Church Order: Preaching and Pastoral Ministry

Dead Letter Christians Or Word Only Christians

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: Church Government

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2016-11-18

Synopsis: Pastor John Weaver examines 1 Thessalonians 1 to diagnose the spiritual condition of many professing Christians and churches. He contrasts 'word only' or 'dead letter' Christians—those who trust in a mere decision, profession, or ritual without the Holy Spirit's regenerating work—with genuine believers who exhibit a work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope. The sermon emphasizes that salvation is entirely of God, not of human effort, and that true conversion is evidenced by turning from idols, serving God through serving others, and patiently waiting for Christ.

[John Weaver] 1st Thessalonians chapter 1 we're going to read the entire chapter since there's only 10 verses there The title of the message is dead letter Christians or word only Christians I'll explain that title shortly. Notice 1 Thessalonians 1, verse 1, Paul and Silvanus and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be unto you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers. remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of God and our Father.

[John Weaver] Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God, for our gospel came not in you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Ghost and in much assurance, as you know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction with joy of the Holy Ghost. so that you were examples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God were to spread abroad, so that we need not to speak anything. For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we handed to you, how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come."

[John Weaver] I've been asked repeatedly as I travel across the country a simple question, one that you have probably asked several times. what in the world is wrong with Christians? Or ask another way, what is wrong with the church? I do not think that anyone would disagree with the fact that there are problems in most churches and there are problems among many professing Christians. We could use words to describe the average church and the average Christian such as apathetic, indolent, lethargic, sluggish, unconcerned, unprincipled, and unethical.

[John Weaver] Now, I understand that there are exceptions, but usually this would apply to Christendom as a whole. But in all probability, in some of those terms, we could also add unregenerate, unconverted, and unrepentant. told you I was going to be preaching about word only Christians, or dead letter Christians. The Apostle Paul said in verse 5 if you will look at it, for our Gospel came not unto you in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance. So Paul is being thankful here that these Thessalonian believers are did not receive truth in the Word only. If you will hold 1 Thessalonians but turn to 1 John chapter 3 you'll see that John the Apostle also deals with Word only professors. And let's begin reading there with verse 16. 1 John chapter 3 and verse 16.

[John Weaver] Hereby perceive we the love of God because He laid down His life for us And we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, here it is, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

[John Weaver] For if our heart condemn us, greater than our heart, nor with all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then we have confidence toward God.

[John Weaver] Now, notice if you would verse 16, he said, Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us. Well, God the Father did not just simply say, I love you, He sent His only begotten Son. Christ did not simply say, I love you, He laid down His life for us. And so John argues if we see our brother have need and we shut up our bowels of compassion from him he asks the question, how does the love of God dwell in us? He says that we are not to love in word but in in tongue, but in deed and in truth." So if I see David hungry I don't just say, well brother I'm going to be praying for you and I trust the Lord to give you something to eat. If I've got food I share it with him and I give it to him." So what he is telling us here is it cannot be just simply in word only, it has to be in our action and our conduct.

[John Weaver] So love according to the scripture is always demonstrable. So we don't tell our brothers or sisters go in peace and be ye warmed and filled, no we simply take care of them. That is the way it is supposed to be scripturally. Unhappily, that is not the case with most churches, and it certainly is not the case with most Christians. Most professing Christians go merely upon their own way with the least bit, or I should say without any concern, compassion, or compulsion.

[John Weaver] Nothing ever seems to bother them. Nothing ever seems to upset them. And you ask, why? And the answer comes back, because they are word only professors. William Booth was the founder of the Salvation Army. I want to give you a quote, and listen to what William Booth said, I think he was very perceptive. He said, and I'm quoting, the chief danger that confronts the coming century, that's our century, will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, and Heaven without Hell. But I want you to note first of all he said religion without the Holy Ghost.

[John Weaver] And that is exactly where we are today. We've reduced Christianity to a ritual, to a ceremony. We've reduced it to a sinner's prayer, and the Holy Spirit is nowhere involved whatsoever. Millions of professing Christians have never been convicted by the Holy Spirit. They've never repented of their sins. And all that has happened is they have been led down a primrose path and they think now that everything is settled for them right now and they have a secured place in Heaven regardless of how they live and regardless of how they act. They are Word only Christians. When you stop and think, and I know that the Holy Spirit is God. I know that He is omnipresent, that is He is everywhere present at one time. Understand that. But if you were able to take the Holy Spirit out of the world today, tomorrow, most churches would go right on as usual, nothing would change. Because we've got everything reduced down to our program and our ceremonies.

[John Weaver] But the truth of the matter is this, A person's decision does not save them. A person's profession does not save them. Church membership does not save them. Baptism does not save them. Man cannot regenerate himself, nor can he repent of himself. Salvation is of the Lord. If you would hold 1 Thessalonians and look in your Bibles to Mark chapter 10, I want to just show you a couple of verses. But in Mark chapter 10 you will remember There is the illustration that our Lord gives of the rich young ruler. The rich young ruler comes running to Jesus Christ and he says, good master, what must I do that I may inherit eternal life? And our Lord gives him a little rebuke. He said, why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, and that's God. In other words, if I'm good, then I'm God. And if I'm God, you don't come running into my presence demanding something of me. But our Lord said, all right. You ask me, I'm going to answer.

[John Weaver] You know the commandments, do not steal, do not kill, honor thy father and thy mother. And the rich young ruler said, all these things have I kept from my youth up, what like I yet? And our Lord said, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell whatsoever thou hast, give to the poor, and come, follow me." And what happened? The Bible says, the rich young man went away exceedingly sorrowful, for he had great riches. Now, here's my question. How many of you, when God saved you, sold everything that you had and gave to the poor? Well, not one. So why did our Lord tell this young man, sell everything you've got and give it to the poor and come follow me? And the answer is because he was just demonstrating he had not kept the law of God, he had not even kept the first commandment, thou shalt have no other gods before me, because his money was his God. And when he left our Lord looked at his disciples and said, how hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God.

[John Weaver] He said it is easier for a camel to go through an eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. And if you will look down at verse 26, When he said that to his own disciples, and they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? Note, if you would, the question revolves around salvation. Who then can be saved? Verse 27, Jesus, looking upon them, saith with men, It, salvation, is impossible, but not with God. For with God all things are possible. with men its salvation is impossible. So man cannot save himself, nor can he save anyone else. Salvation is a work of God alone.

[John Weaver] Now if you look back in your Bibles to 1 Thessalonians 1 and verse 5 watch carefully Paul again is thanking God and here is what he says, for our Gospel came not unto you in word but but also in power and in the Holy Ghost. So Paul is thankful that when the Thessalonians were converted, their conversion was more than just mere oratory or wisdom. or the cunning craftiness of men, it was a real work of God with power and the Holy Ghost. The word power there is the Greek word dunamis. It is where we get our English word dynamite. He said you were converted like dynamite. You were blown up by the power of the Holy Spirit of God. Now we know that the Word of God is powerful in and of itself. fact Hebrews 4 and verse 12 tells us that, for the Word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints of the marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and the intents of the heart.

[John Weaver] So, the Word of God is quick and powerful. However, you must remember that it is the Holy Spirit that makes the Word quick and powerful. I want you to turn in your Bibles to 2 Corinthians chapter 3. Watch carefully. 2 Corinthians chapter 3.

[John Weaver] Now I want you to notice what the Apostle Paul says in verses 5 and 6. Look what he says. 2 Corinthians chapter 3 verse 5. Now remember this is the Apostle Paul speaking, and he is speaking of himself and the other Apostles. He says, not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves. It's not our oratory. It's not our illustrations. It's nothing of us.

[John Weaver] But he said, our sufficiency is of God. Now watch, who has also made us able ministers of the New Testament. Not of the latter, but of the Spirit. For the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life. What does the letter of the Word of God do? It kills. That's why I said the title of this message is Dead Letter Christians or Word Only Christians. So he said it is the power of the Holy Spirit makes the word effectual and effective and gives it efficacy. You know our Lord said something similar in John 6 and verse 63, He said, it is the spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I speak unto you they are spirit and they are life. Now, It is true that God's Word is powerful in and of itself. It is certainly powerful enough to condemn us, but unless the Holy Spirit makes it effective, all it does is condemn us.

[John Weaver] But I want you to look in your Bibles to Isaiah 55, trying to set the stage for you. In Isaiah 55, at verses 10 and 11, You see the truth is God's Word never returns void even if it is just the letter. I'll explain that. But look at Isaiah 55 at verse 10 and 11. God says, For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth in bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater. Now watch. shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth. It shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereunto I sent it." Now God says, my word is not going to return to me void. It will accomplish whatever I please, and it will prosper in the thing where I sent it. The problem is this most people do not understand that God's Word is not always sent for reconciliation Sometimes it is sent for condemnation In fact years ago I preached a message on the ministry of Condemnation, let me show you look in your Bibles to 2nd Corinthians chapter 2 2nd Corinthians chapter 2 And

[John Weaver] notice if you would please beginning there with verse 14. 2 Corinthians 2 and verse 14. Paul says, Now thanks be unto God who always causes us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. Now watch, he is thanking God that he always makes us triumph in Christ and He makes manifest the savor or the smell of His knowledge by us in every place. Now verse 15, Now we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ in them that are saved, and in them that perish. To the one we are the savor of death unto death, and to the other the savor of life unto life.

[John Weaver] And who is sufficient for these things? So if you had church building or any building and you've got 20 lost people in there and I preach or anyone preaches and the Holy Spirit of God convicts and converts and makes that word effective and effectual in the lives of ten of those lost people and they are genuinely converted. What has happened now to the other ten who heard the same truth? They are now condemned.

[John Weaver] So you have a ministry of condemnation and you have a ministry of reconciliation as well. Now the truth of the matter is this, everyone who hears the Word of God responsible to heed the Word of God. So you can't get out of that. It is the Word of God that is going to judge us in the last day. Our Lord said it like this in John 12 in verse 48, He that rejecteth Me, that is the Living Word, and He says, Receiveth not My words, that is the written word, hath one that judge him in the last day, even the word which I have spoken. The same shall judge him in the last day." So, everyone that hears is going to give an account to God.

[John Weaver] So, if someone is a word only Christian, or a dead letter Christian and all he is doing is trusting in his decision, he is trusting in his profession, or he is trusting in his church membership, or he is trusting in his baptism, and he thinks that somehow that that salvation which he initiated is going to save him, he's going to be in for a very rude awakening when it comes to judgment day. Because unless the Holy Spirit of God has worked powerfully in us, changing us and turning us from our sin unto the one true and the living God, we're deceiving our own selves. Now, J.H. Merrill d'Aubigné was a French Christian who has a wonderful set of books on the history of the Reformation. If you've never read any of his books, I would encourage you to read the two books, The Reformation in England. But here's one quote that he gives.

[John Weaver] He says this, To believe in the power of man and the work of regeneration is the great heresy of Rome, and from that error has come the ruin of the Church. Conversion proceeds from the grace of God alone, and the system which ascribes it partly to man and partly to God is worse than Pelagianism." Now Pelagianism is a pure outright heresy. Pelagius taught that every man came into this world his own Adam. But when you talk about salvation being partly the work of God and partly the work of man, that is known as synergism, where man works together with God. All my life I heard preachers say, when God has done His part, you've got to do your part. Really? What can a dead man do? And the Scripture says that we are dead in trespasses and in sin. So Daubigny said this has been the curse of the Church.

[John Weaver] One of the greatest American theologians was Charles Hodge. He died in 1878. Daubigny, by the way, died in 1872. But Charles Hodge said this, No more soul-destroying doctrine could well be devised than the doctrine that sinners can regenerate themselves and repent and believe just when they please. as it is a truth both of scripture and of experience, that the unrenewed man can do nothing of himself to secure his salvation, it is essential that he should be brought to a practical conviction of that truth.

[John Weaver] When thus convicted, and not before, he seeks help from the only source which it can be obtained." And of course that would be God and God alone. So as long as man thinks that he is ok and he can initiate his own salvation he is never going to seek God and His grace. So when you look back in 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 I've got one more passage in 1 Corinthians to show you before we get started. When you look back in verse 5 of 1 Thessalonians 1 Paul said, for our gospel came not unto you in word only. What in the world does the Apostle Paul mean when he talks about the gospel coming unto you in word only? Well, if you'll go back to 1 Corinthians chapter 2, I want you to see what the Apostle said. 1 Corinthians chapter 2, and let's begin reading the reverse one. 1 Corinthians 2 verses 1-5. Paul said, And I, brethren, when I came to you, now watch, came not with the excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring in you the testimony of God.

