The Dead Shall Rise: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-9

1 Thessalonians 2:1 "For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:"

This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Dead Shall Rise. This sermon, the third in the series, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-9 teaches what true faith in Christ produces: "What causes men to yield their lives to divine service, is their sincere belief in God. This is why tradition or handed-down religious beliefs will do nothing to inspire energetic and inspired service to the Lord. This takes the presence of a living Being, Whom then men can actually believe in, to inspire them to abandon lives of sin, to devote their lives to God. Dead things, whether it be dead religion, or dumb idols, do not inspire people to offer themselves as living sacrifices. Hence, at the core of all true Christian service, lies an understanding, and an enlightenment, that God actually is, and will reward those who diligently seek Him. It is this single belief that God exists and will either reward men for their faith, or punish them for their unbelief, that those who turn to the Lord to serve Him, possess.

"What Christ’s coming will mean to the saved, will be the complete opposite to the unsaved. Where Jesus’ return from Heaven will be salvation to some, it will result in divine judgment for others. It is this coming wrath that shall coincide with Christ’s second appearance that faith in Christ saves men from. Sin must be reckoned with. God’s justice demands it. So that if men will not come to Christ repentant for their sin, then through the Lord Jesus, their disobedience, will be punished. Ultimately then, through the Lord Jesus will either come God’s salvation or God’s punishment for sin; Christ will reveal himself as both this world’s Savior, as well as its Judge.

"Because sinners cannot see, nor perceive the glory of the Lord, they are left with nothing more than pursuing the temporal and fading glory of a condemned world. Yet, when men are enlightened, refreshed and illuminated by God’s Spirit, then the spiritual wisdom given to them by Christ, will prompt them to navigate their lives, in pursuit of that heavenly glory that God alone gives."

"True love for the Lord’s people will extend far beyond religious duty, and will include the willingness to lay down our lives for them. Because the Thessalonians were precious to God, the apostles esteemed them as worthy of being sacrificed for.

"The adversity that men are willing to go through to preach the gospel is a testimony to the sincerity of their faith. When also tribulation and persecution arises for the Word’s sake, they will not, like imposters, abandon faith. Thus, though Paul and his companions had suffered and were shamefully treated at Philippi, this did not prohibit them from continuing to hold fold forth the Word of the Lord boldly. The power of Christ’s nature within the Lord’s people, also is far greater than all the powers of darkness in this world.

"The devil will stoop to any means possible to discourage saints from pursuing God or from holding forth His Word. Satan has no rules nor etiquette that he abides by, and we should never consider that his methods will be anything less than harsh and unfair. Yet, for all the maliciousness in his heart, and all the influence he has over the children of disobedience, Christ’s power—because He lives in His people—is greater. This is why saints will prevail, even if their own fleshly strength is weak and feeble. Ultimately, it is not by any strength of our own that we, who are called by Christ, overcome, but only because of He, Who lives within us. And because Christ is greater than Satan, His people will overcome Satan’s attacks. The greatest spiritual power always prevails, and Jesus Christ is the greatest power in the world today.

"Because Christ is supreme, and has been given divine power over all things by God, the saved are therefore made more than conquerors through Him. When this is properly understood, saints will realize, that all victory lies in the fact, that Christ is supreme, and has Himself, conquered all. And though the Holy Spirit may seem to be at times only a small part in the heart of the Christian, because God and Christ are the Holy Spirit, the Lord’s people shall be made to be more than conquerors.

"It is the Lord who truly knows a man or woman’s heart, and this is why not until people are given the gift of the Holy Spirit, can we know that they have become willing to forsake self-governship, and have instead freely chosen Jesus Christ as Lord of their life. Thus, only those who are subject to the Son of God, will be given as a witness to their obedience, the gift of the Holy Spirit. By God’s Spirit we can know, all who have obeyed the gospel, and all who have not. And like with all things that are spiritually genuine, God will bear testimony, that a man or woman has become a Son of God, when also they are given the Spirit of God."

Broadcast live on 04/10/2022