1 thessalonians - god equips

santa barbara community churchwinter spring 2010

1 Thessalonians

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1 Thessalonians

Sources & Abbreviations

Bruce F.F.Bruce,1 & 2 Thessalonians, (Word,1982)

Calvin JohnCalvin,1 & 2 Thessalonians,(CrosswaysBooks,1999)

ESV EnglishStandardBible

Fee GordonFee,NICNT The First and Second Letters to the Thessalonians,(Eerdmans,2009)

Hendrickson WilliamHendrickson,New Testament Commentary, Exposition of 1 & 2 Thessalonians,(Baker,1955)

Hiebert EdmondHiebert,The Thessalonian Epistles,(MoodyPress,1971)

Holmes MichaelHolmes,The NIV Application Commentary 1 & 2 Thessalonians,(Zondervan,1998)

MacArthur JohnMacArthur,1 & 2 Thessalonians,(MoodyPress,2002)

NIV NewInternationalVersionoftheBible

Stott JohnStott,The Message of 1 & 2 Thessalonians,(IVP,1991)

Thomas RobertThomas,The Expositor’s Bible Commentary,volume2,(Zondervan,1978)

Wright N.T.Wright,1 & 2 Thessalonians,(IVP,2009)

1 Thessalonians

Table of Contents & Schedule

The study guide was written by Steve Jolley (introduction and studies 1-7) and Reed Jolley (studies 8-14). Original artwork was created by Ryan Ethington. Bonnie Fearer, Susi Lamoutte, and Mike WIllbanks proofread the studies and Carolee Peterson designed and published the final guide book.

No. Title Page Teaching Date

Introduction 1

1 Beginnings…Acts 17:1-9 3 1/24

2 The Church of God…1 Thessalonians 1:1-4 9 1/31

3 The Gospel of God…1 Thessalonians 1:5-10 15 2/7

4 Spiritual Parenting…1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 21 2/14

5 Receiving the Word…1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 27 2/21

6 The Intimate Connection…1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5 33 2/28

7 Standing Firm…1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 39 3/7

8 From Porneia to Pleasing God (part 1)…1 Thessalonians 4:1-83 45 3/14

9 From Purity to Philadelphia (Pleasing God part 2)…1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 51 3/21

10 The Problem of Bereavement…1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 57 3/28

(No Study - Easter Sunday - 4/4)

11 The Problem of Judgment…1 Thessalonians 5:1-1161 63 4/11

(No Study - Church Retreat - 4/18)

12 Pastors…1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 69 4/25

13 One Another …1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 75 5/2

14 Elements of Worship…1 Thessalonians 5:16-28 81 5/9

1 Thessalonians1

Introduction

Introduction to 1 ThessaloniansItwasonPaul’ssecondmissionaryjourney,AD49or50,thatapostleandhisbandofmissionaries,Silas,TimothyandLukearrivedintheGreektownofThessalonica.Situatedabout100milesfromPhilippi,Thessalonica(moderndayThessaloniki)wasthelargestandmostimportantcityofMacedonia.ThegreatRomanhighway,theViaEgnatia,connectedRomewithitseasternprovincesandmadeThessalonicaasignificantcenteroftrade.

LikemanyMacedoniancitiesofitsday,ithadsomethingtooffertoalmosteveryreligiouspersuasionorinterest.InThessalonicayoucouldfindtraditionalGreekcults,philosophictraditions,mysteryreligions,thecultofRomanemperorworship,asanctuaryofEgyptiangods(Isis&Osiris)andaJewishpopulationlargeenoughtosupportasynagogue.Therewasalsoalocalculttothehighest godthatinThessalonicawasidentifiedwithCabirus.Withsomanyreligiousoptionstherewasstrongtendencytomixandmatch.Syncretismwasunavoidable.

ItisintothiscontextthatPaulandhisco-workersintroduceChristianfaith.Thealmostimmediateresponsewasacombinationofacceptance,rejection,hostilityandpersecution.Thechurchwasborn.Thechurchwaspersecuted.Thechurchgrewandstoodfirm.Inreading1Thessalonians

modernreadersmustconstantlyremindthemselvesofthereallife,on the ground,situationtherecipientsofthisletterarefacing.Thischurchwasyoungintheirfaith,initiallysmallinnumber,taughtforonlyaperiodofsomewherebetweentwotofourmonths,andsufferingthetrialsofpersecution.ItisintothiscontextthatthelovingapostlePaulwritestothisyoungchurch.ThessaloniansisoneoftheearliestofalltheNewTestamentletters.

1ThessaloniansisalovingletterwheretheheartbeatofPaulisondisplay.Itexudeswarmth,affection,pastoralconcern,andpracticalinstructionsforChristianliving.OfparticularconcernisthetimingofthereturnofChristandthefateofthosewhohadfallen asleep.TheyoungchurchwasconfusedandPaulwrites,inpart,toassureandcomfortthechurchconcerningthesematters.

Whataboutus?Whatdoes1ThessalonianshavetosaytoSantaBarbaraCommunityChurchin2010?Wearealocalchurchand1Thessaloniansisalocalchurch.WhiletheculturalsituationinfirstcenturyMacedoniaisdifferentfromthatoftwenty-firstcenturySantaBarbara,thebasichopes,fears,andquestionsofGod’speoplehavenotchangedallthatgreatly.AswestudythislettertogetherwecananticipatethatGodhimselfwillshapeand

1 Thessalonians�

Introduction

sharpenourfaith,justasheusedthisletterinthefaithofthoseearlyChristians.Thelocalchurch,whilelookingdifferentinvariouslocationsandtimes,isstillthefamilyofGodinagivenlocale.ItisthroughlocalchurchesthatGodwillaccomplishhiswillintheworld.

Whenweaffirm(asweshould)thatthechurchiscentraltothehistoricalpurposeofGod,wearenotreferringtoonlytoitsuniversalaspect,butalsotoitsconcrete,local,andcolorfulmanifestations.Butwhatistobeourvisionforthelocalchurch,andhowisitslifetobedeveloped?Paul’sletterstotheThessalonianchurchthrowvaluablelightonsuchaspectsasitscontinuousevangelism,pastoralcare,ethicalstandards,reciprocalfellowship,publicworship,obediencetoapostolicteaching,andfuturehope.Icannotimaginehowanychurchmemberorleadercouldfailtofindbothdirection and inspirationintheselettersforthelifeoftheirlocalchurch.(Stott,p.10,emphasisadded)

ThisstudyguideiswrittenwiththehopethatSBCCwillfind,asJohnStottsaid,bothdirection and inspirationinstudying1Thessalonians.Thegoalisnotsimplytogathermoreinformationbuttohavechangedlives.Itisimportanttorememberthatthisisaguide.Wearenotstudyingthestudyguide,buttheBible,andinparticular1Thessalonians.ThecommentaryandquestionsinthisguidearemeanttodriveusbackintotheScriptures.

WhenstudyingtheBiblewealwayswanttoaskthreesimplequestionsofanypassage.LeaveanyoneofthesequestionunansweredandyouhavenotreallystudiedtheBible.

What?(Whatdoesitsay?)

So What?(Whatdoesitmean?)

What now?(HowdoIapplyittomylife?)

MayGodbless,shapeandchallengeSantaBarbaraCommunityChurchaswespendfourteenweeksinPaul’slettertothechurchatThessalonica.

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Beginnings…Acts 17:1-9As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Christ

had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he said.

Anychurchhasabeginning.Inourdaymostnewchurchesareplantedwhenasmallgroupofmaturebelieversgivebirthtoanewlocalexpressionofthechurch.TheyhopethechurchwillgrowasthegospelissharedandpeoplefindfaithinJesus.ThesechurchplantersbeginthisnewchurchequippedwithfreeBiblestohandout,ofworshipsongstoteach,astrategyforevangelism,andavisionstatementthatexpressestheirhopes.Churchesinthefirstcenturybeganinamuchdifferentway.

Paulandhistravelingcompanions,Silas,Timothy,andLukearrivedinThessalonicainAD49or50.ItwasduringPaul’ssecondmissionaryjourney,describedforusbyLukeinthebookofActs,thatthismissionaryteamcametothisbeautifulseaportcity.ThethreemissionarytripsdescribedinActsarelikeanygoodadventurestory.Wereadofsuccessandfailure,joyandpain,theexpectedandtheunexpected.TherollercoasterofemotionsquicklybecomesevidentinActs17:1-9.

AswebeginourstudyofPaul’slettertothechurchatThessalonicaitisimportantthatweunderstandthecircumstancesofhowthischurchbegan.IntheprocesswewilllearnsomethingofPaul’sheartforthebelieversinThessalonica,someoftheproblemsthatexisted,andthereasonsthatthisletterwaswritten.Justasitisvitaltoknowsomeone’sbackgroundandpersonalstoryifyouaretounderstandthem,itisessentialthatweknowthebackgroundofthefoundingofthischurchifwearetounderstandtheNewTestamentletterof1Thessalonians.

ThestoryofthesecondmissionaryjourneybeginsinActs15:36.TogetusuptospeedforwhattranspiredinThessalonicareadActs15:36-16:40.

WhendidTimothyjoinPaulandSilas?Acts16:1-3

Study One

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Study One

WhendidLukejoinPaul,SilasandTimothy?Acts16:11(Noticethe“we”sectionsbeginhere.LukewrotethebookofActs.)

Whatweretheydoingastheytraveledfromcitytocity?

TheeffortsofthisbandofbrothersinPhilippimeetwithremarkablesuccessthatresultedinalongandwarmrelationshipbetweenPaulandthischurch.Aswasoftenthecasetheseitineratemissionarieswerebeaten,putinjailandthenrunoutoftown.Philippiwascloseto100milesfromThessalonica.Beaten,bruisedandjoyfulPaul,SilasandTimothy(Lukestayedbehind)traveledalongtheViaEgnatia,thegreatRomanroadthatconnectedRomewithitseasternprovinces.

Withthisbackgroundinmind,readActs17:1-9thatdescribesthefoundingofthechurchatThessalonica.

Doesanythingstandouttoyouinthesenineverses?Whatinitialquestionsdoyouhaveofthisstory?

WhatdoyoulearnaboutthecityofThessalonicafromtheseverses?

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Study One

AquickreadingofActs17:1-9wouldleadyoutothinkthatPaulandhisfriendsstayedinThessalonicafor3-4weeks,havinggonetothesynagogueonthree Sabbath days.Mostlikelytheystayedmuchlonger.MostcommentatorsestimatethattheywereinThessalonicaforsomewherebetweentwotofivemonths.1

ItwasPaul’shabittoinitiallylooktothesynagogueforawelcomingplacetoteach.Asalearnedtravelingrabbi,PaulwouldbeinvitedtospeaktotheJewishworshippers.InThessalonicathisitinerantpreacheronlylaststhreeSaturdays.

Noticethelanguageofverses2-4.WhatdoesthistellyouaboutthenatureofhowPaulpresentedthegospelmessage?

reasonedwiththemfromtheScriptures

explainingandprovingthatChristhadtosufferandrisefromthedead2

ThisJesusIamproclaimingtoyouistheChrist.

SomeoftheJewswerepersuaded

HowdoesPaul’spresentationofthegospelcomparetohowyoumighttalktofriendsandneighborsaboutthegoodnewsfoundinJesus?Doyoureason, explain, prove and persuadewhenyoutalktothenon-Christian?Whyorwhynot?

1 Luke, however, often “telescopes” his narrative by skipping over intervening events (compare his relatively brief and episodic account in Acts 18:1-18 of Paul’s initial visit to Corinth, which lasted eighteen months). Thus a month or two (or even three or four) may have elapsed between the two episodes narrated in 17:1-4 and 17:5-9. A stay of two to five months would correlate well with impression given by Paul’s description in 1 Thessalonians of his activities during this time, and also with his comment that the Philippians contributed to his support during this time, perhaps (but not necessarily) more than once (Phil. 4:15-16). (MichaelHolmes,TheNIVApplicationCommentary,p.20)

2 SucharevolutionaryteachingwouldbeatoddswiththeprominentJewishviewthatsawtheMessiahasapoliticalandmilitaryleaderwhowouldrescueIsraelfromheroppressors.

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Study One

Asahomegrouptalkaboutevangelism.Isthisastrongpartofyourlife?IsevangelismastrengthofSBCC?WhatdoyouthinkofPaul’smethodshereinThessalonica?

Whatholdsyoubackfrombeingmoreaggressiveinsharingyourfaith?WhydoyouthinkPaulandhisfellowteammembersweresoaggressive?

IfyouweretoreasonandprovefromtheScripturesthatJesuswasthemessiahwhodiedforthesinsoftheworldwhatpassagesfromtheBiblewouldyouturnto?Usethistimeinyourhomegrouptosharecrucialpassagesthatexplainthegospel.Takenotesandhelpeachothertobeprepared.

Listthethreegroupsofpeoplewhoinitiallyrespondedtothegospelmessage.1

1.

2.

3.

Fromtheverybeginningthisnewchurchfacedpersecution.Whatawaytobegin.Thinkaboutit.Thesynagoguewouldhavebeenincensedatthelossofmemberstothisnewcult.Theconversionofsomeprominent womenwouldhavemadecivicleadersawareandwaryofthecult.Thisfledgingchurchwasborninoppositionandhostility.

1 God fearing GreekswereGentileswhowereattractedtoJudaismandattendedthesynagogueservices,butdidnotbecomefullconvertstoJudaism.

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Study One

Howdoyoupicturetheensuingriotthatbreaksout?1Haveyoueverwitnessedariot?Whatdoyouenvisionwhenthecrowd and city officials were thrown into turmoil?

JasonwasprobablyhostingthefirsthomegroupinThessalonica.Thelastthingontheirmindswaswhetherornottheyshouldhavedessertbeforeorafterthestudy.Howdoyouimaginethefirstcenturychurchexperiencefromourowntoday?

ThisisthebeginningofthechurchatThessalonica.Afterjustafewmonthsofteachingandtrainingtheseyoungbelievers,PaulisrunoutoftownmakinghiswayfirsttoBereaandthentoAthensandeventuallyCorinth.ThefirstimpulseofthesemissionarieswastogetbacktoThessalonicaandcheckonthehealthofthechurch.Paulpointsoutthathetriedseveraltimes(1Thessalonians2:17-18).InAthensPaulissofrustratedwithnotknowingthesituationinthechurchthathesendsTimothybacktoThessalonica.ItisinCorinththatTimothyfinallycatchesupwithPaulandbringsencouragingnewsfromThessalonica(1Thessalonians3:6).ItisinCorinth,afteraface-to-facereportfromTimothy,thatPaulwritesoneofhisearliestletters,1Thessalonians.

