Monthly Archive for May, 1999

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1 Thessalonians 2:15

Published on May 21, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“…who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men…“
 
Paul levels six charges against the Jews in verses fifteen and sixteen.
 
who killed both the Lord Jesus
First, the Jews in Judea killed the Lord Jesus in Jerusalem Judea (2:14).
“Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God” (John 5:18).
“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— “Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; “whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it” (Acts 2:22-24).
and their own prophets,
Secondly, the Jews also killed their very own prophets.
and have persecuted us;
Thirdly, the Jews also persecuted Christians throughout Judea. The word “persecuted” comes from two words: out and to pursue. They pursued Christians out of Judea. This carries the idea of driving out or banishing Christians systematically from their province. They put together a program to harass Christians.
and they do not please God
Fourthly, these Jews were not acceptable to God. They thought that they pleased God by their fanatic religious ideas but their zeal did not please God at all. No rationalization justifies this kind of action.
“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:7-8).
Those who please God do not primarily please themselves or others. They please God by faith.
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
and are contrary to all men
Fifthly, the Jews were “contrary to all men.” The word “contrary” means over against. The religionists of Judea operated in a way that was contrary to or a reversal of how people should operate. They used hostility as their mode of operation. This is perversity. Paul himself, before his conversion, was one of these persecutors (Acts 26:14-15).
Principle:
An operating principle of the Christian life is to live to please the Lord.
Application:
Are you living to please the Lord? This may mean that you may not please your friends at times. If they criticize you, so be it. People constantly hurt by what others say about them are usually ineffectual. It is very difficult to live a dynamic Christian life and wear a thin skin.
“Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him” (2 Corinthians 5: 9).
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1 Thessalonians 2:14

Published on May 20, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“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…“
 
For you, brethren,
 
Paul appeals to them as brothers in Christ. He entreats them on the ground of their spiritual accord in Christ.
 
became imitators of the churches
The New Testament always uses the word “imitators” in a good sense (1 Corinthians 4:16; 11:1; Ephesians 5:1; Hebrews 6:12). An imitator is a copyist, someone who mimics. The idea is more than just following any old pattern; the idea is to follow an authoritative pattern. Imitation involves responding to the principle, as well as copying the behavior. Our authority rests on the superiority of our models (1:6). Discipleship implies conformity to a standard.
“I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me” (1 Corinthians 4:14-16).
“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).
of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus.
The Thessalonians were to imitate the churches that were “of God” and “in Christ Jesus.” All churches share in common the blessed privilege of union with Christ.
Judea is in southern Palestine, one of the provinces of Israel. Like the Thessalonians, churches in Judea suffered persecution for their faith.
For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen,
The Thessalonians were to learn from the adversity suffered by their countrymen. The word “suffered” occurs 42 times in the New Testament mostly concerning Christ’s sufferings and those of His people (Acts 9:16; Philippians 1:29; 2 Timothy 1:12). Suffering here has to do with suffering for becoming Christians. Their persecutors may have been Jews (Acts 17:5,13).
Suffering is a mark of those who follow Christ. Often our most bitter enemies are our neighbors, because our lives stand in stark contrast to their lives.
just as they did from the Judeans
Christians in Judea suffered from the prejudice of Judean Jews. Thessalonians endured persecution from their Jewish neighbors in Thessalonica.
“But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people” (Acts 17:5).
Principle:
There is always a price to pay for aggressive commitment to Christ.
Application:
Every generation of churches that are aggressive with their faith face persecution. The gospel is not popular when it tells people that they need a Savior because of their sin. This assaults human pride. “Why do I need a Savior? I am a good person. I live a moral life.” Those who are faithful to Christ will not allow other people’s pride to intimidate them into not sharing their faith.
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1 Thessalonians 2:13g

Published on May 19, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe“
 
which also effectively works
 
The words “effectively works” come from a Greek word meaning to put forth power, be operative. We get the English word “energize” from this Greek word [energew]. The Word of God effectively works in our lives. The word “effectively works” is in the present tense indicating that this is an ongoing work.
 
The words “effectively works” literally mean to work in. This is inherent power. Once the Word of God enters our heart, it is effective in what it does to our souls, because it has inherent power to work where other powers cannot work. The Word of God becomes effective through applying it to our own experience (cf. Jeremiah 23:29; Isaiah 49:2; Romans 1:16; Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12).
in you who believe
The word “believe” is in the present tense indicating continuing action. The Thessalonians continued to believe in the power of the Word of God to change their lives. The Word brings ongoing evidence of changing lives. They endured trial by God’s grace (2:14).
“So Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground” (1 Samuel 3: 19).
Paul’s team employed strategies to reach the Thessalonians, but they put their confidence in the Word of God to change lives (1:5; cf. Hebrews 4:12).
Principle:
If we apply the Bible to our experience, it will continually change our lives.
Application:
The truth of the Word of God constantly applied to our problems changes our hearts. When we receive the Bible as the Word of God, it will energize us to live powerfully beyond what our natural powers would allow us to do.
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1 Thessalonians 2:13f

Published on May 18, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe“
 
but as it is in truth, the word of God,
 
The word “but” is a word of strong contrast. The Bible is God’s Word, not man’s word. It is “in truth, the word of God.” God’s Word is true, true to facts, true to what actually is.
 