[John Weaver] So Paul said, When I came to you, it was not my oratory, it was not my emotional appeal, it was not some ploy of man or man's wisdom. Verse 2, For I determined not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ him crucified And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling Watch verse 4 and my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom But in demonstration of this of the spirit and power that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men But in the power of God So what did the Apostle Paul say the Apostle Paul said look? It was not great oratory it was not great illustrations it was not emotional deliveries it was not exciting and enticing words I Didn't want that I did not want your faith to stand in the wisdom of men But in the power of God now, let me tell you something a great salesman can talk anyone into anything. I And a lot of preachers can talk people into making a decision and making a profession And you can tell all the heart-wrenching emotional stories you want and get people crying and get people upset And get people to come forward and get people to make a profession get people to make a decision

[John Weaver] But that does not mean that the Holy Spirit has worked in their hearts Paul said I did not want that I wanted your faith to stand and the power of God Not in the wisdom of man So the pressing question in light of first Thessalonians Is how can you be sure that you're not a word-only Christian Ask another way How can you be sure that you are a genuine? Christian Ask another way, what is in you that could only be there because of a supernatural work of God the Holy Spirit? Or we could ask, what was it that set the Thessalonian Christians apart and demonstrated that they were not word only Christians but also demonstrated that they were the elect of God?

[John Weaver] Wow look back in verse Thessalonians chapter 1 and let's read verses 3 & 4 Watch according to our text. There are three evidences that will demonstrate that one is indeed a genuine child of God. They are a work of faith, a labor of love, and a patience of hope. Verse 3 he says, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of God and our Father, knowing brethren and beloved your election of God. So the Apostle Paul says you can know that you are God's elect. Well, how can you know that? Because of verse 3. Calvin said on verse 3, listen carefully, he said, the statement should be explained to mean that Paul remembers their patience in hoping for the coming of Christ.

[John Weaver] From this we may gather a brief definition of true Christianity. That it is a faith that is lively and full of vigor so that it spares no labor. when assistance is to be given to one's neighbor. But on the contrary, all the pious employ themselves diligently in the offices of love, and lay out their efforts in them, so that, intent upon the hope of the manifestation of Christ, they despise everything else, and armed with patience, they rise superior to the worrisomeness of the length of time, as well as

[John Weaver] all the temptations of the world." So he says, verse 3 is good definition of what it means to be a real, genuine Christian. So what I want to do is I want to take these three things and look at them one at a time. He says in verse 3, remembering without ceasing your work of faith. Now, I don't know if something has hit you or not, but But he said, remembering without ceasing your work of faith. I find it extremely interesting that the Apostle Paul tells these Thessalonians, you had a work of faith. Is not faith the gift of God? Why is it now called your work of faith? Everyone can quote Ephesians 2 8 and 9 and the Apostle Paul wrote it He's certainly not going to contradict himself when he said for by grace or you say through faith and that not of yourselves It's the gift of God not of works lest any man should boast But He calls it a work of faith It's a work of believers. How can faith be ascribed here to a work of believers when everybody knows that it's the gift of God Well, let me answer that.

[John Weaver] It's really a simple answer. So if you look in the book of Philippians Galatians Ephesians Philippians just a few pages back look in Philippians chapter 2 Philippians chapter 2 and verses 12 and 13 Here the Apostle tells you why it was called a work of faith of believers in 1 Thessalonians 1. In Philippians 2 in verse 12 he says,"'Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.'" Did you hear that? Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. But verse 13 for it is God Which worketh in you both to will and to do his good pleasure So here's what the Apostle Paul said God has worked it in you now. It's your responsibility to work it out God works it in that is his gift We're to work it out. That is to exercise it and it is called a work It's not that we are earning it It's not that we are meriting it.

[John Weaver] It has already been given to us. It is a gift So faith in is his gift The exercise of that faith is my responsibility God works it in I must work it out Let me put it to you very plainly God may give you the gift of faith, but God is not going to believe for you Repentance is God's gift But God's not gonna turn from sin for you So when God gives me faith and I exercise it I'm just exercising the gift that God gave me when I apply it I'm working out that which God gave me when I turn from my sin. I'm Exercising the gift that God gave me see we oftentimes forget that Ephesians 2.10 follows 8 and 9. Because we must understand that the results and the evidences and the manifestations of God's gift of faith are always seen in biblical terms of obedience. For He said, For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.

[John Weaver] Verse 10, For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath foreordained that we should walk therein." So anytime God gives faith there's going to be the exercise of it and it's going to demonstrate and manifest itself in biblical works. A faith without works is dead. That's what James said. James 2 verses 17 and 18 he said, If it has not works is dead being alone. Yeah, man may say that's faith and I have works Show me thy faith without my works and I will show thee my faith by my works So faith without works is dead Now I want you to go back The first says only in chapter 1 Scripture always interprets Scripture So look in verse 3 Paul says remembering without ceasing your work of faith Why is it called your work of faith? Well, what was that work of faith skip down to verse 9? Oh Paul explains it. For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how you turn to God from idols.

[John Weaver] That was their work of faith. They turn to God from idols. They turn with their whole hearts. It was not a half-baked turn, but that which was real and genuine and true. They forsook their idols. They forsook their false gods and turned wholly unto the Lord. So the forsaking of sin and idols is a work of faith. We confess and we acknowledge that God is Sovereign, that He is the Supreme One, that He is Ultimate, that He is Absolute, that He is God alone, that He is the Lord and He is Savior. And we acknowledge that He deserves all of our honor, worship, and praise, and glory. And we turn from any and everything that is contrary to Him to Him. That is why it is called the work of faith. We actually forsake sins and we forsake our idols and we turn to him so we are Exercising the gift that he gave us so these Thessalonians not only had a work of faith look in verse 3 He says remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love Now What was their

[John Weaver] labor of love Skip down to verse 9 again For they themselves show of us what manner of entering and we had unto you how you turn to God from idols That's the work of faith. Here's the labor of love to serve the living and true God Now it is true that we fear God Yet it is also true that it is our love That motivates us to serve him Fear May hold him in reverential all But it is love that drives us to serve him So here's a quick question How do we serve the one true of the Living God I Suppose there are many answers that could be given to And to a degree, probably most of them would be right. We could say, well, we serve Him by praying to Him, or we serve Him by worshiping Him, or we serve Him by tithing and giving gifts unto Him and helping in the ministry. We could say that. Yet, you know, the truth of the matter is, if you really push this thing, God really does not need our service.

[John Weaver] He doesn't need anything because he's God He's already perfect and he's already perfectly blessed in and off himself And when someone says oh but he needs my love he no no no no if God needs anything that God is not God I You say, well, I need to give him my money. And yes, I believe in tithing. Yes, I believe in giving gifts. But let me tell you, folks, everything that we have, he gave us and he created everything that is. So.

[John Weaver] If we understand that, you still have to ask the question. How do we serve him? Remember the Apostle Paul here said remembering without ceasing your work of faith and your labor of love If you want to know how to serve him look back in your Bibles to Hebrews chapter 6 Or over I should say Hebrews chapter 6 and verse 10 Hebrews 6 verse 10 And I want you to note what a labor of love is Watch carefully Hebrews 6 verse 10 He says for God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love Which you showed toward his name in that You have ministered to the Saints and do minister How do you serve God and the answer is by serving each other? by ministering to the Saints. God is not unrighteous if we forget your work and labor of love which you have showed toward His name. In that, in that you have ministered to the Saints and do minister. We actually serve God by ministering to each other. When we minister to the saints of God, we're ministering to God.

[John Weaver] I want you to turn to Matthew 25. You probably remember this passage. This is the passage concerning the sheep and the goats. If you did not understand Hebrews 6 and verse 10, this passage should make it exceedingly plain for you. So look in Matthew 25 beginning there with verse 33 Matthew 25 verse 33 and he shall set the sheep on his right hand for the goats on the left Then shall the king say to them on his right hand Come you blessed of my father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the

[John Weaver] foundation of the world for I was a hundred and you gave me meat and I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in. Naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee a-hungered, and fed thee, or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in, or naked, and clothed thee? When saw we thee sicker in prison came unto thee? And the king shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.

[John Weaver] Then shall he say unto them also on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed in everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was a hungred and you gave me no meat. I was thirsty and you gave me no drink. I was a stranger and you took me not in. Naked and you clothed me not. Sick and in prison and you visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee a hungred, or a thirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister thee? In other words, Lord, if we had seen you, we'd have really done it to you. Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say to you, inasmuch as you did it not.

[John Weaver] one of the least of these, you did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal." So it should be obvious the way that we serve God is by serving each other. We serve all the saints of God. When we do so we are serving God.

[John Weaver] Now, let me give you a couple of quotes. you to listen. Galatians 5 verse 6, Paul said, For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith which worketh by love. How does faith work? By love. also said in Galatians 5 and verse 13, For brethren, you have been called unto liberty, only use not liberty for an occasion of the flesh, but by love serve one another. And then in 1 John chapter 5 and verse 2, By this we know that we are the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. So, these Thessalonian Christians had a work of faith and they had a labor of love. Their work of faith was turning from idols and turning from sin and their labor of love was to serve the One True and the Living God. And how did they serve Him?

[John Weaver] I'm going to show you just momentarily by serving others. Here's the third thing they had. If you look back in 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 and verse 3 they also had a patience of hope he says remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and Patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of God in our Father Now, I want you to look closely at verse 3 because our patience of hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is found only in Him and it is in the sight of God and our Father. Now, let's think a minute about the patience of hope. We could say that we have patience of hope our trials in our tribulations in our persecutions And we could say we patiently endure them waiting for the end I Like the passage and you will find it a number of times in the scripture Not a whole verse but it just simply says and

[John Weaver] it came to pass and Didn't come to stay it came to pass. I Had sinus last week and I'm glad it came to pass. I'm thankful it did not come to stay, you know We've had family problems and they came to pass we've had money problems financial and it came to pass we We could say if we patiently endure it's going to pass and we can be thankful but allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture.

[John Weaver] We have found that verse 9 explains the first two points in verse 3. Their work of faith was when they turned to God from idols. Their labor of love was to serve the One True and Living God. But what is their patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ? Well look in verse 10. Verse 10 and to wait for his son from heaven whom he raised from the dead Even Jesus who delivered us from the wrath to come When we wait patiently in hope it means that we are hopefully and patiently waiting for the accomplishments of God's promises and God's purpose Stop and think about this.

[John Weaver] Counterfeit hopes give up, give out, quit, fail, and falter. The hope of every hypocrite shall perish. I've seen people, I've known of people, Who says something like this? I'm going to hold out. I'm going to hold on. I'm not giving in. I'm not giving up. And yet they do. Why? Let me tell you why. Because a Christian hope never fails. A counterfeit hope does fail. I've known of people who've deserted the Christian faith. Some people say, well they just lost their salvation.

[John Weaver] No, not according to the Bible. According to the Bible, they never had it to begin with. John said in 1 John 2, 19, they went out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not of us, for had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. So the proof that you've ever savingly believed is that you continue to believe. The proof that you've ever savingly repented is that you continue in repentance.

[John Weaver] So a counterfeit hope will give in, give up, and give out. But a Christian hope will never. Why? Here's why. 1 Timothy chapter 1 and verse 1, here's what Paul said, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, which or who is our hope? Our hope is Jesus Christ. He's God incarnate. He cannot fail. He will not fail So when he talks about a patient Hope it means that we are patiently waiting For God To accomplish all of his promises and his purposes in our life one of our problems is Sometimes we want to help God And I sure won't to at times I can assure you But God says I'm gonna work it out now. I Want to give you a quote. I want you to listen to this Albert Barnes in his commentary on this verse Makes a tremendous observation He says, remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. And listen, in the sight of God and our Father.

[John Weaver] So our patience of hope in Jesus Christ is even in the sight of God our Father. Here is what Barnes said, It is a hope which we have through the merits of the Redeemer, that is the Lord Jesus, and which we are permitted to cherish before God, that is in His very presence. When we think of God, when we reflect that we must soon stand before Him, we are permitted to cherish this hope. It is a hope which will be found to be genuine even in the presence of a holy and heart-searching God. This does not mean that it had been merely professed before God, but that it was a hope which they might dare to entertain in the presence of God and which would bear the scrutiny of His eye. What is our hope in standing before the judgment of God who is all-knowing and all-powerful and all-present? Our hope is that Jesus Christ is our Redeemer and God is merciful and gracious to us because of the person and work of Jesus Christ.

