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?

I Sought the Lord

Psalm 34

When David wrote Psalm 34, he was hiding from Saul, the king of Israel. Saul had grown unstable and repeatedly tried to kill David. The most recent attempt came while David was playing music to soothe him. Without warning, Saul hurled a spear at David, aiming to pin him to the wall. Scripture doesn’t tell us how, but somehow David dodged the attack and escaped with his life.

Anxious and desperate, David made the fateful choice to leave Israel and seek refuge among the Philistines. But remember—David was famous for killing Philistines. After he struck down Goliath, he became a celebrated commander, and his victories over the Philistines were legendary. Saul’s jealousy burned hottest because David’s military successes far outshone his own.

Here we should pause. Scripture never glorifies the killing of people, but it does acknowledge that governments are established to restrain evil. In that role, they wield the sword. Soldiers who serve their government in the line of duty are not condemned by Scripture—they are honored for fulfilling their calling.

Back to David. Imagine the irony: the man who had killed thousands of Philistines now fled for safety into Philistia itself. What could possibly go wrong? Let’s read what happened:

1 Samuel 21:10–15 (NKJV) 10 Then David arose and fled that day from before Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. 11 And the servants of Achish said, “Is this not David the king of the land? Did they not sing of him to one another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands’?” 12 Now David took these words to heart, and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. 13 So he changed his behavior before them, pretended madness in their hands, scratched on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva fall down on his beard. 14 Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, you see the man is insane. Why have you brought him to me? 15 Have I need of madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?”

David barely escaped with his life. Through this humiliating episode, he was learning to rely on God. By nature, David was a man of action, a gifted leader who got things done. But in his own wisdom, he miscalculated. Out of that experience, however, came Psalm 34, where we see the lesson David learned:

Psalm 34:1–6 (NKJV) 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed. 6 This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles.

This is such rich truth! Look especially at verse 2: “My soul shall make its boast in the LORD!” Imagine living in that place—boasting only in the Lord. David echoes this again in Psalm 18:

Psalm 18:2–3 (NKJV) 2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.

Now, focus on one phrase from Psalm 34:4: “I sought the LORD, and He heard me.”

• “Sought” here means not to search for something lost, but to inquire, to ask.
• “Heard” means to pay attention, to respond.

Paul declares this same truth in Romans 10:13: “For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

David learned this the hard way. The first time he fled to Philistia, he went in his own strength and nearly lost his life. The second time, years later, he asked the Lord first. And that time, the king welcomed him. David had learned the lesson: always call on the Lord. We must learn the same.

When the disciples were troubled by Jesus’ words about leaving them, He said:

John 14:1 (NKJV) “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.”

My own heart has been troubled over the murder of Charlie Kirk, an unspeakable evil. Yet even now we must remember: God is in control.

Jesus Himself was murdered, willingly, for our salvation. All the apostles but John were martyred because they refused to stop speaking the truth. Through the centuries, countless others have laid down their lives for the same cause. Our calling is no different: to speak the truth and proclaim the gospel until Christ returns.

Notice this: the apostles never called for violent resistance. They called people to repent and turn to Christ. That message transformed the world. But when the church seized political power, it often committed terrible atrocities. That is why, since the Reformation, the true church has stood for freedom of conscience.

Charlie Kirk carried that same spirit. From what I have heard of him, his message was clear:

1. The gospel—salvation is found in Christ alone.
2. Truth—he spoke plainly about politics, policy, and culture.
3. Openness—he invited honest conversation with anyone.

Because of this, he influenced millions, persuading countless young people to turn away from the lies of our age and toward Christ. Charlie knew the risks—he had spoken openly of death threats—yet he willingly laid down his life for truth. His call was never to violence, but to Jesus.

And our call is the same. We are ambassadors for Christ, pleading with the world to be reconciled to God.

Our government exists to preserve order, justice, and defense. That is its domain—not the church’s. Our calling, as Christian citizens, is to stand for truth, and that truth is found in the Word of God. Jesus Christ is the way, the life, and the truth.

Receiving the Word of God

1 Thessalonians 2:1-13

The letter to the Thessalonian believers begins with thanks to God for the huge change in their lives because of Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 1:8 expresses the impact of this change when it says:

1 Thessalonians 1:8 (NKJV) For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.

Those who believed in Jesus were so transformed that people were talking about it, even in faraway places.

In the second chapter, once again, gratitude is expressed to God. This time, the thanksgiving is for the way the Thessalonians received the word of God. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 says:

1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NKJV) For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.

