I Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 1.1-4
Praise to God our Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit for His work of grace in His church!
or
Characteristics of a godly church
What would it have been like to be part of a group of new Christians who had no copies of God’s Word to direct them? Maybe they had a scroll of some portion of the OT scriptures. They probably did not have a copy of the story of our Lord from Matthew, Mark or Luke. John was not written until 85 - 90. How precious would a letter from an official representative of our Lord been to them? Look at what Paul told them in 5.27 “I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.”
This was probably Paul’s first inspired letter. He wrote it around 50 - 51 AD. Galatians could have been the first.
Paul & Silas had been beaten and thrown in jail in Philippi (Acts 16). From there they traveled a few miles west and arrived in Thessalonica (Acts 17.1-14). They stayed there only a few weeks or months.
Thessalonica is one of the few cities visited by Paul that has existed continuously from his day to modern times. Today it is called Thessaloniki. In Paul’s time it was the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia. Its population was about a quarter of a million.
“It is impossible to overstress the importance of the arrival of Christianity in Thessalonica. If Christianity was settled there, it was bound to spread fast along the Egnatian Road until all Asia [Minor] was conquered and West until it stormed even the city of Rome. The coming of Christianity to Thessalonica was crucial in the making of it into a world religion.” William Barclay
One of the main emphases in both the letters to the Thessalonians is the return of our Lord.
“The Christian who is expecting the return of the Lord Jesus has no room for:
1. Idols in his heart 1.9-10
2. Slackness in his service 2.9, 19
3. Divisions in his fellowship 3.12-13
4. Depression in his mind 4.13-18
5. Sin in his life 5.23” G. R. H. Wood
1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
church - ekklesia, was used at that time to describe any kind of an assembly. He details what kind of assembly they were: “in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ - “Modifying the phrase God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ with a single preposition emphasizes the equality of essence between Father and Son. It is also worth noting here that Paul used the Savior's full title, the Lord Jesus Christ. That combines in one phrase all the major aspects of His redemptive work. Lord describes Him as creator and sovereign ruler, the One who made us, bought us, rules over us, and to whom we owe full allegiance. Jesus (“Jehovah saves”) refers to His humanity; it was the name given Him at His birth (Matt. 1:21, 25). Christ (“the anointed one”) is the Greek term for the Messiah, the one promised by God to fulfill His plan of redemption.”
grace - God’s goodness that no one deserves, that He is constantly pouring out upon all humanity, which is called common grace. Saving grace has only been given to those who are trusting in the Lord Jesus to be their Savior and are submitted to Him as their supreme Master.
peace - one of the wonderful results of grace. Peace is harmony between God and people; peace is inward wholeness and tranquility.
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,
We give thanks - present tense - we are constantly giving thanks :
1. how - making mention v 2
2. why - remembering v 3
3. why - knowing v 4
1. how - making mention v 2
May our Lord enable us to live so that when people remember the Mt Prospect Bible Church they will be moved to give thanks for us in prayer.
Thanksgiving should be given to our Father because all good gifts come from Him. We should be thankful for His church, His people.
3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,
They gave thanks for the church inThessalonica:
1. how - making mention of you in our prayers v 2
2. why - remembering v 3
They remembered three qualities that the church
in Thessalonica demonstrated:
* work of faith
* labor of love
* patience of hope
These three graces are together often in God’s Word:
1 Cor 13.13 Col 1.4-5 1 Thess 5.8
* work of faith
where there is genuine faith there will be real godly works
work - emphasizes what you do, the work itself, the deeds, the actions that result from faith. What have you done today that was motivated by your trust and commitment to your Lord and Savior?
* work of faith
* labor of love
labor - emphasizes the how, the effort required when you do something; it means working to exhaustion; this word speaks of great self-sacrifice, which is the essence of our Lord’s love for us, in us and through us
“Labor is the Greek word kopos, which denotes an arduous, wearying kind of toil, done to the point of exhaustion. It is an effort that strains all of one's energies to the maximum level.”
They gave thanks when they remembered the believer’s:
* work of faith
* labor of love
* patience of hope
patience - endurance - an aggressive, courageous grace;
“Endurance accepts the seemingly dreary ‘blind alleys’ of Christian experience with a spirit of persistent zeal. It rules out discouragement and goes forward no matter how hopeless the situation” Expositor’s Commentary
Keeping in mind our Lord’s soon return will help us endure the trails of this world and life.
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.” Titus 2:11–13
This endurance is only possible when you are inspired by hope, which is confident expectation in our Lord’s rule and return. Our Lord’s return and the encouragement it gives, are major themes in both letters to the Thessalonians.
They gave thanks for the believers in Thessalonica :
1. how - making mention of you in our prayers
2. why - remembering your
work of faith
labor of love
patience of hope
3. why - knowing -
4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.
knowing - Here the apostle says he knew the Christians in Thessalonica were chosen by God. Then he tells them how he knew that.
beloved - loved by God
brothers - we are family; this word occurs 28 times in the 2 letters to the Thessalonians. We don’t use it much around here, but it is good word, a biblical word for our oneness in our Lord and Savior. We are brothers and sisters in Christ.
The election of our Father is His business. It is His sovereign choice.
No person has anything to do with His choice. He chose before He created. He chose out of His own free grace.
Here is how our church’s doctrinal statement expresses this Biblical truth:
“We teach that God the Father, the first Person of the Trinity, orders and disposes all things according to His own purpose and grace. He is the Creator of all things. As the only absolute and omnipotent Ruler in the universe, He is sovereign in creation, providence, and redemption.
We teach that He orders and directs His universe in every detail. Every event of nature and every human action and decision is according to His decree and purpose. In God’s infinite wisdom and power, all things work together for the benefit of His people, and for His glory.
His Fatherhood involves both His designation within the Trinity and His relationship with mankind. As Creator He is Father to all men, but He is spiritual Father only to believers. He has decreed for His own glory all things that come to pass. He continually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and events. In His sovereignty He is neither author nor approver of sin, nor does He decrease the accountability of moral, intelligent creatures. He has graciously chosen from eternity past those whom He would have as His own; He saves from sin all who come to Him through Jesus Christ; He adopts as His own all those who come to Him; and He becomes, upon adoption, Father to His own.”
We can know if we were chosen. We can know if others have been chosen. In this passage He teaches us the marks of those whom He elected to be His own children.
How do you know you are saved, born again…
How do you know if a church is a saved church, an elect church…
How do you know if your children or grandchildren are elect, truly converted…
What is the evidence that you are truly a child of God?
In the rest of chapter 1 he teaches us the marks of true conversion, of real spiritual life, the qualities that demonstrate that you have been chosen by our Father to be His child. Here are the marks declaring that you are one of God’s elect children:
- the Gospel comes to you in word
- the Gospel comes to you in power
- the Gospel comes to you in the Holy Spirit
- the Gospel comes to you in much assurance
- the Gospel comes to you through godly people
- you follow His godly servants
- you follow the Lord
- you receive God’s Word even in affliction
- you receive God’s Word with joy of the Holy Spirit
- you become examples to other believers
- you give out God’s Word
- your faith in God is seen by others
- you receive God’s servants
- you turn to God from idols
- you serve the living and true God
- you wait for His Son
* Jesus, whom He raised from the dead
* Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come
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1 Thessalonians 1.5-10
Praise to God our Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit for His work of grace in His church!
or
Characteristics of a Godly Church
Paul, Silas & Timothy continually gave thanks for the church in the city of Thessalonica. That is the main theme of chapter 1.