[John Weaver] And we may hold on to presence of God Wow now He said in verse 10 And to wait for his son from heaven. I Want you to understand that waiting for Jesus Christ does not mean that we sit idly by twiddling our thumbs Saying I hope he hurries up These Thessalonian Christians We're patiently waiting for the Lord Jesus, but I want you to note how active they were look in verses 6 through 8 Paul said and you became followers of us and of the Lord Wow They actually obeyed Having received the word in much affliction. They obeyed in persecution and with joy in the Holy Ghost and that you were in samples or examples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

[John Weaver] So they had godly, obedient lives. Verse 8, for from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only to Macedonia and Achaia but also in every place your faith to God were to spread abroad so that we need not speak anything. Paul said when we got in that area we couldn't find anybody to preach to that you hadn't already preached to.

[John Weaver] Now that is patiently waiting. They were obedient. They were godly examples. They were preaching and teaching the Word of God. Wow! These Christians had an active faith, a laboring love, and a patient hope which enabled them to endure and persevere and remain faithful to the end.

[John Weaver] Now let me go back Ask the questions that I started out with What is wrong with the church What is wrong with most Christians The answer is we have too many dead letter and word only professors and in our churches. We have church members that have never been regenerated, convicted, or converted. They've never turned to God from idols. They've never repented of their sins. Consequently, they're not interested in the Word of God. They're not interested in godly obedience. But they're only interested in entertainment, amusement, and personal satisfaction.

[John Weaver] They know nothing of humility, of lowliness of mind, and of godliness. And hence, they seek preachers and they seek pastors that will scratch their itching ears and tickle and entertain them. I will tell you this, if every pastor in America Stood up and actually preached and taught the Word of God as it is and He taught biblical regeneration biblical conversion biblical repentance Half the church members would leave Or maybe more than half God gives us an illustration in the life of Ezekiel Ezekiel was a priest that God called to be a prophet, and he was preaching to those people who were already exiles in Babylon. And in Ezekiel chapter 33 and verse 32, here is what God tells Ezekiel, listen carefully.

[John Weaver] He said, Thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument. For they hear thy words, but they do them not." He said, Ezekiel, all you are is entertainment for them. They're not coming to hear the truth. They're coming to hear your oratory. There's nothing wrong with having good oratory, but he said all you are is entertainment to them If you cut the entertainment out of most churches, they'd be empty within a month It's just that simple So, how does this apply to us and the answer is you must examine yourself and Paul said in 2 Corinthians 13 in verse 5, examine yourselves whether you be in the faith or not.

[John Weaver] Know you not that Jesus Christ dwells in you except you be reprobates? Is there something in your life that can only be there because of the work of God the Holy Spirit? Is there something in your life that you could not have possibly have done in and of yourself? Have you really turned to God from idols? Have you really turned from your sin? Is there a real genuine labor of love in your life to the saints of God, to the people of God, to the things of God? Is there a patient hope that you have in Jesus Christ that will stand in the day of judgment?

[John Weaver] Paul said it like this in 2 Timothy 1 in verse 12. He said, For the witchcalls also suffer these things. Nevertheless, I am not ashamed, for I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Paul said, I know whom I have believed. I am absolutely convinced that he is persuaded to keep me. So Paul then had a genuine hope to you.

[John Weaver] There are dead letter Christians. There are word only Christians. And then there are those that have been powerfully convicted and converted by the Holy Spirit. Now, one last passage. I can quote it, but I want you to see it. Turn in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians 12 and look at verse 3. 1 Corinthians 12 and verse 3. Look what the Apostle Paul says 1st Corinthians 12 and verse 3 Watch Paul says wherefore I give you to understand that No man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus a curse.

[John Weaver] So if anybody curses Christ Mark her down. The Holy Spirit is not anywhere near him and then he goes on to say and that no man can say that Jesus is Lord and but by the Holy Ghost. Let me explain it. You can stop any man on the street that has the ability to speak and to move his tongue, and you ask him, can you say Jesus is Lord? And he will look at you funny and say, yes, I can say that, Jesus is Lord.

[John Weaver] Does that mean he's saved? No. No. He can say those words. He can mimic those words. But the only way that anyone can say savingly that Jesus Christ is Lord is by the power and the efficacy of the Holy Spirit. So man may imitate, but only the Holy Spirit can authenticate. And when he authenticates, we will always have a work of faith, a labor of love, and a patient waiting for our Lord Jesus Christ.

[John Weaver] Because in Him, we live and move and have our being. And He is our all in all. Father, help us today to love Thee. Help us to submit to Thy Word. Convict, convert, have Your blessed way in our lives. And Lord, I pray for those who are word-only Christians and dead-letter Christians, wherever they may be, if they're hearing of my voice, Lord, that you would indeed be pleased to open their eyes, open their hearts, convict and convert them by thy power and by the ministry of the Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen. you

Dead Letter Christians Or Word Only Christians

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	J7va4Z4Wa-w
Subject	Church Government
Course	Church Order: Preaching and Pastoral Ministry
Genre	Sermon
Date	2016-11-18
Dictation Name
Book	Book 039: Church Order and Worship - Volume 1 — Chapter 24
Source Timed Segments	61

Formatted Transcript

Opening

1 Thessalonians chapter 1. We're going to read the entire chapter since there's only 10 verses there. The title of the message is "Dead Letter Christians or Word Only Christians." I'll explain that title shortly. Notice 1 Thessalonians 1, verse 1:

Scripture Reading — 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

"Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father." "Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come."

Introduction: The Problem with Christians and the Church

Weaver poses the question of what is wrong with Christians and the church, describing many as apathetic, unconcerned, and possibly unregenerate.

I've been asked repeatedly as I travel across the country a simple question, one that you have probably asked several times: What in the world is wrong with Christians? Or ask another way, what is wrong with the church? I do not think that anyone would disagree with the fact that there are problems in most churches and there are problems among many professing Christians. We could use words to describe the average church and the average Christian such as apathetic, indolent, lethargic, sluggish, unconcerned, unprincipled, and unethical.

Now, I understand that there are exceptions, but usually this would apply to Christendom as a whole. But in all probability, in some of those terms, we could also add unregenerate, unconverted, and unrepentant. I told you I was going to be preaching about word only Christians, or dead letter Christians. The Apostle Paul said in verse 5, if you will look at it, "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance." So Paul is being thankful here that these Thessalonian believers did not receive truth in the Word only. If you will hold 1 Thessalonians but turn to 1 John chapter 3, you'll see that John the Apostle also deals with Word only professors. And let's begin reading there with verse 16. 1 John chapter 3 and verse 16.

"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him."

Word Only Christians Defined

Using 1 Thessalonians 1:5 and 1 John 3:16-18, Weaver explains that 'word only' Christians lack the power and Holy Spirit in their conversion, and their love is not demonstrable in deeds.

Now, notice if you would verse 16, he said, "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us." Well, God the Father did not just simply say, "I love you," He sent His only begotten Son. Christ did not simply say, "I love you," He laid down His life for us. And so John argues if we see our brother have need and we shut up our bowels of compassion from him, he asks the question, how does the love of God dwell in us? He says that we are not to love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth. So if I see David hungry I don't just say, "Well brother, I'm going to be praying for you and I trust the Lord to give you something to eat." If I've got food I share it with him and I give it to him. So what he is telling us here is it cannot be just simply in word only, it has to be in our action and our conduct.

So love according to the scripture is always demonstrable. So we don't tell our brothers or sisters, "Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled," no, we simply take care of them. That is the way it is supposed to be scripturally. Unhappily, that is not the case with most churches, and it certainly is not the case with most Christians. Most professing Christians go merely upon their own way with the least bit, or I should say without any concern, compassion, or compulsion.

The Danger of Religion Without the Holy Ghost

Quoting William Booth, Weaver warns that modern Christianity has been reduced to ritual without the Holy Spirit, leading to false assurance.

Nothing ever seems to bother them. Nothing ever seems to upset them. And you ask, why? And the answer comes back, because they are word only professors. William Booth was the founder of the Salvation Army. I want to give you a quote, and listen to what William Booth said, I think he was very perceptive. He said, and I'm quoting, "The chief danger that confronts the coming century"—that's our century—"will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, and Heaven without Hell." But I want you to note first of all he said religion without the Holy Ghost.

And that is exactly where we are today. We've reduced Christianity to a ritual, to a ceremony. We've reduced it to a sinner's prayer, and the Holy Spirit is nowhere involved whatsoever. Millions of professing Christians have never been convicted by the Holy Spirit. They've never repented of their sins. And all that has happened is they have been led down a primrose path and they think now that everything is settled for them right now and they have a secured place in Heaven regardless of how they live and regardless of how they act. They are Word only Christians. When you stop and think, and I know that the Holy Spirit is God. I know that He is omnipresent, that is He is everywhere present at one time. Understand that. But if you were able to take the Holy Spirit out of the world today, tomorrow, most churches would go right on as usual, nothing would change. Because we've got everything reduced down to our program and our ceremonies.

Salvation Is of the Lord Alone

Weaver argues from Mark 10 and 1 Thessalonians 1:5 that salvation is impossible with men but possible with God, emphasizing that regeneration is a sovereign work of God.

But the truth of the matter is this: A person's decision does not save them. A person's profession does not save them. Church membership does not save them. Baptism does not save them. Man cannot regenerate himself, nor can he repent of himself. Salvation is of the Lord. If you would hold 1 Thessalonians and look in your Bibles to Mark chapter 10, I want to just show you a couple of verses. But in Mark chapter 10 you will remember there is the illustration that our Lord gives of the rich young ruler. The rich young ruler comes running to Jesus Christ and he says, "Good Master, what must I do that I may inherit eternal life?" And our Lord gives him a little rebuke. He said, "Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God." In other words, if I'm good, then I'm God. And if I'm God, you don't come running into my presence demanding something of me. But our Lord said, "All right. You ask me, I'm going to answer."

"You know the commandments, Do not steal, Do not kill, Honor thy father and thy mother." And the rich young ruler said, "All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?" And our Lord said, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and come, follow me." And what happened? The Bible says, the rich young man went away exceedingly sorrowful, for he had great riches. Now, here's my question. How many of you, when God saved you, sold everything that you had and gave to the poor? Well, not one. So why did our Lord tell this young man, "Sell everything you've got and give it to the poor and come follow me"? And the answer is because he was just demonstrating he had not kept the law of God, he had not even kept the first commandment, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me," because his money was his God. And when he left our Lord looked at his disciples and said, "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God."

He said, "It is easier for a camel to go through an eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God." And if you will look down at verse 26, when he said that to his own disciples, and they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, "Who then can be saved?" Note, if you would, the question revolves around salvation. "Who then can be saved?" Verse 27, Jesus, looking upon them, saith, "With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible." With men its salvation is impossible. So man cannot save himself, nor can he save anyone else. Salvation is a work of God alone.

Now if you look back in your Bibles to 1 Thessalonians 1 and verse 5, watch carefully. Paul again is thanking God and here is what he says, "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost." So Paul is thankful that when the Thessalonians were converted, their conversion was more than just mere oratory or wisdom or the cunning craftiness of men, it was a real work of God with power and the Holy Ghost. The word power there is the Greek word dunamis. It is where we get our English word dynamite. He said you were converted like dynamite. You were blown up by the power of the Holy Spirit of God. Now we know that the Word of God is powerful in and of itself. In fact, Hebrews 4 and verse 12 tells us that, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

The Letter Kills, the Spirit Gives Life

From 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 and Isaiah 55:10-11, Weaver explains that the Word without the Spirit condemns, and that God's Word can be sent for condemnation as well as reconciliation.

So, the Word of God is quick and powerful. However, you must remember that it is the Holy Spirit that makes the Word quick and powerful. I want you to turn in your Bibles to 2 Corinthians chapter 3. Watch carefully. 2 Corinthians chapter 3.

Now I want you to notice what the Apostle Paul says in verses 5 and 6. Look what he says. 2 Corinthians chapter 3 verse 5. Now remember this is the Apostle Paul speaking, and he is speaking of himself and the other Apostles. He says, "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves." It's not our oratory. It's not our illustrations. It's nothing of us.

But he said, "Our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." What does the letter of the Word of God do? It kills. That's why I said the title of this message is "Dead Letter Christians or Word Only Christians." So he said it is the power of the Holy Spirit makes the word effectual and effective and gives it efficacy. You know our Lord said something similar in John 6 and verse 63, He said, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." Now, it is true that God's Word is powerful in and of itself. It is certainly powerful enough to condemn us, but unless the Holy Spirit makes it effective, all it does is condemn us.

But I want you to look in your Bibles to Isaiah 55, trying to set the stage for you. In Isaiah 55, at verses 10 and 11, you see the truth is God's Word never returns void even if it is just the letter. I'll explain that. But look at Isaiah 55 at verse 10 and 11. God says, "For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Now God says, "My word is not going to return to me void. It will accomplish whatever I please, and it will prosper in the thing where I sent it." The problem is this: most people do not understand that God's Word is not always sent for reconciliation. Sometimes it is sent for condemnation. In fact years ago I preached a message on the ministry of condemnation. Let me show you. Look in your Bibles to 2 Corinthians chapter 2. 2 Corinthians chapter 2.

