I don't know if you've been following the events of this past week with the Hurricane Michael
! that has devastated the panhandle of Florida and many other states.
On its way north, but it captured my attention. Maybe one of our meteorologists could explain
this better, but a short summary of the development of this fast-moving storm actually began on
October 2nd. The National Hurricane Center began monitoring a broad area of low pressure
that had developed over the Caribbean Sea. And then by October 6th, the disturbance had developed
into a well-organized deep convection, whatever that means. Although it still lacked a well-defined
circulation. It wasn't quite spinning yet. But by the morning of October 7th, the radar data had found
a closed center of circulation and the newly formed tropical cyclone quickly strengthened
into a tropical storm. So that by October 8th, Michael became a high-end tropical storm.
And as the cloud pattern became better organized, it was only two days later that it made landfall
there at the panhandle of Florida in Mexico Beach, Florida. It's said to be one of the most powerful
hurricanes to hit the continental U.S. in nearly 50 years. Strongest tropical cyclone by maximum sustained
wind speeds since Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Strongest on record to hit Florida panhandle ever.
The third most intense hurricane to make landfall on the U.S. in terms of pressure. Entire communities
destroyed. Houses obliterated so that only the concrete slab is left as gale forest winds of 155
miles an hour pounded that area. Several people are dead. Millions are without power. About 1,500 are
still missing. And the devastating effects will be felt for months and possibly years to come.
I'm reminded of this for a couple of reasons. First, I'm reminded of this because
of our need to pray. Our need to pray for brothers and sisters who are there in Florida. We often talk
about the common grace of God, the sun that comes on the good and the evil. That's God's grace
lavished on the wide audience of saved and unsaved individuals. But we often forget about the fact
of the common crisis that comes on the evil and the good. Yes, there were saloons that were devastated by
these wind forces, but also churches. There were believers, brothers and sisters in Christ who
are experiencing the devastating effects of this natural force.
So we need to be praying. Praying that God would use crisis in the lives of those who do not know him
and in the hearts of those who do to be willing to share the gospel and perhaps open the door for the gospel
in the hearts of those who are suffering in great physical need that may open the door to access to
helping them see their desperation for the true need and that is a spiritual need.
We need to be praying that God does that. I'm also reminded of this over the past week because it
reminds me of other storms. Not just the devastating wind of hurricanes, but a storm that Jesus talked
about in his parable, I think at the end of Matthew chapter 7, when he's speaking to the crowds and
he's talking about the wise man and the foolish man. He's talking about a house that's built on the rock and
a house that's built on the sand and he summarizes it this way. In chapter 7 of Matthew verses 24 to 27, he says,
everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
The rains fell, the floods came, the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall
because it had been founded on the rock.
And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them
will be like a foolish man
who built his house on the sand
and the rains fell and the floods came
and the winds blew
and beat against that house
and it fell and great
was the fall
of it.
Same rain,
same floods,
same wind,
different result.
And the different result
was not that they both were exposed
to the word,
the difference in result
was their response
to the word.
those who
heard the word
and obeyed it
versus those who heard the word
and refused
to obey.
You know, the winds of life,
they will come.
They are inevitable.
That's what Jesus is trying to communicate
through this parable.
The winds of life
will come.
Maybe
you're experiencing the winds of life
right now.
You feel the wind
beating on your life.
The floods are rising.
The storms are blowing.
But there can be
an unshakableness to your life
depending upon your response
to the word of God.
And that's where we come
this morning.
The question is not
will the winds come,
but when they come,
will your house stand?
And what does it take
to have an enduring home,
an enduring life?
What does it take
to have a solid foundation
in the storm?
It takes
a steady foundation
built
on the word
of God.
And that's where we come
this morning.
In our passage
found in 1 Thessalonians 2.
If you would,
please turn there.
1 Thessalonians 2.
Beginning in verse 13
and working our way
to verse 16.
If you're a guest with us
this morning,
it's on page 986
in the Pew Bible
ahead of you.
