Sermon: Genuine Faith Cares for Other Believers 1 Thessalonians 2:17–3:5
Genuine Faith Cares for Other Believers
1 Thessalonians 2:17–3:5
Truth Taught- Faith is shown to be genuine when we love and care for other believers.
1 Thessalonians 2:17–3:5 (ESV)
17 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, 18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
3 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.
- Paul’s Love for His Spiritual Children (2:17-18)
17 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, 18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us
The Apostle expresses his utter heartbreak over being separated from his spiritual offspring. We remember the event and how the Jews were seeking to kill him and how his friends in Thessalonica helped Paul escape. He understood, as did the new believers that he may not be able to return. He loved them and longed to see them and be with them. He wanted to disciple and help them grow in their faith.
We can get a feel for how Paul viewed these new converts by reading this epistle. Already we’ve seen sections that speak of Paul’s love and gentleness among them like that of a nursing mother…
1 Thessalonians 2:7 (ESV)
7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.
We also read about his affection for them as a loving father…
1 Thessalonians 2:11–12 (ESV)
11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
Now as we read verse 17 of our text and as we look to the original language we realize that his longing to see them is like a parent who has been taken away from his young children. The original rendering of verse 17 goes like this: because we were orphaned. Our Bibles have it as being torn away highlighting the violent ripping apart, which is correct, but they leave out the relational part that has caused Paul’s heartbreak. Paul had lost his young children and his heart yearns for them. There is so much emotion on the Apostle’s part that the words are somewhat awkward. Like a parent separated from his young children, he really isn’t too concerned with grammar or with what he sounds like. I’m reminded of the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son.
Luke 15:20 (ESV)
20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
This father was very wealthy, a dignitary who had many servants and much property. When he saw his lost son he didn’t act dignified. He ran to embrace his son. Wealthy men in the ancient world did not run. It was an awkward sight to see a man holding his robe between his legs in order to run. He didn’t care, did he? His whole world was focused on his lost son who had just returned.
This is much like the emotions Paul felt for his children in the faith. When Paul traveled on his missionary journeys his converts were his spiritual children. Every time someone was converted under Paul’s ministry and he had to leave them part of himself, as it were, was with them. He cared and loved them and viewed them as his spiritual children.
BOOK: THE BLESSING OF HUMILITY BY JERRY BRIDGES CHAPTER 9
BOOK: THE BLESSING OF HUMILITY
BY JERRY BRIDGES
CHAPTER 9
Sermon: The Astonishing Work of the Word of God 1 Thessalonians 2.13.16
The Astonishing Work of the Word of God
1 Thessalonians 2.13.16
Truth Taught- The Gospel message, found in the Scriptures, comes to us from God through human spokesmen.
Introduction
A few weeks ago we looked at what Paul thanked God for concerning the new Christians in Thessalonica. This was his first thanksgiving…
1 Thessalonians 1:2–5 (ESV)
2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.
He thanked God for their unwavering faith. He highlighted their work of faith, labor of love, and steadfast hope. Also, included in his first thanksgiving was their election. He praised God because He had chosen them.
Now we’ll see together Paul’s second thanksgiving concerning the new Christians. If you remember from last week, in his defense he laid out for us one overarching truth and that was that he preached to them the true Gospel, which he called, the Gospel of God. He is thankful to God because when these people heard this message they responded in faith. So, Paul thanks God for their response.
Why does he thank God for their response? An Arminian would not thank God for the response of someone to the Gospel because in their mind anyone can respond on their own. The problem is, that’s not what the Bible teaches at all.
Lets look together at a few passages as we lay the groundwork for Paul’s second thanksgiving concerning the Thessalonian’s response to God’s Word/Gospel. Please notice the importance of prayer and God’s work to enable us to respond properly to God’s Word.
Psalm 119:18 (ESV)
18 Open my eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of your law.
Psalm 119:36 (ESV)
36 Incline my heart to your testimonies,
and not to selfish gain!