And notice if you would please beginning there with verse 14. 2 Corinthians 2 and verse 14. Paul says,

Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place."

Now watch, he is thanking God that he always makes us triumph in Christ and He makes manifest the savor or the smell of His knowledge by us in every place. Now verse 15,

Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

"For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life."

The Three Evidences of Genuine Conversion

Weaver identifies from 1 Thessalonians 1:3-4 the marks of the elect: a work of faith (turning from idols), a labor of love (serving God by serving others), and a patience of hope (waiting for Christ).

Wow, look back in 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 and let's read verses 3 and 4. Watch according to our text. There are three evidences that will demonstrate that one is indeed a genuine child of God. They are a work of faith, a labor of love, and a patience of hope. Verse 3 he says, "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God." So the Apostle Paul says you can know that you are God's elect. Well, how can you know that? Because of verse 3. Calvin said on verse 3, listen carefully, he said, "The statement should be explained to mean that Paul remembers their patience in hoping for the coming of Christ."

"From this we may gather a brief definition of true Christianity: that it is a faith that is lively and full of vigor so that it spares no labor when assistance is to be given to one's neighbor. But on the contrary, all the pious employ themselves diligently in the offices of love, and lay out their efforts in them, so that, intent upon the hope of the manifestation of Christ, they despise everything else, and armed with patience, they rise superior to the worrisomeness of the length of time, as well as" "all the temptations of the world." So he says, verse 3 is a good definition of what it means to be a real, genuine Christian. So what I want to do is I want to take these three things and look at them one at a time. He says in verse 3, "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith." Now, I don't know if something has hit you or not, but he said, "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith." I find it extremely interesting that the Apostle Paul tells these Thessalonians, "You had a work of faith." Is not faith the gift of God? Why is it now called your work of faith? Everyone can quote Ephesians 2:8-9 and the Apostle Paul wrote it. He's certainly not going to contradict himself when he said, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." But He calls it a work of faith. It's a work of believers. How can faith be ascribed here to a work of believers when everybody knows that it's the gift of God? Well, let me answer that.

Work of Faith: Turning from Idols

Faith is God's gift, but its exercise is our responsibility; the Thessalonians' work of faith was their turning from idols to God (1 Thessalonians 1:9).

Scripture Reading — Ephesians 2:8-10

It's really a simple answer. So if you look in the book of Philippians—Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, just a few pages back—look in Philippians chapter 2. Philippians chapter 2 and verses 12 and 13. Here the Apostle tells you why it was called a work of faith of believers in 1 Thessalonians 1. In Philippians 2 in verse 12 he says, "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Did you hear that? Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. But verse 13, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." So here's what the Apostle Paul said: God has worked it in you. Now it's your responsibility to work it out. God works it in, that is his gift. We're to work it out. That is to exercise it and it is called a work. It's not that we are earning it. It's not that we are meriting it.

It has already been given to us. It is a gift. So faith in is his gift. The exercise of that faith is my responsibility. God works it in, I must work it out. Let me put it to you very plainly: God may give you the gift of faith, but God is not going to believe for you. Repentance is God's gift, but God's not gonna turn from sin for you. So when God gives me faith and I exercise it, I'm just exercising the gift that God gave me. When I apply it, I'm working out that which God gave me. When I turn from my sin, I'm exercising the gift that God gave me. See, we oftentimes forget that Ephesians 2:10 follows 8 and 9. Because we must understand that the results and the evidences and the manifestations of God's gift of faith are always seen in biblical terms of obedience. For He said, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Verse 10, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." So anytime God gives faith there's going to be the exercise of it and it's going to demonstrate and manifest itself in biblical works. A faith without works is dead. That's what James said. James 2 verses 17 and 18 he said, "If it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." So faith without works is dead. Now I want you to go back to 1 Thessalonians chapter 1. Scripture always interprets Scripture. So look in verse 3, Paul says, "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith." Why is it called your work of faith? Well, what was that work of faith? Skip down to verse 9. Oh, Paul explains it. "For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols."

That was their work of faith. They turned to God from idols. They turned with their whole hearts. It was not a half-baked turn, but that which was real and genuine and true. They forsook their idols. They forsook their false gods and turned wholly unto the Lord. So the forsaking of sin and idols is a work of faith. We confess and we acknowledge that God is Sovereign, that He is the Supreme One, that He is Ultimate, that He is Absolute, that He is God alone, that He is the Lord and He is Savior. And we acknowledge that He deserves all of our honor, worship, and praise, and glory. And we turn from any and everything that is contrary to Him to Him. That is why it is called the work of faith. We actually forsake sins and we forsake our idols and we turn to him. So we are exercising the gift that he gave us. So these Thessalonians not only had a work of faith, look in verse 3, he says, "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love." Now, what was their

Labor of Love: Serving the Living God

Their labor of love was serving God, which is done by ministering to the saints (Hebrews 6:10, Matthew 25:33-46).

labor of love? Skip down to verse 9 again. "For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols." That's the work of faith. Here's the labor of love: "to serve the living and true God." Now it is true that we fear God. Yet it is also true that it is our love that motivates us to serve him. Fear may hold him in reverential awe, but it is love that drives us to serve him. So here's a quick question: How do we serve the one true and the living God? I suppose there are many answers that could be given to that. And to a degree, probably most of them would be right. We could say, well, we serve Him by praying to Him, or we serve Him by worshiping Him, or we serve Him by tithing and giving gifts unto Him and helping in the ministry. We could say that. Yet, you know, the truth of the matter is, if you really push this thing, God really does not need our service.

He doesn't need anything because he's God. He's already perfect and he's already perfectly blessed in and of himself. And when someone says, "Oh, but he needs my love," no, no, no, no. If God needs anything, then God is not God. You say, "Well, I need to give him my money." And yes, I believe in tithing. Yes, I believe in giving gifts. But let me tell you, folks, everything that we have, he gave us and he created everything that is. So.

If we understand that, you still have to ask the question: How do we serve him? Remember the Apostle Paul here said, "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith and your labour of love." If you want to know how to serve him, look back in your Bibles to Hebrews chapter 6. Or over, I should say, Hebrews chapter 6 and verse 10. Hebrews 6 verse 10. And I want you to note what a labor of love is. Watch carefully. Hebrews 6 verse 10. He says,

Scripture Reading — Hebrews 6:10

"For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister."

How do you serve God? And the answer is by serving each other. By ministering to the saints. God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. We actually serve God by ministering to each other. When we minister to the saints of God, we're ministering to God.

I want you to turn to Matthew 25. You probably remember this passage. This is the passage concerning the sheep and the goats. If you did not understand Hebrews 6 and verse 10, this passage should make it exceedingly plain for you. So look in Matthew 25 beginning there with verse 33. Matthew 25 verse 33:

Scripture Reading — Matthew 25:33-46

"And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the"

"foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

"Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?" In other words, "Lord, if we had seen you, we'd have really done it to you." Then shall he answer them, saying, "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not"

"to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." So it should be obvious the way that we serve God is by serving each other. We serve all the saints of God. When we do so we are serving God.

Patience of Hope: Waiting for Christ

Their patience of hope was waiting for Jesus from heaven (1 Thessalonians 1:10), a hope that endures because it is in Christ, and they actively served while waiting.

Now, let me give you a couple of quotes. I want you to listen. Galatians 5 verse 6, Paul said,

Scripture Reading — Galatians 5:6, 13

"For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love."

How does faith work? By love. He also said in Galatians 5 and verse 13, "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another." And then in 1 John chapter 5 and verse 2, "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments." So, these Thessalonian Christians had a work of faith and they had a labor of love. Their work of faith was turning from idols and turning from sin and their labor of love was to serve the One True and the Living God. And how did they serve Him?

I'm going to show you just momentarily by serving others. Here's the third thing they had. If you look back in 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 and verse 3 they also had a patience of hope. He says, "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father." Now, I want you to look closely at verse 3 because our patience of hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is found only in Him and it is in the sight of God and our Father. Now, let's think a minute about the patience of hope. We could say that we have patience of hope in our trials, in our tribulations, in our persecutions. And we could say we patiently endure them waiting for the end. I like the passage—and you will find it a number of times in the scripture—not a whole verse, but it just simply says, "And

it came to pass." And it didn't come to stay, it came to pass. I had sinus last week and I'm glad it came to pass. I'm thankful it did not come to stay, you know. We've had family problems and they came to pass. We've had money problems, financial, and it came to pass. We could say if we patiently endure it's going to pass and we can be thankful. But allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture.

We have found that verse 9 explains the first two points in verse 3. Their work of faith was when they turned to God from idols. Their labor of love was to serve the One True and Living God. But what is their patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ? Well look in verse 10. Verse 10: "And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come." When we wait patiently in hope it means that we are hopefully and patiently waiting for the accomplishments of God's promises and God's purpose. Stop and think about this.

Counterfeit hopes give up, give out, quit, fail, and falter. The hope of every hypocrite shall perish. I've seen people, I've known of people, who say something like this: "I'm going to hold out. I'm going to hold on. I'm not giving in. I'm not giving up." And yet they do. Why? Let me tell you why. Because a Christian hope never fails. A counterfeit hope does fail. I've known of people who've deserted the Christian faith. Some people say, "Well they just lost their salvation."

No, not according to the Bible. According to the Bible, they never had it to begin with. John said in 1 John 2:19, "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us." So the proof that you've ever savingly believed is that you continue to believe. The proof that you've ever savingly repented is that you continue in repentance.

So a counterfeit hope will give in, give up, and give out. But a Christian hope will never. Why? Here's why. 1 Timothy chapter 1 and verse 1, here's what Paul said,

Scripture Reading — 1 Timothy 1:1

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope."

Our hope is Jesus Christ. He's God incarnate. He cannot fail. He will not fail. So when he talks about a patient hope, it means that we are patiently waiting for God to accomplish all of his promises and his purposes in our life. One of our problems is sometimes we want to help God. And I sure want to at times, I can assure you. But God says, "I'm gonna work it out." Now, I want to give you a quote. I want you to listen to this. Albert Barnes in his commentary on this verse makes a tremendous observation. He says, "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." And listen, "in the sight of God and our Father."

So our patience of hope in Jesus Christ is even in the sight of God our Father. Here is what Barnes said: "It is a hope which we have through the merits of the Redeemer, that is the Lord Jesus, and which we are permitted to cherish before God, that is in His very presence. When we think of God, when we reflect that we must soon stand before Him, we are permitted to cherish this hope. It is a hope which will be found to be genuine even in the presence of a holy and heart-searching God. This does not mean that it had been merely professed before God, but that it was a hope which they might dare to entertain in the presence of God and which would bear the scrutiny of His eye." What is our hope in standing before the judgment of God who is all-knowing and all-powerful and all-present? Our hope is that Jesus Christ is our Redeemer and God is merciful and gracious to us because of the person and work of Jesus Christ.

And we may hold on to that hope even in the presence of God. Wow. Now he said in verse 10, "And to wait for his Son from heaven." I want you to understand that waiting for Jesus Christ does not mean that we sit idly by twiddling our thumbs saying, "I hope he hurries up." These Thessalonian Christians were patiently waiting for the Lord Jesus, but I want you to note how active they were. Look in verses 6 through 8. Paul said, "And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord." Wow. They actually obeyed. "Having received the word in much affliction." They obeyed in persecution and with joy in the Holy Ghost. "And that ye were ensamples"—or examples—"to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia."

So they had godly, obedient lives. Verse 8, "For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing." Paul said, "When we got in that area we couldn't find anybody to preach to that you hadn't already preached to." Now that is patiently waiting. They were obedient. They were godly examples. They were preaching and teaching the Word of God. Wow! These Christians had an active faith, a laboring love, and a patient hope which enabled them to endure and persevere and remain faithful to the end.

Application: Examine Yourselves

Weaver calls for self-examination to see if one has truly turned from idols, loves the saints, and has a patient hope in Christ, warning that many are word-only professors.

Now let me go back. Ask the questions that I started out with. What is wrong with the church? What is wrong with most Christians? The answer is we have too many dead letter and word only professors in our churches. We have church members that have never been regenerated, convicted, or converted. They've never turned to God from idols. They've never repented of their sins. Consequently, they're not interested in the Word of God. They're not interested in godly obedience. But they're only interested in entertainment, amusement, and personal satisfaction.