The Thessalonians clearly identified the message of the gospel team as the Word of God. Truth does not lean on the authority of men but on the authority of God. We must receive and regard the Word as divine revelation.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3: 16-17).
Principle:
Christians who take the Bible as God’s living Word and apply its truth to their life will experience dramatic growth.
Application:
Christians cannot live the Christian life as it ought to be lived without an understanding of the Word of God as God’s message to them. This perspective paves the way for applying the principles of God’s Word to their own experience.
If we have no Bible, all that remains is the mere dead words of men. Since man is finite, his ideas are finite. They continually shift with the winds of change and trends. It all ends with one opinion against another opinion. God’s Word is eternal and His principles remain eternally true. That’s why we must study the Bible seriously.
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Christians who have a high view of Scripture and believe that the Bible can change their life, will grow powerfully in the Christian life.
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1 Thessalonians 2:13e

Published on May 17, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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"For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe"
 
not as the word of men,
The Thessalonians did not receive the Word of God as the word of men. They viewed the Bible as a revelation from God. The mere dead words of men are frail and fickle. Anything man made is imperfect. There is always room for improvement. On the other hand, God’s Word is powerful and enables us to face any difficulty in life.
"But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ" (Galatians 1:11-12).
God uses men to communicate His Word, but it is the Holy Spirit who guides what they write. The Bible is the only sacred book on earth inspired by God.
"…knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:20-21).
Principle:
The best way to discern truth from error is by measuring any teaching against the Bible.
Application:
Many phony religionists today fake God’s voice. They claim their own fraudulent ideas are the Word of God. Take Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon faith for example. He said that an angel by the name of Moroni revealed God’s mind to him through tablets he found buried in the ground. It is interesting that Moroni quotes the King James Version, which translation occurred long after the golden tablets were supposedly buried.
The only way we can measure whether someone teaches the truth is to measure that teaching against the Bible, the revealed Word of God. God never contradicts Himself. If it is contrary to the Bible, then it is not of God. We cannot take the Bible as the word of Moses, John or Paul. We must take it as God’s Word.
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1 Thessalonians 2:13d

Published on May 16, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe“
 
you welcomed it
 
The second word for the way the Thessalonians embraced the Bible is the word “welcomed.” The first word “received” carries the idea of openness to listen. The word “welcomed” is an advance on formally listening to God’s Word. “Received” emphasizes the understanding while “welcomed” emphasizes the appropriation of that understanding to experience.
 
The word “welcomed” signifies the idea of accepting by deliberate and ready action the exposition of the Word of God. This is a mode of acceptance (2 Corinthians 8:17; 11:4).
There is a distinction between “received” and “welcomed.” “Received” suggests self-prompting whereas “welcomed” indicates a welcoming or an appropriating reception. “Received” alludes to the ear whereas “welcomed” alludes to appropriation by heart (2 Thessalonians 2:10; James 1:21). We welcome the truth when we love it.
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…” (Ephesians 6:17).
Other passages indicate favorable reception of testimony and teaching (Luke 8:13; John 12:38; Acts 8:14; 11:1; 17:11; Romans 10:16, 17; Galatians 3:2, 5; 1 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 8:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:6). People with positive volition readily receive the Word of God and regard it as true (Luke 8:13; Acts 8:14; 2 Corinthians 11:4).
Principle:
It is not enough to appreciate the teaching of God’s Word; we must apply it in our experience to make it fully effective in our lives.
Application:
There is more to the Christian life than just hearing the Bible’s teaching. Many people hear the Bible weekly but it doesn’t do them any good.
“For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it” (Hebrews 4:2).
Positive reception to the Word of God by the people of God makes the Bible effective in our lives. If we stop at appreciating God’s Word without applying God’s Word, we will not fully comprehend God’s plan for our Christian lives. We must both “receive” and “welcome” God’s Word. We welcome God’s Word when we apply it to our experience.
“These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).
“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was” (James 1: 21-24).
When we make the Word the controlling influence of our lives, then we know we have appropriated God’s Word to experience.
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1 Thessalonians 2:13c

Published on May 15, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe“
 
which you heard from us,
 
This phrase reads literally “the word of hearing, the one from God.” The word that the Thessalonians heard from Paul’s team was God speaking to them through His Word. The emphasis is upon the message as being God’s Word and not man’s.
 
