Bible Text: 1Thessalonians 5:19-22 | Pastor: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: 1 Thessalonians | The printable PDF bulletin/newsletter
and sermon notes
bottom of this web-page.
Vitally Important Don’ts and Dos…
Read 1Thessalonians 5:19-22…
“19 Do not quench the Spirit; 20 do not despise prophetic utterances. 21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil.”

Two weeks ago (1Thessalonians 5:16-18), we studied Paul’s command for us to continually, without ceasing, in every situation: be rejoicing, be praying, and be giving thanks, because this is God’s will for us in Christ.

Today, we are going to study 1Thessalonians 5:19-22, please follow along as I read through the text. In verses 19-20, we are commanded to not do two things: we are not to quench the Spirit, nor are we to despise prophetic utterances. Okay, but what do those mean?

The Spirit (verse 19), is of course the Holy Spirit, also called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, and the Spirit of Truth. The Holy Spirit is referred to masculine form

(John 14:16-17),
“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you

Paul commands that we do not quench the Spirit of God. Think about that word quench for a minute, you’ve heard thirsty people say after drinking some water, “boy, that really quenched my thirst.”

To quench something can mean to stifle, retard, or even extinguish its energy or working power; in reference to the Holy Spirit, this is paramount to us hindering or suppressing the work of the Spirit in our individual lives, and in the life of the church.

It is the Holy Spirit who regenerates us as spiritual children of God

(cf. John 3:5-8;
“5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.””

Titus 3:5),
“5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,”

fills us, seals us, places us in Christ’s body, sanctifies us

(cf. Ephesians 1:13-14;
“13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.”

1Corinthians 12:12-13, 18, 27;
“12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.”

“18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.”

“27 Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.”

Colossians 1:15-18;
“15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.”

2Thessalonians 2:13).
“13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.”

It is God’s Spirit who makes God’s Word effectual in our lives, that we might serve the Lord boldly and victoriously

(see 1Corinthians 2:12-16).
“12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. 14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.”

God loves and desires we grow spiritually healthy and strong

(see Psalm 119:11;
“11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.”

Ephesians 4:15;
“15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,”

1Peter 2:2).
“2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,”

As Christians, we can quench the Spirit’s work in us by not prayerfully, reverently, and expectantly reading, heeding, hiding God’s Word in our heart, and applying God’s Word to our life, as witnesses of His Grace.

We can also quench the Spirit by the way we respond to the difficulties and troubles in this life, e.g., instead of trusting God and seeking His provision and purpose in and through the events, circumstances and happenings in our life, we attempt to live by our own abilities and resources, holding up our own rights, freedoms, comforts and wants as priorities, instead of our witness for the Lord

Matthew 5:1-11;
“When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.”

Matthew 6:26-34).
“26 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 28 And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

God’s Spirit illuminates God’s Word, so that we can know the will of God and appropriate the provisions of God, in order to carry it out

(see Romans 12:2;
“2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Philippians 4:12-13, 19).
“12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

“19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

1Thessalonians 5:20
“20 do not despise prophetic utterances.”

We are warned not to despise prophetic utterances. The word translated despise here, means to look down upon, to consider as having no value, to show contempt toward.

The words prophetic utterances and prophecy are different forms of the same word, referring to both written and spoken words. The revelatory proclamation of God’s divine, sovereign and eternal Word was limited to the apostolic era; although, in the New Testament apostles and prophets proclaimed new revelation, but also reiterated divine truth that had already been spoken or recorded.

Prophetic utterances have ceased, i.e., there has not been given, nor will there be, any new revelation from God, the Bible is complete. However, the gift of prophecy [proclaiming God’s Word] by way of expositional and exegetical teaching, is the method and manner through which pastors-elders-overseers feed and care for God’s flock today.

Prophecy, for the most part, is a term that refers to God’s written Word.

2Peter 1:20-21,
“But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

However, God’s Word is not only to be read via the written text, it is to be heard as it is proclaimed, as John writes:

Revelation 1:1-3,
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near. “

Revelation 22:18-19,
“I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.”

Read 1Thessalonians 5:21-22…
“21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil.”

Now we come to three exhortations by Paul, to the church, that are vital for believers to do; and these have to do with spiritual discernment, based on the authority of God’s Word.

1Corinthians 2:1-11,
“And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; but just as it is written, ‘Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.’ For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.”

Colossians 2:8-10,
“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority.”
Ephesians 5:13-17,
“All things become visible when they are exposed by the light, everything becomes visible in light.” “For this reason it says, ‘Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.’ Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Ephesians 5:3-12,
“But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.”

Ephesians 5:1-2,
“Be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”

We are called to examine, to test and approve, to judge between true and false, right and wrong, good and evil; as we embrace, live out, and proclaim, that which is pleasing to the Lord.

Romans 12:9,
“ Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.”

Philippians 4:8,
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”

We are to abstain [keep away from] any evil [all that is displeasing to the Lord]: behavior, attitudes, teachings; anything that is harmful, including lies, falsehoods, deceptions, i.e., all that perverts spiritual truth, morality and goodness [by God’s standard].

As Children of God and servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, we must not do anything that is dishonoring to God and to God’s Word; but instead, we are commanded (Ephesians 5:18) “to be filled with the Spirit,” (Colossians 3:16), to “let the word of Christ dwell in [us] richly,” (Philippians 2:5), that our “attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus,” and (Galatians 5:25) we are to “live by the Spirit, [and] keep in step with the Spirit.”

These are all different ways of stating the same sovereign truth — that Christians are to live under the control of the Spirit of God, in harmony with the Word of God, in a demonstration that models the Son of God, in order that the character of God and obedience to His Word might be exemplified in and through our daily lives.
Pastor Mike
>’(((><
 

Bible Text: 1Thessalonians 5:16-18 | Pastor: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: 1 Thessalonians | The audio recording and full sermon study notes
will be available Sunday Evening.
July 12, 2020

Be Joyful Pray-ers, Giving Thanks, in Christ Jesus.
 

Paul encourages the Thessalonians, and all true believers in Christ, that we are to be joyful, to be praying, and to be thankful, for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus.

Read 1Thessalonians 5:16-18… In verse 16 Paul exhorts us to, “Rejoice always.” This is a biblical command for us to experience and express God’s joy continually, in Christ. Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”

At first it sounds rather impossible for us to do, given the many hardships we will experience in this life and the struggles we go through sometimes because we are at odds with the godless world around us. God understands this fully, as Peter expresses:

1Peter 4:12-13, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.”

Having trouble in this world is normal for believers, for the world (all that is opposed to God) hates Jesus, and therefore it hates those who belong to Him; and yet, we are told to be joyful, even if we suffer for Christ, for we know this world is not all there is.

Christians have an eternity to spend with God in heaven, where everything is perfect and there is no crying or mourning, or pain or death: but we are on earth, where the curse of sin corrupts and devastates all biological physical life, and yet we are enabled to joyfully and victoriously live for God right here, no matter what.

Philippians 4:12-13, “ I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” 19, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus declares, in Matthew 5:10, “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The source of our rejoicing is not to be found in this world, for it is because of fact one of the fruit of the Spirit that God gives us at the moment of our salvation?

