The Authority & Sufficiency of Scripture: Pt. 8 The Authority of Scripture at Thessalonica.
Good morning Dear Readers..
Psalm 25:10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
Preaching with the authority of scripture came with a cost.
1 Thessalonians 2:1-3 1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: 2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
Paul had a special place in his heart for the believers at Thessalonica. In chapter 2 of his first letter to that church, the apostle reminds them that his ministry was not in vain.
Paul told them how much he and Silas suffered at Philippi for preaching the gospel. Acts 16 contains the record of those events. Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison. Paul was a Roman citizen and it was against Roman law to physically beat or imprison a Roman citizen without due process.
Acts 17 has the account of Paul bringing the gospel to Thessalonica. I would like to read this text with you as it has a direct bearing on what Paul wrote to the Thessalonian Christians.
Acts 17:5-6 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. 6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
Paul preached in the Synagogue first and quite a few people believed, both Jews and Gentiles. Then the Jews were moved with jealousy and formed a mob and caused a riot in the city. Jason was one of the first Jewish converts to Christ and they assaulted his home in an attempt to find Paul and Silas.
Notice what the angry mob said about Paul and Silas. "These that have turned the world upside down have come hither also." Strong opposition from the Thessalonian Jews is what happened to Paul and Silas after the suffering they endured at Philippi.
The explosion of opposition is why Paul tells the believers at Thessalonica that he and Silas were bold to preach the gospel to them and they were willing to contend for the truth of the gospel. Both men knew that preaching truth outweighed any hardship that they would have inflicted on them.
The moral purity of Paul and Silas contrasted with those who reject the gospel.
1 Thessalonians 2:3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
Paul came to preach the gospel with accuracy and clarity. Some false teachers used deception to lure people away from the truth but Paul and Silas opened up the truth to them at all times. Their manner of life was God honoring whereas some of their opponents were impure people filled with deceit.
Paul reminded the Thessalonian Christians that he did not speak as one trying to please men. Rather, he shared authoritative truth from scripture and did not worry about what others thought of him.
The false teachers who stirred up trouble used "flattering words" to make their message appealing and palatable. They were driven by covetousness, seeking to personally enrich themselves.
Paul and Silas lived lives of exemplary character and they wanted the Thessalonians to remember their trustworthiness.
Apostolic care based on the authority of scripture.
1 Thessalonians 2:6-9 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: 8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. 9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
Paul had authority to demand that the believers at Thessalonica provide support necessary to meet their physical needs but he refused to do so. Rather, he compares how they ministered to this new church as a nurse caring for her children.
His love for that church really comes out in this text with words used like gentle, cherisheth, affectionately and dear. Paul said he was willing not only to give them the life saving gospel of Jesus Christ, but also to give his own soul for them if that were possible. They worked with their hands to provide for practical needs like food, clothing and shelter so that they would not be a burden to this church. Preaching the gospel was their highest priority.
Apostolic instruction based upon the authority of scripture.
Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: 11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
Paul spoke to these dear people like a father to a son, in a very similar manner as he encouraged young Timothy. One responsibility that he laid on them was for each of them to walk worthy of God because He called them into His Kingdom and glory. It was their reasonable service to seek to live a God pleasing life (Romans 12:1-2).
Paul used the phrase "walk worthy" in his letters to the Ephesians and Colossians. It means to make choices that honor God. If God says don't do something, then the God honoring thing to do is to refrain from that behavior. If God commands us to do something, then the response that honors Him is to do what He commands.
Walking a worthy walk means making Godly choices in this life, obeying God's word. This leads to a satisfied life. It means walking through all of life by remembering that we are redeemed children of God and we have been called to live a life that is holy.
Paul encourages the believers and reminds them that he and Silas lived a Godly life before them as they ministered at Thessalonica. Walking a worthy walk is a necessary part of being born again and the exhortation to do so stems from the authority of scripture.
The Authority of the Word impacted how they received it.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
How did the believers at Thessalonica receive the gospel when Paul and Silas preached it to them? They received it as it is, the authoritative Word of God that powerfully works in the hearts and minds of those that believe.
What have we learned?
We learned that when we submit to the authority of scripture as Paul and Silas did, that there will probably be a price to pay. These men suffered many things because they chose to obey God and preach the gospel of Christ to their community and other areas.
We learned that Paul and Silas had their lives shaped by their knowledge and understanding of the authority of scripture. These two men lived morally pure lives before the Thessalonians because of how the Word changed them from the inside out.
We learned that Paul and Silas loved this church and even though they had authority from the scripture to ask the Thessalonians to support them, they refused to be a burden. Instead, they gave them pure truth and apostolic instruction so that the Lord could transform their hearts and minds through His Word.
We learned that we must receive the authority of scripture as the Thessalonians did by receiving it as the Word of God and submitting to it. These Christians did and they became powerful witnesses to many other people in that region of the world.
May we seek to receive the scripture as it is in truth, the Word of God, each time that we open our Bibles. May we ask the Lord to guide us, teach us, instruct us and shape us into usable servants for His glory.
