Thriving in Chaotic Times: The Point of Preaching: I Thess. 2:13
Notes
Transcript
I. Thankful For the Received Word vs. 13a
I. Thankful For the Received Word vs. 13a
A. Paul, Silas, and Timothy were thankful for what God had done in the lives of the Thessalonian believers.
B. At that point, all they had was the Old Testament. So this shows the power of the preached word (we’ll dig into that later). The message that was preached was what is written constantly in Scripture.
explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.”
C. It was recieved gladly. Those who are resistant to the preached word, show a hard heart, and usually a lost soul.
II. Taking in the Preached Word vs. 13b
II. Taking in the Preached Word vs. 13b
A. They didn’t take this to be some bogus story that Paul, Silas, and Timothy concocted, but rather the very Word of God Itself. This means that the preaching of the word when done in the power of the Holy Spirit (1:5) and doctrinally correct is the Word of God. God Himself is speaking through the messenger. “If it’s new it’s not true; if it’s old it’s been told”.
Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.
B. Too often people want their ears tickled and to be entertained. They focus only on style, and not substance. This does not negate a boring preacher, but many times it is because we are consumeristic about church, we don’t recieved the preached Word of God. Our view of preaching is too low.
C. When preaching isn’t text driven, and based on opinion it isn’t preaching. When the doctrine doesn’t match the Word of God it isn’t preaching. When it’s focused on entertaining or for any other purpose than to bring glory to God, it isn’t preaching. All preaching must be text driven, consistent with scripture, biblically based, and for the glory of God not the congregation of the preacher!
III. The Result of the Preached Word vs. 13c
III. The Result of the Preached Word vs. 13c
A. The word for perform is ehergo, where we get our word energized from. God’s word doesn’t come back void.
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth
And making it bear and sprout,
And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
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.
B. First Salvation.
How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?
How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
C. It produces fruit in a believer’s life.
“To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
“When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’
“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’
D. Teaching and Training
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
E. Guiding
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
F. Counseling
Your testimonies also are my delight;
They are my counselors.
G. Reviving
Plead my cause and redeem me;
Revive me according to Your word.
H. Nourishing
like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,
I. Santifying
“Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.
J. Makes us wise.
O how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies,
For they are ever mine.
I have more insight than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the aged,
Because I have observed Your precepts.
K. Prospering
“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”