The word “heard” carries the idea of the thing heard, a message or teaching(Mark 7:4; John 1:11; 14:3; 1 Corinthians 11:23; 15:1, 3; Galatians 1:9, 12; Philippians 4:9; Colossians 2:6; 4:17). The idea is that when we hear, we believe what we hear and respond to it based on what we heard.
“Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” (Acts 28:28).
“For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it” (Hebrews 4:2).
“…and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Titus 4:4).
Principle:
The believer with a heart for God listens to the Bible as God’s Word in order to learn principles for life.
Application:
The phrase “let him hear” occurs to each of the churches in Revelation. Jesus repeatedly appeals for us to have a heart for His Word.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7).
If we have an “ear” for God’s Word, we will hear what is important for our lives.
“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:21-25).
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1 Thessalonians 2:13b

Published on May 14, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe“
 
because when you received the word of God
 
The word “because” expresses the reason for the thanksgiving – the nature of the way they received the Bible as God’s Word.
 
The Holy Spirit uses two words for the way the Thessalonians embraced the Bible: “received” and “welcomed.” The word “received” comes from two words: from beside and to take or receive. The idea is to take to oneself or to take something from someone else. This is systematic learning of God’s Word.
The New Testament uses this term especially for receiving formal instruction in the Word of God (1 Corinthians 11:23; 15:1, 3; Galatians 1:9, 12 [twice], Colossians 2:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 4:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:6). This first word stresses the act of prescribed listening to God’s Word as a student from a teacher.
“But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:11-12).
“Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God…” (1 Thessalonians 4:1).
Principle:
Formal instruction comes before appropriation of truth to experience.
Application:
The believer must understand the truth of God’s Word and value its content. If we do not first understand the Word, we will not be able to form principles for life. If we do not form principles for life, we will not be able to apply them to our experience.
“I have not departed from the commandment of His lips;
I have treasured the words of His mouth
More than my necessary food” (Job 23:12).
“But He answered and said, ‘It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God‘” (Matthew 4:4).
“Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious” (1 Peter 2:1).
The pastor/teacher gift is the primary means whereby people formally learn God’s Word.
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1 Thessalonians 2:13

Published on May 13, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe“
 
In describing how the gospel came to Thessalonica, Paul now shifts from the perspective of his team to that of the Thessalonians (2:13-16). We now see their attitude toward the Word of God as the revelation of God. They embraced the Bible as God’s voice to them and applied it to their lives.
 
The Thessalonians’ attitude to God’s Word made them one of the most outstanding churches in the first century. They faced persecution and trial with a vision that carried them beyond their problems. This verse is a Bible comment about itself.
For this reason
The gospel team could give thanks because the Thessalonians received the Word as God’s revelation. How people receive the Bible affects how they live the Christian life.
we also thank God without ceasing,
The word “also” may indicate that Paul’s team thanked God as well as the Thessalonians for the way the gospel came to Thessalonica. Paul’s prayers of thanksgiving to God constantly appear for the Thessalonians. Clearly, one of Paul’s major activities was the exercise of prayer and especially in the category of thanksgiving.
“…remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father…” (1 Thessalonians 1:3).
“…pray without ceasing…” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
“For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers I make mention of you always in my prayers…” (Romans 1:9).
“I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day…” (2 Timothy 1:3).
Principle:
Constant prayer is a central to successful ministry.
Application:
Some of us pray some of the time. People with dynamic ministries pray “without ceasing” for the people to whom they minister.
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1 Thessalonians 2:12b

Published on May 12, 1999 in 1 Thessalonians. 0 Comments
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“…that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory"
 
who calls you into His own kingdom and glory
 
Believers have a special calling, a calling “into His own kingdom and glory.” We must temper and tune our lives to this calling. We adjust ourselves to God; He does not adapt Himself to us.
 
Note that this call is not written in past tense — “who has called you.” Rather it is expressed in present tense – God is currently calling us to serve continually in His kingdom and glory. God calls you today to this service. His call never ceases.
Note the word “own.” We could accept a call to many kingdoms. Those kingdoms would compete for our commitment and these false allegiances will lure us away from our ultimate purpose. Many philosophies will pander to our baser motives. God designed us for the highest calling.
The “kingdom” is that sphere of behavior where God is sovereign and supreme (1 Corinthians 6:9; 15:50; Galatians 5:21; 2 Timothy 4:1,18; 2 Thessalonians 1:5). “Glory” is our glorious future with our glorious God. Kingdom and glory go together. What we shall be is where we should be now.
Principle:
What we shall be is where we should be now.
Application:
God divinely summons us to an entirely new concept of living.
We are on earth to represent God and His work. We are His ambassadors. As His ambassadors, we need to be a credit to Christ.
“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:1-6).
“…that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy…” (Colossians 1:10-11).
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