1 Thess.2:13-3:10
13 For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the
word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of
men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work
in you who believe.
Is.55:11
So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not
return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without
succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
Two specific works the word performs:
1. Exposes the enemies of grace
2. Encourages the treasures of grace
1. Exposes the enemies of grace
A) The word of grace attracts hostility
14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ
Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the
hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, 15 who
both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not
pleasing to God, but hostile to all men, 16 hindering us from speaking to the
Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up
the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost.
Institutional: the Jews
B) The word of grace predicts hostility
3:1 Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be
left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s
fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to
your faith, 3 so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you
yourselves know that we have been destined for this. 4 For indeed when we
were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer
affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know. 5 For this reason, when I
could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear
that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain.
1 Peter 4:12
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which
comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were
happening to you;
2. Encourages treasures of grace
17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while—in
person, not in spirit—were all the more eager with great desire to see your
face. 18 For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet
Satan hindered us. 19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is
it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? 20 For you
are our glory and joy.
3: 9 For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the
joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, 10 as we night
and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may
complete what is lacking in your faith?
19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in
the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and
joy.
Eph.2:7
7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His
grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