* How did they give thanks?
v 2 - making mention of you in our prayers
* Why did they give thanks?
v 3 - remembering your
- work of faith
- labor of love
- steadfastness of hope
* Why did they give thanks?
v 4 - knowing your election by God
In verses 5-10 He teaches us how we can know a church is a true church that has been chosen by God; how we can know that we or others have been chosen by our Father and are truly His children; how we can know we are saved people.
Here are the marks of true conversion, real spiritual life.
Here are the marks declaring that you are one of God’s elect children.
Here are the marks of a godly, mature church:
* the Gospel comes to you in word -
5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only,
You must hear the Great News of the Lord Jesus Christ in order to be rescued from sin and death. Your friends and family must hear the words of the Great News: Jesus Christ lived a perfect sinless life about 2,000 years ago. He suffered and died for you, for your sins. He was buried. Three days later He was resurrected from the dead. He lives right now as Lord and King of the universe. Soon, He will come back and rule on the earth in His physical glory and presence. We will see Him.
His Words are life. His Words are power.
The Gospel is the Great News, the true Words of God to humanity, that Jesus Christ, God our Maker, came to the earth, lived a perfect life, suffered in your place, for your sins, died for you, and rose from the dead in resurrection glory and power.
People must hear these words in order to be rescued from the wrath of their Maker, their sin, and eternal death.
In Hebrews 4:12 our Lord tells us: “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
In 1 Cor. 1:18 He says: “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
* the Gospel comes in power -
5 but also in power,
There is power in the message. Rom 1.16 says “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”
Do you ask that God’s Word will be delivered to you every Sunday morning in power? Ask that His Word will be delivered to you family and friends in His power.
How is that possible? Only when we allow the Holy Spirit to control us, the people through whom His word is delivered.
* the Gospel comes in the Holy Spirit
5 and in the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is God, Who actively is at work in the message, through the messenger and in those who hear. We must allow Him to control us, so that His power will not be quenched in our lives. If we are grieving or quenching Him, He will be hindered in His working through us.
To quench Him is to suppress Him by your sins.
To grieve Him is to hurt him by your sins.
1 Cor. 2:1-4 “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”
* the Gospel comes in much assurance
5 and in much assurance,
The people who proclaim the Gospel must be convinced of its power and effectiveness. You need the assurance that this message is true, living, active, and powerful enough to convert anyone. Your confidence must not be in your ability to strongly argue your point, or your ability to convince someone that they need Jesus. Your confidence must be in Him and His power, His Word, His Spirit, to work through you and in the people to whom you speak.
* the Gospel comes through godly people -
5 as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
Our lives, the kind of people we are, the way we live and talk, have an effect upon those we speak the Gospel to. The Thessalonians knew Paul, Silas and Timothy. Their lives supported their message.
It must be so with you. Does your life back up what you say?
* you follow His godly servants
6 And you became followers of us
* you follow the Lord
6 and of the Lord,
Who you follow, who you imitate says much about who you are. If you are a child of God you will be following God’s people. You will be imitating the Lord Jesus.
Are you following the Lord’s godly servants? Are you following Jesus? Or do you try to be like people in the world: actors, athletes, famous people, powerful people, movers, influencers…? Do you talk, dress, do things to your body because you have asked your Lord if that is what He wants you to do? Or do you do things because you saw a picture in a magazine, or some famous person on TV doing it?
* you receive God’s Word even in affliction
6 having received the word in much affliction,
Even though following Jesus and obeying His Word will result in conflicts and problems from the people in your world, obeying Him is a clear mark that you are one of His chosen children.
* you receive God’s Word with joy of the Holy Spirit
6 with joy of the Holy Spirit,
Outwardly you will have problems, but inwardly you will have lasting joy because of the power and life of His Word actively working in you.
* you become examples to other believers
7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.
When you are really born again you will become a model for others to follow, you will be an exact reproduction of a follower of Jesus.
* you give out God’s Word
8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place.
His Word echoed out through them. When a person is truly saved they will be giving God’s powerful, life-giving truth out to others.
* your faith in God is seen by others
8 Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.
People will know you are committed to the Lord. Your confidence in Him will be evident to others.
* you receive God’s servants
9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you,
* you turn to God from idols
9 and how you turned to God from idols
The essence of repentance is turning: turning away from yourself, your way, your sin, your ideas, your opinions, the world and turning to the Lord of glory, the Lamb of God in full surrender and trust.
Have you turned to Jesus, away from the idols of your heart?
* you serve the living and true God
9 to serve the living and true God,
Are you doing what He wants you to do? Are you serving Him and His people? Are you serving the people in the world by being His ambassador to them, His official representative?
* you wait for His Son
10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Are you looking forward to Jesus’ coming? Do you think how wonderful when He comes and makes all things right? Do you ever long for Him to come?
To wait for Him is to look forward to Him, to desire that He comes.
That is another expression of true faith in Him. That is another characteristic of those whom He has chosen to be His own.
Who are we to wait for?
* Jesus, whom He raised from the dead
Not the Jesus of false religions. Not the Jesus of the world. We are waiting for the Jesus who is alive and Lord. He is the Master of all things, the most high God. We are waiting for the Jesus who was raised from the dead by the power of His Father in heaven.
* Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Only the real Jesus has the power and authority to deliver you from the wrath of God that is to come. His wrath was poured out upon His Son when He suffered and died on the cross. His wrath will be poured out upon every person who is not trusting in Jesus. It will be horrible beyond belief. And it is coming. Nothing can stop His wrath from descending upon humanity. The only place of safety is the Lamb of God and His precious blood that was poured out at the cross 2,000 years ago.
These are the marks of true conversion, real spiritual life.
These are the marks that show you are one of God’s elect children.
These are the characteristics of a godly, mature church:
the Gospel comes to you in word
the Gospel comes to you in power
the Gospel comes to you in the Holy Spirit
the Gospel comes to you in much assurance
the Gospel comes to you through godly people
you follow His godly servants
you follow the Lord
you receive God’s Word even in affliction
you receive God’s Word with joy of the Holy Spirit
you become examples to other believers
you give out God’s Word
your faith in God is seen by others
you receive God’s servants
you turn to God from idols
you serve the living and true God
you wait for His Son
* Jesus, whom He raised from the dead
* Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come
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I Thessalonians 2
What it Takes to Have a Full, Fruitful Ministry
or
The Godly Example of Loving Service to the Church
1-12 The Ministry to the Thessalonians
13-16 The Response of the Thessalonians
17-20 The Results: Desire for Fellowship with & Joy in God’s People
As was common in Paul’s ministry, he was constantly attacked by Jews, by false teachers, and by unsaved people who did not like his message. His words to the believers in Thessalonica in chapters 2 & 3 may have been necessary because of attacks upon his life and ministry.