Withallthisbackgroundinmind,read1Thessalonians—fiveshortchaptersthatwon’ttakeyoulong.Howdoesknowingthetumultuousbeginningsofthechurch,therelativelybrieftimethatPaulwasinThessalonica,andtheculturallyandreligiouslymixedgroupofpeoplethatmadeupthechurchhelpyoutounderstandthisletter?

RespondtothestatementbelowfromJohnStott.Howdoyouseethisworkingoutinyourcommitmenttothelocalchurch?Whatimplicationsdoesthishaveforevangelism?

Whatisofparticularinterest,becauseitappliestoChristiancommunitiesineveryageandplace,istheinteractionwhichtheapostleportraysbetweenthechurchandthegospel.Heshowshowthegospelcreatesthechurchandthechurchspreadsthegospel,andhowthegospelshapesthechurch,asthechurchseekstolivealifeworthyofthegospel.(Stott,p.20)

1 Thebad charactersofverse5arecolorfullydescribedintheKJVascertain lewd fellows of the baser sort.

1 Thessalonians�

sermon notes

Study One

1 Thessalonians9

Study Two

The Church of God…1 Thessalonians 1:1-�ThechurchinThessalonicaisonlyafewmonthsold.Itsmembersareveryyoungintheirfaith,comingfromeitherJudaismorpaganism.Everythingisnew.Freshmoralstandards,hopeinthereturnofJesus,beingjoinedtogetherwithotherpeopleinachurch,andofcoursepersecution,werebeingexperiencedforthefirsttime.AsJohnStottsays,You would expect this to be a very wobbly church in a very precarious condition.(Stott,p.27)

AttheverybeginningofhisletterPaulisgoingtoremindtheThessalonianbelieversoftheirnewidentityasChristians.TheseopeningfourversesarepackedwithpracticaltruthsaboutwhatitmeanstobeapartofGod’schurchandwhatinparticulararethedistinguishingmarksoffaith.

Read1Thessalonians1:1-10.Whilewewilltaketwoweekstocoverthismaterial,readallofthisfirstchapterasaunit.

Whatinitialquestionsdoyouhaveofverses1-4?Doesanythingjumpofthepageandgrabyourattention?

Thetraditionalgreetinginthefirstcenturyworldwhenwritingletterswaschairein,whichsimplymeantgreetings.AsPauldoesinallhisletters,hechangesthiscommonintroductiontocharis,whichmeansgrace.WhencombinedwiththetraditionalJewishgreetingofshalom(peaceinthesenseofwholenessor well being) theletterbeginswithadistinctlyChristiangreeting,grace and peace to you.

Theletterisaddressedto the church of the Thessalonians(v.1).Thewordchurch (ekklesia) wasacommonfirstcenturytermthatnow,inthepagesofScripture,tookonspecialsignificance.GordonFeeexplainsthehistoryofthisterm.

ItsoriginintheGreekcity-stateasadesignationfortheassemblyofcitizensgatheredtodealwithcityaffairs,aswellasatermfor“societies”ofpeoplewhosharedcommonbeliefs,madeitthehappychoiceoftheGreektranslatorsoftheOldTestament,whereitwasregularlyusedtorendertheHebrewqahal,referringtothe“wholecongregation”

1 Thessalonians10

Study Two

ofIsrael.Thechoiceofthiswordforthecommunityofbelieversinanygivenlocalewasthusanaturalone.Andbythetimeofthisletter,ithadalreadybeguntodesignateallthebelieversinagivencommunity....(Fee,p.14)

ThinkaboutthesituationatThessalonicaforthesenewChristians.Whywoulditbeimportantforthemtounderstandthemselvesasachurch?Whyisitimportantinourowndaytounderstandourfaithinthecontextofthechurch?

Theapostlebeginsmanyofhisletterswithsomementionofprayerandthanksforthosetowhomheiswriting.Comparethissentence,We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers(v.2),withothersimilarstatementsPaulmakesabouthisprayerforhischurches.

Philippians1:3-4

Colossians1:3-4

2Timothy1:3

Howdoprayerandthankfulnessgotogether?WhydoyouthinkPauloftenbeginsbymentioninghisprayers?DoesPaul’sexampleencourageyoutochangeyourhabitsofprayer?

RespondtothisstatementbyJohnStott.Howcanyouhelpyourmemory?

HetellstheThessaloniansthathe,SilasandTimothy-whentogether,separatelyorboth-1)alwaysthankedGodforthemall,2)mentionedthemintheirprayers,and3)continuallyrememberedthembeforeGod.Thusmemory,thanksgivingandprayerbelongtogether.Perhapsweneedtoprayandworkforbettermemories.Foritiswhenwerememberpeople(theirfaces,namesandneeds)thatwearepromptedbothtothankGodandtoprayforthem.(Stott,p.29)

1 Thessalonians11

Study Two

WhatJonathanWilsoncallstheGospel Virtuesoffaith,hopeandlovecomeintosharpfocusinverse3b.1

your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.2

MichaelHolmessaysthatthesethreewords,faith,hopeandlove,function almost as a shorthand summary of the essentials of Christianity(Holmes,p.48).TheFrenchReformerJohnCalvinsaidmuchthesamethingcallingthisabrief definition of true Christianity(Calvin,1&2Thessalonians,p.19).Thistriadoffaith,hopeandloveshowupoften,withvaryingdegreesofclarity,inmanyofPaul’sletters.Theyalsoarefoundin1PeterandHebrews.AsweunpacktheseweightywordsexaminetheseotherNewTestamentpassages.Eachofthepassageslistedbelowmakementionoffaith,hopeandlove.Begintotakenotesastowhatyouarelearningaboutfaith,hopeandlove.3

1Corinthians13:13

Ephesians4:2-5

Colossians1:4-5

Romans5:1-5

1Peter1:3-8

Hebrews6:10-12

Hebrews10:22-24

1 JonathanWilson,Gospel Virtues: Practicing Faith Hope and Love in Uncertain Times,IVP,1998.2 Translatorshavesomedifficultdecisionswithverse3.TheESVandotherliteraltranslationsoptto

renderthesephrasesmoreabruptly,your work of faith, labor of love, steadfastness of hope.GordonFeepointsoutthat,Unfortunately a literal rendering of these three phrases has also led to further misunderstanding on the part of many readers. . . Thus the NIV — and a few others have turned all three of them into meaningful phrases that capture the “result / reason” of the three genitives.(Fee,p.24)

3 Inmanywaysthesepassagesarenotsimilar.Whatisinterestingaboutthem,however,isthatthesethreethemesoffaith,hopeandloveshowupineachofthem.Whilenotalwaysinthesamewayorinthesameorder,theyneverthelesstellussomethingcentralabouttheChristianlife.

1 Thessalonians1�

Study Two

Christiansarepeoplewhoaredistinguishedbythemarksoffaith,hopeandlove.ThinkaboutyourownlifeandspiritualjourneywithChrist.Answereachofthequestionsbelowthinkingaboutyourselfandhowthesecharacteristicshaveworkedthemselvesoutinyourlife.

Whatworkshavebeenproducedinyourlifebyfaith?(bespecific)

Whatlaborhaveyouseeninyourlifeprompted by love?

Howhaveyouexperiencedspiritualendurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ?

InourlastversetobeconsideredinthisstudyPaulencouragestheThessalonianbelieverswiththetwintruthsofGod’sloveforthemandhischoosingofthem.

For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you . . . (v. 4)

Forsome,thebiblicalteachingonGod’schoosingorelectioncanbetroubling.Ironically,wheneverthesubjectcomesupintheBible(anditdoesoften)itismeanttobeanencouragementforthebelievers.OnceagainJohnStotthelpstoclarify.

Moreover,thetopicofelectionisnearlyalwaysintroducedforapracticalpurpose,inordertofosterassurance(notpresumption),holiness(notmoralapathy),humility(notpride)andwitness(notlazyselfishness).ButstillnoexplanationofGod’selectionisgivenexceptGod’slove...Thatis,hechoseusbecausehelovesus,andhelovesusbecausehelovesus.Hedoesnotloveusbecausewearelovable,butonlybecauseofhislove.Andwiththatmysterywemustrestcontent.(Stott,p.31)

Howmightverse4havebeenoftremendousencouragementtothebelieversinThessalonica?

1 Thessalonians1�

Study Two

ExaminetheversesbelowthatspeakofGod’ssovereignchoosingofyou.Howdotheseversesencourageyou?Iftheytroubleyou,explainwhy.

John15:16

Ephesians1:4-5,11

Titus1:1

1Peter1:1

Takeastepbackandconsider1Thessalonians1:1-4.Paul’smainintentintheseversesistoinstillconfidenceinthisveryyoungchurch.Doyouthinkheaccomplishedhisgoal?Howhavetheseversesgivenyouspiritualconfidence?

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Study Two

sermon notes

1 Thessalonians1�

Study Three

The Gospel of God…1 Thessalonians 1:�-10Paul’slettertothechurchatThessalonicabeganwithanaffirmationofthechurch.TheywereGod’schosenpeoplecharacterizedbyfaith,hopeandlove.TheapostlenowturnsfromGod’schurchtoGod’sgospel.In1Thessalonians1:5-10welearnabouttheLord’s message(v.8NIV)ortheword of the Lord(v.8ESV).Thegospelmessagecametothebelieversinacertainwayandwasreceivedbythemwithappropriateattitudes.InturnthereceptionofLord’s messageresultedinconcretestepsoffaiththatchangedthedailylifeofthesenewbelievers.

Read1Thessalonians1:1-10,focusingyourattentiononverses5-10.Beforegoingoninthisstudyjotdownanyinitialthoughtsorquestionsyouhave.WhatdotheseversestellyouabouttheLord’s message?

Messagesusuallydon’tcomeinavacuum.Verse5describeshowthegospelcametotheinhabitantsofThessalonica.Listthefour waysthatthisgoodnewscametoThessalonica.

1.

2.

3.

4.

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Study Three

Thegospelcamewithwords.Not simply with words,butwithwordsnevertheless.Thegoodnewshasspecificcontentthatiscommunicatedinwordsandsentences.AswehaveseenPaulcametoThessalonicaandreasoned with them from the Scriptures(Acts17:2).HowimportantisitthatwechooseourwordscarefullywhentalkingtopeopleaboutJesus?CansomeonefindsalvationinChristwithouthearingthewordsofthegospelmessage?

The gospel came with power and with the HolySpirit.PowerandtheHoly Spiritcannotbeseparated.WhenpeoplehearthegoodnewsaboutnewlifeinJesusChristwordsarenotenough.PowerinthepersonoftheHolySpiritisneeded.Stottputsitsuccinctly.

WemustneverdivorcewhatGodhasmarried,namelyhisWordandhisSpirit.TheWordofGodistheSpirit’ssword.TheSpiritwithouttheWordisweaponless;theWordwithouttheSpiritispowerless.(Stott,p.34)

Thinkbacktoyourownconversion.WhatroledidtheWordandtheSpiritplayinyourrepentance?HowdidtheHolySpiritenableyoutounderstandthemessageandinwardlyconfirmthetruthofthismessage?

Read1Corinthians2:10-16wherePaulmorefullyexplainstherelationshipbetweentheWordandSpirit.Howdoesthispassagehelpyouunderstandthisrelationship?Howdoyouunderstandandapplyverse14toyourlife?

The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1Corinthians2:14

Thegospelcamewithdeep conviction.WhatdoesthistellusaboutPaul’sconfidenceinproclaimingthegospel?HowwouldyourateyourconvictionwhentalkingtoothersaboutJesus?Why?

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Study Three

TheseThessalonianbelieversrespondedtothegospeljoyfullyandintheprocesslearnedtolivetheChristianlifebyimitatingtheLordaswellasPaul,SilasandTimothy.Thewordinverse6,imitators(mimetai),isthewordfromwhichtheEnglishtermmimicderives.Itsimplymeanstocopy.LookattheverseslistedbelowandremindyourselfofthiscoreBiblicalteaching.TheChristianlifeislearnedaswefollowtheexampleofJesusandotherbelievers.

Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 1Corinthians4:16

For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you . . . 2Thessalonians3:7

I plead with you, brothers, become like me . . . Galatians4:12

Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. Philippians3:17

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children. Ephesians5:1

AlongsideofGod,areyouconsciouslyimitatingotherbelievers?WouldyoufeeloddencouraginganewChristiantolookatthepatternsofyourlifeandimitateyou?Whyorwhynot?

Lookatverse6again.Thesebelievers,in spite of severe suffering, welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. JoyintheChristianlifeisoneofthecertainhallmarksofgenuinefaith.Butsufferingisalsooften,sadly,apartoftheChristian’sexperience.IronicallytheNewTestamentoftentalksaboutjoyandsufferingintheverysamecontext.1ConsiderandrespondtoFee’sstatementonverse6.

ThuswefindheretheremarkablecollocationofjoyandsufferingfoundthroughouttheNewTestament.Theearlychurchunderstoodsufferingtobepartofitslot,andbelieverswerenotsurprisedbyit(1Thessalonians3:2-3);yetbecausetheyhadexperiencedtheirnewlifeastheindwellingoftheSpirit,theyalsolivedwithgreatjoy.Inthemidstofsuffering,theirexperienceoftheeschatologicalSpirithadgiventhemaforetasteofthelifetocome.(Fee,p.39)

WhatdoesitsayaboutAmericanChristianswhentheyarecompletelysurprisedwhensufferingcomestheirway?

1 See2Corinthians8:2;Romans5:3-5;Acts5:41;James1:2;1Peter1:6.

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Study Three

Itseemsthatthefaithofthisfledgingchurchwasthetalkofthetown,inMacedoniaandAchaiaandeverywhere(v.8).TheLord’s messagerangoutfromthemsothateveryonewasawareofthisgospel.ThisistheonlyplaceintheNewTestamentthattheGreekwordrang out(execheo)isfound.ThewordisderivedfromechoswherewegettheEnglishwordechoornoise.Itcouldrefertoasound,ring,orboom.WhateverPaulhasinmindthisgospelwashavingsuchanimpactitwasreverberatingthroughthelandscapeofGreece.

Accordingtoverse8exactlywhatwasthenewsthatwasspreadingeverywhere?