Galatians 5:22-23, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”

The presence of the deep joy that causes us to rejoice, is a gift from God. When you believe in Jesus, as Lord and Savior, you are born into the Kingdom of God, and (Romans 14:17), “the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

As a believer in Christ you have God’s joy, the problem is you also have a will, and therefore you must chose to express this gift from God; just as you must also choose to be obedient to God’s Word.

When we consider all that God has done for us in Christ, and all that we will experience for eternity, how can we not rejoice! Peter understood this

(1Peter 1:3-9), “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”

There are many things that can hinder and even rob us of this God given joy: pride, disbelief, disobedience, ingratitude, ignorance of the Scriptures, lack of prayer, i.e., when we are not exalting God, not feeding upon His Word, not talking to Him in prayer, not obeying what we understand the Scriptures to teach; all these things can cause us to become joyless, incapable of rejoicing, even apathetic, spiritually disabled. We are able to rejoice, when we keep our focus on Christ, on all that we have been given in Him that we might enjoy this life on earth while waiting to be taken to heaven. Only when we are focused on God are we able to rejoice in all circumstances.

In 1Thessalonians 5:17, we are told to “pray without ceasing.” Praying is like breathing, and is necessary for a healthy spiritual life, just like proper breathing is necessary for a healthy physical life. Prayer is essential for one who is born of the Spirit of God, for it flows out of our dependence on God.

See Luke 11:1-4… The Disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray like John the Baptizer taught his disciples; and although there is no reference in the Bible concerning what John may have taught his disciples to pray, we can be pretty sure that it would have been in accordance with what John knew from the Old Testament Scriptures concerning God, God’s Son, and God’s Spirit, as they were revealed to him.

Jesus teaches His disciples to revere and worship the Father, to ask Him for their daily provisions, to seek forgiveness for their own sins as they have already forgiven those who have sinned against them, and that they not fall into the deceptive corruption of sin.

At our drive-up service on June 7, I taught through Matthew 6:9-13, commonly know as the Lord’s Prayer, where Jesus gives instruction on how we should pray. I took each phrase in that prayer and elaborated on what it means concerning Who we pray to, why we pray to Him, what we are to pray for, and when we are to pray. If you weren’t here, or if you just want a refresher on prayer, you may want to go to visit (fbcwaldport.org) in order to read, download or listen to that sermon.

See Luke 11:5-10… We are told in Luke 11:3, that we are to pray to God for our daily bread. And now Jesus uses a parable to teach His disciples something very important about “praying without ceasing.”

Whatever you are burdened about, bring it to God in prayer, and continue bringing it to God in prayer until it is resolved (see Luke 11:9-10). God responds to persistent prayers, but please know that the priority in this parable, is not for the acquisition or supply of physical bread.

See Matthew 3:16-4:4… Although Jesus is definitely hungry after 40 days without food (cf. 4:2-3), His focus and priority is not on His physical need for bread, but clearly is on the intimate relationship we have with God who provides spiritual food for us through His Word.

The early church made unceasing prayer a priority (Acts 1:14), “[They] all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer,” (Acts 2:42), “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Everything we do is to be aligned with and empowered by obedience to God’s Word and Prayer.

During the early weeks after the birth of the church, the Apostles stated their main priority (Acts 6:4), “We will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” Our prayer life should be stimulated, inspired, and provoked by the Word of God.

To the believers in Colossae Paul writes (Colossians 4:2), “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.” He tells the believers in Ephesus that they should be (Ephesians 5:20), “always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God,” and (Ephesians. 6:18), “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,” and again (Philippians 4:6), “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

The emphasis in those passages is that we are not only to revere and honor God with our life, but we must be conscious of God in our heart and mind, being spiritually alert, as we make our requests to Him in prayer, continually, without ceasing, on behalf of the church, our loved ones, ourself, and the lost. Prayer is as necessary to our spiritual life as breathing is to our physical life.

So, as we have read and studied this morning, God’s people, are to be rejoicing and praying continually, at all times, in every situation.

In 1Thessalonians 5:18, Paul adds a third category of action/attitude that is to be unceasing in our life, and that is to give thanks in everything. So, no matter what happens, without making any excuses or exceptions, we are to be giving thanks to God. Why? Because “this is God’s will for [us] in Christ Jesus.”

2Peter 1:2-4, “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature (Ephesians 1:13-14; 1Corinthians 12:13) having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”

We are all (since Adam & Eve) born in sin, deserving death, and yet, God demonstrated His own love for us by taking our punishment, dying in our place. Christ set us free from condemnation, providing forgiveness for our sins (past, present, future), but and eternal life, as children of God through Christ.

Romans 3:10-12, “There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God; All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one.”

Romans 3:23-24, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 8:1, “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (See Hebrews 10:16-17)

Romans 10:9-10, “I you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” 13, “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Christians, above all people, should be thankful; and yet, even believers can become unthankful, at times. What causes this? Some of the same unhealthy attitudes and actions that can turn our joy into despair, can also turn our thankfulness into ingratitude: pride, disbelief, disobedience, ignorance of the Scriptures, taking our eyes off of Christ, and failing to be prayerful.

We live in a culture where thankfulness is in decline, and is clearly not an inherent character trait of humanity, nor does it appear to be an attribute that many have been taught, let alone have learned, to express.

As Christians, we should be thankful in everything; and yet many of us are often discouraged and unthankful. We really need to stop focusing on what is going on in the world around us, and instead, we should be focusing on the One who is in us, for He is greater than anyone or anything in the universe: He has both declared and demonstrated that He loves us unconditionally; that He will never leave us or forsake us; and that He has provided everything we need to enjoy this life on earth and eternal life in heaven.

The chaos and confusion caused by Covid-19 is taking its toll on our culture, with all the bad news and bad behavior, the stay-at-home mandates, and the restrictions against intimate group fellowship, where we can encourage one another in Christ. All of this has the propensity to suck the life out of us as individuals, and corporately as God’s Church; but only if we allow the man-focused issues and problems in this world to take precedent over all we have been given in and through Christ: God’s Word, God’s Spirit, God’s Family.

Are you reading God’s Word daily and praying for God to guide you, strengthen you, comfort you? You need to be encouraged yourself, if you are going to be able to encourage others, during this disconcerting and often discouraging time of pandemic.

Those of you here today are taking advantage of our Sunday drive-in services, bless you! But what about the rest of you who may be reading or listening to this?  Have you attended one of our Zoom Bible Studies on Wednesday nights? How about getting a small group of friends together (using physical distancing and face masks) for a sack lunch and prayer time, someplace outside, i.e., at a local park or recreation area near you? Are you calling, texting, emailing your brothers and sisters in Christ to encourage them?

Hebrews 10:23-25, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

Only by knowing God’s Word and obeying it will you be able to (1Thessalonians 5:16-18), Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; [and] give thanks in everything, in accordance with God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Let’s Pray…
Pastor Mike
>’(((><

Bible Text: 1Thessalonians 5:15 | Pastor: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: 1 Thessalonians | The audio recording and full sermon study notes
will be available Sunday Evening.
July 5, 2020

Unifying Love
Read 1Thessalonians 5:12-15…
“12 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. 14 We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.”

“See that no one repays another with evil for evil.” The main reason we are not to return evil with evil is that it is God who will take revenge upon those who do evil to His people.

Romans 12:19,
“Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”

(pp. Deuteronomy 32:35;
“35 ‘Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, In due time their foot will slip; For the day of their calamity is near, And the impending things are hastening upon them.’”