They know nothing of humility, of lowliness of mind, and of godliness. And hence, they seek preachers and they seek pastors that will scratch their itching ears and tickle and entertain them. I will tell you this, if every pastor in America stood up and actually preached and taught the Word of God as it is and he taught biblical regeneration, biblical conversion, biblical repentance, half the church members would leave. Or maybe more than half. God gives us an illustration in the life of Ezekiel. Ezekiel was a priest that God called to be a prophet, and he was preaching to those people who were already exiles in Babylon. And in Ezekiel chapter 33 and verse 32, here is what God tells Ezekiel, listen carefully.

He said, "Thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not." He said, "Ezekiel, all you are is entertainment for them. They're not coming to hear the truth. They're coming to hear your oratory." There's nothing wrong with having good oratory, but he said all you are is entertainment to them. If you cut the entertainment out of most churches, they'd be empty within a month. It's just that simple. So, how does this apply to us? And the answer is you must examine yourself. And Paul said in 2 Corinthians 13 in verse 5, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves."

"Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" Is there something in your life that can only be there because of the work of God the Holy Spirit? Is there something in your life that you could not have possibly have done in and of yourself? Have you really turned to God from idols? Have you really turned from your sin? Is there a real genuine labor of love in your life to the saints of God, to the people of God, to the things of God? Is there a patient hope that you have in Jesus Christ that will stand in the day of judgment?

Conclusion: Only the Holy Spirit Authenticates

From 1 Corinthians 12:3, Weaver concludes that only by the Holy Spirit can one savingly confess Jesus as Lord, and genuine faith will always produce the three evidences.

There are dead letter Christians. There are word only Christians. And then there are those that have been powerfully convicted and converted by the Holy Spirit. Now, one last passage. I can quote it, but I want you to see it. Turn in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians 12 and look at verse 3. 1 Corinthians 12 and verse 3. Look what the Apostle Paul says. 1 Corinthians 12 and verse 3. Watch. Paul says, "Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed."

So if anybody curses Christ, mark her down, the Holy Spirit is not anywhere near him. And then he goes on to say, "and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." Let me explain it. You can stop any man on the street that has the ability to speak and to move his tongue, and you ask him, "Can you say Jesus is Lord?" And he will look at you funny and say, "Yes, I can say that, Jesus is Lord." Does that mean he's saved? No. No. He can say those words. He can mimic those words. But the only way that anyone can say savingly that Jesus Christ is Lord is by the power and the efficacy of the Holy Spirit. So man may imitate, but only the Holy Spirit can authenticate. And when he authenticates, we will always have a work of faith, a labor of love, and a patient waiting for our Lord Jesus Christ.

Study Guide

Major Themes

Word Only vs. Spirit-Empowered Christianity

Summary: Many professing Christians have a form of religion without the Holy Spirit's regenerating power, trusting in decisions or rituals rather than a supernatural conversion.

Evidence: Paul said in verse 5, 'For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.' So Paul is being thankful here that these Thessalonian believers did not receive truth in the Word only.

Salvation as a Sovereign Work of God

Summary: Salvation is impossible with man; it is entirely a work of God, not a cooperative effort between man and God.

Evidence: Jesus, looking upon them, saith, 'With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.' With men its salvation is impossible. So man cannot save himself, nor can he save anyone else. Salvation is a work of God alone.

The Necessity of the Holy Spirit in Conversion

Summary: The Word of God is powerful, but it is the Holy Spirit who makes it effectual for salvation; without the Spirit, the letter only condemns.

Evidence: He said, 'Our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.'

Evidences of Genuine Conversion

Summary: True Christians are marked by a work of faith (turning from idols), a labor of love (serving others), and a patience of hope (waiting for Christ).

Evidence: Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

Faith Without Works Is Dead

Summary: Saving faith always produces works; the exercise of faith is our responsibility, and it manifests in obedience and turning from sin.

Evidence: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Serving God by Serving Others

Summary: Our labor of love is demonstrated by ministering to the saints; serving others is serving God.

Evidence: For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

The Perseverance of True Hope

Summary: A genuine Christian hope endures because it is in Christ; counterfeit hopes fail, but true believers continue in faith and repentance.

Evidence: They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

Self-Examination for Assurance

Summary: Believers must examine themselves to see if they have the marks of genuine conversion, lest they be word-only professors.

Evidence: Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Key Arguments

Many professing Christians are 'word only' because they lack the Holy Spirit's power.

Summary: Weaver argues that the average church and Christian are apathetic and possibly unregenerate because their conversion was merely in word, not in power and the Holy Ghost.

Evidence: Paul said in verse 5, 'For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.'

Salvation is entirely God's work, not man's decision.

Summary: Man cannot save himself; salvation is impossible with men but possible with God, as shown by the rich young ruler and Jesus' teaching.

Evidence: Jesus, looking upon them, saith, 'With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.'

The Word without the Spirit condemns, not saves.

Summary: The letter of the Word kills; only the Spirit gives life. God's Word can be sent for condemnation as well as reconciliation.

Evidence: For the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Genuine faith is evidenced by a work of faith: turning from idols.

Summary: The Thessalonians' work of faith was their turning to God from idols, demonstrating the exercise of God's gift of faith.

Evidence: For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols.

Genuine love is evidenced by a labor of love: serving God through serving others.

Summary: The Thessalonians served the living God, which is done by ministering to the saints, as seen in Hebrews 6:10 and Matthew 25.

Evidence: For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Genuine hope is evidenced by a patience of hope: waiting for Christ.

Summary: The Thessalonians waited for God's Son from heaven, a hope that endures because it is in Christ, and they actively served while waiting.

Evidence: And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Counterfeit hope fails; true hope perseveres.

Summary: Those who desert the faith never truly had it; true believers continue in faith and repentance.

Evidence: They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us.

Only the Holy Spirit enables a saving confession of Christ's lordship.

Summary: No one can savingly say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit; mere verbal profession is not enough.

Evidence: No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

Scripture References

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Context: The primary text of the sermon, read in full, emphasizing the Thessalonians' conversion and evidences of election.

1 John 3:16-18

Context: Used to show that love must be in deed and truth, not just word, paralleling the 'word only' concept.

Mark 10:17-27

Context: The rich young ruler illustrates that salvation is impossible with men but possible with God.

Hebrews 4:12

Context: Cited to show the inherent power of God's Word, which is quick and powerful.

2 Corinthians 3:5-6

Context: The letter kills but the Spirit gives life; ministers are made able by God, not by the letter.

John 6:63

Context: Jesus said the Spirit quickens; the flesh profits nothing, reinforcing the Spirit's role.

Isaiah 55:10-11

Context: God's Word never returns void; it accomplishes His purpose, whether for reconciliation or condemnation.

2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Context: Believers are a savor of life unto life or death unto death; the Word brings either salvation or condemnation.

John 12:48

Context: The Word that Jesus spoke will judge in the last day; all are responsible to heed it.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Context: Paul's preaching was not with enticing words but in demonstration of the Spirit and power, so faith stands in God's power.

Ephesians 2:8-10

Context: Salvation by grace through faith, not of works; believers are created for good works.

Philippians 2:12-13

Context: Work out your own salvation, for God works in you; explains the 'work of faith' as exercising God's gift.

James 2:17-18

Context: Faith without works is dead; works demonstrate faith.

Hebrews 6:10

Context: God remembers the labor of love shown by ministering to the saints.

Matthew 25:33-46

Context: Serving the least of Christ's brethren is serving Christ; used to illustrate serving God through serving others.

Galatians 5:6, 13

Context: Faith works by love; by love serve one another.

1 John 5:2

Context: We know we love God's children when we love God and keep His commandments.

1 John 2:19

Context: Those who left were not truly of us; perseverance proves genuine faith.

1 Timothy 1:1

Context: Jesus Christ is our hope; our hope is in a person who cannot fail.

2 Corinthians 13:5

Context: Examine yourselves to see if you are in the faith; self-examination is commanded.

Historical References

William Booth (founder of the Salvation Army)

Context: Quoted as saying the chief danger of the coming century will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, etc.

J.H. Merle d'Aubigné (French Reformation historian)

Context: Quoted on the heresy of believing in man's power in regeneration, calling it the great heresy of Rome and worse than Pelagianism.

Charles Hodge (American theologian, died 1878)

Context: Quoted on the soul-destroying doctrine that sinners can regenerate themselves, emphasizing the need for conviction of inability.

John Calvin (Reformer)

Context: Quoted on 1 Thessalonians 1:3, giving a brief definition of true Christianity as a lively faith that spares no labor.

Albert Barnes (commentator)

Context: Quoted on the patience of hope being a hope that can be entertained even in the presence of a holy, heart-searching God.

Pelagianism (ancient heresy)

Context: Mentioned as a heresy teaching that man comes into the world his own Adam; d'Aubigné said synergism is worse.

Important Quotes

To believe in the power of man in the work of regeneration is the great heresy of Rome, and from that error has come the ruin of the Church. Conversion proceeds from the grace of God alone, and the system which ascribes it partly to man and partly to God is worse than Pelagianism.

Significance: d'Aubigné's quote reinforces the sermon's emphasis on monergistic salvation and the danger of synergism.

No more soul-destroying doctrine could well be devised than the doctrine that sinners can regenerate themselves and repent and believe just when they please.

Significance: Charles Hodge's statement supports the argument that salvation is entirely God's work and that human inability must be acknowledged.

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.

Significance: The key verse that defines the difference between word-only and Spirit-empowered conversion.

Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

Significance: The three evidences of genuine conversion that form the sermon's central framework.

For the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Significance: Explains why the Word without the Spirit only condemns, leading to 'dead letter' Christians.

No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

Significance: The concluding point that only the Holy Spirit can produce a saving confession, not mere words.

Discussion Questions

What does it mean to be a 'word only' or 'dead letter' Christian, and how can we recognize such a condition in ourselves or others?

Context: Based on the introduction and definition from 1 Thessalonians 1:5 and 1 John 3:16-18.

How does the rich young ruler's encounter with Jesus (Mark 10) illustrate that salvation is impossible with man but possible with God?

Context: Weaver uses this passage to argue that salvation is entirely God's work.

In what ways might modern churches be guilty of having 'religion without the Holy Ghost' as William Booth warned?

Context: The quote from Booth and the discussion of reducing Christianity to ritual.

What is the relationship between faith and works according to Ephesians 2:8-10 and James 2:17-18, and how does this relate to the 'work of faith' in 1 Thessalonians 1:3?

Context: Weaver explains that faith is God's gift but must be exercised, resulting in works.

How do we practically serve God by serving others, as seen in Hebrews 6:10 and Matthew 25?

Context: The labor of love is defined as ministering to the saints.

What does it mean to have a 'patience of hope' in Jesus Christ, and how does this hope sustain believers in trials?

Context: Weaver discusses waiting for Christ and the active nature of this hope.

Why is self-examination important, and what specific evidences should we look for to confirm genuine conversion?

Context: The application section calls for examining whether we have the three marks.

How does 1 Corinthians 12:3 teach that a saving confession of Christ's lordship requires the Holy Spirit, and what implications does this have for evangelism?

Context: The conclusion emphasizes that only the Spirit can authenticate faith.

Applications

Examine your conversion experience

Summary: Weaver urges listeners to examine themselves to see if they are in the faith, looking for the three evidences of genuine conversion.

Evidence: Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Turn from idols and sin

Summary: A genuine work of faith involves turning to God from idols, forsaking anything that competes with God.

Evidence: For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols.

Serve God by serving others

Summary: Our labor of love is demonstrated by ministering to the needs of fellow believers, as if serving Christ Himself.

Evidence: Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Cultivate a patient hope in Christ

Summary: Believers should actively wait for Christ's return, enduring trials with hope that is anchored in Jesus.

Evidence: And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Reject entertainment-driven Christianity

Summary: Weaver warns against seeking preachers who tickle ears; instead, desire the pure Word of God even when it is uncomfortable.

Evidence: Thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.

Rely on the Holy Spirit for assurance

Summary: Assurance of salvation comes not from a past decision but from the ongoing work of the Spirit producing the three evidences.

