“For This Cause” – 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20
1 Thessalonians 1:6b Having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.
I. Builds Us Up
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.
The way we “receive” the Bible will determine the degree of our preparedness.
If you pick up your Bible when you are struggling you will be helped, but it is even better if you head into the struggle fortified in your faith by it.
You can expect God’s Word to work in your life before, during, and after the trials we face.
God’s Word builds us from the inside out.
Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
II. Bring Comfort
1 Thessalonians 2:14-16 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
1 Thessalonians 1:6a And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord.
Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
When the storms of life come, you need the Bible to build you up and you need companions to comfort.
III. Guides Us
1 Thessalonians 2:17-18 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.
Jesus has taught us that believers who live for Him will be rewarded for their faithfulness.
2 Corinthians 5:9-10 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Giving this perspective and putting out eyes on Christ gives us all the motivation we need to keep going when everything inside wants to stop.
Hebrews 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
When you run to God you learn that He never wastes our pain.