1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 “God Centredness through Sanctified Sexuality “

Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians  is a letter to a church  which is in good spiritual shape, and that is good to know. Thank God, that although the  battle against the enemy of our souls is relentless,  making us sometimes very discouraged, there   are also  times  in which we can see   the church of God surging ahead, gaining ground, leaving us very encouraged. I have seen this in  my  life on earth.

Paul was  very encouraged  by the testimony of  this  church which  had come into existence by the preaching of the gospel   on his second missionary journey [1].    All the marks of  a God-centered church  were found among them. There was  evidence  of faith,  hope and  love (1: 3 cf.  1 Cor.  13 ). Despite  much affliction   they were  full of the joy of the Holy Spirit (1:6) and they were a real example  to believers in the provinces of Achaia and Macedonia (1:8) . They were standing fast in the Lord (3:8) and that  was  wonderful  to see.

But then there is always the tendency  to rest upon our laurels  and so in In  4:1 the apostle Paul  writes to them  saying , “ Finally, then, brothers,  we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.

He is asking them not to sit on their laurels. Paul ‘asks and urges’  the Thessalonians   to please God  in  their walking  more and more  i.e. progressively and increasingly ! In the Christian life there is always room for more growth. A God centered life – a   life that truly  pleases God is  a life  in which  progressive sanctification  is  observable. Paul is certain of the solid  foundation of the Thessalonian Christians,  for he sees the evidence (4:1)  … “ just as you are doing “. But there always remains  room  for growth:  “We urge you … that you do so more and more…”

The basis of Paul’s appeal  is  not a legalistic framework , but it is  the command of Christ. He  is not some   control freak pastor. No! He urges them in the Lord Jesus ! (4:1) – and again in 4:2 “ For you know  what instructions we gave you  through the Lord Jesus“  – and again  in 4:3 he says,   “ This is the will of God …” .

As we  too sit under  the authority of  the Word of the Father and  of the Son, and inspired by the Holy Spirit[2], let us take care to  listen  very carefully  to  this exhortation  as it comes  to  us  at this  time  by the providence  of God.  

Paul says  : “This is the will of God , your sanctification” (4:3) . It is  God’s will that you should  grow continuously and progressively in our sanctification.

‘Sanctification’   is  the process by which the believer is progressively brought to greater spiritual maturity and Christ-likeness. This process begins at  conversion (justification)  and continues throughout the believer’s life. It is  the process  following our justification by which the old ways and the old habits of our lives  are increasingly done away  with and replaced with  by  new ways which please  and glorify God.  Those who   hear God’s Word and obey what it says  will grow faster in sanctification  than those  who   display   poor  spiritual discipline.  Those  who  make use  of the  means of grace  such as prayer (private and corporate), private   and public  reading and meditating upon the Word of God,   regular  worship patterns, and Christian fellowship,  using their spiritual gifts  to the glory of God  will  display  faster growth and Christian maturity and therefore will display  greater evidences of sanctification.   

 

Two specific  areas  in which believers   need to grow in  order that they  may please God :

Although  there are many aspects in which believers need  grow in their  sanctification, Paul, for reasons unstated in the text, specifically highlights  the matters  of  
(i) sexuality  (4:3-8)  and (ii) brotherly love (4:9-12) ...as the special  focus of God’s transforming  and sanctifying  work in the lives of  the Thessalonian Christians,   and therefore by way of application also  in our lives.

Note, that  in both these areas  Paul wants  them to do this  “more and more”  (see 4:1,10). Today   we will only   focus  on the matter of  "sanctified sexuality."

The Sanctification  of our Sexuality :

4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification:  that you abstain from sexual immorality…

The word translated as "sexual immorality" (Gr. porneia)  refers  to any forbidden sexual activity,  such as  pre-marital,  extra-marital sex and prostitution. Such sins  were  rampant in the Greek-  Thessalonian culture, as they are in our own modern culture. Paul   asks and urges them  to “abstain from sexual immorality…  this  is  will of God  for every believer.

 

How  must we do that ?  

4:4,5   gives the answer  - “that each one of you know how to control his own body  in holiness and honor,  not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;…

Everything begins  with self-control of   one’s body. The Bible teaches us  that we must be the master  of our bodies- controlled by  Him who rules in our lives . The governing principle here is  love (1 Cor.   13:4-7), which means  taking the other person into consideration. Porneia is  borne out of  selfishness. The  proper  expression of  our sexuality is in the context of  a covenant  of  marriage, and  in that context  it is important  that  we use   our   sexuality  not in a selfish way  but in a way that  serves  our spouses .  We are not to  do what is common among  the gentiles who do not know  God and  who  operate according to  their self -centered urges,  in  “the passion of lust”[3]. They are not thinking about the other person ; they are merely thinking about gratifying themselves.  

