PREPARATION FOR THE LORD'S COMING by Jess Garcia

A STUDY IN THE BOOK OF

I THESSALONIANS

But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him" – I Cor. 2:9

â&#x20AC;Ś when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? Luke 18:8

The Book of I Thessalonians teaches that you can overcome anything in life through the greatness of God’s love, grace, and a personal knowledge that He is coming for you on the Day of Jesus Christ, that is, the day of His glorious appearing as a groom to take His bride home to the third heaven. That is when “the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God's trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first, then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever (1Thess. 4:16-17).” Learn and study how to be prepared for that great day of the Lord’s coming for you.

For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. I Thess. 1:9-10

A Study in the Book of I Thessalonians PREPARATION FOR THE LORD’S COMING

Table of Contents PAUL’S VISIT TO THESSALONICA ACTS CHAPTER 17:1-10 Paul’s Visit to Thessalonica …….....................................................................................................…..... Pg. 1

PREPARING ONESELF FOR THE LORD’S COMING I THESALONIANS CHAPTER 1 How to Be Prepared for the Lord’s Coming ………………………………………………………….. Pg. 4

PREPARING OTHERS FOR THE LORD’S COMING I THESSALONIANS CHAPTERS 2-5 CHAPTER 2 Giving out the Gospel and Caring for New Believers in Light of the Lord’s Coming ………....… Pg. 10 CHAPTER 3 Establishing Believers in Light of the Lord’s Coming ………………………………..………............ Pg. 17 CHAPTER 4 Challenging Believers to Abound in Their Christian Life in Light of the Lord’s Coming ……….. Pg. 23 CHAPTER 5 Abounding in Understanding the What the Events of the Lord’s Coming Mean ……….……....... Pg. 32

Endnotes ……………………….………....………….….…………………...……….…………..………. Pg. 40

About the Book of I Thessalonians The theme of I Thessalonians is the Lord’s coming for the church. Paul had visited Thessalonica, gave out the gospel, and many believed. The believers in Thessalonica accepted everything Paul said as the Word of God. This made a tremendous impact in their lives and in Paul’s life also. But years later there was a problem in the church of Thessalonica. Believers had died and the living believers thought that those that had died missed the Lord’s coming. They grieved as if there was no hope because they supposed that a person had to be alive to be with Christ at His coming. So, Paul writes his first letter to the Thessalonian believers to give them instruction and encouragement regarding the Lord’s coming. He tells them not to be disheartened because the dead in Christ will not precede those that are alive and remain at the Lord’s coming. He explains the events of the Lord’s coming, what they mean, and how they are to live worthy of the blessings God has given to believers. From his teaching, we learn things about our future that have not been so clearly expressed in other parts of Scripture. The Book of I Thessalonians aligns our hearts in our relationship with the Lord Jesus and to be ready for His imminent coming for the church prior to the day of wrath (I Thess. 1:10 & 5:9) that will come upon the whole world. Dear reader, read the Book of I Thessalonians. Take to heart God’s love for you and what He has planned for the future. May God’s Spirit lift your heart in anticipation of the Lord’s coming for you. Know that either in life or in death the Lord comes for you. Christ will fulfill His promise to the church that He made in the upper room before His crucifixion. He said (Jn. 14:2-3), In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 1 In the Jewish tradition of marriage, there would be the engagement to the bride, in which a price of dowry would be set, then the groom would go and build an addition to his father’s house, for he and his wife to live; the return of the groom for the bride to take her to his father’s house; the wedding ceremony in which the hand of the bride would be given to the groom’s father, and he would place her hand upon the hand of his son, and they would be married; and finally the wedding feast, where family and friends would pronounce blessings upon the new couple and celebrate their union. Christ has paid the price of your dowry in blood. He resurrected and ascended to His Father’s house to prepare a place for you. Next, He will return for you, dear believer, and take you to heaven. You will be gowned in righteous and married to the Lamb of God. Then comes the wedding feast in the Millennial reign of Christ in celebration of your union to your Beloved. Know that no one or thing can pluck you away from the Father’s hand. Your future is set in stone. Live and rejoice in all that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit has done for you as the Bride of Christ. Paul appropriately ends the book by writing, The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you1 (I Thess. 5:28). God’s grace for us involves His gift of salvation (justification), the ability to live a new life (sanctification), and participation in the beautiful future He has planned for His people in a new glorified body (glorification). It is by grace that we can begin a new life of holiness now that will culminate at the Lord’s coming when we will be with our Groom, and continue to be at His side unto eternity.

PAULâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S VISIT TO THESSALONICA

PRERATION FOR THE LORD’S COMING: A STUDY IN THE BOOK OF I THESSALONIANS

Paul’s Visit to Thessalonica Acts 17:1-10

Map provided by courtesy of Logos Bible Sotware2.

Paul’s visit to Thessalonica. Acts 17:1

Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 1

Paul went to the Synagogue because it was a place where Jewish believers that still held to the Old Testament economy could hear the good news of what God was doing, that is, that the Messiah had come, died on a cross for the sins of His people, and the Old Testament promises were fulfilled in Him.

There were also proselytes (people converting to Judaism) in the synagogue that could be reached for Christ with the good news.

So, strategically if the Jews and proselytes would become believers, the synagogue would become a church assembly that could be used to reach the city for Christ.

Paul was a church planter. He knew that God would build up other men to continue the work in each church that he would plant by the power and gifts of the Spirit.

Scripture quotations are taken from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 1

Paul’s goes to the Synagogue for three weeks.

Acts 17:2 Acts 17:3 Acts 17:4

And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ." And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.

Some Jews came to believe in Christ, and many proselytes in the synagogue.

Paul did not know what the results would be, but he did know that he had to give out the gospel and fulfill his mission.

Many of us can’t know the result of sharing the gospel to the people around us until it is done. We are to live a holy life, have a love for God and people, be used of God to change our world, diminish Satan bondage over people, and fulfill God’s calling in our lives. Then, we will give an account of our lives to Christ at His coming.

It is the ministry of the church to:

to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. Act. 26:18

The unbelieving Jews stir up a mob to attack the house of Jason looking for Paul.

Acts 17:5

Acts 17:6

Acts 17:7 Acts 17:8 Acts 17:9

But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, "These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus." And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

Where God is doing a work, Satan is also there working against what God is doing. We know that Satan blinds the mind of the unbelieving, but God gives light through His glorious Word.

Here, Satan is using jealousy. He is pitting the unbelieving Jews against the new believers in Christ as the Messiah of the world and Paul & Silas that brought the new message of salvation.

