Why the Word of God Matters Most in Times of Deception and Uncertainty
Bible Study Guide
Introduction to God’s Word
God’s word never fails and it prospers in all ways and in all things that it sets out to accomplish. His word is perfect, trustworthy and truthful. It has never failed nor will it ever.
God spoke through Isaiah saying (Isaiah 55:11),
“so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Be Found Pleasing to God and Not the World (1 Thessalonians 2:1-6)
(Verses 1-2) Paul was never one to shy away from the suffering he endured in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
Here Paul refers to an incident that occurred to Silas and him when they were in Philippi. It’s described in Acts 16:12-40.
(Verses 3-6) Paul reminding the new Thessalonian believers of the fruit of the gospel they preached to them. He also reminds them of the results of the work of His word and the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, he emphasizes the success of the gospel even in the midst of opposition and severe persecution.
Paul beautifully reaffirms what God spoke through Isaiah approximately eight hundred years ago.
Paul continues in this chapter to remind them of the great thing that occurred in their lives when they accepted and put their trust and faith in Jesus Christ. He makes clear there was no deception or false motivation in their preaching of Him crucified.
Paul adhered to the truth of the gospel message. He was clear they were not there to please anyone or gain anyone’s approval. However, they were there under the power of the Holy Spirit to deliver the words of God. As a result, those words did not return empty but set out to accomplish exactly its purpose. That purpose was to win the hearts of these new believers.
In the Image of Christ (1 Thessalonians 2:7-12)
(Verses 7-12) Almost eight hundred years before the birth of Christ, Isaiah spoke the words of God describing the characteristics of Jesus saying (Isaiah 42:3),
“He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.”
Just as Isaiah described, Jesus came into our world as a humble servant, not to be served but to serve. He came to serve a sinful mankind separated from God, calling all to repent of their sins and to accept His Father’s free gift of salvation. This salvation could only be earned by accepting and trusting in the Blessed Hope from heaven. The only Savior is our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is exactly what Paul is relaying to the new believers in Christ. Paul, Silas, and Timothy came to the Thessalonians as humble servants with love, kindness and compassion. They never relied on anyone but earned their own keep in the presence of the new church of believers. In addition, just as parents would do, they encouraged, comforted and urged their followers to endure patiently the hardships through the strength of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.
How To Faithfully Do the Lord’s Work
Paul lays out a clear path in verses 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 of how we should do the work that God calls us to do in a faithful manner.
- The work of God is not without results (verse1)
- It is not done from error or impure motives (verse 3)
- It does not try to trick anyone (verse 3)
- It is not about pleasing people (verse 4)
- It is not done with flattery or a veil to cover up greed (verse 5)
- It does not seek praise from people (verse 6)
Salvation to the Jew and Then the Gentile (1 Thessalonians 2:13-16)
(Verse 13-16) With additional words of encouragement, the Thessalonians are reminded of the fact that they are suffering from the same persecution that their fellow Jews in Judea had suffered before them. Essentially, this recognizes that they’re not alone in their suffering.
It’s important to remember that the Jewish audience in Thessalonica was more open to God’s word and the message of salvation to the Gentile as well as the Jew. On the other hand, the traditional Jews in Judea were not at all open to that message. Their understanding was that salvation was reserved for God’s chosen people only and not the Gentiles. In fact, we know that this is not the teaching found in the scriptures.
This is the reason why Paul mentions the “heaping of sins to the limit” and “God’s wrath” on these traditional Jews in Judea in verse 16.
“For You Will Do Greater Things Than These” (1 Thessalonians 2:17-18)
(Verse 17-20) Paul reminds them that while they were separated from him after being escorted out of Thessalonica to Berea under the cover of night for fear of persecution, he longed to return to them. But Satan blocked his several attempts to reunite with them.
Satan’s attacks against Paul serve as a good reminder of what Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians (Ephesians 6:12).
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Our true enemy is Satan and his cast of characters that will do anything they can to prevent us from growing closer to Christ and sharing the gospel with others.
What Are the Five Heavenly Crowns That Believers in Christ Will Receive? (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20)
(Verses 19-20) Paul quickly turns the tables to the attention of the new believers who are the hope, joy and crown that they will glory in the presence of Christ and the word of God that will be fulfilled when He returns. This serves as a powerful statement of edification for the young Christians of Thessalonica.
What is this crown that Paul is speaking of? The New Testament teaches that the believers will receive five crowns. “Crown” comes from the Greek word stephanos. The crown is a badge of honor placed on the head as a reward. This is a worldly reference. In Paul’s case, the crowns are a figuratively used to describe heavenly rewards for those who believe and trust in Jesus.
| 1. The Imperishable Crown | 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 |
| 2. The Crown of Rejoicing | 1 Thessalonians 2:19 |
| 3. The Crown of Righteousness | 2 Timothy 4:8 |
| 4. The Crown of Glory | 1 Peter 5:4 |
| 5. The Crown of Life | Revelation 2:10 |
Jesus encourages us to hold onto to the crowns for which we are destined to receive. His words are echoed through His encouragement to the “no fault” church of Philadelphia.
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.” (Revelation 3:11)
These crowns will be a testimony to our faithfulness in our Lord and Savior. But we must remember, it’s His work on the cross for our redemption that allowed us the honor of these crowns. They ultimately belong to Christ.
“the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
‘You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.’” (Revelation 4:10-11)
This “glory” that Paul refers to in this verse is what Jesus spoke of in John’s gospel:
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:12-14)
Boast Not In Works But In Christ Alone and God’s Word
These greater things are the works of Jesus through His disciples in bringing souls to Christ. The glory of the work of Christ through them to bring believers to Christ is their hope, joy and crown. In other words, they boast in Christ and Christ alone. For it is in no other works but the work of Christ that can bring us to salvation.
Notice that this chapter ends in the same way as the first chapter. At the end both, Paul closes out by mentioning the return of Christ. In fact, you’ll see all five chapters of 1 Thessalonians end with the mention of Christ’s Second Coming.
Let us remind ourselves of Paul’s words to always reflect the image of Christ and the word of God when we approach others in witnessing and sharing the gospel.
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