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Realizing the presence, promise, and power of the Kingdom of God.
The Scriptorium

Word and Power

The Spirit brings the Gospel by word and power.

1 Thessalonians (3)

Pray Psalm 46.1-3.
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling.

Read 1 Thessalonians 1.5.

Reflect.
1. In what sense (or senses) is the Gospel of Jesus Christ both word and power?

2. Why does Paul mention the kind of men they were amongt he Thessalonians?

Meditate.
The Gospel came not in word only to the Thessalonians; it also came with the power of the Holy Spirit. The Gospel only truly comes to anyone when it comes by the Spirit. Merely hearing the words of the Gospel, even to the point of affirming or agreeing with those words, is no true indication that the Gospel has come. Unless the power of the Spirit is evident in much assurance (complete and absolute certainty), and in the power of faith, love and hope (vv. 2-4) – unless such power is in evidence, beginning soon and increasing, then the Gospel has not come at all, no matter how fervently preached or passionately confessed.

Paul indicates that the power of the Gospel came not only to the Thessalonians but through and in and by Paul and his team. They were the kind of men who, when they preached repentance and faith and obedience unto love and good works, were believable, because this is how they lived together before the Thessalonians. We are called to be witnesses, not just to do evangelism (Acts 1.8). 

The power of the Holy Spirit is an out-of-this-world power that works upon us, within us, and through us to accomplish the Kingdom-and-glory agenda of the Lord. He comes as the engine of God’s grace, with the medium of the Gospel of grace, to effect transforming grace in all who submit to Him and His Word. And where this occurs, the power of the Spirit works unto righteousness, peace, and joy as the Kingdom of God comes on earth as it is in heaven, to the praise of the glory of God’s grace.

Word and power: Seek the grace of God to increase in His saving grace and peace every day of your life (v. 1).

Prepare.
1. The power of the Holy Spirit is something we ought to know when we’re experiencing it, right? How should we know it?

2. Can we do effective evangelism without also being witnesses for Jesus? Explain.

3. Could you write verse 5 to all the people in your Personal Mission Field, and feel as though it were true? Explain. 

For you know, he says, how you came to be chosen (that is, how you arrived at faith), for you did not believe solely by means of our words. Indeed, we not only spoke but also showed wonders, great and glorious and worked by the Spirit, by which you were strengthened with regard to the things we had spoken to you. Hold on tightly to what you have learned, and don’t be deflected from your course by the external things that happen to you. Theodore of Mopsuestia (350-428), Commentary on 1 Thessalonians

Heavenly Father, let my witness to Jesus not be one of word only, but also of…

Pray Psalm 46.4-11.

Sink into (the meaning of “Be still”) the presence of the Lord. Rest in Him. Focus on Jesus, exalted in glory, and call upon the Lord to be with you throughout the day to come, as you pray about the people you’ll see and the work you’ve been given to do, that you might be His witness in word and power.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 46 (St. Chrysostom: We Have Not Known You As We Ought)
God is our refuge and our strength; He is our help in times of need. 
Thus though the earth beneath us should change, the sea consume the mountain range;
Waters may roar with raging speed; yet God will rescue us at length. 

God’s everlasting, joyous grace gladdens the city where He dwells. 
Safely in Him, we will not be moved; when morning dawns, His love will be proved.
Fears and distresses Jesus dispels for His beloved, chosen race. 

Kingdoms arise and rage and roar, threat’ning the earth with sore distress; 
Nations may fall, earth melt away, His Word is yet our hope and stay. 
God is among us, ever to bless; He is our stronghold evermore. 

Come see the works of God’s Right Hand! He breaks the nations of the earth, 
Shatters their foolish weapons and pride, sets all their sinful strength aside;
Them He will show His infinite worth as they before His judgment stand. 

Rest in the Lord and be at peace, all who are mired in sore travail: 
Lift up our God, praise Jesus our Lord; proclaim to all the earth His Word! 
God is our stronghold, never to fail: thus may our hope and joy increase!

T. M. Moore

Where do 1 and 2 Thessalonians fit in the unfolding of God’s covenant? Order our workbook, God’s Covenant, and find out how all Scripture fits within this redemptive framework (click here).

Forward today’s study to some friends, and challenge them to study with you through this series on 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Each week’s lessons will be available as a free PDF download at the end of the week. Get a copy for yourself and send the link to the download to your friends. Plan to meet weekly to study Paul’s ministry and prepare for your own.


If you value Scriptorium as a free resource for your walk with the Lord, please consider supporting our work with your gifts and offerings. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button  at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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