If we come out of a self - gratifying culture, is it possible to  change  and live like this?  Yes! Remember that if  God dwells in you , you have  the power and ability  to overcome sin (2 Peter 1:3,4 ; 1 John  5: 1-5) – no matter how  much  you may have struggled  with sexual sin in the past. When you are in Christ you are no longer a slave of sin. You are now a slave  of Christ and  therefore you are under the power of Christ and  with your eyes on the Lord Jesus you  are  able to overcome  your self- centered  drives. It is possible for a believer to lose this perspective and to backslide , but no true believer will remain in sin . Like David when he sinned , the true  believer is  broken and repentant, and despite  the  sin , they  will return to the Shepherd , broken , bruised  and bleeding  and He will restore   them .

4:6 “…that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.

According to this verse, sexual immorality must be avoided, not only because it violates God’s will, but also  because it has a devastating  effect  on other people – particularly  the relationships which  we share  as Christian brothers and sisters. These may be seriously damaged or even destroyed by sexual immorality. We have seen  this often in our own  community . The Scripture says  that  "the Lord is the avenger in all these things."  Please  note that sexual sins are not inconsequential and  God  judges  these and the apostle Paul issues a strong warning  concerning  this.

4:7 – 8  “… For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. God’s will for each believer is that they should become more and more conformed to Christ’s moral character. Paul’s point here comes with a solemn warning  and  4:8  warns us that the rejection of this exhortation is literally the rejection of "the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you."   Since the call to sexual purity finds its origin in the will of God, its rejection is tantamount  to disregarding and dishonoring of God Himself. That is very serious, and God says that He will not leave a sexual offender unpunished. (see also Hebrews  13:4)   Paul expresses a similar point in 1 Corinthians 6:15-20 where he argues that the believer’s body is the "temple of the Holy Spirit."  You dare not defile God’s property . If you do , you insult God – and God is not mocked .

APPLICATION :

The Holy Spirit  warns  us today  that  we  must not  underestimate  the  effects  of  sexual sin. Tragically,  our Namibian culture has loose views on   sexual morality   and we  are  currently bearing  huge  consequences  and scars  in the heart  of this nation. Because of casual sex and lack of self control in this regard many children are born in anger, and God alone knows where it will end.

SUMMARY : 

1. sexual sin  is  a plain act of rebellion  against God  who warns us in His word,  and He plainly tells us that  He   will punish  such sin.

2. Sexual sins hurt  fellow believers. They damage the name of God ; they damage the character  and lives of the people involved and they damage  relationships in the church .

3. Even though  every sin   has   consequences  when unrepented of, yet  sins like  adultery  or  fornication (and murder)   have  severer consequences. Why ?   Because adultery and fornication  are physical sins. Greed , lust , envy , pride , hatred  are essentially sins of the heart  - and although these sins are very serious  if not repented of,   sexual sins  are more severe  than the heart sins that precede them . Sexual sin is an explicit sin .  "Heart sins"  damage  you and your relationship with God ;  Sexual sin  damages you , your relationship with God and your relationship with others.  .

Why is this an important  reminder  ?

•  Everyone needs a regular reminder  of these things . 
•  The Bible  believes in preventative counseling .  

SUMMARY:   6 things  that will help you to  please God and resist sexual sin

1. Purposely Walk to Please God (v.1)
2. Remember the instructions given  ( v.2)
3. Remember the will of God  (v.3)
4. Control your body (v.4)
5. The incentive of Christian love which seeks the good of others( v.6)
6. Remember the wrath of God (vv. 6-8)

Knowing  and fearing  God is ultimately the path to sexual purity. We have bodies so that God might be gloried in them. That is why God gave you a body . And if you are in bondage to pornography and fantasies or fornication or adultery the strategy is this :  Repent and get to know  God!  Lustful passion is the mark of the Gentiles who do not know God.

May God increase your joy as  you make your sanctified  sexuality  a part of your worship of God . Amen!

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[1] Acts 15:36-18:22 – approximately  AD 49-52

[2] 1 Peter  1:19-21

[3]  En pathei  epithumias   - in  passion of  strong desire or lust 

1 Thessalonians 2:17- 3:5 “A God Centered Church manifests love and genuine concern for one another!”

The apostle Paul was the human instrument which God had used to bring the Thessalonian church into being, just as Pastor Charles Whitson was used of God in 1985 to bring our own congregation into being. 