Hebrews 10:30),
“30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.””

1Thessalonians 5:15b…
“15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.”

God’s people should desire, regard highly, and model, that which is good for everyone, but especially for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

See Ephesians 4:1-6…
“Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”

We are not to retaliate, we are not to try and get even, we are not too repay evil with evil; but instead, we are to do what is right and good, responding to evil in a manner that is honoring and reflective of God. I think it is obvious to most of us that we are never to use physical force to take revenge on someone for hurting us; but what about the way we use words? Do you ever use harsh and hurtful words through gossip, slander, or direct verbal attacks, on someone? Perhaps you have been the recipient of this verbal venom?

See Ephesians 4:29-32…
“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good foredification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”

Paul commands (verse 29) that we speak only what is good and useful to others. Unwholesome talk (used of rotten vegetables/fruit, spoiled meat), i.e., foul language and corrupt speech should not be part of the life of a Christian. This includes profanity, dirty stories, off-colored jokes, vulgarity, i.e., all useless and offensive language, along with any talk that causes injury or incites disharmony.

Most of us will acknowledge the difficulty we have controlling our tongue, at times. James describes its destructive character

James 3:8,
“8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.”

(see also James 3:1-7).
“Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur astricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. 4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.  See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the veryworld of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.”

Jesus says the tongue only speaks what is in the heart

Matthew 15:18-19,
“18 But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.”

A foul mouth is the faucet of filthy heart that needs to be cleansed by the Word of God. We are to put away all harmful language and learn to speak that which is pleasing to God and helpful to build up members of God’s family and encourage all those who hear

1Thessalonians 5:15b…
“15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.”

Our words are to be edifying [helpful for building others up], constructive, encouraging, uplifting, instructive; i.e., those things that harm, discourage, or disappoint, shouldn’t be said unless it is absolutely necessary to do so.

Most of us appreciate the person who speaks less and has something gracious and/or beneficial to say when he/she does speak, benefiting those who hear.

Our conversations should be a means of conferring blessings and grace to others, not condemnations and condescensions. We were saved by grace and we are kept through grace; we are therefore to live and speak with grace.

It takes more effort to find something encouraging to say, then it does to say something that is condescending or cutting. We’ve all heard this saying, “If you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all.” There would be a lot more silence in our communications, if that were the standard. As Christians, we are to talk to each other graciously, generously, and respectfully.

In Ephesians 4:30,
“30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

Paul speaks of the sorrow brought to the Holy Spirit by our unwholesome and unedifying words. Uncharitable and godless talk is sin and we must avoid doing this.

In Ephesians 4:31…
“31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.”

we are commanded to “put away,” to get rid of, and to have nothing more to do with anything that is sinful. “All” expresses a need to get rid of any trace of these sins.

“Bitterness” is grudge-filled animosity that turns a person sour and venomous.

“Wrath” [rage] is uncontrolled frustration that leads us to act upon our bitterness.

“Anger” is emotional stewing and brewing that leads to deep smoldering, that often ignites into very unloving words, and sometimes, actions.

“Clamor” is loud cries or outbursts [i.e., brawling, loud quarreling], this is often witnessed in public outbursts, where someone totally loses control of their emotions and their words.

“Slander” is evil speaking [causing injury with speech], i.e., to falsely accuse or defame someone, this is driven by a bitter heart.

“Malice” is the general term for evil and Paul tells us to get rid of every form of it; all that is unhelpful, unkind, self-centered and carnal; that which is contrary to the mercy, grace and love of God.

These sins break fellowship, destroy relationships, and weaken the church’s testimony to the lost. When unbelievers see Christians acting this way toward one another, they have no desire to hear what we have to say about Christ; for they can’t see God’s love in us.

Ephesians 4:32…
“32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”

commands us to express sincere concern and compassion toward others; forgiving “as” God has forgiven us. We are all guilty of sin, and we have been forgiven much more than we will ever be asked to forgive someone else; we should therefore, be eager to forgive others.

As a Christian, your very life belongs to God, and so you should speak and act in a manner that is gracious, appropriate, and edifying to your brothers and sisters in the Lord, while also being a witness to all those who do not belong to God, so that they might see the love of Christ in you and ask you to tell them about Jesus Christ: crucified, resurrected, and coming again.

John 13:34-35,
“34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.””

Jesus died for sinners like you and me. He paid the highest price and He suffered the greatest pain — so that anyone who believes in Him will be spiritually birthed into God’s eternal family.

The OT is full of God’s promises about the coming Savior, born of a woman and yet the Son of God, He would serve as the Sacrificial Lamb of God, the full payment for all our sin.

The NT records the fulfillment of these promises declaring that Jesus Christ is the Savior, and that He paid the penalty for our sins, on the Cross, demonstrating God’s greatest expression of love toward us, that we might not perish but have eternal life.

Read Ephesians 5:1-2…
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”

We are commanded to imitate God, to live a life of love, as did Jesus Christ, for He was God in the flesh, and we are to follow His example:

Colossians 2:9,
“9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,”

1John 2:6,
” the one who says he [lives] in Him [Christ] ought himself to walk in the same manner as He [Jesus] walked.

Read 1John 4:7-8…
“7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

Love and obedience are synonymous and they are to be reflected through the actions and the attitudes of a Christian’s life.

Just as God has expressed His love for us, we also are to express our love for one another; in fact, for a person to say he/she is a Christian, and at the same time to be unwilling to forgive another Christian, is a contradiction; for, God is Love, and if you are His child you will also love.

Read 1John 4:9-10…
“9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

God sent His Son to take our punishment for sin, this is God’s greatest expression of love toward us

(cf. 2Corinthians 5:21).
“21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Jesus is the once-for-all atoning sacrifice for all our sins; He is the full and final and only payment that satisfies God’s judgment upon sin.

Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, but only those who repent and believe in Him are freed from the penalty of sin

(Romans 10:9-10, 13).
“9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

13 for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.””

John 1:12-13,
“12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Read 1John 4:13…
“13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.”

God confirms in our heart that we belong to Him; and at the moment of genuine salvation God places His Spirit in us, marking us as His own possession

Ephesians 1:13-14,
“13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed i  Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.”

Read 1John 4:19…
“19 We love, because He first loved us.”

We are able to love others because God first loved us. And if you have received God’s love, you will express God’s love by loving others in His name. Jesus is our example of how we are to love others.

Love is a verb that declares both the action and the attitude of our service to God, that we might live a life of love; and this is clearly seen in the way we treat, talk to, and talk about our sisters and brothers in Christ.

John 13:35,
“35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.””

I believe every one of us here today, if we are honest with ourselves, needs to ask God to reveal in our own heart, where we have failed to love others on His behalf; where we have failed to forgive those who have offended us; where we have failed to seek forgiveness from those whom we have offended.

Read 1John 4:2…
“2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God;”

Let there be no mistake, you cannot love God and at the same time continue to be unwilling to express your love toward your brothers and sisters in Christ (i.e., reaching out to, caring for, freely forgiving and freely receiving forgiveness from other Christians).

Ephesians 5:1,
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.”

Hebrews 9:27-28,
“27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, 28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.”

Hebrews 12:1-3,
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

1Thessalonians 5:15,
“15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.”

 
And all God’s children said?
Amen!
Pastor Mike
>’(((><
 
Communion

Following Communion

Blest Be the Tie

Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.

