A little while ago, I produced a verse by verse series in Philippians. I really enjoyed that exercise and have been wondering if I should take on another book. Well it turns out that 1 Thessalonians is the victim of my machinations, and hopefully, the thoughts produced by this fantastic book will edify and encourage the reader.
As with Philippians I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
1 Thessalonians 5:5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.
In our last post, we considered what believers aren’t. We aren’t in darkness. We aren’t as those who are in darkness, blinded to the truth of God, and of His mercy and kindness to us in Jesus the Messiah. We aren’t in darkness.
Now if verse 5 had not been written, my first thought would be that Paul is going to refer to Jesus as the Light of the World, and that since we know Him, we have light, and can see reality as opposed to simply making assumptions, guesses or estimations about life on this earth. What a horrible condition to depend of guesses!
John 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
But Paul wrote our verse this morning. My assumptions of where he was going are worthless, and we find that he is speaking of believers – you and me – being the light.
After a few moments considering this statement, the statement begins to reveal in a small way, the genius of Paul, the pastoral heart of Paul, the desire of Paul to see his people walk properly. By identifying the believers as light themselves, Paul is assigning personal responsibility to each believer to transmit light.
Yes, Paul was much like his Master, for the Lord Himself, though He spoke of being the Light of the World, He also looked at His disciples and declared the very same message Paul has to the Thessalonians.
Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world….
But consider one more point. Even with the Lord’s declaration of being the Light of the World, He also spoke of the limitations of this claim. When He ascended into heaven, His direct influence was also relocated to the heavens.
John 9:5 ESV – As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
A little while ago, I produced a verse by verse series in Philippians. I really enjoyed that exercise and have been wondering if I should take on another book. Well it turns out that 1 Thessalonians is the victim of my machinations, and hopefully, the thoughts produced by this fantastic book will edify and encourage the reader.
As with Philippians I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
1 Thessalonians 5:4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.
In our previous post, we tried to understand the metaphor Paul uses of the woman in labor and I suggested two conditions for those related to a woman in labor. The end result of a woman’s labor – that is a child being born – is both anticipated and inevitable. Anticipated by the woman in labor much more passionately than the old husband, but that is beside the point!
For our passage this morning, Paul speaks his message directly to the believers, reminding them that they are not in darkness, as those outside of the church are. In our verse this morning, we have the beginning of Paul’s description of who these believers are. In our next verse, we will see the positive description, but for our verse this morning, Paul provides what these believer are not.
They are not in darkness.
Darkness can come about in various ways.
One born blind has only experienced darkness.
Those with perfect eyesight experience a blindness, or darkness (to a degree) every 24 hours.
Both of these conditions produce an ignorance of the surroundings due to the darkness each experience.
Paul is not referring to a physical blindness though. Yet the similarities of spiritual darkness carries over into the believers life.
We all were born blind, in a darkness that was common, and easily accepted. We knew no better. And there were some who sought to keep it that way.
2 Corinthians 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. 2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Paul is specific in defining the light we were provided while in darkness, and as believers, our eyes have been opened, the light has been provided, and we can now see. Ignorance of our surroundings has instantly evaporated and we are able to begin comprehending the true nature of our surroundings, our situation in this life.
Yet there is a darkness that even those with perfect eyesight can experience. It is that darkness that is imposed on us by an obstruction of light, possibly obscuring our surroundings. That is a condition that some, if not all believers, sometimes experience. I confess that though the Lord has provided this ol saint light and the sight to see it, I retain an ignorance that is somewhat astounding at times. (The paradoxes of being a Christian!)
Yet Paul tells us we are not in darkness.
Even at times when we don’t quite understand the specific will of God for our lives, we are not in darkness. We know who the Savior is, that He is coming back, and that He has rescued us from our sin, and will soon rescue us from this fallen world.
That light alone is blinding, and has opened our eyes. But Paul has more than that to teach us in our next verse.
A little while ago, I produced a verse by verse series in Philippians. I really enjoyed that exercise and have been wondering if I should take on another book. Well it turns out that 1 Thessalonians is the victim of my machinations, and hopefully, the thoughts produced by this fantastic book will edify and encourage the reader.
As with Philippians I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
1 Thessalonians 5:3 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.
It was years ago when our family attended a small church just down the road from our home, when a young high school student preacher got the opportunity to speak on a Sunday night service. This church was very good at getting the youth involved with the adults, and for challenging them with out of the box ministry.
This young man, whom I will call Joe, for I forget his name, delivered a message that I have not forgot. In that regard, he was very successful, for how many of us want the message to be more memorable that ourselves?
Nevertheless, he used this verse as a jumping off passage for a topic that was near and dear to him. He wanted each believer to know the Lord was coming back very soon, and this verse was timely, for it was the early 90’s and Russia had shown it’s weakness, the West had won the cold war, and great things were on the horizon.
Surely this was the peace and safety Paul referred to. Surely this was a harbinger of the Lord’s return. I gulped this revelation down like a starving man, having never considered Paul had the 1990’s in mind when he wrote to the Thessalonians in the first century.
As mentioned before, Paul was careful not to identify a time or season, little lone a specific year or decade, but this young man’s heart was burning, and I relished the thought of the Lord’s return.
But in the following days and weeks, I started to consider what Paul was trying to communicate to the Thessalonians. He was talking to a first century church when he said
While people are saying, “There is peace and security,”
What did the Thessalonians hear when Paul mentions “peace and security”? Was Paul saying something to them that we might not catch in the 21st century.
I would suggest he was referring to the Roman propaganda of pax et securitas. The Roman empire promised it’s citizens peace and security through the intimidation and domination of different people groups, strict compliance to the Almighty Caesar and the never ending presence of military power within their society.
It was a promise that had been kept by the empire for decades. The people who trusted in Caesar had reaped the benefits of this worldly peace the empire promised. Might I correct myself when I say the empire did not provide peace, but simply held back destruction and war by their military power.
Nevertheless, when the Day of the Lord comes, so will sudden destruction. Per Paul’s metaphor of a woman in labor, he may have tried to teach his church of two aspects of the Lord’s coming.
Inevitable
His coming will be inevitable, like the birth of a child. When i hear this metaphor, I automatically think of my wife and her labor with each of our kiddos.
When my lovely wife was pregnant with our first child, we did not understand the complete loss of control we had over the delivery. When Josh was to come was when Josh was to come. My dear wifey could not have delayed, put of or ignored the inevitable. How much more powerless will we be at the time of His coming. Nothing will stop His coming!
Anticipated
Some may think this metaphor speaks of the unexpected aspect of His coming, but again, I would relate to the last few weeks of my wife’s days with child.
We witnessed the belly moving, and the early Braxton Hicks contractions, the sudden energy burst, and the eventual burst of water. It was obvious we were on the cusp of one of the greatest events a couple can experience. A child was about to enter this old world.
I would suggest Paul is describing to the Thessalonians the inevitable and properly anticipated Day of the Lord. In this declaration, Paul is clearly revealing that the pax et securitas boasted of by the Caesar, and by many nations today, will be shown to be the farce that it truly is.
Isaiah 48:22 “There is no peace,” says the LORD, “for the wicked.”
I remember Joe and his message, and though I tend to think Paul was primarily speaking locally and of his time, I still love his zeal and excitement. And I will admit that Paul’s message to the Thessalonians is also for us, even in the 21st century.
For there are many who trust in world governments. They trust in the power structures of men who wield earthly power to provide an earthly temporary peace. Sadly, they look to those who domineer over them for protection from other’s and are content with the false peace provided.
As believers, in peaceful or difficult times, we can and do experience the peace of God, and as we wait for the Son, we are to remember that this old world provides a false peace and security that will fail.
But He will not fail, nor forget, for our God is good and He is good all the time!
A little while ago, I produced a verse by verse series in Philippians. I really enjoyed that exercise and have been wondering if I should take on another book. Well it turns out that 1 Thessalonians is the victim of my machinations, and hopefully, the thoughts produced by this fantastic book will edify and encourage the reader.
As with Philippians I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
This is not what we want to hear Paul. We want specific dates so we can prepare.
