1 Thessalonians 2:1-9 “For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.”
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth explores Paul’s epistles to the Thessalonians in a series titled The Word of the Lord. This sermon, the third in the series, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-5 explains where the Christian’s victory comes from: “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 03/27/2022