2:1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain.
Here is how we are to serve one another. Here is how pastors, elders and deacons are to serve the church. Here is how you are to minister to the people in your Awana club or Bible class or home group.
Look at the emphasis on the Gospel in this section: 2, 4, 8, 9
1. Speak the Gospel with boldness in your God.
2 But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.
conflict - agoni - was used of an athlete’s struggle in a race or contest
2. Encourage from the truth and in righteousness
3 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.
exhortation - paraklesis - addresses the will seeking a favorable decision
error - planes - self deceit
When you read God’s Word, and as you explain it to others, you must always keep mind that you are speaking the living, eternal, truth of heaven. What you have to say is more important than any other words of any other person on the planet. Your encouragement to people from God’s Word is the truth of God to them at that moment.
uncleanness - he used this word in 4.7 to refer to sexual sins.
Paul may have been accused of trying to use his position for his own sexual pleasures. That was the case in those days of many traveling teachers. But that was not true of him. He did not speak with motives to seduce his listeners for sexual gratification.
deceit - dolo - deceiving others
The three missionaries who went to Thessalonica, Paul, Silas and Timothy, were open and honest in their behavior and teaching.
3. Know that your Lord is sending you.
4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel,
Paul, Silas and Timothy had been approved by God to take His message to the world.
Our Father has entrusted His Great News to all His children. He commands us all to take His message of life, forgiveness and peace to the world. We speak as His official representatives.
4. Strive to please only your God.
even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.
In your work with people, teaching them, caring for them, be careful not to fall into the trap of trying to please them instead of your Lord.
The temptation can come to you to try to lighten the message or soften the message so as not to offend anyone. Resist that temptation. Speak His truth always. Strive only to please your Lord.
5. Speak the truth, with no desire for personal gain.
5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness -- God is witness.
flattering words - saying nice things to gain influence over others for selfish reasons
cloak for covetousness - pleonexia - self-seeking of all types, going after anything that brings self-satisfaction. It grows out of complete disinterest for the rights of others.
6. Do not seek to impress people with yourself.
6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.
glory - honor, good opinion; The world of Paul’s time was filled with traveling philosophers, magicians, teachers who sought financial gain and the status of a good reputation.
God’s approval was Paul’s motive. It must always be ours too, in all we do in His church and for His kingdom in the world.
7. Be gentle with the people you are serving.
7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.
There are few pictures in all the world that convey love and gentleness like a mother with her baby.
“The figure implies a special effort to protect and to provide for every need, even to the extent of great sacrifice.” Expositor’s Commentary
8. Long to serve people with affection and the desire to give them the Gospel and your own life.
8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
9. Work to serve people, to proclaim the Gospel to them.
9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.
10. Live a holy life before the people you are serving.
10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;
11. Encourage, comfort, charge the people you are serving like a father teaching his children.
11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children,
12. Impress upon God’s children their need to live worthy of their Lord.
12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
walk - live
worthy - of equal weight
1-12 The Ministry to the Thessalonians
13-16 The Response of the Thessalonians
1. They Received the Word of God
13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
* they welcomed it as the truth, the word of God
* it effectively worked in those who believed
2. They imitated the churches of God
14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, 16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.
* they suffered
1-12 The Ministry to the Thessalonians
13-16 The Response of the Thessalonians
When there is godly ministry to, and response from people, there will be a desire to be with God’s people that will cause feelings of joy for God’s people.
17-20 The Results: Desire for Fellowship With & Joy in God’s People
17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. 18 Therefore we wanted to come to you -- even I, Paul, time and again -- but Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
May our Lord work in us so that we feel this way about one another, that we long to see each other with a great desire, that we want to be together.
May our Lord pour His grace upon us so that we will look forward to seeing Jesus and find great joy and glory in His presence from each other.
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1 Thessalonians 3
The Purposes of 1 Thessalonians, to:
encourage the church 1.2-10
answer false accusations 2.1-12
comfort them in their persecution 2.13-16
express his joy in them 2.17-3.13
teach them to stay away from sexual sins 4.1-8
encourage them to love one another 4.9-12
correct a wrong understanding of prophetic events 4.13-5.11
teach them the basics of Christian living 5.12-22
In chapters 3 & 4 the apostle exposed his love and attitude toward the church in Thessalonica. He set a great example for all believers. We should have the same attitude toward one another and toward all our Lord’s people in all His churches. May He work in us through this passage to accomplish that.
* Paul wanted to be with them, but could not. 2.17-20
2.17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. 18 Therefore we wanted to come to you -- even I, Paul, time and again -- but Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
Why did he “endeavor more eagerly” to see them with “great desire”?
Because of his attitude toward them. He viewed them as his “hope, joy and crown of rejoicing.” He called them his “glory and joy!” When you have an attitude like that toward your wife, husband, children, parents, church family you will more likely desire to spend time with them. Right?
What is your attitude toward the people sitting around you? Do you have negative thought and feelings in your mind toward them?
[] I have seen many people through the years start down the path of negativism toward the church and rarely ever recover. Once you get on that path it is difficult to turn around.
This message may be a warning to you. If you are holding on to negative or bitter feelings or thoughts toward your wife, or husband, or parents, or church, you are in trouble. Seek the Lord for His deliverance right now.
Were the people in the church in Thessalonica without rough edges or sin or bad habits or silly quirks? Probably not. But the man of God kept on loving them and speaking positive, holy words about them.
You need to do the same toward your parents or the people in our church.
And, lets all strive to live, speak and behave toward each other so that we will cause one another to have joyful thoughts and feelings about us. Ok?
* Paul sent Timothy to them. 3.1-5
3:1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, 2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, 3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.
4 For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. 5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.
Timothy’s godly qualities:
- brother
- minister of God
- our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ
Paul sent Timothy to
- establish you concerning your faith
- encourage you concerning your faith
- to know your faith
Paul wanted those church people
- not to shaken by afflictions
- to overcome the temptations of the tempter
How is that possible? Through a strong faith. How do you strengthen your faith? By the constant intake of God’s Word and obedience to it; through constant prayer; through constant interaction with God’s people.
* Timothy went back to Paul. 3.6-10
6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you -- 7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.
9 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God,
10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?
He brought Paul good news about the believers in Thessalonica:
- faith
- love
- good memories of the missionary team
- greatly desiring to see them
This good news comforted Paul, Silas and Timothy.
They wanted the church to “stand fast in the Lord,” to be firm and stable.
“For now we live, if…” Their lives were wrapped up in the stability of the church.
They were thankful for the church. They rejoiced before the Lord for the church. They were constantly praying for the church so that they
1. would see their faces
2. would perfect what was lacking in their faith
* Here is their desire and prayer for the church: 3.11-13
11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, 13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
1. let us get to them
2. increase and abound in love
- for one another
- to all people
3. establish their hearts blameless in holiness
Look at the emphasis on faith in this passage:
- establish you concerning your faith
- encourage you concerning your faith
- to know your faith
- brought us good news of your faith and love
- we were comforted concerning you by your faith
- see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith
How is your faith? Do you have strong confidence in your Father?