In the last 2000 years, the church has sought to provide it’s members dates and times that Paul refused to give. Attached at the end of this post is a partial list of times the Body of Christ was informed that our Savior would arrive to take us home, or at least to bring judgement on the earth. It is quite an amazing list.
Nevertheless, Paul did not succumb to this temptation, or provide to the church any specific date. And the church has been struggling to find this date for 2000 years. Quite an amazing circumstance.
Paul simply provides the first characteristic of the coming day of the Lord. He, along with the Lord, describes the day of the Lord coming as a “thief in the night”
How does a thief come in the night? This metaphor is implying that those who will be visited, will be completely surprised by the visit. But who are they who will be surprised? Might it be the church who will be surprised? Paul emphasizes that the Thessalonians are fully aware of this truth, so it seems those who are asleep are those outside of the church.
Those who are looking for the coming Day of the Lord are looking for the Son to return, and if I understand this correctly, dates and times are not of concern. It is a Person we wait on, not a date we prepare for.
But there is a term that Paul uses that raises questions in my mind. The Day of the Lord. For Paul to use this phrase provides us another indicator that Paul is speaking of those outside of the church as those surprised by the return of the Lord.
The Old Testament is rife with the prophets using this term, referring to judgement falling on a nation as the Day of the Lord.
Consider
Destruction of Babylon
Isaiah 13:6 Wail, for the day of the LORD is near; as destruction from the Almighty it will come! Isaiah 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.
Destruction of Egypt
Jeremiah 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.
Destruction of All Nations
Obadiah 1:15 For the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head.
Destruction of Judah
Zephaniah 1:14 The great day of the LORD is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the LORD is bitter; the mighty man cries aloud there.
Destruction of Israel
Joel 1:15 Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is near, and as destruction from the Almighty it comes.
The Old Testament speaks of the Day of the Lord as a bitter day. Zephaniah provides such a dark descriptive of that day.
Zephaniah 1:14 The great day of the LORD is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the LORD is bitter; the mighty man cries aloud there. Zephaniah 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, Zephaniah 1:16 a day of trumpet blast and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the lofty battlements.
This particular phrase carried with it much suffering, and as the Jewish population was steeped in this understanding, it is note worthy that in Peter’s first sermon, he makes reference to the Day of the Lord!
Acts 2:20 the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
What is Peter talking about? That was 2000 years ago he spoke these words!
In his second epistle, he also describes the Day of the Lord, and I have always understood it as a catastrophic global desolation. There are some who consider Peter to be referring to 70AD, describing the nation of Israel, sometimes described as the sun, moon and stars, as being destroyed by Rome. Could Peter be describing the fall of Israel as the Old Testament prophets described the fall of a nation?
2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
But let us get back to Paul and our verse in First Thessalonians. Paul is beginning to describe the coming day, and will be outlining the characteristics of the church as opposed to the world at that day.
As believers, we are to be fully aware of the coming day of the Lord, and for the believer, because of the Son’s sacrifice for our lives, will not take us by surprise. It is to be a hopeful day, a day of expectation for the believer. In that hope and expectation, let us communicate to those who are unaware, those who are asleep, of the Savior who will rescue His people from this dying world.
A little while ago, I produced a verse by verse series in Philippians. I really enjoyed that exercise and have been wondering if I should take on another book. Well it turns out that 1 Thessalonians is the victim of my machinations, and hopefully, the thoughts produced by this fantastic book will edify and encourage the reader.
As with Philippians I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
1 Thessalonians 5:1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.
As we left the fourth chapter, we found that Paul was providing information to the Thessalonians in order to comfort them, encouraging them to comfort each other regarding the coming of the Lord.
I sought to emphasize that there was little “meat on the bones” in those verses that inidicated any time interval or condition of culture that would provide the Thessalonians information on the date of the return.
Paul now comes out and clearly states that he did not need to communicate any chronological specifics about when the Lord would return. The already knew!
What? They knew when the Lord was coming back?
Hold up. As we venture through this portion of Scripture (verse 1-11) Paul continues with his pastoral heart, seeking to comfort the believers, and not simply provide a specific time of the return!
But Carl, Paul specifically starts this portion, referring to the “times” and “seasons”. Surely he is about to describe the date of the Lord’s return.
Woah. Hold up and let’s take a moment to consider what his letter says and doesn’t say.
Times
χρόνος chrónos. This term speaks of a space of time, but not a specific time or portion of time, or a particular period of time. This term is of the more generic terms in relation to the topic of time
The term speaks of a quantiative measure of duration.
Seasons
καιρός kairós. This term speaks of a particular time, often associated with a specific action or occurence, a time that is consequential or appointed, It may simply define a point in time, usually containing specific circumstances.
In using these two terms, Paul is speaking of the Thessalonians understanding of the general passage of time (chrónos) , and of some specific circumstances in a period of time (kairós).
Now as we continue reading this passage, I have always assumed Paul is speaking of the times the Thessalonians lived in. This only makes sense since Paul was not providing the Thessalonian church information that would be directed only to the 12th century church in Madagascar, or the 21st century church in North Bergen New Jersey. He is addressing a first century church.
So let’s recap.
He is seeking to comfort his current church. This is very applicable to the modern church. The return of the Lord is truth the church should use to “encourage one another and build one another up”. (verse 11)
He is speaking of their current knowledge of the “times and seasons”. Some in the modern church may have this knowledge.
He is reminding the Thessalonians of their general knowledge of the time they lived in, and of the characteristic of the times (seasons) prior to the end. This is not directly applicable to the modern church, as we did not have the opportunity to hear his teaching, nor are we in their specific time condition. We may glean much of this knowledge from his writings, and for that we are thankful, but let us not think we know more than the Thessalonians. We know enough.
In verse 2, he will begin to describe their full knowledge of the times and seasons, but Paul will not specifically indicate any date. (Argh!) He will describe to the Thessalonians characteristics of the times of the day of the Lord, which is much more helpful for the modern church. We can look around our culture and find many of the characteristics Paul speaks of. Some periods of time are laden with these characteristics, and should bring us great hope.
In all of this discussion on times and seasons, the overriding message we need to remember is that the Lord Jesus is returning, and our knowledge of the times should encourage us, not worry us.
He is coming back! Whether it be today (hopefully) or February 19th, 3247 each of us will meet Him soon. We all have our own date of meeting if He tarries!
A little while ago, I produced a verse by verse series in Philippians. I really enjoyed that exercise and have been wondering if I should take on another book. Well it turns out that 1 Thessalonians is the victim of my machinations, and hopefully, the thoughts produced by this fantastic book will edify and encourage the reader.
As with Philippians I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
1 Thessalonians 4:18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Most who follow my posts know my background. A rebellious teenager, saved by the grace of God, only to be swept away with a teaching called Dispensational Theology. I was committed to the Pretribulational Rapture teaching, a teaching that provided an escape for believers prior to a supposed seven year tribulation, where an anti-christ would take power and rule the world.
Many verses were called upon to create this narrative, and for most of my walk of faith I thought this was the way. In the 80’s, with Israel being established as a nation in 1947, it was common to think the Lord was coming back in 1987. (Reference was made to the Lord’s speaking of a generation of 40 years in His Mount Olivet discourse.)
To be honest with my own heart, I didn’t want to know of any other teaching. This one was good for me. I liked it. I mean I liked it a lot!
But one night on a long drive into Oklahoma all alone, I was challenged with a Scripture teaching that shocked me. It is commonly called a preterist theology, and I had never heard of it. I had been a believer for decades and had avoided it successfully. Amazing, since it has been the dominant teaching in the history of the church since the apostles, but I was consumed with my teaching.
To get to our verse for the morning, Paul just spent four verses teaching the Thessalonians about the gathering of the saints and the return of the Lord, hoping to relieve those still living Thessalonians of the good future of their sleeping brothers. This passage is pastoral in the infinite, and yet I had made it into a chronological tool to justify a certain teaching.
In our verse this morning, he provides the reason he taught them these famous verses.
To encourage one another.
Nothing to do with timing of the Lord’s return, or any mention of a tribulation, or an antichrist or beast or the devil on earth. No persecution of believers is emphasized, or some mark of a beast. Not one mention of 666!
Let’s remember that in verses 9-12 Paul emphasized..
