The Revelation of God's Word

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 15a

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope…. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord,

Insights: The church of Thessalonica was very concerned and confused about what happened to their brothers and sisters in the faith that had passed away.  Paul wrote the verses which we will examine this week to help comfort these confused baby Christians about what happens to a person after they die.  The first thing I want you to understand this week is that God’s Word is the authority by which we live our lives.  Notice in verse thirteen Paul tells them not to grieve as those who do not have hope, and when you get to verse fifteen, Paul tells them why they don’t have to grieve as one without hope.  The answer is because God has given them a word regarding this subject matter.  His word is a promise and can always be counted on as being good.  We have God’s words given to us in the Bible.  Those words are inspired, infallible and without error or contradiction.  We as His children need to learn how to live life based on the authority of the Bible and not based on our experiences or the advice of others.  Let me give you a Scott’s paraphrase of a statement Dr. Al Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary was quoted as saying in an article recently published.  He said, “I don’t base my theology on polls.  I base my theology on what the Bible says.”  Dr. Mohler’s point is that public opinion does not shape his theology.  Just because the masses may think something is okay or acceptable, if it is in contradiction to the Bible, then it is not okay or acceptable.  It may be hard to live life under these kinds of perimeters and one may experience great pressures to fall sway to the public opinion of the day, but God’s Word is the standard by which Christ-followers live their lives, period.  It is for this reason these individuals from Thessalonica could take comfort in Paul’s words because they were inspired by God and were really God’s words to them.  As we progress through this passage this week we will discover God’s promises to us which are very comforting.  Beloved, run to God’s Word and drink from His rich truths and by guided by His wisdom.  

Questions:

1.  What is your authority by which you make life beliefs?

2.  Are you aware the only true authority we have here on earth is the Word of God, the Bible?

Prayer: Father, thank You for giving me Your Word, the Bible.  Thank You that no matter what the world says, I can always trust and rely on Your Scriptures to give me guiding advice as I travel through this world.  Amen.