DON’T GIVE UP, IN,
OR AWAY
I Thessalonians 2: 13-20
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, which is at work in you who believe. 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. 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.
I DON’T GIVE UP – Because we have God’s Word within us ( vs. 13). It was not easy to be a Christian in Thessalonica. WHY?
PERSECUTION
SUFFERING
If we are living “godly in Christ Jesus”, we will suffer for His sake. (II Timothy 3:12)
What did the Thessalonians have? GOD’S WORD - vs. 13
a. They APPERCIATED the Word – “received” = accepted from another
Bible is different in: ORIGIN ( Spirit of God – II Tim
CHARACTERS (men moved by the
Spirit – II Peter
CONTENT ( holy, pure, perfect – Psalm 19: 7-9)
Would you rather have your Bible than………..
FOOD? – Job
milk, meat ( Hebrews
MONEY? – better that fine gold – Psalm 119: 127
SLEEP? – “the night watches, to meditate on Thy Word.” Psalm 119: 148
b. They APPROPRIATED the Word – “accepted” = welcomed
c.They APPLIED the Word – “performs its work in you”
When we believe God’s Word and obey, He releases divine energy that works in our lives.
II DON’T GIVE IN…..because we have God’s people around us – vs. 14-16
Paul encouraged those suffering believers by assuring them that their experiences
were not NEW,
or ISOLATED
III DON’T GIVE AWAY…..because we have God’s glory before us – vs. 17-20
a. the DESIRE of Paul – to remain with the Thessalonians longer to help ground them in their faith.
b. the DETERMINATION of Satan – Satan “thwarted” – break up the road and put up obstacles
c. the DELIGHT of Paul – Paul looked ahead by faith and saw his friends in the presence of Jesus Christ in glory.
IV DON’T GIVE UP, IN, AWAY, ….BUT GIVE SOME THOUGHT
I – How important and impacting is the Word of God to me?
II – A lonely saint is very vulnerable to the attacks of Satan. We need each in the battles of life.
· Who do I know is going through a tough time? Can I reach out to them in some Christ-like way?
· To whom can I turn to share confidentially my struggles for the purpose of encouragement and prayer?
III – The joy of greeting believers in Heaven also brings with it a solemn warning: We will lose joy if we go to Heaven empty-handed
It is not
enough to “ Wait for His Son” – I Thessalonians
WITNESS for God
WORK for His Son
What is one way I can get started this week?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________