These jealous Jews did not accept Jesus as the Jewish Messiah. A believing Jew would have done so. These unconverted Jews sought to get rid of Paul’s teaching. This would have upset life in the synagogue and who would be in charge? It would no longer be a synagogue, but a church of believers in Christ. They stood to lose everything. So, they used not the righteous men of the city, but the wicked go against what God was doing in Thessalonica.

Know that God blesses holy men and women that do His will, and will judge those that do not.

Examples of how Satan works against people and God mentioned in the Bible. 1 Ch. 21:1

And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.

Mark 4:15

And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them.

Luke 22:3

Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve.

2 Cor. 4:4

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Luke 22:31 "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, Acts 5:3

But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?

2Cor 11:14

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

1Th. 2:18

because we wanted to come to you--I, Paul, again and again--but Satan hindered us.

Paul is sent away.

Acts 17:10

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue.

Notice that the writer of the Book of Acts sees the converted believers, not as believing or converted Jews, but as â&#x20AC;&#x153;brothersâ&#x20AC;?. It is they that sent Paul and Silas away because they were concerned with their safety.

Even though they left the city, they made a lasting impact in the heart of the believers there. They believed, repented, turned to Christ as their Savior, and looked forward to His coming.

Paul and Silas did not give up, but repeated what they did in Thessalonica, even though they knew that there might be another uproar. They were undeterred. Paul in Thessalonica

I THESSALONIANS CHAPTER 1

I THESSALONIANS

Living by the power of the Gospel.

PREPARATION FOR THE LORD’S COMING

5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

CHAPTER 1

Living by the Word of God.

HOW TO BE PREPARED FOR THE LORD’S COMING

6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 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.

Preparation for the Lord’s coming involves: Being in Christ. 1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. Being a part of the Lord’s work – a work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness in the Lord Jesus.

Total repentance and sincere longing for the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,

9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

About I Thessalonians: 1)

grace, and a personal belief in the immanent coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for His Bride, the Church, which is the consummation of a believer’s dreams.

The theme of I Thessalonians is preparation for the Lord’s coming. There are no references to the Old Testament. It is thoroughly about looking forward. Time itself tells us that things are moving forward. Everything is moving to Christ’s dominion over the universe. The predetermined plan of God is to establish the Messianic Kingdom of Christ. All believers down through the ages will have their place in it: 

the Old Testament saints,



the believing Jews,



the church,



the tribulation saints,



and the Millennial believers.

This book teaches us that you can overcome anything in life because of the greatness of God’s love,

God’s love and grace are being poured out in our lives through His Spirit that overwhelms and fills the heart of the new man.

Paul entered Thessalonica only armed with the Gospel of Christ and the impact was powerful. He revealed that Christ is the Messiah and many believed. Their fitting response was to long for the Lord’s coming. That is the only fitting reaction to the love of God and the hope that the gospel produces.

The Book of I Thessalonians tells us that God is work in our lives and in the world around us. The goodness of God will triumph over everything else in life.

PREPARATION FOR THE LORD’S COMING: I THESSALONIANS CHAPTER ONE

HOW TO BE PREPARED FOR THE LORD’S COMING CHAPTER 1 Key verse: For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. I Thess. 1:9-10

Introduction: 1.

In the Book of I Thessalonians were are given God’s principles of how to be prepared for the Lord’s coming and how to prepare others.

The Lord’s coming a motivating factor in Paul’s life. He wanted to reach the “then known world” for Christ. Nothing could stop from this. The Lord’s coming is a central and personal theme in the New Testament and in our lives, even if we realize it not. The Thessalonian believers took Paul’s message to heart and applied to their lives, as we should also do.

But the question remains, how can we be prepared for the Lord’s coming? What is it that we should do? First Thessalonians tells us how.

I. Preparation for the Lord’s Coming Involves Being in Christ. 1:1

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

Commentary: 1)

The Thessalonian believers were in God the Father and in Christ. Still in the world physically, but in God and Christ spiritually. There is a spiritual life that is born when a person comes to believe in Christ and accept Him as his or her Savior. This change is the miracle of new life. Even though our bodies are physically planted on the earth, our spirit has been raised to be with Christ in heaven. This sounds amazing but it is very true. This is why when a believer closes his or her eyes in prayer, he or she is in God’s presence. We are always in God’s presence. The Book of Ephesians states that believers have been raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:6).

Glorification follows justification and sanctification. This what a believer longs for, that is, to see Christ face to face, and to have a new glorified body that is like Christ’s. Apostle John tells us that, we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is (I Jn. 3:2).

All of God’s blessings come to us as His gift of grace. New life and all that it entails is of grace. It is given without expectation of something given in return to pay for it. For it cannot be repayed. For we are totally helpless in sin. We cannot die on a cross for our sins. We are not a perfect lamb (sacrifice). Only Christ, who was perfect could be the perfect sacrifice for sin. This means that God’s greace cannot be earned, only accepted or rejected. Along with grace comes peace. God’s peace is an undisturbed wellbeing in the midst of adversity. In grace we have God help which produces a peace in the heart of the yielded believer.

Accepting Christ means that you are set apart to God and that the Lord is coming for you. Embracing the message of the gospel and being placed “in Christ” is the first thing to do in preparing oneself to meet the Lord.

II. Preparation for the Lord’s coming involves being a part of the Lord’s work. 1:2 1:3

We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Commentary: 1)

Paul gives thanks for God’s people. Paul was an apostle of God and personally commissioned by Christ, Himself. Paul was doing the Lord’s work but not as one in command demanding service from those whom he was ministering. Instead, he took people into his heart and was grateful to God for them. In his appreciation he prays for to for them. This is the attitude and caring we need to have in our lives in doing the Lord’s work. It is God working in the heart of Paul to care for His people, and may He be working in yours.

Work of faith: living the Christian life is also a work of faith. After the experience of “new birth”, everything we do in life is a work of faith in God. Marriage is a work of faith. Raising children is a work of faith. Reaching out to the lost requires faith. Work in the local church involves faith.

Labor of love: love was the motivating factor in the Thessalonian believer’s lives. Our greatest example is Christ, Himself. He kept Himself in love with the Father and for people. Definition of the word “labor” (Κόπος laborious, painful exertion. – Vincent 3. Thayer defines it as: intense labor united with trouble and toil, toil resulting in weariness, laborious toil, trouble4.

Steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. The Thessalonian believers stayed focused on Christ.

