Growing through God’s Word
1 Thessalonians 2:13-20
Intro: There’s an old story of a missionary in Africa who gave a Bible to one of the African men. When it was given to him, the man hugged it close and expressed great appreciation for the precious gift of God’s Word that the missionary had given him.
-But when the missionary saw him a few days later he noticed, much to his dismay, that the Bible looked like it was already falling apart, and that many of its pages were missing. The missionary asked him, "What happened? What did you do to your Bible? When I gave it to you I thought you considered it to be a treasured possession."
-The man replied. "Indeed, it is a very precious possession. It is the finest gift I have ever received. It is so precious that when I returned to my village I very carefully chose a page and tore it out and gave it to my mother. Then I tore out another page and gave it to my father. And I tore out another page and gave it to my wife. Finally, I gave a page of God’s Word to everybody who lives in my village."
-The human response to God’s word has been varied throughout history. However, everyone eventually falls into one of two categories when it comes to responding to God’s word: they either believe it and it changes them, or they reject it and remain unchanged. God’s spoken word is our source of life! Not only did it bring about everything in creation, but it gives us the keys to enjoying the life of God now! As both Moses and Jesus said, “Life is not found or sustained by eating bread, but by receiving every word that comes from God’s mouth!”
-We can grow spiritually and enjoy God’s life when we receive His words and allow them to change us! Let’s look at some ways God’s words can help us grow.
1. God’s Word should be accepted
1 Thessalonians 2:13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God…
-Even though God uses human means to carry His message, it is still His word! God still speaks today – to us and through us. Throughout the Bible we read about God speaking through angels, through creation, through signs and wonders, through dreams and visions, and more. But more personally, God often speaks to people through other people. Hebrews 1:1-2 “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.”
-So God has used prophets, apostles, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to speak His words to mankind. But he also uses people without titles to speak His truth and encouragement to others.
-When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, they did not have Bibles as we know them. They had access to the Old Testament Scriptures and quite possibly some of the teachings and sayings of Jesus had been circulated among them. Perhaps some of the creeds and hymns of the early church were recited and sung as well (Philippians 2:6-11; 1 Corinthians 15:3-7).
-So what did Paul mean by the phrase, “the word of God?” Paul didn’t hand out Gideon Bibles when he stopped in at Thessalonica. The word of God to which he refers is the gospel, the good news about Jesus, the message that Paul and his team were proclaiming to the Gentiles.
-And how did these believers know that it was God’s word and not just Paul’s word? We have to look back to chapter 1 for that answer. 1 Thessalonians 1:5 “… our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.” The Holy Spirit carried God’s words from the mouths of Paul and his associates to the ears and hearts of the Thessalonians. Something undeniable was happening on a spiritual level. God’s word was coming alive to those who were listening! They knew this was so much more than being stirred by a good orator. God was speaking His words to them through Paul! And they received the words as being from God, not simply from Paul.
-Many people struggle with this in our day and age. The truth claims in the Bible are up for debate by many. Not only that, but they are up for private interpretation. Whatever it means to you is okay. But if we are going to accept the Bible as God’s own words, then we cannot redefine, reinterpret, or change what He has spoken to us! Scholars often focus on the human side of the biblical writings (which can be helpful and is important); however, some scholars of the Bible fail to focus on the Divine side.
-Paul set this out very plainly for Timothy: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
-If God breathed it, which is another way of saying that He spoke it, then it is worthy of our acceptance and obedience! God still speaks through the Bible! God still speaks through prophets and preachers! God still speaks through His Holy Spirit! And it is of utmost importance that we receive what he says and that we allow it to change our lives! Specific to our passage, the word of God is the gospel, the good news that Jesus is our Savior. But in a broader sense, we need to readily receive the whole word of God, allowing it to renew our minds and transform our lives! And here is why…
2. God’s Word is at work in those who believe
1 Thessalonians 2:13 … you received the word of God … which is at work in you who believe.
-God is working in us. And when we respond in faith to His message to us, He is able to accomplish amazing things in and through our lives.