Do you have a settled commitment to the Lord Jesus? Are you relying upon Him and His precious blood to take your sins away? Are you trusting Him for His strength and help every moment of every day.
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1 Thessalonians 4.1-8
The purposes of the 1st letter to the Thessalonians is to:
encourage the church 1.2-10
answer false accusations 2.1-12
comfort them in their persecution 2.13-16
express his joy in them 2.17-3.13
teach them to stay away from sexual sins 4.1-8
encourage them to love one another 4.9-12
correct a wrong understanding of prophetic events 4.13-5.11
teach them the basics of Christian living 5.12-22
In chapter three of this letter, the apostle Paul expressed his joy in the people who were the Thessalonian church.
He told them how much he wanted to be with them again.
Look at his emphasis on faith:
v 2. - He sent Timothy to “establish and encourage them in their faith.”
v 5 - He wanted “to learn about your faith.”
v 6 - He said that Timothy “has brought us the good news of your faith.”
v 7 - “In all our distress and afflictions we have been comforted about you through your faith. For now we live if you are standing fast in the Lord.”
v 10 - Paul wanted to “see them face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith.”
How very practical our Lord is. He teaches us about the importance of faith and then he teaches us about the expression of our sexuality.
Faith and sex do not sound very compatible, do they?
read 3.9-4.18
Where there is true saving faith, a person’s expression of their sexuality will be radically different from the world. Commitment to Jesus Christ transforms a person’s life, sexually.
What does real faith in the Lord Jesus produce in your life? It results in you living to please God, living to obey Him, in His will, for His purposes, for His glory. Look at what He says in 4.1-2:
“Finally then, brothers, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.” NASB
4:1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
To walk means to live. It speaks of your step by step, moment by moment doing, feeling, and thinking… your living.
He wants us to live our lives always striving to please Him, not ourselves, not our friends, not the world. We are meant to please our Lord and Father. One of the most challenging areas for people to live for and please Him is in the expression of our sexuality.
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;
What is the “will of God?” His desire, His design, purpose, what He wants. Here He tells us His will: your sanctification.
What is sanctification? The root word of sanctification is holy. What does holy mean? Primarily it means unique, different, set apart. Secondarily it means pure, perfect, clean.
So, it is God’s desire for you to be sanctified, that is, different, unique, in how you express the sexuality He gave you. It is His plan that you be pure or clean in the use of your sexuality.
Our Creator God made us sexual people. He gave us a strong sex drive with great reproductive potential.
[] The average man will produce 400 - 525 billion sperm cells in his life. That means he has the potential to produce 400 - 525 billion people!
[] The average woman is born with around 1 - 2 million egg cells. That means she has the capacity to bring 1 - 2 million children into the world.
That is how our Creator made us. He gave us this great potential for reproduction. At the beginning of history He commanded us to “be fruitful and multiply.” He wants you to produce children. In order to do that you must have physical, sexual relations with your husband or with your wife.
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;
He commands you to abstain from sexual immorality. To abstain means to keep away from, to go without, to give up. Are you keeping away from sexual immorality?
What is sexual immorality? The word is fornication, porneia.
This is the broadest term used in the NT for sexual sins.
Fornication or sexual immorality includes:
- lust Mt 5.28
- adultery Ex 20.14; Pr 6.32
- homosexuality Lev 18.22; 20.13; Rom 1.26-27;
1 Cor 6.9-11; 1 Tim 1.8-11
- bestiality Ex 22.19; Lev 18.23; 20.15-16; Dt 27.21
- incest Dt 27.20, 22-23
It is the purpose, the design, of your Creator that sexually you live holy, unique, different, that you live a sanctified sexual life. It is His will that you abstain, that you keep yourself from sexual immorality, from fornication: lust, adultery, homosexuality and all sexual sins.
He made you to be sexual. He made you to be male or female. He knows what is best for you. In Rom 12.2 He teaches you that His will for you is “good, acceptable and perfect.” His will, which is the best way for you to live, is that you keep your sexual desires under His control and express those desires only with the woman He chooses to be your wife or only with the man He chooses to be your husband.
[Again] His will, which is the best way for you to live, is that you keep your sexual desires under His control and express those desires only with the woman He chooses to be your wife or only with the man He chooses to be your husband.
It is really very simple. The best, the only good, righteous expression of your sexual desires is within the covenant of marriage with your own wife or your own husband, for all your life.
[] Sex is like fire. As long as it is contained within the fireplace of marriage, it is wonderful and good. If it is taken out of the fireplace of marriage, it becomes very destructive and harmful.
There is a dimension to sexual involvement that we do not understand.
It is more than just a physical act. It has serious emotional, physical and spiritual consequences. Look at 1 Cor 6.12-20.
How do you abstain from sexual immorality:
- Walk in the control of the Holy Spirit. 1 Thess 4.8; Gal 5.16-25
- Guard your thoughts. Mt 15.18-19
- Protect your emotions. Be controlled by the Spirit, not your feelings. Determine to do what is right, even though your feelings may direct you differently.
- Be very careful what you look at and how you look. Mt 5.27-29
- Be careful what you touch. 1 Cor 7.1
- Run from sexual temptations, don’t discuss it or think about it. Run!
1 Cor 6.18; 2 Tim 2.22 [] like Joseph
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,
possess - keep, hold
his own vessel - his own body, his own sexual desires and drives
sanctification - uniqueness, difference, holiness
You are to be different from the world sexually, because you were made by God and for God. You were purchased from your sins and death by the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, therefore live His way. His way is the way of freedom and peace, and the way of the most sexual joy and fulfillment throughout your life.
honor - highly value, respect,
5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.
passion of lust - strong desire - You are not to live based on emotions or feelings that are dominated by your strong desires. That is how people live who do not know God. You are not to live your life sexually according to your strong desires, your lusts.
do not take advantage of - huperbainein - to go beyond, to exceed the proper limits, to transgress; to get the better of
and defraud - pleonekteo - lit. to seek to get more; to get an advantage of; to wrong; to have more than one’s due; to selfishly attempt to gain more at all costs and with all means disregarding others and their rights
avenger - ekdikos - one who carries out a sentence; one who exacts a penalty from a person; a punisher
7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.
uncleanness - akatharsia - moral, sexual impurity, defilement
God called us to Himself to be His children, to follow Him and His ways. He called us to be different from the world. He called us to be unique from the people at school or work or in the movies or on television. Their way is the way of death and destruction. His way is the way of life, peace, joy and the most meaningful living. His way is best.
he who rejects this does not reject man, but God - Do not reject this teaching. To do so is to reject God. He is so very good to us. He has given us His Holy Spirit. Through the power and grace of the Holy Spirit we can overcome all temptations and live in victory in the expression of our sexuality.
