Encounters with God The First and Second Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the THESSALONIANS

Thomas Nelson

Contents

An Introduction to the First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians..............................7An Overview of Our Study of the First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians.....................11Lesson #1: Faithful and Exemplary Believers........................................................15Lesson #2: Fruitful and Truthful Ministers.........................................................25Lesson #3: Overcoming Satan's Hindrances...........................................................37Lesson #4: Abounding More and More.................................................................47Lesson #5: Ready for Christ's Coming...............................................................57Lesson #6: Resistance to Apostasy..................................................................67Lesson #7: Admonitions and Blessings...............................................................77Notes to Leaders of Small Groups...................................................................89

Chapter One

FAITHFUL AND EXEMPLARY BELIEVERS

Exemplary: something so good or admirable that others would do well to copy it

B Bible Focus

You became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come ... For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans (1 Thess. 1:6-10, 2:13-14).

The Thessalonian church was a fairly new church, hardly a few years old when Paul wrote them. Paul established the church during a fairly brief visit that he, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy made to the city of Thessalonica. It doesn't appear that Paul was in Thessalonica for more than a few weeks. We know from Acts that Paul reasoned from the Scriptures in the Jewish synagogue for three weeks, presented Jesus as the Christ, persuading some of the Jews, a large number of devout Greeks, and some of the leading women of the city. Then the Jews who felt threatened by his message instigated a riot against Paul, and he was smuggled out of the city and sent to Berea before going on to Athens. Silas and Timothy remained in Berea for a short period and then followed Paul to Athens.

Perhaps the most telling attribute of this young church was that, though born in controversy and affliction, its believers received the gospel message with "joy of the Holy Spirit" (1 Thess. 1:5-6). They heard the message of Christ preached powerfully and confidently, with accompanying signs and wonders (1 Thess. 1:5). They responded enthusiastically and joyfully to this message. Paul readily recognized in writing to them that it was the Holy Spirit's work in their midst that had allowed them to become such an exemplary church to all in the surrounding regions of Macedonia and Achaia.

In many ways the Holy Spirit became the teacher and guide for this new church. Although Silas and Timothy continued to teach the new believers for a short while after Paul left, the church was eventually left on its own to study the Scriptures and rely upon the Holy Spirit for ongoing direction and counsel. The Thessalonian believers, Paul said, were quick to recognize the "truth, the word of God" and to apply it to their lives. They had not only become the followers of Paul, but followers of the Lord (1 Thess. 1:6, 2:13).

Paul told this church that he loved them as a nursing mother loves her infant-tenderly and completely (1 Thess. 2:7). But he recognized that it was God, their loving heavenly Father, who was strengthening and guiding them. It was the Holy Spirit's work in the church that had allowed its members to

turn definitively to Christ, leaving behind all idols and sin, serve the living God and stand firm, even in times of suffering and affliction, and remain strong in faith, patiently waiting for Jesus to return to earth.

Some people argue that a church must have strong, mature leadership in order for new converts and immature Christians to grow strong in the faith. That certainly appears to be true when it comes to establishing a church. And, it certainly is the ideal for ongoing leadership. Even so, an ideal model isn't always possible, and it certainly isn't a requirement. Countless "baby" believers have grown strong and mature in the wake of powerful evangelistic campaigns in remote regions of the world. These new converts, and also "baby" churches which grow strong, seem to bear two great characteristics: First, the new converts to Christ heard a biblically sound and convincing presentation of the Gospel, with verifying "power" and "much assurance" (1 Thess. 1:5). Second, the new converts continued to rely upon the Holy Spirit to illuminate Bible truth to them and to shape their lives according to God's divine will.

What an encouraging message these opening statements of Paul should be to those today who proclaim the message of Christ as evangelists. Preach with power, and in much assurance. Those who respond to your message with joy can grow in Christ and carry on the banner of the Gospel in an effective and lasting way. They can become effective, exemplary, and faithful followers of Christ Jesus.

A Application for Today

Consider this scenario: You and two of your friends are dropped off on a small island with the understanding that the ship will be back in a few weeks to pick you up, should you want to leave the island at that time. In the future, the transporting ship might come by the island every three or four months. You have been told that the people on the island have never heard the name of Jesus.

What would be your strategy for presenting the gospel to this unreached people?

What items would you plan to take with you to this island? Which of these items would you plan to leave behind? (Be conservative-limit the items you would take to one large suitcase or duffel bag per person.)

How long would you plan to stay? Why? What would be your exit strategy or the criterion for you to move on?

What would you do if you encountered severe persecution, perhaps even threats of death, from those who saw their positions of leadership being threatened by your message?

What would you build into your plan of evangelism to ensure that the new converts had all they needed to continue to grow in Christ after you left?

Consider this scenario: the "island" to which you are going is an innercity neighborhood covering one square mile. Now, what would your strategy be? How would you equip yourselves? How long would you plan to stay? Why? What would be your exit strategy?

S Supplementary Scriptures to Consider

Paul was quick to note that the Word of God, which the Thessalonians had received as the truth of God, was working effectively in them, enabling them to endure harsh persecution:

We also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost (1 Thess. 2:13-16).