Defining the word “steadfastness”: 

Strong Definition – hupomonē, - From root word hupomeno, to stay under; cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy: - enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting).5



Thayer Definition – in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings.4



Vincent Definition - Ὑπομονη, patience, patient endurance and faithful persistence in toil and suffering.3

Hope: means – good expectation in the Lord Jesus Christ. Robertson6 defines it as, “the endurance inspired by hope”. Everyone needs hope to live. You can go on forever if you have hope. Know that the “blessed hope” of the believer is the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, which is the consummation of his or her dreams.

Personal application: 1)

How is your commitment to Christ? How much time are you spending serving Him? What ministry are you involved in? The things the Thessalonian believers had are things you can have in your life. Working for God will always be a work of faith. Ask God by faith what He wants you to accomplish in your Christian life. Then, make your work in the Lord a labor of love, that is, continue to love God and people. Let that be the motivating factor of your life. Then, look forward to the Lord’s coming.

III. Preparation for the Lord’s coming Involves Living by the power of the Gospel and the Word of God. Living by the power of the Spirit of God.

1:4 1:5

1:6

For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

Commentary: 1)

How does the power of the gospel work? It works by faith in the Word of God. This is why knowing the Word of God is important. You are to hear the Word of God and you put it into practice.

Your commitment to Christ is revealed by how you live. The people that know the Word of God and practice it do well. Those that do not will suffer many calamities in their lives. a.

We cannot live the Christian life in our own power. Our patience runs out. Our love runs out, etc. The gospel came in power and in the Holy Spirit with full conviction. This power and conviction comes from the Spirit. The word, “conviction” means, “entire confidence: - (full) assurance.” 5

Proof of power: they received the word in much affliction with Joy. Faith in God always goes forth and does not retreat.

Personal application: 1)

Live in the power of the Holy Spirit which comes from complete yieldness to the Word of God. God uses His Word to empower us by His Spirit. His Spirit confirms His Word in us which brings about a conviction that cannot be taken away.

Living by the power of the Word of God. 1:7 1:8

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.

Commentary: 1)

The Thessalonian believers loved and arduously desired Christ’s coming. Just that made an impact in their city and the surrounding area (the province of Macedonia).

Godly living brings the reality to the Word of God that will impact the lives of people around you. It was the change in the lives of the Thessalonian believers that touched the lives of others.

Personal application: 2)

Know that just by loving Christ with all your heart that you will make an impact in the world around you. Many try to impact the world with an outward form of Christianity, but the best way to is commune with the Lord daily, experience the reality of His presence, and enjoy the manifestations of His love. That is the best doctrine to live by. People will know of your love for God.

Notice that Paul left an example for them to follow, and they modeled his example. The message is simple: love God, and you will be a living example to others. May your life do the same.

IV. Preparation for the Lord’s coming involves total repentance in one’s life and a personal longing for the Lord Jesus Christ at His coming.

1:9

1:10

Commentary: 1)

They turned from a past life of serving false idols that can do nothing to the risen Lord Jesus that is personal and faithful to help those the call upon Him.

Wait: anamenō, “the word carries with it the suggestion of ‘waiting’ with patience and confident expectancy” – Vine7. Robertson6 adds to the word anamenō that it means, “to keep on waiting for”.

Regarding the phrase “to come”, Eillicot8 states, “Better, which is already coming. The wrath is on its way to the world, to appear with Christ from heaven (2 Th. 1:7-8), and He is day by day working to save us from it (Heb. 7:25).

Know that believers will be spared from the wrath that is to come to an unbelieving world.

Personal application: 1)

Christian doctrine is very simple, which is to turn away from what the world has to offer and turn to Christ and His offer of salvation. True theology is written is not really written down in a book but in the heart of the devoted believer in Christ. Yes, the Lord will come in wrath (to an unbelieving world) but not for believers in that way. He will come as a loving groom to take His bride to His Father’s house (heaven) and to be with her forever at His side. There is only one King, and know that there is only one bride – it is you, dear believer, it is you. Oh, to fall into the hands of our loving God, a place of safety, happiness, eternal love!

2) The Thessalonian believers embraced this truth and waited expectantly for the Lord Jesus Christ. What about you. Do you long for Him day by day. When you wake in the morning, do you say to yourself, “Is this the day of His coming?” If you truly love the Lord Jesus, you will long for Him all your heart and look forward to the day of His coming.

Painting by Gustave Dore

I THESSALONIANS CHAPTER 2

PREPARATION FOR THE LORD’S COMING burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

I THESSALONIANS

Having pure motives. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.

PREPARING OTHERS FOR THE LORD’S COMING

Admonishing new believers as a father to know and apply the Word of God.

CHAPTER 2

11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. 13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

PREPARING OTHERS FOR THE LORD’S COMING INVOLVES CARING FOR NEW BELIEVERS Caring for new believers involves: Giving out the gospel of Christ. 1 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.

Being an example for new believers to follow. 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind 16 by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!

The manifestation of God’s lovingkindness. 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.

Having a strong desire to work in the lives of new believers. 17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, 18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us.

The giving of oneself. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. 9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a

Picturing the end result in heaven. 19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.

REPARATION FOR THE LORD’S COMING: HOW TO PREPARE OTHERS, CHAPTERS 2-5

I THESSALONIANS CHAPTER TWO GIVING OUT THE GOSPEL AND CARING FOR NEW BELIEVERS IN LIGHT OF THE LORD’S COMING Key verse:

For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and our joy. 1Thess. 2:19

Introduction: 1.

When I look at men in prison, I think that for the most part it is bad parenting that got them there. They didn’t get the care and instruction in how to make their way successfully in society. Their personal needs most likely were not met as they were growing up. They needed positive strong role models to follow that were lacking. They needed someone to invest in them, but they didn’t get the care. And of course, they failed to walk with God.

In Christianity I see much of the same thing. Not that Christians are filling up the prisons, but that they never completely broke away from the bondage of sin and the control of Satan. But then there are those believers that did get the care, instruction, and a model to follow. Because of that they flourished in their Christian life.

In chapter 2 of I Thessalonians Paul tells us to care for people. He shows us how to bring about new believers by giving out the gospel, and how to have them grow in Christ. Paul tells us how to give new believers a good start, that is, a positive beginning in their Christian life. He teaches us how help and encourage new believers in Christ in light of the Lord’s coming. The Lord’s coming was a great motivation in Paul’s life, as it should be in our lives. This is the greatest event for the church.

The Second Coming of Christ (which is different) is the greatest event for the secular world. It is when the wrath of the Lamb is revealed. But the Day of Christ is when the love of the Lamb is revealed to us.

