Milford Church of Christ

1 THESSALONIANS 2

-EFFECTIVE DISCIPLE MAKING-

PREACH THE WORD IN PURITY(v. 1-6)
It is not in vain. When Paul came to town he preached the word. The word advanced and disciples who received his word as the word of God (2:13) became Christians thus proving his toil not to be in vain in the Lord. Paul’s visiting without preaching or disciple making would have been in vain.

With boldness. With confidence, courage, to speak freely, fearlessly, frankly. This characterized the preaching of the church (Acts 4:31, 9:27-28, 13:46, 14:3, 18:26, 19:8, 2 Corinthians 3:12, Ephesians 6:19-20) and even some of Paul’s writings (Romans 15:15, 2 Corinthians 10:1). Paul knew who saved him and he knew the truth and this gave him great confidence in his life and preaching.

Amid much opposition. Acts 17 records some of the persecution that the church in Thessalonica faced which was after the persecution he faced in Philippi (Acts 16).

Exhortation from a pure heart.
Exhortation – Gr. PARAKLESIS. It is a persuasive discourse to call one to another’s side. It involves admonition, encouraging, and comforting. Given Blakely says it is not in the tone or attitude of the preacher but in the nature of the message. The gospel after all is “good news” or “glad tidings”.

Not in error – incorrectly because of ignorance or even knowing his preaching to be faulty.

Not in impurity – with ulterior motives or in order to gain an upper hand, to use the gospel so that “my will be done”

Not deceitfully – this in my opinion is the most frequently used mode of false teaching. Trickery or to use bait. The drawing power of the gospel has always been the cross (John 12:32). Paul did not bait anyone with food or song and dance or false hope and false assurance. He preached Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23, 2:2). And as Deitrich Bonhoeffer says “when Christ calls, he bids you come and die.”

Not as pleasing men – this indeed is a vain motive. Men are pleased one day and upset the next. However, it is certainly to be guarded against (2 Timothy 4:3-4) because hearers will seek “men pleasers” in order to be pleased. This takes shape in seeking approval and also avoiding disapproval.

Not with flattery of speech – False preachers are flatterers (Psalm 12:2-3, 2 Peter 3:18-19). Flattery causes men to think more highly of themselves than they ought (Romans 12:3) and to put confidence in the flesh so as to lessen the need of the Lord. It delays and usually prevents the Lordship of Jesus. After all, the preacher says “It’s all okay.”

Not with greed – nor peddling the word (2 Corinthians 2:17). Christianity is not a religion to get for oneself but rather to give oneself. Pick up your cross and let’s go!

Not seeking glory – he preached not to be glorified but to glorify God. The manner in which the gospel is presented seems to be important or at least instrumental in the conversion of the church in Thessalonica.

But with God examining their hearts or God is witness. God will confirm what Paul is saying.

IMPART YOUR VERY OWN LIFE (v. 7-12)
As a nursing mother
Gentle – Not lording it over but being considerate and cherishing the flock. Noticing that they are sensitive and tender and in need of a gentle “mother to feed them”
Caring – Feeding the infants in Christ. That they might be nourished on the word of God (1 Peter 2:2) and protecting them from savage wolves. It is the comforting mother to whom the child runs when he falls or is in need of comfort.

As a father
Exhorting – urging, to move into action, to awaken people into doing Kingdom things.
Encouraging – comforting or strengthening, “a pick me up” to the fatigued.
Imploring – to plead with or strongly appeal to with the scriptures.
    

Paul referred to his disciples in this fashion showing his care for them
1 Corinthians 4:15 “...for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
Philemon 1:10 “I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment.” 
1 Timothy 1:2 “To Timothy, my true child in the faith...”
Titus 1:4 “To Titus, my true child in the faith...”

