Not in Word Only
Thessalonians 1 • Sermon • Submitted
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· 78 viewsIn-depth look in the books of Thessalonians 1 and 2
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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.
We all know that gospel means good news but here are a few descriptive phrases that bring a smile:
News that makes on happy
Information that causes on joy
Words that bring smiles
A message that causes the heart to be sweet
If what one calls the gospel doesn’t do those things, then they are not preaching the gospel. Sure you can discuss the reality of hell, but that must be joined with the good news of Jesus Christ to not only “RESCUE” one from hell but the good news that we are now transformed into the very same image that is designed to bring the kingdom of heaven to earth!
“Word” here is logos. Power is dunamis. Dunamis literally means “to be able.” It’s power, especially achieving power…intrinsic power…the great power of God, meaning His almighty energy.” It’s a manifestation of the power of God when referring to a person or thing in whom it’s manifested. It’s also “miraculous power, the mighty power of signs and wonders.” Paul is saying that they not only preached the WORD, THE LOGOS of God but it came in the great power of God in the working of miracles.
Here are some synonyms to dunamis:
Paul is saying that they not only preached the WORD, THE LOGOS of God but it came in the great power of God in the working of miracles.
Ischus. Strength, ability, force, somewhat stronger than dunamis
Kratos. Dominion, enduring strength
Exousia. Authority
Arche. Rule, power
Megaleiotes. Majesty; with the meaning of miracle
Semeion. Sign (like signs and wonders), token
Teras. Something strange, a marvel, wonder
Megaleion. A great work
Thaumasion. A marvelous work
Thauma. Wonder, marvel
Ergon. Work when referring to Christ’s work
The first 4—dunamis, iscus, kratos, and exousia—are the 4 main power words. Interestingly, the antonym or exact opposite of dunamis is “astheneia” and means feebleness, infirmity, disease. The power of God brings strength, health, and healing wherever its released!
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
The word power is dunamis. At this point, His disciples are born again and He commands that they not leave Jersualem until they receive the Holy Spirit because in the Person of Holy Spirit is the almighty energy of God. Witness is where we get the word martyr from. It’s “one who has information or knowledge of something, and hence, one who can give information, bring to light, or CONFIRM SOMETHING.” A witness very plainly is “of those who announce the facts of the gospel and tell its tidings.” And like any court of law, there must be evidence to support those facts; therefore the miracles was one piece of evidence that God dwelt in the apostles and witnesses in order to be able to perform them as well as another witness—the presence and conviction of HolySpirit. Remember, IT’S ON THE BASIS OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES THAT EVERYTHING IS CONFIRMED ().
So far we have the Word as the foundational testimony followed by the power of God. What does it mean “in the Holy Spirit?” The Passion says, “Infused with the Holy Spirit.” The word “in” means the typical definition but it also refers to “those with whom someone is in near connection, intimate union, oneness of heart, mind, purpose…in whose person or character anything exists and that manifests in one’s external life and conduct…IN THE PRESENCE OF…spoken of that which one is surrounded or enveloped.” The word was not only proven by miracles but the presence and influence of Holy Spirit could be felt in a tangible way.
The final witness was the conviction of Holy Spirit. “Much assurance” means “great” or “full conviction.” It’s full assurance or complete certainty. The Thessalonians were filled with a deep personal conviction that the Word preached by the apostles was truth. We have miracles, infusing Presence, and deep conviction along with the exemplary example Paul and his companions put forward and their full conviction of being men of truth.
5 For our gospel came to you not merely in the form of words but in mighty power infused with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. Surely you remember how we lived our lives transparently before you to encourage you.
We have miracles, infusing Presence, and deep conviction along with the exemplary example Paul and his companions put forward.
Listen to this verse in the Mirror:
“Our gospel birthed in you so much more than mere intellectual reasoning, your encounter bore witness to the dynamic of the Holy Spirit as you became thoroughly permeated with the well done announcement and perceived within yourselves the full impact of our immediate influence.”
Gripped by Faith
Gripped by Faith
6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.
Somebody is watching you always! Followers is the Greek word “mimetes” and where we get the word “mimic.” It means “to mimic, but in a good sense, to imitate, follow as an example.” In the NT it’s only found in Paul’s Epistles and implied in . Listen to this:
The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament 5. The Word Group in the New Testament.
Faith is here not just the content of faith; it is the attitude. For faith is not a human virtue. It is a being gripped by Jesus Christ. Hence μιμεῖσθαι embraces, not just striving to live up to the example, but necessarily and by no means finally a willingness to take the same way of faith. Imitation does not imply surrender of individuality. The example is not a schema. It is a summons to keep the faith in one’s own life and death.
Everything about Paul and his companions shouted “GRIPPED BY FAITH!” Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.” The faith of these in reveals that their genuine faith moved them to do extraordinary things. With the Thessalonians, they RECEIVED THE WORD IN MUCH AFFLICTION. “Affliction is “thlipseos” and is “to crush, press, compress, squeeze.” It’s pressure from evils, affliction, distress like a woman in labor. Paul speaks of this difficult time as:
“ Affliction is “thlipseos” and is “to crush, press, compress, squeeze.” It’s pressure from evils, affliction, distress like a woman in labor. Paul speaks of this difficult time of the Jews pursuing him and stirring up trouble as:
5 For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.
The tribulation is described in . Paul and Silas were secretly sent away from Thessalonica to Berea. But the Jews followed him there, too. So he went to Athens and left Timothy and Silas behind to continue the work. It appeared that the issue was Paul. Once he left, the work could continue. Not only was this difficult as far as not being able to really get anything established, but the life of himself and his team was often threatened. And, yet, in the midst of such persecution and threat, Paul and His companions were gripped by faith AND INTENTIONALLY DISPLAYED THIS TO THE THESSALONIANS (footnote at end of v. 5 in The Passion) . It means that come hell or high water, they were going to do the work Jesus called him to do. THE THESSALONIANS WERE BORN AGAIN IN THAT CONTEXT and ATTITUDE. Because they saw this, they had the same attitude and imitated the apostles’ faith attitude in the midst of their own tribulations.
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6 And you became followers of my example and the Lord’s when you received the word with the joy of the Holy Spirit, even though it resulted in tremendous trials and persecution. 7 Now you have become an example for all the believers to follow throughout the provinces of Greece.
The Passion clarifies for us the idea of Greece during this time:
Or “Macedonia and Achaia.” Greece was divided into two provinces: the northern region known as Macedonia and the southern one, Achaia. Thessalonica was located in Macedonia, and Corinth, where Paul wrote this letter, was the leading city of Achaia. Although the believers of Thessalonica were novices, their testimony had spread throughout the region.
The New King James Version Chapter 1
For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. 9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to 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, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
I love this, especially today when we have such a seeker-friendly gospel. In the midst of serious threat that could at any moment result in death, the Thessalonians were born again in STRONG FAITH. It was so incredible that Paul and his companions didn’t even need to brag about them. Everyone was hearing about how they turned to God after such a wonderful welcome to Paul and Silas to hear the good news! You could say that the environment was anything but friendly; and, yet, Paul didn’t lesson the strength of the Gospel. He preached it with purity, boldness, strength, and evidence!
READ VERSES 6-10 IN THE MIRROR
Back to Evidence
Back to Evidence
GO INTO AND 4:20 AND .