“Be Ready”
The Real McCoy
1 Thes. 2:13-20
Intro.
Years ago there was a TV game show called To Tell the Truth.
Contestants would try to pick the real person from the fakes.
Would the real John Doe please stand up?
Christianity in America has become like that game show.
It’s becoming harder to tell the Christians from the non-Christians.
Most every person in America would say they’re is a Christian, but when you ask them what that means, they don’t really know.
That’s what makes 1 Thes. such an exciting Book.
Here’s a church that’s the real deal.
These believers are in love with Jesus and it shows.
With all the fake and pseudo-Christians out there, Paul writes to encourage the Thessalonians because their faith was real, they were the real McCoys.
One of the primary reasons Paul writes to them is to encourage them in their real, visible faith.
Last week, in 2:1-12 Paul wrote to prove that the message and messenger were real.
Today, in vv. 13-16, we see that the Thessalonians’ visible faith also proves the message is real.
Turn there. 1 Thes. 2:13-16.
Prayer.
Paul continues where he left off in 1:2ff.
2WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD ALWAYS FOR ALL OF YOU, MAKING MENTION OF YOU IN OUR PRAYERS… 5FOR OUR GOSPEL DID NOT COME TO YOU IN WORD ONLY, BUT ALSO IN POWER AND IN THE HOLY SPIRIT AND WITH FULL CONVICTION; JUST AS YOU KNOW WHAT KIND OF MEN WE PROVED TO BE AMONG YOU FOR YOUR SAKE. 6YOU ALSO BECAME IMITATORS OF US AND OF THE LORD, HAVING RECEIVED THE WORD IN MUCH TRIBULATION WITH THE JOY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,
13AND 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, WHICH IS AT WORK IN YOU WHO BELIEVE. 14FOR 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, 15WHO KILLED THE LORD JESUS AND THE PROPHETS AND ALSO DROVE US OUT. THEY DISPLEASE GOD AND ARE HOSTILE TO ALL MEN 16IN 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.
In Ch. 1, Paul praised them for their testimony of faith.
He continues that thought in this passage.
Today, we’re going to see four aspects of the believers’ faith that proved that they were the real deal, the real McCoy, that they were real believers.
I. THEY ACCEPTED THE WORD.
13AND WE ALSO (in addition to you) THANK GOD CONTINUALLY (unceasingly) BECAUSE, WHEN YOU RECEIVED THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH YOU HEARD FROM US, YOU ACCEPTED (welcomed) IT NOT AS THE WORD OF MEN, BUT AS IT ACTUALLY (truly) IS, THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH IS AT WORK IN YOU WHO BELIEVE.
Paul rejoiced with them because they welcomed the Word of God, not the word of men.
Paul rejoiced because of their real faith.
Where does faith come from?
Rom. 10:17 SO FAITH COMES FROM HEARING, AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF CHRIST.
They received the Gospel because they recognized it was God’s Word.
The Word of God is the Gospel.
The whole Word of God is the Good News of our salvation in Jesus Christ.
They didn’t just hear a message and give a verbal assent.
They welcomed it, they accepted it as God’s Holy, True Word.
A real believer, the real McCoy, accepts the Word of God as the Word of God.
A real believer understands that this is not just a Book, it’s alive and active.
Heb. 4:12 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.
2 Tim. 3:16 ALL SCRIPTURE IS GOD-BREATHED AND IS USEFUL FOR TEACHING, REBUKING, CORRECTING AND TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, 17SO THAT THE MAN OF GOD MAY BE THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK.
If we don’t take God’s Word seriously, if we don’t spend quality, daily time with Him in His Word, if we don’t treat this Book as it is – the Word of God - then we have to seriously ask ourselves whether we truly know Christ or not, whether we’re the real McCoy or not.
Have you truly accepted the Word of God as the Word of God?
The Thessalonians were the real McCoy because they accepted the Word.
But they didn’t stop there…
II. THEY ACTIVATED THE WORD.
The put the Word into effect. They put it to work!
13c THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH IS AT WORK (“effectively works”, operates, performs) IN YOU WHO BELIEVE.
This is also a present tense verb – it continues to work!
It also matches with those who believe,
“The Word of God continues to work in you who continue to believe”.
The Word of God works! It works!
Paul wasn’t excited because of their salvation.
He was excited because they were working out their salvation, they were bearing fruit.
Phil. 2:12-13 CONTINUE TO WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING, 13FOR IT IS GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU TO WILL AND TO ACT ACCORDING TO HIS GOOD PURPOSE.
Ryrie (So Great Salvation) Every Christian will bear spiritual fruit. Somewhere, sometime, somehow. Otherwise that person is not a believer. Every born-again individual will be fruitful. Not to be fruitful is to be faithless, without faith, and therefore without salvation.” (p. 45)
True faith works. It’s going to show in our lives.
If the Word of God is supposed to effectively work in us who believe, what does that say about how we handle the Word of God?
It says that we need to be in the Word continually/unceasingly in order for God to work in/thru us, in order for us to bear fruit.
