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God's Assurance in the Face of Persecution 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20 by Cooper Abrams |
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God's Assurance in the Face of Persecution 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20 by Cooper Abrams |
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Truth and righteousness are not well thought of in our sinful world. That means that Christians who stand for God's truth and for doing what is right, moral and decent will find themselves being at odds with society around them. But the faithful Christian, and I emphasize the word "faithful" Christian has God's assurance of never being forsaken. The faithful Christian is not alone when he faces trials, difficulties, and persecution.
I. Salvation is received by belief. (1 Thess. 2:13)
2. Often God's word fell on deaf ears even as it does today. At Thessalonica the Jews heard, but in spite of the evidence that Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ...they would not accept Him. That was a great disappointment to Paul and to all who through the ages have earnestly preached God's truth only to have it rejected or ignored.
2. Acts 4:12 plainly states, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
3. It is hard to understand why so many will believe the false teachings of men. A pastor friend of mind said he turned the TV on and Benny Hinn the TV faith healer was on. He told the people that Adam was like Superman could fly like a bird. He said he was the first one to go to the Moon and through space. Why would men believe such fairy tales and reject God's wonderful truth?
2. Paul revealed this truth when he preached to the Athenians on Mars Hill saying. "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands" (Acts 17:24)
3. The Bible has stood the test of time. I am often amazed at the ignorance (not knowing, being unlearned) of those who attack it and will not believe it. The Bible has been completely preserved over this past 2000 years. We know what the original autographs read. Yes there are a few variants between manuscripts, but we know in each case what was the original text. There are about 6000 extant manuscripts of the New Testament which can be examined. There is only about 1 percent variants in these manuscripts. Thus the Bible we have is the Word of God which has been preserved down through the centuries by God Himself. We can trust it and believe it because it is God's very word.
2. Paul's statement shows there was a unity in the commitment of early Christians to God's truth. Other churches in other counties and cities also stood up in the face of persecution and death and remained true to God's word.
3. Paul mentions the churches that were in Judaea. This is the area of Jerusalem in Israel. It should be noted that this verse says "churches" instead of a singular "church." There is never in the New Testament any evidence of a universal church or one church having authority over all other churches. There was no central authority, but each congregation was and autonomous body.
4. The persecution of Christians became worse after Jesus was crucified. Yet, these men and women put their faith and trust in the Word of God and received Jesus Christ as their Savior. Dear friends they all are today in heaven with the Lord awaiting the day when Jesus will return.
2. God's wrath was upon them to the uttermost. Paul predicted their down fall and destruction. This Epistle was written about 51 A.D. the persecution of the Christians by the Jews was going strong. In as short 19 years later, in 70 AD God's wrath would come upon the whole nation of Israel. Jerusalem would be completely destroyed the this proud and self righteous Jews would be killed by the thousands and the rest taken into a humiliating slavery.
3. What is amazing to us is that the whole nation of Israel ended and the nation destroyed. God is longsuffering, but in time His wrath will come. America also has rejected Jesus Christ and turned to the grossest of sins. America too will fall under the judging hand of Almighty God. God will not long tolerate a nation who turns to sin. America began its rebellion in 1962 only 45 years ago. God's clock is ticking and His wrath is coming.
Why do you think there is so many false religions and why are they seemingly so strong? Satan is powerful and he seeks through lies to deceive and destroy men...keeping them from coming to Jesus Christ and accomplishing His will.
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." (1 Peter 5:8-9)
B. Paul asked them what is their hope, joy or crown of rejoicing?
To Titus Paul wrote, "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2:11-14)
Peter also expressed this truth "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Peter 1:3-5)
Paul often spoke of the joy that comes with the hope that is in the coming of Jesus Christ. "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." (Romans 15:13)
&Jude also speaks of the joy in the coming resurrection of Christ Jesus, "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 24)
3. The answer to overcoming the trial and persecution of the life is found in looking for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the sure hope of the resurrection that will come. If you have believed in Jesus Christ....you will be resurrected unto eternal life.
Speaking to Martha, "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" (John 11:25)
Several weeks ago I visited for the last time Carolyn's nephew Kenneth Narron. He was in the final days of his life being destroyed by cancer which was all over his body. As we talked Kenny assured me of his faith in Jesus Christ and the sure hope he had that he was going to heaven. Oh, how he was suffering. He looked dark and was only skin and bone. Yet, in the face of certain death, he had a wonderful spirit about him. That is the sure hope and joy that Christians have known throughout the ages who have believed and put their faith in Jesus Christ.
The question this morning is do you have the peace and joy in your life that will stand you in good stead no matter what the circumstances?
If you were facing death soon how would it effect you? We all will one day face death. Are we prepared for it? Is your faith strong and solid in your trusting in God's promises for you?
For the believer, death is only a door way that opens into the very present of God. It is the gateway to heaven and God's presence. For the believer there is nothing to fear.
If you do not have this assurance as to knowing for sure you will go to heaven when you die.....would you believe God this morning and honestly admit you are a sinner like us all who has fallen short of the glory of God. Would you repent and in faith put your faith in Jesus Christ who loved you and died for your sins?
To reject God's word is to reject God Himself. There will be no unbelievers in heaven. If you have not received Jesus Christ as your Savior why not accept Him now. What could you possibly let keep you from receiving God's forgiveness and eternal life?
Introduction: The Bible and what we see around us shows us how sinful some men can be. I am amazed at the blindness of people. Mostly our nation knows the truth and understands the benefits of moral and decent behavior, but then why do they ignore the truth and willing destroy themselves. All our present presidential candidates have a record of being liberals and standing for immorality, raising taxes, corruption and being liars. But what do people do? They continue to support them! Does that make sense? The answer is simple. God says, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14).
A. Salvation is received when the word of God is received. (v13)
II. With Salvation can come persecution. (1 Thess. 2:14-15)
1. Paul was greatly encouraged and thanking the Lord for the success of his preaching and teaching the word of God. He says his reason (cause) for thankfulness was that they not only heard the God's truth the believed it.
B. Often the word of God is taken only to be the word of men. There are thousands of religions and beliefs and some conclude one is good as another.
1. You hear the idea express as, "We are all working to go to the same place, just in different ways." Nothing is further from the truth. Jesus said, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)
C. Heaven is our God and Creator's domain only those who worship Him and receive by faith His grace will go there.
1. Jesus said, "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." (Matthew 28:18) Folks the cults and false religion who worship a false god and Christ are not the children of God.
A. The Thessalonians suffered as did the churches in Judaea. (v14) In our last message with discussed the persecutions that Paul and the early Christians faced.
III. Paul again expresses his desire to see them again. (1 Thess. 2:18-19)
1. To become a Christian meant to be rejected by the Jews and also the pagan Gentiles. The Romans put tens of thousands of believers to death, because they would not bow and worship false God. If all the religions of the earth were just different ways to getting to the same place...why did these believers suffer death rather than worship other gods?
B. The persecution of Christians came from the Jews. (v15)
1. It was the Jews killed the Lord Jesus Christ.
C. The Jews were in total rebellion against God.
2. The Jews killed their own prophets. Read Hebrews 11:33-40.
3. They persecuted Paul. 2 Corinthians 11:24-33
1. The Jews sought to silence Paul's preaching to the Gentiles, all the while rejected Jesus themselves. Paul began taking the Gospel to the Jew first and then the Gentile. (Romans 1:16) They hated the Jesus Christ and the Gospel and persecuted them relentlessly.
A. Paul was hindered by Satan twice from visiting the Thessalonians. Paul said to the Ephesians, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12)
Conclusion:
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