-Psalm 119 is perhaps the clearest Old Testament Scripture about the beauty and power of God’s Word. Almost every one of its 176 verses has a reference to the Word of God. Here are 10 ways that the Bible does its work within us. Perhaps this will serve as a primer so that you read the entire psalm for yourself. The Word of God…
Tells us what to do (5)
Cleanses us (9)
Keeps us from sin (11)
Gives us life (25)
Strengthens us (28)
Restores our hope (49)
Comforts us (50)
Helps us not go astray (67)
Guides us (105)
Brings us joy (162)
-Hebrews 4:12 gives us a clear New Testament description of what the Bible can do in our lives: “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
Philippians 1:6 …he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
-God’s word is at work in us, but we need to be sure that we have His word in us! Read it! Study it! Listen to it! Obey it! Pray it! Let God speak to your heart! He has words to say to you, and they will always line up with what He says in the Bible!
3. God’s Word should be modeled and imitated
1 Thessalonians 2:14-16 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen 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 all men 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.
-Last week we talked about the fact that the good news about Jesus often meets with opposition. If the absence of trouble is a sign that you are in the center of God’s will, then Paul and the apostles were surely missing God’s will 90% of the time, along with many of the early churches. God’s churches in Judea (Jerusalem & surrounding areas) set an example of how to hang in there during the hard times. They faced frequent opposition from Jews who rejected Jesus as the Messiah. They were excluded from attending the local Synagogue, and were harassed, arrested, and sometimes executed for their faith in Jesus as the Messiah.
-But suffering for Jesus was not limited to Jewish believers around Jerusalem. It happened everywhere the gospel was preached, including Thessalonica. The Thessalonian believers were aware of the good example of the Judean believers and they imitated them. They refused to abandon their faith due to the threats of violence or the loss of privilege. They had decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back!
4. God’s Word is best cultivated in Christian friendships
1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 17 But, brothers, when we were torn away 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 stopped us. 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.
-Again, it was because of opposition and persecution that Paul had to leave Thessalonica after only a few weeks. Paul longed to be with the believers in Thessalonica to help them grow in the love of God and to encourage them in their faith.
-Today, Satan will do all he can to hinder good Christian relationships- via gossip, slander, distrust, taking offense at one another instead of forgiving and working it out, etc. He will do all he can to convince us that we are better off without a church family than with one. Or he will make us think that we have the gift of analysis and that it is our job to point out everything that is wrong with our church, rather than being part of the solution through prayer and loving service.
-What does it take to develop good Christian friendships? At least 2 things are required: time and proximity. It takes time to make friends. It takes getting together, sitting down together, talking, laughing, crying, praying, and serving together. It is in the context of Christian friendships that God’s word is exchanged, bringing encouragement and strength to one another. Some of this happens when we assemble together at church, but more of it needs to happen throughout the week as we live out our lives.
-Paul wanted to be with the Thessalonian Christians, but Satan stopped him. But when he heard that they were doing great and growing in Christ, he was ecstatic!
-God’s Word is glorified when Christians value one another. Look at the language of love Paul uses. First, he calls them family- brothers. Then he speaks of being torn away from them, indicating that an initial bond had been formed. Then he spoke of an intense longing to see them. And he called them his hope, his joy, his crown, and glory. He was proud of them and valued them very highly!
-To live above with saints we love, Oh won’t that be glory! But to live below with saints we know, well, that’s a different story. May we learn to see the glory in our everyday relationships with the people of God!
Close: We need to accept God’s word as God’s word, because when we do, it is activated within us and begins to transform us into who God intended us to be! As His word finds expression through our lives, we are following the examples of other believers and setting examples for others. God’s word will help us hang in there during adversity. Finally, God’s word is best cultivated into our lives when we are in fellowship with other Christians. We need each other!
-What kind of effect has the word of God had on your life? What changes are there? Are you a negative, angry, bitter person, or has God’s word begun to change you to be more like His Son Jesus?
-Have you received the word of God? Have you believed on Jesus as God’s Son who gave His life as a payment for your sin? Are you following Him? If not, I can’t think of any good reasons not to accept what God has said to us and ask Him to forgive you and accept you into His family. Ask Him to write your name in His book of life.
-Are you receiving God’s word on a regular basis? Do you listen for what He wants to say to you through the Bible? Do you listen in prayer? Do you listen for God speaking through other believers?
-Without God’s words, we perish. There is no real life or spiritual growth without God’s word in us! I hope you will let His word in, and let Him work His work in your life today.
Word of God Speak