Ephesians 6:17–18 (ESV)
17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
2 Thessalonians 3:1 (ESV)
3 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you,
Prayer
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!
- Not Man’s Word but God’s Word
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,
Thanksgiving was the result of the Word of God coming to those in the City of Thessalonica and the response to God’s Word. The Word is a synonym for the Gospel.
1 Thessalonians 1:4–5 (ESV)
4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.
I think the best place to begin today is to realize something about God. Our God is the God who speaks in redemptive ways to us. He is in no way obligated to speak to us. There is no external force prompting God to speak. He is never coerced or forced to say anything. So, when He speaks it comes to us from the sovereign God of the universe who loves us.
Sermon: Paul’s Defense and Our Calling 1 Thess. 2:1-12
Paul’s Defense and Our Calling
1 Thess. 2:1-12
Truth Taught- Paul makes his case against his opponents and in the process we learn how the Gospel should be freely given.
Introduction
In this beginning section of Chapter two we see Paul’s defense of his apostolic conduct and ministry to the Thessalonians. Why does he defend his actions and ministry? He defends his actions and ministry for at least two reasons. First, the Jews that had come in to fill to void after he left Thessalonica were attacking him. They were maligning his name and conduct. Even saying things like, all Paul wanted was your money. He’s not even an apostle, what gives him the right to tell you what to do? Secondly, we are reminded of the Pauline theology of imitation. He defends his ministry so that we can understand what is proper conduct as we engage in ministry as well.
In the process of his defense we learn a lot of things. We learn what false teachers are like and what they do. We learn what their motives are and what they’re really out for. We also learn what true Gospel ministry looks like. So, in the process of Paul making his defense we learn how not to engage in Gospel ministry and then the positive, how to engage in Gospel ministry.
Prayer
1 Thessalonians 2:1–12 (ESV)
2 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
- Paul’s First Defense…We Spoke Boldly in Much Affliction (2:1-2)
2 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.
He begins by reminding the Thessalonians what they already know. He uses a phrase that will be repeated over again… you yourselves know. They already know how he and the missionary team conducted themselves while in the great city. What Paul is going to do is to contrast his actions and the resulting effects with the charges brought against him by the Jewish opponents who were making up lies trying to discredit Paul.
Have you ever had someone make up lies to try and hurt you or your reputation? It’s so important that we live pure lives being honest and forthright in all our dealings so that when we are slandered we will also have a defense. Children, it is vital that you begin at a young age to live according to God’s commands. Beginning with the command to obey your parents. As you grow up obeying God’s commands you will reap what you have sown. You will gain great benefits as you submit to your parents. This will greatly help you to learn to submit to God’s rule over you. We all must live in a way that would lift us above the slander. You see Paul and the others could rise above it simply by reminding others of what they witnessed first hand concerning them.
False teachers are simply trying to make a name for themselves and get rich. Paul and the others are contrasting their ministry with the lies and greed of the Jews who had come in to make a name for themselves.
2 Peter 2:1–3 (ESV)
2 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
How Paul contrasts this is by reminding others that their message didn’t bring ease and riches to the messengers but had brought suffering and shameful treatment by those who opposed them. Their opponents were treating the gospel messengers poorly. The gospel was good news to the believers but brought hardship to the preachers.
While the apostle was suffering because of the message he was still speaking it boldly because it was not from him but from God. He wasn’t afraid of man because he knew this message was from God.
He and the others were bold because they had complete confidence in their message. He tells us that we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God.
BOOK: THE BLESSING OF HUMILITY BY JERRY BRIDGES CHAPTER 7
BOOK: THE BLESSING OF HUMILITY
BY JERRY BRIDGES
CHAPTER 7
Sermon: The Assurance and Encouragement of Divine Election 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10
The Assurance and Encouragement of Divine Election
1 Thessalonians 1:2-10
Truth Taught- God has set His love upon and chosen, from out of the world, a people for His own possession.