OnehastowonderwhatJewsandpagansintheareawerehearingaboutthesenewChristians.Howdidthisnewsspread?Whatwasbeingsaid?Stotthelpsuslookbehindthescenesatthetypesofconversationsthatmayhavebeengoingon.

Thereisanimportantlessontolearnhere.Weareaverymedia-consciousgeneration.Weknowthepowerofmassmediaonthepublicmind.Consequently,wewanttousethismediainevangelism.Byprintandtape,audioandvideocassettes,byradioandtelevisionwewouldliketosaturatetheworldwiththegoodnews.Andrightlyso...Neverthelessthereisadifferentway,which(ifwemustcomparethem)isstillmoreeffective.Itrequiresnocomplicatedelectronicgadgetry;itisverysimple.Itisneitherorganizednorcomputerized;itisspontaneous.Anditisnotexpensive;itcostspreciselynothing.Wemightcallit‘holygossip.’Itistheexcitedtransmissionfrommouthtomouthoftheimpactthegoodnewsinmakingonpeople.‘Haveyouheardwhathappenedtosoandso?DidyouknowthatsuchandsuchapersonhascometobelieveinGodandhasbeencompletelytransformed?SomethingextraordinaryisgoingoninThessalonica:anewsocietyiscomingintobeing,withnewvaluesandstandardscharacterizedbyfaith,loveandhope.’(Stott,p.38)

Thinkaboutourowncity.Howdoyouthinktheaveragenon-believingSantaBarbaranwoulddescribeChristianity/Christians?

1 Thessalonians19

Study Three

Ourpassageforthisstudyendswithtwoverses,9b-10,thatgivethemarksoftheChristianlife.Listthem.Reflectonhoweachofthesemarksisbeingmanifestinyourliferightnow.Bepreparedtogiveconcreteexamplestoyourhomegroup.

1.

2.

3.

Toturn from idolswouldmeanalotmoretoafirstcenturypersonfromThessalonicathanitdoesformostofustodaylivinginSantaBarbara.ThessalonicawasonlyfiftymilesfromMountOlympus,wheretheGreekgodssupposedlylived.OnacleardayonecouldseeMountOlympusfromThessalonica.Theplacewascrawlingwithidols.Toturn from idolsbecamealmostasynonymfortheChristianlife,especiallyinthebookofActs.Idolatryisnolessrealinourday,justlesstangible.

Howwouldyoudefineidolatryfromamoderncontext?FromwhatidolshaveyouturnedsinceyoufollowedChrist?Whathasthatturninglookedlike?Fromwhatidolsdoyouneedtoturntoday?

Ourpassageendswithawaitingchurch,trustinginaGodwhorescues us from the coming wrath(v.10).Howmightitbehelpfulforyoutothinkmoreaboutbeingrescued?

1 Thessalonians�0

Study Three

sermon notes

1 Thessalonians�1

Study Four

Spiritual Parenting…1 Thessalonians �:1-1�Everyparentwantstodoagoodjobofraisingchildren.Probablynotaskinlifeisasimportant,fulfilling,challenging,frustrating,andfullofhopeanddisappointment.Asanyparentknows,thesecutelittlebundlesofjoycomeintoourlivesandthentherealworkbegins.Childrengrowandchange.Theyeithermatureandgrowintoproductiveadulthoodorstagnateandstaymiredinchildhoodorevenworse,adolescence.

Muchof1Thessalonianshastodowithraisingspiritualchildren.TheparallelsbetweenraisingourownchildrenandguidingbabyChristianstowardspiritualmaturityarepronounced.PaulandhisbandofmissionarieshadonlybeeninThessalonicaafewmonthsbeforetheywererunoutoftownandthisyoungchurchwasleftonitsown.Theywerealmostspiritualorphans.Inourpassageforthisstudy,Paulisreflectingonhisownspiritualparentingandatthesametimecontinuingtoraisehisspiritualoffspringwhilephysicallyabsent.

1Thessaloniansasawhole,andchapterstwoandthreeinparticular,aresomeofthemoreintimatepassagesoftheNewTestament.Weseemuch

ofPaul’semotion,ashebareshissoulinconcernforthechurch.Beforereadingrecallthecontextofthisletter.Paulhaslefttownsuddenlyduetopersecution.Hiscriticsnodoubttookfulladvantageofhisabsenceanddideverythingtheycouldtodiscreditboththeapostleandthegospel.InourpassagewewillseesomethingofPaul’sself-defenseandintheprocesswewillbeabletoreconstructwhatmusthavebeenamalicioussmearcampaign.

Read1Thessalonians2:1-12.Readitseveraltimesslowly.Whatkeywordsstandouttoyou?Whatinitialquestionscomeupasyouread?

1 Thessalonians��

Study Four

InthesetwelveshortverseshowmanytimesisGodmentionedbyname?Whatdoesthissuggest?

Inverses1-6PaulisdefendingnotsomuchthegospelmessageasheishisministryandthetimespentinThessalonica.1Inexaminingmorecarefullyverses1-6tryandlookbehindthescenes.WhattypesofaccusationswerePaul’sdetractorsbringingagainsthim?HowweretheyquestioninghismotivationsincomingtoThessalonica?

Itineratereligiousteacherswerecommoninthefirstcentury.Thessalonica,situatedonthemainRomanroad,theViaEgnatia,hadnodoubtseentheirfairshareofcharlatans.Travelingteachersweremoreoftenthannotlookingforfinancialgain,sexualpreyandtheegoboostofadulation.

OutlinethewaysinwhichPauldefendshimselfagainstthosewhowereslanderinghiminverses1-6.

WhatisatstakeisPaul’sintegrity,whichofcourseisareflectionontheintegrityofthegospelmessageitself.Fromwhatyouhaveseenandheardinourworld,describethedamagedonetothegospelwhenthemessengersarehypocritical,immoral,orinitforthemoney.

1 WhenPaulsays,We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi(2:2),itishelpfultovisualizewhatactuallyhappened.Stottpaintsthepicture.He and Silas had been stripped, beaten, thrown into prison, and their feet fastened in stocks. It had not only been an extremely painful experience, but humiliating as well, since they were flogged naked in public, without trial, and in spite of their Roman citizenship.(Stott,p.48)


Study Four

Howcanwehelptoguardourintegrity?Whatmustwedotoinsurethatweareachurchthatisabovereproach?

Attheendofverse6Paulsays,As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you,referringtofinancialsupportofhisministry.Hegoesoninverse9tomakethepointthathewasnotafinancialburdentoanyone,butrather,worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone. WeknowthatPaulattimessupportedhimselfbythetradeoftentmaking(seeActs18:3,20:34-35).InThessalonicaheprobablypreachedandtaughtbydayandmadetentsbynight.InadditionweknowthathereceivedgiftsfromthechurchinPhilippiwhilehewasinThessalonica(Philippians4:16).1

Inverses7-12Paulgoesontodescribehisspiritualparentingandlikenshimselftobothamotherandafather.2

Inverses7-8weseePaulasaspiritualmother.ListthreecharacteristicsthatPaulmentionswereapartofcaringfortheThessaloniansasaspiritualmother.

1.

2.

3.

Havetherebeenpeopleinyourlifewhohavecaredforyouasaspiritualmother?Canyougiveexamplesofhowpeoplehavebeenapartofyourspiritualparentingandlivedouttheseattitudesfoundinverses7-8.

1 Paulisoftenuneasyaboutreceivingsupportfromsomeofhischurches.Hedoes,however,stronglydefendthenecessityoffinancialsupportforteachersandpastors,evenwhilereluctantattimestotakeitforhimself.See1Corinthians9.

2 Paulwilloftenuseparentingmetaphorsreferringtohischildren,sometimesmaternallyandothertimespaternally.1Corinthians4:14-16;2Corinthians6:11-13;Galatians4:19;Philippians2:22;Philemon10.


Study Four

Haveyoutriedtobeaspiritualmothertootherbelievers?Ifsodescribethis.

Respondtothestatementbelow.HowcanyoucultivateanattitudeofspiritualmotheringinyourChristianrelationships?

ItisalovelythingthatamanastoughandmasculineastheapostlePaulshouldhaveusedthisfemininemetaphor.SomeChristianleadersbecomebothself-centeredandautocratic.Themoretheirauthorityischallenged,themoretheyassertit.Weallneedtocultivatemore,inourpastoralministry,ofthegentleness,loveandself-sacrificeofamother.(Stott,p.52)

Inverses9-12weseePaulasaspiritualfather.ListthreecharacteristicsthatPaulmentionswereapartofcaringfortheThessaloniansasaspiritualfatherinverse12.

1.

2.

3.

Giveexamplesofwhatthesethreecharacteristicsmightlooklikeatapracticallevelinspiritualparenting.Inotherwords,whatwoulditbelikeforyoutobeaspiritualencourager,comforter,andstimulatortowardgodliness?


Study Four

ItgoeswithoutsayingthatwearenotapostlesasPaulwas.Yet,atthesametimeallChristiansarecalledupontonurtureotherbelievers,helpingthemcometospiritualmaturity.Weusewordslike:discipleship,pastoralconcern,mentoring,encouraging,andfellowshiptodescribethisprocess.Thepassagebeforeusisanexcellentmodelforustocopy.

Howhaveyoubeenencouragedinyourspiritualparenting?Howhas1Thessalonians2:1-12helpedyousharpenyourspiritualparentingskills?

Trytopullyourthoughtstogetheronthispassageandthetopicofspiritualparenting.Howhaveyoubeenencouragedtobeaspiritualparentinthelivesofotherbelievers?Howhaveyoubeenencouragedtoreceivespiritualparentinginyourownlife?

SpendtimecelebratingasahomegroupthebenefitsdevelopingourChristianlivesinthecontextofrelationshipswithotherbelievers!


Study Four

sermon notes

1 Thessalonians�7

Study Five

Receiving the Word… 1 Thessalonians �:1�-1�CanyourememberthefirsttimeyouheardthegospelmessageoftheforgivenessandnewlifethatwasavailableinJesus?Someofusheardthismessagemanydecadesago.Forothersitmayhavebeenjustamatterofmonthsorevenweeks.DoyourememberyourfirstthoughtswhenyouheardthestoryofJesus,thecrossandtheresurrection?

FormostpeopleintheWestthereisusuallysomebackgroundinformationwehaveheard.ThenameJesusisusuallynotnewandthebroadoutlineofthegospelsomewhatrecognizable,evenifvaguely.Weareusedto

seeingcrossesonbuildingsorwornaroundpeople’snecks.EventhemostardentsecularistisawarethatChristianshaveacertainsetofbeliefsinamancalledJesus.

Itwasn’tlikethisintheGreekcityofThessalonicainAD50.WhenPaulandhisbandofmissionariesarrivedmany,ifnotmost,hadneverheardthenameJesus.ThecrosswasasymbolofshameassociatedwiththepowerofRomeandnotjewelrytobeworn.TothosewhofirstheardPaulproclaimthisgoodnewstheymusthaveinitiallyunderstoodittobejustonemoreoftheverynumerousreligiousoptionsavailableinthefirstcentury.

In1Thessalonians2:13-16PaulreflectsonhowtheThessalonianbelieversfirstheardthegospel,howtheyreceiveditandsomeofthestrugglesthatensued.Read1Thessalonians2:13-16.Readitslowlyandinseveraltranslationsifpossible.Takenotes.Whatisclearinthesefourverses?Whattroublesyou?Whatquestionsdotheseversesbringup?


Study Five

Aswebeginthisstudyfocusonverse13.PaulbeginsbybeingthankfulforhowtheThessaloniansreceivedtheword of God.Whatisthe word of Godheisreferringtoo?

Feegivesussomehelpinunderstandingthisphrase,word of God.

...oneshouldshowcautionaboutPaul’sreferent,“thewordofGod.”HereisaplacewheretheEnglishphrase“wordofGod”needstobe“translated”soasnottobeconfusedwithScriptureassuch.Paul’sgratitudehastodowiththeThessalonian’shearinghispreachingforwhatiswasintendedtobe:God’sownmessageofredemptionandhopetoapeoplewhohadbeenwithoutGodandhopeintheworld.(Fee,p.89)

Thosewhobelievedfirstheard thestoryofredemptionandthenacceptedit.Whatdoesverse13tellusabouthowtheyacceptedthisgospelmessage?

Thecontrastinverse13isbetweentheword of Godandthe word of men.Whatisthedifference?WhatisPaulsayingabouthispreachingofthismessagewhenhemakesthisdistinction?

Thisgospelmessagenotonlychangedthesemissionarieslives,italsochangedthelivesofthosewhobelievedinThessalonica.Thinkbacktoyourownconversion.Howhasthismessagechangedyousinceyoubelieved?Bereadytoshareyourstorieswithyourhomegroup.

1 Thessalonians�9

Study Five

Somereadingthisstudyguidemaybeintheprocessofhearingandunderstandingthegospelforthefirsttime.Themessagemaysoundstrange,confusingorevenalienating.YouaresurroundedbypeopleinyourhomegoupwhohavefaithinJesusChrist.Whatquestionsdoyouhaveforthem?

ElsewhereintheNewTestamentthisgospelmessageisexplained.Reflectontheseverses.Whatdotheseversestellyouaboutthismessagethatistheword of God?Whatotherversescouldyousharewithyourhomegroupthathelpyouunderstandandappreciatethegospel?

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. Romans1:16

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1Peter1:3

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John3:16-17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2Corinthians5:17-21

1 Thessalonians�0

Study Five

Accordingtoverse14howhadthechurchinThessalonicabecomelikeotherchurchesinJudea?

OneofthefirstthingsthathappenedwhensomeatThessalonicabelievedandacceptedthewordofGodwasthattheybecamethefocusofhostilityfromthosewholivedaroundthem.Therewasalmostimmediateostracismfromthelocalpopulace.Notagreatwaytostartachurch.CommentatorMichaelHolmessays,The clearest evidence of the Thessalonians’ acceptance of the gospel as the word of God was their willingness to suffer for it(2:14).(Holmes,p.81)

Whattypeoffaithisrequiredforsomeonetocontinuetobelieveinspiteofhostilityandpersecution?Howdoyouthinkyourfaithwouldstandupunderpersecution?

Theharshtoneofverses14b-15,abouttheJews,haveleadsometoaccusePaulofanti-Semitism.1ConsiderJohnStott’sdefenseofPaul.

