The Thessalonians # 6

Why is this the case? It could be because they have been given many things without exerting any effort themselves whatsoever. Therefore they can not really appreciate the sacrifices that have been made to make it possible for them to have those things.

This explains why they do not think the way older people think. For example-

Illus: A father had been growing more and more exasperated because his college-aged son persisted in borrowing his clothes. One evening the youth appeared dressed for a date. The father asked,

• “Isn’t that my tie you are wearing?”

• “Yes sir, I...I guess it is,” said the son.

• “And isn’t that my shirt?”

• “Yes, Sir.”

• “And isn’t that also my belt?”

By this time the father was really exasperated, and said, “Will you kindly tell me what you are wearing that for?” The son said, “Well, gee wiz, Dad, you don’t want your pants to fall down, do you?”

It is a known fact that many teenagers do not think the way adults think because many of them have had so much given to them and they have never had to sacrifice to get anything. However, this is not only true for the youth of our nation, it is also true when it comes to God’s children. This is why immature Christians think differently than mature Christians.

Illus: You and I have an English Bible in our hands primarily because of a man named John Wycliffe. After studying the Word of God, he came to these six conclusions (errors of the Catholic Church):

1. The holy Eucharist, after consecration, is not the actual body

of Christ.

2. The Church of Rome is no more important than any other

church.

3. Peter had no more power given to him by Christ than any

other apostle.

4. The Pope has no more power than any other priest.

5. The gospel is enough for any man, without the rules of men,

which add nothing to the gospel.

6. Neither the Pope nor any other Church official has the power

or right to punish transgressors.

John Wycliffe came to those conclusions after he had studied the Word of God. He knew that men would have to have a Bible they could read in order to discover the truths he had discovered from God’s Word.

Wycliffe eventually lost his job and salary at Oxford and he was ordered to stop preaching against the Catholic Church. His teachings and followers continued to grow even though there was strong opposition. He was considered a heretic by the Catholic Church for his actions.

Those who opposed his efforts in preserving the Word of God literally burned him at the stake. Because of Wycliffe’s great sacrifice, we have the English Bible.

Many have given their lives so that we might have a copy of the Bible in our possession today. I hope that when you look at that Bible in your hands, you will look at it in the same way you look at that flag. That is, knowing that many have given their lives for It.

Yes, many great men and women have paid a tremendous price so you and I may have the precious Word of God to “feast” on daily. The problem is that many of us are not “coming to the table to be fed.”

The writer of Hebrews tells us that (4:12), “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

However, It can only be powerful in our lives as we receive It. Paul told us that the Thessalonian people were receptive to the gospel of Christ. They were willing to receive the Word of God as being God’s Word.

I would like to show you three things we must do before we can receive God’s Word.

I. WE MUST APPRECIATE THE WORD OF GOD

Look at 1 Thessalonians 2:13, “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”

They recognized this Bible that we hold in our hands for what it really was--THE WORD OF GOD. This Bible should be treated with sacredness.

Illus: We should teach our children, at an early age, they may take story books and lay them on the floor, but not this book. Why? Because this book is the Word of God.

The Bible, that I hold in my hand, is the most unique book in the world.