Through the Bible: 1 Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians 5:16–22 KJV 1900

16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Title: Through the Bible: 1 Thessalonians

Ground work: Acts 17, Paul and Silas would start a church in Thessalonica. The people there would embrace the teaching and the church would grow. So much that the religious would fight them:

Acts 17:5–6 KJV 1900

5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. 6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

They had to escape but the church there grew!

It was always a favorite church of Paul’s. He remembered them fondly…

More than likely, he wrote this letter (one of his earliest letters) from Corinth (in contrast Corinth was always a problem church) remembering the greatness of Thessalonica!

Timothy had reported back to Paul how well the church was doing and Paul then would write this letter to them.

Point of the letter: Encourage the church and correct any false doctrine based around the second coming of Jesus.

Paul wrote the letter in two main parts subdivided by prayer.

Pray for them and teach. Pray for them and then teach. Prayer for them.

Two parts, three prayers.

Opening prayer:

I thank God for your faith, love and hope.

Teach:

their conversion from paganism, turning away from idols

their love and service, labor of love, faithfulness

common persecution

the strength of the church

Pray:

God increases their love, holiness and hope

Teach:

Holiness and sexual sins

1 Thessalonians 4:3–8 KJV 1900

3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 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. 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

Fornication: sexual activity outside of marriage.

We have to protect ourselves!

You should never be alone with the opposite sex.

1 Corinthians 6:18 KJV 1900

18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

First: to flee means to fight or resist - Remember Josheph, he left his coat in Potiphars wife’s hand!

Second:

Most sin has no direct affect on the body… lies, theft, anger

Sexual sin damages the body physically, emotionally and spiritually. (One of the few sins that has a direct affect on the whole of man.

Physical harm, emotional harm, spiritual harm

Gen2.24 establishes the bond that takes place when a couple has sex.

Scientifically.

Oxytocin (bonding hormone) is released in a woman's brain promoting attachment and trust.

Vasopressin promoting bonding in men.

Dopamine (pleasure hormone) released in both men and woman’s brains creating reward and craving for more.

Studies have established: those engaged in casual or premarital sex experience heartbreak, guilt, and emotional distress after a sexual relationship outside of marriage.

This is because sexual intimacy was designed to unite people in a secure, committed relationship called marriage (called so from the beginning), not a temporary or casual or short term relationship.

While I am on the subject:

Marriage is between one man and one woman until death part them.

Pornography is sin.

Emotional affairs are sin.

We are commanded “…not to defraud our brother.”

Don’t overstep your bounds!

GOD IS THE AVENGER OF THOSE WHO GET STEPPED ON!

We have to protect each other!

Holiness is how we act, think, dress, talk, are perceived.

1 Thessalonians 4:9–12 KJV 1900

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. 10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; 11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

He would continue in teaching…

Commitment

Generosity

Hope - many had been put to death by the Romans. Paul gave them hope in what the future would look like for them

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 KJV 1900

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Jesus’ return

Jesus is coming back!

Hope in the rapture produces faithfulness

1 Thessalonians 5:4–8 KJV 1900

4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 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.

Be watchful

Pray:

May God keep you holy and you await the arrival of Jesus!