...weneedtorememberthathehimselfwasapatrioticJew,aswelearnparticularlyfromRomans3:1-4and9:1-11:36.HegloriedinhisJewishancestry.Helongedwithanguishforthesalvationofhispeople...Paulissimplystatingbaldfacts.ManyofhisJewishcontemporarieswererejectingChrist,opposingthegospelandhinderingGentilesfrombeingsaved.Inconsequence,God’swrathhadcomeuponthem,asJesushimselfhadwarned.(Stott,p.59)

1 Stottcomments.These two verses, sometimes called ‘the Pauline polemic against the Jews’, have been described as ‘violent’, ‘vehement’, ‘vindictive’, ‘passionate’, ‘intemperate’, ‘bitter’, and ‘harsh.’ (Stott,p.55)

1 Thessalonians�1

Study Five

Oppositiontothegospelmessageisnothingnew.Theword of Godcreatedhostilityinthefirstcenturyandindeedstilldoesinourowntime.Recently,AmericaandEuropehaveseenaresurgenceofanti-Christianrhetoric.WhathasbeencalledtheNewAtheismhasgivenrisetoaggressiveattacksonthefaithofChristians.1Anevangelisticsecularismseekstoestablishitselfinthepublicsquare.ItseemsthattheworldourchildrenwillgrowupinwillbemuchlessacceptingofChristianfaith.

ThinkabouthostilitytoChristianfaith.Whatisitabouttheword of Godthatmakessomeangry,upset,andantagonistictothosewhobelieve?

WhatsortofoppositiontoChristianfaithdoyouseeinoursociety?Haveyoupersonallyexperiencedanyanger,hostilityorantagonismtoyourfaithinChrist?How?

WhatcomfortcanwetakefromtheexampleoftheThessalonianbelievers?

SpendtimeasahomegroupthankingGodthatyou,received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God.

1 PopularwriterssuchasRichardDawkins,DanielDennett,SamHarrisandChristopherHitchenshavesoldanastoundingnumberofbooksthatattackthefoundationsoftheismingeneralandChristianfaithinparticular.AlbertMohlerhaswrittenanexcellentdiscussionoftheNewAtheisminAtheism Remix.Inithewarns;The New Atheism is not just a reassertion of atheism. It is a movement that represents a far greater challenge to Christianity than posed by the atheistic movement in previous times . . . The New Atheists are, in their own way, evangelistic in intent and ambitious in hope. They see atheism as the only plausible worldview for our times, and they see belief in God as downright dangerous—an artifact of the past that we can no longer afford to tolerate, much less encourage. (AlbertMohler,AtheismRemix,CrosswayBooks,2008,p.12)


Study Five

sermon notes


Study Six

The Intimate Connection…1 Thessalonians �:17-�:�Asanyparentknowsifyouareoutoftouchwithyourchildrenandhavenotspokentotheminsometimeyouworry.Ifyouareunsurehowafriendorroommateisdoinginlifeyoucannothelpbutbeconcerned.ThisisPaul’ssituation.AfterestablishingtheyoungchurchinThessalonica,Paulwaschasedoutoftown.Heknowsthechurchhelovesissufferingpersecutionbutheisunsurehowtheyarehandlingtheircircumstances.BecauseofhisaffectionforthebelieversinThessalonicaPaulisdistraught.Helongstohearhowhisspiritualchildrenarefaring.

TheanguishofthisseparationwouldbeincreasedbythepresenceofdetractorsinThessalonicawhoPaulknewwerebusycriticizinghim.Hismotives,conduct,suddendepartureandfailuretoreturnwere,nodoubt,thesubjectofgossip.

Read1Thessalonians2:17—3:5.ThispassagespeaksofPaul’sintimateconnectionwiththechurchinThessalonica.Whatstandsouttoyou?Whatquestionsdoyouhaveaboutthispassage?

ExaminethispassagelookingforlanguagethatspeaksofPaul’sintimateandemotionalconnectionwiththischurch.HowdotheseversesspeakofPaul’sdeepfeelingsforthesebelievers?WritedownphrasesorwordsthatpointtoPaul’saffectionforthischurch.


Study Six

WeoftenseePaul’saffectionaterelationshipswithhischurchesintheNewTestament.ThinkofPaul’slettertothePhilippians.

For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you are all partakers of grace with me. For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. Philippians1:7-8

ThinkaboutyourrelationshipswithotherChristians.No,youarenottheapostlePaul,andnoyouhavenotgivenbirthtoachurchinGreece.ButhopefullyyouhaveChristianfriends,andevenspiritualchildrenthatyoucareaboutdeeply.YoumayteachSundayschoolandlovethoseyouhavetheprivilegeofleading.PossiblyyouworkwithjuniororseniorhighstudentsatSBCCandhaveexperiencedadeepspiritualaffectionforthem.MaybeyouhaveinvitedayoungerbelievertojoinyouforcoffeeeachweektodiscusswhatitmeanstofollowJesus.MostChristianshavespiritualrelationshipswithpeopletheylongseetobesuccessfulintheirrelationshipwithJesus.

Whatroleshouldanemotionalconnectionwithotherbelieversplayinourlives?Whatplacedoesspiritualaffectionhaveinyourlifeandrelationships?

WhenyouthinkaboutotherbelieversatSBCCwhatcomestomind?Areyouaffectionatelydrawntotheminspirituallove?WhatcouldyoudotoenhanceyourintimateconnectiontootherChristians?

Inverse19PaulusesthreemetaphorstodescribehowhefeelsaboutthebelieversatThessalonica.ListthesewordpicturesthatPauluses.Whataretheseimagesmeanttoconveyaboutthisrelationship?

1.

2.

3.


Study Six

PaulwantedbadlytocomeandvisithisfriendsinThessalonica.Inverse18headdsarathercrypticstatement,but Satan stopped us.Thereareseveraloptionsastowhatthismeans.ThesummarybelowisadaptedfromJohnStott.(Stott,p.62)

1.SomethinkitwascontinuingJewishopposition,possiblyevenaplot.

2.SomethinkitwasbecauseofPaul’sthorn in the fleshandthatthiswasadebilitatingillnesswhichhelatercalleda‘messenger of Satan.’

3.OthersponderthepossibilitythatalegalbanbythecivicleadersofThessalonicahadbeenplacedonJasonandhishousehold.SeeActs19:9.

4.AnotherpossibilityisthatPaulwasreferringtoasinorscandalthatdetainedhiminCorinthandmadeitimpossibletomakethetrip.

ThebottomlineisthatwearenotsurewhatstoppedPaulfrommakingthetrip.Paul,however,doesattributeittotheworkofSatan.

HaveyoueverhadasensethatSatan hashinderedyoufromadoingsomethingyoudesperatelywantedtodo?Howdidyourespond?

Frustratedbyhisinabilitytogohimself,PaulsendshisyoungunderstudyTimothyinhisplace.Thepicturepaintedintheseversesistouchingandurgent. Paulsays, when I could stand it no longerI sent to find out about your faith(3:5).AcentralcomponentofPaul’sconcernwasthepersecutionthebelieverswereexperiencing.

In3:1-5whatphrasesorwordspointtopersecutioninThessalonica?


Study Six

Accordingto3:2,Timothy’sroleisnotonlytobringbackareporttoPaulandSilas,buttostrengthenandencouragethechurchintheirfaith.Stottcommentsthat,Timothy had been sent on both a nurturing and fact finding mission.(Stott,p.65)WearelefttowonderexactlyhowTimothywouldstrengthenandencouragetheseyoungbelievers.

ThinkabouthowTimothymighthavestrengthened andencouragedhisfriendsinThessalonica.Whatformscouldthisnurturinghavetaken?Whattypeofstrengtheningandencouragingdoyouthinktheyneeded?

ConsiderthiscommentbyHolmes.Howdoesithelpyouunderstandthispassage?

Timothy’staskwastostrengthen(orperhapsfirmly establish)andencourage(v.2;thesamecombinationoccursin2Thessalonians2:17)theThessalonianconverts.Thefirstverb(sterizo)likelyfocusesmoreontheirspiritualcondition,whilethesecondverb(parakaleo)probablyfocusesmoreontheirattitude.EssentiallyTimothyistocontinuetheprocessofsocializationthatPaulhimselfhadbegun—thatis,helpingthemtounderstandandliveoutwhatitmeanstobemembersofGod’speople.(Holmes,p.98,emphasisadded)

ThisthemeofbelieversbuildingeachotherupandencouragingoneanotherisfoundthroughouttheNewTestament.Considerjustafewofnumerouspassagesofthisnaturelistedbelow.Whatdotheytellyouabouttheserviceofencouragementandstrengthening?

Romans15:4

Galatians6:1-2

1Thessalonians5:11

Hebrews3:13

Hebrews10:23-25

1 Thessalonians�7

Study Six

Thinkaboutyourowndiscipleship.Whatisitthatencouragesyouspiritually?HowareyoubuiltupandstrengthenedinyourfollowingofJesus?Howhavebelievingfriendspracticallydonethisinyourlife?

Whatrolehasyourhomegroupplayedinspiritualencouragement?Don’tbeafraidofthisquestion.Behonestwithyourhomegroup.HowcouldyourhomegroupdoabetterjobofstrengtheningyouinyourChristianjourney?

Ourpassageendsinverse5withPaulbeingconcernedaboutthepossibilityoftheseconvertsleavingthefaithbecauseoftheeffortsofthetempter.Canbelieversapostatizeandlosetheirsalvation?Paulcertainlyseemsconcerned.(takenfromHolmes,p.105)WhatFeesaysabouttherelatedpassageinPhilippians2:16isrelevanthereaswell:

Thequestionastowhether[Paul’slabor]couldreallybeinvain,ofcourse,ismuchdebated...Theanswerseemstobetwofold.Ontheonehand,suchanexpressionasthisonlymakessenseifsuchapotentialreallyexists;ontheotherhand,PaulhassuchconfidenceinGodregardinghisconvertsthatitwouldbeunthinkabletohimthatthepotentialwouldeverberealized.(Fee,p.250)

Gatherupyourthoughtsfromthisstudy.Whatareoneortwomainideasthatwillimpactyourlifethisweek?Whatpracticalapplicationcanyoumaketolifedrawnfromthispassage?


Study Six

sermon notes

1 Thessalonians�9

Study Seven

Standing Firm…1 Thessalonians �:�-1�AfteranagonizingseparationfromthechurchinThessalonica,TimothyfinallyarrivesbackinCorinthbringinganencouragingreport.Thesaintsarestanding firm in the Lord.AsHolmessays:Almost audible in 3:6 is the sense of relief that Paul felt when Timothy returned with the welcome news that the Thessalonians had indeed successfully resisted Satan’s temptations.(Holmes,p.99)

Ourpassagefrom beginning to end simply breathes gratitude.(Fee,p.121)Instanding firm(ESVstanding fast)theseyoungbelieversareshowingthattheirfaithhadtakenroot.Perseveranceisamarkoftruediscipleship.Inverses6-10welearnsomethingofwhatitmeanstostandfirminthefaith.Then,inverses11-13PaulpraysforhisfriendsinThessalonicathatGodwouldstrengthenthemsothattheywouldcontinuetostandfirm.

Read1Thessalonians3:6-13.Moveslowlythroughthispassage.Readitinseveraltranslations.Whatwordsorphrasesstandouttoyou?Whataresomepreliminaryquestionsyouhaveofthistext?

Inverse6wefindthatTimothybroughtthreepiecesofinformationbackfromhisvisittoThessalonica.Whatarethey?

1.

2.

3.

1 Thessalonians�0

Study Seven

Timothy’sreportwassoencouragingthatPaulcallsitgood news,whichliterallymeansevangelized.JohnMacArthurpointsoutthateveryotheroccurrenceintheNewTestament[ofthisword]referstothegospelmessageofsalvationbygracethroughfaith.(MacArthur,p.81)Thegood newsthatTimothybroughtwasaboutthefaith and love(v.6)ofthebelievers.The16thcenturyFrenchReformerJohnCalvinsaysthatthisphrase,faith and love, should be carefully observered because of the frequency with which Paul uses it. In these two words he comprehends briefly the sum of true piety. (Calvin,p.39)

Howarethesetwowords,faithandlove,agoodsummaryoftheChristianlife?

Focusonverse8.TheNIVtranslatesthis,since you are standing firm.Indoingsoithideswhatisreallyaconditionalstatement.TheESV,NRSV,andNASBgetitbetterwhentheytranslateit,if you continue to stand firm.InthisstatementPaulisacknowledgingthattheThessaloniansareinfactstandingfirm,andatthesametimegivinganimplicitexhortation(if)tocontinuetostandfirm.

Considerthisoftenusedphrasetostand firm.Thisphrasecomesfromamilitarytermmeaningnottoretreatinthefaceofanenemyattack.Whatadditionalinsightdotheversesbelowgiveyoutothisidiom?Howisthebelievertostand firm?

Philippians1:27

Philippians4:1

1Corinthians16:13

Galatians5:1

Thinkaboutyourownlife.Whathashelpedyoutostand firminyourfaith?Areyoustandingfirminthisseasonofyourspiritualjourney?

1 Thessalonians�1

Study Seven

HavetheirbeentimesinyourChristianlifewhenyouhavenotbeenstandingfirm?Whatwerethecircumstancesofyourlife?

Inverse10Paul,thenon-stoppray-er,saysthatnight and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. Then,inverses11-13,Paulprays.OftentimesintheNewTestament,especiallyinPaul’sletters,wefindexamplesofactualprayers.1TheseprayerstellusabouttheChristianlife,giveusinsightintothepray-er’sheart,andareinstructiveforourownprayerlife.

Inverses11-13PaulexpressesthreerequestsofGod.Whatarethesethreepetitions?2

1.

2.

3.

NoticehowPaulbeginshisprayerinverse11.PauldescribesGodasFather.ThisisthemostfrequentdescriptionofGodintheNewTestament.PaulalonereferstoGodasFatherforty-twotimes.Forsomewhohavehadadifficultornon-existentrelationshipwiththeirearthlyfatherthisdescriptionofGodcanbeastumblingblock.

HowwouldyouencouragethosewhostrugglewiththeFatherhoodofGod?HowisthefactthatGodisourFatherhelpfultoyou?

1 Foraninstructiveandupliftingpersonalstudy,readtheprayersofPaul.HereisalistofjustsomeofPaul’sprayers.Romans15:5-7,13;1Corinthians1:4-7;2Corinthians1:3-5;Ephesians1:15-23;3:14-21;Philippians1:8-11;Colossians1:9-12;2Thessalonians1:1-12;Philemon4-6.