A real believer is someone who spends quality time in the Word of God, and whose life is transformed by it.
A real believer is someone who works out his salvation, who bears spiritual fruit.
Paul knew that the Thessalonians were the real McCoy not only because they accepted the Word, but more importantly because the activated it, they worked it out, they put it into practice.
Are you working out your salvation? Are you truly bearing spiritual fruit?
The Thessalonians accepted the Word, activated the Word…
III. THEY ENDURED AGONY BECAUSE OF THE WORD.
They endured persecution and suffering because of the Word.
This perhaps is one of the greatest tests of our faith.
14FOR YOU, BROTHERS, BECAME IMITATORS OF GOD’S CHURCHES IN JUDEA, WHICH ARE IN CHRIST JESUS:
By the way, Paul clarifies the word “church” because at that time a church wasn’t just associated with “Christians”.
Synagogues could have called themselves “churches (assemblies) of God”.
YOU SUFFERED FROM YOUR OWN COUNTRYMEN THE SAME THINGS THOSE CHURCHES SUFFERED FROM THE JEWS 15WHO KILLED THE LORD JESUS AND THE PROPHETS AND ALSO DROVE US OUT.
The Thessalonians suffered from their own people (Gentiles) in the same way that the Jewish believers suffered from the unbelieving Jews.
Apparently, the unbelieving Jews had even incited the Gentiles against them.
Persecution is always worse when it comes from your own people.
Etu Brute!
Why did the Jews/Gentiles persecute them?
Why is the Gospel so offensive? (4 reasons)
Political reasons: Christianity was seen as a sect of Judaism, which was tolerated, but not well received among the Romans. People were afraid Christianity would bring the wrath of the Romans. To accept the Lord Jesus was to reject the lord Caesar. Christians were perceived as threats to the gov’t.
Social reasons: the Jews were proud of their heritage as God’s chosen people. They didn’t want to share that with the pagan Gentiles (cf. Americans).
Religious reasons: the Jewish leaders had rejected Christ and didn’t want His work to spread.
Spiritual reasons: Satan despises the Gospel and is doing everything he can to quench it. He is the mastermind behind all the oppression and persecution of the Church.
Enduring persecution and suffering for one’s faith is not just to be endured, it’s to be expected.
Jn. 16:33 IN THIS WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE. BUT TAKE HEART. I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD.
Phil. 1:29 FOR IT HAS BEEN GRANTED TO YOU ON BEHALF OF CHRIST NOT ONLY TO BELIEVE ON HIM, BUT ALSO TO SUFFER FOR HIM,
Suffering is what separates the men from the boys, the women from the girls.
Illus. Communist prayer meeting. Soldiers came in. Forced at gunpoint to recant.
Leader wouldn’t recant and was shot. Gun then pointed at the audience.
We don’t see that happening around here (although, Columbine, ??Church).
More believers have died for their faith in the 20th Century than in all centuries combined.
We’re starting to see real persecution – God isn’t allowed in our schools or gov’t. buildings – the very places He needs to be!
We’d get laughed at or ridiculed if we stood up boldly and began preaching the Gospel.
A real believer, a real McCoy is willing to suffer for Jesus’ name.
How much would you be willing to suffer for Jesus’ name?
Paul encourages the Thessalonians in their agony and persecution by reminding them that they’re not alone. They’re suffering just the same as all the other churches.
By the way, there shouldn’t be a comma at end of v. 14.
14…YOU SUFFERED FROM YOUR OWN COUNTRYMEN THE SAME THINGS THOSE CHURCHES SUFFERED FROM THE JEWS 15WHO KILLED THE LORD JESUS AND THE PROPHETS AND ALSO DROVE US OUT.
Paul isn’t condemning all Jews, just the ones who oppose Christ.
Many people use this passage to support their anti-Semitic viewpoints.
Paul didn’t hate the Jews, just those who opposed the Gospel. He himself was a Jew.
15BTHEY DISPLEASE GOD…
These Jews actually thought they were pleasing God by getting rid of the Christians.
How did the persecuting Jews displease God?
THEY DISPLEASE GOD AND ARE HOSTILE (opposed, contrary) TO ALL MEN 16IN THEIR EFFORT TO KEEP US FROM SPEAKING TO THE GENTILES SO THAT THEY MAY BE SAVED.
How are they hostile to all men? They only persecuted the Christians.
They were hostile in that they prevented other Gentiles from hearing the Gospel.
This is one of Satan’s best tactics, keeping Christians quiet.
We’re afraid to share our faith, to stand up for Christ.
Not only were they hostile in that they hindered the spread of the Gospel, they also HEAP UP THEIR SINS TO THE LIMIT (they fill up their sins).
cf. Mt. 23:31-32 (Jesus) SO YOU TESTIFY AGAINST YOURSELVES THAT YOU ARE THE DESCENDANTS OF THOSE WHO MURDERED THE PROPHETS. 32FILL UP, THEN, THE MEASURE OF THE SIN OF YOUR FOREFATHERS!