Bible Text: 1Thessalonians 5:12-13 | Pastor: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: 1 Thessalonians | June 21, 2020

Shepherding Responsibly
Read 1Thessalonians 5:11-13…
“11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. 12 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.”

In verse 11 Paul commends the believers in Thessalonica for encouraging one another and for building one another up.  Now in verse 12, Paul makes a request of the believers, concerning how they are to think about those who have the responsibility to lead them:

– To appreciate their diligent labor among them.
– To hold them in high regard, because of their work.

Paul asks the believers

(1Thessalonians 5:12)
“12 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction,”

to show appreciation for those who have been given the responsibility to care for, teach, and look out for them. The Greek word oida, used here, is translated appreciate [meaning to personally know and respectfully value] the work these leaders are doing in the church.

Paul also asks

(1Thessalonians 5:13)
“13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.”

that the believers esteem these men highly, i.e., that they think about these leaders in high regard, not because of some innate goodness, but because “of their work,” which Paul stated in verse 12 as being “in the Lord.”

It was the Apostles of Christ who brought the Word of God to both Jews and Gentiles, beginning with the Day of Pentecost, when all the believers were gathered together in Jerusalem, and the first local congregation was formed

(see Acts 2:42-47).
“42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their [meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

The Apostles were called and commissioned by Christ Himself to act on behalf of God and to proclaim the very Word of God with power

(see 1Thessalonians 1:5).
“5 for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.”

As the church grew and local assemblies were formed, it was the Apostles (as agents of God) who set apart leaders to care for, oversee, and build up those who belonged to God and were part of the body of Christ.

Ephesians 4:11-12,
“And He gave some as apostles… and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.”

There are some special terms used in the New Testament to identify and characterize those men who would be ordained by God to watch over and care for the family of God, the Church, the Body of Christ: Elder [presbuteros, pres-boo’- ter-os] is spiritually mature, an example to others: Who the man is. Overseer [episkopos, e-pe’-skop-os] has oversight of and manages the church: What the man does.. Shepherd/Pastor [poimen, poy-mane’] caring for the sheep, i.e., feeding/teaching: How the man serves.

The Pastor is not a different person from the overseer or elder. These are different ways to identify the same man, e.g., two passages use all three terms.

Acts 20:17,
[Paul] “sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church”.

Acts 20:28
“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”

1Peter 5:1-3,
“Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.”

This man [pastor, elder, overseer] is called to watch over the flock of God and is a steward and caretaker of what belongs to God.

These men [pastor-elder-overseers] are to set an example by their own lives. This is why very specific qualifications are given in

1Timothy 3:1-7;
“It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. 4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), 6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. 7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”

Titus 1:6-9..
“6 namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. 7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.”

for men who will serve in this way; and there is special mention made in

1Timothy 5:17,
“17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.”

concerning their ability to teach, “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.”

There are some very distinct responsibilities laid out in Scripture for Pastor- Elder-Overseer:

Preach & Teach God’s Word

[1Timothy 3:2;
“2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,”

2Timothy 4:1-4;
“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”

Titus 1:9]
“9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.”

Appoint other elders

[2Timothy 2:2;
“2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

Titus 1:5;
“5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you,”

Acts 14:23]
“23 When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”

Direct the affairs of the church

[1Thessalonians 4:1-2;
“Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. 2 For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.”

1Thessalonians 5:12;
“12 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction,”

1Timothy 5:17;
“17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.”

Hebrews 13:7,
“7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.”

Hebrews 13:17]
“”17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

Oversee the finances of the church

[Acts 4:32-35;
“32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.”

Acts 11:29-30]
“29 And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. 30 And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.”

Determine and manage church government

[Acts 15:6,
“6 The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter.”

Acts 15:19-20;
“19 Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles, 20 but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood.”

Acts 16:4-5]
“4 Now while they were passing through the cities, they were delivering the decrees which had been decided upon by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem, for them to observe. 5 So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.”

Guard, protect, lead and feed the church

[Acts 20:28-31;
“28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.”

1Peter 5:1-4]
“Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”

Now, in reference to the church in Thessalonica, remember, this was a young church [6-12 months old], and it was very unlikely that there were many (if any) mature believers, at that time; and yet, Paul had evidently identified (with the Holy Spirit’s leading) some men he had set apart

(1Thessalonians 5:12)
“who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord, and give you instruction.”

Paul’s appointees were no doubt in Paul’s training program in order to be able to teach other new believers in Thessalonica (like themselves), the Word of God, in order to nurture and mature them.

2Timothy 3:16-17,
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

But these men placed in positions of leadership in the church in Thessalonica weren’t apostles, and most likely weren’t well schooled in the Old Testament Scriptures, as this was a Greek city in a Greek culture..

So they would have been using Paul’s writings and teachings, along with other available writings and/or teachings from other Apostles. As you can imagine, it was perhaps hard for these new believers (as appointed leaders) in the church in Thessalonica, to gain the respect of other new believers in the church.

No wonder Paul says in

1Thessalonians 5:13
“Live in peace with one another,”

that the believers should “esteem them very highly in love because of their work.” The work of these appointees was to teach the Word of God as it had been given to them by the Apostles; and so, these ‘young in the faith’ leaders were to be regarded with respect because of the job they had been given

(1Thessalonians 5:12),
“to have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction.”

Their job was the ministry of the Word of God

(Ephesians 4:12),
“for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.”

And so, Paul urges the believers to respect, love and to regard highly these men who, although young in the faith themselves, are serving the church (let me just say here, that if Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit selected men to serve; they were no doubt more mature in their understanding of the Scriptures than the majority of the new believers in Thessalonica); and therefore, Paul is basically exhorting the believers to not make the task of these men more difficult than it already is, by not showing them the proper respect.

Hebrews 13:7,
“Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.”

Hebrews 13:17,
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.”

Paul is basically saying to the Thessalonians, “don’t give these guys a hard time, help them help you. I put them in these positions of leadership to serve you, because I couldn’t be there myself. If you disrespect them, you are disrespecting me. Don’t critique them for being young in the faith, you are all young in the faith; but God has ordained that these men will serve, in order to nurture and lead you as God intends for them to.”

In a sense, Paul is saying, “if you aren’t able to show them respect for what they do in the Lord’s service, because of some pet peeve, personal bias, or an improper evaluation of them that you may have, shame on you; instead, what you ought to consider is this: Do these men love the Lord? Do they delight in God’s Word? Are they diligent in handling God’s Word with reverence and urgency? Do they show love and care for the flock of God? Do they have a heart for the downtrodden, the broken hearted, for orphans and widows and castaways?

In the last part of

1Thessalonians 5:13
Paul says, “Live in peace with one another,” i.e., Paul is saying, live in peace with your brothers and sisters in Christ, with those who serve over you [like these men chosen to lead the church there], with those who serve alongside you [most everyone else in the church], and with those who may serve under you [perhaps a subordinate or slave].