PRODUCE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS (v. 13-20)
Devoted to the word of God
Received it in much tribulation (1:6)
Received it as word of God not men – it is powerful, spiritual, and produces life change when it is recognized and believed as the word of God.
Which performs its work in believers. The word is continually causing transformation and re-creation in the life of the believer. The Holy Spirit is not being quenched but is regenerating the man completely. Colossians 3:16-17 teaches that abundant living comes from richly abiding in the word.
Imitators of Jesus and His church

Of us and the Lord (1:6)
Participated in suffering for Christ – as did the church in Judea. Whether a Jew converted at the beginning of the church or a Thessalonian gentile converted many years later, faith produces the same characteristics and in this case the same perseverance under similar persecution.
Became Christ-like (2:12) – called into the glory of God and walking according to that calling.
Faithful to the end

The hope and joy and crown of disciplers.
1. The hope is in the disciple made, that when Jesus appears they will be welcomed into eternity with Him. This is not the hope manifested in the Lord Jesus, which anchors our soul, but it is hope.
2. The joy also is secondary to the joy we have from Jesus. But there is great joy not only in one who is lost being reconciled to God but more so in that one converted sinner pressing on to attain likeness of Christ and in fact make more disciples.
3. The crown of exultation is those faithful ones who when the stand before the judgment seat of Christ will receive no condemnation. His work and labor and toil will be made known and will not be in vain.
4. The disciples made are the discipler’s “glory and joy”

Romans 15:14-16 “And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another. (15) But I have written boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God. (16) to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.”

1 THESSALONIANS 3

THE ADVERSARY ON THE ATTACK
A. Keeping the Christians apart
i. Paul could endure it no longer. He had to see his “children in the faith.”
ii. He was not weak or scared but rather concerned to see how they were doing. He was all about checking up on the brethren (Acts 15:36)

B. Afflicting the saints
i. These afflictions and trials are not necessarily persecutions. Many times our trials do not involve anyone else. Satan is at work to destroy us; God is at work to strengthen us. It is a matter of our faith and therefore salvation.
ii. Satan uses them to disturb or shake us. He deceives us with these things to make us think we cannot endure or press on or “live by faith”
iii. He wants us to compromise or cut a deal so that we will not have to face the trial. Ex: “Satan won’t mess with me if I don’t mess with him”
iv. No surprise; we have been destined for this (John 16:33) but we can overcome and in our weakness we are strong (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) no matter what – joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). Jesus said, “If they persecute Me, they will persecute you” (John 15:20). Paul didn’t withhold this truth from them. While he was in Asia Minor he declared to them the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:20, 27). He also promised this to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:12) but also that there is One who rescues (v.11).

C. Tempting the church
i. Doctrine. 2 Corinthians 11:3, 1 Peter 5:8-9, Ephesians 4:14
ii. Sin. Which is very deceptive (Hebrews 3:13)
iii. To shrink back. This is probably the most accurate meaning or form of temptation mentioned in our text. Satan wants the Christian to shrink back, “but we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul” (Hebrews 10:39). And Jesus is able to come to our aid, for He suffered affliction as well (Hebrews 2:18).

THE CHRISTIAN COUNTER ATTACK
A. Sent a worker of God – Why Timothy? - Philippians 2:19-20
i. Preacher of the gospel. He was a fellow worker in the gospel of Christ which is the power of God unto salvation (not just initial). The people of God need the word of God and are receive it much more earnestly than the world. When Satan is on the attack in your life – get to the Word of God. When Satan is on the attack in others lives – get them the Word of God.
ii. Strengthen and Encourage. To establish them firm in their faith. Timothy was sent because they were going through afflictions and trial and Paul did not want them to fall to temptation and waiver in faith. He was not sent to “counsel” but to strengthen and encourage. Philosophy and counseling, though they are of good intention, cannot do what a strong faith in Almighty God can.

B. Rejoiced in triumphs (6-9)
i. That though tempted, the Church persevered in faith and love. They also thought kindly of Paul and longed to see them. They yearned for fellowship with the saints – no doubt for strengthening and encouraging both ways.
ii. Paul who had been in great distress and affliction as well but was comforted...through their faith! Our faithfulness or lack there of, affects others. This is what caused the daily concern in Paul (2 Corinthians 11:28-29)
iii. Bringing about Life! We can become exhausted and worn out when laboring constantly and are in dire need of renewal. Paul felt this way at times (2 Corinthians 1:8-9). And the faithfulness of the Church gave him life. We need to sharpen and strengthen one another so that we, like Elijah, do not suppose we are alone for God leaves a remnant and they are to minister to one another (1 Kings 19, Romans 11:3-5)
iv. Paul, like the encouraging father (2:11) rejoiced in their steadfastness