Paul saw his ministry as giving out the gospel and preparing believers for the Day of Christ. There is a progression of thought in the Book of I Thessalonians. First, we learn how to prepare ourselves (chapter 1). Then, we learn how to prepare others (chapters 2-5) for this great event.

I. Giving Out the Gospel of Christ in Light of the Lord’s Coming. 2:1 2:2

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.

Commentary: 1)

The overall theme of this epistle is the preparation for the Lord’s coming, and in this chapter on through the end of Paul’s letter is about preparing others for the Lord’s coming. The first step in preparing others is giving out the gospel of Christ.

The Spirit of God is doing His work in the world by convicting the world of sin, judgment, and God’s righteousness that is in the gospel of Christ (John 16:8). The church’s responsibility is to give out the gospel and make disciples, that is, followers of Christ (Matt. 28:19).

Paul describes his ministry in I Corinthians 1:17-18, which states,

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 2)

In giving out the gospel, things happen, both positive and negative, because God and Satan are at work in the hearts of men. We see this in Paul’s life. God would use Paul to stir and touch the hearts of people to come to faith in Christ the Messiah, and Satan would stir things up around him to stop the gospel from going out. We learn from the parable of the sower that when the Word of God is given out that, the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved (Luke 8:12).

Paul had a rough experience in Philippi but sees that his going to Philippi was not in vain. The Greek word used for “vain” is kenos, which means, metaphorically of endeavors, labors, acts, which result in nothing, vain, fruitless, without effect (Thayer 4). Paul was not discouraged by the circumstances of his life but found his encouragement and motivation in God. His faith was not in himself but in God. Paul knew God’s will for his life and carried it out because he was commissioned by Christ and would have to give an account to Him at His coming. But it is more than mere obedience and accountability. Paul saw the big picture, that is, that there is a tremendous change coming and that God cares about people. He knows that God will not allow the world to continue in sin. There is a great day of wrath and judgment coming (Rom. 1:18, & 5:9). But out of that comes a new world. Heaven will come down to earth and righteousness will rule mankind again. Paul, as a believer, speaks in God’s place, and warns of the wrath to come but offers God’s gift of new life in Christ that saves people from sin, the judgment of sin, and provides them with the offer of eternity with God in heaven (I Thess. 1:10 & 5:9).

Paul gave out the gospel in “boldness.” Word is Greek used for “boldness” is parrhēsiazomai, παῤῥησιάζομαι, in Greek. Vincent defines it as, "Always in N.T. in connection with speaking. Derived from πᾶν, every, and ῥῆσις speaking. Hence παρρησία, boldness, bold speaking out of every word."3 So, when Paul gave out the gospel, he did not hold anything back. He told the whole gospel story. He did this “in the midst of conflict.” Paul was unwavering in his commitment to give out “the gospel of God.”

Regarding Paul’s visit to the synagogue in Thessalonica is recorded in the Book of Acts (17:2-3) which states, And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.

Personal application: 1)

Notice that the gospel is so important to Paul. His suffering was just an obstacle. He would not be dissuaded. The gospel is not primarily about suffering but the salvation of men. We always find reasons not to share the gospel but we should find reasons to share it with the people around us. So, when we do see Christ, we can tell them that we shared what was important to Him, which is the message of salvation.

We as Paul must not put faith not in ourselves and our persuasive abilities but in God. God’s desire is for us to accomplish great things our lives by the manifestation of His presence and power. 13

II. Nurturing new believers in light of the Lord’s coming. Caring for new believers 2:3 2:4

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For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.

Commentary: 1)

Paul was personally touched by God and sought to please Him. Paul gave out the gospel not for personal gain but to fulfill the will of God. Because of this, his heart had to be right with God. He sought God’s approval in Christian ministry. Christianity is truly the ministry of the love of God. Notice that Paul cares for the new believers as a nursing mother would care for her own personal child.

Personal application: 1) This is how we care for the people of God, especially new believers. It must be of the heart. The love of God must be the motivating factor in our lives. We must care about people and care for them. We must seek to build them up in Christ. That is how we prepare them for the Lord’s coming (the greatest even in our lives). 2)

Paul also talks about caring for new believers in the context of a nurturing mother. Know that all believers need to fed upon the Word of God. It is what brings us to God and changes our lives. We must seek to know the Word of God well and to use it to minister to others, especially new believers in Christ. This is how they will grow spiritually.

Giving of oneself.

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So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

Commentary: 1)

Paul’s commitment to the new believers in Thessalonica was of the heart. It was not an outward professional relationship but a very personal one.

Paul and his co-workers gave of themselves and did not want to be a financial burden to the church in Philippi. Paul worked as a tentmaker by day and in ministry by night.

It is God that gives us the desire to care for others. This is how Christianity works. We cannot serve God outwardly without genuine love for people and fulfill His will. God widens our capacity to love and care for others. Know that we wear our relationship with God and love for people. People can see it in how we relate to them.

Admonishing new believers as a father to know and apply the Word of God.

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You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

Commentary: 1) God blesses those that seek His face and will. God cannot be satisfied with less, nor can we. Without godliness we have no purpose in ministry. We are making a mockery of the things of God. 2) God uses servants with personal purity, blameless conduct, and correct motives that take responsibility to minister to His people through encouragement and exhortation. People need someone who care about their relationship with God and seeks His best for their lives. 3) The end of encouragement and exhortation for a new believer is to learn to walk worthy of God. 4) It is learning the Word of God and how to apply that causes growth. This is how the believers grew in Thessalonica.

Being an example for new believers to follow.

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For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be savedâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!

Commentary: 1)

Paul left them an example and they followed it. He created a pattern for them to follow. Ministry is more than oratory, that is, it is living out the reality of new life. It is new life (from God) that impacts people. Many will try to work against it, as the unconverted Jews in Thessalonica.

Notice Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s focus on reaching the gentiles for God, but yet he does proclaim the gospel to the Jews of his time.

Personal application: 1)

Even though you may not be blessed to have a good Christian example to follow, Paul has left us his to pattern our live after. Know that is your choice to be dynamic for God. If you make the commitment God will be there to help you live it out.

Wanting the best for new believers in Christ. 2:17

2:18 2:19 2:20 2:19 2:20

But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.

Commentary: 1)

Paul wanted to see them again and felt torn away from them. He tried to get back to them but was hindered from doing so.