Love – verse 9 …you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,
More Love – verse 10 ….. But we urge you, brothers, to do this (that is, love one another) more and more, (italics my insert)
A Quiet Life – verse 11 …to aspire to live quietly,
A Circumspect Life – verse 11 …mind your own affairs
A Life of Labor – verse 11 …to work with your hands…
A Proper Witness – verse 12 …so that you may walk properly before outsiders
A Life of Independence – verse 12 …be dependent on no one.
Note that Paul said nothing about selling all your goods and sitting on a hill waiting for a rapture. Nothing about trying to determine who the antichrist is. Nothing about escaping the wrath to come.
He simply wanted to calm his church down, teach them of their joining their brothers in the air as the Lord returns, and that this should be a comfort to them, and a opportunity to encourage one another.
My I encourage those reading, especially if you may be consumed with future events, rapture timing, antichrist identification, and Armageddon. Be encouraged in the Lord, for He is your shelter, your High Tower and your Strength.
Being consumed with end time scenarios, from my own experience, feeds a sort of self survivalism, short term thinking, and a stress that does not belong in the believers heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, be thankful for His many mercies, and encourage those who may have lost a loved one in the faith, that the day is coming when we will be rejoined.
A little while ago, I produced a verse by verse series in Philippians. I really enjoyed that exercise and have been wondering if I should take on another book. Well it turns out that 1 Thessalonians is the victim of my machinations, and hopefully, the thoughts produced by this fantastic book will edify and encourage the reader.
As with Philippians I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
1 Thessalonians 4:17 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.
For those of us who are still walking and talking, and seeking to follow the Messiah, this verse is for us!
We will meet the Lord in the air.
As a dispensationalist a hundred years ago, I read this verse in the following manner.
We who are left will be raptured together with the dead in Christ to join Jesus as we head to heaven for ever. It was a blessed hope, as Titus speaks of, but in my re-education of the Second Coming, I understand that to meet the Lord in the air means more than simply joining Him to head to heaven forever.
The word “meet”, apantesis in the Greek, carried a specific understanding when used. In my research, as I read through Vines Expository Dictionary, I found that this term “is used in the papyri of a newly arriving magistrate. “It seems that the special idea of the word was the official welcome of a newly arrived dignitary” (Moulton, Greek Test. Gram. Vol. I, p. 14).””
This term is also used in Acts 28 where Paul is greeted by the saints of Rome, as they came to meet him and then returned to the City of Rome.
Acts 28:14 There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. Acts 28:15 And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. Acts 28:16 And when we came into Rome, ….
These believers went to Paul, they met Paul and they returned from whence they came. In the Greek culture, when a dignitary came to town, it was customary for some of the citizens to leave their city to meet the dignitary as a sign of respect and honor, and then escort the honored person back to the city.
Is it possible that we who are alive, along with the dead in Christ, meet the Lord in the air, only to return to the earth? Is that what is being described here in this verse? Can you imagine the reaction of those who thought they were going to heaven, actually turn about and head back to earth? Slight surprise?
No matter, for whether heaven or earth, we will be forever with the Lord. And that is the only thing that matters!
A little while ago, I produced a verse by verse series in Philippians. I really enjoyed that exercise and have been wondering if I should take on another book. Well it turns out that 1 Thessalonians is the victim of my machinations, and hopefully, the thoughts produced by this fantastic book will edify and encourage the reader.
As with Philippians I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 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.
Our last post spoke of the Lord Himself coming to retrieve His people, of the noise that will be accompanied this event. Let’s take a moment to consider.
cry of command
In the old KJV, which I used for decades, the term is translated shout, and as such, I understood it as a generic loud voice, possibly of an announcement, but was somewhat generic. The term in the New Testament is κέλευσμα, κελεύσματος, and is only used once in the New Testament.
There is a Proverb, translated into the Greek (the Septuagint) that uses this term and it is somewhat enlightening.
Proverbs 30:27 The locusts have no king, and yet march orderly at one command.
The term speaks of a command or an order. Strong’s dictionary, along with Thayer’s Greek Lexicon both speak of this term as a stimulating cry, an order that rouses up animals to move, or even a signal given to the rowers of a ship or of soldier to obey.
It is not simply a shout as I understood previously, but a noise that communicates the need for an arousal from sleep, or a command to be obeyed, as if in a war, or battle. It is more specific than I first imagined.
voice of an archangel
There is one question I have for this phrase. Is Paul emphasizing the one who is making the announcement, the archangel, or the voice of the announcement? Does he want us to understand that Jesus is using the voice, as if from an archangel, or that some unidentified archangel is making this announcement?
There are fine believers that are in both camps, but I tend to think the voice is coming from an archangel, much like in the nativity, when an angel of the Lord announced to the shepherds, (quietly albeit) to the of the coming of the Messiah.
Luke 2:9 – 11 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Yes there is a difference, in that this is the archangel’s’ voice, and the announcement of his first coming was an angle of the Lord. Yet if I understand the coming of the Lord for His church, it is as the King is returning from a victorious battle to His people. It was common for a herald to come before the Great King, announcing his victory.
And a victory it is for those who are asleep!
sound of the trumpet of God
Remember, this verse is specifically speaking of the resurrection of those who are asleep already. It is kind of a silly thought that the trumpet will be needed to wake those in the graves! That is a ludicrous thought. Just ignore it!
As for the trumpet of God, a passage in Exodus 19:16-17 may provide some light in understanding the intent of Paul’s reference to the Trumpet of God.
Exodus 19:16-17 On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain.
Notice that upon the loud trumpet blast, the first act of Moses was to bring the people of God to meet God. Now please remember that this was a terrible, frightening day for the Israelites, with thunders, lightening’s and a thick cloud on the mountain. Not a natural storm to say the least!
To gather together may have been the last thing on the Israelites minds. But gather they did, and they met God!
The dead in Christ will meet God, the Almighty One, the One who is over all, who answers to no-one and He will judge the living and the dead!
Acts 10:42 ….he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 2 Timothy 4:1 …Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 1 Peter 4:5 … him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
He will wake those who have died in Christ, rouse them from any slumber they are in, announce His victories, and will finally meet their Savior and Judge.
It will be a day like no other! The next verse will consider the ones who are still walking and talking.
A little while ago, I produced a verse by verse series in Philippians. I really enjoyed that exercise and have been wondering if I should take on another book. Well it turns out that 1 Thessalonians is the victim of my machinations, and hopefully, the thoughts produced by this fantastic book will edify and encourage the reader.
As with Philippians I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 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.
There it is. The Thessalonians were concerned about their brothers in the faith not remaining, for those who have fallen asleep. Here we have the apostle speak to this concern. Remember Paul’s beginning remarks for this passage? How he was wanting to relieve the Thessalonians ignorance, and therefore their sadness, and grief?
1 Thessalonians 4:13 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.
Paul’s intent with this verse was to provide comfort for the fledgling church, to give truth to the believers so they may not grieve as others who have no hope. He provides his motive for providing this truth a little later on, in that they are to encourage each other, but for now, let’s consider what we can glean from Paul’s message.
He Himself
Paul gives us the best truth first. The One who entered our suffering troubled world, walked amongst us for over thirty years, revealed to us the glory of God amidst terrible persecution and was murdered by the very ones He came to save will come to us.
It is He who will be coming back for those who love Him. And He will not be silent.
The next three actions or descriptions speak of volume, noise or an announcement. The One who entered our world previously came silently, with only a few shepherds being informed. A message to a select few, a group of shepherds on a hill.
This time many more will hear of His coming!
My question for my reader is how many will hear? Will it only be the church, those who follow after Him, or will the entire population of the earth hear?
I will leave this question for my reader to respond to, but would hint that Paul gives us a clue later on. If you think you have an answer, please provide in the comment box below. I would love to see someone “steal my thunder” and suggest a reason why it is only believers who will hear, or the entire population of the earth.
For now, I will leave the three phrases that accompany the return of Christ for our next post. Hope to hear from you!
A little while ago, I produced a verse by verse series in Philippians. I really enjoyed that exercise and have been wondering if I should take on another book. Well it turns out that 1 Thessalonians is the victim of my machinations, and hopefully, the thoughts produced by this fantastic book will edify and encourage the reader.
