Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece Paul writes to the Thessalonians Part 1 – 1 Thessalonians Week 10, 3/9/2014 Week 10, 3/9/2014 Gene Wright, Gene Wright,

Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece Paul had preached in the synagogues in Thessalonica for three Sabbaths (17:2) Paul had preached in the synagogues in Thessalonica for three Sabbaths (17:2) Very unlikely he stayed longer than that before he had to leave quickly Very unlikely he stayed longer than that before he had to leave quickly This is in contrast to Paul’s stay in Philippi, where they stayed “some days” This is in contrast to Paul’s stay in Philippi, where they stayed “some days” Paul had not been able to be with these new Christians very long. Paul had not been able to be with these new Christians very long. Paul went to Berea and then Athens. Timothy joined him again at Athens with news from Thessalonica. Paul went to Berea and then Athens. Timothy joined him again at Athens with news from Thessalonica.

Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece There was good news and not so good news. There was good news and not so good news. They were still faithful They were still faithful But they had misunderstood some things But they had misunderstood some things It was from Athens that Paul wrote back to the church at Thessalonica. It was from Athens that Paul wrote back to the church at Thessalonica. And he sent Timothy back with the letter. And he sent Timothy back with the letter.

Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece Good news: They were still faithful Good news: They were still faithful 1 Thess 2:14: “For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea.” 1 Thess 2:14: “For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea.” 1 Thess 3:5-6: “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” 1 Thess 3:5-6: “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” 1 Thess 4:9,10: “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, or that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more” 1 Thess 4:9,10: “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, or that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more” Interesting word here. In the Septuagint, this is used of real blood relatives. Interesting word here. In the Septuagint, this is used of real blood relatives.

Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece Not so good news. Not so good news. 1) They had misunderstood the second coming 1) They had misunderstood the second coming 2) They were worried about those who had already died 2) They were worried about those who had already died 3) Some were despising authority 3) Some were despising authority 4) Concern that some might lapse back into immorality 4) Concern that some might lapse back into immorality 5) Some seemed to be slandering Paul, that he preached for his own gain 5) Some seemed to be slandering Paul, that he preached for his own gain 6) There was some division in the church 6) There was some division in the church

Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece Not so good news: Not so good news: 1) They had misunderstood the second coming so Paul tells them to get to work! 1) They had misunderstood the second coming so Paul tells them to get to work! 1 Thess 4:11: “But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, 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.” 1 Thess 4:11: “But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, 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.” If the second coming is happening later today, why cut the grass? Why help clean the city? If the second coming is happening later today, why cut the grass? Why help clean the city? Echoes of message to Philippi. Aspire to live quietly and so that others see you as good citizens. Echoes of message to Philippi. Aspire to live quietly and so that others see you as good citizens.

Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece Not so good news: 2) Worried about those who had already died Not so good news: 2) Worried about those who had already died 1 Thess 4:13-18: “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. 1 Thess 4:13-18: “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 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 come down from heaven, with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. For the Lord himself will come down 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.” 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.”

Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece Not so good news: 3) Some were despising authority Not so good news: 3) Some were despising authority 1 Thess 5:12-13: “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.” 1 Thess 5:12-13: “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.” Idea is of those who work even after they are worn out. Idea is of those who work even after they are worn out. Over you = those who stand in front of you. Our bishops Over you = those who stand in front of you. Our bishops The idlers in Thessalonica apparently weren’t listening to the leaders in the congregation. The idlers in Thessalonica apparently weren’t listening to the leaders in the congregation. Internal problem, but also evident to outsiders. Internal problem, but also evident to outsiders. Greek democracy could sometimes run wild Greek democracy could sometimes run wild Still does today! Still does today!

Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece Not so good news: Not so good news: 4) Concern that some might lapse back into immorality 4) Concern that some might lapse back into immorality 1 Thess 4:3-8: “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 man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.” 1 Thess 4:3-8: “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 man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.” God’s will is that we learn how to behave ourselves. God’s will is that we learn how to behave ourselves.

Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece Not so good news. Not so good news. 5) Some seemed to be slandering Paul, that he preached for own gain! 5) Some seemed to be slandering Paul, that he preached for own gain! 1 Thess 2:5,9: For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed - God is witness…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.” 1 Thess 2:5,9: For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed - God is witness…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.” They came with God’s message and not for their own benefit. No words of flattery and no greed. They came with God’s message and not for their own benefit. No words of flattery and no greed. Toil is word for harder work than labor. They went out of their way to pay their own way. They were not loafing or living off the Thessalonians. Toil is word for harder work than labor. They went out of their way to pay their own way. They were not loafing or living off the Thessalonians.

Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece Not so good news: Not so good news: 6) Some seemed to think he was a dictator 6) Some seemed to think he was a dictator 1 Thess 2:6,7,11-12: “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…For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you” 1 Thess 2:6,7,11-12: “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…For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you” Image really is of a nursing mother and the care / bond between the two of them. Image really is of a nursing mother and the care / bond between the two of them. But also that of a father giving instruction for their benefit. Must have both. But also that of a father giving instruction for their benefit. Must have both.

Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece Not so good news: Not so good news: There was some division in the church. There was some division in the church. Solution? Solution? 1 Thess 5:13: “ Be at peace among yourselves.” 1 Thess 5:13: “ Be at peace among yourselves.” Some of these problems might afflict any young church. Some of these problems might afflict any young church. Some of these warnings apply to us today Some of these warnings apply to us today Next week? 2 nd Thessalonians. Next week? 2 nd Thessalonians.