Much Affliction… Exceeding Joy

Sunday, September 27, 2026
Alex Chen

Outline

The Lordship of Christ Over All

v.5b-6 -- You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit

The Preciousness of the Word Above All

v.6 -- 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,
Mark 4:16-17 -- 16 And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. 17 And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away.
Acts 17:5 -- 5 But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd
Leon Morris – There is every reason for thinking that the Thessalonian Christians had been sorely tried.
v.6 -- 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,
John Flavel – Who more innocent than Christ? And who more persecuted? The world is still the world.

A Mere Faithfulness That Is a Great Example For All

v.7 -- 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
v.3 -- 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ
v.6 -- 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,
v.7 -- 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.