Peter Barnes: 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16
SERMON NOTES; TRUE DISCIPLES WILL SUFFER (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16)
Since the terrible events of the Holocaust, a passage like this one has become contentious and controversial.
Paul was himself a Jew, and he wrote most passionately about the conversion of the Jews – Rom.9:1-3; 10:1.
- Christians must expect persecution.
– 2:14. See Acts 12:1-3. Paul himself had persecuted his fellow Jews who had become Christians – Gal.1:13.
– Dr Johnson: ‘the only method by which religious truth can be established is by martyrdom.’
– 1:6; Acts 17:1-10.
- Jews have persecuted the truth.
– 2:15-16a. What have the Jews done?
(a) they killed the Lord Jesus as a blasphemer.
(b) they killed the prophets – Matt.5:12; 21:34-39; Luke 11:47-51; 13:34.
(c) they drove Paul and Silas out of Thessalonica.
(d) they displease God.
(e) they oppose all mankind by hindering the gospel.
Being a Christian is the best thing in the world – 1 Cor.15:55. But it will go hand-in-hand with a willingness to suffer – 2 Tim.3:12.
- God’s wrath has come upon them.
– 2:16b. Paul is referring to the destruction of Jerusalem which would take place in A.D. 70, about twenty years after this epistle was written. Jesus prophesied this – Luke 21:20; 23:27-31.
What has happened to the Jews has happened to many Gentile Churches. True disciples of Christ will suffer, but God will judge those who afflict His people.