The Glory of the Gospel

1 Thessalonians 2:13-20

Introduction

There is nothing more glorious than the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The true treasure of the Church is the Most Holy Gospel of the glory and the grace of God.

Martin Luther (Founder of the German Reformation); Timothy J. Wengert; Samuel H. Nafzger; John F. Johnson; David A. Lumpp; Howard W. Tepker

I. The Glory of the Gospel is found in the preaching of the Gospel (v. 3)

The Gospel is a powerful force. It is supernatural.

It does not come from man. It comes from God.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 2:13

Someone has said that the gospel is not the kind of message that man would invent if he could, nor is it a message that he could invent if he would.

King James Version (Romans 1:16)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

When we preach Christ crucified, we have no reason to stammer, or stutter, or hesitate, or apologize; there is nothing in the gospel of which we have any cause to be ashamed.

Charles Spurgeon

The preaching of the Gospel must be paramount. For it is the Gospel and the Gospel only that changes lives.

It’s the Gospel that snatches and alcoholic from the clutches of addiction.

It’s the Gospel that calms the spirit of the man overcome by anger.

It’s the Gospel that frees a man from the entrapment of pornography.

It’s the Gospel that restores a broken marriage.

It’s the Gospel that cleanses the vilest sinner.

It’s the Gospel that pulls you out of the muck and mire of sin and sets your feet on the rock of Jesus Christ.

It’s the Gospel that rescues you from the penalty of sin and pulls you away from the flames of hell.

It’s the Gospel of Jesus Christ that redeems.

It’s the Gospel of Jesus Christ that saves.

It’s the Gospel of Jesus Christ justifies.

It’s the Gospel of Jesus Christ that sets you free.

The Gospel of Jesus Chris is the power of God unto salvation.

Therefore, it must be preached.

It must be preached in the market places.

It must be preached in the schools.

It must be preached in the halls of government.

It must be preached in the dark alleys.

It must be preached on the ball field and in the gym.

It must be preached in the hospitals.

It must be preached in the jungles.

It must be preached in the deserts.

It must be preached in the mountains.

It must be preached on the beaches.

Everywhere there are ears the hear, the Gospel must be preached.

For it is the power of God unto salvation.

And it is in the preaching of the Gospel that God is glorified!

II. The Glory of the Gospel is found in the receiving of the Gospel (v. 13)

Verse 13 speaks of how the Thessalonians recieved the Gospel.

They were convinced of its truth and they believed it.

May we never be confused as to the content and intent of the Gospel. The Gospel is not “follow Christ and imitate His life” but “receive Christ by faith and allow Him to set you free.” There is no place in the Gospel for a salvation that is attained by keeping the Law.

Warren W. Wiersbe

God is not glorified in man’s attempt to get Him. That is what religion is.

Religion is simply man’s attempt to get to God.

Religion will not save. Religion will not lead you to God, it will lead you to self-worship.

All that needs to be done to secure our salvation was accomplished on the cross.

1240Human nature’s way of salvation is, “Do, do, do.” But God’s way of salvation is, “Done, done; it is all done.” You have but to rely by faith on the atonement which Christ accomplished on the cross.—43.191

Charles Spurgeon

The Gospel is about God coming to man. Doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

We must accept.

We must receive it.

We must put our faith in Christ alone. For He is the only way.

There is no greater joy than to see a lost sinner come to faith in Christ.

Every time a soul is saved, the Heavenly choir rejoices!

God is glorified when the Gospel is not just preached, but also received.

Have you received the Gospel?

Have you put your faith in the Lord Jesus?

III. The Glory of the Gospel is found in the sanctification of the believer (v. 13)

The Gospel is not something you graduate from.

The Gospel changes everything.

We are called not to just know the Gospel, but also to live the Gospel.

This continuing in the Gospel is what we refer to as ‘progressively sanctification’.

It is the process of the believer in becoming more and more like Christ.

The goal of sanctification is Christ-likeness.

The Gospel touches every facet of our lives.

Our career choices, our relationships, our finances; it is all affected by our sanctification.

In light of the Gospel, should we buy that new car?

In light of the Gospel, should I marry that person?

In light of the Gospel, should I take that job offer?

For the believer, everything we do is in light of the Gospel.

The Word of God is working in us for His glory. Therefore, the glory of the Gospel is found in our sanctification.

IV. The Glory of the Gospel is found in the suffering of the believer (v. 14-16)

Evangelical Commentary on the Bible IV. The Reception of the Gospel (2:13–16)

The Thessalonians had suffered the same things at the hands of their countrymen as the Judean churches had endured at the hands of unbelieving Jews. Just as these Jews had made life hard for the young churches in Judea, opponents of the church in Thessalonica had oppressed the church there.

It is a sad but true fact that much of the opposition to the church comes from our own ‘countrymen.’

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 16

Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.

Sometimes when we give people attention it only adds ammunition for their attacks.

We must have an unwavering focus that outlasts any attacks that come our way.

When they ridicule you, hold on to the Gospel and press on.

When they spread lies about you, hold on to the Gospel and press on.

When they run your name through the mud, hold on to the Gospel and press on.

When they spread misinformation to get their way, hold on to the Gospel and press on.

When they sow discord, remember what they are doing is an abomination to God and He will avenge you, so hold on to the Gospel and press on.

When Satan raises his ugly head, you raise up the standard of God’s Word and hold to the Gospel and press on.

Don’t let them pull you in to an argument, just hold to the Gospel and press on.

My friend, the Gospel always prevails and when you are on the side of the Gospel you cannot lose.

Conclusion

Chapter two concludes with Paul stating his desire to go back to Thessalonica.

He would have already come but he was hindered.

Yet, Paul rejoices for the relationship he has with the Thessalonians and he looks forward to seeing them on the day of Christ’s coming.

As my Grandmother in-law would often say, “I’ll see you again, here, there, or in the air!”

The glory of the Gospel will always be our shining crown.