Paul saw them as his joy and looked forward to the Day of Christ where they would be his crown of rejoicing in the presence of the Lord Jesus. The Day of Christ was always at the forefront of Paul’s mind. It would be a time of reward and rejoicing in the Lord Jesus Christ. The word used for “crown” is stephanos (στέφανος) which is a victor’s crown (Thayer4). They Day of Christ is celebratory time of great victory. The Church has fulfilled her ministry on earth and the spoils of war are believers that have overcome the wicked one. This brings God glory and joy to all in heaven.

Personal application: 1)

Are you living for and toward the Day of Christ? Paul was, and has left you an example to follow, in spite of any present example you may see in your local church. God will bless you in following the example set forth in His Word by His Apostle.

Apostle Paul preaching the gospel

I THESSALONIANS CHAPTER 3

PREPARATION FOR THE LORD’S COMING Present day ruins of the ancient city of Thessalonica

The work of faith in God to overcome adversity.

I THESSALONIANS

PREPARING OTHERS FOR THE LORD’S COMING

CHAPTER 3

ESTABLISHIING BELIEVERS IN LIGHT OF THE LORD’S COMING

8 9

Establishing believers involves: The work of the church leadership. 1 2

The work of prayer to fulfill anything lacking.

Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith,

10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith? 11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,

The work of adversity in the lives of believers. 3 4

For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain. But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God,

The end result of being established: glory at Christ coming.

that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.

13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

The Day of Jesus Christ Every chapter in the Book of I Thessalonians ends with a reference to the Lord’s coming. This is not the Second Coming of Christ which is part of the Day of the Lord that is often mentioned in the Old Testament. The Day of the Lord is when Christ as King will begin to take back the earth through the opening of the Seven-Sealed Scroll. After the opening of the Seventh Seal upon the blewing of the Seventh Trumpet, Christ will come with a sword to judge the world. But the Day of Christ is when He comes for the church prior to the day of wrath (I Thess. 1:10 & 5:9) to rescue His bride, take her to the third heaven, prepare her with a wedding gown of righteous, reward her, and have her present in His inauguration as King in which she will cast her crowns before Him in homage and recognition of the greatness of His Person. This is the dream of the Christian believer.

REPARATION FOR THE LORD’S COMING: HOW TO PREPARE OTHERS, CHAPTERS 2-5

I THESSALONIANS CHAPTER THREE ESTABLISHING BELIEVERS IN LIGHT OF THE LORD’S COMING Key verse:

so that he [the Lord] may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. 1Thess. 3:13

Introduction: 1. When you look at an oak tree, it is a picture of strength. What started out as a seed on the ground grew and became a large, strong, immovable tree. It needed good soil, water, and sunlight. 2. Now picture a believer receiving the Word of God, applying to his or her life, accompanied by faith, prayer, and communion with God. What will result? A believer unmovable in the things of God. 3. In this lesson, we will learn from I Thessalonians chapter 3, how to establish believers in preparation for the Lord’s coming. 4. Concerning the word “established”. It is used twice in this chapter in verses two and thirteen. 1Th. 3:2

and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 1Th. 3:13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. a.

The word for “establish” is sterizo (στηρίζω) in Greek. It means, to make stable, place firmly, set fast, fix; to strengthen, make firm; to render constant, confirm (Thayer 4).

Consider that the goal of the Christian life is knowing God, having Him conform you into the image of His Son, and to be prepared to meet the Lord Jesus at His glorious appearing (the Day of Christ).

So, we are to made firm (that is, be established) in these things. We don’t shrink back. If we fall, we get back up again, go to God for cleansing, and continue.

I. Establishing believers is the work of the church leadership. God uses people. 3:1 3:2

Commentary: 1)

Establishing believers is the work of the church. a.

God uses servants that are they themselves established. It should be the church leadership that God uses to help bring believers to maturity.

They are experienced in spiritual growth and the things of God by His work in their lives.

The leadership has to care for the people they serve. People will follow a leader that they feel cares for them.

New believers cannot come to a point of being made firm on their own. It is difficult because the need for Christian doctrine. We see the believers suffering in Thessalonica because they did not know where their loves one would go after death. It is also hard for new believers to come to maturity without godly people involved in their lives, caring about them, and caring for them. Christian service is very personal that operates from love.

Their goals involve the glory of God.

Establishing believers involves exhortation. a.

The definition of exhortation (parakaleo, παρακαλέω): 

Thayer Definition: to call to one’s side, call for, summon; of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc.; to admonish, exhort; to beg, entreat, beseech; to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort; to receive consolation, be comforted; to encourage, strengthen; to instruct, teach. 4

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Strong Definition: to call near, that is, invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation). 5

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Vine Definition: ‘a calling to one's side’ (para, ‘to the side’, kaleo, ‘to call’); hence, either an exhortation, or consolation, comfort. 7

What exhortation means is that you care enough about someone that you take them aside to encourage them in their Christian life. They may be going through problems at work, a divorce, an addiction, etc. They need someone to help them in their walk with God.

Paul told the believers in Rome in Romans 1:11 that – For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; NASB. This is the way Paul thought: it was always about building up believers and having them established (made firm) in the things of God. This how we should think.

II. Establishing believers involves affliction. God uses adversity. 3:3 3:4

Commentary: 1)

How is gold made gold? It is put through the fire. After it is put through the fire, the dross is removed, it is tested, and made pure. It is the same with believers.

James makes the point expounds that trials bring us to spiritual maturity (James 1:1-4): Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Why do we count trials all joy? Because of the results. What are the results? - to become perfect, complete, and lacking in nothing. Isn’t that the place you want be when God looks at you? In other words, when God looks at your life, He can say, “Problem solved.”

Peter additionally states (I Pet. 5:10), And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Know that all trials are temporary. The greatest thing to do in your life is to hold out long enough for God to work (in it). If you wait in the Lord long enough you will see results. a.

Think of the weight lifter that doesn’t give up the first day. Eventually he will see results.

We are tried not because God is against us, but because wants to make us firm.

So, this is why Peter says (I Pet. 4:12), Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

Paul adds (Rom. 8:37), No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. a.

We can’t see ourselves as losers, but as winners. What we say in entering a trial is, “How can I conquer this?”

III. Establishing believers involves faith in God. God uses faith in Him.

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Commentary: 1)

It was faith in God that kept the believers in Thessalonica. Again, their faith was not in Paul or in themselves. It was in God. Faith in people or in ourselves can only go so far. Eventually, we must place our faith solely in God, and He will not disappoint.

So, what is faith? Faith is a reliance on God to perform what He has promised to do in your life. a.