Let me read this passage
and we'll spend
the bulk of our time
this morning
kind of developing
what does it look like
to have a word-filled life
and we'll look at that
primarily in verse 13.
But let me read
for us this morning.
Paul says this,
And we also thank God
constantly for this,
that when you receive
the word of God
which you heard
from us,
you accepted it
not as the word of men
but as what it really is,
the word of God,
which is at work
in you believers.
For you brothers
became imitators
of the churches of God
in Christ Jesus
that are in Judea.
For you suffered
the same things
from your own countrymen
as they did
from the Jews
who killed
both the Lord Jesus
and the prophets
and drove us out
and displeased God
and opposed all mankind
by hindering us
from speaking
to the Gentiles
that they might be saved.
So as always
to fill up
the measure
of their sins
but wrath
has come upon them
at last.
Let's pray.
Lord, even as we read
this passage this morning,
we are gripped
with the inevitability
of wrath
that has either come
on Christ
or will come on us
if we refuse
to align our hearts
to your word.
wrath
is come.
And for those of us
who are in Christ Jesus,
it has come
on Jesus
in our place.
And for those
who are of faith,
who have believed
in Christ
for forgiveness
of sin,
have trusted
in him
for deliverance,
for rescue
and salvation,
for cleansing,
there is forgiveness.
forgiveness.
There is the work
of the Spirit
in our lives
to rebirth us,
to regenerate us,
to remake us
and renew us,
to cleanse us
from those old sins
and to remove
from us
the wrath of God
because it was placed
on Jesus.
Thank you
for forgiveness.
Thank you
for cleansing.
But I would guess
this morning
that there are those
who have not trusted you,
Lord.
And so it is my prayer,
my plea
this morning
that you would also
lead them
to salvation
so that they would
experience
not the wrath
of God
on them,
but they would
experience
the wrath of God
removed from them
because of grace,
because of the gift
of Christ
given to them.
May they not continue
to fill up
the measure
of their sins,
but may their sins
be paid for
in Jesus Christ
and may they experience
the freedom
that can be found
through faith
in you.
Lord,
for the rest of us
in this room
who have responded
to the word,
Lord,
I pray that you would
continue to move us
in ever-increasing
depth
and security
in the foundation
of the scriptures.
Please cultivate
the soil of our hearts.
May it yield
abundant fruit,
the fruit of the spirit
that can be found
in us,
the fruit of a changed
life,
the fruit of the expression
of thanksgiving
that marks us
as a people,
the fruit of individuals
who are satisfied
only with a deeper
intimacy with their Savior,
a longing for you
that presses them
deeper into the word,
a desire to know you
more richly,
more fully,
so they can obey you
more completely.
Lord,
may that be true
of our lives
today.
for those
this morning
who are experiencing
the crisis of life,
the winds of this life
that are blowing on
their home,
as it were.
May they come
to enjoy
the steady
bedrock
foundation
of the scriptures.
May their roots
go deep
and anchor them
and hold them
in that truth,
the never-changing
word of God,
the all-sufficient
scriptures
that can speak
to every area
of life.
May your word
be sweet
to them
today,
sweeter
than the honey,
from the honeycomb.
And Lord,
may
the word of God
continue to grow
in our attention
as a people
and our desire
to follow.
Bolstered
by the strength,
the indwelling strength
of your Holy Spirit,
we pray
in Jesus' name.
Amen.
This morning,
I want to look at
what does a word-filled
church
look like?
And how does
God create
an awakening
in the hearts
of his people
through
the ministry
of his word?
And so this morning
as we look at this,
I want us to see
that God has
a spiritual awakening
in mind
for you
today.
He has a
spiritual awakening
in mind
for me
today.
Every day
can be
a new experience
of a fresh
awakening,
a fresh
reminder,
a fresh
fellowship
and intimacy
with God.
God.
It is ready.
It is accessible.
It is available
to you
through the ministry
of the word,
the spiritual
awakening.