To the Christians in Rome Paul wrote

(Romans 12:18),
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”

The point is, we all need to make it our purpose and practice to be peace makers and peace maintainers, for Jesus said,

Matthew 5:9,
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

Having repented of sin and believed in Christ as Lord, August 1, 1978, I began actively serving the Lord as I was growing in my knowledge of God and understanding of His Word, and in 1986 I stepped into my first pulpit in Mariposa, CA, as Pastor Mike, and I can say without any regrets, it is an awesome privilege to labor among God’s people as a pastor-elder-overseer: preaching, teaching, discipling, and counseling with God’s Word; sharing the Good News of salvation with the lost, while protecting God’s people from false teachers and false doctrines, by rebuking and refuting all that is contrary and/or opposed to the character and nature and revelation of God in Christ, bringing all such things under the sovereign authority and judgement of God’s Eternal Word.

I am so very thankful to God to have been allowed the privilege of serving here at the First Baptist Church in Waldport for the past fourteen years, what a glorious adventure it has been, and I look forward to whatever number of years the Lord has ordained for me to continue serving here, in this relationship with you all.

If you belong to God through Christ, you have the blessed assurance of salvation and eternal life; if you don’t know or you are unsure, why not consider accepting God’s precious gift to you right now

(Romans 3:23;
“23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

Romans 6:23;
“23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 5:8;
“8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 8:1;
“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Romans 10:9-10,
“9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

Romans 10:13)?
“13 for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.””

Forgiveness for all your sins (past, present, future) and eternal life in order to enjoy the new heavens and hew earth, where there will be no more crying, or pain, or death, or darkness; this is the free gift of God, made effectual in and through the sacrificial death and sovereign resurrection of God’s One and Only Son, who is both Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ: Crucified, Resurrected, and Coming Again to take us to be with Him forever!
Pastor Mike
>’(((><

Bible Text: 1Thessalonians 5:4-11, | Pastor: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: 1 Thessalonians | June 14th, 2020

Night and Day
1Thessalonians 5:4-11
God recognizes two groups of people in the world: believers and unbelievers, the saved and the lost, those in darkness and those in the Light, children of the devil and children of God, Christians and non Christians.

John 8:12,
“I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

Read 1Thessalonians 5:1-3…
“Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.”

The Day of the Lord is a time of judgement and wrath for unbelievers; it will come like a thief in the night, and will be a time of destruction, gloom, and darkness

(cf. Zephaniah 1:15;
“15 A day of wrath is that day, A day of trouble and distress  A day of destruction and desolation, A day of darkness and gloom, A day of clouds and thick darkness,”

Amos 5:18).
“18 Alas, you who are longing for the day of the Lord, For what purpose will the day of the Lord be to you? It will be darkness and not light;”

Read 1Thessalonians 5:4-5…
“4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness;”

Christians won’t be overtaken by the Day of the Lord because they are of the day and not of the night; but Satan’s kingdom is one of darkness and all who reject Christ live in disobedience and spiritual darkness.

John 3:19-20,
“This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.”

Ephesians 4:17-18,
“So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God…”

Ephesians 5:6-14,
“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.  Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, ’Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’”

2Corinthians 4:6,
“For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”

2Corinthians 6:14,
“Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?”

All who believe in and belong to Christ are children of the Light, citizens of God’s kingdom of Light (where it is always day), for there is no darkness there and there will never be any night.

Since the very beginning, God has been separating Light from Darkness:

Genesis 1:1-4,
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.”

After the Rapture of the Church, the Tribulation, the Return of Christ, the Millennial Kingdom, the White Throne Judgement, the Destruction of the Old Heavens and Earth, and the Creation of the New Heavens and New earth, the New Jerusalem comes down out of heaven, and we are told

(Revelation 21:23-25),
“The city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light…(for there will be no night there).”

Revelation 22:5,
“And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.”

At the end of all things, as we now know them, there will no longer be darkness.

Read 1Thessalonians 5:6-8…
“6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. 7 For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. 8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.”

Because Christians are people of the day (having the Light of God), we are to remain alert and sober, i.e., we are not to be unaware or indifferent to what is going on in the world spiritually and morally, like someone who is non-responsive, as if in a coma.

Do true believers at times act like unbelievers? Absolutely, but Paul admonishes us not to act like “night” people who are either sleeping or getting drunk. The word in verse 7 translated “sleep” is from a different Greek word than the one that is often used to refer to the sleep of death

(cf. 1Thessalonians 4:14),
“14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.”

Paul uses a word here that refers to cognitive, moral, or spiritual sleep, i.e., passive cluelessness as to what is going on around you, as if you were sitting in an extremely dark room with noise cancelling headphones on; while at the very same time, you were purposely and actively participating in the sin of getting drunk.

Paul exhorts us that this should never be said of a child of God, because children of the day and of the Light, have figuratively (1Thessalonians 5:8) put on certain pieces of spiritual armor provided by God; here, the breastplate of faith and love, and a helmet, the hope of salvation.

Notice the adjectives used to describe this breastplate (faith and love), and this helmet (the hope of salvation)? Faith, love, and hope are the top three virtues of Christianity, and in fact, Paul referenced them in the first chapter of his letter to these believers

(cf. 1Thessalonians 1:3).
“3 constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father,”

So, our faith is likened to a breastplate (which was meant to protect the heart of the wearer);

(Ephesians 6:14)
“14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,”

we are told to put on the armor of God, verse 14 describes the Breastplate of Righteousness. It is called this because our faith (our complete trust, belief, and confidence) is in the death and resurrection of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, for He is our righteousness; He guards our heart.

2Corinthians 5:21,
“God made Him [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Hebrews 11:1, 3, 6…
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
3, “By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.”
6,“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”

The substance of our faith (which protects our heart, like a breastplate) is God’s gracious, merciful, unconditional, eternal, and sacrificial love for us.

John 3:16,
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

Romans 5:8,
“God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

In Ephesians 6:17,
“17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Paul talks about a piece of armor he calls the Helmet of Salvation. But what is the hope of salvation

(1Thessalonians 5:8)

that Paul attributes to this helmet?

The Bible is very clear that when we repent and believe in Christ we are saved, i.e., we have salvation, so why would we hope for something we already have? I don’t believe Paul is speaking about the moment of our salvation, when we confess Christ as Lord, repenting of our sins; but instead, Paul is speaking of a future event when our salvation will be full realized, as Paul wrote in

Romans 13:11,
“our salvation is nearer to us now than when we [first] believed.”

Clearly, Paul is speaking about a future event when the Lord

(Philippians 3:21),
“will transform [our lowly] body into conformity with [His glorious body],”

i.e., this is a time in the future when our earthly mortal bodies will put on heavenly immortality, the glory of eternal life will be fully realized.

There are other passages of Scripture that help us have clarity on this:

1John 3:2,
“Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.”

1Corinthians 13:12,
“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.”

1Corinthians 15:47-49,
“The first man [Adam] is from the earth, [he is] earthy [Lit. made of dust]; the second man [Jesus] is from heaven. As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly. Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly.”

When we see Christ face to face, we will be like Him, with full knowledge, but we will also have a heavenly, eternal, glorified body. What a glorious day that will be!

Read 1Thessalonians 5:9-11…
“9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.”

What a great and marvelous God! He loves us so much that He is not willing that we should go through the time of His wrath known as the Day of the Lord, when He will bring judgment upon all those on the earth who continue to reject Christ as Lord. “God has not destined us for wrath.” Earlier I read Romans 5:8, let me read that again, adding verse 9.

Romans 5:8-9,
“God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.”

2Peter 3:7,
“The present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgement and destruction of ungodly men.”