What is the difference between receiving a sermon message or teaching lesson as "the word of men" and receiving it as "the word of God"? How can you tell if the word of God is "effectively" working in you as an individual? In your church as a whole? Do you feel prepared to withstand serious persecution from your countrymen, which may include your family members, friends, or people in your neighborhood and business arena? What might you do to prepare yourself more fully? How might that persecution come to you or your church in the future? What is the difference between being persecuted individually for your faith and having your persecutors put up roadblocks that prohibit you from speaking the gospel message to others? Jesus taught the importance of abiding in the truth:

Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32).

How does knowing Jesus translate into knowing the truth? ("Jesus said, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life'" John 14:6). In what ways does the truth free us from heretical "words of men"?

I Introspection and Implications

1. What is the difference between a person who becomes a genuine follower of Jesus Christ and one who becomes a follower of "men only?" 2. What do you believe the apostle Paul would write to your church? Would he consider you exemplary and faithful believers? 3. If the apostle Paul wrote to your church, what would his appraisal be regarding:

a. your definitive turning from sin to follow Christ?

b. your service to the living God in the face of suffering or persecution?

c. your patience in waiting for the return of Christ?

4. Do you have the joy of the Holy Spirit about the gospel you profess to believe? Why or why not?

C Communicating the Good news

Paul wrote, "Our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake" (1 Thess. 1:5).

How can we present the Gospel in power and not in word only?

How is the Gospel presented "in the Holy Spirit"?

What does it mean to present the Gospel "in much assurance"?

What do you think Paul meant when he said, "you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake?" In what ways is a person's personal reputation important to another person's receiving the gospel message? Why?

Chapter Two

FRUITFUL AND TRUTHFUL MINISTERS

Exhortation: earnestly advising or urging strongly, either in admonition or encouragement

B Bible Focus

You yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness-God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had became dear to us. For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you should walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory (1 Thess. 2:1-12).

Paul boldly told the Thessalonians that there were certain things he and his preaching companions had not done in declaring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to them:

They had not preached error or lie-rather, they had preached truth. They had not preached as men with impure lives or motives. Their lives validated their message and did not detract from it. They had not used flattering words in their preaching. They had not preached with the goal of financial extortion. They had not preached in order to be popular among the people.

Paul was also bold in declaring the virtuous way in which he and his fellow ministers, Silvanus (Silas) and Timothy, had behaved in their midst:

They had been gentle and affectionate. They had labored night and day to earn their keep and not be a burden to anyone-they were not lazy in their efforts, nor did they display a sense of entitlement. They had exhibited devout, just, and blameless behavior. They had exhorted, comforted, and charged the Thessalonians-as "a father does his own children"-to walk worthy of God.

They came to the Thessalonians not to please them but to fulfill the call of God on their lives.

In these few short paragraphs, the apostle Paul gave a very clear profile of what it means to be a true minister of the Gospel. This profile applies not only to clergy, but to the laity. It applies to all who seek to minister to others the truth of the Gospel, or to disciple others in the faith. God calls all believers to spread the Gospel with a genuine love for others; a purity of message, motive, and behavior; and a simple proclamation of the truth.

Paul also made it clear in this passage that those who are persuaded to believe the Gospel that is preached to them have the privilege of evaluating the behavior of the preacher who bears the good news, including evaluating the preacher's message for any underlying motives. To those who say, "Don't look at my life, just listen to the truth of my words," Paul no doubt would have replied, "Look at my life-it adds validity to the truth of my words." From Paul's perspective, the Gospel must be presented in a way that is free of any overlay of deceit, manipulation of others, or attempt to sway others for financial gain.

Even as Paul called upon the Thessalonians to accurately evaluate their lives, he stated that he and his companions felt totally confident in this: "God is witness."

It would be easy to use this passage as a template for evaluating others. Rather, we are wise to use it as a template in evaluating ourselves.

Why do you pursue the ministry activities that you pursue? Why do you seek to influence others for Christ? What are your motives? Is your message totally without error, deceit, or manipulation? How do you know that it is? What do you feel toward those with whom you share your knowledge of Christ Jesus? Are you willing for your life to be transparent to those you seek to influence for Christ?

The Thessalonians were exemplary and faithful believers who heard the gospel from exemplary and faithful preachers of God's truth, an important aspect of how believers grow into maturity and joy.

A Application for Today

There's a popular phrase among motivational speakers that proclaims: "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."

We take for granted that this is a true statement, but why is it true? What are the implications in sharing the message of Christ Jesus?

There's another popular phrase that admonishes Christians to "walk the walk, and not just talk the talk."

We take this advice for granted, but why is this important? Is there a degree to which the truth of the gospel transcends the frailty of human nature and the flaws of human behavior? What are the unique challenges of walking and talking in integrity?

There's yet a third popular phrase that says, "Hate the sin but love the sinner."

We like the sound of this, but how do we do it? How can we love a person who is blatantly sinning, without seeming to accept their sin?

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Encounters with God The First and Second Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the THESSALONIANSby Henry Blackaby Richard Blackaby Thomas Blackaby Melvin Blackaby Norman Blackaby Copyright © 2008 by Henry Blackaby, Th.M., D.D. Richard Blackaby, M.Div., Ph.D. Thomas Blackaby, M.Div., D.Min. Melvin Blackaby, M.Div., Ph.D. Norman Blackaby, M.Div., B.L., Ph.D.. Excerpted by permission.
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