2 Theanswertothefirstrequest,thatGodwouldmakeawayfortheapostletocomeandvisitthebelieversatThessalonica,wasanswered(asfarasweknow)aboutfiveyearslater.ItwasonPaul’sthirdmissionaryjourneythatheagainvisitedthechurchesofGreece(Acts20:1-3).


Study Seven

HowwouldacorrectunderstandingofGodasFatherhelpabelievertostand firm?

Paul’sprayerisaddressedtobothourGod and Father himself and our Lord Jesus Christ.ThislinkingoftheFatherandSonintheNewTestamentiscommonandpointstodivinenatureandrelationshiptheyshare.ConsiderthequotebelowfromJohnMacArthur.Howdoesithelpyourprayers?

BycallingGodour...Father,anaddressemphasizingpersonalrelationship,andJesusour Lord,anaddressemphasizingpersonalrulership,PaulswitchedtheusualpopularideasaboutGodbeingtherulerandChristbeingtheonewithwhomthebelievershavearelationship.TheuseofourbeforebothGodandJesusunderscorestherelationshipPaulandtheThessaloniansenjoyedwithbothPersonsoftheTrinity.Godcamedowntobeintimatewiththemastheirgracious,loving,andforgivingFather,andJesusascendedtoheaven’sthronetobetheirsovereignLord.(MacArthur,p.87)

Verse13highlightsPaul’sforemostmotiveforhisprayer.HewantsthefaithofhisfriendsinThessalonicatobestrengthenedandforthemtogrowtospiritualmaturitysothattheywillbeabletostand firm.Paulusesthephrase,May he strengthen your hearts.

Howwouldthisprayerbeanswered?Whatdoesitmeantohaveyourheartsstrengthened?


Study Seven

Paul’sprayergoesontoaskGodforthebelieverstobeblameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with his holy ones.1CommentingonthisverseStottsays;There is no greater stimulus to holiness than the vision of the Parousia [second coming] when Jesus comes in glory with his holy ones.(Stott,p.67)

Doyouagreewiththisstatement?DoesthereturnofChriststimulateyoutoliveaholylife?Whyorwhynot?

Endyourhomegroupstudybyusingtheprayerin1Thessalonians3:11-13asamodelofhowtoprayforeachother.Allowtheentirepassageforthisstudytoshapehowyouprayforoneanothertostand firminyourfaith.

1 Commentatorshavestruggledwiththemeaningofthisphrase,holy ones.Therearetwooptions.1)Angelsor2)Christians,saintsastheESVtranslatesit.GordonFeebelievesthecorrectunderstandingisAngelsbecauseverse13isanintertextualuseofZechariah14:5wherethecontextisclearlyAngels.Wewillhavetowaitandseeforthefinalanswer.(Fee,p.134-136)


Study Seven

sermon notes


Study Eight

From Porneia to Pleasing God (part 1)…1 Thessalonians �:1-�Perhapsoneoftheforgottenlessonsofpresent-dayAmericanevangelicalismisanemphasisonlivingsoastoplease God.WelovethedoctrineofgraceandthenotionthatGodmakesmuchofusinthesendingofJesustodieforoursins.Wedelightintheexperienceofworship.WeenjoyavarietyofgoodBibletranslations,studyBiblesandstudyaids.WehaveourfavoriteChristianauthorsandcandownloadourfavoritepreacher’ssermonsontoouriPod,andlistentoourheart’scontent.ButwhataboutChristianliving?

LudwigWittgenstein,possiblythemostimportantphilosopherofthe20thcentury,oncesaid,If you want to know what a person believes don’t ask him, observe him.Or,asapopularexpressionhasit,The proof is in the pudding.

Whenwegetto1Thessalonians4wearecomingtothesecondhalfofPaul’slettertothisfledglingchurchthatheloved.TheNIVandESVintroducethischapterwiththeEnglishwordfinally,asifPaulisdrawinghislettertoaclose.InGreek,Paulusesanadverbwhichisbestrenderedfurthermore (seetheKJV).Paulisnotwrappinguphisletter,heisgettingtotheinstructionshewantstheThessalonianstoreceive.

Beforegoingoninthisstudy,readallof1Thessalonians4.Makenotesofthosethingswhichstandoutorraisequestionsasyouread.


Study Eight

ThechaptershouldbethoughtofasacalltolivelivesthatpleaseGod(4:1-2).Fromthisgeneralcall,Paulmentionsthreeareasofspecialconcern:

4:1-2 Pleasing God

Paul’spointintheseversesisthatthebelievercanactuallyliveinsuchawaysoastopleaseGod.

Whatdoyouthinkofwhenitcomestopleasing God?Howwould/shouldthisconceptaffectyourbehavior?

WhatisthealternativetopleasingGodwiththewayinwhichwelive?CompareRomans8:8.

Thinkaboutyourlife.WhatactionsorhabitsofyourlifemightbepleasingtoGod?Whatactions/habitsarenotpleasingtoGod?

Paulurgeshisreaderstolive in order to please God. Literallytheverbistowalk.WalkinginChristianobediencetoGodisoneofPaul’sfavoritemetaphorsforChristiandiscipleship.1

1 MostofthetimetheNIVinterpretsPaul’sGreekwordforwalk(peripateo,περιπατεω)renderingitwiththewordlive.

1 Thessalonians�7

Study Eight

Whatdoestheimageryofwalkingconvey?WhyisthisagoodmetaphortodescribeChristianliving?Interactwithsomeoftheverseslistedbelow.

• 2Corinthians5:7

• Galatians5:16,5:25

• Ephesians2:2,4:1,5:8

• Philippians3:17

4:3-8 Sexual Purity

ItisprobablydifficultforustounderstandthedepthofsexualdepravitythatwascommoninPaul’stime.Inoursocietywhenasportsstarorpoliticianisfoundtobeinvolvedinextra-maritalrelationshe(andusuallyitisahe)istemporarilyscandalizedandscorned.ForthepeopleofThessalonica,sexualrelationsoutsideofmarriagewouldhavebeenconsiderednormal.Suchactivitywasexpected.Demosthenes,theancientGreekorator,isoftenquotedtothiseffectwhenhesaid,Mistresses we keep for the sake of pleasure, concubines for the daily care of our persons, but wives to bear us legitimate children.1

InsuchacontextmostofPaul’slettershaveadmonitionstowardsexualabstinenceoutsideofmarriageandtosexualfaithfulnesswithinmarriage.

Forpeopleforwhomsexualactivityoutsideofmarriagewasconsiderednotonlynot“immoral”butinfactaculturalnorm,Paul’sregularreturningtothismatterinhislettersmakesagreatdealofhistoricalsense.(Fee,p.143)

WilliamLecky,ahistorianfromthe19thcentury,wroteabookentitled,History of European Morals andclaimedthattheeraoftheCaesarswasprobablythemostextravagantanduncontrolledperiodofsexualindulgenceinWesternhistory.2ClearlywhatwewouldcallsexualvicewasthenorminGreco-Romancitiesanditspervasivenesscertainlycreptintotheearlychurch.Accordingly,Paul’sstronginstructionswouldhaveshockedsomenewbelievers.

1 Amanmighthaveamistress(hetaira)whocouldprovidehimalsowithintellectualcompanionship;theinstitutionofslaverymadeiteasyforhimtohaveaconcubine,whilecasualgratificationwasreadilyavailablefromaharlot.Thefunctionofhiswifewastomanagehishouseholdandtobethemotherofhislegitimatechildrenandheirs.(Bruce,p.82)

2 SeeStott,p.81.


Study Eight

4:3TwowordsintheGreektextofthisversedeserveexplanation:

First,weneedtoseetheradicalbreakwithsexuallicensePauliscommanding.TheNIVunderstatestheforceoftheverse.PaulisnotadvisingtheThessalonianstoavoidsexualimmorality,asifheisadvisingmoderation.Tothecontraryheiscommandingthattheystayawayfromitentirely.TheGreekwordmeanstoabstainfromsexual immorality completely.

Second,wemustask,what,specifically,isPaulcommandingthemtostayawayfrom?TheThessaloniansweretostayawayfrom,inGreek,porneia(πορνεια).TheGreekwordwasanumbrellatermencompassingallsexoutsideofmarriage.Interestingly,porneiawasnotanegativeterm.Porneiawasnotthoughttobeimmoral. OurEnglishtranslationsusuallyrenderthissingleGreekwordwiththewordssexual immorality.ButthepagansinThessalonica,hadtheybeenabletoreadourEnglishtranslations,wouldbesurprised.Why is porneia immoral, theymighthaveasked?Again,thiswastheradical,counter-cultural,calltopleaseGodwithaholylife.IncomingtoGodthroughChrist,thesenewconvertswerecalledtonewnessoflife.

Reflectonthesetwoclarificationsof4:3.Wherearewetodayinourculturewithregardtoporneia,sexoutsideofmarriage?

Howcan/shouldthechurchteachnewconvertsintheseareas?

(Forpersonalreflection.)Takeaninventoryofyourownrelationtosexualpurity.Whataretheprimarytriggerpointswhereyoumightbetemptedtowardsexuallustorporneia?

4:6Readthisversecarefully.

WhatistherationalePaulgivesagainstporneia?Whyshouldn’ttheThessaloniansindulgefreelyinthisarea?Whataretheconsequencesofporneia?

1 Thessalonians�9

Study Eight

4:4 ThefirstclauseofthisverseisverydifficultverseforBibletranslatorsand,perhaps,embarrassingforinterpreters,preachersandhomegroupdiscussions.IntheNIVitreads,

. . . that each of you should learn to control his own body. . .

ThequestionsurroundsthetranslationofthewordthatappearsintheNIV/ESVasbody. TheGreekwordskeuos(σκευοs)isthewordforvessel.MostEnglishtranslationsassumethisisanintendedmetaphorforeitherbody,orwife.IfPaulintendedthiswordtobeasubstituteforbody,theNIV,ESV,etc.haveitright.IfPaulintendedthiswordtobeasubstituteforwife,theRevisedStandardVersioniscorrectwhenweread,that each one of you know how to take a wife for himself in holiness and honor. . .

GordonFee,amongmanyothers,isunsatisfiedwitheitheroption.HepointsoutthatPaulisnotsqueamishabouteitherthewordbodyorthewordwifeinhisotherwritings,andsuggeststhereisnoreasonforhimtoemployafigureofspeechhere.SowhatdoesPaulhaveinmindwiththewordvessel?Braceyourself.Feeargues(over6pagesofcommentary!)thatPaulisnotusingametaphorbutaeuphemism1forthemalesexualorgan.Withthisinmind,considertheveryliteralNewAmericanStandardtranslationof4:4.

. . .that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor. . .

Inanyevent,Paul’spointisabundantlyclear.RespondtoJohnStott’ssummaryofthissection.

Paul’sfirstprinciple,then,isthatheterosexualandmonogamousmarriageistheonlycontextinwhichGodintendssexualintercoursetobeexperienced,andindeedenjoyed.Thecorollaryisthatitisforbiddenineveryothercontext,whetherwithaheterosexualpartnerbeforemarriage(‘fornication’)oroutsidemarriage(‘adultery’),orinahomosexualrelationship.(Stott,p.84)

CompareoneotherpassageonsexualmoralityfromthepenofPaul.Read1Corinthians6:12-20.WhathopedoesPauloffertothosewhohavefailedinthesexualarena?

1 Ametaphorisaword-picturewhereonewordstandforanother.Aeuphemismisapolitewayofsayingsomethingwhichmightbeoffensive.

1 Thessalonians�0

Study Eight

Inverse18ofthispassagePauladvisestheCorinthianstoFlee sexual immorality. Whatdoesthismeantoyou?Howdoyou,orcanyoutakestepstofleesexualimmorality?

Spendtimetogetherasahomegroupprayingforoneanother.PraythatthoseinyourgroupwillpleaseGodwithlivesofpurityandholiness.

sermon notes

1 Thessalonians�1

Study Nine

From Purity to Philadelphia (Pleasing God part �)…1 Thessalonians �:9-1�Recallthechartonpage44ofstudy8.ThereweseetheflowofPaul’sconcernsfortheThessalonianchurch.Paulurgesthemtoplease God bythepurityoftheirlives,bylovingoneanotherandbyworkinghard.Aswewillsee,thesesecondtwoconcernsarecloselyconnectedinPaul’smind.Attheoutset,Paulpointsoutthatthechurchis,indeed,saturatedwithbrotherlylove,butheurgesthechurchtoloveoneanothermore and more.

ThereasontherearesomanyexhortationsintheNewTestamentforChristianstoloveotherChristiansisbecausethechurchismadeupofnaturalenemies.ThechurchofJesusChristisnotmadeupofnaturalfriendsitismadeupofnaturalenemies.Whatbindsustogetherisnotcommoneducation,commonrace,commonincomelevels,commonpolitics,commonnationality,commonaccent,commonjobsoranythingelseofthatsort.Thosearethethings

thatbindothergroupsofpeopletogether.Christianscometogethernotbecausetheyformanaturalcollocation,butbecausetheyhaveallbeensavedbyJesusChristandbecausetheyowehimacommonallegiance.Inthislight,then,weshouldunderstandthechurchtobeabandofnaturalenemieswholoveoneanotherforJesus’sake.DonCarson

Oneclear,non-negotiablemarkofChristianfaithisadeeploveforotherbelievers.LoveforourbrothersandsistersinChristisaspiritualbarometer,itrevealswhatisinourheart.Jesussaystheworldwilljudgethesincerityofourprofessionoffaithbythelovewehaveforoneanother(John13:35).TheapostleJohnsays,We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death(1John2:14).

Read1Thessalonians4:9-12fromasmanytranslationsasyouhaveavailable.Noticehowthisparagraphfitsintotheflowofchapterfour.


Study Nine

BeforegoingoninthisstudywriteasummarysentenceortwodescribingPaul’sconcern.WhattwoconcernsdoesPaulhaveinthisparagraph?Readthistoyourhomegroup.

4:1 AttheoutsetweshouldnoticewhatPaulisrecommending.IntheGreektexthespeaksofphiladelphia, or,brotherly love.

4:9-12 Thebackdropofthisparagraphseemstobeatendencyamongsomeinthechurchtodrifttowardidleness.In5:14Paulurgestheleadersofthechurchtowarnthosewhoareidle.In2Thessalonians3:6weread,

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.

