Thursday, July 9, 2020

Thessalonians Words ~ Day 4: Spirit

Day 4: Spirit


We saw yesterday that the gospel was received by the Thessalonians with power and deep conviction. When they heard the gospel message they knew they were hearing the very words of God. The ability they had in receiving the gospel in this manner came as a result of the work of the Holy Spirit.

"For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction."  
(1 TH 1:4-5)

In this opening passage (1:4-10) Paul's shows us just a few of the Holy Spirits many works.

The Holy Spirit is the agent by which the gospel message is received with power and deep conviction. He empowers the messengers, he empowers the message, and he opens the hearts and minds of those who will receive it. We see a similar message from Paul in his second letter to the Thessalonians.
"But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
The work of salvation - having our peace restored with God - takes place through the work of the Spirit and the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit's work is sanctification - a very religious sounding word that simply means to be set apart for God and His purposes. When we accept the message of the gospel by faith, then the Holy Spirit begins the work of sanctification in us. A work that will be ongoing throughout our lives.

Another thing we see about the Spirit's work is found in verse 6 of this passage in 1 Thessalonians 1. 

"You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit." (1 TH 1:6)

The Spirit gave the Thessalonians a joy that could not be shaken despite severe suffering. They learned a lesson that all Christ-followers need: Happiness is fleeting; it comes and goes based on the circumstances of life. Joy, however, is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit produces it in us. We aid the Spirit by standing firm in our faith, helping us to remain unshakable in the power of the Spirit with joy. A joy that Peter calls "inexpressible and glorious" (1 Peter 1:8).

"Receiving the Word is receiving Christ, receiving Christ is receiving the Holy Spirit, and He brings joy and gladness." ~Bruce Hurt




No new skills today. Continue working through doing a Word Study and through practicing walking through a passage. I will, instead, leave you with a quote that points out the value of learning how to use these Bible study tools and methods:

“If you long to know God, if you yearn for a deep and abiding relationship with Jesus Christ, if you want to live the Christian life faithfully and know what God requires of you, you must do more than merely read the Bible and study what someone else has said about it. You must interact with God’s word personally, absorbing its message and letting God engrave His truth on your heart and mind and life. That is the very heart of inductive study: seeing truth for yourself, discerning what it means, and applying that truth to your life.” Kay Arthur

2 comments:

  1. I extended my study to include not only Spirit, but God and Jesus as well. Just ten verses in chapter one, but oh so much we can learn just about the Father, Son and Spirit in such a little space!

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    1. That is awesome, Lara! The deep riches of truth from Scripture. Thank yo for sharing this. :)

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