because they rejected God’s word.
They killed prophets in the days of Elijah
10 So he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”
THEY PERSECUTED THE APOSTLES..
40 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
They killed James and throw Peter into Prison.
1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church.
2 Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread.
4 So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.
5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.
15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men,
1 Thessalonians 2:15 (AMP)
15 Who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and harassed and drove us out, and continue to make themselves hateful and offensive to God and to show themselves foes of all men,
They rejected Jesus.
16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.
The wrath of God.
Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Thessalonians The Word Transforms Our Direction (1 Thess 2:15–16)
The light of the gospel shines brightly, but those who refuse to walk in its light will face their just judgment.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
MANY....
1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.