1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 / Well Received

1 Thessalonians 2:13–16 ESV

13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind 16 by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!

So Paul continues to recognize the church of Thessalonica.

We learn quite a bit by observing WHAT was no noteworthy.

I know your faith is God is authentic:

Because you accepted the Authority of God’s word.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 ESV

13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

You received God’s word AS THE WORD OF GOD!!!!

It’s one thing to accept God’s word as true

“Well I can agree with a lot of what the Pastor said today.”

But quite another to see that it is the authoritative word of God himself.

Inerrancy of Scripture

Carries the authority of God.

other views:

It BECOMES the word of God when preached/practiced (power in you)

It’s a RECORD of God divine revelation. (has human error)

This issue is actually not a new one:

This is the longest running attack of the enemy… “Did God really say?”

It isn’t that people deny the inerrancy of scripture, it’s just that it seems irrelevant.”

John McArthur / 2015 Shepherds’ Conference

Why does it matter what we think?

Was Paul making a big deal out of nothing, when he praised them for their view of scripture?

1. The Self Proclaiming Authority of Scripture

1 Thessalonians 2:13 ESV

13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

“not the word of men … the word of God”

Paul is claiming the authority of scripture

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

God Spoke - ALL scripture.

Verbal Plenary Inspiration of Scripture.

The writers penned the words.

Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (3rd person of Trinity).

(therefore) Scripture holds GOD’S AUTHORITY.

It is Truthful because God is truthful.

It is trustworthy because God trustworthy.

It is Holy because God is Holy.

Therefore … Because of the self proclaiming authority of scripture...

Any claim of error in scripture is an indictment against God!

If scripture is in wrong.

and it was spoken by God.

Then God is in wrong.

Ok so the bible is God’s word.

“I learned about the Law of Gravity in school but don’t have really worry about it.”

2 Timothy 4:3 ESV

3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,

people will not endure .. will seek out “what their itching ears want to hear.”

You mean we will lose the true teaching of scripture overtime?

False teaching or just ignorance of scripture is an issue BUT

People will actually make a decision to depart from God’s word and move to something more appealing and comfortable.

“As long as we preach/teach from the word we will be ok.”

That’s essential but that is just where it starts.

Here is where it will get hard for you.

You know what the bible says but you don’t understand why.

You begin to feel enormous social pressure to change you view.

Be prepared (at times) to say, “Because the Bible tells me so.”

(Why does it Matter what we think?

Self proclaiming Authority.

2. Scripture is the Living Word of God.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 ESV

13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

“which is at work in you believers”

Reading God’s word shouldn’t just educate you.

It should change you.

Spiritual growth doesn’t just happen

It’s a result of spending time in God’s word and allowing the Holy Spirit to help you work it out and apply it to you life.

Resulting in this transformation.

That is precisely what happened to the church in Thessalonica...

Because God’s word resulted in a spiritual change.

1 Thessalonians 2:14 ESV

14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,

“for you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that in Judea.” (verse 14a)

Which resulted in authentic change in the church. (verse 14a)

You became imitators of the Church of God in Jesus Christ

What is the main story in Scripture?

God’s plan for salvation through Christ Jesus.

The 1st churches (those in Judea) were founded in the belief

Jesus was crucified … but is alive

Jesus is at the right and of God

Jesus is the head of the body if believers … THE CHURCH

Therefore, because of what God tells us in scripture

We are compelled to strive for the same goal as those early churches.

I’m not talking about HOW we do things (necessarily)

I mean what is at the heart of all that we do. (the Gospel Story)

Go therefore, make disciples, baptise, teach...

“You accepted God’s word and I can see that by how you live and what it important to you.”

Because the change endured trials.

1 Thessalonians 2:14 ESV

14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,

“For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews” (verse 14b)

You can tell a lot about a person when you see them under stress.

Paul was saying to the Church in Thessalonica,

“I know you have accepted God word as true because you been tested, and have endured.”

We, the church, live with the belief that God’s word is truth and authoritative. (the very words of God)

That belief and dependance in God’s word should change us.

Ultimately that belief will be challenge by those who don’t believe the same things.