Giving birth to a congregation can be compared in many ways to giving birth to children. There is joy in having spiritual children and then there is the anxiety as we watch them grow and as we become separated from them in time. At all times there is the longing to watch their progress and to visit them and see how they are doing. At the heart of this is a deep love and care for their spiritual progress and well-being . This is what you will find in this passage and we see this clearly in the apostle Paul who had earlier compared himself to both, a mother (2:7) and a father (2:11). Just as a father and a mother’s heart are tied to their newborn and then growing child, so the heart of a biblical pastor and elder beats for the people who they have come to love , as they see them being born again by the Holy Spirit and grow in their midst.

In this part of his first letter to the Thessalonians, he gives us a glimpse into his own heart as he openly speaks of his great love and concern for these , his spiritual children who were now so far removed from him. He speaks of having been "torn away” (literally "orphaned"[1]) from them, though he explains that they had been torn away from each other "in person, but not in heart". Such language displays the love that the apostle had developed for his spiritual children and it is important that we seek this mindset also among ourselves as a God-centered church. 

Having been separated from them he now has an intense desire [2] to see them ‘face to face’ (2:17). 

There was a problem however. He says, “we wanted to come and see you- I, Paul, again and again (lit. once and twice)- but Satan hindered[3] us “ (2:18). 

We must take note of this, and we need to affirm that Satan will most certainly put hindrances in our way as we seek to be a biblical and God centered church. You will remember that Satan tried to hinder the work of the Lord Jesus (Lk 4: 1-13) and of the early church. We know from Acts 17:8-10 that the gospel was being resisted in Thessalonica [4] and therefore the significance of this statement is that Paul regarded Satan as the ultimate power behind such determined opposition to the gospel. While the individuals who opposed the work of Christ were both guilty and accountable to God, their actions were inspired by Satan. We must understand that Satan is the sworn enemy of Christ and His church, and we must not be ignorant of his schemes (2 Cor. 2:11). And so, Paul clearly saw the hand of a personal, evil being (whom he calls the "tempter" in 3:5)[5] intervening in the travel plans of his missionary team. 

In 2:19-20 we continue to observe Paul’s heartfelt feelings for the Thessalonians. He says to them: “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.” Here is a real sense of righteous pride in his spiritual children. They are his “hope," "joy," and "crown", and please note that he says this in reference to Christ’s coming[6] . These people were the result of his gospel labours, and just as any craftsman or artist may look at his finished product with a sense of good pride and achievement , so Paul looks at these people with a real sense of satisfaction. They are the evidence that he has been faithful to his commission from Jesus. You can almost hear him saying : “Look , Lord here they are – the believers in Thessalonica to whom I made your gospel known – and they believed !” 

  1 THESSALONIANS  3 

In those days when telephones and e-mail and ‘whatsapp’ weren’t even remotely thought of, it wasn’t easy to communicate in a hurry. Paul is concerned about the young believers in Thessalonica. How are they doing ? He is longing for news from them , and when he can bear it no longer, he sends Timothy , their co-worker (lit. deacon – servant) to Thessalonica and Paul and Silvanus (1:1) would remain in Corinth or perhaps in Athens (3:1) which is about 500 km’s away. 

So, Timothy [7] was asked to establish[8] and encourage[9] the believers in Thessalonica. Paul was concerned that their afflictions (literally pressures - Gr. “thlipsis” ) (3:3) would be too much for them. He was concerned that they would lose their spiritual moorings, although Paul had previously warned them concerning this (3:3,4). Suffering is in inevitable accompaniment of being a biblical church and a biblical Christian in this world (see 3:2,3). So Timothy’s task was to essentially to encourage them and to find out, how they were doing - … to learn about their faith …(3:5), for Paul knew that the same Satan who kept him from coming to them , was also capable of tempting [10] them so badly that they might fall away, and so he feared that his labour among them might have been in vain. 

The good news now follows in 3:6-10. Timothy is back from his visit to Thessalonica , and it was good news – it was ‘ gospel’ to Paul ! The word ‘euaggelion’ is not normally used in this sense. It is normally used to describe gospel preaching. But this was truly good news to Paul, for now his worst fears were calmed . These new converts were indeed standing strong in their faith! Timothy reported that the faith and love which they possessed and of which Paul had spoken in the beginning (1:3) were still there. Those are the vital signs of spiritual life - faith, love , hope ! Thank God that they showed signs of spiritual life ! 