As with Philippians I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
1 Thessalonians 4:15 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.
Paul continues with his pastoral treatment of the return of the Lord, counselling a church body that has some erroneous thoughts on the topic. It seems that some of the believers may have thought that those who passed away, or better said, had fallen asleep, were in some way at a disadvantage to the living believers. Paul addresses this topic in verse 13.
1 Thessalonians 4:13 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.
Now given that resurrection was the expectation of believers, the grieving referred to in verse 13 to couldn’t speak to the resurrection, for Paul compares them with those who have no hope.
But Paul brings up the topic of grief. Why?
Verse 15 may give us a clue, for Paul introduces the concept of timing. Specifically the timing of events upon the coming of the Lord for both the living and the sleeping saint. Could some of the Thessalonian saints be thinking that those who have fallen asleep without experiencing the coming of the Lord, with the transformation of earthly body to resurrected body occurring, be at some disadvantage? After all, those who had fallen asleep were in the grave, even decomposing. It seems to be a delay that is causing some to be discouraged, for later on Paul instructs them to encourage one another by the truth he is revealing to them.
Paul speaks of those who have fallen asleep as those who will experience the transformation first, for he instructs those still alive as not being transformed/resurrected before those in the grave. Paul will address some specifics in the next verse, but from our verse this morning, he is laying down a truth about timing. The dead in Christ will rise first.
But Paul – When you speak of those asleep rising first, are the living saints now at a disadvantage. Could the dead in Christ have the advantage, and should the Thessalonians transition their emotion from grief to jealousy?
Stay tuned, for Paul proceeds in the next verse to explain in a positive message the connection the living have with those asleep. This verse provides a truth that we shall not precede those who are asleep. Our next verse will tie it all together, helping those who are alive understand the unity of the body, and the purpose of God in the Messiah’s return for His church.
A little while ago, I produced a verse by verse series in Philippians. I really enjoyed that exercise and have been wondering if I should take on another book. Well it turns out that 1 Thessalonians is the victim of my machinations, and hopefully, the thoughts produced by this fantastic book will edify and encourage the reader.
As with Philippians I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
1 Thessalonians 4:14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
The smallest of words sometimes have the greatest of impacts. Consider the Greek word for “since” in the beginning of our verse, sometimes translated as “if”. It is primary particle of conditionality, introducing a premise assumed to be true. Paul was speaking to those who had accepted this premise as factual, and could argue logically based on that condition.
Also, what Paul begins in this verse is not primarily a schedule of events, though there were many years where I thought this passage was only a schedule of events. I call it the timing trap. Hopefully, I will stay focused!
Paul writes of the condition, or state of those being involved in the resurrection as being those who believe in the resurrection of the Messiah. It is not a church teaching or denomination that is of importance or a morally sanctified lifestyle that provides the assurance of God’s promise for the believer. It is Jesus alone who is the resurrection and life.
John 11:25 …I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
If we are in Him, we too shall be resurrected to life, even as the Messiah was physically raised from death. Timing of this resurrection is of little concern to Paul, since he is acting in a pastoral manner, dealing with a church that is saddened over fellow saints who died before the return of the Lord. Did they miss out on the expected resurrection transformation? Will their early death somehow impact future opportunities to be with those still alive? The fact of the resurrection, and God’s method of including the believer in this promise of life out of death is the concern in Paul’s mind.
The promise is found in Jesus. Jesus alone.
Yet there are timing issues that may be considered. For the saint in Jesus, at physical death, can we expect to eventually, or immediately come into the presence of God?
Eventually?
There are some who would look ahead to verse 17, and declare that when Paul speaks of the “dead in Christ”, he is indicating that those who die before the return of the Lord, are sleeping in the grave, resting until that fateful day. One passage that may be referred to is found in the gospel of John.
John 5:25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.
Those hearing the voice of the Son of God are described as “dead” in this verse. Might Jesus be referring to those who are spiritually dead, yet still physically amongst the living? This thought may be justified when the next few verses are considered.
John 5:28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice John 5:29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
Jesus changes the description of those responding to the voice of the Son of God, speaking not of the dead, as in verse 25, but of those in the tomb.
One assumption that has to be made is that the voice of the Son of God occurs only once, at that hour, and the resurrection of both those who have done good and those who have done evil are simultaneous.
Immediately?
Others consider the apostle’s writings.
2 Corinthians 5:8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
Paul seems to be indicating that once we are away from the body, understanding this as the point of death, we enter the presence of the Lord immediately.
Both positions (that of eventually seeing Jesus after death, and of an immediate entrance before Him at the point of death) have support in the Word. Both positions have dedicated adherents to their teaching.
I would respectfully submit that I have fallen into the timing trap, and have not focused on the intent of Paul’s message to the Thessalonians in this passage.
As an aside to this timing discussion, considering the sleep metaphor, I would suggest that any time passed in the grave prior to the resurrection will be null and void, at least in our experience. When I pass out on my favorite couch, I do not experience time. I am asleep. Might it be a similar condition in the grave?
Back to our focus though. Paul is speaking of the greatest event in history, and of the greatest person who ever walked on this earth, having entered death, and is now alive. I would strongly suggest we consider the truth of the resurrection, and try to relegate the timing question to it’s proper importance. After all, whether it be immediately or eventually, (in four hundred and thirty two years?), we will be with the Lord.
Paul begins the verse in laying down the truth of the Messiah’s resurrection out of death. Note that it is through Jesus, that God will bring with Him, that is if we are with Jesus, God will also use His Messiah to be the One whom we are enabled to be raised.
Even as Paul speaks of those who have passed, he brings to light the continued blessing of the Lord in our lives. Consider how he mentions death when speaking of Jesus, but for believers, he speaks of sleep.
In this short verse, Paul focuses on Jesus. He focuses on His impact on those who believe in Him. My friends, as I am learning through this avenue of posting in this blog, considering the Word, I am coming to a simple conclusion.
Jesus is better.
A simple thought, easily and abundantly found in the Word, yet not as embraced in my life as it should be.
Jesus is the One who has provided us hope, resurrection, life, peace, grace, comfort, challenge, blessing, truth – need I go on?
He is better than anything you might imagine and fully worthy of chasing after. He is better!
A little while ago, I produced a verse by verse series in Philippians. I really enjoyed that exercise and have been wondering if I should take on another book. Well it turns out that 1 Thessalonians is the victim of my machinations, and hopefully, the thoughts produced by this fantastic book will edify and encourage the reader.
As with Philippians I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
1 Thessalonians 4:13 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.
We are entering into one the most popular passages referred to in the New Testament. The following passage speaks of the pretribulational rapture of the saints which happens at the beginning of the seven year great tribulation. The great tribulation is a period of tremendous persecution of the Christian church, with the Lord Jesus coming back at the end of the seven year’s. During this time, the anti-christ appears and the revived Roman empire rises up, eventually ending with the Chinese army crossing over the dried up Euphrates, in order to battle at Armageddon.
At least that is how I use to speak of this passage, but as I read the New Testament, I found our verse this morning becoming specifically applicable to yours truly, for I was severely uninformed. As Paul spoke to a small church 2 millennia ago, he spoke to me also.
Paul opens up this passage due to the pain the believers were experiencing in having lost brothers in the congregation to death. As a first generation church, newly born into Christ just years after the resurrection of the Savior, there may have been an expectation in the church that wasn’t being realized.
Let me postulate. Given the history of the resurrection, some may have expected the same three day “turnaround” for the brothers. Three days in the grave/tomb, and the brothers would be lifted out of death. Could this have been the expectation of some in the church?
As we now know, the believer will not be raised bodily until Jesus comes back, with the intermittent time between death and bodily resurrection being at home with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
But I am veering from the core message of this verse.
Paul was aiming to help the believers “not grieve as others who have no hope”. Paul is blunt. Those without Christ have no hope. Those in Christ have hope. This fact alone makes it possible for the believer to experience a different grief at the death of a fellow believer.
The difference? The hope we have in Jesus. As we work our way through the remaining portion of chapter 4, Paul addresses this young churches understanding of the end times in a way that speaks to the churches grieving. He is working pastorally, teaching them of their joining together with their brothers at the same time they join with the Lord Himself.