There’s a line to be crossed and they crossed it.
God is incredibly patient, but not infinitely patient.
There’s only so much He can take.
These unbelieving, persecuting Jews had crossed over the line so that THE WRATH OF GOD HAS COME UPON THEM AT LAST.
“The judgment has been sealed.”
They crossed the line and sealed their fate.
Notice it says God’s wrath has already come upon them.
How can this be if these things hadn’t occurred yet?
Jn. 3:18 WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM IS NOT CONDEMNED, BUT WHOEVER DOES NOT BELIEVE STANDS CONDEMNED ALREADY BECAUSE HE HAS NOT BELIEVED IN THE NAME OF GOD’S ONE AND ONLY SON.
Jn. 3:36 36WHOEVER BELIEVES IN THE SON HAS ETERNAL LIFE, BUT WHOEVER REJECTS THE SON WILL NOT SEE LIFE, FOR GOD’S WRATH REMAINS ON HIM.
He who doesn’t believe is already condemned. He’s just awaiting his sentencing.
Illus. Criminal has two trials: one to find him guilty and another to sentence him.
These persecutors have already been found guilty.
They simply hadn’t received their sentence yet.
Heb. 10:31 IT IS A DREADFUL THING TO FALL INTO THE HANDS OF THE LIVING GOD.
Paul mentions this to the Thessalonians in order to encourage them in their suffering.
1 Thes. 1:10 JESUS, WHO RESCUES US FROM THE COMING WRATH.
These believers could take great encouragement, not only by knowing that they would escape God’s coming wrath, but also that their suffering and persecution was not in vain and that someday soon, they would see justice.
When you face suffering or persecution for your faith, you can always turn to the Word of God for comfort and strength and justice.
God says, “hang in there. Justice is coming”.
A real believer is one who is willing to suffer for Jesus’ name.
Are you willing to suffer for Him?
These Thessalonians were not only willing, they were actually suffering for Christ.
This is one of the truest tests of a believer’s faith – a willingness to suffer for Jesus.
The last point I want to make isn’t in vv. 13-16, but is actually found in Ch. 1.
Paul knew that these Thessalonians were the real deal, the real McCoy not only because they accepted the Word and activated the Word and endured agony because of the Word, but also because…
IV. THEY ADVANCED THE WORD.
1 Thes. 1:6 YOU BECAME IMITATORS OF US AND OF THE LORD; IN SPITE OF SEVERE SUFFERING, YOU WELCOMED THE MESSAGE WITH THE JOY GIVEN BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. 7AND SO YOU BECAME A MODEL TO ALL THE BELIEVERS IN MACEDONIA AND ACHAIA. 8THE LORD’S MESSAGE RANG OUT FROM YOU NOT ONLY IN MACEDONIA AND ACHAIA—YOUR FAITH IN GOD HAS BECOME KNOWN EVERYWHERE.
They were so excited about their faith they wanted to tell everyone about it.
What’s the first thing you wanted to do when you were saved? Tell someone about it.
This is a great demonstration of a believer’s conversion.
There was no doubt in Paul’s mind that these Thessalonians were children of God because he saw visible fruit in their lives.
He saw how they had accepted the Word and activated the Word and had endured agony because of the Word.
But just as importantly, they had advanced the Word by telling everyone else about the incredible life-saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
How about us? Are we actively advancing the Word of God, the Gospel?
Is the Word of God living and active in us?
Have we truly been transformed by the Gospel?
Are we truly bearing fruit? Are we putting our faith into action?
Do people see Jesus in us? Are we telling other people about Jesus?
Would Paul have the same confidence in our real faith as he had in the Thessalonians?
There is a world out there that’s going to hell.
God has called us to go out into this world and bring them to Him.
He’s looking for people He can count on, He’s looking for the real deal.
He’s looking for believers who have accepted the Word and activated the Word and are willing to endure agony for the Word.
He’s looking for believers who are committed to advancing the Word.
Can He count on you? me?
The Bottom Line: Am I the Real McCoy?
Am I willing to put my faith on my sleeve?
Am I willing to suffer for Jesus in order to spread His Word?
It’s not just the job of a pastor. It’s the job of every believer.
Prayer
Lord’s Supper
One of the great encouragements to us when we face persecution for Christ is to remember the suffering He endured for us.
Lk. 22:19-20 AND HE TOOK BREAD, GAVE THANKS AND BROKE IT, AND GAVE IT TO THEM, SAYING, “THIS IS MY BODY GIVEN FOR YOU; DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.”
20IN THE SAME WAY, AFTER THE SUPPER HE TOOK THE CUP, SAYING, “THIS CUP IS THE NEW COVENANT IN MY BLOOD, WHICH IS POURED OUT FOR YOU.
Mt. 26:29 I TELL YOU, I WILL NOT DRINK OF THIS FRUIT OF THE VINE FROM NOW ON UNTIL THAT DAY WHEN I DRINK IT ANEW WITH YOU IN MY FATHER’S KINGDOM.”
Reflection/Commitment – to be real.
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