Noticehow4:9-12concludes.Paullayshisconcernforbrotherly lovenexttothereputationsomeinthechurchhadwithoutsiders.GordonFeeexplains:

...inlightofalltheevidenceofthetwoletters,wemayassumethatsomepeople(menpresumably)whocouldworkforalivinghaveforsomereasonchosennottodoso.Theyarethus(apparently)livingoffthelargesseofothersinthenewlyformedChristiancommunity,householderswhoprobablydoinfacthavethewherewithaltohelpthem.(Fee,p.157)

Wearenottoldexactlywhysomearepronetoidleness1,buttheevidenceofbothlettersclearlyshowsthatthiswasaproblem(seeallof2Thessalonians3:6-12).

Withallofthisinmind,itisnottoomuchtosaythatPaulisaskingthechurchtoloveoneanotherbyworkinghard.

1 Somesuggesttherewasunemploymentinthecity.Othersseearapture feverthathaddevelopedinthechurchwiththelogicthatsaid,Since Jesus is coming again, and soon, why work?Stillothercommentatorsseeaculturaldistasteformanuallabor(andthusPauladvisesworkingwiththeirhands).Attheendoftheday,wecannotbesurewhytherewasaproblemofidleness.


Study Nine

Inwhatwayswouldastrongwork-ethicbeanexpressionofbrotherlylove?CompareEphesians4:28.Listspecificexamplesofwhatthiswouldlooklikeinourtimeandplace.

Howcouldapersonwhoisunemployedorretiredexhibitadiligentwork-ethic?

4:9Paul’schoiceofwordsisuniqueinthisverse.Whenhesays,you yourselves have been taught by GodheusesaGreekwordfoundnowhereelseintheNewTestament,theodidaktoi(θεοδιδακτοι).Literallythiswordwouldread,God-taught.TheThessalonianshavebeGod-taught toloveoneanother.Readthefollowingversescarefully.

HowhavebelieversbeenGod-taughttoloveoneanother?

Romans5:5

Galatians5:22

DescribeyourexperienceofRomans5:5.WhatevidencedoyouseeofGod’slovebeingpouredintoyourheart?


Study Nine

4:11HerePaultellsthereadertoMake it your ambition to lead a quiet life. . .F.F.BrucetranslatestheGreektext,be ambitious to be quiet.Thenotionisanoxymoron.Pauliscallingthechurchtobeambitiousandtobeun-ambitious.

Withwhatisthisambitiontobequiettobeaccompanied?

1.

2.

Evaluateyourselfinthisarea.Wheredoyoufallonthecalm/chaoticscale?Howmightyougrowinthisarea?

4:12Readthisverse.

WhattworeasonsdoesPaulgiveasamotiveforworkinghard?1

NoticethecalltoChristiangrowthinthischapter.WearetopleaseGodmore and more (4:1),andwearetoloveoneanothermore and more(4:10).Describe,asbestyoucan,themore and moreofyourloveforGodandforyourfamilyinChrist.

Takeamomentandthinkaboutyourspiritualgrowth-curvesincebecomingabeliever.Inwhatwaysisthepresenttimeaseasonofgrowth?

1 Stottpointsoutthattheseversesshouldn’tbeappliedtothoseseekingworkwhocannotfindit.We have no liberty to apply Paul’s teaching about work to the unwaged who are drawing unemployment benefit or living on welfare. The contemporary problem of unemployment is both a symptom of economic recession and a traumatic personal experience. What Paul is condemning here is not unemployment as such (when people want work but cannot find it) but idleness (when work is available but people do not want it).(Stott,p.90)


Study Nine

Respondtothefollowing:

ItisawonderfullyliberatingexperiencewhenthedesiretopleaseGodovertakesthedesiretopleaseourselves,andwhenloveforothersdisplacesself-love.TruefreedomisnotfreedomfromresponsibilitytoGodandothersinordertoliveforourselves,butfreedomfromourselvesinordertoliveforGodandothers.(Stott,p.91)

Prayforoneanotherintheseareas.Praythatourlivesofdiscipleshipwillbeanythingbutstatic.Prayforthemore and moreofChristiandiscipleship.


Study Nine

sermon notes

1 Thessalonians�7

Study Ten

The Problem of Bereavement…1 Thessalonians �:1�-1�Whathappenswhenwedie?Thequestionisasoldasdeathitselfandisaskedbychildren,seniorcitizens,religiousthinkersandphilosophersalike.Isdeaththeendofallthings?Doesanythingsurvivethegrave?Andwhatofaperson’sbody?Whenamanstopsbreathingandhisheartstopsbeatingdoeshisbodyhaveanymeaning,oranyfuture?

TheGreeksandRomanshadaverylowviewofthehumanbody,andmostofthemsawdeathastheendofallpersonalexistence.Youliveandyoudie.That’sallthereis.Oneancientepitaphread,I didn’t exist. I did exist. I don’t exist. I don’t care. . .

Anotherpaganpoetputitlikethis,

ThesuncansetandriseagainButonceourbrieflightsetsThere is one unending night to be slept through.1

WithoutChrist,theGreco-RomanThessalonianswouldhavesharedinthiscynicismaboutthemeaningoflife.ButtheapostlePaulhadintroducedthemtoJesusandeverythingchanged.

Readtheversesforthisstudy.Comparetranslationsifyouhavemorethanone.Beforegoingoninthisstudy,pretendthatthesenineversesareallyouhavetogoon.Explaintheanswertotheenormouslyimportantquestion,WhathappenswhenIdie?Beasspecificaspossible.Havesomeoneinyourhomegroupexplainhisorheranswer.Remembertheanswercanonlycomefromtheseverses!

1 Catullus,citedinBruce,p.96.NotallGreekthinkersheldthatdeathwastheendofeverything.Somebelievedtherewasashadowyexistenceafterlifeonearth.


Study Ten

Paul’sencouragementfallsintoaverycoherentoutline.Re-readthepassagewiththefollowinginmind1:

The principle:Believersgrieveinadifferentwaythannon-believersgrieve.(4:13)

BecauseoftheresurrectionofJesus(4:14-15)

BecauseofthereturnofJesus(4:16a)

Becauseoftheresurrectionofthedead(4:16b)

Becauseoftheraptureofthechurch(4:17a)

Becauseofthereunionofthelivingandthedead(4:17b)

The practical conclusion:encourageoneanother(4:18)

4:13-14 The Principle

Paulbeginsthissectionwithaprinciple:Christianswillgrieveinadifferentwaythannon-believers.

Evidentlysomeinthisnewchurchwereconfusedwithregardtothebeliever’shopeforthefuture.WhileJewishconvertswouldhavehadavaguesenseoffutureresurrection(seeDaniel12:2),paganswouldnot.Paulwantstoteachthechurchsoastoalleviatesomepeople’sgrief.Stottclarifies,

WhatPaulprohibitsisnotgriefbuthopelessgrief,notallmourningbutmourninglike the rest of men, who have no hope,thatislikethepagansofhisday.(Stott,p.94)

Noticetheuseofaeuphemismfordeath.Paulreferstothosewhosleep2.WhatistheparallelPaulisbringingouthere?Sleepisfollowedbywakingup.Death,hewrites,willbefollowedbywhat?

Howshouldthisgivecomforttothosegrievingoverthedeathoflovedones?

1 ThisoutlineisadaptedfromStott,pp.93-106.2 Weuse,perhapsunknowingly,thesameeuphemism.Weburypeopleinaplacecalleda

cemetery.ThewordcomesfromtheGreekwordkoimeterion,a sleeping place.

1 Thessalonians�9

Study Ten

4:14-15 Because of the resurrection of Jesus

4:14Noticetheawkwardnessofthegrammarinthisverse.Paulisexcitedtotheextentthatheisunabletofinishhissentence.Weexpecthimtosay,For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe. . .

Insteadhesayswhat?

WhatisthesignificanceoftheresurrectionofJesusintheseverses?

4:16a Because of the return of Jesus

Thesecondcoming,thereturnofJesusistheblessedhopeofeverybeliever(Titus2:13).HowdoesPauldescribethisevent?WhatthreenoisesaccompanythereturnofJesus?

4:16b Because of the resurrection of the dead

Paulhasalreadymadethispoint(v.14),butherehewantstoleavenodoubt,the dead in Christ will rise first.Deathwillnothavethefinalword,andtheresurrectionofthebodyisapartofthebeliever’seternallife.Thepointisnotthatbelieverswillfloataroundinheavenforeternity,butthatGod’speoplewillberesurrected,re-embodied,toliveinwhatthebiblicalwriterscallthe new heavens and the new earth.1

Howdoesitmakeyoufeelthatasabelieveryouwillonedayliveinthisunimaginableplace?Hasknowingthiseverhelpedyoucopeinatimeofneedortragedy?

1 SeeIsaiah65:17,66:22;2Peter3:13.

1 Thessalonians�0

Study Ten

Whatdoyouthinkitwouldbelikenottobelievethis,andnottohaveahopeforthefuture?Howwouldyouroutlookonlifechangeifyoudidn’thaveChristianhope?

HowwouldyouincorporatethispointoftheChristianfaithintoaconversationwithanon-believerregardingdeathandwhatmightlieafterwards?Comparenotesonthiswithyourhomegroup.

4:17a Because of the rapture of the church

Muchinkhasbeenspilt,andmanyChristiancelebritieshavebeencreatedspeakingandwritingabouttheraptureofthechurch.Interestingly,theNewTestamentsaysverylittleabouttheraptureofthechurch,butthisisperhapsthemostcleartextonthissubject.

TheEnglishwordrapturecomesfromtheLatinrapere(toseize,tosnatchup).It’sGreekequivalentisfoundhereinthewordharpazo.Commentatorspointoutthatthewordimpliesviolentaction.OneexampleisfoundwhenPaulwasrescuedfromtheriotersinJerusalem(Acts23:10).Hewastaken away(raptured)fromtherioters.

WhatarewetothinkofwhenwethinkofthismeetingwithJesusintheclouds?Weneedtobecarefulnottopressthislanguagetooliterally.Stottwrites,

...itisnotclearhowliterallywearetounderstandourbeingcaught up. . . in the clouds.WeknowfromJesushimselfthathiscomingwillbepersonal,visibleandglorious,butwealsoknowfromhimthatitwillnotbelocal(‘Thereheis!’‘Hereheis!’)butuniversal(‘likethelightening,whichflashesandlightsuptheskyfromoneendtotheother’1).(Stott,p.104)

1 SeeLuke17:23-24

1 Thessalonians�1

Study Ten

Somereadershavewonderedwhythechurchwouldberapturedonlytodoau-turnandcomebacktoearthwithJesus.Theimageryistakenfromlifeinthefirstcentury.WhentheemperorwouldreturntoRome,orvisitadistantcity,theinhabitantswouldgoouttomeethimandthenwelcomehimastheyproceededintothecitytogether.1

N.T.Wrightishelpfulwhenhewrites,

SowhenPaultalksofChristians“beingsnatchedupamongtheclouds,”heisagainnotthinkingofaliteralverticalascent.ThelanguagehereistakenfromDaniel7,where“onelikeasonofman”goesuponthecloudsasheisvindicatedbyGodafterhissuffering—awonderfulimagenotleastforpeopleliketheThessalonianswhoweresufferingpersecutionandawaitingGod’svindication.Andtheir“meeting”withtheLorddoesn’tmeantheywillthenbestayinginmidairwithhim.TheimageandlanguagePauluseswouldremindhisreadersofthewayRomancitizensinacolonywouldgooutofthecitytomeettheemperorasheapproachesthetowntopaythemastatevisit.Thenthecitizenswouldaccompanytheemperorbacktothecityitself.LikewisewewillmeetJesusandthenaccompanyhimbacktothenewearthoverwhichhewillreign.(Wright,pp.32-33)

HowdoesthispictureencourageyouhasyoulookforwardtothesecondcomingofChrist?

4:17b Because of the reunion of the living and the dead

TheChristiandead(aboutwhomtheThessalonianswereworrying)willbeseparatedneitherfromChrist(sinceGodwillbringthemwith him,14)norfromtheChristianliving(whowillbecaughtupwith them, 17a).Onthecontrary,wewillallbealwayswith the Lord (17b).(Stott,p.105)

1 FeepointsoutthatPaul’sinterestisnotinthebeliever’sgeography,butinthebeliever’spresencewithChrist.Hesays,In fact, even though Paul speaks often and in a variety of ways about the finalgloryawaiting believers, there are only two passages where he explicitly “locates” believers’ final destiny as “in heaven,” 2 Corinthians 5:1 (certainly) and Colossians 1:5 (probably). The reason for this is simple: Paul has almost no interest whatever in our final eschatological “geography”; rather, his interest is altogether personal, having to do with there being “with the Lord,” whose “abode” is regularly expressed as “in heaven.”(Fee,p.181,emphasisisFee’s)


Study Ten

Howdo,orshould,theseversesaffectourlives?Obviously,Paul’sconcernistooffersobercomforttothebereaved.Whatistheimportanceoftheseversesforthosenotenduringaseasonofgrief?HowshouldthesecondcomingofChristaffectourlivestoday?

4:18 The practical conclusion: encourage one another

Thecontextofthisparagraphissufferinganddeath.TheThessaloniansaregrieving,andtheapostlewantsthemtogrieveappropriately.Hewantsthemtogrieveagainstthebackdropofeternalhope.

Reflectonthisaloudasagroup.Howcanweencourageoneanotherinourpainandsufferingwiththetruthsofthispassage?Whatpotentialabusesshouldweavoidasweseektooffercomfort?

sermon notes


Study Eleven

The Problem of Judgment… 1 Thessalonians �:1-11

Woe to you who long for the day of the LORD! Why do you long for the day of the LORD ? That day will be darkness, not light. It will be as though a man fled from a lion only to meet a bear, as though he entered his house and rested his hand on the wall only to have a snake bite him. Will not the day of the LORD be darkness, not light— pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness? Amos5:18-20

IntheseparagraphsofPaul’sletter(4:13—5:11)theapostleisansweringtwoofthelargerquestionsoflife.What happens when someone dies,and,Is there a judgment day coming at the end of history?Inthelastparagraphofchapter4

Pauldealtwiththeformerquestionandhereheturnstotheproblemofjudgment.EvidentlysomeinthechurchwerewonderingiftheywouldbesubjecttoGod’sjudgmentandwrath.

ThesecondcomingofChrististheblessed hope1forbelieversanditwillbeadayofGod’sjudgmentfortheentireworld.OldTestamentwritersoftenspokeofthe day of the LordasacomingdaywhenGodwouldstepintohumanhistoryandrewardtherighteouswhilepunishingthewicked(seetheAmospassageabove).HerePaulseesthedayoftheLordfulfilledinthesecondcomingofJesus.ThedayoftheLordandthedayofJesusareoneandthesame.