For those who have lost a loved one in Christ, there is comfort in this passage. We will join with the Master and our brothers at a point in time chosen by our Father. We will all be around the Messiah, as we should be, and there will be joy and rejoicing for all the marvelous work He has done to save our lives, our souls, our loved ones.
May we be patient in our faith, and look to Him for direction and comfort, even as we may loose a loved one in the Lord.
A little while ago, I produced a verse by verse series in Philippians. I really enjoyed that exercise and have been wondering if I should take on another book. Well it turns out that 1 Thessalonians is the victim of my machinations, and hopefully, the thoughts produced by this fantastic book will edify and encourage the reader.
As with Philippians I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
1 Thessalonians 4:12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
Paul is summing up the topic of brotherly love he started a few verses back, and naturally his thoughts flow towards those whom we rub shoulders with in our day to day lives. Our witness before those outside of the church.
Paul speaks of this many many times in his writings, for those outside of the church don’t know (and don’t care) about the intricacies of our faith, of our doctrines and of our internal debates. All of that is for the Body to handle and if we are obeying the Master in relating to one another per the New Testament commands, the impact will be beyond the family of God and towards those outside of the faith.
As an aside, I found a great site that freely provided the “One Another” commands graphic to the left. Check it out – https://overviewbible.com
To return to this verse, Paul is speaking of the result of the believers obedience to verse 11 commands. (Note the “so that” link at the start of the verse.)
What were those three commands?
Aspire to live quietly
Mind your own affairs
Work with your hands
Three commands that enable us to walk properly before outsiders. Without these traits, no matter how great our message is, (and it is great!), we are not enabled properly to approach or witness of any work of God in our lives.
Boisterous, nosy and lazy believers bring nothing to the table in presenting a godly lifestyle for those watching from outside of the Body. I firmly believe those outside of the church are all from Missouri – the show me state – for they want to be shown a life that is desirable, peaceful, loving and giving.
Who can argue against that?
It is interesting that though Paul summarizes the three “tasks” of the previous verse for believers to exhibit before those outside of the church, he goes on with a specific requirement for those in the church. Be dependent on no one. Surely he is breaching the topic of a believers dependence on those outside of the church. But Paul – you have already told them to work with their own hands. Now telling them to not be dependent on anyone? Are you beating a dead horse here?
This topic is not the only time Paul addressed this trait amongst the Thessalonians. One of my wife’s favorite verses, as we raised our kids and developed thier work ethic was in Paul’s second letter to this church
2 Thessalonians 3:10b ….If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.
What is going on with these saints? Was there a tendency amongst the saints to depend on government handouts? Is this a common problem for the modern day saint? Do you know some saints afraid of a good day’s work, preferring a life of leisure, willing to abuse state handouts and government “gifts”? An ol’ Jewish man once told me – “With shekels, come shackels.” Depending on government assistance removes God from the position of provider in the saint’s life. I firmly believe that depending on government assistance is a costly, possibly deadly, decision.
I personally have not met many believers who openly depend on the government for a handout, but I have witnessed many believers that are in the habit of constantly expressing their needs. It is this challenge or that expense that they are “waiting on God” for. Though the family of God is called to bear each other’s burdens, each blessing can be abused. I have personally witnessed many that have become highly skilled with manipulation strategies seeking support to live off the Body. ‘Nuff said.
With my little rant over, I would end with the admonition for each believer to reach those outside the church as Paul has provided guidance. That guidance included the goal to live quietly, to mind our own affairs, and to work with our hands. Out of this foundational lifestyle, we can bring to the table a life changing message for the unbeliever to consider. This is the saints proper walk towards those outside of the church. We have much to give, and no need to depend on those who know not the Lord.
A little while ago, I produced a verse by verse series in Philippians. I really enjoyed that exercise and have been wondering if I should take on another book. Well it turns out that 1 Thessalonians is the victim of my machinations, and hopefully, the thoughts produced by this fantastic book will edify and encourage the reader.
As with Philippians I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
1 Thessalonians 4:11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,
I admit it. I am not a showy evangelist, one who can enter a room and start preaching the gospel, sharing my faith easily and with abandon. I struggle with that image in my mind, and my nature is one of some reservation.
I have spent years seeking to find ways to share the gospel, from door knocking, asking surveys, and handing out tracts. None of it seemed natural, and though I take the command to evangelize seriously, it is definitely not my gift.
That is where a verse like todays provides some comfort for an ol’ fool like me.
Three commands encourage me. Let me work it out for us.
aspire to live quietly
I am a relatively quiet man, (except when my grandbabies are around!) When Paul speaks of aspiring, it has the intent of ambition in this term. As believers, we can be ambitious to be quiet, which seems to be a contradiction in terms in our modern society. We are often told to be ambitious, do things is a big way, to “show off” and enter the competition of life.
Paul seems to think otherwise. Be ambitious to lead a quiet, godly life before the Lord. Seek the quiet, rest in the silence, exhibit a calmness that is the fruit of being before Him quietly.
There are times when I fear our modern faith is dependent on entertainment, action, activity and commotion. Granted, much of this is the impact of our modern society, with a constant barrage of news, movies, videos, television and internet bombarding our eyes, yet Paul speaks of a quiet life.
A quiet life, where our hearts and minds are at rest, and our lives exhibit this truth. Even when I git ’round those grandbabies!
mind your own affairs
Some may tell the evangelist, of which I am not, to mind your own business. This is the throwing of a Biblical command into the face of a believer who is following after the Lord. What a diversion the enemy has in this!
To mind our own affairs is not addressing those who are gifted in the work of winning souls, but in the gossippy lifestyle of those who always are correcting others while they ignore their own issues.
You know the type. Those who interfere in other’s lives unnecessarily, judge others constantly, or spread stories (known as gossip) to those who have no power to remedy any situation.
We all have fallen victim to this type of “busybody”, but that is the course of life we live. The issue is that Paul is telling believers to be concerned with our own lives before the Lord, and not to dwell on other’s apparent failings.
We have enough to deal with. Focus on our lives before the Lord, and let our brother or sister do the same. Getting involved unnecessarily may only distract from an issue in our own life.
I say unnecessarily due to the teaching that is throughout the Word regarding the “one another” lives we are to live. We are to love one another, encourage one another, exhort one another. All of these commands beckon us to be involved with our brothers, and as life rears it’s head in areas of weakness, we are to humbly visit with our brother or sister, knowing we are prone to falling, and offer assistance.
Galatians 6:1-2 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
We need the wisdom of the Lord, and a humbleness that is not of our own heart.
work with your hands
I like to use a hammer, and if you give me a shovel, I can be happy for hours. I don’t know what it is about mixing concrete in a wheelbarrow, or planting a tree with a spade, but I like it! I like it alot!
Nevertheless, for Paul to tell the Thessalonians to work with their own hands, might have rubbed them a bit the wrong way, for it was common thinking in their day (and ours) that to avoid manual labor is a sign of success.
To sit behind a desk and to bark orders to underlings is considered by many to be the goal, to signify success, and to show worth of person.
Paul says to work with our hands. Manual labor. Consider our Savior. A carpenter. The apostles, many of which were mere fishermen. And the one writing to the Thessalonians? A tent maker.
It seems God is not offended by His people working manual labor. If I read Paul right, God may prefer manual labor to be an important part of the believers life.
One thing I do know. There is a certain satisfaction in working with my hands. And one thing that occurs to me is that when I am working with my hands, my interfering, gossipy mouth seems to be less active.
A little while ago, I produced a verse by verse series in Philippians. I really enjoyed that exercise and have been wondering if I should take on another book. Well it turns out that 1 Thessalonians is the victim of my machinations, and hopefully, the thoughts produced by this fantastic book will edify and encourage the reader.
As with Philippians I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
1 Thessalonians 4:10 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,
Paul has just come off a topic that involves God as the avenger of a brother in the church, an avenger that will impact another soul in the church due to sexual immorality within the body of believers. A heavy discussion, even to the point of noting the rejection of God by the rejecting the message God provides.
But in the midst of this stain in the body, Paul does not loose sight of the bigger picture. He pivots to the topic of brotherly love, for the sake of the internal relationships within the Thessalonian body of believers, and confesses that thier witness of brotherly love is not simple a local phenomenom. Thier love is known throughout the churches of Macedonia.