* You have committed sexual sins, fornication. It may be lust in your mind, premarital sexual involvement, adultery or homosexuality.
* Confess your sins to Him.
* Ask Him to deliver you, to cleanse you.
* Trust His suffering and death to take away your sins.
* Ask Him for power to live His way in the expression of your sexuality for the rest of your life.
* Dedicate your life to Him.
* Dedicate your sexuality to Him.
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How to Live and Please God
1 Thessalonians 4
This last section of the letter is our Lord’s practical instructions to His church given through the apostle Paul. Look at what He says in 4.1-2:
4:1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
Our Lord wants you to excel in living for and pleasing Him. Here the apostle reminds that church of what he had already taught them.
The last 2 chapters of this letter our Lord teaches us how to live and please Him:
* 4.1-8 Be different, be unique, be set apart, especially by keeping away from fornication (all forms of
sexual sins) such as lust, adultery, before marriage sexual involvement, homosexuality, etc.
* 4.9-10 Love one another.
* 4.11 Lead a quiet life.
* 4.11 Mind your own business.
* 4.11-12 Work with your own hands.
* 4.13 - 5.11 Comfort, encourage, build up one another, especially in times of grief.
Read 3.11-5.11
9 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;
* Love one another 4.9-10
brotherly love - philadelphias - tender affection + brother
Sin hurts family love. Sexual sins are especially destructive to loving one another with the family love that we should have toward one another in the church. Sexual sins must be confessed, defeated, and cleansed. Repentance, reconciliation, restitution, and forgiveness must happen if family love is to be restored, healed and grow. Of course, that is true of all types of sin. Ask the Lord for His power upon the people in your family, upon the people of our church family, to enable us to turn away from our sins, to confess our sins, to seek to restore what our sins have broken, to make restitution, to humble ourselves toward those we have sinned for the purpose of peace. Ask our Lord to give us His grace to forgive those who sin against us in our families and in our church family.
You are taught by God - theodidaktos - used only here in the NT
“This word points not so much to ‘one divine communication’ as to a ‘divine relationship’ established between believers and God: hence, it is as those who have been born of God, and whose hearts are in consequence filled by God’s Spirit that the Thessalonians on their part can no longer help loving.” Milligan
No external stimulus is necessary. Mutual love among Christians is an inbred quality. He tells us in Romans 5.5 that “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Note the connection between faith and love: 1.3, 3.6. In order for anyone to have the love of God, they must have the faith of God. They must be committed to the Lord Jesus Christ. Love flows from Him. Faith in Him connects you to Him, so that His love can flow through you to others.
Are you trusting in Jesus? Are you committed to the Lord Jesus Christ?
Is your confidence in Jesus and His suffering and death, for the forgiveness of your sins? Then He will enable you to love His children.
Question 21 from the Heidelberg catechism: “What is true faith?
A. True faith is a sure knowledge whereby I accept as true all that God has revealed to us in His Word. At the same time it is a firm confidence that not only to others, but also to me, God has granted forgiveness of sins, everlasting righteousness, and salvation, out of mere grace, only for the sake of Christ's merits. This faith the Holy Spirit works in my heart by the gospel.”
to love one another. - agapao - divine love; self-sacrificial commitment to
Throughout His Word He gives His people this command.
- Our Master says this the second greatest command: “love your neighbor as yourself.”
- In 1 John 3:11 He says “For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.”
- In 1 John 4:7-8 He tells us “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
10 and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more;
you do so - present tense - you are constantly loving one another and all the brothers in Macedonia (your state).
Increase more and more - abound, excel - used in 3.12; 4.1; 4.10 - in your love for one another and all believers.
Living to please our Father in heaven is a life of increasing, excelling, abounding. We never arrive as long as we are in this body. We will always have room to grow, to increase, to improve.
So, a life that pleases our Creator God will:
1. Be sanctified, different, unique, set apart, by keeping away from fornication (all forms of sexual sins) such as lust, adultery, before marriage sexual involvement, homosexuality, etc.
2. Love others Christians.
3. Lead a quiet life.
11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
- aspire - make it your ambition, be zealous to, to strive eagerly
- lead a quiet life - hesuchios - lit. to be quiet - tranquility arising from within, causing no disturbance to others; a quiet disposition
This refers to a person who does not present social problems or generate conflict among others, but whose soul rests easy even in difficulty.
Does that describe you? If not, ask your Lord to enable you to experience His peace within and to express His peace to others at all times. Ask Him to deliver you from the tension, the stress, the rush, the business, the impatience of your heart and this world.
* Mind your own business. - prassein ta idia - lit. to practice the own
Be responsible for yourself. Take care of yourself.
“From the subject of love, Paul apparently changes to something quite different - the importance of industry and individual responsibility in Christian living. The two are not completely unrelated. Nothing disrupts the peace of a Christian community more than the unwillingness of members to shoulder their part of the responsibility for it.” Hiebert
What does our Head, the Lord Jesus, want you to do in our church?
Are you doing what He is leading you to do? He has brought every one of us here to serve, to work, to unite with one another for His glory. Are you taking your responsibility to our church seriously?
Maybe you are not sure what your part is. Maybe you are not sure what He wants you to do in the life of our church.
- Ask Him to show you what He wants you to do.
- What do you see as needs or weaknesses in our church? That may be one indication of the area He wants you to serve.
- Ask our elders and deacons how you can help.
- Ask our ministry leaders how you can serve.
* Work with your own hands.
Don’t be idle. Don’t be a drain on others. Support yourself by working with your own hands. In that culture manual labor was looked down on as the place for slaves. But our Lord has directed us to work from the very beginning of creation. Our Lord himself, when He was on earth, worked with His hands as a carpenter.
as we commanded you - emphasizes the authority with which Paul spoke
- that you may walk properly toward those who are outside
Our Lord wants us to have good relationships with unbelievers. He wants us to so live before them that they will be draw to our Master and Savior and to His church.
[] How do unsaved people in our country think about people who quit their jobs, sold all they had and gave the money to a man who told them Jesus was coming on a certain day? Did that kind of behavior help unbelievers draw closer to our Lord or did it push them away?
Does your life, your words, and your actions help people to move closer to our Lord?
- that you may lack nothing.
It is our Lord’s will that by our own work we provide for our own needs and that we are ready to help others in times of difficulty.
Titus 3:14 “And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.”
“The fact that we are Christians and are looking for Christ’s coming does not relieve us of the practical responsibilities of life. We should walk properly toward unbelievers and be independent of them financially.” William MacDonald
Living to please our God means you will
* Be different, be unique, be set apart, especially by keeping away from fornication (all forms of sexual sins) such as lust, adultery, before marriage sexual involvement, homosexuality, etc.
* Love one another.
* Lead a quiet life.
* Mind your own business.
* Work with your own hands.
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How to Live and Please God
1 Thessalonians 4.13-18 part 1
This month we remember our Master and Savior’s coming to us as a baby.