And as Paul
begins
this little
section,
and again,
we're going to spend
most of our time
in verse 13,
but as Paul
begins this section,
he wants to set
before the people
this understanding
and appreciation
for what does
the word of God
accomplish in heart.
And I think
almost unintentionally,
Paul begins
with this statement
of thanksgiving.
It flows
from his heart
there in verse 13.
He says,
and we
also
thank God
constantly
for this.
And by doing
so,
Paul demonstrates
that he is held
by the word.
He is held
by the word.
That's our first
point this morning.
Anchored
in the word.
Secured
in the word.
Confident
in the ministry
of the scriptures,
in the testimony
of God
in his word
to him.
And it is
helped
to fix him
in his
faith in God,
his appreciation,
even in the
circumstances
that he's experiencing.
So the outflow
of his
heart in life
is an expression
of this deep
satisfaction in God
and deep commitment
to trusting God
so that he is
held
by the word.
The storms
of life
had certainly
beat against
the life
of the apostle
Paul.
We'll look at that
in a moment.
And yet,
he is able
in this
short verse
to testify
to the fact
that thanksgiving
is the
constant expression
on his lips.
Maybe some of your
translations say,
for this reason,
we also thank God
without ceasing.
Those of you
who have the
New American Standard
or the New King James
would actually
begin with that phrase.
And that's because
it begins with,
and because of this,
literally.
Paul has just
recounted
in verses
1 through 12
the hardship
that he's experienced.
He's no stranger
to adversity.
In chapter 2,
verse 1,
he says,
our coming
was not in vain.
In verse 2,
he says,
even after we had
suffered
and were spitefully
treated at Philippi,
we were bold
to speak to you
the gospel
of God.
In verse 8,
he talks about
his mom-like ministry,
this ministry of grace
and affection
for these people.
In verse 9,
he talks about
his dad-like ministry,
the toil
and the labor,
the sleepless nights,
the burden
that he carried
for this people.
Ministry that was
immersed in
a measure
of suffering,
expending self,
this personal
sacrifice
for this group
of individuals.
We think of
his investment
when we read
the first 12 verses
of this chapter.
And so,
it's no wonder
to begin
to see in Paul
this expression
of gratitude
when the work
of God
is becoming
evident
in the lives
of a church.
Those of you
who have children
know this
to be true.
the investment
that you pour
into their life
and speaking
the truth
of the scriptures
to them
and seeking
through those
late nights
of encouragement
where you'd
rather be in bed
or those early
mornings
of helping them
with schoolwork
or leading them
through those
broken friendships
that they're experiencing
at school.
Whatever it might be,
there is the burden
that you carry
as a parent
for your kids.
maybe there are
those health concerns
or maybe there are
other kinds
of pressures
that your children
are facing
and parents
tend to feel them
even more
than their kids.
It's one thing
for it to happen
to you
but to happen
to your kids
is another thing
altogether.
And Paul
in his affection
for this church
was carrying
the burden
of the ministry
and now to see
the work of God
played out
in their life
brought to him
this expression
of incredible
thanksgiving.
We've seen
in a couple
of other occasions
the Apostle Paul
in his gratitude
to God
for God's work
in the lives
of these individuals.
On at least
three occasions
he uses the word
constantly.
In chapter 1
verse 2
he says
we always
thank God
for all of you
mentioning you
in our prayers.
Here in our
verse this morning
and we always
thank God
for you
or we
thank God
for you
constantly
depending upon
your translation.
And then last week
we looked
at chapter 5
where Paul says
pray without
ceasing
but also
connected to
rejoice
always
and give thanks
in every
circumstance.
this is the
predominant
perpetual
expression
of mature
spiritual heart.
A heart
that is willing
to give thanks.
It is a heart
that is anchored
in God.
A heart
that is confident
in him.
A heart
that is steadfast
in faith.
A heart
that is
bolstered
against the storms
of life.
Colossians
chapter 2
verses 6
to 7
helps us
see
this show up.