Now I cannot imagine the size of the Thessalonian church by the time Paul has written this letter. At the birth of this congregation, according to Acts 17, the church accumulated “some Jews”, many devout Greeks and numerous leading women of the city as follower of Jesus.
Acts 17:4 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.
The church populated quickly and due to the persecution, the church learned to love each other, to lean on each other and to watch each other’s backs. After all, this is the nature of the believer, to mimic God in His saving acts towards those He loves.
For the Thessalonians, they took this matter to heart, not only internally within thier congregation, but throughout the Macedonian region.
Paul spoke of this zeal for others in the second Corinthian letter, a letter directed to a church just south of the Thessalonians in the Roman province of Achaia. He spoke of the grace of God given to the churhes of Macedonia, of thier readiness and thier support of the apostle.
2 Corinthians 8:1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,
2 Corinthians 11:9 And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way.
The thessalonian church was not restricted to thier city limits. Their impact was regional, and as Paul was exhorting them to reach farther out with thier brotherly love, the witness of this little church was immortalized in the Scriptures. Thier impact of brotherly love to other believers has become global as the good news is spread throughout the world,
This church is a stellar example of brotherly love, encouraging and leading many, even to this day, to sacrifice for our brothers.
A little while ago, I produced a verse by verse series in Philippians. I really enjoyed that exercise and have been wondering if I should take on another book. Well it turns out that 1 Thessalonians is the victim of my machinations, and hopefully, the thoughts produced by this fantastic book will edify and encourage the reader.
As with Philippians I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
1 Thessalonians 4:9 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,
Paul has given direction to the saints on the will of God for their lives in the previous passage, specifically in the area of sex. He speaks of the saint’s sanctification, and the specific call of God on the believer to abstain from sexual immorality.
He doesn’t bring up the topic of theft, or lying, or anger. All of these topics are completely in line with the sancification of the saints life.
Of course I suggested that this line of teaching was fueled buy a specific act of sexual immorality in the church by a brother against a brother, and though Paul does not name names for us, it surely was obvious in the church body of the tresspass.
He addresses the transgressor (and the entire church), bringing to note that the “Lord is an avenger in all these things”.
Sexual immorality in a saint’s life will result in the Lord making things right. To avenge a man’s right for his wife has got to involve serious actions on the part of the Lord. As considered, the best situation the transgressor could hope for is that he fall into a contrite repentance before the church, seek reparation and restoration of relationships he has destroyed, and plead for mercy from the Lord.
And brace for the inevitable consequences of his actions!
Now that I have given a brief overview of what I think is happening in the church in relation to the beginning portion of chapter 4, it is amazing that Paul pulls in our verse this morning.
Brotherly love.
Emotions must have been running high in the church, for if Paul had heard of this sin amongst the believers, being many miles away, we can safely say that the local rumor mill produced stories for the church to hear. And as such, attitudes and opinions would flare up, with each believer taking sides on story, justifying or excusing those they stood by.
Is it right? Of course not. God is the judge, and Paul has clearly laid that out.
It is human to take side. Oh my gosh – Do bears peepee in the woods?
But Paul leads off after a brutal discussion on a sinful situation in a small body of believers, with the topic of brotherly love. Does he not know of the pain, the emotional turmoil the believers are experiencing?
This is the very reason he brings the topic of brotherly love up, for the emotional strife that may be going on in the body has the potential for completely splitting the church, destroying the unity of the Spirit and damaging many lives!
He will teach, as we shall see in future posts, of the general truth of botherly love being worked out amongst the believers and before the world around them.
But for those in the church, this topic is the balm that they need to hear. The call of God to exercise brotherly love includes honest communication with each other, not simply listening to gossip. Brotherly love includes the forgiveness of each others faults and frailty, knowing we all fall into the base nature too often! Brotherly love includes the repair of any relationship amongst the sainsts that is damaged through misunderstandings, though listening to half truths, or simply believing all the gossip! Broterly love does not include judgement and condemnation.
Brotherly love is actually the very thing these saints need to exercise, instead of emotional tirades against each other, statements of judgement being flung about and feelings of hurt and pain being nursed by others.
Let me remind those who are reading this post, that brotherly love is not a feeling that we are given at salvation, that provides us the “warm fuzzies”. Brotherly love involves hard decisions to follow up with in the hope it is for the best of the brothers. Truth and grace is to be exercised amongst the saints, and brotherly love is the grease that makes this healing process happen.
So for Paul to bring up this topic right after a sinful act was exposed within the church makes perfect sense. And this approach is instructive for those of us who seek to lead others. Emotional distress is not to be catered to as it destroys relationships with the body. Brotherly love involves truth telling, forgiveness as required, a calmness of mind, an understanding heart and grace towards others, along with the rejection of gossip within the body, story telling to gain adherents and whispers of destruction.
My friends – if there is sin in your church, remember Paul’s admonition to the Thessalonians. Practice brotherly love and bring healing to the body!
A little while ago, I produced a verse by verse series in Philippians. I really enjoyed that exercise and have been wondering if I should take on another book. Well it turns out that 1 Thessalonians is the victim of my machinations, and hopefully, the thoughts produced by this fantastic book will edify and encourage the reader.
As with Philippians I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
1 Thessalonians 4:8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
Paul clearly understood he was speaking for God.
It is one thing to encourage in the name of God, to provide comfort in Jesus name, to build up and establish the saints in God’s name. These are activities that all believers can and should take part in, for we are to strengthen each other.
But to speak as Paul speaks in this verse is telling me that Paul, without a doubt, is speaking directly as of from the Lord. He is telling his faithful that though he is speaking the words from his mouth, though his secretary is writing the words on the parchment, the message is to be taken as directly from the Lord.
Paul is not providing his opinion, or the consensus of those with him. His words are the message of God for the sinning brother. Pay attention!
Yet this emphasis of Paul identifying God as the author of the message is not a lone message in the Word. Paul is apostolic, having been granted the authority of the Risen Christ in his message to the world.
Thankfully we have much of his message recorded for our edification, and in this particular instance, for our warning! This message is dire.
To disregard is not the same as to ignore. I think he may have rightly assumed the sinning brother would hear of this letter, and would read it, either on his own or by proxy, through a teacher in the church. Whichever way this brother hears Paul’s message, Paul wanted to make it clear. If this matter isn’t cleared up, it is because the brother has disregarded the matter.
It isn’t as if the brother did not have the conviction, for any saint that has the Spirit must surely have the inner conviction of the Lord in this instance. Beyond that, the written message of Paul would only compound the knowledge this saint had. Internal and external knowledge of his sin.
No restoration and repentance by the sinning brother would equal disregarding the conviction of the Lord, both internally and externally. To “disregard”, according to the Greek dictionaries, is to cast off, despise, disannul, frustrate, bring to naught or to reject.
To reject.
Paul is not mincing words here. He is speaking of the need for holiness in the life of the saint, which includes the abstaining of sexual immorality. If the saint does not respond, Paul is speaking of the rejection of God for his life.
If I understand this passage, Paul is saying much more than I first assumed. Given the synonyms for “disregard”, could not we replace the word disregard with reject, and get a somewhat clearer message?
Whoever rejects this message, rejects not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
As a matter of fact, a number of translations do that very replacement.
NKJV – Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.
NLT – Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
NIV – Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.
CSB – Consequently, anyone who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.
NASB20 – Therefore, the one who rejects this is not rejecting man, but the Godwho givesHis HolySpirit to you.
This passage speaks of Paul’s authority to pronounce the oracle of God, a message from God for a sinning brother. A message that indicates the consequence (rejecting God) of rejecting a message (from God)
This is the common refrain of the Word, that to reject the message is to reject the messenger.
A little while ago, I produced a verse by verse series in Philippians. I really enjoyed that exercise and have been wondering if I should take on another book. Well it turns out that 1 Thessalonians is the victim of my machinations, and hopefully, the thoughts produced by this fantastic book will edify and encourage the reader.
As with Philippians I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.
We have just waded through a passage speaking of the believers call to a life of sexual purity, of abstaining from sexual immorality. It appears that Paul had a message to provide the church, and it may have been related to a known incident in the church.