In 3:7-10 we find Paul’s own response to Timothy’s report : This good news really comforted Paul (see 3:8). There is really nothing better for a biblical pastor than to know that people who have professed Christ under his ministry are standing firm/ fast in the Lord. [Paul often uses this phrase, “stand firm“ in his epistles [11] ]. This assurance that they were in fact standing firm made Paul to feel that his life was now really worth living. This fact energized him and it enabled him to continue his missionary work in the midst of such tremendous opposition and suffering as is described in detail in his 2nd letter to the Corinthians. When your children succeed in the midst of great difficulty you have every reason to be proud and glad , and so Paul can say that they were indeed his joy and crown of boasting (2:19,20). A true pastor’s richest reward are the spiritual fruit borne in the lives of his congregation. 

In 3: 9-10 we continue to observe how Paul draws spiritual strength from the perseverance of the Thessalonian’s faith in Christ, so much so that this all becomes an occasion for a prayer of thanksgiving to God . Verse 10 tells us that this deep sense of joy was especially real during Paul’s times of prayer for the Thessalonians—"as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face …”. This prayer for them stirred up in him a desire to visit them to “supply what is lacking in your faith.” (same idea as in Romans 1: 11). New believers and young churches have much to learn, and a mature, godly Christian can go a long way to be a catalyst for further growth in such a community , supplying what is lacking among them. This is another way of loving the congregation. 

Finally in 3:11-13 we find a prayer from Paul for them (almost in the form of a benediction) It contains three basic requests : 

That God Himself would make it possible for them to visit the Thessalonians  (3:11).  This request is made even more significant in light of the Satanic resistance Paul had experienced earlier (2:18). 

That God would make them increase and abound in love for one another and for all (3:12). Love for the church which was Paul’s trademark , must also become the definitive mark of the Christian church (see 1 Cor. 13:4-7; John 13:35). This love in turn makes the gospel winsome and attractive to outsiders. [ Warning : Satan will constantly put obstacles in our way in this regard!] 

That God would establish their hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father (3:13)— i.e. he is praying that the heart – that is , the whole inner nature, including their thoughts, feelings and their will would reflect the moral character of the God who had so graciously called them to salvation (1:4). It is a prayer for their sanctification, and it makes them look lovely to God , and the thought is here that when Christ returns "with all His saints" then their present testimony would be an unmistakable sign that they do belong to Jesus. No guesswork needed ! 

Application 

Our theme relates to being a God centered church that is full of love and concern for one another. Paul who is a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ is our example to follow. It is a vital sign of a God centered church to be marked by love and genuine concern for one another. This is the attitude of Christ towards us, and it begins with a leadership which shows genuine love and concern for others. The extra- ordinary love and commitment of Paul, Timothy and Silvanus surely rubbed off onto this congregation. 

Let us then learn to love one another , by keeping one another in our hearts – even when we are far away . Let us learn to communicate with one another – write letters etc. asking “how are you doing? I am praying for you! I am concerned for you ! I would love to see you again …” 

Let us provide encouragement for fellow believers in the daily battles associated with Christian discipleship, by praying for one another. Let us learn from Paul’s prayer in 3:11-13 in this regard as to how and what we can pray for one another. Here Paul is praying for the powerful working of God Himself in them in regard to the opening of doors so that mutual encouragement can take place. He prays for real spiritual growth , mainly in love for another and also for the whole world. Love is the most basic and fundamental evidence of spiritual life in the church , and it is utterly important that the love life of the church is sought and cultivated – lest we be clanging cymbals and empty gongs (1 Cor. 13:1-3) 

Let us learn to provide meaningful companionship to one another and by providing words of strength and affirmation to one another . 

This is the pattern that we see here in the inspired letter of Paul to the Thessalonians . It has been written for our strengthening and encouragement. Let us pray now that the Holy Spirit would be pleased to entrench His Word in our hearts . Amen ! 

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[1] Gr. aporphanizomai  -  being made an orphan , bereaved (KJV)

[2] Gr epithumia  -  a craving , longing

[3] Gr. enkoptō -  lit. to cut into – used of  placing obstacles in the road  ( Acts 24:4; Rom 15:22; Gal 5:7 )

[4] see last week’s sermon: “ A God centered Church must expect opposition “

[5] He refers to him also in 2 Thess.  2:9

[6] Frequent  mentioning is made of the coming of the Lord in  Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians  : see  3:13; 4:15; 5:23; 2 Thess. 2:1,8

[7]  On a number of  occasions  Paul sent   Timothy to pay a personal visit to one of the churches that he had established  - see 1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10; Phil. 2:19

