The Work Of The Word-2

THE WORK OF THE WORD-II—1Thessalonians 2:13-16

Paul was thankful that the Thessalonian Christians accepted, believed on & appropriated God’s word.

Previously....

1:1-10—A Faith that soothes the soul

2:1-12—A Ministry that Shepherds the soul

The Word of God produces an enduring work in the believer.

How is that work evidenced in the faithful?

4 evidences of work produced by the word of God in the faithful.

2—The work of the word is evidenced in

IMITATION / SUFFERAGE(:14)

—Explanation/(:14) Reproduction/

:14—“For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans,”

“Imitators/Followers”—???????—Mimic or imitate or reproduce certain characteristics of another in one’s self.

“Suffered the same things...”—

—The Thessalonian Christians endured the very same quality of sufferings at/in the name of Jesus.

“Just as they did”—The Jews

—Argumentation:

Jn. 17:11, 20-23—“And I am no more in the world; & yet they themselves are in the world, & I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep them in Thy name, the name which Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, even as We are.”....“I do not ask in behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, & I in Thee, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that Thou didst send Me. “And the glory which Thou hast given Me I have given to them; that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them, & Thou in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, that the world may know that Thou didst send Me, & didst love them, even as Thou didst love Me.”

2Thess. 1:3-8—“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, & the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience & faith in all your persecutions & tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, & to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, & on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

—Illustration:

Franchises—Distribute a company’s goods in spirit of governing body’s wishes/Each carries same underlying philosophy/Different employees, clientele & locations—Yet same goods & purpose/IMITATION

—Application:

?You IMITATED the Churches because of the Word of God?

?The Word of God at Work in you?

3—The work of the word is evidenced in

VICTIMIZATION(:15-16)

—Explanation:(:15-16) Garnering/Attracting flak//Mission/Targeted

:15—“who killed both the Lord Jesus & their own prophets, & have persecuted us; & they do not please God & are contrary to all men,”

“Who both killed the Lord Jesus”—

Mat. 27:20-26—“But the chief priests & the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas, & to put Jesus to death. But the governor answered & said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate *said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all *said, “Let Him be crucified!” And he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they kept shouting all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!” And when Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water & washed his hands in front of the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see to that yourselves.” And all the people answered & said, “His blood be on us & on our children!” Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he delivered Him to be crucified.”

“And the prophets”—

Acts 7:51-53—“You men who are stiff-necked & uncircumcised in heart & ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. “Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers & murderers you have now become; you who received the law as ordained by angels, & yet did not keep it.”

2Chr. 36:15-16—“And the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to them again & again by His messengers, because He had compassion on His people & on His dwelling place; but they continually mocked the messengers of God, despised His words & scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, until there was no remedy.”