This is incredible, given his high praise for the church at the beginning of the epistle, how it had such a great witness amongst the unbelievers, and that even the believers far away spoke highly of this church’s faith.
1 Thessalonians 1:7-9 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. 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,
Yet there seemed to be a dark spot in the Body, and Paul wanted to make sure they understood the severity of it.
Our verse this morning reminds us of the general truth of God’s call on our lives, specifically in the realm of sex. At first glance, purity seems to be the call of God on our lives. Note that is not specifically Paul’s message. Paul’s term of reference in opposition to impurity is holiness. He speaks of impurity as that which is to be avoided, but holiness as the goal.
Paul went from a specific arena of potential sinful behavior and expanded it to the whole of the believers life. He does not limit the goal of the believer as simply purity in the sexual realm, but holiness. A complete setting aside of a life to God, including, but not only, sexual purity.
As the life is set aside for the Lord, sexual purity will become one area of life the Lord can minister to. If the believer is consecrated to the Lord, the door of opportunity for the Lord to work in the believers life is wide open.
For some this morning, sexual impurity may be the issue that has to be addressed in your life. For others, it may be gluttony, or tardiness, or foul thoughts.
Fighting one sinful area, while ignoring other areas will only provide the saint a frustrated life. A willingness to bend the knee to Him in our lives, not just a specific part of our lives, is the secret to overcoming any particular sinful action. Of course, by this I mean a continual, repetitive giving of our lives to Him, repenting of our sinful actions and thoughts.
A single decision for Him decades ago is not His calling for His child. I must remember that!
A little while ago, I produced a verse by verse series in Philippians. I really enjoyed that exercise and have been wondering if I should take on another book. Well it turns out that 1 Thessalonians is the victim of my machinations, and hopefully, the thoughts produced by this fantastic book will edify and encourage the reader.
As with Philippians I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
1 Thessalonians 4:6 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.
Ok – lets get this straight. Paul is talking to believers, and he is bringing up the subject of the Lord being an avenger.
An avenger!
Before we dig into this verse, let’s remember the context. It has been a week since I have considered this passage, and the old memory glands (or whatever holds my memories these days), is kinda leaky.
So let’s review.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-6a 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…
Ok so we have reestablished that Paul is addressing believers, that his concern is their sanctification, and this consecration/being set apart for God includes staying away from sexual immorality.
Now when Paul brings up the topic of sexual immorality (πορνεία porneía), he uses the broadest term available. This term is used when describing illicit sexual intercourse, adultery, fornication, incest, harlotry, bestiality and more. In my mind, any sexual activity outside of the bond of marriage would fall under this description.
This restriction was a massive challenge for the Greeks, as the culture they were saved out of reveled in this debauchery. Another example of this behavior was in the Corinthian church, a church which Paul continually expressed his amazement by their immoral sexual “freedoms”
For the Thessalonians, Paul had addresses this concern early on, warning them of the consequences, and that the Lord is the avenger.
Now it is important for the believer that all sexual immorality is to be abstained from. This is the base, or a foundational truth Paul has taught them, and that believers know is true. But in this passage, Paul adds a wrinkle we should take note of.
He speaks of transgressing and wronging his brother in this matter.
What? It is bad enough if there is a believer that is involved in sexual immorality, but Paul is speaking of a brother sleeping with another brother’s wife. Sexual immorality with a brother’s wife, a brother that he worships God with.
Consider the brother who is wronged.
Is it not incumbent on the Lord to deliver that brother justice for the wrongdoing? The betrayal this man felt must have been deep, and the Lord’s message to love his enemy placed him in an even deeper challenge.
Sometimes being a Christian is exceptionally difficult.
Consider the brother who sinned.
Now he has the hound of Heaven chasing him down, the Lord Himself being the wronged brothers avenger. The term used when Paul describes the Lord as an avenger is describing the one who exacts a penalty from the wrongdoer. The term also includes the concept of punishment.
Consider the only other time this Greek term is used in the New Testament.
Romans 13:4 ……But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.
The avenger in this case is the government, the civil authorities that use punishment as their management tool of the masses. When describing this avenger, the wrath of God is linked to the avenger. This is heavy stuff!
And what a mess! This one act, (if it was only one act by the sinful parties), has the capacity of completely destroying the work of the apostle, of decimating the church and of providing offence to so many in and out of the church,
The damage is great, and the Lord Himself is the avenger. This isn’t going to turn out well! The best possible solution is the complete repentance of the sinning party and full reconciliation of the damaged marriages. If this is possible, through the Lord’s mercy, there may be some recovery of church body.
But I surely would not want to be in the sinning brother’s boots. He has some hard times coming to visit him!
A little while ago, I produced a verse by verse series in Philippians. I really enjoyed that exercise and have been wondering if I should take on another book. Well it turns out that 1 Thessalonians is the victim of my machinations, and hopefully, the thoughts produced by this fantastic book will edify and encourage the reader.
As with Philippians I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
1 Thessalonians 4:5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;
In our third verse of this chapter, Paul’s introduced the will of God for these believers, and the first topic was that of sex. How is a Christian to live honorably towards God in the arena of sex in his life. First off, Paul speaks of abstaining from sexual immorality. Don’t sin.
It is somewhat obvious that a Christian is not to sin, but Paul reminds us of this requirement in our calling. But he simply does not give us a negative, without providing a replacement for the bed. Enter verse 4, where he speaks of being self controlled, and as mentioned earlier, the core idea is to rest in the Lord, to dwell in Him in order for the fruit of the Spirit, which contains self control is provided as we walk in the Spirit.
Now in verse 5, we find he is dealing with the Thessalonians regarding their specific background or history prior to salvation.
Remember, the Thessalonians were primarily a church of converted gentiles, and when converted, many if not all of the church, had been steeped in the culture of the Gentiles, living in the passion of lust.
This condition is prevalent in our modern society, and the modern church has somewhat abandoned this demand upon new converts. If a new convert is in a compromising relationship with someone, it is not dissuaded or condemned. It might simply be ignored.
In some cases it is encouraged, as if the church was never to make any judgement on the life choice of the convert. This is foolishness, and the death of the church.
To live in the passion of lusts, is to be controlled by feelings and cravings, to be led about by desires that are dictated by an unregenerate heart. This is not the condition a believer lives in, and Paul reminded the Thessalonians they had been called out of that life.
Paul tailored his message to the needs of the congregation he was dealing with, and when he was teaching the Thessalonians, the lustful passions of their prior existence came to the forefront of the discussion.
This verse is the beginning of a harsh warning to the church. It is not a light subject, and Paul loved them enough to challenge those he cared for.
A little while ago, I produced a verse by verse series in Philippians. I really enjoyed that exercise and have been wondering if I should take on another book. Well it turns out that 1 Thessalonians is the victim of my machinations, and hopefully, the thoughts produced by this fantastic book will edify and encourage the reader.
As with Philippians I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
1 Thessalonians 4:4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,
Paul continues with his teaching about sexual immorality, reminding the people of Thessalonica of the will of God for them.
The first topic out of Paul’s pen is the topic of sex. He had taught them of God’s will previously (vs2), and now is reminding them of God’s will (v 3), getting in this verse very specific as to who this applies to.
Each one of them. He does not allow the readers to gloss over this specific requirement, as if it applies to someone else but not them.
Each one of them (us)!
Ok Paul, you told us to abstain in the previous verse, which is the negative command, the command to “not” do something. This verse addresses the positive command, that which we are to “do”.
Control our own body. Self control. A fruit of the Spirit. It is the flip side of just abstaining, in that this particular fruit of the Spirit is not produced merely by our efforts in the sexual arena, but in the relationship we have with the Spirit.
Are we controlled by the Spirit? If so, self control is a “natural” experience we experience from the Lord.
Our effort to obey? Abstain. God’s work in our lives? Self control, a fruit of the Spirit. Both are to work in the believers life to bring about the will of God for each believer.
This is a common refrain in the Word. Compare Paul’s expanded teaching on this topic of our work and God’s work in the believers life for the Philippians.
