LIVING IN THE HOPE OF CHRIST’S RETURN
Bible Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
Subject: Basics
Title: Basics Matter To God
INTRODUCTION
Biblical Orientation:
There is something in 1 Thessalonians that is an encouragement to those in the ministry. Paul wrote Timothy later, and in 2 Timothy 2:24 told him “the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing.” He wrote that to the younger pastor because Paul had learned that God’s people must hear the same lessons over and over, or they are inclined to fail to practice what they once heard and perhaps once practiced
Notice 4:2 & 11b: He already taught the Thessalonians what he is teaching them again. It appears that no less than nine times in the first four chapters, Paul acknowledged that he is reminding them of things they already heard him teach. Apparently, some are failing to practice or have not learned yet. The servant of the Lord must be patient and keep teaching the same truth
Sermon Orientation:
Remember, the bottom line is us before God our Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (3:13). The great apostle is teaching what is important as we wait for Jesus’ return. This man of Holy Ghost wisdom and knowledge could instruct us to theological heights and great doctrinal depths. Nevertheless, would you consider how incredibly practical and basic and relevant his teaching is? He says in chapter four to do three things:
1. Be morally pure
ü Holiness includes sexual purity v 3-5
2. Love the brethren
ü Yes, we have learned in this letter about loving the brethren before
3. Be quiet
How is that for basics?
EXPOSITION/MAIN TEXT
I. AS TOUCHING BROTHERLY LOVE V 9-10 (& 3:12)
A. Who Needs A Teacher? V 9
1. Paul says he did not need to write about the subject, but he does – twice!
a. Does this give you an idea of the importance of brotherly love?
b. If the Holy Ghost says this subject is important enough to mention twice in a short letter, we must pay close attention
c. Are you aware that Paul wrote about brotherly love more than any New Testament writer did? 87 times
2. God in us, through the Holy Spirit, teaches us to love one another
3. In other words, anything that Paul says on the subject, they immediately and already knew in themselves
4. How? Because the Holy Spirit already had taught and continued to teach them to love the brethren
a. John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you
b. The Holy Spirit is the teacher and applicator of God’s Word and God’s truths
5. The proof of this is in verse 10
a. They were already practicing brotherly love to all the brethren of Macedonia, not just Thessalonica
b. They already knew to love their own family! God taught them
c. When you were saved, no one had to slap you to get you to realize you should love Christians
d. It happens when the Holy Ghost moves in
e. It happened with the Thessalonians, too
6. What is Paul’s instruction to them now?
a. He wants them to abound and increase as time goes by 3:12 & 4:10b
b. Do you know why?
i. The tendency of man is the more we learn about each other the tendency is to love less and less
ii. This can happen in churches that are small and that spend much time together
c. We must be exhorted to abound, increase, and love more and more
d. Genuine love is not based upon always favorable conditions
e. God Himself, by the Holy Ghost, teaches us to love the brethren more; to increase and abound
f. Surely by the grace of God we can do what He teaches us to do
B. This Teaching Could Not Possibly Be Less Important Than In That Day
1. Even while I teach, I confirm what the Holy Ghost already has placed in you; He confirms truth in your heart
2. Do not harbor malice, bitterness, and hostility, and at the same time profess to be practicing what you are taught of God
3. Love is a verb, if you are not practicing love, you simply are not loving, regardless of what you say
4. 1 John 4:19-21 We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also
ü 1 John 3:14-16 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren
a. The Bible is clear about this matter
b. A person that has no inclination love Christians cannot be saved
c. While that is tough to think about, do not ignore God’s Word and think it is of no significance
II. STUDY TO BE QUIET V 11-12
A. The Background; The Apparent Primary Application
1. We will see in chapter five and 2 Thessalonians that they expected Jesus’ return to reign to be very soon, even immediately
2. There appeared to be an almost frenzy of expectancy, to the point that many quit their work
3. It appeared noble at first, that they had such zeal to do gospel work
4. However, when He did not immediately appear, two negative things happened:
a. They became dependent upon others for necessities
b. Idleness turned them into busybodies in the business of others
5. This must have been a recurring problem, because in chapter five Paul tells them to warn the unruly and in 2 Thessalonians to warn the disorderly
B. Therefore, Paul Gives Holy Ghost Based Apostolic Instruction V 11-12
1. Study to be quiet
a. Quiet = silence after speech; rest after work
b. It is a life of order that lacks confusion, chaos, or strife
ü Confusion, chaos, and strife are always the result of being a busy body or unruly
b. Study = strive with vigorous ambition and effort to learn
2. If you are going to expend energy, effort, and ambition; spend it to produce peace and quiet and tranquility, not strife and discord and confusion
3. If church people worked as hard to be quiet as to be heard, churches would be a haven of peace and unity!
4. Do your own business!
C. Those Without, Do Look Within V 12
1. They ought to look at Table Mountain Baptist Church and see honest, hardworking people
2. They ought to see us paying our own way
3. They ought to see brotherly love
4. All that unbelievers need to see is disunity and strife among a very minute minority to get a wrong or negative view of the whole
PREACHING PORTION
Brotherly Love Is A Key To A Prosperous Church
Without it, we fall apart
Without it, we will not help one another
The Goal Of The Christian Is To Live A Quiet And Peaceable Life
ü Paul told Timothy to pray for those in authority 1 Timothy 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty
Compared to many in the world, the house of a Christian may seem boring: it is not
The lack of the world’s frenetic pace does not mean there is nothing happening
The lack of chaos, strife, and contention is a result of the abiding peace of God in that house
Desire-provided
CONCLUSION
Do not forget! We are waiting for Jesus to return, a life of love and quietness brings honor to the teachings of our Lord and Savior
