Steadfast in hope

Chronologically, the book of Thessalonians was the first book of the bible written to the body of christ and its main theme is the hope of Christ’s return.

I Thessalonians 4
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent [precede] them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Romans 8
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

In verse 25, the word “patience” is the Greek word hupomoné [Strong’s # 5281] and means endurance.

Hope gives us the strength to carry on with the Lord’s work, despite the opposition from the world which is run by Satan, the god of this world.

I Corinthians 15
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Acts 2:42
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

How could the believers continue to stand stedfast in:

• the apostles’ doctrine
• fellowship
• breaking of bread
• prayers

When they were already being attacked for carrying out the word of God on the day of Pentecost?

Acts 2
11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

Because they had the hope of Christ’s return in their hearts.

Acts 1
9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Notice how the devil operates:

• the devil only gives you 2 choices and both are bad
• his 2 choices breeds confusion & doubt which weakens our believing
• his 2 choices are a worldly counterfeit of Job 13:20 & 21 where Job asks God for 2 things
• ever been trapped in a situation where you only had 2 bad choices? God’s word and wisdom can give you a third choice which is the right one with the right results [John 8:1-11]

But let’s look a layer deeper into the stedfastness of Acts 2:42:

Its the Greek word proskartereó [Strong’s # 4342] which breaks down into Pros = towards; interactively with;

Karteréō [to show steadfast strength], which comes from Kratos = strength that prevails; spiritual power with an impact;

Thus, to remain steadfast means to exert spiritual power that causes you to prevail.

Where did this strength come from?

Acts 1:8 [kjv]
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost [the gift of holy spirit] is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

An important key to understanding this verse is the word “receive” which is the Greek word Lambano, which means to actively receive = receive into manifestation which can only refer to speaking in tongues.

Acts 19:20
So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

Throughout the book of Acts, the believers were operating all nine manifestations of holy spirit to withstand against the adversary and they prevailed with God’s superior spiritual resources:

• 5 gift ministries to the church [eph 4:11]
• 5 sonship rights [redemption, justification, righteousness, sanctification, word and ministry of reconciliation [Romans and Corinthians]
• 9 manifestations of holy spirit [I Cor. 12]
• 9 fruit of the spirit [Gal. 5]

Ephesians 3:16
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

How can we “be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man”?

Very simple: speak in tongues the wonderful works of God.

Acts 2:11
Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

Romans 5
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad [poured out] in our hearts by the Holy Ghost [the gift of holy spirit] which is given unto us.

By speaking in tongues, we have irrefutable proof of the truth of God’s word and the glorious hope of Christ’s return.