Angel’s announcing… Mary trusting… Joseph obeying…
Mary birthing… Angel’s rejoicing… Shepherd’s watching…
Wise men traveling… Herod killing… family running…
But we must remember that our Master is a baby no longer. He grew up. He lived the only perfect life. He suffered for your sins. He died on the cross in your place. He rose from the dead. He went back to heaven.
He will come back. We come to the place in this letter to the church at Thessalonica that teaches us about His return for us.
Our Father in heaven is so very good to us. He cares for us like no other person. When we are in trouble, pain, or grief He helps us. He instructs us to comfort one another in times of grief. He commands us to help one another when death comes.
The last section of 1 Thessalonians, starting at chapter 4, is our Lord’s practical instructions to His church given through the apostle Paul. He teaches us “how to live and please” Him. Look at what He says in 4.1-2:
4:1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
Our Lord wants you to excel in living for and pleasing Him. Through this letter the apostle writes to the church what he had already taught them several months earlier when he, Silas and Timothy were with them.
Living to please your God means you will
* 4.1-8 Be different, be unique, be set apart, in how you express your sexuality, especially by keeping away from fornication (all forms of sexual sins) such as lust, adultery, before marriage sexual involvement, homosexuality, etc.
* 4.9-10 Love one another; you will love His people
* 4.11 Lead a quiet life… a tranquil mind, a peaceful heart
* 4.11 Mind your own business. Do what He wants you to do. Fulfill your responsibilities in our church…
* 4.11-12 Work with your own hands. Provide for your own needs.
* 4.13-18 Comfort, encourage, build up one another, especially in times of grief.
Look at 4.18 & 5.11. The word comfort or encourage is used.
This word is parakaleo - para, beside + kaleo, to call - a calling to one’s side, an exhortation, comfort, encouragement, to give aid.
This word is used in John 14.16-17 to describe the Holy Spirit.
Death comes to us all. It is hard. It is one of the most difficult experiences in life. It is pleasing to your Lord for you to help one another when death comes. You are to give aid to one another when you are grieving over the death of a loved one. One of the primary tools you have to help one another is the truth about death that our Lord teaches us in this passage. You are to use these words to help bring comfort to one another in times of grief.
read 4.1-5.11
* Know the truth about the death of a believer in Jesus. 4.13-18
13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
ignorant - agnoia - a, no + gnoia, knowledge, perception; the word agnostic comes from this word. An agnostic is a person who denies or doubts the possibility of ultimate knowledge. Our Lord does not want us to be without His knowledge concerning the death of a believer in Jesus.
asleep - 14, 15; 16 - the dead in Christ - a Christian who died
[] Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse’s wife died. He and his children had been to her funeral and they were driving home. He was thinking about how to comfort his children. Just then, a huge moving truck passed them. As it passed, the shadow of the truck swept over the car. As the truck pulled away from them he said, “Children, would you rather be run over by a truck or by its shadow?” The children said “Well, of course, Dad, we’d much rather be run over by the shadow! That can’t hurt us at all.” Dr. Barnhouse said, “Did you know that two thousand years ago the truck of death ran over the Lord Jesus… in order that only its shadow might run over us?”
sorrow - grieve; Death causes pain to those still alive.
others who have no hope -
What is hope? confident expectation; It is usually connected with our Lord’s coming or with our going to heaven to live with Him. We have hope because we know our Master will come to this earth again and He will make all things right. We have hope because we know our sins are forgiven through His blood and that He is preparing a place for us to live with Him forever, a place of perfect peace and joy, a place with no more death, no more pain, no more problems.
Who are the people who have no hope? See Eph 3.11-13
When death comes, we do not sorrow, or grieve, like people who have no hope. Why not? Because we do have hope. Why do we have hope? Because we are trusting in Jesus.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
if we believe - pisteuomen - we are believing, trusting, relying on, having confidence
Do you believe, are you believing that Jesus died and rose again?
If you believe that Jesus died and rose again, God will bring with Jesus those who have died in Jesus.
What does it mean to “sleep in Jesus?” It means those who die while believing in Jesus. “In Jesus” is a phrase that speaks of your union with Him. You were united to Him spiritually when you were born again.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
This teaching is “the word of the Lord.” This is not the opinion or theory of men. These are not the ideas of a certain group of people. This teaching is not from some religious organization. This teaching is the word of the Lord.
we who are alive and remain - When Jesus comes some believers will be alive, some will be dead.
the coming of the Lord - parousia (para - with + ousia - being) - speaks of an arrival and a presence with; coming; He comes to, and will be with, His people.
1 Thess 3.13; 5.23 2 Thess 2.1, 8
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
For the Lord Himself - In John 14.1-3 our Lord says
will descend from heaven - Jesus, one day soon, will come down from heaven. He will come for us! He will come to take us to Himself so that we will be with Him.
a shout
the voice of an archangel - What is an archangel?
the trumpet of God
And the dead in Christ will rise first. - Who are the dead in Christ?
They will be taken first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Then we who are alive and remain - Some people will be living when Jesus comes for His people. Those who are alive will be taken after those who are dead.
shall be caught up - harpazo - to snatch or catch away; used in Acts 8.39 & 2 Cor 12.1-2; in latin this word is “raptus,” from which our word rapture is derived.
Those who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
We will always be with the Lord.
Comfort one another with these words. How?
- Read this to the person grieving…
- Read this at the funeral service…
- Lead people to believe that Jesus died for their sins and rose again.
- When you pray with the person who is grieving, pray through this passage, emphasizing these truths.
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How to Live and Please God
1 Thessalonians 4.13-18 part 2
In chapters 4 & 5 He teaches us how to live and please God:
stay away from sexual sins 4.1-8
love one another, the church 4.9-12
comfort one another in death 4.13-18
stay alert and awake in these last days 5.1-11
teach them the basics of Christian living 5.12-22
Read 4.13-5.11
Look at how much is written about our Lord’s return. As we read these passages let’s listen to our Lord and strive to learn what He teaches us, then strive to trust, love and obey Him.
Mt 24.1-14, 23-27, 35-44
* Deception will be one of, if not the primary, sign of His coming and of the end of the age.
- Be alert; be on your guard; be careful; know His Word; obey His Word.
- He will come when least expected. Stay alert for Him. Keep on watching for Him. Be ready for Him to return.
John 14.1-6
* Our Lord and Savior left this earth to go and prepare a place for us to live with Him forever. He promised to “come again and take us to Himself.”
* He is the only way to get to the place He is preparing. You must go through Him to get to heaven. Are you trusting Him?
Acts 1.6-11
* He doesn’t want us to try and figure out the time when He will return. He wants us to be busy leading people to Him. While we are waiting for Him to return, He wants us to be His witnesses to all the people in the world.
* They saw Him go. He will be seen when He returns.
James 5.1-9
* We are to wait patiently for Him. Three times the word patient is used in this passage. When this was written almost 2,000 years ago, He said “the coming of the Lord is at hand.” But it has been 2,000 years and He has not come back yet. You must be patient. He will come back in His time.