Looking at this verse, notice that the thing the authors are thankful for is that the Thessalonians received the word of God for what it was in truth, i.e., the word of God. The authors express gratitude that those who believed recognized the truth.

Before this thanksgiving is expressed, twelve verses describe how the messengers were received and how they conducted themselves. Three things stand out. First, the messengers were bold. Second, the messengers were sincere. And third, the messengers were loving.

Verse 13 says that the word of God “effectively works in you who believe.” According to Hebrews 4:12, the word of God is “living and powerful,” i.e., it is effective. In Isaiah 55:11, God says:

Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV) So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] for which I sent it.

Clearly, then, the word of God is powerful! This is why the boldness, sincerity, and love of the messengers are so significant. The focus was not the messengers; the focus was the message. The messengers were not powerful and effective; the message was powerful and effective.

Consider their boldness. Look at 1 Thessalonians 2:1-3.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-3 (NKJV) 1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. 3 For our exhortation [did] not [come] from error or uncleanness, nor [was it] in deceit.

As you look at these verses, notice that the authors say, “we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.”

They mention how they were “spitefully treated in Philippi. They were beaten so that their backs were torn up and bloody, and they were put in stocks overnight. This beating was illegal, and so the city leaders begged them to leave and not press charges. Then the people who had stirred up trouble for them in Philippi followed them to Thessalonica. Looking back at verse 2, the authors say, “…in much conflict.” This is a kind way of saying that the message was violently opposed. It took a lot of courage to speak out when their lives were on the line! That is what boldness means. They were not rude. They were not obnoxious or offensive. They were not angry, but with the threat of death facing them, they spoke clearly, simply, and convincingly so that people could decide for themselves if what they were hearing was true.

If they had not summoned enough courage to face the consequences, the Thessalonians would not have heard the message, and we would probably not be here today. If threats of death had stopped people from speaking the truth, the gospel would have been stopped. 

How do we do with speaking the truth?

I confess that my cowardice has often stopped me from speaking when I should. Boldness must accompany the message, and in the same way, sincerity must accompany the message.

In verses 4 through 6, they point out three ways in which their sincerity showed itself.

1 Thessalonians 2:4-6 (NKJV) 4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness--God [is] witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.

 

First, their sincerity showed itself in the fact that they did not try to please men. Looking at verse 5, we see that they did not use flattering words. They did not try to “butter people up.” People pleasers and con artists have many approaches, and as we get older, we start to believe we have seen them all. We become jaded so that everyone is suspect, and we think those who get taken in are gullible or naive. We look for and expect the con, but no one spotted any people pleasing in Paul, Silas, and Timothy. Even now, in their words, we do not see that they are trying to trick us.

Power or money are usually tied to the con. Power and money are the second and third ways in which their sincerity showed itself. Looking at verse 5 again, notice they did not use words as a “cloak for covetousness.” That is a fancy way of saying, “We did not try to get money from you.” Looking at verse 6, notice that they did not seek glory or make demands. That is another way of saying, “We did not try to get power.”

Their sincerity showed itself because they did not benefit in any way by speaking the truth. The benefit they received was pleasing God and seeing the Thessalonians turn from idols to serve the living and true God. This is what love does, and love is that third thing that stands out about how the messengers conducted themselves. We see love demonstrated in verses 7 and 8.

1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 (NKJV) 7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing [mother] cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

Looking at these verses, we see that Paul, Silas, and Timothy were tender and gentle with the people. A mother would never scold a nursing baby. When I have seen mothers nursing babies, they always seem to be staring at them adoringly. It is a precious and tender thing to behold. Along with this, there are few things as scary as a mama when her baby is threatened. Generally speaking, mothers will die for their babies without a second thought. That is how these three men were with the Thessalonians. Quite literally, they put their lives on the line to give them the gospel.

How do we do in these departments? Are we courageous? Are we sincere? Are we loving?

When we get angry because someone has a different view, are we not trying to get our own way?

As a church loses attendees, offerings fall off, and it becomes difficult to keep the doors open. At that point, it becomes difficult to be bold, sincere, and loving for the sake of our neighbor. Instead, it becomes paramount to keep the doors open. People don’t come to church to keep the doors open. People come to church because the message is life-changing, powerful, and effective. We want our children to grow up in the church because we want them to grow up knowing the life-changing, powerful, effective message. We want them to grow up knowing the joy of the Lord, so we make sure to get them to church. Do we want the same thing for our neighbors?