Evidence of God's Work vs. Evidence of Rebellion
1 Thessalonians • Sermon • Submitted
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· 4 viewsIn this message, we will see Paul contrast the evidence of God's work in the Thessalonians with the rebelliousness of the Jews.
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Introduction
Introduction
Paul has expressed a second reason for giving thanks for the Thessalonians.
They welcomed the word.
They received it not as the word of men but as the word of God.
At the end of 1 Thess. 2:13, Paul describes God, most likely, or His word (is there a difference?), as “which is working in you all who are believing.”
There is clear cut evidence of God’s work.
People often wonder about this very topic, but the Bible gives us indications of the presence of God’s work.
We want to avoid confusion that comes from muddled understanding of His Word.
Remember the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 5:1-12.
Evidence of Genuine Reception
Evidence of Genuine Reception
Paul explains to the Thessalonians the evidence of their genuine faith and of God’s work among those who believe.
Paul does not use the language of “working in” a congregation often.
Perhaps the closest reference to this usage is Gal. 3:5.
Even it is tangential to our point.
Paul seems confident that being able to tell those who receive God’s word from those who don’t is obvious.
The possession of God’s word differs from the reception of His word.
How people are treated in the world has little bearing upon their knowledge and trust in the truth.
He has described them in 1 Thess. 1:6 as imitators of him and of Christ - note there.
Now he singles out their imitation of the churches in Judaea.
Paul’s point of comparison is that relatives or fellow countrymen made them to suffer just like the Jews made their fellow countrymen suffer.
Evidence of Historical Rebellion
Evidence of Historical Rebellion
Paul now turns this into a pattern of behavior as he further describes the Jews:
They killed Jesus and the prophets (note Luke 11:47-51). Lk. 13:33-35
They persecute us.
They are not pleasing God and oppose all people.
They forbid us to speak to the Gentiles so that they might be saved.
In the echoes of Jesus, Paul says they are completely filling up their sins.
What will happen is the wrath of God upon them.
Paul means the temporal wrath of God as taught by Jesus and which was yet 20 years in the future.
God has fulfilled his wrath before, we can know he will fulfill his wrath again.
Thanks be to God for Jesus who rescues us from his wrath.