It is very sad indeed, and yet it is an absolute reality, that although our Lord made full payment for the sins of all people, for all time, His death and resurrection will provide salvation only for those who repent of their sins and trust in Him to forgive them.

For those who repent and genuinely believe in Christ, God will pour out His blessings, not His wrath:

2Peter 3:10, 13…
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.”

13, “But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.”

Matthew 25:34,
“ Come you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

1Thessalonians 4:13-17,
“13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.”

Paul makes it clear that none of those who belong to the Lord will miss the Rapture, we will all be caught up in the air with Him.

(1Thessalonians 5:4-5),
“4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness;”

Paul makes it clear that the day of the Lord (a day of wrath) will come upon those who are in darkness, those who reject God; where as,

(1Thessalonians 5:9).
“9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,”

God has determined that we who belong to Him, sons and daughters of the Light, are not destined for wrath; and in fact

In 1Thessalonians 5:10,
“10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.”

we will be caught up to be with the Lord long before the Day of the Lord comes upon the unbelieving inhabitants of the earth [earth dwellers].

God has granted us everything we need to know Him, to be loved by Him, to love and serve Him while we are on this earth, and to trust Him to care for us, to guide, lead and strengthen us, until He comes back to take us to be with Him forever, and too enjoy the hew heavens and new earth, like it was meant to be in the beginning, before the curse of sin entered our world, bringing conflict, chaos, sickness and death.

Glory be to God, for He will make all things new

(Revelation 21:4-5),
“4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”  5 And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He *said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”

and in God’s Kingdom of Light where we will live for eternity, there will never again be any death, or mourning, or crying, or pain, for those things would have passed away and will have ceased to exist.

Glory be to God in the highest, Who was and Who is and Who is yet to come, the Almighty; the Alpha and the Omega, worthy is He, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and worship and praise, forever and ever. Amen.
Glory be to God of Light!
 
Pastor Mike Hale  
 >’(((><
 

Bible Text: 1Thessalonians 5:1-11 | Pastor: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: 1 Thessalonians | 5.31.20 – 1Thessalonians 5:1-11
The Day of the Lord: Part Two
Last week we began by looking at 1Thessalonians 5:1-3
Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.

We spent most of our time together studying the phrase “the day of the Lord.” But there are more phrases (1Thessalonians 5:2-3) with deep eschatological importance, packed full of theological wealth, like a treasure chest full of precious jewels. I am excited to have the opportunity to unpack these powerful phrases for you, as we continue our study about “the day of the Lord.”

Notice in the beginning of 1Thessalonians 5:2, Paul reminds the Thessalonians that they know full well, meaning they know for certain, without any doubt, i.e., it is confirmed by their knowledge of Scripture that, “the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.” It doesn’t say that the Lord will come like a thief in the night, but that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night, i.e., unexpectedly, suddenly, without specific warning.

As I mentioned last week, the events that are included in the day of the Lord are set off by the Rapture of the Church, when we will be caught up to meet Christ in the air. After that event will come the Rise of the Antichrist, the Tribulation Period, the Second Coming of Christ, Armageddon, Satan’s Imprisonment, the Millennial Kingdom, Satan’s Release, Worldwide Rebellion, the White Throne Judgment, and the Destruction of the Heavens and the Earth; all of these occur during the period of time known as the day of the Lord, which (1Thessalonians 5:1) is made up of times “Chronos” (clock/calendar) and epochs “Kairos” (special events/periods of time].

There is a day called the Great Day of the Lord (cf. Zephaniah 1:14), that speaks of the Second Coming, at the end of the 7-year tribulation, when Christ returns to the earth ( cf. Revelation 19 ) as a victorious warrior on a white stallion. He will render judgment on everyone alive (at that time) who rejects Him.

Note: When Jesus came to earth the first time, He was born to a virgin named Mary, in Judea, in Bethlehem. He was a helpless baby boy, yet He was given the Hebrew name Yeshua [Greek, Jesus] meaning God’s Salvation; and He was called (in Hebrew) Immanuel (cf. Isaiah 7:14), and in Matthew 1:23, we are told it means God with us. Jesus was raised in Galilee in obscurity, and at the age of 30 He began His mission (John 1) as the Lamb of God, with God the Father declaring from heaven that “this is My Son.” He was put to death three years later, as full payment to God for the sins of all people for all time. Most of the world rejects Him as God; His own people (the Jews) cried out for Him to be crucified, and so He was put to death, buried, and on the third day He rose from the grave, just like He had repeatedly told His followers He would. He also told them that He would return to take them to be with Him forever.

The timing of the Lord’s return in the air is unknown, but could happen at any time, as all things in Scripture have been fulfilled for the Rapture to occur.

But the Second Coming of Christ to the earth will come like a thief in the night, and it will be terrifying for those who are there who reject the Lord, for the Day of the Lord will catch unbelievers by surprise

(1Thessalonians 5:3),
“While they are saying, ‘Peace and safety!’ destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.”

Does the Bible use the imagery of a thief coming at night, anywhere else? Yes!

Please turn to Matthew 24:42-44…
42 “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. 43 But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 44 For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

Christ’s return should not surprise you like a thief breaking into your home. Think about that! If you are awakened at night to the sound of what you think is a thief in your house, it might cause you to become fearful; however, if you are awakened at night to the sound of what you believe is a loved one returning home from a long trip, you will most likely be joyful and happy, for you have been expecting them.

Jesus (when He was on earth) told His disciples that only the Father knows the timing of His return, but that they should be ready, and that there would be signs (times and epochs) that would lead up to His return to the earth.

See Matthew 24:3-5, 11…
3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
4 And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.
5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.

11 Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.

It would seem that one of the first signs of Christ’s Return, and of the end of the age, will be the appearance of many false Christ’s and false prophets, who will mislead [deceive] many

(2Timothy 3:13),
“Evil men and imposters will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”

In 1954, Sun Myung Moon started the Unification Church in Korea; it was believed by its members that at age 15 Jesus Himself anointed Moon as the Messiah to carry out God’s unfinished work and become the father of all humanity. Moon did mass weddings, e.g., at Madison Square Garden in 1982, over 2,000 couples were married, becoming “Moonies,” children of Moon. In 2004, in front of astonished members of Congress at a Capitol Hill luncheon, Moon had himself crowned “humanity’s savior.”

In 1978, Jim Jones convinced his followers, from the People’s Temple, to drink Kool-aid laced with cyanide: 913 adults and children died, including Jones, who declared that he was the reincarnated Christ; yet, his body remains in the mass grave where it was buried in Oakland, CA.

In 1993, David Koresh was the leader of a group of 76 Branch Davidian members (including 28 children), who lived at a ranch near Waco, Texas, where they would all die with him, believing he was the Christ, the Anointed One to Whom the Seven Seals in the Book of Revelation was given.

In 1995, Marshall Applewhite posted an internet message saying, “I [AM], Jesus —Son of God,” referring to himself as the Second Coming of Christ. On March 26, 1997, 39 members of Applewhite’s Heaven’s Gate cult committed suicide, so their souls might supposedly rendezvous with a spaceship, said to be following the HaleBopp comet, that would take them to heaven.

We should not be surprised that many have already come who claimed to be Christ, for Jesus told us this would happen; but everyone of those so-called Christ’s is dead and their bodies remain in the graves.

Let’s take a look some more times and epochs that will lead up to the time of Christ’s return to the earth, at the end of the Tribulation Period.

