Prepare

When you share stories or testimonies of God at work in your life, are they usually about God’s provision, or healing, or gifts? In other words, are they always positive?

Bible passage

1 Thessalonians 2:13–20

¹³ And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. ¹⁴ For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: you suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews ¹⁵ who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone ¹⁶ in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.

Paul’s longing to see the Thessalonians

¹⁷ But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. ¹⁸ For we wanted to come to you – certainly I, Paul, did, again and again – but Satan blocked our way. ¹⁹ For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? ²⁰ Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

New International Version - UK (NIVUK) Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Explore

Paul can’t shut up about God and Jesus! Although he often talks about ‘my (or our) gospel’ (eg 1:5), ultimately, he knows it is God’s message (v 13; see also 1:8; 2:2). It has a power and a life of its own, working within the lives of those who believe (v 13). In the Thessalonians it formed a family likeness as they imitated people they’d never met (v 14).

But what did that imitation look like? Read verse 14.

Paul was open about the suffering he and they were facing. But too often Christians hide our personal hardships and struggles, making it harder for others to be open and honest with us about theirs.

At this point in Paul’s life his troubles were almost entirely caused by Jews (eg Acts 17:13). He was hurt and angry at being rejected by his own people. His language condemning them sounds like the Old Testament prophets. But more than that, he was angry at those who forced him to abandon an infant church, which was now suffering and in grave danger.

Respond

Are you willing to imitate the early churches in Judea and Thessalonica in their suffering (v 14)? How can you be more honest – with yourself and with others – about your struggles, so together you can draw on God’s strength to persevere?

Deeper Bible study

Lord of life, may your word accomplish what you desire and achieve the purpose for which you sent it.¹

I’m responsible for our household laundry. Frequently, I have to use a stain remover for blotches of tea, blood or chocolate. The instructions are to spray the stain and let it work. This reminds me of Paul’s description of the Word of God being ‘at work’ in you who believe (v 13). The phrase is used throughout the New Testament to refer to God’s activity among people and it’s from a related Greek noun that we get the English word ‘energy’.² It’s amazing that the words we read in Scripture or hear preached can become ‘the Word of God’ to us, acting with energy and power to transform our lives and open our hearts to his truth. A friend recently described to me how he came to faith, hearing a preacher describe Jesus as like a parachute, saving him from falling. Through those human words, my friend heard and received the Word of God, which transformed his whole perception and life.
God’s Word was ‘at work’ in the Thessalonians as well. First, like my friend, they turned to ‘the living and true God’.³ Second, they received gifts of faith, love and hope in Christ, which emerged in their work and endurance.⁴ Third, they suffered persecution (v 14). (Paul digresses in verses 14–16 to criticise the Jews for persecuting the Judean churches and so trying to derail God’s plan for salvation; this language doesn’t license anti-Semitism, however – Paul loved his people and longed for them to accept Christ.)⁵ Do you find it challenging that Paul considers the Thessalonians’ suffering to be evidence of God’s word working in them? This is no prosperity gospel. Much of the church, then and now, has discovered that, when God’s activity meets opposition, persecution is often the result. 

How has God’s Word transformed your life, through the words of the Bible or other people? Pray that God will be at work through your words to others.

¹ From Isa 55:11  ² Green, Thessalonians, Apollos, 2002, p140  ³ 1 Thess 1:9  ⁴ 1 Thess 1:3  ⁵ See Rom 9:3

Bible in a year

Read the Bible in a year: Exodus 27,28; Matthew 28

Pray for Scripture Union

Pray for Mission Enabler Toby Chant as he works with Faith Guides and Local Mission Partners across Cornwall. February is a key time in planning for Polzeath Family Mission; pray that team, programme and local partnerships would be in place and that God will give wisdom in decision-making.

Join the conversation