It says this,
Therefore
as you received
Christ Jesus
the Lord
so walk
in him
rooted
and built
up
in him
established
in the faith
just as you
were taught
abounding
in thanksgiving.
those who
are rooted
in Christ
those who
are founded
on the
bedrock
of Christ
will be
those who
are abounding
in thanksgiving
because
they have come
to the place
of being able
to trust him
in every
circumstance.
But what
are the
challenges
to a
thankful
heart?
What
are the
challenges
to your
thankful
heart?
What
are the
challenges
to my
thankful
heart?
What
keeps us
from being
thankful
people?
I thought
of these
questions.
Questioning
God's
wisdom.
You ever
done that?
God
is this
really best
for me?
Do you
really know
what you're
doing here?
Or
questioning
God's
faithfulness.
God
this just
isn't
fair.
This
isn't
right.
This
isn't
good.
Are you
really
faithful?
Questioning
God's
power.
God
the
adversaries
seem
to be
so
strong.
the
opposition
is too
great.
God
are you
really
in
control
here?
Do you
really
have
power
to
overcome
my
situation?
Or
perhaps
questioning
God's
goodness.
God
I know
you're
good but
do you
really love
me?
Do you
really care
about what's
happening in
my life?
all of
these could
have been
true about
Paul for
sure.
Think about
his
situation.
God
closed the
door on
Asia.
God
closed the
door on
Bithynia.
He
finally
opens the
door to
Macedonia
and what
does he
experience
there in
Philippi?
Beating,
opposition,
imprisonment,
is run
out of
town,
opposed
by the
Jews,
beaten
up
physically,
having to
provide for
his own
financial
needs and
also for
the needs
of his
ministry
team,
afraid
for their
lives,
can't even
stay in
one town
for more
than a
couple of
weeks.
Satan
seems to
be getting
the upper
hand.
his
aging
body
continues
to feel
not only
the aches
and pains
of his
older age
but also
the abuse
that he's
experiencing
on a
regular
basis.
Maybe
Paul
could have
said,
I don't
know how
my courage
will last
as I think
about all
the enemies
I make
from city
to city.
If anyone
could have
questioned
the goodness,
faithfulness,
power,
and sovereignty
of God,
it could have
been the
apostle Paul
and yet
in this
instant he
says,
we thank
God
constantly.
How is
that possible?
How truly
remarkable.
God,
I thank
you.
I give
thanks to
God always
for you.
For what is
our hope?
He says in a
couple more
verses,
we're going
to look at
in a couple
weeks.
here.
What is
our hope
or joy
or crown
of boasting
before the
Lord Jesus
at his
coming?
Is it
not you?
For you
are our
glory and
our joy.
You see,
the litmus
test for
spirituality,
if God
is cultivating
spirituality
in your life,
if there is
a spiritual
awakening
that has
occurred,
that is
happening
for you,
you'll be
able to
know as
God is
growing you
in ever
increasing
moments of
joy.
as you
learn and
are being
conditioned
to rejoice
always
and to
count it
all joy
when you
fall into
various
trials,
recognizing
that God
is working
this for
your good
and for
his glory.
But it
doesn't end
there.
now he
expresses being
held by
the word,
but now he
begins to
call attention
to the
work of
God in
the lives
of this
church.
And he's
calling attention
to that
work and
God moving
them in
ever deeper
courses of
trusting and
loving his
word.
He begins
here in
talking about
their reception
of the word.
He says,
you received
the word.
We find that
in the second
phrase.
We thank God
constantly for
this, that
when you
received the
word of
God, which
you heard
from us.
What is this
reception?
Paul is
talking about
a previous
work that
was done
in the
past that
is showing
up now in
the present.
This is the
first step in
the chain of
responses that
stem from
hearing.
This receiving
the word, and
it is an
emphatic in
the New
Testament, trying
to call
attention to
their possession
of this
word, the
word of
God that
had come to
them.
They had a
personal
connection to
it.
Some
commentators
say that
the reception
of teachings
from a
teacher by
a student
was commonly
described using
this word
that's employed
right here.
They heard
the word,
they received
the word,
they accepted
the word in
its authority
in their lives.
