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."

Application Questions for I Thess. 1:2-4

1) Our prayer lives should frequently involve what component revealed in I Thess. 1:2?

2) How often do you express gratitude in prayer?

3) For whom can you give thanks to God right now?

4) How is a labor of love demonstrated in our lives?

5) How did you serve others in the past week?

6) In what ways can you serve others this week?

7) What sure event should cause us to have patience even in tribulation?

     Our text for the message on Sunday evening will be I Thess. 1:2-4. We will spend the majority of our time unpacking the wealth of wisdom given to us specifically in verse 3. Since we won’t have much time for verses 2 & 4 in the message, I thought it would be good to look a little more deeply at those two verses.
In I Thess. 1:2, Paul is inspired of God to write, “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers." Of the seven churches to which Paul writes, six of them receive the encouraging news that Paul continually prayed for them.

Rom. 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

I Cor. 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

Eph. 1:15-16 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

Phil. 1:3-4 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

Col. 1:3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

I Thess. 1:2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

     Not only did Paul pray for these churches, but we are also told he prayed for Timothy (II Tim. 1:3) and Philemon, (Philemon 1:4). Consider all that Paul did in his lifetime. He was a man always on the go. From mission trips, to preaching sermons, to writing epistles, to making tents, to visiting in the markets it seems as if the man never sat still. Yet one thing we find that Paul made time for was to take the names of others to the Throne of Grace!
With all of the modern day conveniences we have it seems we are busier than ever. How we need to learn from the example of the Apostle Paul! If we ever get too busy to pray we are just too busy! Our Savior exemplified this truth as well. Whether it was praying all night or rising a great while before day, Jesus always made time to intimately commune with our Heavenly Father!
The other verse that we won’t be able to thoroughly study in the service on Sunday is I Thess. 1:4, so let me share with you a little more information on that passage than I will be able to in the service. Paul writes under the inspiration of God, “Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.” We will examine why Paul knew of their election on Sunday, but I want to discuss with you just what election is. The doctrine of election has long been debated and discussed by Bible scholars much more knowledgeable than I, so I do not presume to have all of the answers.
     Sometimes, though, the best way to understand something is to first understand what it is not! Election is not a doctrine that teaches God has reserved some for hell and some for Heaven. There are several verses of Scripture that teach God has chosen certain people for certain things but none of them teach that God has predetermined anyone’s eternal destiny. Actually, many verses speak to the contrary. In II Pet. 3:9 we read, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Again, in I Tim. 2:3-4 the Word of God says, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” The will of God or the desire of God is that all would come to repentance and be saved. Why would God predetermine something against His own will? It seems kind of foolish to think that God would do something exactly opposite of what He wants, doesn’t it? I would think He has enough trouble with us doing that!
     Not only are we told in Scripture that God’s will is for all to be saved, but we’re also told that man has a choice as to whether or not he follows God’s will. Jesus said in Matt. 23:37, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” Then in Jn. 5:39-40, Jesus says, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” We could look at several other Scriptures, but these two passages plainly show people making choices contrary to God’s will. It’s not a good idea to do that, but it can be done!
     So if election is not God predetermining some for Heaven and some for hell, what is it? What I’m about to say is not meant to be sarcastic. One thing I appreciate about those who call themselves Calvinists (those who believe God has predestined some for Heaven and some for hell) is that they always emphasize God’s glory. Part of the reason Calvinists say man has no choice in salvation is because they feel as if this gives glory to man. However, when we look at the most commonly used passage to support the stance that election is God predetermining certain people to certain places the Calvinists all of a sudden forget to keep the focus on God and instead focus on people. Here’s what I mean.
     Ephesians 1:3-6 reads, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” If you read that and focus on the personal pronouns like “us” and “we” it would be easy to come away with the idea that we were chosen before the foundation of the world. But, if you go back and read the passage focusing instead on Jesus the passage takes on a different meaning. For instance, in verse 3 note the phrase “in Christ” instead of “blessed us.” In verse 4 focus on the phrase “in him” instead of “chosen us.” Fix your attention in verse 5 on the phrase “by Jesus Christ” instead of “predestinated us.” Finally, in verse 6, while it is wonderful that He has “made us accepted,” I would suggest that the predetermined part of that verse is “in the beloved.” In other words, I would suggests that the predetermined thing is the plan not the people! What has been elected is not the “who” but the “how”.
     Peter gives evidence to this truth as well. Listen to what he writes in I Peter 1:18-20. “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.” Jesus was foreordained before the foundation of the world to be the Lamb without spot or blemish. Jesus is the predetermined One!
     God’s invitation is not extended to an elect few! Romans 10:13 declares, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Revelation 22:17 instructs us that “…the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Isaiah 55:1 calls to “… every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” And from the lips of our Savior come these words in John 7:37. “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” I’m thankful that salvation is indeed for whosoever will!

Application Questions for I Thess. 1:1

1) Why should the church be important to us? (Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:25)

2) According to Acts 2:41, how were believers added to the church in Jerusalem?

3) Having examined the importance of the church to God, would you say that the church has a proper place of importance in your life?

4) What two provisions has God made for the believer that are listed in I Thessalonians 1:1?

5) How do we receive more of the graces that God has in store for us? (Jas. 4:6)

6) Knowing that God has grace in store for every situation we face should bring what to our lives?

7) Is there a situation in your life for which you need more of God's grace?