Coachlight Bible Study – I Thessalonians (Part III)
Chapters Four And Five –
Pleasing God
The group at Thessalonica
was converted on Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 17:1-9). Being released
from prison at
Paul’s plan is seen in
Paul recalling the warm reception the converts gave the Gospel and then he
reminds them of the
circumstances in which he brought the Word of God to them. His concern was evidenced by his willingness to
part with Timothy, a key person in his team, in order to encourage the people
of Thessalonica.
Some have stated that the
“wrath” of I Thessalonians
I Thessalonians – Pleasing God |
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Focus –
(Intention) |
Giving & Receiving The Word |
Exhortation |
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Reference |
1:1---------2:1------------------3:1--------4:1--------- |
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Division – (Plan) |
Receiving The Word |
Characteristics of True Evangelism |
Reason For Writing |
Pleasing God |
Dead In Christ |
Day of the Lord |
Holy Living |
Topic |
Commendation |
Exhortation |
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Location |
Written In |
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Time |
51 A.D. |
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I.
The Salutation
I Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the
church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus
Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus
Christ.
I Thessalonians 1:2 We give thanks
to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
I Thessalonians 1:3 Remembering
without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of
love, and patience<5281> of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight
of God and our Father;
I Thessalonians 1:4
Knowing, brethren beloved, your
election of God. {beloved…: or, beloved of God, your
election}
A. The letter was from Paul, Silas, and Timothy
B. The letter was to the group of people at Thessalonica
C. Paul had
been praying for his “flock” without ceasing
D. Paul
remembered Three Things Concerning The Thessalonians
1. Their work because of their
faith
2. Their labor because they loved
their brothers
3. Their perseverance because
they had expectant hope – See Hebrews 12:1-12
5281. upomonh hupomone hoop-om-on-ay’; from 5278; cheerful (or hopeful) endurance,
constancy:— enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting).
E. These fruits demonstrated they being
chosen by God
II. The Evangelism
I Thessalonians 1:5 For our gospel<2098> came not unto you
in word only, but also in power<1411>, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much
assurance<4136>; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your
sake.
A. The Definition of the word Gospel
2098. euaggelion euaggelion yoo-ang-ghel’-ee-on; from the same as 2097; a
good message, 2097. euaggelizw euaggelizo yoo-ang-ghel-id’-zo; from
2095 and 32; to announce good news ("evangelize")
especially the gospel:— declare, bring (declare, show) glad (good) tidings,
preach (the gospel).
B. We see what
Paul’s Gospel was in the book of Acts:
Acts 17:2 And
Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath
days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
C. The
definition of the word power – Where we get our word dynamite
1411. dunamiv dunamis doo’-nam-is; from 1410; force (literally or
figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle
itself):— ability, abundance, meaning, might(-ily,
-y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle(-s), power, strength, violence, mighty
(wonderful) work.
D. The definition of the
word assurance: - conviction
4136. plhroforia plerophoria play-rof-or-ee’-ah; from 4135; entire confidence:—
(full) assurance.
III. The Reception Of The
Word – Turned The World Upside Down
I Thessalonians 1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having
received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
I Thessalonians 1:7
So that ye were ensamples<5179>
to all that believe in
I Thessalonians 1:8 For from you
sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in
every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to
speak any thing.
A. The meaning of ensamples: “sign
of future events” – Our word Type
5179. tupov tupos too’-pos;
from 5180; a die (as struck), i.e. (by implication) a stamp or scar; by
analogy, a shape, i.e. a statue, (figuratively) style or resemblance;
specifically, a sampler ("type"), i.e. a model (for imitation) or
instance (for warning):— en-(ex-)ample, fashion, figure, form, manner, pattern,
print.
B. The meaning of the word
“sounded out – We get our word ‘echo’
1837. exhceomai execheomai ex-ay-kheh’-om-ahee; middle voice from 1537 and 2278;
to "echo" forth, i.e. resound (be generally reported):— sound forth.
1. Notice that no word needed to be spoken
2. Notice what was sounded out – The Word of God
3. Notice it wasn’t by great numbers of people
4. Notice it was from a pattern of living
5. Notice it was from receiving the Word of God
I Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves shew of us
what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols
to serve the living and true God;
I Thessalonians
D. The meaning of the word “wait” –
expectant endurance
362 anamenw anemeno an-am-en’-o
- from 303 and 3306; ; v
AV-wait for 1; 1
- 1) to wait for one (with the added notion of patience and trust)
E. The meaning of the word “wrath”
– Judgment for sin – Tribulation Period
3709 orgh or-gay’ - frm 3713; n f
- wrath 31, anger 3, vengeance 1, indignation 1; 36
1) anger, the natural disposition,
temper, character
2) movement or agitation of the
soul, impulse, desire, any violent emotion, but esp. anger
3) anger, wrath, indignation
4) anger exhibited in punishment,
hence used for punishment itself
4a) of punishments inflicted by magistrates
1. “Wrath” From Robertson’s Word Picture:
To wait for his Son from heaven Present infinitive, linear, to keep on waiting for. The hope of
the second coming of Christ was real and powerful with Paul as it should be
with us. It was subject to abuse then as
now as Paul will have to show in this very letter. He alludes to this hope at
the close of each chapter in this Epistle.