Bob
Psalm 25:10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
Preaching with the authority of scripture came with a cost.
1 Thessalonians 2:1-3 1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: 2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
Paul had a special place in his heart for the believers at Thessalonica. In chapter 2 of his first letter to that church, the apostle reminds them that his ministry was not in vain.
Paul told them how much he and Silas suffered at Philippi for preaching the gospel. Acts 16 contains the record of those events. Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison. Paul was a Roman citizen and it was against Roman law to physically beat or imprison a Roman citizen without due process.
Acts 17 has the account of Paul bringing the gospel to Thessalonica. I would like to read this text with you as it has a direct bearing on what Paul wrote to the Thessalonian Christians.
Acts 17:5-6 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. 6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
Paul preached in the Synagogue first and quite a few people believed, both Jews and Gentiles. Then the Jews were moved with jealousy and formed a mob and caused a riot in the city. Jason was one of the first Jewish converts to Christ and they assaulted his home in an attempt to find Paul and Silas.
Notice what the angry mob said about Paul and Silas. "These that have turned the world upside down have come hither also." Strong opposition from the Thessalonian Jews is what happened to Paul and Silas after the suffering they endured at Philippi.
The explosion of opposition is why Paul tells the believers at Thessalonica that he and Silas were bold to preach the gospel to them and they were willing to contend for the truth of the gospel. Both men knew that preaching truth outweighed any hardship that they would have inflicted on them.
The moral purity of Paul and Silas contrasted with those who reject the gospel.
1 Thessalonians 2:3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
Paul came to preach the gospel with accuracy and clarity. Some false teachers used deception to lure people away from the truth but Paul and Silas opened up the truth to them at all times. Their manner of life was God honoring whereas some of their opponents were impure people filled with deceit.
Paul reminded the Thessalonian Christians that he did not speak as one trying to please men. Rather, he shared authoritative truth from scripture and did not worry about what others thought of him.
The false teachers who stirred up trouble used "flattering words" to make their message appealing and palatable. They were driven by covetousness, seeking to personally enrich themselves.
Paul and Silas lived lives of exemplary character and they wanted the Thessalonians to remember their trustworthiness.
Apostolic care based on the authority of scripture.
1 Thessalonians 2:6-9 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: 8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. 9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
Paul had authority to demand that the believers at Thessalonica provide support necessary to meet their physical needs but he refused to do so. Rather, he compares how they ministered to this new church as a nurse caring for her children.
His love for that church really comes out in this text with words used like gentle, cherisheth, affectionately and dear. Paul said he was willing not only to give them the life saving gospel of Jesus Christ, but also to give his own soul for them if that were possible. They worked with their hands to provide for practical needs like food, clothing and shelter so that they would not be a burden to this church. Preaching the gospel was their highest priority.
Apostolic instruction based upon the authority of scripture.
Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: 11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
Paul spoke to these dear people like a father to a son, in a very similar manner as he encouraged young Timothy. One responsibility that he laid on them was for each of them to walk worthy of God because He called them into His Kingdom and glory. It was their reasonable service to seek to live a God pleasing life (Romans 12:1-2).
Paul used the phrase "walk worthy" in his letters to the Ephesians and Colossians. It means to make choices that honor God. If God says don't do something, then the God honoring thing to do is to refrain from that behavior. If God commands us to do something, then the response that honors Him is to do what He commands.
Walking a worthy walk means making Godly choices in this life, obeying God's word. This leads to a satisfied life. It means walking through all of life by remembering that we are redeemed children of God and we have been called to live a life that is holy.
Paul encourages the believers and reminds them that he and Silas lived a Godly life before them as they ministered at Thessalonica. Walking a worthy walk is a necessary part of being born again and the exhortation to do so stems from the authority of scripture.
The Authority of the Word impacted how they received it.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
How did the believers at Thessalonica receive the gospel when Paul and Silas preached it to them? They received it as it is, the authoritative Word of God that powerfully works in the hearts and minds of those that believe.
What have we learned?
We learned that when we submit to the authority of scripture as Paul and Silas did, that there will probably be a price to pay. These men suffered many things because they chose to obey God and preach the gospel of Christ to their community and other areas.
We learned that Paul and Silas had their lives shaped by their knowledge and understanding of the authority of scripture. These two men lived morally pure lives before the Thessalonians because of how the Word changed them from the inside out.
We learned that Paul and Silas loved this church and even though they had authority from the scripture to ask the Thessalonians to support them, they refused to be a burden. Instead, they gave them pure truth and apostolic instruction so that the Lord could transform their hearts and minds through His Word.
We learned that we must receive the authority of scripture as the Thessalonians did by receiving it as the Word of God and submitting to it. These Christians did and they became powerful witnesses to many other people in that region of the world.
May we seek to receive the scripture as it is in truth, the Word of God, each time that we open our Bibles. May we ask the Lord to guide us, teach us, instruct us and shape us into usable servants for His glory.
Bob
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