1 Cor 15.20-25
* There is an order in resurrection (v 23) Christ is first, at His coming those who belong to Him, the end comes
1 Cor 15.50-57
* Not all believers will die. All believers will be transformed.
* There is an aspect of His coming that focuses on believers only.
- Be steadfast and solid in your faith.
- Overflow in His work.
- Remember that your work in Him is not in vain. It is not useless or empty. You will be rewarded for all you in this life do for His glory.
1 Timothy 6.13-16
* He will appear in His own time. He is the only Sovereign. He is the King of kings. Jesus is the Lord of lords. He alone is immortal.
1 Peter 4.7, 5.4
* The end of the world is near.
- Be self-controlled
- Be sober minded
- Pray
2 Peter 3.1-13
* There will always be people who make fun of the return of our Lord.
* He is patiently waiting for all His people to repent.
- You are be holy and godly.
- You are to wait for and hasten His coming
1 John 2.28-3.3
* Abide in Jesus.
* Practice doing what is right in His eyes.
* Purify yourself as He is pure.
Revelation 19.11-16
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The Day of the Lord Will Come!
Be Ready. Encourage and Build Up One Another.
I Thessalonians 5:1-11
In chapters 4 & 5 He teaches us how to live and please God:
Stay away from sexual sins 4.1-8
Love one another, the church 4.9-12
Comfort one another in death 4.13-18
Be ready for the day of the Lord. 5:1-11
Encourage and build up one another.
Instructions for Christian living 5.12-22
Read 4.13-5.11
4.15 “the coming of the Lord” - parousia - para, with + ousia, being - denotes arrival and presence with;
Even though they are closely connected, it seems there is a clear difference between the “coming of the Lord” and the “day of the Lord.”
When He speaks of His coming, He is emphasizing His relationship with His children and His being with Him. When He speaks of “the day of the Lord” He is emphasizing His wrath and judgment poured out upon those who reject Him and His grace.
“the coming of the Lord” occurs in:
1 Thess 4.15; 5.23
1 Cor 15.23-24
2 Thess. 2:1 “Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him…”
James 5:7-8 “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
There is a different word used in John 14, but the idea is the same: He will come for us, and we will be with Him. “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”
5:1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.
the times and the seasons - These 2 words speak of both the duration of the time, and also the nature of the events that will characterize the end time. “Precise times and accompanying circumstances.”
In Acts 1:7 He says “it is not for you to know the times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.”
2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
know perfectly - accurately, precisely; a word of precision
so comes - present tense - is coming; the day of the Lord is already on its way with an arrival anticipated any time; there is no stopping His day of wrath and judgment.
as a thief in the night - unexpectedness will mark the coming of the day of the Lord.
I think that the catching away of the church, spoken of in 4:13-18, is part of the day of the Lord. By taking the church out of the world, great blessing to the world is removed because of the very presence of His church: the goodness, the love, the care, the help that the church gives to the people of this world.
Can you imagine this world without the presence of any of the children of God? Can you imagine this world without the presence and power of God the Holy Spirit in it? It will be a much different place.
5.1 the day of the Lord so comes - What is “the day of the Lord?”
It is defined in 5.3.
It is the day of “sudden destruction”.
It is the day when “they will not escape.”
“’The Day of the Lord’ is a technical term pointing to the special interventions of God in human history for judgment. It ultimately refers to the future time of judgment whereby God judges the wicked on earth and ends this world system in its present form. The OT prophets saw the future time of the Lord as unequaled darkness and damnation, a day when the Lord would act in a climactic way to vindicate His name, destroy His enemies, reveal His glory, establish His kingdom, and destroy the world.
Six times it is referred to as the ‘day of doom’ and 4 times as the ‘day of vengeance’. The NT calls it a day of ‘wrath’, day of ‘visitation,’ and the ‘Great Day of God Almighty.’ These are terrifying judgments from God for the overwhelming sinfulness of the world.” John MacArthur
“’The day of the Lord’ has multiple characteristics. It is associated with the ultimate overthrow of God’s enemies… Growing human agony will
be climaxed by Messiah’s second coming to earth, a coming that will terminate this earthly turmoil through direct judgment.” Expositor’s Bible Commentary
“the day of the Lord” occurs in:
Isa 2.12; 13.6, 9 Jer 46.10
Eze 13.5; 30.3 Joel 1.15; 2.1; 2.11; 3.14
Amos 5.18, 20 Oba 1.15
Zep 1.7, 14 Zec 14.1
Acts 2.20 1 Cor 5.5
2 Cor 1.14 1 Thess 5.2
2 Thess 2 2 Peter 3.10
read Zephaniah 1.14-2.3
read 2 Thessalonians 2.1-12
read 2 Peter 3.1-13
read Rev 19.11-21 This is how the Day of the Lord will end.
Are you ready for the Lord’s coming for His own children?
Do you know you are His child? Have you been spiritually born into His family? If not, do not wait, do not rest until you have sought Him and His forgiving, cleansing power and you know you are totally forgiven and accepted into His family as one of His own.
Do you want to have His holy anger and wrath poured out upon you?
Do you want to go through the most horrible time of death and destruction that has ever happened to humanity?
John the Baptist asked the people who came to him “Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” Mt 3.7
If you want to escape from His coming wrath, then run to Jesus now. Turn to Him. Submit to Him. Trust Him and His suffering and death in your place, for your sins. Call upon Him, asking for His rescuing power.
Call out to Him, asking for His cleansing and forgiveness.
Flee from the wrath to come. Flee to Jesus, the only safe place and mighty protection from God’s holy wrath.
4.13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
5:1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
The Rapture of the Church We teach the personal, bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ before the seven year tribulation (1 Thessalonians 4:16; Titus 2:13) to translate His church from this earth (John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:51, 53; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-5:11) and, between this event and His glorious return with His saints, to reward believers according to their works (1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
The Tribulation Period We teach that immediately following the removal of the church from the earth (John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) the righteous judgments of God will be poured out upon an unbelieving world (Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 9:27; 12:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12; Revelation 16), and that these judgments will be climaxed by the return of Christ in glory to the earth (Matthew 24:27-31; 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12). At that time the Old Testament and tribulation saints will be raised and the living will be judged (Daniel 12:2-3; Revelation 20:4-6). This period includes the seventieth week of Daniel's prophecy (Daniel 9:24-27; Matthew 24:15-31; 25:31-46).
The Second Coming and the Millennial Reign
We teach that, after the tribulation period, Christ will come to earth to occupy the throne of David (Matthew 25:31; Luke 1:31-33; Acts 1:10-11; 2:29-30) and establish His messianic kingdom for a thousand years on the earth (Revelation 20:1-7). During this time the resurrected saints will reign with Him over Israel and all the nations of the earth (Ezekiel 37:21-28; Daniel 7:17-22; Revelation 19:11-16). This reign will be preceded by the overthrow of the Antichrist and the False Prophet, and by the removal of Satan from the world (Daniel 7:17, 27; Revelation 20:1-7).
