We are continuing from the last lesson with the theme “Let No One Be Shaken”, from the third verse of 1 Thessalonians chapter 3, “that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this“.
We live in a time that is filled with an overabundance of doctrines—thousands of different and contradictory teachings of men. Paul commends the saints in Thessalonica for accepting the word of God as the word of God, and not as the word of men. This is an enormously significant statement—because this is the only approach to God’s word that has true power to change our lives to be as God wills. What they received—what we hold in our hands—is from the breath of God as Paul would later write to Timothy that, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…” (2 Tim. 3:16). When they heard the gospel—they didn’t take it as words of the apostle, not stories, not man’s subjective ideas—they received it as it is, the word of God.
In this second lesson we continue in chapter 2 where Paul wrote his statement of joy, “19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy” (1 Thess. 2:19-20). Like every evangelist Paul’s joy was—their success. Oh, what is our hope—your spiritual success, Oh, what is our joy—your spiritual success, Oh, what is our crown of rejoicing—your spiritual success! Paul says it is you—your spiritual success—your being in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ with us.
Paul’s joy is in Christ Jesus—and certainly can be proven—but, here he encourages these brethren because he is so invested in them.
Listen on as we build more on these thoughts.