But that’s not the main purpose of this passage. Paul isn’t writing this so that the Thessalonians will follow his example. No he’s writing it to give them confidence in his message. the integrity of the messenger testifies to the integrity of the message. And so that’s what he thanks God for in verses 13-16. That the Thessalonians really did put their confidence in his message. And that’s how we’ll close this morning: Just 3 quick marks of confidence in Paul’s message Firstly, you’ll receive it like the Thessalonians in verse 13. Not simply as the words of man, but as it actually is, the Word of God I wonder if thats your response as you read your bible, as you come to church, as hear the gospel? Do you simply receive these words as common? Simply as the words of people? Or do you receive them as the great and powerful and authoritative word of God? Secondly, if we really confident in this message, we’ll be willing to suffer for it. Just lik the Thessalonians in verse 14. They become imitators of God’s churches in Judea? And I wonder what you think it looks to imitate the early churches? Well according to verse 14, Its to suffer your countrymen the same things “from those churches suffered from the Jews.” It reminds me of a statement by the American missionary, Nik Ripken. He visits persecuted churches around the world. And he asks them: how can people in non-persecuted countries stand with you in your suffering. And the normal answer that we think of is by prayer. That’s how we stand with those who are being persecuted. And that is true. But that’s not the answer they give. They say: if you really stand with us in our suffering, then don’t be quiet about the gospel.
But that’s not the main purpose of this passage. Paul isn’t writing this so that the Thessalonians will follow his example. No he’s writing it to give them confidence in his message. the integrity of the messenger testifies to the integrity of the message. And so that’s what he thanks God for in verses 13-16. That the Thessalonians really did put their confidence in his message. And that’s how we’ll close this morning: Just 3 quick marks of confidence in Paul’s message Firstly, you’ll receive it like the Thessalonians in verse 13. Not simply as the words of man, but as it actually is, the Word of God I wonder if thats your response as you read your bible, as you come to church, as hear the gospel? Do you simply receive these words as common? Simply as the words of people? Or do you receive them as the great and powerful and authoritative word of God? Secondly, if we really confident in this message, we’ll be willing to suffer for it. Just lik the Thessalonians in verse 14. They become imitators of God’s churches in Judea? And I wonder what you think it looks to imitate the early churches? Well according to verse 14, Its to suffer “from your countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews.” It reminds me of a statement by the American missionary, Nik Ripken. He visits persecuted churches around the world. And he asks them: how can people in non-persecuted countries stand with you in your suffering. And the normal answer that we think of is by prayer. That’s how we stand with those who are being persecuted. And that is true. But that’s not the answer they give. They say: if you really stand with us in our suffering, then don’t be quiet about the gospel.