[8]  Gk. Sterizō – to establish ,  to fix,  to set firm , strengthen  cf.  Rom  1:11 ;  Acts 8:23

[9] Gk. Parakaleō -   lit. to call beside , hence to admonish , urge , exhort 

[10] Gk. Peirazō -  to test or try  ( sometimes positively , with  the purpose of refining )

[11]  E.g 1 Cor. 10:12 , 15:58; 16:13; 2 Cor. 1:21,24; Gal. 5:1; Eph. 6:14; Phil.  1:27, 4:1; Col.  4:12; 1 Thess. 3:8; 2 Thess. 2:15; 

1 Thessalonians 2:14-20 - “God Centered Churches Must Expect Opposition!”

Many books have been written on suffering. I have a good number of them in my own library. Most of them  deal with suffering  on an individual level, speaking about matters  such  as   losing a loved one,  depression,  facing an unhappy marriage and  the problem  of loneliness,  and  the  matter  of  physical/mental  handicaps and so on.  I  have not seen many books  that speak about the sufferings of a church as such  – or   to put it in a different way – the suffering that the corporate body of God’s  people experiences,   simply because  they are the church.  

It is abundantly  clear  that  every true  church suffers  because it experiences  manifestations of sin  in the church  and  manifestations of sin against the  church.  The church suffers together  when  one of their leaders sin ; the church suffers when  members sin ; the church suffers when  there is disunity  in the body ; the church suffers  when  it is slandered  or attacked by outsiders  The  fact of the matter is this  :  Every   church  mentioned in the  Bible  suffers !    

The Lord Jesus prepared His disciples  in this regard.  John  15:18 - 16: 33  is a lengthy  discourse  in which Jesus speaks  about  the hatred of the world  against  Himself  and against His people.  He ends  His discourse   in Jn. 16:33  with these insightful  words:  “In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

In Matthew 16:18 , He assures His disciples  that in the midst of  hostility (such as would lead to His death on the cross)  He would build  the church: “… I will build my church , and the gates of hell  shall not prevail against it.”  The Lord Jesus teaches us plainly in the gospels that the  true  church,  wherever she is found,  must expect opposition. 

The   church,   which is born in the book of Acts on the day of Pentecost (2:41)  experiences  this opposition almost right away :

·       Acts 4:1-30 ;   Peter and John  are brought before the  council of the Jews   who threaten them  (4:21)

·       Acts 5:17-42;  The apostles, the leaders  of the early  church  are  arrested, put in prison,  and the council of the Jews wants to kill them (5:33) , but  Gamaliel  a  Pharisee, and member of the  council  intervenes.

·       Acts 6:8- 8:3  ;  Stephen  (one of the first deacons -  6:1-7)  was seized by  some Jews (6:12) and  killed, becoming the first martyr of the church. The Pharisee  Saul  (later Paul)  had approved of his execution, and  he  became   instrumental in the  persecution  in the church in Jerusalem  and elsewhere ( 8:1; 11:19)  

·       Acts 12: 2-3 ;  James  the brother of John is killed by king Herod   and Peter is  arrested, but miraculously released.

·       As the gospel  spreads into gentile territory  opposition is encountered  everywhere, seeking  to arrest the rapid  growth of the church. In    Iconium  and  Paul  is stoned  in Lystra (14:1-23); Imprisonment in Philippi (16:16-24); persecution in Thessalonica  and  Berea (17: 1-15)  and harassment in Corinth  (18:12ff) and Ephesus  (19:21ff) etc . This is the pattern  amidst which the  expansion of the church  takes place – just as Jesus  had said!

Every  epistle written   by Paul  indicates strong  opposition to  the gospel :

·       Rom  16:17,18 - I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

·       The letters  to the Corinthians  were  written because   of  divisions and quarreling in the church (1:10ff).  This was due to the fact that  the Corinthians  were not a God –centered church, but a man centered church.  Furthermore, loose living and sexual immorality, idolatry , false doctrine  and  the like opposed the work of the gospel.  The opposition  here   is  of an internal nature, as  these church people allow their  own appetites and opinions to rule  the life of the church . The problem is  “libertinism” .  The second letter to the Corinthians reveals Paul’s much of Paul’s personal sufferings  and opposition which he experiences  as a servant of Jesus.   

·       The letter  to the Galatians   is  written because there  are  those who   have persuaded the  Galatian Christians to embrace another gospel  (Gal 1:6). The opposition  here is  that of religious  bigots,  and   legalists who seek  to   destroy the gospel basis  upon  which  the church  was founded.