Example: God told Abraham that he would have a son, and He did.

Example: Christ told the man with the withered had to do what he could not do – “stretch forth his hand”, and he did.

Faith always defies human logic because it is a matter of trust in God. Because the Word of God is the revealing of Who God is, faith in the Word is synonymous with faith in God.

IV. Establishing believers involves prayer to fulfill what is lacking in faith. God uses prayer. 3:10

3:11 3:12

as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith? Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,

Commentary: 1)

God uses prayer to support us in life. Prayer is about coming to God with the hopes, dreams, and problems of our lives. When we pray, God listens and will work on our behalf.

Remember how Hanna poured her heart out to God, and the Lord answered. Psalm 34:6 states, This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. Book of Philippians states (Phil. 4:6), do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. The heart of God is filled with compassion for those that call upon Him.

V. Establishing believers involves working toward the end goal: bringing glory to Christ at His coming. God uses motivation.

3:13

so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Commentary: 1)

The “end game” is to bring glory to Christ at His coming. Every day we should be bringing glory to Christ in what we say, what we do, and in manifesting Christ-likeness. Imagine, God has given us, as believers, the power to bring Christ glory, what a privilege.

What we learn from chapter 2 is that being established is what God desires after experiencing the new birth of salvation. It involves a deliberate choice on the part of the believer, and will be challenged by the satanic world system and the flesh of the believer. This is why a new believer needs motivation to please God, mature Christians to be involved in his or her life (this comes from being committed to a local church), prayer to overcome adversity through faith, and looking forward to the Lord’s coming.

Personal application: 1)

Seek to be established in the faith. Being established is the foundation of your Christian life. Then, you will be able to flourish and abound in it, which is the subject of the next chapter, that is, to excel in your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Even if others you know are not excelling in their faith in Christ, know that God desire for you to do so. Know that He has so much for you to know and experience in you walk with Him.

I THESSALONIANS CHAPTER 4

PREPARATION FOR THE LORD’S COMING man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

I THESSALONIANS

Having abounding mutual love in the church. 9

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,

PREPARING OTHERS FOR THE LORD’S COMING CHAPTER 4

Having an abounding witness in the secular world.

CHALLENGING BELIEVERS TO ABOUND IN THEIR CHRISTIAN LIVING IN LIGHT OF THE LORD’S COMING

11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

Abounding in pleasing God. 1

Finally, then, brothers, 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. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

ABOUNDING IN UNDERSTANDING THE EVENTS OF THE LORD’S COMING 13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

An abounding holy life. 3 4 5 6

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For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command … And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. I Thess. 4:16-17

The Believer in Jesus Christ waits patiently with expectation for the coming of the Lord and is kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. If we don’t meet the Lord in the air in life, we will meet Him in the air after death because the dead in Christ will rise first to be with the Lord forever.

REPARATION FOR THE LORD’S COMING: HOW TO PREPARE OTHERS, CHAPTERS 2-5

I THESSALONIANS CHAPTER FOUR CHALLENGING BELIEVERS TO ABOUND IN THEIR CHRISTIAN LIVING IN LIGHT OF THE LORD’S COMING Key verse:

Finally, then, brothers, 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. ESV I Thess. 4:1 Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. NASB9 Thess. 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. KJV Thess. 4:1

Introduction: 1.

We are told in I Corinthians 2:9 that, But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him’

God has so many things planned for us. Knowing God is truly exciting and motivates us to live more closely to Him and to do more for Him, also. Christianity means nothing without the fellowship and communion with the King. It is that fellowship with Christ that gives His people a longing for Him. When Christ comes, will He find faith on the earth? Will He find you faithful?

The great thing about the Christian life is that there always something more. God is always actively doing something. It is for us to catch up to Him and what He is doing in the world around us. There is always the next thing with God, no matter what age, area, circumstances, etc.

Many believers after they have become established in their Christian life settle there, but Paul challenges believers to transcend their past Christian life and to exceed it, that is to super-abound concerning it. In “new life”, we don’t grow, bloom, and diminish. No, we are always to super-abound in our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ until the great day of His coming. It is the glory of man that diminishes (I Pet. 1:24) and not the glory of God. We are always to be fresh and moving forward in our relationship with Christ.

Concerning the word “abound” used in I Thessalonians 4:1 (as translated in the King Version) is perisseuō (περισσεύω) in Greek. It means, to exceed a fixed number of measure, to be left over and above a certain number or measure; to be over, to remain; to exist or be at hand in abundance; to be great (abundant); a thing which comes in abundance, or overflows unto one, something falls to the lot of one in large measure (Thayer4). The NASB translates it as “excel”, that is, to excel in pleasing God.

So, the Lord would have abound: in pleasing Him, in living a holy life, in love, in knowledge, and in encouraging others in the faith. Basically, what Paul is saying is “more.” More is better. More holiness. More love. More encouragement. It is the outworking of the “abundant life” that Christ spoke about (Jn. 10:10) when He said, I came that they may have life and have it abundantly [i.e. beyond measure].

One of the greatest things that believers need is leadership from God.

When you were unsaved, God was leading to salvation.

Then, God was leading you to grow in Christ and learn of the things of God.

Next, He was leading you to becomes established and unmovable in your life with God.

Now, God will lead you to excel and abound in your Christian life. That means you don’t have to settle in your Christian life and stand still in it, but that you can continually exceed concerning it. The Christian life doesn’t let up. We can never think that we have arrived, there is always more with God (more blessing, more intimacy, etc.).

Be like the bride in the Song of Songs (Song 7:10) and say, I am my beloved's, and his desire [longing] is toward me. Let people say of you (song 8:5), Who is that coming up from the wilderness [the place of testing], leaning on her beloved? Let them know that … love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD (Song 8:6).

I. Challenging believers to abound in pleasing God. We are to exceed in pleasing God.

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4:2

Commentary: 1)

If we fail to exceed in the things of God we will become stagnant in our Christian life and fall short of being a part of what new thing God is doing in our world. We can never sit on the fence in Christianity. If we do, we will become stale and not see it.

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy were excelling their Christian life. Paul encourages the Thessalonian believers to excel in their Christian lives also. The best way to go forward in life is to exceed in your relationship with Jesus Christ. No one wants to be a “fill in the blank” Christian. All of us want to experience meaning and purpose in our lives. Exceeding in the things God is how.

