Thanking God for the Working of the Word

Northwest Bible Church – May 7, 2023 – 1 Thess. – Alan Conner
1 Thess. 2:13-16
Thanking God for the Working of the Word
Intro

A. THEIR RECEPTION OF THE WORD OF GOD (1 Thess. 2:13).

1. Not as the word of men but of God.

2. The word of God which works in you. 1 Thess. 1:3

B. THEIR IMITATION OF THE CHUCHES IN JUDEA (1 Thess. 2:14-16a).

1. Enduring the same sufferings as the saints in Jerusalem (1 Thess. 2:14). 1 Thess. 1:6.

2. The persecution from the Jerusalem Jews (1 Thess. 2:15-16a).

a. Killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets
b. Drove us out
c. Not pleasing to God
d. Hostile to all men
e. Hinders the gospel from spreading

3. Paul is thanking God for their fruitfulness and for their faithfulness.

C. GOD’S WRATH ON THE PERSECUTORS (1 Thess. 2:16b).

1. The Jews always fill up the measure of their sins. Mt. 23:32

2. Wrath has come upon them to the utmost. Lit. “to the end” (Mt. 10:22; 24:13; Mk. 13:13; Lk. 18:5; Jn. 13:1). “Wrath has come upon them fully and finally” (I. Howard Marshall). Also see Mt. 23:38; Mt. 21:19; Mt. 21:33-45; Lk. 12:32; Mt. 27:25).

a. recent judgments:
b. spiritual hardening - Romans 11
c. symbolized physically in the destruction of Jerusalem 70 AD
d. the eternal judgment on the last day for all unbelieving Jews and Gentiles.

3. Paul is being factual without being anti-Semitic. Cf. Rom. 9-10.

Conclusion

Discussion questions: Do you believe that the Bible is the word of man or the word of God? If the latter, how is the Word working in your life? Is the Word bearing fruit? Is your commitment to the Word of God empowering you to be faithful to Christ even if it means persecution? We should pray for the Spirit of God to use the Word of God to make us more fruitful children of God.