·       The letter to the Ephesians  makes explicit  mention of  Satanic  opposition.   Eph. 6:10-18  describes the work of Satan   and the spiritual armour  needed  to counter this formidable opposition.

·       Paul’s letters to the Philippians  makes mention of the opponents of the church (Phil 1:28), whilst his letter to the Colossians  reveals  that there is  a subtle undermining of their faith by  philosophy, human traditions  (2:8), self made religion  and asceticism (2:23) and the like .

Though I would like to comment  on Paul’s epistles  to Timothy and Titus , and upon  John and Peter’s epistles in this regard, not forgetting to mention the fact that the seven churches  in the Revelation to John all  encounter  sufferings  and opposition of many kinds (Revelation 2 &3),  I think that I have made my point.  You trust that  you have been persuaded. The church of the Bible is a suffering church.

We now  specifically  consider  the  opposition  which  the God centered church of the Thessalonians  encounters  in our text :

The opposition  encountered  in the church  at Thessalonica is described  as twofold :

1.      From your  own countrymen  (14- 16)

2.      Satan hindered us (17-20)

These two   descriptions  of opposition experienced by this   God –centered church are indeed  typical  of the experience  of   every church seeking to be God centered.

This first manifestation of opposition is perhaps the most surprising : the greatest attacks  upon the church are  from those closest to us.

“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,

Paul here compares the opposition  which   Christians at Thessalonica faced from their  countrymen  ( i.e. fellow Greeks)  with that opposition  which  Jewish Christians in Judea  faced  from their own countrymen , and all this  because  they had   turned to God  and  had embraced the Lord  Jesus Christ  as their Saviour.  That fact  brought about  great opposition. Some  of you can testify how your own family members  can become your enemies  as a result of you having embraced the gospel.  It seems so  irrational  that they should do this, but this is the effect  that the gospel of Christ  has on the world. Every true believer becomes a thorn in the flesh  of an ungodly society (because  they expose the sin which  they love), and the response of that society is,  “away with you! I don’t want to hear you or see you!”

In vv. 15,16  Paul illustrates  this  by describing the   killing of the  Lord Jesus ( and the prophets) by their  own  countrymen.  He speaks about the  opposition  that the early church experienced as  it was driven out of Jerusalem  by   the Jews. Note,  that  Paul himself had a large role to play  in the early  persecution of the Jewish church !  

By  reminding the Thessalonians  of this historical fact   Paul  reminds them  (and us)  that suffering at the hands of one’s own countrymen and even our  family ( cf Matt. 10:36) is  to be expected.  It is not unusual.

Take  note of  what Paul has to say about those who oppose Christ and His church : “…   and (those who) displease[1] 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!

The sad truth about these Jews that opposed the church  was  that they thought themselves  to have  a great zeal for God,  but in reality  they  were blind leaders of the blind.[2]  They thought they were pleasing God when they persecuted Christians,  but in reality they were doing the opposite. Jesus  spoke about this in John 16:2:  “They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God.”).

The truth is that pleasing God starts with trusting in God’s own Son!

So Paul writes this  to help the Thessalonians to see that  such opposition  was to be expected , and they needed to know  that  they were not forsaken. God  was on their side.  Such opposition was  in fact  an indication  that they  were in  a right  relationship with God and that  these  blind zealots were in fact  those that God was  going to judge.  God sometimes allows men to go on in sin, i.e. to  fill up the measure  of their sins[3],  because of His patience , long-suffering, and mercy,  giving them opportunities along the way for repentance  (see 2 Pet. 3:9; Rom. 2:4).

We are familiar  with  God’s historical dealings of Israel, in which His wrath was poured out   on them, as  Moses prophesied  in Deuteronomy 28:15-68. The  exile  of the Northern and the Southern kingdoms in 722 B.C. and in 586 B.C respectively are  an illustration of this . 

We need to remember  that when Paul wrote this  letter  in about   AD 50-51,  that  the city that had  killed the Lord Jesus  was  only 20 years away  from its  destruction , for in AD 70 Jerusalem  was utterly devastated by the  Romans.

All this points  forward to a still greater  day of wrath at  the appearing of our Lord Jesus  Christ (see 1:10, 2:16)     when He will crush  all enemies and opposition. 

So then there is no need to  grow despondent at the thought of having to face opposition.  God remains  in charge!  This perspective needs to be  had by us at all times !  For this we cannot trust the daily headlines . We must trust in the Word of the Lord .

