Word Games

Note: two links to chapter one: the constant thanks, and the coming wrath

We could make a case for constant thanksgiving…but that would not be serving the text properly

…it would support a text such as pray without ceasing

We will discuss that wrath later…important point

No condemnation, no wrath

Romans 8:1 ESV

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Previous paragraph about the labor and toil of Paul & his companions

Now he turns to the reaction of the Thessalonians (attaboy )

Paul and his companions give thanks for the actions of the Thessalonian believers

Significant to note that he is not thanking them for their attentiveness…but thanking GOD for it

That is a specific, objective thanks

The thanksgiving is constant accentuated by the tense; we continually thank God constantly...

Acknowledgement of the Word

It was delivered by these men

Divinely appointed messengers bringing the supernatural Word of God

Within some, there had to have been recognition that this was not the word of man

Not a story made up by a bunch of men to tell for prophet

Not some self-help scheme for sale

They were not the 1st century version of the pioneers’ snake-oil salesmen

It was more than just having the words spoken in their presence

More than some intellectual agreement as to their truth

Certainly more than hearing it, not liking it, reacting with hostility and violence

…seen in the history of Paul’s ministry and noted within this text

Two aspects of the Word

It works internally, on us

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.

It works externally, the only active piece of armament we we are given

Ephesians 6:17 ESV

and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

With the Word of God, people are won to His Kingdom, thus escaping the wrath

Reception of the Word

Acceptance of the Word was transformational in their lives

We’ve looked at this before, referencing Rom. 12:1-2

Begs the question: Why does the Word fall with favorable effect on some; no effect on some; hostile effect on others?

A look at the parable of the sower may be in order

Matthew 13:4–9 ESV

And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.”

Not here to debate the issues of the rocky ground or thorns

The Thessalonians were an example of the fertile soil

Their hearts were prepared by the Holy Spirit

The Word got through their ears; passed through the mind (that renewal part) and lodged firmly in their heart

Then, they produced fruit...they took...

Action on the Word

Became imitators of the churches in Judea

When the church in Jerusalem had grown, it recieved persecution from the Jews and fled outward

First major footholds of the church were in Judea and Samaria

Acts 1:8 ESV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Interesting observation: It took persecution to get them to move out of Jerusalem

Now the Thessalonians were suffering the same thing (v.14)

The intensity of the persecution is hinted at:

Killing the Lord Jesus

Killing the prophets

Driving the Church out of Jerusalem

Displeasing God

Opposing mankind by hindering the spread of the Gospel

Lots to chew on in these last slide

Displeasing God is an overarching theme

Opposing mankind?

I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon D. Thessalonians as Receivers of the Gospel (2:13–16)

All persecutors are of the same mentality; they are part of the war between good and evil which fills every page of history

…about that wrath...

The linguistics makes this a done deal; inescapable

This is the just wrath of God’s divine punishment

…whether we interpret that as the wrath of eternity of of the end times, it’s set

It will come upon those who persecute the Church of Jesus Christ

WITFM

Starting with the very first thing…concern about that wrath

Uncomfortable topic…some are continually in fear of some kind of retribution of God for whatever sins they commit

If we are truly trusting Christ, ALL sin is forgiven, there is NO condemnation

The point of the text is to put the Word of God to work in our lives…prove its work by how it shows in our lives

That requires us to submit to its veracity, inerrancy and sufficiency

…yes, it means we have to read it, we need the WHOLE counsel of the the ENTIRE Word

Without...

Without Genesis, we don’t see the origin of sin—among other things

Without Exodus, we don’t see the God’s providential choice, His sovereignty

Without Leviticus, we don’t see His demand for perfection, and covering for sin

Without the wisdom literature, we don’t clearly see the attributes of God

Without the Gospels, we don’t see the incarnation: God becomes man, or the final sacrifice, the Church’s beginning

Without the epistles, we don’t see how to live in the community of the Church and in the face of persecution

Without Revelation, we don’t see the consummation of all things, resolution, final victory; glory for believers, wrath for the non-believers

We are not really happy to think about persecution but if the Word is working in us we can endure it

But there’s more...

If we have truly trusted Christ—and we have some concerns about that in some people

Our sins are forgiven…no fear of any coming wrath

Do not mistake discipline for wrath

God will NOT be punishing you

You may be disciplined along the way…correction, instruction…not punishment

but there’s more...

We can…SHOULD…have peace with God; joy in our salvation comes with confession

…restore unto me the joy of your salvation…