They recognized
that there was
something distinctive
about this
word.
Not only that
the speaker
was authoritative,
but that he
was speaking
words that
came from
an original
source of
authority.
We see this
happening in the
life and
ministry of
Jesus Christ.
We see that
people throughout
Christ's ministry
also recognize
something quite
distinctive about
his word.
In Mark
chapter 1
verse 22,
speaking about
the crowds,
it says,
they were
amazed at
his teaching,
for he was
teaching them
as one
having
authority
and not
as the
scribes.
A few
verses later
it says,
they were
all amazed.
So they
debated among
themselves saying,
what is this?
A new
teaching
with authority.
Jesus
spoke with
the authority
of God
the Father.
It was
distinctive.
It was
visible.
It was
compelling.
It was
fresh.
It was
not like
the messages
they had
heard before.
They
recognized
that there
was a
work of
God
through
this
speaker
and
a
work
of
God
that
was
playing
out
in
their
own
lives
as
well.
Paul
points
to this
in
chapter 1.
He takes
comfort in
this in
verse 5
when he
says,
our
gospel
came to
you
not only
in word
but also
in power
and in
the Holy
Spirit
and with
full
conviction.
And then
in verse 6,
you received
the word
in much
affliction
with the
joy
of the
Holy
Spirit.
The
word of
God
was
embraced
by this
church.
They
recognized
its
quality,
recognized
that its
content
was unlike
anything
they'd
ever
heard.
The
work
of
the
Spirit
in
their
life
of
convicting
them
of sin
and
illuminating
their
hearts
was
evident.
And it
resulted
in a
reception
of this
word.
But this
is just
the
starting
place.
Receiving
the word
is just
the first
step.
Because as we
know from
James
chapter 1,
James
says,
be
doers
of
the
word
and
not
hearers
only
deceiving
your
own
selves.
But the
one who
looks
into the
law
of
liberty,
that
perfect
law
and
perseveres
being
no
hearer
who
forgets
but a
doer
who
acts,
he
will
be
blessed
in
his
doing.
So if
you're
a
recipient
of the
word,
if you've
recognized
the
authority
of the
scripture,
that's a
great place
to be.
That's the
first step.
That's the
entry point
really to
this next
thing that
we're going
to look
at next.
Not only
did they
receive the
word,
what do
you see
next?
What's
the next
phrase?
It says,
you received
the word
of God
which you
heard from
us and
you accepted
it not
as the
word of
men but
as what
it really
is,
the word
of God.
There was a
reception to
the word.
They recognized
the authority
of the
scripture,
the truthfulness
of that
word and
now it
moves them
in to
this next
part of
accepting
the word.
Also,
speaking about
something that
happened in
the past.
This
welcoming,
this believing,
accepting as
true,
taking hold
of and
grasping it
for themselves.
The Greek
uses
a voice
which helps
to accentuate
the personal
nature of
the word
of God
working in
their lives.
Uses the
middle voice.
It's almost
synonymous with
receiving but
it places more
emphasis on a
personal appropriation
of the truth.
In other words,
they solemnly
received the
sacred message
and appropriated
it for
themselves.
They put it
to work in
their life.
They became
doers of
the word
that they
knew
was true.
They listened
to the voices
of Paul
and Silas
and Timothy
but what
they heard
was not
the voice
of men.
It was
the voice
of God
speaking
through
these men.
This word
itself,
the commentator
puts it
this way.
It says,
the emissary
of a man
is as
the man
himself.
And what
that means
is the one
representing
or being
the mouthpiece
for the
message
is as if
he is
the originating
messenger
himself.
The emissary
is just
as the
man
himself.
And so
when the
people in
Thessalonica
heard the
message
from Paul
and Silas
and Timothy
they heard
the words
of God
not just
the words
of men.
That's
what
happened.
For them
the message
was authoritative.
It was
sure.
And the
people in
Thessalonica
who believed
recognized
the true
nature
of the
authority.
Authority
of God
not the
authority
of men.