Jesus which delivereth us from
the wrath to come It is the historic, crucified, risen, and ascended Jesus
Christ, God’s Son, who delivers from the coming wrath. It is eschatological language, this coming
wrath of God for sin (#1Th
2. “Wrath” From
JFB
10. This verse distinguishes them from the Jews,
as #1Th 1:9 from the idolatrous Gentiles. To wait for the Lord’s
coming is a sure characteristic of a true believer, and was prominent amidst
the graces of the Thessalonians (#1Co 1:7,8). His coming
is seldom called his return (#Joh 14:3);
because the two advents are regarded as different phases of the same coming;
and the second coming shall have features altogether new connected with it, so
that it will not be a mere repetition of the first, or a mere coming back again.
C. Wrath to
Come – Two other Scripture References
1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not
appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Colossians 3:6 For
which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
IV. Chapter Two – The Characteristics of True
Evangelism
Characteristics Of True Evangelism |
|
I. True Evangelism
is rooted in the Truth |
I Thessalonians 2:1 |
II. True Evangelism
is “Confident in Spirit” |
I Thessalonians 2:2 |
III. True
Evangelism’s Confidence Is Not Out Of Deceit |
I Thessalonians 2:3 |
IV. True Evangelism
Is By God And To Please God Not Man |
I Thessalonians 2:4 |
V. True Evangelism
Is Not Ostensibly For Greed |
I Thessalonians 2:5 |
VI. True Evangelism
Does Not Glorify Any Man Or The Evangelist |
I Thessalonians 2:6 |
VIII. True
Evangelism Finances Itself |
I Thessalonians 2:7 |
IX. True Evangelism
Is, By Example, A Holy Walk |
I Thessalonians 2:8-9 |
X. True Evangelism
Is Discipling – As Both Mother & Father |
I Thessalonians 2:11 |
XI. True Evangelism
Has An Aim |
I Thessalonians 2:12 |
XII. True
Evangelism Includes The Reception Of The Word |
I Thessalonians 2:13-14 |
XIII. True
Evangelism Takes Hold Even In Persecution |
I Thessalonians 2:15-18 |
XIII. True
Evangelism (Discipling) Has It’s Reward |
I Thessalonians 2:19-20 |
V. Chapter 3 – Paul Sends Timothy To The Thessalonians
A. Paul had to
flee to Athens – Chapter 3, verse 1
B. Paul wanted
to “Know their faith” – Chapter 3, verses 2-5
C. Timothy returned with an
encouraging report – Chapter 3, verses 6-10
D. Paul desired
to visit the Thessalonians
VI. Chapters 4 & 5 - Exhortation to Please God
A. Pleasing God with Your Walk -
Sanctification
1 Thessalonians 4:1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren,
and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought
to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. {beseech: or, request} {exhort: or,
beseech}
1 Thessalonians 4:2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
1. Remember the Commandments of Christ?
Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto
him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Matthew
Matthew 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt
love thy neighbour as thyself.
Matthew
2. Abstain From Fornication
1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that
ye should abstain from fornication:
1 Thessalonians 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel
in sanctification and honour;
1 Thessalonians 4:5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which
know not God:
3. Abstain From Defrauding Your
Brother
1 Thessalonians 4:6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter:
because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned
you and testified. {defraud: or, oppress, or,
overreach} {in…: or, in the matter}
1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God hath
not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
1 Thessalonians 4:8 He therefore
that despiseth, despiseth
not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy
Spirit. {despiseth: or, rejecteth}
1 Thessalonians 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto
you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
1 Thessalonians
4. Continue With Your
1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians
B. Pleasing God by Comforting One
Another With Revelation
1. Comfort Concerning The Rapture
1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose
again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1 Thessalonians
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2. Comfort Concerning The Day of the Lord
1 Thessalonians 5:1 But of the
times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so
cometh as a thief in the night.
1 Thessalonians 5:3 For when they
shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as
travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
1 Thessalonians
5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as
a thief.
1 Thessalonians 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the
day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
1 Thessalonians
5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
1 Thessalonians
5:7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they
that be drunken are drunken in the night.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the
breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath
not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
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C. Pleasing God In Everyday Living
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1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any
man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
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