Final Review of Themes & Thoughts From I Thessalonians

 I Thess. 1:5-10 A Model Church (Message #3)

I. The Essential Element (vs. 5)

• The essential element necessary for the gospel to take affect is the power of the Holy Ghost.
• The power of the Holy Ghost was so evidently manifested that it produced great assurance in the hearts of the Thessalonians as to the veracity of the gospel.
• While the indwelling of the Spirit is a one-time and permanent event, the filling of the Spirit must be sought after time and again.
• We have a constant supply of Holy Spirit power if we will take the time to seek His filling.

II. The Evangelistic Example (vs. 6-8)

• The Thessalonians followed the example of Paul, Silas, and Timothy as they suffered for the sake of the gospel.
• The way in which the Thessalonians received the Word of God was an example to their province and those provinces surrounding them.
• Once the Word of God has been received with joy, those who have received it should count it a joy to send the Word forth.

III. The Effectual Entrance (vs. 9-10)

• The gospel had a tremendous effect on the lives of the Thessalonians.
• Their faith in Christ caused them to turn from idols, to serve the living and true God, and to wait with anticipation for the return of Jesus.
• While waiting for Jesus, they were also working for Jesus.

I Thess. 2:1-12 The Gospel Delivered & Displayed (Message #4)

I. The Gospel Preached (vs. 1-6)

• The mistreatment that Paul and Silas received in Philippi did not deter them from preaching in the same manner when they reached Thessalonica.
• The Word of God was preached with power, purity, not seeking profit, but only wanting to please God.

II. The Godly Practices (vs. 7-10)

• At the top of the list of reasons why Paul's ministry at Thessalonica was so fruitful would undoubtedly be the power of the Holy Spirit, but somewhere near the top of that list would be the manner in which Paul, Silas, and Timothy lived among the Thessalonians.
• They could preach so boldly because they lived so compassionately.
• They were as gentle as a nursing mother caring for her infant.
• If we are going to be effective witnesses it will be because we have the power of the Holy Spirit on our lives and because we conduct ourselves with grace and compassion.

III. The Good Produced (vs. 11-13)

• The gospel preached coupled with the godly practices resulted in many coming to Christ.
• Those that came to Christ were challenged to walk worthy of God.
• We have been given a honor higher than that of wearing a uniform for a country or a jersey for some ball team...we have been called children of God.
• God's desire is that we would act like His children.
• God's Word has the greatest affect on those who take it as God's Word.

Final Review of Themes & Thoughts From I Thessalonians

       Thank you for being a part of this study as we examine the inspired epistles penned by the Apostle Paul. Next week we will begin a verse by verse study on II Thessalonians. Throughout this week, we will take some time to review all of the themes and thoughts that we have examined in this Epistle, so be sure to check back daily. Before you read the review, I would encourage you to stop now and ask God to speak to your heart about areas in which you can grow. Here goes...

I Thess. 1:1 More Than Just a Hello (Message #1)

I. The Picture of the City

• Thessalonica was the capital city of the Roman province of Macedonia
• Thessalonica was situated on the Aegean Sea and boasted a large naval base and many hot springs which drew tourists to the city.
• The Via Egnatia, Rome's largest east to west road cut through the heart of the city.
• Paul's first visit to the city took place on his first missionary journey. He spent three sabbaths there, but was run out of the city for preaching the gospel.

II. The Position of the Church

• The letter is penned to the church.
• Of the 114 times the word "church" is used in the New Testament, 109 of those times it is used to describe a local assembly of believers.
• Acts 20:28 tells us that the church was purchased with the blood of Christ, and thus it should be of primary importance in our lives.
• To be in the church, one must first be in Jesus.

III. The Provision for the Christian

• Grace and peace are the typical salutations that Paul uses to greet those to whom he is writing.
• There are different kinds of graces for different trials in life.
• Knowing that God's grace is sufficient should give us peace in our hearts no matter what trial we are going through.
• God has more grace to give to those who will humble themselves before Him. (Jas. 4:6)

I Thess. 1:2-4 The Best Testimony (Message #2)

I. Gratitude in Prayer (vs. 2)

• In 6 out of 7 letters penned to churches, Paul is careful to let the churches know that he was grateful for them.
• Gratitude is an essential part of prayer. (Phil. 4:6; Ps. 100:4)
• Jesus showed gratitude in prayer. (Jn. 11:41)

II. Graces in Practice (vs. 3)

• The three Christian graces are faith, hope, and love. (I Thess. 2:3; I Cor. 13:13)
• The Work of Faith speaks of salvation. (Jn. 6:29)
• The Labor of Love speaks service to others. (Heb. 6:10)
• The Patience of Hope speaks of waiting for Christ's return. (I Jn. 3:2-3)
• The Work of Faith that has been done in the past, the Labor of Love that we are presently involved in, and the Patience of Hope that we have for the return of Christ has been described as the biography of the Christian.

III. God's Initiated Plan (vs. 4)

• Election does not mean that God has predetermined that some people will go to Heaven and some people will go to hell. (II Pet. 3:9; Titus 2:11; I Tim. 2:3-4)
• Election is God's decision to accept as His children those who believe on Jesus Christ. For more discussion on this point, check out this archived post.

      
       I pray that these refreshers will again challenge us from the pages of this first inspired epistle by the Apostle Paul. Feel free to offer up any responses, thoughts, or questions that you might have. Check back tomorrow for a review on messages 3 & 4.

Application Questions from I Thess. 5:25-28

1) What request does Paul make in I Thess. 5:25?

2) How often do I pray for the needs of others?

3) What two requirements does Paul give in verses 26 & 27?

