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1 Thessalonians 4:9–12
ICC’s Sunday PM 11/27/22)
Introduction
Opening comments
Let’s continue to study Thessalonians
Prayer
Lord, open our eyes to see wonderful things in your word
Catch- as a talkative person I know that being talkative can be really annoying
Winston Churchill told the story of a man who was always chattering.
“Sir Winston,” he chirped, “I haven’t told you about my grandchildren yet.”
“And for that,” Churchill answered, “I am deeply grateful.
not exactly what quiet means in this context, but it is sure funny
Being quiet is so much more than that
Quiet is about a loving focus on others rather than just what I need or want
And quiet is more often needed when there are differences
The early Pastor Justin Martyr explained Christian as
We who used to value the acquisition of wealth and possessions more than anything else now bring what we have into a common fund and share it with anyone who needs it.
We used to hate and destroy one another and refused to associate with people of another race or country.
Now, because of Christ, we live together with such people and pray for our enemies
Today we will see how love connects with being quiet
Review
This is a book about being a growing church, a God pleasing church.
Chapter 4 began with this verse
1 Thessalonians 4:1-we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.
Paul spends the first part addressing issues of sexual immorality in a Greek-Roman culture that said if you feel it, you must do it
We saw how Christianity uniquely said that even a young man can have self control over his body and impulses
But christians are to live for God’s will… being sanctified or different
Being self controlled and pure
They had received this instruction, but they seemed to need more reminders on this as perhaps their susceptibility to this temptation was stronger
This makes sense of
James 1:14–15- But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
Each person is tempted by their own desires…
Robert burns wrote a poem- Thou know’st that Thou hast frmed me With passions wild and strong; And list’ning to their witching voice, Has often led me wrong
and each group has certain desires that are more acceptable that others
We say these together leave me subject to sins that barely tempt others.
God made me this way, so what can I do?”
But he still says, let me encourage you to do more
3 priorities to develop growing love
1) Agape Love fellow Christians (9-10)
Explanation
Verse 9 begins with a now or but
It could be a new subject that Paul just moves to as the next things that needs to be discussed
Or he could be saying, I’ve had to say some hard things about sexual immorality, but you don’t really need me to write to you about brotherly love
Verse 8 says if you disregard this, you’re rejecting God
But v 9 says you’re taught by God.
Paul even addresses the issue they are strong at, let alone what they wrongfully allow
Brotherly love was used by the greeks to speak of love for one’s kin
But the New Testament applied to the Christian family
This is not agape, a choice to love we give to everyone , but a love that exists naturally for family
They have no need from someone to write it
Instead, they are taught by God
It is a word unread in the Greek language elsewhere, so people think perhaps Paul coined it based on passages
John 6:44–46- No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.
And I will raise him up on the last day.
It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’
Jesus is quoting from the prophet Isaiah
Isaiah 54:12–13- I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles, and all your wall of precious stones.
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.
Isaiah is writing about the end times when when God will live so intimately with his people through his Spirit that they will no longer have to be taught by human intermediaries, but rather will be "taught of God.?
Paul is reminding them of their special Covenant relationship with God
This blessing promised to the Jews is being participated in by a group of gentiles because of Jesus breaking down that dividing wall
Now, they naturally love because of the Holy Spirit
Romans 5:5 supports that reality: “The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
At conversion Christians receive the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit works in the heart of a believer to love what they see of God’s work in other belivers
Now the word he uses to love is not brotherly love, but it is agape
Yes, they had no reason for anyone to write to them about the fact that they just loved being together with the churchbut maybe they did need some encouragement to love
but maybe they did need some encouragement to love
The one another are a set of at least 20 commands through the New Testament that believers are to live out together.
Loving one another is one way that the church helps each other grow
And the Thessalonian church was doing this well
This area of Macedonia is the Balkan Peninsula north of Greece
Think of it like a church is known for loving all the other churches in the state really well.
1 Thessalonians 1:7–8- so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.
But even though they had a reputation being superb in this regard… Christians must excel still more
We naturally want to lift up our gifts and build up our weaknesses
If you or I were getting this we might say… “come-on Paul, there are so many other things I’m struggling in… why are you picking apart something I’m good at”
But Paul did this to himself because of greater joy available
Philippians 3:12–14- Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own.
But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Illustration
Agape love for fellow Christians should be pursued even if we are already doing well.
Paul used the language of the Olympics and I think we should too because it shows ultimate prizing reaching
Mikaela Shiffrin is Alpine skier is closing in on the career World Cup records
She said “The way I used to think about it is that if I got to a certain point in my career with enough wins, I would actually finally start to feel confident that I am a winner and I deserve to be there…,”
And I realize now that it’s never going to feel that way.
And every single morning when I wake up, the first thing I’m going to think is: What do I have to do today to earn that again?
Paul tells us to have the same drive, but not to make ourselves good enough… but because Jesus is already good enough and we’re chasing him knowing we will sin
Application-
What is an area in your life you think you’re doing well at that you need to pursue still more?
Paul does really define what love means here because they’ve got this, sot he point we should take away is not being angered when someone says I need to grow
We might think we’ve got family down… we’re a loving church… and maybe so, but never neglect a teachable moment when someone offers a way you could do better
People see it being taught my God and they make it about me.
I am so great because I have the thing about me and I have been given the privilege of being by God.
But that’s not the point the point is that God is the one who taught.
Let’s be God focused.
Trans: After telling them to excel in love, Paul gives them wasy they can do so more
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