C. Prayed – 1 Samuel 12:23
i. Earnestly (Matthew 14:13, 14:23, 26:36, Mark 1:35, Luke 9:18, 11:1, 18:1, John 6:15)
ii. Night and day. (Psalm 5:3, 55:17, 88:1, 119:147, 1 Thessalonians 5:17)
iii. To complete what is lacking. Faith can and must always grow. We must press on, mature, strive, not looking back but fixing our eyes on Jesus.
iv. To see them. We must pray that God will clear the path to wherever we desire to go to do His work, even though Satan may currently be hindering us (2:18).

D. Abound in love for one another
i. As a disciple should (John 15:35).
ii. Knit together in love (Colossians 2:2) depicts a picture beyond that of fellowship meals and birthday cards but one of love that endures through great afflictions and trials, goes beyond even the fellowship of the saints to reaching the lost world of enemies of Christ and finally one that establishes the heart. If you are not established in Christ – check your love. Is it directed upward, outward, or inward.

1 THESSALONIANS 4

SANCTIFICATION
A. How we ought to walk – and please God.
In newness of life (Rom. 6:4) According to the spirit (Rom. 8:4, Gal. 5:16, 25) In whatever social circumstance you were called (1 Cor. 7:17) By faith not sight (2 Cor. 5:7) In good works (Eph. 2:10) Worthy of the calling (Eph. 4:1) Not like the Gentiles (Eph. 4:17) In love (Eph. 5:2 2 John 1:6) As children of light (Eph. 5:8, 1 John 1:7) As wise men (Eph. 5:15) Like the example set by the Apostles and company (Phil. 3:17) Worthy of the Lord (Col. 1:10, 1 Thess. 2:12) In the Lord (Col. 2:6, 2 Cor. 6:16) As Jesus walked (1 John 2:6)

B. The will of God – “Desire”
i. Creation is according to God’s will (Rev. 4:11)
ii. Jesus’ life was to accomplish it (Heb. 10:7, Matt. 26:42, Rom. 8:27, Gal. 1:4)
iii. Our lives are to accomplish it (Matt. 7:21, Mark 3:35, Heb. 10:36, 1 Pet. 4:2, 6, 19, 5:2, 1 John 2:17 – John 6:40)
iv. The “Doings” – Good, acceptable, and perfect (Rom. 12:2) Obedience and submissiveness (Eph. 6:5-6) Pray to stay in the will of God (Col. 4:12) Give thanks (1 Thess. 5:8) Do right (1 Pet. 2:15) Sorrow that leads is according to God’s will leads to repentance (2 Cor. 7:9-10)
v. Paul being an Apostle was by this will (1&2 Cor., Eph., Col., 2 Tim. 1:1)

C. Our sanctification is the will of God
i. The act of making holy, the act of consecrating or setting apart for a sacred purpose (Webster). The renewing and transformation the Christian is undergoing
ii. Has to do with obedience to God and abstinence from sin, righteousness as in this verse and others (Rom. 6:19,22, 1 Tim. 2:15, Heb. 12:14)
iii. Comes through the Spirit by faith as a result of the cross (1 Cor. 1:30, 2 Thess. 2:13, 1 Pet. 1:2)

D. We were called for this purpose! (v.7)
i. Eph. 1:3-6, 2:13-22, 3:8-11, 4:20-24, 5:25-27, Col. 1:22, Rom. 8:29, 12:1-2, 2 Cor. 3:18

E. Excel still more – never fully accomplished on earth but will be realized in Heaven

LOVE OF THE BRETHREN
A. Taught by God – the cross (John 3:16, 6:44-45)

B. Currently practicing it – Excel still more

C. Handle your business – lead the quiet life (1 Tim. 2:2), behave properly among outsiders for you are representatives of the Lord

COMFORTING WORDS
A. Don’t grieve as the rest who have no hope.
i. Christians have hope.
1) In the resurrection (Acts 23:6, 24:15, 26:6-7, 28:20)
2) In glory – Jesus face to face (Rom. 5:2, Col. 1:27, 3:4, Tit. 2:13, 1 Pet. 1:13)
3) In eternal life (Tit. 1:2, 3:7)