See Matthew 24:6-7…
6 You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.

Worldwide chaos will continue to become more and more intense, expressed by wars, famines, earthquakes, etc. Listen to this quote from the World Meteorological Organization in Geneva: “Floods, heat, cold and other extreme weather changes are [consistently] increasing in intensity as well as frequency,” and have been doing so decade by decade, since the 1950’s.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology states, “storms are lasting longer at higher intensity than they were 30 years ago; hurricane durations have increased by about 60% since 1949, and the average peak storm wind speeds have increased about 50% since the 1970s.”

Now, please look at Matthew 24:8.
8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

Do you see that? All these things are said to merely be the beginning of birthing pains, as sin takes its toll on this planet: famines, earthquakes, floods, draughts, tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis, rising heat and freezing temperatures, are on the increase worldwide; not to mention new viruses that are killing hundreds of thousands of people.

Sin is taking its toll on the people of this planet: calamities and confusion have led to an escalating spiritual and mental health crisis; unspeakable crimes are committed against adults and children, our prisons are overcrowded, and people are stressed out and weary: psychologically, physiologically, and emotionally.

2Timothy 3:1-5,
“Realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” “…Avoid such men as these.”

No one escapes consequences in a world like that, but the people of God have been equipped to endure in the midst of the chaos and destruction in this world.

Philippians 4:6-7,
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:13,
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Philippians 4:19,
“And my God will supply ]all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Romans 12:17-18,
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

See again 1Thessalonians 5:3,
“While they are saying, ‘Peace and safety!’ then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.”

Arabs and Jews have been warring and killing one another for 4000 years; and yet after the rapture of the Church, when the Antichrist rises to power, he will broker a 7-year peace treaty between Israel and the Arab nations, and there will be a short-lived time of “peace” between them, unlike anything that has ever happened in history.

Daniel 9:27,
“He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering.”

We are told that 3.5 years into the 7-year peace treaty, the Jews are offering sacrifices in their temple, on the same site as the Dome of the Rock (the Islamic shrine located on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem, where the Jewish Temple used to be until AD 70, when it was torn down and destroyed.

The Antichrist [the abomination that causes desolation, Daniel 9:27; 12:11; Matthew 24:15] will stand in the Holy of Holies in the Temple and he will put a stop to all sacrifice and worship of both the God of Judaism and the god of the Islam , demanding that he alone is to be worshipped.

This event leads to worldwide confusion and chaos, destruction and death, during the last 3.5 years of the Tribulation, known as the Great Tribulation, a time when God’s wrath will be poured out like never before, and never again (Matthew 24:21), “For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.”

What you need to know and to make sure of today, is this: If you have not repented of your sins and trusted in Jesus Christ for Salvation, you need to do that right now, right here.

Why is salvation through God’s Son the most important heart/mind decision you will ever make? I’m so glad you asked

Romans 3:10-12
10 as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one; 11 There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God; 12 All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one.”

Romans 3:23-24
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;

Romans 5:8
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 10:9-10
9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

Romans 8:1
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Acts 2:21
21 ‘And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Acts 4:12
12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

As a Christian, a believer and follower of Christ, you are granted forgiveness for all your sins (past, present, future), and eternal life; therefore you should seek to live for Christ, and until we die or He returns for us, we are to be living out and proclaiming with urgency, compassion, boldness, and humility the Good News of Jesus Christ [crucified, resurrected, and coming again], so that others might be saved.

Pastor Mike
>’(((><
 

Bible Text: 1Thessalonians 4:9-18 | Pastor: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: 1 Thessalonians | May 17, 2020
To Be Always With the Lord
1Thessalonians 4:9-18
 

Last week (1Thessalonians 4:1-8) we studied how Paul exhorted the brethren in Thessalonica to continue excelling in the way they conduct themselves, and to abstain from all sexual immorality.

He encouraged them to live as God’s people, set apart for God’s glory and honor, exemplifying the character of Christ, for this is God’s will for them; and quite frankly, this is God’s will for us as well, until such a time that we are brought into the presence of the Lord, having been caught up to be with Him forever.
Read 1Thessalonians 4:9-10…

The believers in Thessalonica are living exemplary lives, expressing continually [practicing] their love for other believers.

Paul had planted other churches in Macedonia (Berea, Philippi), and it would seem that, some how, Thessalonica had served believers in those other churches; and yet, Paul urges them to excel even more in expressing love.

Read 1Thessalonians 4:11…

Paul presents a format for living as God’s people.

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life. He wants them to earnestly seek to maintain tranquil, humble, and peaceful lives, not being conflicted like unbelievers, but content..

Romans 12:9,
“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.”

Romans 12:17-18,
“Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”

1Timothy 2:1-2,
“I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”

2Thessalonians 3:13,
“Do not grow weary of doing good.”

Back to 1Thessalonians 4:11…

So, they are to purpose to lead a quiet life and to attend to their own business. Simply put, they are to mind their own business, concentrate on their own lives, families, jobs, and responsibilities, and stay out of [do not meddle] in other people’s business. Good instruction for us all!

Meddling in others affairs can cause us trouble; in fact, in 1Peter 4:15, we are warned, “Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler.”

In 1Thessalonians 4:11, after exhorting them to attend to their own business he tells them to work with their hands, just as he had already commanded them.  Note: Greeks thought hand work [general labor] should be done by slaves, not by free men. But Paul exhorts them to do their own work with their own hands and not expect for others to do the work they should do to provide for themselves.

2Thessalonians 3:10-12,
“For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread.”

Clearly these commendations and admonitions given by Paul (1Thessalonians 4:9-12) are directed to the believers, in order that they behave properly toward outsiders, being good witnesses of Christ, i.e., they are to exemplify a good work ethic and are not to meddle in other people’s affairs; but instead, to be good neighbors and to serve as examples in their homes, workplaces, and community.

Read 1Thessalonians 4:13-18…

Paul now speaks of the hope that they and all believers have in Christ; we are not to grieve like unbelievers who have no hope, for we will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, and be with Him forever!

The believers in Thessalonica were young in the faith, and although Paul had, no doubt, taught them about the end times and future events, it would seem that they were confused about the “rapture” of the church. Paul wants to set their hearts at ease and reassure them that no believer will miss the rapture, whether one of God’s children has died or is still alive at Christ’s coming in the air, we will all be changed.

You see, our eternal hope “is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.”

2Corinthians 5:21,
“God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

1Corinthians 15:3-4,
“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, He was buried, and He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”

John 11:25-26,

Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Later in John 11:38-44,

Jesus came to the cave where Lazarus had laid dead now, four days. Jesus told them to remove the stone from the entrance. Jesus prayed to the Father, then He cried out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.”

Lazarus came out of the tomb alive, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus commanded, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

Lazarus entered the tomb dead, but he came out of the tomb alive. We have no information about how long he lived, or when he went to be with the Lord, but our confidence is in the sovereign death and resurrection of Jesus Christ Himself.

Christ’s sacrificial death paid in full our sin debt to God; His resurrection from the grave demonstrates that He has authority over sin, death, and judgement.  Therefore we can trust Him to save and secure us.

Day by day we draw closer to the time when Christ will return for His people in the air; after which, dramatic events will occur in a 7 year period, called the tribulation (cf. Daniel 9, Matthew 24, Revelation 8, 9, 16): war, famine, disease, and death. *COVID-19 is a mild cold compared too what will be..

