1 Thessalonians 2:13
Introduction
Two men had the same vision of building a house. They had the same dream of having a home to call their own. One built his house on the rock, and one built his house on the sand. The true test came when the rain and the floods slammed against both houses. Only one house remained standing after the storm: the house built upon the rock (Matt 7:24-27). The difference between the two houses was simply the foundation. Only the house built upon the rock had a firm foundation.
Truth—God’s absolute and authoritative standard by which reality is measured—is the only foundation that secures and sustains our lives. In our post-truth culture, people need stability and permanence more than ever. They desire it and they are searching for it, but as long as they avoid Scripture—the source of truth—they will not find the safety and assurance they seek. That is why the truth of Scripture must be proclaimed. People need to hear the truth in order to know it, to act on it and to experience its power.
Hearing the truth, however, is not enough. We as believers must act on the truth for it to be activated in us. Acting on the Word starts with embracing the divine origin and divine authority of the truth. Once we embrace it, then we need to obey it. Paul thanks God that the Thessalonians not only heard the truth proclaimed, but they received it as the Word of God and it began to work in their hearts and minds (1 Thess 2:13). In his letter, James also urges us to be doers of the Word and not just hearers of it (Jas 1:22-25). Truth is not always what we want to hear, but it is always what we need. If we desire to see the power of truth transform us and those around us, then we must welcome the truth and wrap our lives around it. In order to experience blessings and see the Lord’s faithfulness, run to the truth, hold to it firmly and persevere even in the face of opposition (Luke 8:15).
Getting Started
- Have you ever told your kids or a friend a truth, but they did not listen? What were the results? Is it a funny story you can laugh about now?
- What are examples of truths that make people uncomfortable? Can you think of times when people heard what they wanted to hear rather than listening to the truth?
Let’s Get Personal
- Do you find yourself hearing the truth in church but not embracing it throughout the week? What keeps you from soaking in the truth every day?
- Is proclaiming the truth part of your life? How can the proclamation of truth become a more important part of who you are?
- What stood out to you in this series on truth? What is the biggest takeaway for you?
Take the Next Step
- What are practical ways that you can embrace God’s truth daily? How can your group hold one another accountable to see that the truth is actively working in your lives?
- In what areas of your life do you need prayer? Commit to starting a prayer journal to help you intentionally pursue the truth of God’s Word and witness the ways God answers your prayers.
- Want to go deeper? Take time to look at the following passages: Ezekiel 2:7; Jeremiah 5:30-31; Luke 8:4-15; Colossians 3:16; 2 Timothy 2:15; 4:1-5; Hebrews 4:12-13; 1 Peter 1:24-25; James 1:18-25.
Renew Your Mind
“For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.”
1 Thessalonians 2:13
