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Sermons

November 11, 2018

Gospel Perseverance and Affection

Ken Currie (Downtown Campus) | 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20

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. 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, who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind 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!

But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.—1 Thessalonians 2:13–20

Main Point: Though Satan tries to hinder and divide, the word of God is at work to produce radical perseverance and affection in God’s people—that is our cause for glory at the return of Christ.

1) The word of God works (v. 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.

Though the Thessalonians heard the word through the mouths of Paul, Silas, and Timothy, they embraced the message as the word of God. The word was at work within them.

It is not a matter of our eloquence but the power of God through the word of God by the Spirit of God.

This should bring great freedom to us as we seek to share the gospel with others. It is not a matter of our winsomeness, eloquence, promise of worldly gain or power, the result rests with God.

And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. —1 Corinthians 2:1–5

Persecution is often a result of the working of the Word (v. 14)

  • ... also a result of our sinful world.
  • … is absolute evil and tied together with the taking of innocent proclaimers of the truth, including Jesus!

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.—2 Timothy 3:12

Receiving the Word caused the Thessalonians to be bound together with each other in their own local church—and they were bound together with other believers in other places.

They became imitators of the churches of God in Christ that are in Judea by continuing in the faith in the face of persecution

2) Satan hindered them (v. 18)

(Note: Evidently Paul knew the Thessalonians would accept this because they have a category for spiritual warfare. This is neither a throw away phrase nor a defining barrier.)

Two Ditches

  1.  Believe that there is no spiritual realm (Satan did hinder them).
  2. Believe that Satan has ultimate control over our lives (Satan only hindered).

Observations

  • It worked.
  • It didn’t work—their affection increased. Loving one another deeply is fuel against spiritual warfare.
    1. Think of this a young fledgling church. Like a new baby, so vulnerable. In a time when men and women did not mix, when rich and poor did not mix, when Jew and Gentile did not mix.
    2. Here we are 2,000 years later learning from them observing that the gospel unites in a way that no social program and no moral plea could ever do.

      But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility—Ephesians 2:13–14
    3. God’s plan was bigger then even Paul knew, because here we are today looking at the Thessalonians to learn what a healthy church looks like! 

3) When Jesus comes to judge the earth, our glory, our joy, our boasting will be in accordance with the work of God in us producing through us blessing others.

What is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.—1 Theasalonians 2:19–20

  • Does this language make you uncomfortable?
  • This can only make sense if one believes the Word works in this way.
  • The Christian life is not one of monastic pietistic isolation but integral connection to the body of Christ. God using his Word by the power of the Spirit in each other’s lives to grow us in to the image of Christ.

Not, “Look at my boat, cabin, shells” but, “Look at my brother! … Look at my sister!”

“Look what you’ve done through my encouragement! … Look what you’ve done through my correction!”

  • When we excommunicate someone (the strongest rebuke), we ask God that he will use this rebuke to work in the heart of this person. We glory and boast and revel in the work of God through our ministry when he does this .

When Jesus returns we will be more holy, more like him, more ready to worship him forever for God will have used us in each other’s lives to that end and we will rejoice in it. 

  • We encourage … not complain
  • We exhort … not gossip
  • We admonish … not slander
  • We build up ... not tear down

Conclusion

Jesus’ sacrifice for us, the gospel, purchases for us the rich membership in the body of Christ. Each one of us for the other. The Gospel give us confidence that though the devil seeks to corrupt, divide God will use us in each other’s lives to build each other up.