Similar
to what
happens
in
Galatia
Paul
is
confronting
the church
in Galatia
for the
opposite
problem.
He says
in Galatians
chapter 1
verses 10
to 12
He says
Am I now
seeking the
approval of
man or
of God?
Or am I
seeking to
please men?
If I were
still trying
to please
men
I would
not be
a servant
of Christ.
For I
would have
you know
brothers
that the
gospel
that was
preached
by me
is not
man's
gospel.
For I
did not
receive it
from any
man
nor was
I taught
it
but I
received it
through
the
revelation
of Jesus
Christ.
There are
two roads
two paths
to response
to the
word of
God.
There is
the
Thessalonian
path
and there
is the
Galatian
path.
There is
the way
of hearing
and receiving
and applying
the word
that we
find in
Thessalonica
of pulling
it in
embracing
it
of wearing
it for
yourself
of putting
it to
work
and there
is the
Galatian
path
that hears
the word
recognizes
its quality
and wants
nothing to
do with
the actual
message
but instead
begins to
work out
their salvation
for themselves
and Paul
rejects
that kind
of acceptance
that kind
of posture
against the
word.
He wants
the church
to experience
the joy
that comes
in knowing
and loving
the truth.
He commends
to them
the path
the Thessalonian
path
of accepting
the scripture.
I think
we're all
in danger
of treating
the message
of the gospel
which is
the word
of God
as if it
were only
the word
of men.
So I
like to put
up here
some things
I thought
of
some ways
that we
treat
the scripture
as being
from man
and not
from God.
Can you read
these?
They're big
enough this
time?
There may
be others
I'm sure
I missed
some
but here
are a few
that came
to my
mind.
How do
we treat
the word
of God
as if
it were
the word
of man?
First
we see
it is
optional.
Well let's
see.
It applies
to this
situation
but I
don't think
it's very
convenient
right now
so I'm
just going
to worry
about that
one later.
It's kind
of hit
or miss
I can
just do
it when
I want
to.
That's
okay.
Right
now in
this
situation
God's
word is
optional.
Or
that it
lacks
power.
More
I think
this happens
when God
gives us
a promise
kind of like
when he
gave the
promises to
the people
in
Jerusalem
about
where
salvation
comes.
It comes
from me
and not
through
horses
and not
through
military
might.
So we
recognize
that what
God says
is authoritative
but
man I'm
not sure
I can wait
for his
timing.
I'm not
sure
that he's
really going
to be able
to come
through for
me in
this instance.
Does he
really have
the power
that I
need for
this
moment?
And for
us in
that moment
it lacks
power.
At other
times it
is completely
irrelevant.
We think
that our
lives are
too complicated.
We think
that our
situations
are too
messy.
We think
that the
truth really
isn't as
black and
white as
it seems
to be.
And so
it can't
really apply
to my
specific
situation.
And so
in those
moments
it's
completely
irrelevant.
Perhaps
we treat
it as
the word
of man
because we
believe
that the
scripture is
outdated
or it's
old fashioned.
It was
for a
different time
a different
space
but we
have to
modernize
its
message.
We have
to bring
it up
to 21st
century
social
standing.
That
was
certainly
can't
apply
to my
situation
today.
Or we
see it
as
symbolic.
As
allegorical.
It's not
meant to be
taken
literally.
Not
meant to
be precise
in its
words.
It's
broad
message of
course
and its
themes.
We can
apply them
to life
but the
actual
words and
actual
phrases
or perhaps
we
think
it's
the
word
of
men
because
we're
distracted
by the
messenger.
That
happens a
lot doesn't
it?
You see
the
brokenness
of the
mouthpiece?
The
person
who's
bringing
the
word
to
you
see
their
messed
up
life
and
you
think
boy
if
it's
not
working
for
him
it's
certainly
not
going
to
work
for
me
either.
Or
you
feel
let
down
you
feel
devastated
by
the
moral
failures
of an
individual
or
whatever
sinfulness
comes
through
in
their
presentation
of
the
gospel
or their
presentation
of a
certain
truth
they're
not as
loving
or not
as
gentle
as they
should
be
and
that
obliterates
any chance
that it
has to
actually
do a
work
in our
lives.