Read1Thessalonianschapter5initsentirety.Makenoteofanythoughtsandquestionsthatcometomind.

Nowlookmorecloselyat5:1-11.Makealistofalltheword-picturesandimagesthatPaulusestoteachtheThessalonianshowtheyshouldprepareforthecomingofJesus.

1 Titus2:13.


Study Eleven

HowwouldyousummarizePaul’smainconcernintheseverses?Whatdoeshewanttocommunicatewiththischurch?

ConsiderthefollowingoutlineofPaul’sthoughts:

5:1-3Beingprepared

5:4-8Beingalert

5:9-11Beingconfident

5:1-3 Being prepared

EvidentlytheThessalonianswerenodifferentthatmanybelieversofourtime.TheyseemedtohaveafascinationwiththetimingofthesecondcomingofJesus.PaulwantstoturntheirconcernoverthetimingofthereturnofChristtoaconcernovertheirpreparednessforthatreturn.

5:1 speaksoftimes and dates.Thefirstword,chronos (fromwhichwegetourEnglishwordchronology)possiblyreferstoaperiodoftime,whilethesecondwordkairosmayrefertoaparticularpointintime.1Paul’spointisthattheThessaloniansneednottroublethemselvestryingtofigureouteither.Inotherwords,Pauladvisesagainsttryingtofindapreciseanswertotheveryquestionthatpeaksourcuriosity,When will the end come?

Ifwearenottoknow the times and dates, whatdoweknow?WhatisPaul’slogic?

5:2-3PaulusestwowordpicturestodescribethetimingofChristcoming.Hewillcomelike a thief in the night,andlike labor pains onapregnantwoman.

Whatisthedifferenceofemphasisinthesetwowordpictures?Howarethetwoword-picturesthesame?

1 Ontheotherhand,manycommentatorssaythatthetwowordsareessentiallysynonymous.SeeFee,p.186.


Study Eleven

Thief in the night. HerePaulusesfamiliarimageryforthesecondcomingofChrist.Hewillcomelikeathief in the night.Comparethefollowingversesthatusethisimage.

Whatistheemphasisofeachofthesepassages?DoesPaulmakethesamepointin1Thessalonians5?

2Peter3:8-14

Matthew24:36-44

As labor pains on a pregnant woman. NoticehowIsaiahusesthissameimage.ReadIsaiah13:6-9.ItisverypossiblethatPaul,steepedintheScripturesashewas,hadtheseversesinmind.

5:4-8 Being alert

TheseversesgettotheheartofPaul’sconcern.Hehasasustainedcontrastbetweennightandday,lightanddarkness,drunkennessandsobriety(translatedasself controlintheNIV).

Fortheunbeliever,Paul’spointisthatGod’scomingjudgmentwillbeasurprise,likeathiefinthenight.Thinkingthemselvestobesafetheywillsuffersudden destruction (5:3).

Butforbelieversthesituationisdifferent.ThechurchinThessalonicaistoliveinlightofthecertaintyofthecomingdayoftheLord.

Readtheseversesagain.DoesJesuscomeas a thief in the nightforeveryone?JohnCalvinclarifies.

Christ’scomingwillsurprisethosewhoarelivingindulgentlives;becausetheyareenclosedindarkness,theyseenothing,fornodarknessisasdenseasignoranceofGod.We,ontheotherhand,onwhomChristhasshonebythefaithofhisGospel,differgreatlyfromthem.ThesayinginIsaiahistrulyfulfilledinus:“See,darknesscoverstheearthandthickdarknessisoverthepeoples,buttheLordrisesuponyouandhisGloryappearsoveryou”(Isaiah60:2).Theapostleadmonishesus,therefore,thatitwouldbewrongforustobecaughtbyChristsleeping,asitwere,orseeingnothingwhenthefullblazeoflightisshininguponus.(Calvin,p.52)


Study Eleven

Whatisapartofyourdaily,andweeklyroutinetohelpyoustayalertforthesecondcomingofJesus?

ThinkaboutyourexpectationofthesecondcomingofJesus.Areyouasleep(v.6),orareyouawakeandsober (ESV)?Whatcontributestoyoursobriety?WhatkeepsyouawaketothesecondcomingofJesus?

Considersomeoneyouknowwhoisagainfullyemployed,committedChristianinSantaBarbara.NowimagineanotherbelieverinanAIDsinfestedvillageinHaitiwherethereislittletoeatandnocleanwater.AsahomegroupdiscussthedifferenceinhowthesetwopeoplemightanticipatethesecondcomingofChrist.Whatcanwelearnfromthiscomparison?

5:9-11 Being confident

5:9-10maybeamongthemostpreciousversesintheBible.Noticehowtheentiregospelissummarizedinthesetwosentences.

TheGreekwordforwrathisorge.ItisthenormalNewTestamentwordforGod’sfinalretributivejudgmentonthosewhohaverejectedGod(Fee,p.196).

God’swrathisneitheranimpersonalprocessofcauseandeffect(assomescholarshavetriedtoargue),norapassionate,arbitraryorvindictiveoutburstoftemper,buthisholyanduncompromisingantagonismtoevil,withwhichherefusestonegotiate.Onedayhisjudgmentwillfall.(Stott,p.42)

Butnoticetheassuranceoftheseverses.Believersarenotappointed,ordestinedforwrathbuttosalvation!Wesawthissameteachingin1:10.ItisJesuswhodelivers us from the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians�7

Study Eleven

Again,theseversesarepreciousbeyondprice.

ThecomingwrathofGod,andthebiblicalteachingthatthosewhoarealienatedfromChristwillspendaneternityinhelliseitherembarrassingto21stcenturynorthAmericanChristians,orignoredbythem.ContemporarypreachersrarelypresentthegospelasanescapefromGod’scomingwrath.Instead,belief in Godisheldforthasagatewaytoabetterlife.

Whydoyouthinkthisisthecase?ThemessageoftheBibleassuresusthatGodiscomingtojudge.ItalsoteachesthatsurrendertoChrististheonlywaytoavoidhiswrath.Howshouldtheseparallelteachingsshapeourevangelisticzeal?Howshouldtheyshapethemessagewesharewithourfriends?Howshouldthese11versesinspireSantaBarbaraCommunityChurch?

ProbablythemostfamoussermonpreachedonAmericansoilwaspreachedbyJonathanEdwardsin1741.Itwasentitled,Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.Inthesermon,Edwardspreachedtothoseinhischurchwhomhefearedwereunconverted.Respondtothefollowingexcerptfromthisfamoussermon.

Almosteverynaturalmanthathearsofhell,flattershimselfthatheshallescapeit;hedependsuponhimselfforhisownsecurity;heflattershimselfinwhathehasdone,inwhatheisnowdoing,orwhatheintendstodo;everyonelaysoutmattersinhisownmindhowheshallavoiddamnation,andflattershimselfthathecontriveswellforhimself,andthathisschemeswon’tfail.Theyhearindeedthattherearebutfewsaved,andthatthebiggerpartofmenthathavediedheretoforearegonetohell;buteachoneimaginesthathelaysoutmattersbetterforhisownescapethanothershavedone:hedon’tintendtocometothatplaceoftorment;hesayswithinhimself,thatheintendstotakecarethatshallbeeffectual,andtoordermatterssoforhimselfasnottofail.Butthefoolishchildrenofmendomiserablydeludethemselvesintheirownschemes,andintheirconfidenceintheirownstrengthandwisdom;theytrusttonothingbutashadow.

LetustakecarethatwetrustinthedeathofChristforoursalvationandnotintheshadowofourownstrength.


Study Eleven

sermon notes

1 Thessalonians�9

Study Twelve

Pastors…1 Thessalonians �:1�-1�NorthAmericanbelieversswingwildlyfromonesideofthespectrumtotheotherwithregardtotheirviewofpastors,clergy,churchgovernance,denominations,andwhatissometimessnidelyreferredtoasinstitutional religion.Ontheonehand,evenintheevangelicalchurch,wehaveacultofcelebrity.Well-knownpreachersandauthorsarerevered,followed,quotedanddotedover.Somebecomeverywealthyandverypowerfulplyingtheirtrade.Itisasifsomeleadersinthechurchcandonowrong.Ontheotherhand,evenintheevangelicalchurch,arethosewhodecrypastoralleadership,churchstructureandanythingthatsmellslikeaninstitution.Forthese,itisMe and my Bible,orMe and a few friends and our Bible.ItisasiftheChristianfaithisafaithforindividualsratherthantheBodyofChrist.

Beginningwith5:12wecometotheconclusionofPaul’slettertotheThessalonians.Asisthecaseinmostofhis13letters,Pauloffersthereaderwhatappeartobescatteredthoughtsandexhortations.Inthislastsection,theunifyingthemisthatofChristianfamily.Fivetimesheusesthewordbrothers (verses12,14,25,26and27)toaddresstheentirechurch.HisconcernisthatthechurchactlikethefamilytheyhavebecomeinChrist.Theyare,indeed,acompanyofcommittedpeople,committedtoGodandcommittedtooneanother.

First,Paulbringsupthechurch’srelationtoherleaders,orpastors.1Readthesetwoverses.NoticeattheoutsetthatPauldoesnotclaimthereisaprobleminthechurchinthisarea.Theremayhavebeen,butthereaderwouldn’tknowthisfromPaul’swords.2Stottexplains.

Wedonotknow...whatpromptedPaultowriteverses12and13.Probablysomechurchmembershadbeendisrespectfultowardstheirleaders.Ontheotherhand,someleadersmayhaveprovokedthisreactionbytheirheavy-handedorautocraticbehavior.Paulrejectedbothattitudes.ForitisGod’swill,hetaught,thateverylocalchurchshouldenjoypastoraloversight,butnothiswillthatpastorsshoulddominateandorganizeeverything.Theyarenotmeanttomonopolizeministries,butrathertomultiplythem.(Stott,p.119,emphasisadded)

1 Paulnevernamestheseleaders,butwemayassumethatheisspeakingoftheofficeofpastor,elderoroverseer.ThesetermsaresynonymsintheNewTestament.

2 Someguessthatperhapstherewasariftbetweentheidleinthechurchandthepastorswhowereencouragingtheverywork-ethicthatPaulespoused.

1 Thessalonians70

Study Twelve

Thepassagecontainsthreeverbs(participles)thatdescribetheroleofthepastorsinThessalonica.1Pastorswork hard,theyareoverthecongregationandtheyadmonishthechurch.Letuslookateachoftheseinorder.

First,pastorswork hard.CaringforthechurchofGodisademandingtask.PaulusestheGreekverbkopiao(κοπιαω)whichreferstomanuallabor,hardwork.Thewordmeansto toil, to strive, to struggle.ThiswordissomewhatcommoninPaul’sletters.Noticehowtheapostleusesthiswordinothercontexts.

Whatdowelearnaboutthemeaningofkopiao fromthefollowingverses?

1Corinthians15:10

1Timothy4:10(kopiao=toil)

2Timothy2:6

Colossians1:26

Whatreasonscanyouthinkofthatwouldmakeapastor’sworkhard?

JohnFlavel(1627-1691)wasanEnglishpuritanwhohadahugeinterestinpastoralministry.Inoneofhisbookshesaidoftheworkofpastors,

Thelaboursoftheministryarefitlycomparedtothetoilofmeninharvest,tothelaboursofwomanintravailandtotheagoniesofsoldiersintheextremityinbattle.2

Second,pastorsareover thecongregation.Thetranslationofthiswordisnotwithoutcontroversy.TheGreekverbisproistamenosandcouldbetranslatedcare forinsteadofover.Theverbisusedin1Timothy3:5.

If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church.

1 Paulnevercallstheseleaderspastorsspecifically,butthisisstronglyimplied.Weevenknowtwooftheirnames,AristarchusandSecundus.TheyarementionedinActs20:4,27:2.

2 FromA Puritan Golden Treasury,1975,p.191.

1 Thessalonians71

Study Twelve

Theverbmeans,literally,to stand out in front of.Weshouldnotethatin1Thessalonians5thisverbcomesbetweentwoothercaringverbs(workingandadmonishing).PerhapsbothmeaningsareinPaul’smind.Thepastorsofthechurchareover thechurchinthesamesenseafatherisoverhisfamily.Notwithheavy-handedauthoritarianismbutwithcaring,sacrificiallove.

ThisfitsnicelywithwhatJesussaysinMark10:42-45.Leadersaretobecharacterizedbyservanthood.Theyaretobeatthebottomofanupsidedownpyramid,caringfor,servingandequippingthecongregationtodotheworkofministry(Ephesians4:11-16).Butservant-leadershipstillhasanelementofauthority.

CompareHebrews13:7,17.Readtheseversescarefully(theyarerarelypreachedonforobviousreasons).Howdoyoumeasureuptotheinstructionintheseverses?Doyouproducejoyorgroaning(ESV)inthesoulofyourpastors?

Citeoneormoreexamplesyouhaveseenofapastororpastorsexperiencingjoyorgroaningwithsorrowand/orfrustrationduetosomeonetheywereministeringtoorcaringfor.Whatdothesethingslooklike?

Third,pastorsarethosewhoadmonishthecongregation.PerhapsthisEnglishwordsoundsliketheequivalentofscolding,butthatisnotthecase.TheGreekwordmeanstowarnagainstbadbehaviorandtoencouragegoodbehavior.TheThessalonianshadrecentlycometoChristandwiththatcameanentirelynewethicalstructureforlife.Thepastor-teachersofthechurchhadthejobofteachingnewconverts.

CompareColossians3:16.TherePaulseesteachingandadmonishingastheresponsibilityofeverybelieverinthechurch.Whohasfilledthisroleinyourlife?Whathavetheydone?

1 Thessalonians7�

Study Twelve

Describetheresponsibilityyoufeelandthewayyoupracticethiscalltoteachandadmonish.Howhaveyoufollowedthroughonthis?Isthereissomethingthatimpedesyouinthisarea?Howcanyougrowinordertoministertothoseyoumayfeelcompelledtocarefor?

Fromthepastoralperspective,suchadmonishinghappensinavarietyofwaysinthelocalchurch,butittakesplaceprimarilythroughpreachingandteaching.

DescribeforyourhomegroupwhatrolepreachingandteachinghasplayedinyourChristiangrowth.

Ifthepastorsofthechurchareresponsibletowork hard, exercise authority over and admonishthechurch,whatresponsibilitiesdoestheapostlelayonthecongregation?Lookatourverses.Thepeopleofthechurcharetorespecttheirpastorsandhold them in the highest regard.