Evidence: No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T17:30:25Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T08:33:45Z

Clean Transcript

Dead Letter Christians Or Word Only Christians

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

1 Thessalonians chapter 1. We're going to read the entire chapter since there's only 10 verses there. The title of the message is "Dead Letter Christians or Word Only Christians." I'll explain that title shortly. Notice 1 Thessalonians 1, verse 1: "Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father."
#1 | 0:13 to 1:00 | cleaned
"Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come."
#2 | 1:01 to 1:53 | cleaned
I've been asked repeatedly as I travel across the country a simple question, one that you have probably asked several times: What in the world is wrong with Christians? Or ask another way, what is wrong with the church? I do not think that anyone would disagree with the fact that there are problems in most churches and there are problems among many professing Christians. We could use words to describe the average church and the average Christian such as apathetic, indolent, lethargic, sluggish, unconcerned, unprincipled, and unethical.
#3 | 1:56 to 2:41 | cleaned
Now, I understand that there are exceptions, but usually this would apply to Christendom as a whole. But in all probability, in some of those terms, we could also add unregenerate, unconverted, and unrepentant. I told you I was going to be preaching about word only Christians, or dead letter Christians. The Apostle Paul said in verse 5, if you will look at it, "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance." So Paul is being thankful here that these Thessalonian believers did not receive truth in the Word only. If you will hold 1 Thessalonians but turn to 1 John chapter 3, you'll see that John the Apostle also deals with Word only professors. And let's begin reading there with verse 16. 1 John chapter 3 and verse 16.
#4 | 2:42 to 3:53 | cleaned
"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him."
#5 | 3:53 to 4:25 | cleaned
"For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God."
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Now, notice if you would verse 16, he said, "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us." Well, God the Father did not just simply say, "I love you," He sent His only begotten Son. Christ did not simply say, "I love you," He laid down His life for us. And so John argues if we see our brother have need and we shut up our bowels of compassion from him, he asks the question, how does the love of God dwell in us? He says that we are not to love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth. So if I see David hungry I don't just say, "Well brother, I'm going to be praying for you and I trust the Lord to give you something to eat." If I've got food I share it with him and I give it to him. So what he is telling us here is it cannot be just simply in word only, it has to be in our action and our conduct.
#7 | 4:35 to 5:35 | cleaned
So love according to the scripture is always demonstrable. So we don't tell our brothers or sisters, "Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled," no, we simply take care of them. That is the way it is supposed to be scripturally. Unhappily, that is not the case with most churches, and it certainly is not the case with most Christians. Most professing Christians go merely upon their own way with the least bit, or I should say without any concern, compassion, or compulsion.
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Nothing ever seems to bother them. Nothing ever seems to upset them. And you ask, why? And the answer comes back, because they are word only professors. William Booth was the founder of the Salvation Army. I want to give you a quote, and listen to what William Booth said, I think he was very perceptive. He said, and I'm quoting, "The chief danger that confronts the coming century"—that's our century—"will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, and Heaven without Hell." But I want you to note first of all he said religion without the Holy Ghost.
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And that is exactly where we are today. We've reduced Christianity to a ritual, to a ceremony. We've reduced it to a sinner's prayer, and the Holy Spirit is nowhere involved whatsoever. Millions of professing Christians have never been convicted by the Holy Spirit. They've never repented of their sins. And all that has happened is they have been led down a primrose path and they think now that everything is settled for them right now and they have a secured place in Heaven regardless of how they live and regardless of how they act. They are Word only Christians. When you stop and think, and I know that the Holy Spirit is God. I know that He is omnipresent, that is He is everywhere present at one time. Understand that. But if you were able to take the Holy Spirit out of the world today, tomorrow, most churches would go right on as usual, nothing would change. Because we've got everything reduced down to our program and our ceremonies.
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But the truth of the matter is this: A person's decision does not save them. A person's profession does not save them. Church membership does not save them. Baptism does not save them. Man cannot regenerate himself, nor can he repent of himself. Salvation is of the Lord. If you would hold 1 Thessalonians and look in your Bibles to Mark chapter 10, I want to just show you a couple of verses. But in Mark chapter 10 you will remember there is the illustration that our Lord gives of the rich young ruler. The rich young ruler comes running to Jesus Christ and he says, "Good Master, what must I do that I may inherit eternal life?" And our Lord gives him a little rebuke. He said, "Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God." In other words, if I'm good, then I'm God. And if I'm God, you don't come running into my presence demanding something of me. But our Lord said, "All right. You ask me, I'm going to answer."
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"You know the commandments, Do not steal, Do not kill, Honor thy father and thy mother." And the rich young ruler said, "All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?" And our Lord said, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and come, follow me." And what happened? The Bible says, the rich young man went away exceedingly sorrowful, for he had great riches. Now, here's my question. How many of you, when God saved you, sold everything that you had and gave to the poor? Well, not one. So why did our Lord tell this young man, "Sell everything you've got and give it to the poor and come follow me"? And the answer is because he was just demonstrating he had not kept the law of God, he had not even kept the first commandment, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me," because his money was his God. And when he left our Lord looked at his disciples and said, "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God."
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He said, "It is easier for a camel to go through an eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God." And if you will look down at verse 26, when he said that to his own disciples, and they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, "Who then can be saved?" Note, if you would, the question revolves around salvation. "Who then can be saved?" Verse 27, Jesus, looking upon them, saith, "With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible." With men its salvation is impossible. So man cannot save himself, nor can he save anyone else. Salvation is a work of God alone.
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Now if you look back in your Bibles to 1 Thessalonians 1 and verse 5, watch carefully. Paul again is thanking God and here is what he says, "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost." So Paul is thankful that when the Thessalonians were converted, their conversion was more than just mere oratory or wisdom or the cunning craftiness of men, it was a real work of God with power and the Holy Ghost. The word power there is the Greek word dunamis. It is where we get our English word dynamite. He said you were converted like dynamite. You were blown up by the power of the Holy Spirit of God. Now we know that the Word of God is powerful in and of itself. In fact, Hebrews 4 and verse 12 tells us that, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
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So, the Word of God is quick and powerful. However, you must remember that it is the Holy Spirit that makes the Word quick and powerful. I want you to turn in your Bibles to 2 Corinthians chapter 3. Watch carefully. 2 Corinthians chapter 3.
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Now I want you to notice what the Apostle Paul says in verses 5 and 6. Look what he says. 2 Corinthians chapter 3 verse 5. Now remember this is the Apostle Paul speaking, and he is speaking of himself and the other Apostles. He says, "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves." It's not our oratory. It's not our illustrations. It's nothing of us.
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But he said, "Our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." What does the letter of the Word of God do? It kills. That's why I said the title of this message is "Dead Letter Christians or Word Only Christians." So he said it is the power of the Holy Spirit makes the word effectual and effective and gives it efficacy. You know our Lord said something similar in John 6 and verse 63, He said, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." Now, it is true that God's Word is powerful in and of itself. It is certainly powerful enough to condemn us, but unless the Holy Spirit makes it effective, all it does is condemn us.
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But I want you to look in your Bibles to Isaiah 55, trying to set the stage for you. In Isaiah 55, at verses 10 and 11, you see the truth is God's Word never returns void even if it is just the letter. I'll explain that. But look at Isaiah 55 at verse 10 and 11. God says, "For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Now God says, "My word is not going to return to me void. It will accomplish whatever I please, and it will prosper in the thing where I sent it." The problem is this: most people do not understand that God's Word is not always sent for reconciliation. Sometimes it is sent for condemnation. In fact years ago I preached a message on the ministry of condemnation. Let me show you. Look in your Bibles to 2 Corinthians chapter 2. 2 Corinthians chapter 2.
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And notice if you would please beginning there with verse 14. 2 Corinthians 2 and verse 14. Paul says, "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place." Now watch, he is thanking God that he always makes us triumph in Christ and He makes manifest the savor or the smell of His knowledge by us in every place. Now verse 15, "For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life."
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"And who is sufficient for these things?" So if you had a church building or any building and you've got 20 lost people in there and I preach or anyone preaches and the Holy Spirit of God convicts and converts and makes that word effective and effectual in the lives of ten of those lost people and they are genuinely converted, what has happened now to the other ten who heard the same truth? They are now condemned.
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So you have a ministry of condemnation and you have a ministry of reconciliation as well. Now the truth of the matter is this, everyone who hears the Word of God is responsible to heed the Word of God. So you can't get out of that. It is the Word of God that is going to judge us in the last day. Our Lord said it like this in John 12 in verse 48, "He that rejecteth me"—that is the Living Word—"and receiveth not my words"—that is the written word—"hath one that judgeth him in the last day, even the word which I have spoken. The same shall judge him in the last day." So, everyone that hears is going to give an account to God.
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So, if someone is a word only Christian, or a dead letter Christian, and all he is doing is trusting in his decision, he is trusting in his profession, or he is trusting in his church membership, or he is trusting in his baptism, and he thinks that somehow that that salvation which he initiated is going to save him, he's going to be in for a very rude awakening when it comes to judgment day. Because unless the Holy Spirit of God has worked powerfully in us, changing us and turning us from our sin unto the one true and the living God, we're deceiving our own selves. Now, J.H. Merle d'Aubigné was a French Christian who has a wonderful set of books on the history of the Reformation. If you've never read any of his books, I would encourage you to read the two books, "The Reformation in England." But here's one quote that he gives.
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He says this, "To believe in the power of man in the work of regeneration is the great heresy of Rome, and from that error has come the ruin of the Church. Conversion proceeds from the grace of God alone, and the system which ascribes it partly to man and partly to God is worse than Pelagianism." Now Pelagianism is a pure outright heresy. Pelagius taught that every man came into this world his own Adam. But when you talk about salvation being partly the work of God and partly the work of man, that is known as synergism, where man works together with God. All my life I heard preachers say, "When God has done His part, you've got to do your part." Really? What can a dead man do? And the Scripture says that we are dead in trespasses and in sin. So d'Aubigné said this has been the curse of the Church.
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One of the greatest American theologians was Charles Hodge. He died in 1878. d'Aubigné, by the way, died in 1872. But Charles Hodge said this, "No more soul-destroying doctrine could well be devised than the doctrine that sinners can regenerate themselves and repent and believe just when they please. As it is a truth both of scripture and of experience, that the unrenewed man can do nothing of himself to secure his salvation, it is essential that he should be brought to a practical conviction of that truth."
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"When thus convicted, and not before, he seeks help from the only source from which it can be obtained." And of course that would be God and God alone. So as long as man thinks that he is ok and he can initiate his own salvation, he is never going to seek God and His grace. So when you look back in 1 Thessalonians chapter 1, I've got one more passage in 1 Corinthians to show you before we get started. When you look back in verse 5 of 1 Thessalonians 1, Paul said, "For our gospel came not unto you in word only." What in the world does the Apostle Paul mean when he talks about the gospel coming unto you in word only? Well, if you'll go back to 1 Corinthians chapter 2, I want you to see what the Apostle said. 1 Corinthians chapter 2, and let's begin reading at verse 1. 1 Corinthians 2 verses 1-5. Paul said, "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God."
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So Paul said, "When I came to you, it was not my oratory, it was not my emotional appeal, it was not some ploy of man or man's wisdom." Verse 2, "For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling." Watch verse 4, "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." So what did the Apostle Paul say? The Apostle Paul said, "Look, it was not great oratory, it was not great illustrations, it was not emotional deliveries, it was not exciting and enticing words. I didn't want that. I did not want your faith to stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." Now, let me tell you something: a great salesman can talk anyone into anything. And a lot of preachers can talk people into making a decision and making a profession. And you can tell all the heart-wrenching emotional stories you want and get people crying and get people upset and get people to come forward and get people to make a profession, get people to make a decision.
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But that does not mean that the Holy Spirit has worked in their hearts. Paul said, "I did not want that. I wanted your faith to stand in the power of God, not in the wisdom of man." So the pressing question in light of 1 Thessalonians is: How can you be sure that you're not a word-only Christian? Ask another way: How can you be sure that you are a genuine Christian? Ask another way: What is in you that could only be there because of a supernatural work of God the Holy Spirit? Or we could ask: What was it that set the Thessalonian Christians apart and demonstrated that they were not word only Christians but also demonstrated that they were the elect of God?
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Wow, look back in 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 and let's read verses 3 and 4. Watch according to our text. There are three evidences that will demonstrate that one is indeed a genuine child of God. They are a work of faith, a labor of love, and a patience of hope. Verse 3 he says, "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God." So the Apostle Paul says you can know that you are God's elect. Well, how can you know that? Because of verse 3. Calvin said on verse 3, listen carefully, he said, "The statement should be explained to mean that Paul remembers their patience in hoping for the coming of Christ."
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"From this we may gather a brief definition of true Christianity: that it is a faith that is lively and full of vigor so that it spares no labor when assistance is to be given to one's neighbor. But on the contrary, all the pious employ themselves diligently in the offices of love, and lay out their efforts in them, so that, intent upon the hope of the manifestation of Christ, they despise everything else, and armed with patience, they rise superior to the worrisomeness of the length of time, as well as"
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"all the temptations of the world." So he says, verse 3 is a good definition of what it means to be a real, genuine Christian. So what I want to do is I want to take these three things and look at them one at a time. He says in verse 3, "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith." Now, I don't know if something has hit you or not, but he said, "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith." I find it extremely interesting that the Apostle Paul tells these Thessalonians, "You had a work of faith." Is not faith the gift of God? Why is it now called your work of faith? Everyone can quote Ephesians 2:8-9 and the Apostle Paul wrote it. He's certainly not going to contradict himself when he said, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." But He calls it a work of faith. It's a work of believers. How can faith be ascribed here to a work of believers when everybody knows that it's the gift of God? Well, let me answer that.