We
are all
in
danger
this
morning
of
treating
the
word
of
God
as
if
it
were
just
merely
the
word
of
man.
May
God
help
us
to
embrace
and
accept
his
word
and
to
move
beyond
all
of
these
obstacles
that
get
in
our
way.
And
rather
than
quenching
the
spirit
as we
saw
last
week
that
we
learn
to
activate
the
spirit's
power
in
our
life.
We
learn
to
awaken
Our
hearts
to
the
truths
and
to
faith.
We
learn
to
surrender
to
his
divine
strength,
his
wisdom,
and his
work
in our
lives,
which
then leads
us to
this next
and last
step that
we find
where Paul
is now
talking to
the church
and he's
encouraged
that
they've
moved
through
the
reception
of
the
word.
They've
moved
through
the
acceptance
of
the
word
and now
they're
allowing
the
work
of
the
Holy
Spirit
to
actually
have
its
way
in
their
lives
on
a
consistent
and
perpetual
basis.
They
obeyed
the
word.
They
were
obedient
to
it.
They
surrendered
and
yielded
themselves
to
the
ministry
of
the
scripture.
This
is the
Greek
word
energeo
which is
energy.
This is
the
active
movement
of the
Holy
Spirit
in
producing
something
good
in your
life.
Of course
we understand
the quality
of the
word.
We
understand
the power
of the
word.
We find
from
Hebrews
chapter
4
verse
12.
The
word
of
God
is
living
and
active
sharper
than
any
two
edged
sword
piercing
to
the
division
of
soul
and
spirit
and
the
joints
and
marrow
and
as
a
discerner
of
the
thoughts
and
intents
of
the
heart.
That
is
the
word
of
God.
The
faithful
living
word
of
God.
And
of
course
2
Timothy
3
16
and
17
all
of
you
who
have
been
through
Awana
would
know
these
verses.
All
scripture
is
given
by
inspiration
of
God
and
reproof
for
correction
for
instruction
and
righteousness
the
man
of
God
might
be
perfect
thoroughly
equipped
for
every
good
work.
That's
what
the
word
of
God
will
do
in
a
life
that
is
yielded
to
the
power
in
the
ministry
of
the
scripture.
That's
what
we
will
see
when
we
allow
the
spirit's
energy
to
have
his
way
in
our
lives.
But
the
work
of
God
can
be
hindered.
It
can
be
obstructed.
Paul
talks
about
that
extensively
in
the
book
of
Ephesians
and
also
in
Galatians.
The
phrases
that we
looked at
last
week
don't
quench
the
Holy
Spirit.
In
Galatians
chapter
5
walk
by
the
Spirit.
In
Ephesians
chapter
4
put
off
your
old
self
and
put
on
the
new
self
created
after
the
likeness
!
of
God
in
true
righteousness
and
holiness.
In
Ephesians
chapter
4
30
don't
grieve
the
Holy
Spirit.
In
Ephesians
chapter
5
18
be
filled
with
the
Holy
Spirit.
We
can
quench
and
grieve
the
Holy
Spirit's
work
in our
lives.
We
can
prevent
from
willful
disobedience
the
ability
that
God
has
the
desire
that
God
has
to
change
us
and
to
create
within
us
a
life
that
is
tender
and
receptive
to
the
truths
of
the
scripture
and
is
actively
pursuing
obedience
to
God.
Let
God
have
his
way
in
your
life.
The
Holy
Spirit
lives
within
don't
get
in
the
way
give
him
access.
When
we do
this
we become
like
him
and
that's
what
Paul
points
to
next
this
imitation
that's
going
on
that
he
has
pointed
to
several
times
already.
He
says
in
chapter
1
verse
6
you
became
imitators
of
us
and
of
the
Lord.
And
then
in
verse
7
of
that
same
chapter
you
became
an
example
which
is
the
same
word
to
all
the
believers
in
Macedonia
and
Achaia.