Satanic Opposition  (2:17-20)

But since we were torn away from you[4], 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… In the midst of  opposition and crisis  such as the church frequently experiences  it is important to have encouragement from our brothers and sisters in the Lord. The Thessalonians needed such encouragement  and  Paul wanted  to  come to them.  I know  of such encouragement   through men like Erroll Hulse and Martin Holdt  and many others  that  have visited us and encouraged us.

Now take note of Paul’s next  statement :   but Satan hindered us. As  Paul wanted to  visit this afflicted church   he found that  Satan  was hindering[5] them from doing so.   Paul recognizes  this  not simply as the  work of men , but as the work of  Satan.  The source  of all opposition to God’s work is ultimately  Satan who uses  demonic forces , and of course people – even  people in  our community , and shockingly even people in the church to do his  work .  

Let this then be our perspective, as we  dear people at Eastside  continue to hold on to the gospel, and are not afraid of opposition. Let us be careful at all times that we (leaders and  members alike )  do not become the opposition  and so  give the devil a foothold . Continue  in  the same prayerful mindset as you see here  in the example of Paul , holding on to biblical principles  of churchmanship , and we shall see  ourselves not  tempted  in this regard . Amen

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[1]  Present tense – i.e. they continually displease God

[2] Rom. 10:2; 2:19f.; Matt. 23:16

[3] See also Genesis  15:16

[4] aporphanizo, from which we get our word “orphan.”

[5] enkopto,   lit.  “to cut into”  -  used figuratively in the sense of “to  hinder, detain.”

1 Thessalonians 2:13 "Thank God for Spiritual Progress under the Word of God !"

“And we also thank God  constantly for this ….” (2:13). Reading the letters of Paul  sometimes feels  like  dropping in on a conversation  between the apostle Paul and  God.   Paul’s letters  are not only  theology  soaked in prayer, but the people to whom he communicates this theology are themselves  taken up  in his constant prayers  to God.   Let me show you this by taking  you through  a  ‘quick tour’ of this letter:

Ø  1:2 :  “We give thanks to God always  for all of you, constantly mentioning  you in our prayers, remembering  before our God and father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ…” .

Ø   In  2: 13 he continues to   reveal to the Thessalonian Christians  the prayer of his heart: "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.”

Ø   In  3: 9-10   he continues: For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?

Ø   And finally  in  5: 17-18  he  exhorts the Thessalonians to be involved in this great work of prayer:  “pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 

Ø   Following this in  5: 23,24  he prays for them:  “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. “

Ø  … after which he  asks them to pray for  him and the ministry which he   is involved: “Brothers, pray for us.”  5:25 . Prayer   begets prayer ! Prayer  is  a vital mark  of a God- centered man, and a God centered man  will do everything in his strength  to export this attitude to the congregation (5:17).  So much for Paul’s prayerful heart. 

In   verse  13  we see that   the apostle Paul  continues to give   constant thanks  for this new miracle – this new church in Thessalonica[1], a bunch of people  who,  as we saw, turned from idols  to serve the  living and true God (1:9) –  thus becoming God- centered people!  What a blessing , and what a joy when we  see churches  born  that are  filled with people  turning  from idolatry  to the living God , and so we  take note once again how  thankful Paul is  not only to see  these people converted, but  also obedient  to the Lord  in whom they had believed, and so he writes :   

2:13  And we also  thank God constantly [2] 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.

The reason for Paul’s thankfulness (and we can learn much from this)  is twofold:  
(i)  They had  received[3] the word of God  and 
(ii)  they  had  accepted[4] the  word of God.  The first  refers to “the hearing of the ear” while the second refers to “the hearing of the heart.”  Many hear, but not all hear  with the heart.  A changed heart  leads to a changed life,  a God centered life , in which   God is loved and in which the  people of God are  loved , and  in which a lost world is loved through active evangelism  and missionary activity.    

Notice  the manner in which they received the  Word of God into their heart.  Paul  says, “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.”

The Thessalonians   knew that the  word that they had received was not a man- made message. Hear this!  The Bible or the gospel is not a man -made message.  Many treat it as such, and therefore  the gospel  never penetrates their hearts. Hear this! The word of God  is not a man – made message!

Paul makes this point  firstly  by stating it  negatively  - what  the word of God is not! - “you accepted it not as  the word of men. To the Galatian Christians Paul had said a similar thing,  “...For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:11-12)
Peter said a similar thing, “…knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20-21)

Secondly he puts it positively. The  word of God  is  truly (Gr.  alethos)   God’s  word !  It is God’s  trustworthy inspired, inerrant Word!