Introduction
Last time we looked briefly at the events surrounding Paul and his team of missionaries taking the Gospel to the region of Macedonia and specifically to the City of Thessalonica. We learned about the difficulties the small infant church had after the Jews forced the Apostle out of the city after just three weeks after arriving there. We also learned what the issues were that prompted his writing of the epistle and the needs the Thessalonian Christians had that he was seeking to meet. Finally, last time we saw how he proved to them that they were, in fact, truly Christians with genuine faith. He reminded them of their deeds, labor, and work that were an outflow of their faith. They were doing things that were only done if their faith was genuine. He reminded them of their hope that was fixed on the Lord Jesus and His return.
To continue with this purpose of proving to them that their faith is genuine saving faith he moves to another proof of their salvation, namely their election. He proves to them that they are the real thing by showing them how he knows without a doubt that they are elect, literally, chosen by God.
Today, the Doctrine of Election has caused great difficulties among the multitude that call themselves Christians. It really isn’t a doctrine that’s hard to understand so the issue is not in the realm of confusion, necessarily. The difficulty comes because it’s a doctrine that is not hard to understand but hard to accept due to the fact that fallen humanity wants to think they have control over the things in their lives and especially in their eternal destiny. To be exposed to the doctrine of election is to be forced to come to grips with the notion that God is in control and we are not.
The doctrine of election is found throughout the Bible. What’s really interesting is that once exposed to the truth of election and then you read your Bible, it seems, you find it on about every page. We see it in places like where God chose Abraham in Genesis 12. There wasn’t anything special about Abraham. He was a pagan like his father before him. He lived with a family of pagans in a city of pagans and for reasons only known to God, he was chosen. We see it in the Israelites who became God’s chosen and treasured possession, a holy nation set apart for God’s glory.
Deuteronomy 7:6–8 (ESV)
6 “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. 7 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, 8 but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
The mystery of God’s choosing is for God alone. In other words, we don’t know why exactly He chose us and loves us, other than to say that in God’s sovereignty He loves whom He loves.
John Stott writes, That is, He chose us because He loves us, and He loves us because He loves us. He does not love us because we are lovable, but only because He is love. And with that mystery we must be content. [1]
Prayer
1 Thessalonians 1:2–10 (ESV)
2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among 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, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
- We Give Thanks to God Because We Know He Has Chosen You
4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.
Paul declares something that may be on the surface a little bold to declare. He tells the Christians in Thessalonica that they are loved by God and chosen by God. He tells then that they are the real thing because they are elect. So sure of their calling by God that he tells them that he thanks God even for their election. How did Paul know this? He knew they were chosen and loved by God because of what they were given. Here these verses show us what God had given these believers.
We also should keep in mind that Paul and the others were continually thanking God for these Christians and a big part of their thanksgiving was for their election. The fact that Paul thanks God and not the Christians for their election shows that they contributed nothing to accomplish their own salvation but that they were the objects of an unconditional divine act.
They were loved by God and chosen by God for His glory. Paul gives them assurance of their salvation by going to the very beginning of their salvation, their election. They were chosen by God even before time began.
Look with me to Ephesians 1:4-5. I want you to see when election occurred and what it is always connected to…
Ephesians 1:4–5 (ESV)
4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
The time is before time or literally before creation. Election is always connected to God’s love. It is God’s love that is the basis of His divine choice.
By taking this method of giving them assurance Paul’s logic goes something like this…I know your faith is genuine because I saw all the works you accomplished that could have only come about through genuine faith. Now he explains to the believers, I know your salvation is real because you are showing evidence that God has chosen you. You were chosen/elect before the foundation of the world and you were predestined for adoption by God through Jesus Christ according to the purpose of His will and the only thing you were lacking was the Gospel. Once they heard the Gospel their faith was ignited by God and they were converted. The Gospel was the last piece of the puzzle to be set in place. So, when Paul had that vision in the night that was the Holy Spirit saying…I have a people set in place, chosen before the foundation of the world, ready to hear and ready to respond to the good news of Jesus Christ. I’ve already chosen them. They are predestined to be adopted. It is My will to save them. Paul, go and share with them who Jesus is and what He has done and then stand back and watch what I do.
