Date: SUN 11:30am 31st August 2025
Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlin
Bible Reference: 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16
For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
Sermon Summary: 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16
Theme: The saints’ perseverance despite suffering persecution.
Scripture Reading: The sermon is based on 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20, with the primary focus on verses 14-16, read from the Authorised Version. The preacher encourages the congregation to engage with Scripture, offering free Bibles to those without one.
Key Points:
- The Reality of Persecution (Verses 14-15):
- The Thessalonian Christians faced persecution similar to the churches in Judea, suffering at the hands of their own countrymen, just as the Judean churches suffered from certain Jews.
- Suffering Defined: The term “suffered like things” refers to both the universal trials of life (e.g., sickness, bereavement, mental anguish, and disappointments) and the specific persecution faced by Christians due to their faith.
- Persecution Specific to Christians: The sermon distinguishes between general human suffering and the unique persecution believers endure because of their faith in Christ. This includes being despised, rejected by family, bypassed for promotions, losing jobs, or facing legal action for upholding Christian beliefs (e.g., refusal to affirm certain ideologies like transgenderism or abortion).
- Historical Context: Paul and his team were “chased out” of towns and villages by unbelieving Jews who opposed their preaching. This persecution mirrors the hostility faced by Jesus and the prophets, who were killed for their faithfulness.
- Examples of Persecution: The preacher cites modern examples, such as Christians being arrested for street preaching, silently praying outside abortion clinics, or losing tax exemptions and venue access for Christian events. He warns that persecution is intensifying and may escalate to life-threatening levels, such as imprisonment or loss of homes and children.
- The Reason for Persecution (Verses 15-16):
- Persecution stems from the world’s hatred of the gospel, which exposes sinful lifestyles. The unbelieving Jews in Paul’s time, and various groups today (e.g., abortion, LGBT+, and “woke” lobbies), unite to suppress gospel preaching.
- Biblical Examples: The sermon references Cain’s murder of Abel (1 John 3:12) due to Abel’s righteous offering, which exposed Cain’s sin. Similarly, the Jews killed Jesus and the prophets, driven by hatred for God’s truth.
- Root Cause: The ultimate aim of persecution is to silence the gospel, as it threatens the sinful world’s status quo. The preacher cites 2 Timothy 3:10-12 and Acts 14:19 to illustrate Paul’s own experiences of being stoned and persecuted.
- The Results of Persecution (Verse 16):
- Persecutors “fill up their sins always,” accumulating judgment as God patiently waits. The phrase “the wrath has come upon them to the uttermost” indicates divine judgment on those who oppose God’s people.
- Believers are encouraged to trust God to judge their persecutors, as seen in Hebrews 11:32-38, which describes the suffering and faith of God’s people through history.
- The Saints’ Perseverance (Verse 13-14):
- Despite persecution, the Thessalonian believers persevered by imitating the faithful churches in Judea. The term “followers” (Greek: mimetes) means imitators, not hypocrites, but those who genuinely reflect the spiritual life, beliefs, and behaviour of other believers.
- Role of God’s Word: The Word of God, which “effectually worketh” in believers (verse 13), converts and sustains them, enabling perseverance. This ongoing work of the Word fosters a shared spiritual life among believers worldwide.
- Global Unity: The sermon highlights the unity of believers across the world (e.g., in Mexico, Nepal, Australia, and the Philippines), who share the same spiritual life, love for righteousness, hatred of sin, and commitment to holiness because of their union with Christ.
- The Brotherhood of Believers (Verses 14, 17):
- The term “brethren” underscores the unity of believers, encompassing men, women, and young people who share a common faith and new life in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 8:29).
- This brotherhood is rooted in being “in Christ,” elected by God, and called to a life of sanctification and service. The preacher contrasts true believers with those who deny fundamental truths (e.g., the blood atonement, Christ’s deity, or heaven and hell), asserting that such individuals cannot be considered part of this spiritual brotherhood.
- The church (ecclesia) is a called-out community, united to worship, witness, and stand together in a sinful world.
Application:
- The preacher challenges the congregation to examine whether they are part of this worldwide brotherhood of believers, united with Christ through salvation.
- Believers are called to imitate Christ and other faithful saints, persevere through persecution, and trust in God’s Word and judgment.
- The sermon closes with a call to live differently from the ungodly, embracing a life of holiness and gospel witness, confident in God’s care and ultimate justice.
Tone and Emphasis:
- The sermon is expository, deeply rooted in Scripture, with frequent cross-references (e.g., 1 Peter, Hebrews 11, 2 Timothy, 1 John, Genesis 4).
- The tone is urgent and sobering, warning of increasing persecution while encouraging steadfast faith and unity among believers.
- The preacher uses personal anecdotes (e.g., his own rejection by workmates after conversion) and contemporary examples to make the message relatable and relevant.
Conclusion: The sermon calls Christians to persevere in faith, imitate the godly, and stand united as a global brotherhood in Christ, trusting in God’s Word and His ultimate judgment, despite the reality of persecution in a fallen world.
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