4) Though the method of greeting one another has changed in our culture, what should remain the same?

5) List three reasons why the Word of God is so important.

6) With what did Paul begin and end this letter to the Thessalonians?

7) What area do you need God's grace to grow in the most?

Application Questions for I Thess. 5:22-24

1) Is there anything in my life that could carry the appearance of evil?

2) Of the three parts that make up who we are (body, soul, spirit) which have I most clearly set apart for the service of the Lord in my life?

3) Of the three parts that make up who we are (body, soul, spirit) which do I need to yield to the Lord more?

4) How could I better yield to the Lord in the area listed above?

5) Whose responsibility is it to complete the process of sanctification in our lives?

6) According to Philippians 1:6, how long will God do His good work in us?

7) Read back over I Thess. 5:11-22. Of the 18 personal responsibilities listed, which are you strongest in and in which areas can you improve?

Application Questions for I Thess. 2:1-13

1) According to I Thess. 2:2, even though Paul and Silas had been imprisoned for preaching the gospel in Philippi, when they arrived at Thessalonica, what did they do?

2) Read I Thess. 2:4. What was the main concern for Paul, Silas, and Timothy?

3) What is your main concern in life? (See Gal. 1:10)

4) To what lengths are you willing to go to see that others hear the gospel? (I Thess. 2:8)

5) Read I Thess. 2:11-12. List three ways in which you could walk more worthily this week.

6) According to I Thess. 2:13, for what reason did Paul, Silas, and Timothy continually give thanks to God concerning the Thessalonians?

7) What is the key to the Word of God effectually working in us?

     In I Thess. 2:12 the Apostle Paul presents a challenge to the Thessalonians that he frequently presented to new believers. "That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory."  This same challenge is presented to the Ephesians, the Philippians, and the Colossians. The idea of walking worthy is to live in such a way that Christ would not be embarrassed that we bear his name. While the challenge is simply laid out for the Thessalonians, Paul elaborates on what it means to "walk worthy" in the other epistles. Let's see what he has to say.
     The challenge for the Ephesians is found in Eph. 4:1-3. " I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." For the Ephesians, walking worthy meant to demonstrate humility and meekness toward each other. It involved bearing each other's burdens and remaining unified through it all.
     In Colossians the challenge is given like this: "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;  Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. (Col.1:10-12)  While walking worthy for the Ephesians dealt primarily with their relationships toward one another, walking worthy for the Colossians seems to speak more of their relationship with the Lord. They need to increase in the knowledge of God and Paul desires that they would be strengthened with the strength that only God can provide. They are also challenged in the area of thankfulness to God. So you see, in order for their walk to be worthy, the Colossians needed to tune up their relationship with the Lord.
     Finally, in Philippians, the challenge is set forth in this manner: "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God" (Phil. 1:27-28).  Although the wording is somewhat different, the challenge is still the same. "Only let your conversation [lifestyle] be as it becometh [to speak well of] the gospel."  Paul then defines what a life that speaks well of the gospel looks like; "...that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel." Here we can see that for the Philippians a worthy walk is described as an effort to advance the faith of the gospel regardless of any attempts by their adversaries to stop it.
     So if we want an all-encompassing description of what it means to walk worthy, we must put these instructions given to these three churches together. To the Ephesians: walk worthy by growing in your relationship with one another. To the Colossians: walk worthy by growing in your relationship to the Lord. To the Philippians: walk worthy by faithfully and fervently reaching out to the lost. That leaves us with one question-are we walking worthy?

     In I Thess. 1:5 Paul rejoices in the fact that the gospel came to Thessalonica not in word only, but in power and the Holy Ghost! Because of this power of the Holy Ghost, many came to Christ. We must never forget that it is always the power of the Holy Ghost that produces fruit when the gospel is given. Jesus told His disciples in Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." So how can we be sure that when we witness, we are doing so in the power of the Holy Ghost? The simple answer (though not simple to practice) is to be sure that we are filled with the Holy Ghost.
   Ephesians 5:8 instructs us to "...be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit." This is as much of a command as not committing adultery, or not stealing. How careful are we to be sure that we are filled with the Holy Spirit? While the indwelling of the Spirit is a one-time, permanent event that transpires at salvation, the filling of the Spirit must happen over and over. Let me share a few thoughts on some of the simple keys to being filled with the Spirit.

1) Prayer

• Acts 4:31 "And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness."

• Luke 11:13  "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"

• James 4:2 "...ye have not, because ye ask not."

The greatest need in our lives is probably one we pray for most seldom. While we can and should bring every care to God, what we need more than anything is the fullness of His Spirit!

2) Time in the Word

• Eph. 5:18-21 "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God."

In these verses we are told how one behaves who is filled with the Spirit. They have songs in their hearts, gratitude on their lips, and submissive Spirits. Now notice another passage.

• Col. 3:16-18  "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord."

Notice how similar the behavior is of those who are letting "the word of Christ dwell in them" to those who are "filled with the Spirit." This teaches us that the fullness of the Spirit and time in the Word are inextricably linked together. You will not have one with the other!

3) Crucified Flesh

• Gal. 5:17 "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would."

• Gal. 5:24 "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts."

We must recognize the fact that once we are born again we are dead to sin. We must take this into account in every decision we make and temptation we face. We must do those things that feed our Spirit and destroy those things that feed our flesh. Rom. 13:14 instructs us to, "...put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof." We must remove anything or anyone from our lives that provides an opportunity for our flesh to be fed.

     Though this is not an exhaustive list for experiencing the fullness of God's Spirit, it would be a great place for all of us to start! I trust you will consider what Paul penned in Galatians 5:25. "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."