Lessons for September 16
Truth of the good news should bring confidence
___ 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16
___By Pete Freeman
___First Baptist Church, The Woodlands
___Salespersons are not all alike! Some possess more confidence than they need and some possess less confidence than they need. We recently had a young high school student come to our door trying to sell "discount coupons." I though it was interesting that the first thing she said was, "Sir, you don't want to buy a book of coupons do you?" Now, if we weren't committed to supporting our local schools, we probably wouldn't have bought a book of coupons from the girl. She certainly didn't possess very much confidence in the product she
was selling.
___In our text, 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16, our writer certainly possesses a lot of confidence in his message. But look closely! His confidence isn't found within himself but with the one who gave him the message. Verse 13 is replete with references to the source of Paul's message. God is mentioned no less than three times. Paul thanked God for the message, and he associated God with the message he had shared with the Thessalonians.
___The phrase, "the word of God," is in reference to the word he received from the Holy Spirit. He is not talking about the Bible as we have it in its present form. He is talking about the gospel.
___It is worth noting the significant contrast between "receiving" the message in the first part of the verse and that found in the second part of the verse. The first "received" denotes an outward and objective kind of hearing. Paul's readers had simply listened to his preaching. How can people begin a relationship with Jesus unless they have heard about him. The phrase "heard from us" indicates Paul and his friends were the ones who actually shared the good news with the Thessalonians. This reminds us of Paul's words in Romans 10:14, "How can they hear without someone preaching to them?"
___Evangelism is the calling of all believers. It's not an option! It's a command! We might feel like we do not have the gift of evangelism but that's all it is--just a feeling. Every believer is a preacher in the sense that all of us are to share our faith. God allows people who need Jesus to cross our paths so they can see and hear the gospel.
___The second reference to receiving is experiential. The root word used means to "accept with approval or to welcome." It is a kind of subjective reception. When we combine the two together, we understand becoming a Christian is not just a mere intellectual acceptance of the gospel but a heart commitment to the gospel. Understanding and commitment are essential aspects of receiving Christ. Again note that in verse 13, these hearers accepted the gospel story as "the word of God." This explains why the word of God was already "at work" in their lives. Nothing could change their lives but acceptance of the truth of Jesus Christ.
___I have two new friends God has allowed to cross my path recently. One was an agnostic and the other an atheist. One I met in the hospital while he was having cancer surgery, and the other I met on the golf course. I have spent hours with both. In both cases, I was able to present the gospel story.
___The agnostic friend readily responded to the story of Jesus. He started coming to church and even Sunday School on occasion. He actually attended one of our men's retreats. He said, "I like that Jesus you're always talking about." He agreed that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, he was raised from the dead and he was coming back one day. But he never expressed a willingness to give over his life to Jesus.
___My other friend, the atheist, took his time. We met on many occasions and shared lunch and talked about the truth of Jesus. He studied the Bible and asked a lot of questions. After a couple of years, he called me and said: "I'm ready to give my life to Jesus. Would you come over to my house and tell me how to begin a life with God?" Of course, I went that afternoon. He was gloriously saved. He invited all of his family to his baptism. His life has never been the same. He is becoming a tremendous witness to those around him.
___There is a debate raging in theological circles about the relationship of commitment to salvation. It is precipitated by alarming statistics about belief and lifestyle among so-called Christians. Seventy-four percent of Americans say they have made a commitment to Jesus Christ but very few have the slightest idea of what "Christ-likeness" is all about. Author Dallas Willard concludes multitudes have "no idea that it might even be possible." Paul indicates in verses 14-16 that "godly living is prime evidence that the gospel has taken root in a person's life." Or as my grandmother used say in her East Texas way, "the proof's in the puddin'."
___So share the truth with confidence. Your message comes from God!
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