I cannot  even begin to   tell you how important this statement is for us modern Christians. I cannot even begin  to tell you how much  damage has been done in the last hundred years  because large segments of the Protestant church  have  abandoned  this principle and have treated  the Bible as secondary by  importing human wisdom  into the church, using the Bible  only as tokenism , leaving  our members  spiritually  wasted  and dried out.

Today, on this Lord’s day, a very important conference called by John Mc Arthur of the Grace Community Church  in the USA   comes to an end. The conference  is all about the  inspiration and the inerrancy of  the word of God. Since I have not been able to follow  it closely, I have  followed   some of the summaries  of the conference. Tim Challies has reported on the opening  address  by Dr John Mc Arthur  who  gave a list  of   four reasons as to why  he had called for this summit [5]. I will  repeat it here, because it  will underline  the importance  of Paul’s  statement   

First, the Scripture is attacked and we are called to defend it. Any reader of the Bible understands that Satan will always threaten to undermine the Word of God. What continues to surprise us is that these threats more often come from within the visible church than outside of it. Yet before God there is no greater offense than to cause people to question the veracity, inerrancy, or authority of Scripture. He  (Mc Arthur)  went on to do a brief historical survey in which he pointed out the major challenges to the authority of the Bible through sacramentalism,  rationalism, liberalism, cultism, experientialism, pragmatism, and several other damaging philosophies. His point was this: Whenever the church abandons its commitment to the authority and inerrancy of Scripture, the results are catastrophic. With eternity at stake, it is no surprise the Bible reserves its harshest condemnations for those who take away from God’s Words or who add to it.

Second, Scripture is authoritative and we are called to declare it. He went to 2 Timothy 3:16 and then several other texts to show how Scripture consistently claims to speak with the authority and voice of God. God’s Word is consistently pure and authentic, and not a word of it will ever be nullified or taken away.

Third, Scripture is accurate and we are to demonstrate it. While we can prove the authority of the Bible from within the Bible, we can also look outside of it to general revelation. MacArthur showed how the Bible accurately describes the universe and Creation and that it offers the only logical and compelling explanation as to why the world is the way it is. The Bible is always found to be accurate when it intersects with modern science. Everywhere you look in the Bible you will find consistency since, after all, this Author knows the way things really are in his world.

Fourth, the Scripture is active through the power of the Spirit and we are called to deploy it. The Bible is the means by which people are saved. ( The Thessalonians were saved by  this means – 1:5) The power is not in the presentation of the preacher, but inherent in the text. The Bible is sharp and powerful—more powerful than anything else. So we are saved by the Word, but also sanctified, edified, comforted, and instructed by it. There are lots of books that can change your thinking, but only one that can change your nature and your eternal destiny. The simple fact is that when we preach the Word we deploy the instrument the Holy Spirit uses to do his supernatural work.

MacArthur’s final call was to the pastors attending, telling them, “You cannot be an expositor of Scripture if you have a weak view of the Bible.” 

I have taken time to share this with you because  the heart of  true  God centredness is ripped out of the church, when  the Word of God is not  clearly and carefully  expounded.  

So Paul says   that this  “really is the  word of God  which is at work [6] in you believers …”  When we receive God’s Word  through personal  Bible  study, or group Bible study or hearing of sermons , and when we receive it  by faith into our hearts , it brings the power of God to bear on our lives as the Holy Spirit makes the Word alive  to us. This is the product of the miraculous work of the Spirit of God using the Word of God (see  1:5).

It was by means of this  word of God  that the Thessalonian received  and  accepted, that they became  Christians and by which they  “ became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus  that are in Judea “ (2:14)

The same word of God that changed  the hearts of  Jewish  people in Judea  was changing the hearts  of  Gentile people in  the  gentile  Greco-Roman world  and here  especially the Thessalonians. This was the work of God, and for this  progress of the gospel Paul  was deeply greatful  and thankful.  And we at Eastside Baptist Church are thankful  today for this same word  heard and received  has changed our hearts!

I am saying this  as we are  gathered around the Lord’s table, and  I must say the same thing to you,   “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.”   

Join  us now  in the celebration  of  our faith in the finished work of the Lord  Jesus Christ as we gather  around this communion table. Amen !

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[1] See Acts 17:1-9

[2]  “adialeipto”   -  an adverb which means “without interruption, continually, regularly.”   See also 1:2,  5:17

[3]  “isparalambano”  - “to receive from another”

[4]  “dechomai “  -  to receive in the sense of “welcoming someone or something .”

[5]   http://www.challies.com/

[6]  “energeo “  - from which we get our word energy