Theyareneithertodespisethem,asiftheyweredispensable,norflatterorfawnonthemasiftheywerepopesorprinces,butrathertorespect them...(Stott,p.121)

Inotherwordsthereshouldneverbeawarbetweentheeldersandthecongregation.Again,Stott,

...happyisthechurchfamilyinwhichpastorsandpeoplerecognizethatGodcallsdifferentbelieverstodifferentministries,exercisetheirownministrieswithdiligenceandhumility,andgivetootherstherespectandlovewhichtheirGod-appointedlabourdemands!Theywilllive in peace with each other.(Stott,121)

SantaBarbaraCommunityChurchhasbeendeeplyblessedovertheyearswithamutualloveandrespectbetweentheeldersandthecongregation.Ourpastorshavegovernedlovinglyandfaithfullyandourcongregationhasexpressedgratitudethatflowsfromgladhearts.Thisisnothingweshouldtakeforgranted.Manychurchesexperiencethepainofharshleadershiporthepainofrebellionamongthosewhoareled.Godhasblessedusbeyondmeasureinthisareaofourchurchlife.

1 Thessalonians7�

Study Twelve

Spendtimeasahomegroupprayingforthepastorsofourchurch.BringtheirnamesbeforetheLordandaskGodtogivethemalltheyneedtoleadandcareforhischurch.MayGodgrantusmanymoreyearsoflove,respectandjoyaswecontinuetoseekandservehimtogether!

1 Thessalonians7�

Study Twelve

sermon notes

1 Thessalonians7�

Study Thirteen

One Another …1 Thessalonians �:1�-1�Theywalkinhumilityandkindness,andfalsehoodisnotfoundamongthemandtheyloveoneanother.Theydespisenotthewidowandtheygrievenottheorphan.Hethathas,distributesliberallytohimthathasnot.Iftheyseeastranger,theybringhimundertheirroofandtheyrejoiceoverhimasifheweretheirbrother.Fortheycallthemselvesbrothers,notafterthefleshbutaftertheSpiritandinGod.Butwhenoneoftheirpoorpassesawayfromtheworldandanyofthemseehim,thenheprovidesforhisburialaccordingtohisability.AndiftheyhearthatanyoftheirnumberisinprisonoroppressedforthenameoftheirMessiah,allofthemprovideforhisneeds.Andifitispossiblethathemaybedelivered,theydeliverhim.Andifthereisamongthemamanthatispoorandneedyandtheyhavenotanabundanceofnecessity,theywillfasttwoorthreedaysthattheymaysupplytheneedywithhisnecessaryfood.

–Aristides(secondcenturyAthenianstatesman)

TheChristianfaithisanythingbutaspiritualadditivetoone”slife.WhenGodcallsustohimselfhecallsusintothecommunityofbelieverswholiveforhim.Thechurchisanythingbutaninstitution.Instead,itisanorganism,aninter-relatedfamilyofbrothersandsisterswholivewithandforoneanother.Thechurch,Paulsayselsewhere,isabody,withvariouspartsthatworktogetherflawlessly(oratleasttheyaresupposedtoworktogetherinthisway).

Towardtheendofhisletter,PauladdressessomefamilyconcernshehasfortheThessalonianchurch.Asweobservedinourlaststudy,thesefinalparagraphsof1Thessaloniansareastaccatoassemblyof

commandsandinstructionsfromtheapostletoachurchheloves.RobertThomasoffersagoodoutlineoftheconclusionofthebook.(Thomas,p.289-298)

5:12-13 Responsibilitiestotheleaders

5:14-15 Responsibilitiestothewholechurch

5:16-22 Responsibilitiestopublicworship

5:23-27 Benedictionandconcludingcomments

1 Thessalonians7�

Study Thirteen

Read5:12-27withthepreviousoutlineinmind.Putyourselfintheshoesofafirst-centurycitizenofThessalonica.Howdoyouthinkyoumighthaverespondedtotheseexhortations?

WhatpictureofPaul’sexpectationsforchurch-lifeemergefromtheseverses?

HowdoesthecontemporarychurchinNorthAmericameasureuptotheapostle’sdirectives?

HowdoesSantaBarbaraCommunityChurchmeasureuptoPaul’sinstructions?

5:14-15 Responsibilities to the Whole Church

IntheseversesPaul’swordsarebothstrongandcorporate.5:14 containsastrongerverbthanwesawin5:12.Theretheapostleaskedsomethingofthechurch,hereheurgesthem.Somesayweshouldtranslatetheverse,we exhort you.ThisisPaul’swayofsaying,Pay attention, this is important!

Theseversesarealsocorporate.TheGreektextof5:15reads,literally,always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.Paulistalkingaboutthewholechurch’sresponsibilitytothewholechurch.Inthesetwoshortverseshegivesnofewerthansixdirectives.

5:14 The Idle

Themembersofthechurcharetowarn,oradmonishtheidle.Aswehaveseenatvariouspointsinthisstudy,idlenesswasperhapsthemainconcernPaulhadforthisfledglingchurch.

TheGreekwordhereisataktoi. Itmeans,literally,to be out of line.TheKJVtranslatesthis,the unruly.

1 Thessalonians77

Study Thirteen

FeepointsoutthatinlightoftheaboveitisinterestingthatmosttranslationsusetheEnglishwordidletorenderataktoi.

AtsomepointinthehistoryofEnglishtranslationitwasapparentlyassumedthatthebelieverswhowerenotwork(refusingtowork?)inThessalonicawere“outofline”inthesenseofbeing“idle”;sotheybecame“theidlers”insteadof“theunruly,”eventhoughthereisnotasinglepieceofliteraryevidencetosupportsuchanunderstanding.Giventherestoftheevidenceofthesetwoletters,theyweremostlikely“outofline”notsimplybynotworking,butalsobytheirdependingonotherstotakecareofthem;andinthissense,then,theywerealsobeingdisruptiveofthe“shalom”thatshouldotherwiseexistwithinthecommunity.(Fee,pp.209-210)

Read2Thessalonians2:6-12.Thisisthemostthoroughsectionofthetwolettersthatdealswithidlenessinthechurch.From1Thessalonians5:14andfromthispassage,whatcanyousayaboutthebeliever’scalltowork?

Whatisthedifferencebetweenidlenessandrest?

Someinthechurcharepronetobeidle.Theyarebetteratchannelsurfingonthecouchthantheyareatcuttingdealsintheoffice.Othersarecareerdriven.Workisoftentheiridolofchoice.Iftheoppositeofidlenessistheidolatryofover-work,whereisyourtemptation?WhatisPaul’smessagetoyouintheseverses?

5:14 The Timid

The timid (NIV)isprobablynotthebestchoiceofEnglishwordstotranslatetheGreek.Timidconveysshyness.Paul’swordisusuallyrenderedfainthearted, orthedisheartened.MostcommentatorsthinkPaulisreferringtothosewhosefaithhasbeenshakenbythedeathofothersandtheconfusiontheyhavethatwasaddressedin4:13-18.HerePaulsayspeopleinthechurchshouldencouragethedisheartened.

Inasimilarway,SantaBarbaraCommunityChurchhasthe disheartened inourcongregation,thosewhoseworldhasbeendeeplyshakenbydeath,disappointmentandunfulfilledexpectations.Howdoyou,andhowcanyou,encourage the fainthearted?

1 Thessalonians7�

Study Thirteen

Whatencouragementhaveyouexperiencedinourchurchduringtimesoffaintheartedness?

5:14 The Weak

Paulprobablyhasinmindhelpingthosewhoareweakfromsickness.Thechurchistobeacommunityofcare-givers.

PaulconcludesthisstaccatolistofinstructionswithacalltounilateralpatienceinthebodyofChrist.Everyoneistobepatientwitheveryone.Anicestateofaffairs,tobesure.

5:15 The law of un-retribution

PaulechoesJesus’teachingintheSermonontheMountinMatthew5:38-42.Nolongerarebelieverstoexactaneye for an eye.Theyaretobepeoplewhodon’tkeepscore,whodon’ttakerevenge.

Respondtothefollowingquotation:

Aslongasyouaretangledinwrongandrevenge,blowandcounterblow,aggressionanddefense,youwillbeconstantlydrawnintofreshwrong.Onlyforgivenessfreesusfromtheinjusticeofothers.1

Howisitwithyou?Whatdoyoudowhenyoufeelwrongedbyanotherperson?Sharewithyourhomegrouphowyouhaveendeavoredtogrowinthisarea?

1 RomanoGuardini,The Lord, 1954,p.302.

1 Thessalonians79

Study Thirteen

Paul’sconclusionto5:15servesasafittingconclusiontoourstudy,andasanoblegoalforlifeinthechurch.

. . . always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

MaywedonolessasweliveourlivestogetherasthechurchofChrist.

1 Thessalonians�0

Study Thirteen

sermon notes

1 Thessalonians�1

Study Fourteen

Elements of Worship… 1 Thessalonians �:1�-��PaulisnearlyfinishedwithhislettertotheThessalonianchurch.Heconcludesinhistypicalstyle,thatis,withaseriesofstaccatoinstructions.TheseinstructionsarefollowedbyoneofPaul’sfamousbenedictions.

5:16-22 Responsibilities in public worship

Readtheseverses.Theverbsareallintheplural.Paulisnotaddressingindividuals,butrather,thechurchasawhole.Paulappearstobeinstructingthechurchontheirpracticesofcorporateworship.

5:16-18 Whatarethethreekeycommandsintheseverses?

Howcanacorporateworshipserviceincorporatethesethreecommands?Morespecifically,howcanSantaBarbaraCommunityChurchincorporatethecalltobe joyful always, pray continually andgive thanks in all circumstances?Letusconsidereachofthesecommands.

First,thechurchiscalledtobe joyful always.Readandmemorize1Thessalonians5:16.

TheNIVissomewhatmisleading.Literallythisisacommand,Rejoice always!(ESV)Whilewemightnotbeabletobe joyful,wecan,nevertheless,rejoice.Feeclarifies.

...Paul’semphasishereisnotsomuchontheexperienceofjoy,butontheexpressionofit.Theyareto“rejoicealways,”which,asPhilippians4:4bearsout,meansnotsimplytoexpressjoyingeneral,butspecificallyto“rejoicein the Lord.” Thisisnotasugar-coatedcallforputtingonahappyfaceinthemidstofdifficulties.HereisachurchthatisundergoingseverehardshipbecauseofitsfaithinChrist.God’swillforsuchacommunity,bothasindividualsandastheygatherforworship,isthatasamatteroffirstimportancetheycontinuetoexaltChristbyrejoicing,withhimasthefocus.(Fee,pp.214-215,emphasisisFee’sl)


Study Fourteen

InwhatwaysisthecorporateworshipofSantaBarbaraCommunityChurchmarkedbyrejoicing?Wherecouldwemakeimprovementsinthisarea?

Whatdoesthiscommandsaytoyoupersonally?Howareyoutoparticipatein1Thessalonians5:16?

Second,thechurchistopray continually.

ThomasseesPaulurgingincessant prayer.Thisdoes not mean some sort of nonstop praying. Rather it implies constantly recurring prayer, growing out of a settled attitude of dependence on God.(Thomas,p.291)

Respondtothefollowingquotation.

...ifpraiseisoneindispensableelementofpublicworship,prayerisanother,especiallyintheformofintercession.Eachcongregationshouldaccepttheresponsibilitytoengageinseriousintercession,notonlyduringtheSundayservicesbutatamidweekprayermeetingaswell.Weshouldbeprayingforourownchurchmembers,farandnear;forthechurchthroughouttheworld,itsleaders,itsadherencetothetruthofGod’srevelation,itsholiness,unityandmission;forournation...andgovernment.(Stott,p.125)

HowandwheredoesthishappeninthelifeofSantaBarbaraCommunityChurch?

Evaluateyourhomegroup’sdevotiontoprayer.

Evaluateyourowndevotiontocontinual prayer.Whatareyourhabitsofprayer?Howwouldyouliketoseethemchange?


Study Fourteen

ContinualprayeristheongoingreminderthatGod’schildrenarealwaysandwhollydependentontheirheavenlyFatherforallthings.(Fee,p.215)

Explainhowprayerworksinthisway.

Third,thechurchistogive thanks in all circumstances.

E.J.Bicknellsaysinhiscommentaryon1ThessaloniansthattheChristianlifeistobean unceasing eucharist.1

ObviouslytherearetimesandseasonsinourliveswhenthanksgivingistheleastnaturalChristiandisciplinewecanimagine.Nevertheless,Paulcommandsthanksgiving.Why?WhatisPaul’slogic?Seeverse18b.

Indeed,onemarkofunbeliefistherefusaltogivethanks.SeeRomans1:21.HavetherebeentimeswhenyouhaverefusedtogivethankstoGod?Whatwerethespiritualresultsofthisrefusal?

DissectandrespondtothefollowingquotationbyEllenVaughn.Haveyoufoundthistobetrueinyourexperience?

WhatIhavefoundisthattherhythmofdivinerenewalbeatsinthepulseofapurposefullygratefulhumanheart.Ourspiritualpowerdependsonamoment-by-momentbondwithGod.Andmostsimply,webuildthatbondbythanking Himinallthings.2

5:19-22AfterthesethreepositivecommandsPaultellsthechurchwhatnottodo,don’t put out the Spirit’s fire,literally,Do not quench the Spirit.Theversecouldbetranslated,Stop quenching the Spirit.

1 CitedinStott,p.126.2 EllenVaughn,RadicalGratitude,2005,p.202.


Study Fourteen

Readtheseverses.Whatistheapostle’semphasis?

Whataresomewayswemightput out the Spirit’s fireinSantaBarbaraCommunityChurch?

PaulinstructstheThessalonianstotest everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.Whatdoesthismeaninyourlife?Bespecific.

WhatdoesthismeanforSantaBarbaraCommunityChurchcorporately?Whoseresponsibilityisthisandhowshoulditbecarriedout?

5:23-27 Benediction and concluding comments

Usethisbenedictionasatemplatetoprayforoneanotherinyourhomegroup.PrayforthelargerchurchbodyofSantaBarbaraCommunityChurchwiththissametemplate.AskthatGodwillkeepus,spirit, soul and bodyuntilhecomesagain.

5:26 Practicethisversebeforeconcludingyourhomegroup!


Study Fourteen

sermon notes

1 thessalonians - god equips

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