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It's really a simple answer. So if you look in the book of Philippians—Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, just a few pages back—look in Philippians chapter 2. Philippians chapter 2 and verses 12 and 13. Here the Apostle tells you why it was called a work of faith of believers in 1 Thessalonians 1. In Philippians 2 in verse 12 he says, "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Did you hear that? Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. But verse 13, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." So here's what the Apostle Paul said: God has worked it in you. Now it's your responsibility to work it out. God works it in, that is his gift. We're to work it out. That is to exercise it and it is called a work. It's not that we are earning it. It's not that we are meriting it.
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It has already been given to us. It is a gift. So faith in is his gift. The exercise of that faith is my responsibility. God works it in, I must work it out. Let me put it to you very plainly: God may give you the gift of faith, but God is not going to believe for you. Repentance is God's gift, but God's not gonna turn from sin for you. So when God gives me faith and I exercise it, I'm just exercising the gift that God gave me. When I apply it, I'm working out that which God gave me. When I turn from my sin, I'm exercising the gift that God gave me. See, we oftentimes forget that Ephesians 2:10 follows 8 and 9. Because we must understand that the results and the evidences and the manifestations of God's gift of faith are always seen in biblical terms of obedience. For He said, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
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Verse 10, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." So anytime God gives faith there's going to be the exercise of it and it's going to demonstrate and manifest itself in biblical works. A faith without works is dead. That's what James said. James 2 verses 17 and 18 he said, "If it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." So faith without works is dead. Now I want you to go back to 1 Thessalonians chapter 1. Scripture always interprets Scripture. So look in verse 3, Paul says, "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith." Why is it called your work of faith? Well, what was that work of faith? Skip down to verse 9. Oh, Paul explains it. "For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols."
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That was their work of faith. They turned to God from idols. They turned with their whole hearts. It was not a half-baked turn, but that which was real and genuine and true. They forsook their idols. They forsook their false gods and turned wholly unto the Lord. So the forsaking of sin and idols is a work of faith. We confess and we acknowledge that God is Sovereign, that He is the Supreme One, that He is Ultimate, that He is Absolute, that He is God alone, that He is the Lord and He is Savior. And we acknowledge that He deserves all of our honor, worship, and praise, and glory. And we turn from any and everything that is contrary to Him to Him. That is why it is called the work of faith. We actually forsake sins and we forsake our idols and we turn to him. So we are exercising the gift that he gave us. So these Thessalonians not only had a work of faith, look in verse 3, he says, "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love." Now, what was their
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labor of love? Skip down to verse 9 again. "For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols." That's the work of faith. Here's the labor of love: "to serve the living and true God." Now it is true that we fear God. Yet it is also true that it is our love that motivates us to serve him. Fear may hold him in reverential awe, but it is love that drives us to serve him. So here's a quick question: How do we serve the one true and the living God? I suppose there are many answers that could be given to that. And to a degree, probably most of them would be right. We could say, well, we serve Him by praying to Him, or we serve Him by worshiping Him, or we serve Him by tithing and giving gifts unto Him and helping in the ministry. We could say that. Yet, you know, the truth of the matter is, if you really push this thing, God really does not need our service.
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He doesn't need anything because he's God. He's already perfect and he's already perfectly blessed in and of himself. And when someone says, "Oh, but he needs my love," no, no, no, no. If God needs anything, then God is not God. You say, "Well, I need to give him my money." And yes, I believe in tithing. Yes, I believe in giving gifts. But let me tell you, folks, everything that we have, he gave us and he created everything that is. So.
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If we understand that, you still have to ask the question: How do we serve him? Remember the Apostle Paul here said, "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith and your labour of love." If you want to know how to serve him, look back in your Bibles to Hebrews chapter 6. Or over, I should say, Hebrews chapter 6 and verse 10. Hebrews 6 verse 10. And I want you to note what a labor of love is. Watch carefully. Hebrews 6 verse 10. He says, "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister." How do you serve God? And the answer is by serving each other. By ministering to the saints. God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. We actually serve God by ministering to each other. When we minister to the saints of God, we're ministering to God.
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I want you to turn to Matthew 25. You probably remember this passage. This is the passage concerning the sheep and the goats. If you did not understand Hebrews 6 and verse 10, this passage should make it exceedingly plain for you. So look in Matthew 25 beginning there with verse 33. Matthew 25 verse 33: "And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the"
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"foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
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"Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?" In other words, "Lord, if we had seen you, we'd have really done it to you." Then shall he answer them, saying, "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not"
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"to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." So it should be obvious the way that we serve God is by serving each other. We serve all the saints of God. When we do so we are serving God.
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Now, let me give you a couple of quotes. I want you to listen. Galatians 5 verse 6, Paul said, "For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love." How does faith work? By love. He also said in Galatians 5 and verse 13, "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another." And then in 1 John chapter 5 and verse 2, "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments." So, these Thessalonian Christians had a work of faith and they had a labor of love. Their work of faith was turning from idols and turning from sin and their labor of love was to serve the One True and the Living God. And how did they serve Him?
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I'm going to show you just momentarily by serving others. Here's the third thing they had. If you look back in 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 and verse 3 they also had a patience of hope. He says, "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father." Now, I want you to look closely at verse 3 because our patience of hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is found only in Him and it is in the sight of God and our Father. Now, let's think a minute about the patience of hope. We could say that we have patience of hope in our trials, in our tribulations, in our persecutions. And we could say we patiently endure them waiting for the end. I like the passage—and you will find it a number of times in the scripture—not a whole verse, but it just simply says, "And
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it came to pass." And it didn't come to stay, it came to pass. I had sinus last week and I'm glad it came to pass. I'm thankful it did not come to stay, you know. We've had family problems and they came to pass. We've had money problems, financial, and it came to pass. We could say if we patiently endure it's going to pass and we can be thankful. But allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture.
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We have found that verse 9 explains the first two points in verse 3. Their work of faith was when they turned to God from idols. Their labor of love was to serve the One True and Living God. But what is their patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ? Well look in verse 10. Verse 10: "And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come." When we wait patiently in hope it means that we are hopefully and patiently waiting for the accomplishments of God's promises and God's purpose. Stop and think about this.
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Counterfeit hopes give up, give out, quit, fail, and falter. The hope of every hypocrite shall perish. I've seen people, I've known of people, who say something like this: "I'm going to hold out. I'm going to hold on. I'm not giving in. I'm not giving up." And yet they do. Why? Let me tell you why. Because a Christian hope never fails. A counterfeit hope does fail. I've known of people who've deserted the Christian faith. Some people say, "Well they just lost their salvation."
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No, not according to the Bible. According to the Bible, they never had it to begin with. John said in 1 John 2:19, "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us." So the proof that you've ever savingly believed is that you continue to believe. The proof that you've ever savingly repented is that you continue in repentance.
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So a counterfeit hope will give in, give up, and give out. But a Christian hope will never. Why? Here's why. 1 Timothy chapter 1 and verse 1, here's what Paul said, "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope." Our hope is Jesus Christ. He's God incarnate. He cannot fail. He will not fail. So when he talks about a patient hope, it means that we are patiently waiting for God to accomplish all of his promises and his purposes in our life. One of our problems is sometimes we want to help God. And I sure want to at times, I can assure you. But God says, "I'm gonna work it out." Now, I want to give you a quote. I want you to listen to this. Albert Barnes in his commentary on this verse makes a tremendous observation. He says, "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." And listen, "in the sight of God and our Father."
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So our patience of hope in Jesus Christ is even in the sight of God our Father. Here is what Barnes said: "It is a hope which we have through the merits of the Redeemer, that is the Lord Jesus, and which we are permitted to cherish before God, that is in His very presence. When we think of God, when we reflect that we must soon stand before Him, we are permitted to cherish this hope. It is a hope which will be found to be genuine even in the presence of a holy and heart-searching God. This does not mean that it had been merely professed before God, but that it was a hope which they might dare to entertain in the presence of God and which would bear the scrutiny of His eye." What is our hope in standing before the judgment of God who is all-knowing and all-powerful and all-present? Our hope is that Jesus Christ is our Redeemer and God is merciful and gracious to us because of the person and work of Jesus Christ.
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And we may hold on to that hope even in the presence of God. Wow. Now he said in verse 10, "And to wait for his Son from heaven." I want you to understand that waiting for Jesus Christ does not mean that we sit idly by twiddling our thumbs saying, "I hope he hurries up." These Thessalonian Christians were patiently waiting for the Lord Jesus, but I want you to note how active they were. Look in verses 6 through 8. Paul said, "And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord." Wow. They actually obeyed. "Having received the word in much affliction." They obeyed in persecution and with joy in the Holy Ghost. "And that ye were ensamples"—or examples—"to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia."
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So they had godly, obedient lives. Verse 8, "For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing." Paul said, "When we got in that area we couldn't find anybody to preach to that you hadn't already preached to."
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Now that is patiently waiting. They were obedient. They were godly examples. They were preaching and teaching the Word of God. Wow! These Christians had an active faith, a laboring love, and a patient hope which enabled them to endure and persevere and remain faithful to the end.
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Now let me go back. Ask the questions that I started out with. What is wrong with the church? What is wrong with most Christians? The answer is we have too many dead letter and word only professors in our churches. We have church members that have never been regenerated, convicted, or converted. They've never turned to God from idols. They've never repented of their sins. Consequently, they're not interested in the Word of God. They're not interested in godly obedience. But they're only interested in entertainment, amusement, and personal satisfaction.
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They know nothing of humility, of lowliness of mind, and of godliness. And hence, they seek preachers and they seek pastors that will scratch their itching ears and tickle and entertain them. I will tell you this, if every pastor in America stood up and actually preached and taught the Word of God as it is and he taught biblical regeneration, biblical conversion, biblical repentance, half the church members would leave. Or maybe more than half. God gives us an illustration in the life of Ezekiel. Ezekiel was a priest that God called to be a prophet, and he was preaching to those people who were already exiles in Babylon. And in Ezekiel chapter 33 and verse 32, here is what God tells Ezekiel, listen carefully.
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He said, "Thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not." He said, "Ezekiel, all you are is entertainment for them. They're not coming to hear the truth. They're coming to hear your oratory." There's nothing wrong with having good oratory, but he said all you are is entertainment to them. If you cut the entertainment out of most churches, they'd be empty within a month. It's just that simple. So, how does this apply to us? And the answer is you must examine yourself. And Paul said in 2 Corinthians 13 in verse 5, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves."
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"Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" Is there something in your life that can only be there because of the work of God the Holy Spirit? Is there something in your life that you could not have possibly have done in and of yourself? Have you really turned to God from idols? Have you really turned from your sin? Is there a real genuine labor of love in your life to the saints of God, to the people of God, to the things of God? Is there a patient hope that you have in Jesus Christ that will stand in the day of judgment?
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Paul said it like this in 2 Timothy 1 in verse 12. He said, "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." Paul said, "I know whom I have believed. I am absolutely convinced that he is able to keep me." So Paul then had a genuine hope.
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There are dead letter Christians. There are word only Christians. And then there are those that have been powerfully convicted and converted by the Holy Spirit. Now, one last passage. I can quote it, but I want you to see it. Turn in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians 12 and look at verse 3. 1 Corinthians 12 and verse 3. Look what the Apostle Paul says. 1 Corinthians 12 and verse 3. Watch. Paul says, "Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed."
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So if anybody curses Christ, mark her down, the Holy Spirit is not anywhere near him. And then he goes on to say, "and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." Let me explain it. You can stop any man on the street that has the ability to speak and to move his tongue, and you ask him, "Can you say Jesus is Lord?" And he will look at you funny and say, "Yes, I can say that, Jesus is Lord."
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Does that mean he's saved? No. No. He can say those words. He can mimic those words. But the only way that anyone can say savingly that Jesus Christ is Lord is by the power and the efficacy of the Holy Spirit. So man may imitate, but only the Holy Spirit can authenticate. And when he authenticates, we will always have a work of faith, a labor of love, and a patient waiting for our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Because in Him, we live and move and have our being. And He is our all in all. Father, help us today to love Thee. Help us to submit to Thy Word. Convict, convert, have Your blessed way in our lives. And Lord, I pray for those who are word-only Christians and dead-letter Christians, wherever they may be, if they're hearing of my voice, Lord, that you would indeed be pleased to open their eyes, open their hearts, convict and convert them by thy power and by the ministry of the Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.
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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T17:30:25Z