And
now
in
verse
14
for
you
brothers
became
imitators
of the
churches
of God
in
Christ
Jesus
that
are
in
Judea.
There
was
a
resemblance
there
was
a
likeness
there
was
a
conformity
of
life
that
resembled
the
work
of
Christ
and
the
ministry
of
the
prophets
and
the
church
that
had
been
established
there
first
in
Jerusalem.
Certainly
there
was
to
second
guess.
Is
this
really
what we
signed up
for?
This
adversity
that we're
facing
is
is it
because
we've
done
something
wrong?
Tendency
to wonder
where God
was in
all of
this.
Maybe
a tendency
to
second
guess
his
power
and his
goodness.
But
instead
Paul
calls
them
to
understand
this
pattern.
Be
encouraged.
You're
just
like
Jesus.
Be
encouraged.
You're
just
like
the
churches
in
Judea.
Be
encouraged.
You're
facing
the
same
kinds
of
adversity
that
we
are
experiencing.
Be
encouraged.
This
is
inevitable
to come.
The
storms
of
life
will
pound
against
your
heart
and
your
life
but
you
can
be
secure
in
the
word.
And
then we
finish
this
morning
with
maybe
this
last
question
that
may
have
come
to
this
church
in
experiencing
this
kind
of
adversity.
The
question
would
have
gone
something
like
this.
But
what
about
the
people
who
are
persecuting
us?
What's
going to
happen
to
them?
Is
there
any
justice
in
this
world?
Does
God
really
care?
Does
God
really
see?
Will
God
act
on our
behalf
against
them?
And so
we come
to this
last
point.
The
plight
of
those
who
resist
the
word.
The
plight
of
those
who
resist
the
word.
We
find
in this
final
phrase,
so
as
always
to
fill
up
the
measure
of
their
sins.
But
wrath
has
come
upon
them
at
last.
It's
almost
overwhelming
to look
and to
see the
opposition
that this
church
faced.
They
killed
the
Lord
and
his
prophets.
They
drove
us
out.
They
displeased
God.
They
oppose
all
mankind.
They
hinder
us
from
speaking.
All
of
these
active
words
that
Paul
describes,
this
opposition,
this
antagonism
that he's
facing and
this church
is facing,
and yet
the
reminder,
don't
worry,
Thessalonica.
God's
got this.
Don't
worry,
he sees
this.
It
doesn't
escape
his
attention
and he
will
judge.
I
think
it's
like
the
psalmist
in
Psalm
73.
Let me
just read
parts of
this so
we can
put
ourselves
in the
shoes of
the
psalmist
and then
I'll
close.
It
says
this,
truly
God is
good to
Israel,
to those
who are
pure in
heart,
but as
for me,
my feet
had almost
stumbled,
my steps
had nearly
slipped,
for I
was
envious
of the
arrogant
when I
saw the
prosperity
of the
wicked.
For
they have
no
pangs
until
death,
their
bodies
are fat
and sleek,
they are
not in
trouble as
others are,
they are
not stricken
like the
rest of
mankind,
therefore
pride is
their
necklace,
violence
covers
them as
a garment,
their eyes
swell out
through
fatness,
their hearts
overflow
with
follies,
they scoff
and speak
malice,
loftily they
threatened
oppression,
they set
their mouths
against the
heaven and
their tongues
strut through
the earth.
But then he
has a point
of recollection
in verse 16,
but when I
thought how to
understand this,
it seemed to
me a wearisome
task until
I went into
the sanctuary
of God,
then I
discerned
their end.
Truly,
you set them
in slippery
places,
you make them
fall to ruin,
how they are
destroyed in a
moment,
swept away
utterly
by terrors.
It's easy
for us
when we're
facing
opposition
and adversity
to wonder
if God
really is
in control.
And just
as a
psalmist,
and just
as Paul
is calling
the attention
of the
church,
God sees,
God cares,
and God
will exact
his judgment
on these
individuals.
God is
faithful.
Let's pray.