Not the words of men

Introduction

Paul encourages the new christians to remember the time he spent with them. He gives them metaphors of a nursing mother and a encouraging father to demonstrate his love for them. He reminds them of their blameless and righteous conduct towards them. He didn’t come with any evil motivation of trickery. Their motives were pure and only for the praise and Glory of God. At the end of vs 12 he charges them to live their lives in a manner worthy of the new life God has called them too, he reminds them they are part of a new kingdom. They are part of the Kingdom of God.

Power of the word of God

1 Corinthians 4:20 ESV

For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.

Paul again is pointing out the pattern of prayer and his thankfulness of the faith fullness of God. He is thankful for their pattern of imitating the lives of the Apostles, The lord and the other Churches in Juda vs 14 giving substance to (their work of faith, labor of love and steadfastness of hope in the Lord Jesus Christ) vs 3 of chapter 1

Paul came with a message on his mission. (which you heard from us) This wasn’t just words of advice or wisdom. The message was the word of Almighty God

1 Corinthians 2:2 ESV

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

They received the message as the word of God (Take near, to learn or familiarize) the power of the Gospel brought regenerating power and full conviction. vs 5 of Chapter 1

They received the message as the word of God (Take near, to learn or familiarize) the power of the Gospel brought regenerating power and full conviction. vs 5 of Chapter 1

They accepted the word of God (accept with pleasure or favorably)

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. The Thessalonian Christians sensed the supernatural truthfulness of the gospel Paul preached as the Holy Spirit brought this conviction home to their hearts. When Christians share their faith, they do not merely give their particular viewpoint on life as one among the endless variety of human theories. They announce the divinely revealed truth of God, a word from God.

The word of God is at work in the believers. The word of God changed them, and was continuing to change them. Their behavior changed, they became imitators of the churches of God. The suffered persecution and didn’t give up the race, they were producing fruit Jesus talked about. They were proving to have Good Soil. Their faith was being displayed by their good works and the apostle Paul was ecstatic about it.

They received, they accepted and the Word of God was at work. All of this underscores the certainty of the Thessalonians Election by God 1:4. The Judean churches were the first authentic churches planted by Paul. They established the standard. They looked all alike although different cultures the, work of faith, labor of love and steadfastness of hope was the same. They all had Christ in common and received the Word of God that begun a work in all of them.

The Thessalonians suffered attack from their own people, as did the Judean churches from the jews. The common theme of attack is seen among true Christians. Satan opposes all mankind. The truth that set people free will be fought against.

The sins were being stored up God forgets nothing, wrath has come upon them at last.

(the end) pointing to the coming Roman domination in AD 70, or the end of the age, or the hardening and cutting off. The Gospel now for the gentiles and one tree both gentle and jew. The remnant is being saved.

Application

The gospel of God is powerful

Romans 1:16 ESV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:9 ESV

For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you

When we witness we must believe in faith, God will use the divine message to awaking dead ears and grant live to dead bones.

Remembering salvation is a work of the Lord. Also saintifcation is a work of the Lord

1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 cor

discipleship starts with a willingness to let God use you. He will give you boldness. The word of God does the work

Hebrews 4:12 ESV

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Do you have confidence in GOD and His word? Then why don’t we witness every day.

Are you a light on a hill or are you hiding under a basket?

These vs show us a areal view of what true conversion looks like. This is the pattern we should be looking for and we should model.

Do you except the Word of God as it is The word of God or the words of men. Then do you see change in your life. Can you point to the work of faith, labor of Love, and do you have the steadfastness of Hope in the Lord Jesus Christ

Prayer

Ask yourself and then answer this question, what does your pattern of prayers look like. How much of your time in prayer is thanking God.

Do you pray for opportunities to share the Gospel? Do you share the Gospel?

When you have confidence in His power, His presence with you, His results. You can’t help it you must tell people of the fire in you.

Going forward

Ask God to increase you faith and confidence in His word.

Ask God to give you boldness to walk along side someone and watch God do the work

Ask God to make you a disciple maker. Put you light on a hill for all to see

Ask God to give you unshakable hope even in the face of trials or persecution

Ask God to help you be a imitator of Paul and the first century christians as they modeled Christ

Ask God to provide the urgency of the times. Remember time is running out. The wrath of God remains on those who haven’t bowed the knee to Christ.

Go therefore and warn every creature of the coming judgment. Invite them to the wedding of the Lamb. Save them from His righteous wrath.