BOOK: THE BLESSING OF HUMILITY BY JERRY BRIDGES CHAPTER 6
BOOK: THE BLESSING OF HUMILITY
BY JERRY BRIDGES
CHAPTER 6
Sermon: The Gospel Comes to Thessalonica and The Church is Formed 1 Thessalonians 1.1.3
The Gospel Comes to Thessalonica and The Church is Formed
1 Thessalonians 1:1-3
Truth Taught- Paul encourages the new Christians by showing them that their faith is genuine because the good works they are engaged in can only be accomplished by faith.
Introduction
To begin our study in 1 Thessalonians it is important that we get the framework and setting of this great letter written by the Apostle Paul.
It was in AD 49 on Paul’s 2nd missionary journey that he and his missionary team took the Gospel to the ancient city of Thessalonica.
Thessalonica was named after one of Alexander the Great’s general’s wife. It is placed on the key route between Rome and the East. In Paul’s time it was the capitol of Macedonia. So important was the City of Thessalonica that one scholar writes that it narrowly escaped being made the capitol of the world.
The team was made up of Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke. These four missionaries sailed together across the North Aegean Sea into what is now Europe. What adventures they had. Anyone who thinks Christianity is boring does not know and has never experienced true Christianity. Lets travel together with Paul and the others and experience what the Gospel is and what it does when shared with pagan idolaters in this great ancient city.
We remember that it was in Acts 16 where Luke finally caught up with Paul and the others. As we read that section we remember the shift in the narrative from Luke’s third person plural they to first person plural we. It was in Luke’s narrative in Acts 16 that we have what is named, the Macedonian Call.
Acts 16:6–10 (ESV)
6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Prayer
- The Adventure Begins, The Gospel Enters Thessalonica
In Acts 17 we have Luke’s eyewitness account of Paul’s time in the city. So, to set the stage for this great book let me read Acts 17:1-9…
Acts 17:1–9 (ESV)
17 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. 5 But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. 6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, 7 and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” 8 And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. 9 And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
Notice that Luke reports,
2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”
So, he enters the local synagogue where the Jews met every Sabbath and opened up the Old Testament and reasoned with them and proved to them that Jesus is the promised Messiah. Can you imagine preaching and teaching that Jesus is the Messiah and sharing the Gospel in a Jewish Synagogue? To do this you would have to explain that just about everything they currently believed is wrong. It’s easy to see why there were some who were convinced and then there were some who were enraged by what Paul said. He did this in their church!
Some joined them and some tried to kill them. Isn’t it strange what happens when the Gospel is taught and proven? When the Gospel is shared accurately there really is no logical reproof and so the only thing left is violence. This is exactly what took place in Jesus’ life. He proved that He was the Messiah by all He did. He proved that He was God’s Son, which left His opposition with one response…to kill Him. In God’s sovereign plan this is exactly what needed to happen in order for Jesus to be our Savior, He had to die.
For Paul and the missionaries things became so bad that the Christians of Thessalonica demanded that they leave so they would not be killed by the angry Jewish mob that was seeking to take their lives.
So, Paul had to leave just after 3 weeks of teaching them the Gospel. What would become of this little infant Church in the big Macedonian City of Thessalonica? We will discover that this little infant Church would be cared for by God and much like the baby Moses was carried along by God in the basket to safety so God would lead this infant Church to amazing growth in a very short time.
Let’s turn to our text for this Lord’s Day…
BOOK: THE BLESSING OF HUMILITY BY JERRY BRIDGES CHAPTER 5
BOOK: THE BLESSING OF HUMILITY
BY JERRY BRIDGES CHAPTER 5
BOOK: THE BLESSING OF HUMILITY BY JERRY BRIDGES CHAPTER 4
BOOK: THE BLESSING OF HUMILITY
BY JERRY BRIDGES
CHAPTER 4
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