In order to do this a person needs leadership. One of the greatest things people need in the church is leadership. Someone to take them from point A to point B. Christ saw man’s need for leadership. Matt. 9:36 states, But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

Pentecost by Titan

Christ has ascended by God the Holy Spirit is here to lead and guide in the Christian life. We are to walk by the power of the Holy Spirt that is present in every believer. This is what pleased God.

II. Challenging believers to abound in holy living. We are to abound in living a holy life (that is, more holiness).

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4:7 4:8

Commentary: 1)

Sanctification (meaning sexual morality, self-control of the human body) is essential to excel in the Christian life, and not to excel in the passion of lust. We cannot embrace the world’s morality, but God’s. We are called to be holy. Controlling one’s self & walking with God go hand in hand.

God will work against anyone that transgresses immorally against a fellow believer (marriage). Know that all marriages are in some form fashioned after Christ’s marriage to His people that is a union of holiness, self-sacrifice, and love.

The ministry of the Holy Spirit is not to be diminished but God the Holy Spirit is present in the believer to help him or her to live a godly life. For this to happen the believer is to be filled with the Spirit, walk in the Spirit, not grieve the Holy Spirit through sin, and not quench the Spirit by refusing His leading in one’s personal life.

Believers must also commune with Christ. John 7:37-39 states, On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

III. Challenging believers to abound in mutual love in the church. We are to abound in our love for each other (more love for each other).

4:9

4:10

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more

Commentary: 1)

We are to exceed in love for those in Christ. The church is a family. We are to care and uplift each other. Real love seeks the betterment of others. The caring for the church family is to be continual.

One may ask how can a person abound in love? Know that God will always have fresh, new love to share with you, and will bring new people in your life to care for.

IV. Challenging believers to go beyond in being a good witness in the outside world. We are to be great witnesses of Christ to the world.

4:11

4:12

and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

Commentary: 1)

The instruction is not to be about everybody’s business, but to strive to have a job, work, so that others, that is non-believers, can see that you are handworker and not an idle person. This is a good testimony before the world according to God.

Look at what Paul would later have to write to the Thessalonian believers (2 Thess. 3:11). He wrote, For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.

V. Challenging believers to exceed in their understanding of the events of Christ’s coming. We are to abound in understanding the events of the Lord’s coming.

4:13

4:14

4:15

4:16

4:17

4:18

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Commentary: 1)

Believers need to be informed about the things of God. We are not to be ignorant concerning Christian doctrine about the Lord’s coming. What we know about God affects us. Look how it affected the Thessalonian believers, they were grieving like those that have no hope. a.

Hosea 4:6, My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

The rapture is for the church. God the Father will be present at the Lord’s coming. He will bring the dead in Christ with Him to heaven. The Father accompanies the Son to take the Bride home. a.

Cf. Phil. 3:20-21, But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself

Those that have died in Christ means the church and not the Old Testament saints. They will resurrect at a different time (see Daniel 12:1-2). a.

… And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

UNDERSTANDING THE EVENTS OF THE LORD’S COMING & WHAT THEY MEAN Comments

Verses 4:13-18 1.

But we do not want you to be uninformed,

Know what the Word of God says

brothers,

The church

about those who are asleep,

Those that have died in Christ

that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope

Life in Christ is about being taken to heaven

For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again,

Belief based on resurrection of Christ

even so, through Jesus,

The power to resurrect comes from Christ

God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep

God will bring the dead in Christ to heaven

For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord

The message comes from God

that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord,

The Christians alive at Christ’s coming

10. will not precede those who have fallen asleep

The living are not caught up before the dead

11. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven

Lord descends into Satan’s domain

12. with a cry of command,

Battle cry of commanding troops

13. with the voice of an archangel,

Given by the leader of angelic forces

14. and with the sound of the trumpet of God.

Trumpet sound is to gather God’s people

15. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

The dead in Christ as a matter of fact rise 1st

16. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds

Dead in Christ & living in Christ are caught up together at the same time

17. to meet the Lord in the air,

Meeting of a royal dignitary

18. and so we will always be with the Lord.

Life changes for every believer from then on

19. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

These truths are to encourage all believers

EVENTS OF THE DAY OF CHRIST 1)

Christ returns for His Church.

Room is made in heaven (Satan is cast out of heaven).

The Bride is caught up in the air to be forever with her Lord.

The Church is taken to heaven.

She is given a gown of righteousness, rewarded, crowned, & attends Christ’s installation as King.

The church (Bride) lays her crowns before the throne of Christ in celebration and homage to the King.

The marriage of the Lamb takes place.

THE PROMISE: Christ promises to return for the church. 1)

John 14:1-3: 14:1 14:2 14:3

"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

A DESCRIPTION OF THE EVEN OF THE LORD’S COMING IN I CORINTHIANS 15:15-54 1)

1 Corinthians 15:51-54: 15:51 15:52 15:53 15:54

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."

THE ASPIRATION OF THE CHURCH: The “Day of Christ” is the consummation of the dream of the Church. 1)

1Th. 2:19-20: 2:19 2:20

For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.

THE DAY OF CHRIST IS THE END DAY OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE ON EARTH: The Day of Christ brings completion. 1)

1 Cor. 1:8:

who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Phil. 1:6:

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

REWARDING THE CHURCH: The Church will be rewarded in the Day of Christ. 1)

2Cor. 5:10,

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

1 Th. 2:19,

For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?

2 Tim. 4:8,

Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

James 1:12,

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Rev. 3:11,

I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.

MARRIAGE TO THE LAMB: The Church will be married to the Lamb. 1)

Rev 19:7-8, Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure"-- for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

Marriage according to the Jewish custom of that time:

The marriage contract: a price is set which is the dowry. The groom prepares a place in his

father’s house (usually builds an addiction to the house). b.

The return, the groom goes to the bride’s house to bring the bride home.

The wedding: the hand of the bride is given to the father of the groom. He takes the bride’s

hand and places on the hand of his son, the groom. They are officially married. d.

The wedding feast (celebration) follows where relatives and friends celebrate the marriage

(usually seven days).

INSTALLATION OF CHRIST AS KING: The Church will be present when Christ is installed as King. 1)

Rev 4:10-11, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."

John’s vision of heaven

I THESSALONIANS CHAPTER 5

PREPARATION FOR THE LORD’S COMING

ing put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

I THESSALONIANS PREPARING OTHERS FOR THE LORD’S COMING

Spiritual support of God’s people. 12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

CHAPTER 5 ABOUNDING IN UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE EVENTS OF THE LORD’S COMING MEAN Understanding that believers are not part of the Day of the Lord. 1

2 3

4 5

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.

Nearness to God. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. Readiness involves God’s work in one’s life.