We teach that the kingdom itself will be the fulfillment of God's promise to Israel (Isaiah 65:17-25; Ezekiel 37:21-28; Zechariah 8:1-17) to restore them to the land which they forfeited through their disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). The result of their disobedience was that Israel was temporarily set aside (Matthew 21:43; Romans 11:1-26) but will again be awakened through repentance to enter into the land of blessing (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:22, 32; Romans 11:25-29).
We teach that this time of our Lord's reign will be characterized by harmony, justice, peace, righteousness, and long life (Isaiah 11; 65:17, 25; Ezekiel 36:33, 38), and will be brought to an end with the release of Satan (Revelation 20:7).
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1 Thessalonians 5.12-28
In chapters 4 & 5 He teaches us how to live and please God:
stay away from sexual sins 4.1-8
love one another, the church 4.9-12
comfort one another in death 4.13-18
stay alert and awake in these last days 5.1-11
living together as His family 5.12-22
At the start of this letter we learn the godly characteristics of the church.
It is a community loved and chosen by God. Our life comes from Him.
We reveal His life through our faith, hope and love. We are His family. We are sisters and brothers. This letter ends with detailed instructions to us about how our Father expects His children to live, work and worship together for His glory.
read 5.12-28
In this section the word “brothers” occurs five times (12, 14, 25, 26, 27).
He has already taught us that we are to love one another, 4.9-10, encourage one another 4.18, and build each other up, 5.11.
He ends by giving further instructions to us, His family, on how to do that.
I. How the people of the church and the leaders of the church are to regard and relate to each other. 12-13
II. How we are to care for each other. 14-15
III. How we are to live. 16-28
I. How people and leaders are to regard and relate to each other. 12-13
12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
A. What the people of the church are to do:
1. Recognize those who labor among you.
Recognize - know them from observation.
2. Esteem very highly in love.
Esteem very highly - hold them in the highest regard
We must guard against the two extremes of: 1. despising them as if they were dispensable or 2. flattering them as if they were popes or princes.
We are to highly respect them in love.
3. Be at peace with them.
Because church leaders sometimes have to correct, rebuke and help people see their sin, it is important for you to obey this command to be at peace with them.
B. What the leaders of the church are to do:
1. Labor among the people. This means to toil, strive, struggle, and to grow weary doing it.
This word was used to describe farm workers and the physical exertion of Paul’s tent-making.
2. Be over the people in the Lord.
Our Lord teaches us that spiritual leadership comes from being a humble servant. He teaches us that the chief characteristic of Christian leaders is humility not authority, and gentleness not power. It is important that we keep that in mind while we consider this statement.
But we must understand that our Lord chooses to set up godly men to lead, direct, feed, guide and protect His church.
3. Admonish the people - noutheteo
It means to warn against bad behavior and its consequences, and to reprove, even discipline, those who have done wrong. It is not to be done harshly, but as a loving parent to his child or as a brother to his sister, with gentleness and compassion.
4. Be at peace with them.
People and leaders have a responsibility to serve, to work, and to worship together in the peace of our Lord. In another place He commands us to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
“Happy is the church family in which pastors and people recognize that God calls different believers to different ministries, who exercise their own ministries with diligence and humility, and give to others the respect and love which their God-appointed labor demands! They will live in peace with each other.” John Stott
Our Lord uses three words to describe the leaders of the church: elders, bishops or overseers and pastors.
* Elder and elders are the words used most often in the NT to refer to the men God has directed to lead the church. 10 times in Acts the word elder is used to refer to leaders in the church. It is used many times throughout Matt - Acts referring to the leaders of the nation of Israel. It is used 9 times in the letters of the NT to speak of church leaders.
It is the greek word presbuteros, from which our word Presbyterian comes. It speaks of maturity and age. An elder is someone older than you. But it primarily refers to spiritual maturity. This word emphasizes the character of the men our Lord appoints to lead His church
* Bishop or overseer is used 5 times in the NT referring to the leaders of the church. It is the word episkopos, from which our word Episcopal comes. It means to watch or look over. This work speaks of the work or task of the man.
* The word “pastor” is only used 2 times in the NT to refer to church leaders. It is never used as a title, such as pastor Paul or pastor Peter.
It is the word shepherd. It speaks of the function of the leaders of the church. Church leaders are to lead, protect, feed and guide the flock entrusted to our care. We are to shepherd the church.
1. Acts 20.28, not as a title, but as a verb. "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” It is used in 1 Peter 2.25 speaking of our Lord “For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd (pastor) and Overseer (bishop) of your souls.”
2. In 2 Peter 5:1 all three words are used to speak to the leaders of the church: elders, shepherd and overseer. “The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
I. How people and leaders are to regard and relate to each other. 12-13
II. How we, the people who are the church, are to care for each other. 14-15
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, - brothers - everyone in the church
The existence of leaders does not relieve each member of the church of his or her responsibility to care for and help one another.
warn those who are unruly, -
warn - same as admonish in v 12. It means to warn against bad behavior and its consequences, and to reprove, even discipline, those who have done wrong. It is not to be done harshly, but as a loving parent to his child or as a brother to his sister, with gentleness and compassion.
unruly - lit. not keeping order - It was a military term - not keeping rank, insubordinate, disobedient, rebellious
When you see someone in our church family being rebellious or disobedient you have a God-given responsibility to warn that person.
This should always be done according to our Lord’s instructions to us in Galatians 6.1: “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”
comfort the fainthearted, comfort, lit. to speak closely
fainthearted, lit. small souled, discouraged, despondent, depressed - this is the only time this word in used in the Bible.
uphold the weak, uphold - help them, hold on to them,
cling to them, put your arm around them, support them
weak - without strength; the strong are to help the weak. We need each other’s help and support all the time. We cannot make it alone.
be patient with all - every church has those who are disobedient, rebellious, discouraged, and weak. We must be patient with them at all times and strive to help them through, to help them into the victory and strength of our Lord. Patience is often given as an attribute of our Father in heaven. It is a fruit of God the Holy Spirit. Since our Lord has been eternally patient with us, we are to be patient with one another.
15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
All personal revenge and retaliation are forbidden to us, the children of God, the believers in Jesus Christ.
“He is laying on the whole congregation the responsibility to care for each other as sisters and brothers, to give appropriate support, encouragement or admonition to the church’s problem members, and to ensure that all its members follow the teaching of Jesus, cultivating patience, renouncing retaliation and pursuing kindness. It is a beautiful vision of the local church as a community not only of mutual comfort and encouragement but of mutual forbearance and service as well.” John Stott
always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
lit. - Always the good seek after. This is the best way to live, seeking good for every person we meet all the time. Seeking the good for one another in your church family, seeking the good for your relatives, seeking the good for your coworkers and fellow students.
What is good? Our Lord, His truth, His life, His love, His peace, His joy, His forgiveness…
Praying for others…
Looking for ways to help others…
Looking for ways to serve others…
I. How the people of the church and the leaders of the church are to regard and relate to each other. 12-13
II. How we are to care for each other. 14-15
III. How we are to live. 16-28
16 Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing,
18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit.
20 Do not despise prophecies.
21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
25 Brethren, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.