Philippians 2:12-13 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
We are to abstain, but if our abstaining from sexual immorality is a work of the flesh, the evil we seek to avoid will erupt in some other area of our life. Self, without the control of the Spirit, will not be stopped. It is a voracious consumer of all things not of God, and though some may find success in abstaining from sexual sin, unless we are controlled by the Spirit, the self will simply find satisfaction in some other area of sin.
Our effort is to abstain, but if we ignore the repeated command to be controlled by the Spirit, to dwell in the Lord, to walk in His strength, we will simply be chasing our tail, experiencing no victory in our lives.
Be controlled by the Spirit, and find self control in God!
A little while ago, I produced a verse by verse series in Philippians. I really enjoyed that exercise and have been wondering if I should take on another book. Well it turns out that 1 Thessalonians is the victim of my machinations, and hopefully, the thoughts produced by this fantastic book will edify and encourage the reader.
As with Philippians I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;
Let’s remember that Paul is reminding these dear folk of his instructions for life in this and following passages. And he starts this list, describing the sanctification believers are to follow after with the topic of sex.
I find that very instructive, as we live in a culture drowning in sex. A culture that has not only exposed everyone to every sexual temptation, but is perverting in every way the sexual aspect of our lives.
And what does Paul say regarding sex? Abstain.
Well not absolutely!
It is sexual immorality that the believer is to abstain from. Let me remind my reader that Scriptural passages speak of sex within a marriage is “to be rejoiced in” and a pleasure to be experienced between two people. The Proverbs get quite explicit in describing the sexual intimacies!
Proverbs 5:18-19 Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.
I will let me reader peruse the book of Songs, where Solomon speaks of his love, and sexual desire, for the object of his love.
So when Paul is directing the believers to abstain from sexual immoralities, he is directing them to be faithful to their wives as a first step. Entering an unfaithful union outside of the marriage bond is strictly forbidden per multitudes of Scriptural commands, but I think Paul is going further than simply informing them of this restriction.
I think this way due to the term he uses in describing the actions the believers are to follow. They are to abstain.
Now, when I hear the term abstain, I think – Don’t do it! Simply don’t get involved. It is like the old saying that I hear from some – “You can look but you can’t touch”.
As long as we “don’t do it”, we may feel we have obeyed this instruction from Paul. Yet the term “abstain” in the Greek seems to carry with it the concept of distance.
Strong’s Dictionary actually defines the term for us.
ἀπέχω apéchō, ap-ekh’-o; from G575 and G2192; (actively) to have out, i.e. receive in full; (intransitively) to keep (oneself) away, i.e. be distant…. (italics mine)
How should we understand this alternate idea? Does it allow for viewing of sexual immorality, as long as we “don’t do it”? I would suggest this might not be Paul’s intent. And the application for those of us in our sexually dominated culture may be quite extensive.
How do we choose the movies we watch? If scenes of sexual immorality come up, (and when do they not?), do we turn away, do we skip the scene or do we simply turn off the flick?
If we go to a party and the music starts, with the dancing becoming explicit, as we have seen become popular in days past, do we jump on the dance floor and participate, or do we turn away, even leaving the celebration? This particular case needs wisdom, as some responses to this experience may be perceived as a “holier than thou” stance. It may appear as a judgmental position that is not, in my opinion, a good witness!
How about when you are grocery shopping and the magazine covers show too much skin – whatever that may be in your estimation – do you turn away, do you seek to honor God?
Even as you are interacting in the office or the work site, there may be some who seek attention and provide temptation for the eyes. How can we be “distant” from the sexual immorality that may be offered to the eye-gate for consumption.
Paul’s command to abstain from sexual immorality is far reaching, and is not restricted only to those who are in a married relationship. It is a challenge for each of us as we seek to honor the God we love.
A little while ago, I produced a verse by verse series in Philippians. I really enjoyed that exercise and have been wondering if I should take on another book. Well it turns out that 1 Thessalonians is the victim of my machinations, and hopefully, the thoughts produced by this fantastic book will edify and encourage the reader.
As with Philippians I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
1 Thessalonians 4:2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
Paul is the proverbial teacher, teaching his people what he is going to teach them, teaching them the subject matter, and then reminding them of what he taught them.
For our verse this morning, Paul introduces the subject of the next set of verses, informing them (and us) of his general teaching of the responsibility of believers in their walk of faith. Before we get to Paul’s repetition (for them, not us) of his teaching, I think it wise to remind each believer of the value of repetition.
For a young convert, the repetition of Godly teaching in a grace filled, loving Bible believing church is critical. Beyond that, the reading of the Word is to be repeated over and over in our lives, being constantly reminded, and thereby strengthened by the grace of God and His mercies.
After a period of establishment in the faith, the repetition of hearing and or reading of the Word continues to be a lifeline to the truth for the maturing believer. There is never a time when a believer can safely walk away from the Word, thinking he has acquired sufficient information. After all, the Word is not simply a book to provide information but the message of a loving Father to His children.
Paul instructed Timothy to remind his people
2 Timothy 2:14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.
Peter was of the same opinion, going so far as to say he will always remind his people of truth.
2 Peter 1:12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have.
But what is it that we are to be reminded of? For Paul, he was speaking to a small body of believers that were fully committed to the Lord, and he would begin in the next few verses getting somewhat specific – at least for their consciences!
Generally, the greatest subject of remembrance is revealed by the apostle Paul in his last letter to Timothy. He boils it all down to One subject
2 Timothy 2:8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead…
Even the Lord Himself directed the disciple that deserted Him to feed, to tend and (then again) to feed His sheep, to remind them of His teachings and then to simply follow Him
John 21:15 …”Feed my lambs.” John 21:16 …”Tend my sheep.” John 21:17 … “Feed my sheep. John 21:19 … “Follow me.”
Remember Jesus Christ today, and if you have a chance, remind someone of Who the Messiah is. We have clear instruction that this will not displease the Father!
A little while ago, I produced a verse by verse series in Philippians. I really enjoyed that exercise and have been wondering if I should take on another book. Well it turns out that 1 Thessalonians is the victim of my machinations, and hopefully, the thoughts produced by this fantastic book will edify and encourage the reader.
As with Philippians I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.
1 Thessalonians 4:1 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.
Consider the humility of the apostle Paul. He has been singularly appointed to be the apostle to the gentiles, to release the gospel of Jesus on the masses, while the original apostles work amongst those who should know better.
Paul, a man who was a force to be reckoned with, that led the charge to kill and stomp out that false religion sprouting up amongst the followers of that false prophet. This man was a go getter, and when he was arrested by the Lord on that road to Damascus, everything changed. Was he still strong willed, a force to be reckoned with? Yes of course, but now under the reign of the Patient One, Pauls metamorphosis is evident as we see him interact with those he ministers to.
He asks them to walk properly and please God. But watch out. Now he is getting forceful with his adherents. He urges them!
What happened to that force that took the bull be the horns and caused things to happen? Where is that man that force his will on others, even his will of death on others?
He asks. He urges. Come on Paul. Crack the whip!
But such is the servants life. A life of seeking the best for others, of appealing to the heart and not the mind, of reaching out in love as opposed to forcing by fear.
I realize I may have mentioned this passage before in previous writings, but consider 1 Corinthians 16:12
1 Corinthians 16:12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.
Here Paul goes out on a limb “strongly urging” Apollos to do his will in visiting the Corinthians. Yet Apollos walked. WHAT? Was not Paul the Apostle of the Freaking Apostles? Apollos should have bent the knee immediately to Paul’s wishes, but he had the freedom to choose otherwise. And Paul allowed this to take place.
Amazing! This freedom amongst the apostle is hard to fathom.
But I have gotten distracted from the core of this verse a bit. Note that Paul is admitting the Thessalonians are walking well, but he is seeking greater love, more compliance to the will of God, greater pleasure for the Father with His children.
And to consider the very idea that our walk may be pleasing to God. That very concept blows me away. That our frail efforts, broken intentions, weak obedience and soft desire for His will actually may please the eternal One.
My friends – this should cause us great amazement if we consider this response of God. The God who has provided us all things, provided us His very Son, and yet finds pleasure in us.
But alas – before the head expands to bursting, it is good to remember that the Father finds pleasure in His children as they reflect the Greater Son, the Lord Jesus. Our efforts are as nothing to the Father if we are off the vine, away from the life of God.
John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