B. As sure as the resurrection – (Acts 1:3)

C. The coming of the Lord
i. The Lord Himself is going to descend from heaven
ii. An alarming event – shout, voice of arch angel, trumpet of God
iii. The resurrection – dead in Christ first and we will be changed (1 Cor. 15:50-58). The Corinthians seemed to have a similar misunderstanding (1 Cor. 15:12-19)
iv. Those alive will be caught up (Latin RAPIO) to meet the Lord in the air
v. We will always be with the Lord (Philippians 1:23, 2 Corinthians 5:8)

D. Therefore, comfort one another with these words!

1 THESSALONIANS 5

THE DAY OF THE LORD

A. The Timing of His coming is not for us to know.
i. Acts 1:7 “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority”
ii. Matthew 24:36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.”

B. Like a thief. Not quietly or sneaky or even quickly – but unannounced.
i. Matthew 24:43 “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.” (2 Thessalonians 2:2, 2 Peter 3:10, Revelation 3:3)

C. Destruction will come upon them suddenly.
i. 2 Peter 3:7,10 “But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.” (10) “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.”
ii. Matthew 24:37-39 “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. (38) For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, (39) and they did not understanding until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.”
iii. Like labor pains – once they start coming, you can’t stop them. When Jesus comes back it is going to be to late for the sinners.

D. Salvation for us through the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

HOW THEN SHALL WE LIVE?
A. Be prepared – like a soldier protecting the house
i. Matthew 24:42 “Therefore, be on alert for you do not know which day the Lord is coming” (cf. Mark 13:37)
ii. 1 Corinthians 16:13 “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”
iii. 1 Peter 4:7 “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.”
iv. 2 Peter 3:11-12 “Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people out you to be in holy conduct and godliness, (12) looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!”

B. Awake – not asleep – because you do not know when he is coming

C. Sober – not drunk – because you do not know when he is coming

D. Armed – because you do not know when he is coming
i. Breastplate of faith and love – faith and hope are in things unseen
ii. Helmet of the hope of salvation – constant expectation and longing for the day of the Lord. Everyone since the resurrection lives in expectation of the second coming.

E. Therefore, encourage and build up one another!

FINAL INSTRUCTIONS
A. Close, meaningful relationships involve work (know, love, warn, encourage, help)
i. Know and love your teachers who labor, instruct and warn. Lest we forget, battles are won by the soldiers on the field, not simply the commander at the base. We must have godly leaders and godly followers and in one way or another we all fall under both categories. (Hebrews 13:17)
ii. Warn the unruly – insubordinate or rebellious
iii. Encourage the fainthearted – those who are distraught and distressed and afflicted as in chapter 3 must be encouraged so they do not lose heart and leave the covenant. Immediate and temporary and physical problems can do that if there is not a grounded faith. Encouragement especially of the salvation to come can spur them on to love an good deeds.
iv. Help the weak – carry those who are wounded, fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.
v. Be patient – this is essential considering the list of troubles preceding it (unruly, fainthearted, weak).

B. Godly relationships require this patience
i. No one repay evil for evil (Matthew 5:38-42, Romans 12:17)
ii. Seek the good of others – this is love “thinking the best and doing the best for the object of that love” (seen in the cross)

C. Holy living
i. God’s will for you in Christ Jesus...
Rejoice ALWAYS
Pray UNCEASINGLY
Give thanks IN EVERYTHING

**See Philippians 4:8, positive thinking is not psychology, it divine instruction. Dwelling on the negative will wear out the spirit of a man and make him ineffective. Satan knows and uses this, and we often give him too much ammunition. After all, if we are not living in Christ and in the Spirit we will have little to rejoice in.
ii. Don’t quench the Spirit – “don’t” means “stop doing it” allow the Holy Spirit to work in you and stop resisting the changes you know God wants you to make. We do this all too often. Some times we resist change but most of the time we just don’t care. Indifference may be the worst attitude to have about spiritual things (Revelation 3:15-16) but probably best characterizes our culture.
iii. God is at work in the Christian to sanctify him, complete him, present him without blame when the King comes.