Unshakable

1 Thessalonians 2:14-3:5

Jesus changes lives. The Thessalonian believers were evidence of this. In Chapter 1, verse 8, they turned from idols to serve the living and true God. In Chapter 2, verse 14, they became imitators of the churches of God in Judea.

The Thessalonians were transformed by God’s word. We see this in chapter 2, verse 13, where it says, “You welcomed it...as the word of God, which also works effectively in you who believe.”

Having been transformed by Jesus and the word of God, the Thessalonians soon found that some people did not like the change. They experienced opposition. The believers were opposed in every way, legally and physically. Their detractors resorted to physical violence and the destruction of property.

The big offence that caused the violence was that they spoke the truth. Their opposition characterized the Christians as liars and called the truth lies. This very conflict has been going on since Cain and Abel. Abel did what was right, and Cain did what was wrong. When God accepted Abel’s sacrifice but rejected Cain’s, Cain was angry and killed Abel. 1 John 3:12-13 tells us:

1 John 3:12-13 (NKJV) 12 not as Cain [who] was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous. 13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.

Jesus told us that in the world we will have tribulation. 

Opposition and resistance do not mean you are wrong, and they do not mean you are right, either. In any case, opposition is to be expected. It will come. Paul’s comments show that the Thessalonians were tested in three ways.

The first way the Thessalonians were tested was the hatred of their own countrymen.

1 Thessalonians 2:14 says:

1 Thessalonians 2:14 (NKJV) For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they [did] from the Judeans,

They suffered the same thing as the Judean believers, so let's ask what that suffering was.

1 Thessalonians 2:15 (NKJV) who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men,

They killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets. They did this because “They do not please God and are contrary to all men.”

As one reads the Bible, one will discover two things. Many people are angry at God and contrary to others. The Bible teaches us that our flesh is hostile toward God. Rather than being reconciled to God through our Lord Jesus Christ, some choose to live as enemies of God. This attitude exists all around us. We see it in the many ways people defy God. Their attitude is seen in Psalms 2.

Psalm 2:1-3 (NKJV) 1 Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, [saying,] 3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.”

Do you see how they rage against God?

In like manner, many are like Cain, who murdered his brother because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s were righteous. Sometimes there is no way to keep from being persecuted, and sometimes believers die. God does not stop every bullet or every violent attack. Therefore, the Scriptures tell us to be strong and courageous. We must support and encourage each other. The Thessalonians were imitating the Judean churches, many of whom had been chased out of homes in Judea. Paul, Silas, and Timothy’s main reason for wanting to visit the Thessalonians was to encourage them so that their faith would remain unshakable despite their intense suffering.

Paul, Silas, and Timothy were anxious to return to Thessalonica to encourage the believers with the word of God as they faced this violent opposition. But they found their road blocked by another way that tested the Thessalonians. 

The second way that the Thessalonians were tested was by Satan.

In verse 18, they say:

1 Thessalonians 2:18 (NKJV) Therefore we wanted to come to you--even I, Paul, time and again--but Satan hindered us.

Satan was able to keep the Apostle and his companions from encouraging the Thessalonian believers.

Satan’s opposition is real, and it is a danger to all believers. The Apostle Peter warned us:

1 Peter 5:8-9 (NKJV) 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

Along with warning us that the devil is like a roaring lion, Peter tells us what we must do. We must resist the devil (one might say “just say no!”) and we must stand firm in the faith. As encouragement, we can see that many are successfully resisting him. But notice it says “the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood.” All believers experience this opposition. We must recognize that in every trial we face, the devil will be there telling us things like, “Just give up!” “What’s the use?” “God has no use for you.” “God is not involved in your life.” “God is persecuting you.” And, it goes on and on. We must resist him like Jesus did. We must turn to the word of God to find answers to these insidious lies.

Finally, there is a third way the Thessalonians were tested.

The third way the Thessalonians were tested was temptation.

We see this in 1 Thessalonians 3:5.

1 Thessalonians 3:5 (NKJV) For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.

The devil is involved in both this and the second matter. 

There are temptations to seek power, or riches, or pleasure. Our flesh has enough desires that the devil does not have to work hard to dangle something attractive in front of us. Add to the attraction of these things the suffering and hardship of tribulations, and the temptations become even more appealing. The question for us today is, “How can we keep from falling into these temptations?”

We see the answer in 1 Thessalonians 3:2-3.

1 Thessalonians 3:2-3 (NKJV) 2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, 3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.

Paul and Silas sent Timothy to encourage them so they would not be shaken concerning their faith. For our faith to be unshakeable, we must encourage one another and build each other up. As much as Scripture can build our faith, we cannot be unshakeable without other believers. The Scriptures are clear that we are not to quit gathering together as a body of believers. The words I just gave you about encouraging each other are taken directly from the same letter we are looking at today. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says:

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV) Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

The Thessalonians were tested in three ways: 

1. Their countrymen

2. Satan

3. The Tempter

We all face these same tests. Today, we have examined practical tools to help us overcome them. We see that we must encourage and support each other and stay grounded in the word of God. 

We must realize that we are in a spiritual battle. Our enemies are not flesh and blood, but spiritual beings. Therefore, the weapons of our warfare are spiritual; mainly prayer, the word of God, and worship. Ephesians 6 speaks of these things in terms of spiritual armor, but prayer, the word of God, and worship sum up the armor. The only other addition is that a soldier does not stand alone, but is part of an army. We must encourage each other and build each other up. As we use our spiritual armor, we come to understand that it is God who keeps us, and we can say with the Psalmist:

Psalm 27:1 (NKJV) The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?