Lesson 7: For Their Faithfulness Series

6/13/18

Tom Lowe

Lesson 7: For Their Faithfulness (1Th 2:13-3:10)

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20 (NIV)

13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. 14 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews 15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last. 17 But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-10 (NIV)

1 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain. 6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

Lesson 7

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20 (NIV)

13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.

Now here is the other side of the giving of the Gospel. Paul has already said, “For our Gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost”. . . (1 Thessalonians 1:5). That is the way the Gospel should be given out. But I hear a great many people criticize preachers and I want to say this: If a man is presenting the Gospel and it is going out in power, it should be received as the Word of God.

After the Word is given out and after it is received with faith, it should be obeyed; that’s important. It is not enough to appreciate the Bible, or even to appropriate the Bible. We must apply the Word in our lives and be hearers and doers of the Word (James 1:19-25).

The Word should go out as the Word of God, and it should be received as the Word of God. And, my friend, if you will receive it that way then it will be able to work in you, and there’s blessing there for you?IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE! Otherwise, you are wasting your time in church.

The Word of God has in it the power to accomplish the will of God. “For nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37). It has well been said, “God’s commandments are God’s enablements.” Jesus commanded the crippled man to stretch out his hand—the very thing the man could not do. Yet that word of command gave him the power to obey. He trusted the word, obeyed, and was made whole (Mark 3:1-5). When we believe God’s Word and obey, He releases power—divine energy—that works in our lives to fulfill His purposes.