ABOUNDING IN HOW BELIEVERS SHOULD LIVE IN LIGHT OF THE LORD’S COMING

23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 25 Brothers, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27 I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Understanding the Lord’s coming means that believers should live in readiness. 6 7 8

Concerning The Day of the Lord

The Day of the Lord is a day of wrath.

The Day of the Lord is a time of destruction.

Isa. 13:9, Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the land a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it.

Joel 1:15, Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is near, and as destruction from the Almighty it comes.

The Day of the Lord is a day of vengeance. Jer. 46:10, That day is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, to avenge himself on his foes. The sword shall devour and be sated and drink its fill of their blood. For the Lord GOD of hosts holds a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.

The Day of the Lord is a day of darkness. Zep 1:15, A day of wrath is that day, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness,

PREPARATION FOR THE LORD’S COMING: HOW TO PREPARE OTHERS, CHAPTERS 2-5

I THESSALONIANS CHAPTER FIVE CHALLENGING BELIEVERS TO ABOUND IN THEIR CHRISTIAN LIVING IN LIGHT OF THE LORD’S COMING PART 2 ABOUNDDING IN UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE EVENTS OF THE LORD’S COMING MEAN Key verse:

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. I Thess. 5:23

Introduction: 1.

There is confusion today regarding the events of the Lord’s coming which also causes a failure to understand what the events mean.

The only way to clarify any misunderstanding concerning the Lord’s coming to know what the Scriptures have to say. God has provided the Book of I & II Thessalonians to clear up what is true.

Paul will explain what being a part of the day, in contradistinction to being part of the night, means. Believers will not enter into the Day of Lord which is a time of judgment upon the earth.

I. Understanding that believers are not part of the Day of the Lord. Living in readiness involves being of the day (righteousness) and not part of the night (unrighteousness).

5:1

5:2 5:3

5:4 5:5

Commentary: 1)

Times & Seasons: Chronos (times) is rather an extended period and kairos (seasons) a definite space of time (Robertson6).

The Day of the Lord begins with Christ’s taking back the earth through the opening of the SevenSealed Book. It was predicted in the Old Testament and begins sometime after the rapture of the Church. It is a time of darkness, judgment, and the victory of Christ over the enemies of Go

Imagine a runner running a race but in the midst of the race he forgets why he is running. He looses his focus on the finish line and what it means. It means everything. We as believers must stay focused, even through the day to day events in our lives.

The Thessalonian believers needed to be assured that the Day of Christ comes before the Second Coming of Christ.

In the New Testament, the Day of the Lord is mentioned in Matthew 24 and Revelation chapters 6 to 20.

It begins with a false peace and safety, but the Thessalonian believers were experiencing hardship. So, it cannot be the beginning of the Day of the Lord, yet.

II. Understanding the Lord’s coming means that believers should live in readiness. Living in readiness involves living as person of the day (righteousness). 5:6 5:7 5:8

5:9 5:10 5:11

So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Commentary: 1)

Knowing Biblical prophecy changes you. It changes you because it helps you to know: a.

What God is doing in your life and in the world around you, that is that God is involved in your life and in the lives of the people of the world which means that He is not on the sidelines doing nothing, but is working everything according to the counsel of His will.

The importance of God’s righteousness, justice, and wrath. God should be angry at sin, Satan and his satanic hosts, people that reject righteousness because of its destruction nature and because it goes against His kingdom and what He working toward (the Messianic Kingdom of Christ, a new day in the history of mankind).

That the fight is about conquering evil, you live soberly. You know that you can’t take it easy in the Christian life because your enemy is vigilant.

The tremendous hope for the future that goes beyond this life and even death. Biblical prophecy tells us that the future of our lives is wonderful.

Living in readiness involves supporting God’s leaders. 5:12

5:13 5:14

5:15

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

Commentary: 1)

In our spiritual warfare, we need to know the Word of God.

We need to support our spiritual leaders.

What have we learned in life? A spiritual leader can fall at any time. That misunderstanding the Word of God leaves us open to false prophets, false application of the Word of God.

Living in readiness involves living in nearness to God. 5:16 5:17 5:18 5:19 5:20 5:21 5:22

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

Comments: 1)

What does a believer that is ready for the Lord’s coming look like? It is the believer that is always rejoicing in God. He or she has God’s help and joy in the present, and a wonderful life in the future.

Another sign of the prepared believers is that he or she is constantly praying and leaving things in God’s hands. The assaults of the wicked one and the situations of life are continual, so prayer is also to be continual to keep the believer in the love of God and the enjoyment of His Person.

Realizing and submitting to the sovereignty of God because of having a personal loving relationship with Him where there is trust produces a thankful and grateful spirit.

Believers are to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and not quenching the Spirit in situations where there is no direct answer from the Word of God. Things like who should you marry, what job should you take, etc. The Spirit’s leading is a tremendous help is such situations.

Despise not prophesying means that you regularly attend church and apply the message of the pastor, because you recognize that God uses holy men to teach His Word and minister to His people.

Rule of thumb: test everything, and keep what is good and throw away what is bad or wrong.

Paul warns against participating in anything evil or anything having an appearance of evil. Consider Romans 12:9, which states, … Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.9Wuest states, “of evil in active opposition to the good.”10 Vine adds that “Poneros denotes what is destructive, injurious, evil. What is evil in influence and effect, malignant”.7

Living in readiness involves God’s work in your life.

5:23

5:24 5:25 5:26 5:27 5:28

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. Brothers, pray for us. Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Commentary: 1)

It is really God that prepares for the Lord’s coming. He desires to sanctify (set you apart) completely. You spirit, that part of you the communes with God. Soul: that is your personal self, your personality that everyone sees in how you relate to them. Body: that is, your physical body. The acts done in the body are important to God.

Endnotes 1.

Map provided by Logos Bible Software. Copyright 2014 Faithlife / Logos Bible Software. Free for non-commercial use by individuals or organizations. May be presented before live audiences; may be posted on social media; may be re-distributed. May not be used commercially. May not be modified or included in published works without permission; contact permissions@faithlife.com. Attribute as: “Copyright 2014 Faithlife / Logos Bible Software (https://www.logos.com)”.

Vincent’s Word Studies. Written by Marvin R. Vincent. Published in 1888; public domain.

Thayer’s Greek Definitions. Published in 1886, 1889; public domain.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, by Dr. James Strong (1822–1894). First published in 1890. Public domain.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, published in 1940 and without copyright by W.E. Vine's M.A.

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers. Public Domain

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