Dead Letter Christians Or Word Only Christians

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

Pastor John Weaver examines 1 Thessalonians 1 to diagnose the spiritual condition of many professing Christians and churches. He contrasts 'word only' or 'dead letter' Christians—those who trust in a mere decision, profession, or ritual without the Holy Spirit's regenerating work—with genuine believers who exhibit a work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope. The sermon emphasizes that salvation is entirely of God, not of human effort, and that true conversion is evidenced by turning from idols, serving God through serving others, and patiently waiting for Christ.

Opening

Scripture Reading — 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

"Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father." "Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come."

Introduction: The Problem with Christians and the Church

Weaver poses the question of what is wrong with Christians and the church, describing many as apathetic, unconcerned, and possibly unregenerate.

Word Only Christians Defined

Using 1 Thessalonians 1:5 and 1 John 3:16-18, Weaver explains that 'word only' Christians lack the power and Holy Spirit in their conversion, and their love is not demonstrable in deeds.

The Danger of Religion Without the Holy Ghost

Quoting William Booth, Weaver warns that modern Christianity has been reduced to ritual without the Holy Spirit, leading to false assurance.

Salvation Is of the Lord Alone

Weaver argues from Mark 10 and 1 Thessalonians 1:5 that salvation is impossible with men but possible with God, emphasizing that regeneration is a sovereign work of God.

The Letter Kills, the Spirit Gives Life

From 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 and Isaiah 55:10-11, Weaver explains that the Word without the Spirit condemns, and that God's Word can be sent for condemnation as well as reconciliation.

And notice if you would please beginning there with verse 14. 2 Corinthians 2 and verse 14. Paul says,

Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place."

Now watch, he is thanking God that he always makes us triumph in Christ and He makes manifest the savor or the smell of His knowledge by us in every place. Now verse 15,

Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

"For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life."

The Three Evidences of Genuine Conversion

Work of Faith: Turning from Idols

Faith is God's gift, but its exercise is our responsibility; the Thessalonians' work of faith was their turning from idols to God (1 Thessalonians 1:9).

Scripture Reading — Ephesians 2:8-10

It's really a simple answer. So if you look in the book of Philippians—Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, just a few pages back—look in Philippians chapter 2. Philippians chapter 2 and verses 12 and 13. Here the Apostle tells you why it was called a work of faith of believers in 1 Thessalonians 1. In Philippians 2 in verse 12 he says, "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Did you hear that? Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. But verse 13, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." So here's what the Apostle Paul said: God has worked it in you. Now it's your responsibility to work it out. God works it in, that is his gift. We're to work it out. That is to exercise it and it is called a work. It's not that we are earning it. It's not that we are meriting it.

Labor of Love: Serving the Living God

Their labor of love was serving God, which is done by ministering to the saints (Hebrews 6:10, Matthew 25:33-46).

Scripture Reading — Hebrews 6:10

"For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister."

Scripture Reading — Matthew 25:33-46

"And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the"

Patience of Hope: Waiting for Christ

Their patience of hope was waiting for Jesus from heaven (1 Thessalonians 1:10), a hope that endures because it is in Christ, and they actively served while waiting.

Now, let me give you a couple of quotes. I want you to listen. Galatians 5 verse 6, Paul said,

Scripture Reading — Galatians 5:6, 13

"For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love."

So a counterfeit hope will give in, give up, and give out. But a Christian hope will never. Why? Here's why. 1 Timothy chapter 1 and verse 1, here's what Paul said,

Scripture Reading — 1 Timothy 1:1

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope."

Application: Examine Yourselves

Weaver calls for self-examination to see if one has truly turned from idols, loves the saints, and has a patient hope in Christ, warning that many are word-only professors.

Conclusion: Only the Holy Spirit Authenticates

From 1 Corinthians 12:3, Weaver concludes that only by the Holy Spirit can one savingly confess Jesus as Lord, and genuine faith will always produce the three evidences.

Dead Letter Christians Or Word Only Christians

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	J7va4Z4Wa-w
Subject	Church Government
Course	Church Order: Preaching and Pastoral Ministry
Genre	Sermon
Date	2016-11-18
Dictation Name
Book	Book 039: Church Order and Worship - Volume 1 — Chapter 24
Source Timed Segments	61

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction: The Problem with Christians and the Church: Weaver poses the question of what is wrong with Christians and the church, describing many as apathetic, unconcerned, and possibly unregenerate.
Word Only Christians Defined: Using 1 Thessalonians 1:5 and 1 John 3:16-18, Weaver explains that 'word only' Christians lack the power and Holy Spirit in their conversion, and their love is not demonstrable in deeds.
The Danger of Religion Without the Holy Ghost: Quoting William Booth, Weaver warns that modern Christianity has been reduced to ritual without the Holy Spirit, leading to false assurance.
Salvation Is of the Lord Alone: Weaver argues from Mark 10 and 1 Thessalonians 1:5 that salvation is impossible with men but possible with God, emphasizing that regeneration is a sovereign work of God.
The Letter Kills, the Spirit Gives Life: From 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 and Isaiah 55:10-11, Weaver explains that the Word without the Spirit condemns, and that God's Word can be sent for condemnation as well as reconciliation.
The Three Evidences of Genuine Conversion: Weaver identifies from 1 Thessalonians 1:3-4 the marks of the elect: a work of faith (turning from idols), a labor of love (serving God by serving others), and a patience of hope (waiting for Christ).
Work of Faith: Turning from Idols: Faith is God's gift, but its exercise is our responsibility; the Thessalonians' work of faith was their turning from idols to God (1 Thessalonians 1:9).
Labor of Love: Serving the Living God: Their labor of love was serving God, which is done by ministering to the saints (Hebrews 6:10, Matthew 25:33-46).
Patience of Hope: Waiting for Christ: Their patience of hope was waiting for Jesus from heaven (1 Thessalonians 1:10), a hope that endures because it is in Christ, and they actively served while waiting.
Application: Examine Yourselves: Weaver calls for self-examination to see if one has truly turned from idols, loves the saints, and has a patient hope in Christ, warning that many are word-only professors.
Conclusion: Only the Holy Spirit Authenticates: From 1 Corinthians 12:3, Weaver concludes that only by the Holy Spirit can one savingly confess Jesus as Lord, and genuine faith will always produce the three evidences.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

Many professing Christians are 'word only' because they lack the Holy Spirit's power.

Weaver argues that the average church and Christian are apathetic and possibly unregenerate because their conversion was merely in word, not in power and the Holy Ghost.

Paul said in verse 5, 'For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.'

Salvation is entirely God's work, not man's decision.

Man cannot save himself; salvation is impossible with men but possible with God, as shown by the rich young ruler and Jesus' teaching.

Jesus, looking upon them, saith, 'With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.'

The Word without the Spirit condemns, not saves.

The letter of the Word kills; only the Spirit gives life. God's Word can be sent for condemnation as well as reconciliation.

For the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Genuine faith is evidenced by a work of faith: turning from idols.

The Thessalonians' work of faith was their turning to God from idols, demonstrating the exercise of God's gift of faith.

For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols.

Genuine love is evidenced by a labor of love: serving God through serving others.

The Thessalonians served the living God, which is done by ministering to the saints, as seen in Hebrews 6:10 and Matthew 25.

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Genuine hope is evidenced by a patience of hope: waiting for Christ.

The Thessalonians waited for God's Son from heaven, a hope that endures because it is in Christ, and they actively served while waiting.

And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Counterfeit hope fails; true hope perseveres.

Those who desert the faith never truly had it; true believers continue in faith and repentance.

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us.

Only the Holy Spirit enables a saving confession of Christ's lordship.

No one can savingly say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit; mere verbal profession is not enough.

No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

Scripture References

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10: The primary text of the sermon, read in full, emphasizing the Thessalonians' conversion and evidences of election.
1 John 3:16-18: Used to show that love must be in deed and truth, not just word, paralleling the 'word only' concept.
Mark 10:17-27: The rich young ruler illustrates that salvation is impossible with men but possible with God.
Hebrews 4:12: Cited to show the inherent power of God's Word, which is quick and powerful.
2 Corinthians 3:5-6: The letter kills but the Spirit gives life; ministers are made able by God, not by the letter.
John 6:63: Jesus said the Spirit quickens; the flesh profits nothing, reinforcing the Spirit's role.
Isaiah 55:10-11: God's Word never returns void; it accomplishes His purpose, whether for reconciliation or condemnation.
2 Corinthians 2:14-16: Believers are a savor of life unto life or death unto death; the Word brings either salvation or condemnation.
John 12:48: The Word that Jesus spoke will judge in the last day; all are responsible to heed it.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5: Paul's preaching was not with enticing words but in demonstration of the Spirit and power, so faith stands in God's power.
Ephesians 2:8-10: Salvation by grace through faith, not of works; believers are created for good works.
Philippians 2:12-13: Work out your own salvation, for God works in you; explains the 'work of faith' as exercising God's gift.
James 2:17-18: Faith without works is dead; works demonstrate faith.
Hebrews 6:10: God remembers the labor of love shown by ministering to the saints.
Matthew 25:33-46: Serving the least of Christ's brethren is serving Christ; used to illustrate serving God through serving others.
Galatians 5:6, 13: Faith works by love; by love serve one another.
1 John 5:2: We know we love God's children when we love God and keep His commandments.
1 John 2:19: Those who left were not truly of us; perseverance proves genuine faith.
1 Timothy 1:1: Jesus Christ is our hope; our hope is in a person who cannot fail.
2 Corinthians 13:5: Examine yourselves to see if you are in the faith; self-examination is commanded.

Historical References

William Booth (founder of the Salvation Army): Quoted as saying the chief danger of the coming century will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, etc.
J.H. Merle d'Aubigné (French Reformation historian): Quoted on the heresy of believing in man's power in regeneration, calling it the great heresy of Rome and worse than Pelagianism.
Charles Hodge (American theologian, died 1878): Quoted on the soul-destroying doctrine that sinners can regenerate themselves, emphasizing the need for conviction of inability.
John Calvin (Reformer): Quoted on 1 Thessalonians 1:3, giving a brief definition of true Christianity as a lively faith that spares no labor.
Albert Barnes (commentator): Quoted on the patience of hope being a hope that can be entertained even in the presence of a holy, heart-searching God.
Pelagianism (ancient heresy): Mentioned as a heresy teaching that man comes into the world his own Adam; d'Aubigné said synergism is worse.

Important Quotes

To believe in the power of man in the work of regeneration is the great heresy of Rome, and from that error has come the ruin of the Church. Conversion proceeds from the grace of God alone, and the system which ascribes it partly to man and partly to God is worse than Pelagianism.

d'Aubigné's quote reinforces the sermon's emphasis on monergistic salvation and the danger of synergism.

No more soul-destroying doctrine could well be devised than the doctrine that sinners can regenerate themselves and repent and believe just when they please.

Charles Hodge's statement supports the argument that salvation is entirely God's work and that human inability must be acknowledged.

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.

The key verse that defines the difference between word-only and Spirit-empowered conversion.

Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

The three evidences of genuine conversion that form the sermon's central framework.

For the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Explains why the Word without the Spirit only condemns, leading to 'dead letter' Christians.

No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

The concluding point that only the Holy Spirit can produce a saving confession, not mere words.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

What does it mean to be a 'word only' or 'dead letter' Christian, and how can we recognize such a condition in ourselves or others?

[Context]

Based on the introduction and definition from 1 Thessalonians 1:5 and 1 John 3:16-18.

[Question]

How does the rich young ruler's encounter with Jesus (Mark 10) illustrate that salvation is impossible with man but possible with God?

[Context]

Weaver uses this passage to argue that salvation is entirely God's work.

[Question]

In what ways might modern churches be guilty of having 'religion without the Holy Ghost' as William Booth warned?

[Context]

The quote from Booth and the discussion of reducing Christianity to ritual.

[Question]

What is the relationship between faith and works according to Ephesians 2:8-10 and James 2:17-18, and how does this relate to the 'work of faith' in 1 Thessalonians 1:3?

[Context]

Weaver explains that faith is God's gift but must be exercised, resulting in works.

[Question]

How do we practically serve God by serving others, as seen in Hebrews 6:10 and Matthew 25?

[Context]

The labor of love is defined as ministering to the saints.

[Question]

What does it mean to have a 'patience of hope' in Jesus Christ, and how does this hope sustain believers in trials?

[Context]

Weaver discusses waiting for Christ and the active nature of this hope.

[Question]

Why is self-examination important, and what specific evidences should we look for to confirm genuine conversion?

[Context]

The application section calls for examining whether we have the three marks.

[Question]

How does 1 Corinthians 12:3 teach that a saving confession of Christ's lordship requires the Holy Spirit, and what implications does this have for evangelism?

[Context]

The conclusion emphasizes that only the Spirit can authenticate faith.

Applications

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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T08:33:45Z