The sun will turn black, the moon will turn blood red, and the earth will be shaken like never before. In the end, peace and healing will come, but not before a time of great suffering and destruction like the world has never seen before and will never see again.

Just before the 7 years of tribulation begin, Christ will come for His people (1Thessalonians 4:14-18). Jesus will leave the Fathers’ side and descend to the clouds above the earth, at a time predetermined by the Father.

The spirit of every Christian who has died will be reunited with their original body to be “caught up” to be with Christ. Every Christian still alive at that time will be removed from the earth, “caught up” into the presence of the Lord, where all Christians will be together with the Lord forever.

This event, the Lord’s coming to get His people, is called “the rapture of the church.” The word “rapture” [comes from the Latin “raptus”] meaning “to seize” “to catch away” or “to snatch up.” And so, the earth will be emptied of all Christians.

John 14:1-3,
“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”

Jesus is talking there about the rapture. Paul doesn’t tell us much about the rapture in 1Thessalonians 4:13-18, so let’s go to another text where Paul gives us more information about this great mystery of the rapture.

Read 1Corinthians 15:50-53…

Paul says some of the Lord’s people will not have to go through the experience of death, but that they will be “changed,” “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.” The word “moment,” is a word form, from which we get the word “atom,” referring to “something that is indivisible,” this speaks of the “smallest amount of time imaginable.”

When Jesus comes for us, it will be instantaneous; it won’t be a process, but will happen so fast it will be over before we even know it started! One moment we are here and the next we are gone!

It makes no difference whether our bodies are dead in the grave or alive on the earth; all of God’s people will be raptured, taken away suddenly!

When that time comes (cf 1Thessalonians 4:15-17) Jesus will call His people home to be with Him- the dead will rise first, then those who are still alive on the earth will be instantly changed, and we all will go up together (in our resurrection bodies) to meet the Lord in the air.

Read 1Corinthians 15:54-58…

Our greatest enemies will be defeated: death and the grave, sin and the Law. The Bible says “the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.” But, in Jesus Christ, we have victory over sin, death, and judgement.

It is no wonder that Paul closes

1Corinthians 15:58 with ,
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”

God’s Word is clear that we are all sinners deserving God’s punishment; yet He loves us and wants to save us.

Romans 3:23-24,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.”

Romans 5:8,
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 6:23,
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:1,
“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Sin separates us from the Lord and corrupts every part of our lives; but in Jesus Christ, sin is defeated, death is destroyed, forgiveness is given, and eternal life is granted, for all those who believe in Him.

God does all this because He loves us so much and wants us to live in heaven with Him forever!

Romans 8:34-35,
“Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” No!

Romans 8:37-39,
“But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

No wonder Paul closes 1Thessalonians 4:18 with the marvelous message,
“Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

Nothing can ever separate us from the love of God, nothing can ever separate us from the KING of Kings, and LORD of Lords, Jesus Christ: Crucified, Resurrected, and Coming Again to take us to be with Him for eternity.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father , and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
Amen.
Pastor Mike
>’(((><

Bible Text: 1Thessalonians 4:1-8 | Pastor: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: 1 Thessalonians | May 10, 2020
1Thessalonians 4:1-8
Living Apart from Pagan Culture
Last week we studied the last part of chapter 3, where Paul was praying to God while writing to the believers in Thessalonica: he wanted to go to them, to see them face to face, and to encourage them to continue increasing in their love for one another and for all people.

In today’s passage, Paul begins by encouraging the believers to continue to grow in their knowledge and expression of Christ, i.e., to live in such a manner as to please God.

Read 1Thessalonians 4:1-2…
Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from usinstruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. 2 For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

Paul exhorts the believers to continue in their faith and practice, increasing in their Christlikeness; even though he has already commended them for their life and witness.

(see 1Thessalonians 1:2-3, 6-7)
2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father,

6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

Notice that Paul doesn’t “command” them, but instead requests and urges them not to be content with where they are spiritually, as if they had attained a level of completion, but instead to seek to all the more continue to grow and live in a way that pleases God.

Spiritual growth is indeed a process, just as physical growth and learned knowledge is a process. Paul desires that all believers make their life in Christ a lifelong commitment to growing in the knowledge and expression of God’s Word.

The desired result for which Paul strongly urges the believers in Thessalonica, is a life of holiness, one that is more representative of God than godless mankind.

Read 1Thessalonians 4:3…
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality;

God’s desire is that as Christians, we are to remain set apart from the world and culture around us that is not pleasing to God. Clearly, we are not to participate in or condone sexual immorality; but instead, we are to live in a manner that is reflective of the salvation we have received.

Thessalonica was part of the Greco-Roman culture, and was noted for allowing a wide chasm of sexual indulgences and erotic perversions. So, for new believers, who had grown up in the pagan society of Thessalonica, apart from any Christian tradition or influence upon the standards and practices of their culture, they didn’t necessarily consider fornication and adultery to be immoral; in fact it was most likely that sexual immorality was more tolerated in Thessalonica then in our present culture in America, which is hard to imagine.

The world today is intoxicated with sexual immorality, displayed in a variety of godless ways and relationships. Sexual immorality, biblically defined, is any sexual behavior and/or thinking that is outside of what God declares and ordains for marriage, i.e., a monogamous relationship between a man and a woman, committed to God and to each other.

Hebrews 13:4,
“Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.”

Sexual immorality is a very broad category: pornography, homosexuality, lesbianism, pedophilia, beastiality, sadomasochism, etc. Fornication is any type of sexual activity outside of marriage; adultery is any sexual relationship between a married person and someone other than their spouse.

God declares His judgement upon on all forms of sexual immorality and those who live this way will be eternally condemned.

1Corinthians 6:9-11,
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”

Half of that list of godless lifestyles have to do with sexual immorality. Do you see? These aren’t just sinful acts (we are all sinners), these are lifestyles that dominate unregenerate people and are opposed to God’s holiness; those who live this way will not go to heaven.

Any sexual activity outside of a God-ordained marriage is forbidden, and in fact is representative of those who are going to hell.

As believers and followers of Christ, we are to live self-controlled lives, not like those who have no morals, or ethics, or propriety or modesty. Our bodies should be dedicated to God, not to immorality, for God has mercifully granted us forgiveness and eternal life through Christ, we therefore should live to please God, and we should turn from all immorality.

Romans 12:1-2, …
“I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Read 1Thessalonians 4:6…
6 and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you.

This is indeed, at first read, ambiguous, for Paul has been talking about sexual immorality, and now he tells the believers they are not to transgress [sin against] or defraud [take advantage of] another believer [in this context it is talking about sexual sin]. This seems to imply a situation where a believer seeks to fulfill their own desires or to gain some sexual benefit at the expense of another believer. What a horrid thought!

Do any other passages speak to this issue? Look at the following:

1Corinthians 5:1-2,
“It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father’s wife. You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst.”

1Corinthians 5:9-13,
“I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.”

The church was allowing a man to commit adultery with his step-mother, and the church wasn’t doing anything about it. This had to be dealt with immediately and biblically, “Remove the wicked man from among you,” i.e., he is to be put out of the church (the local family of believers), until such a time as he repents and is restored, whether he was a believer in the first place is questionable, notice Paul calls him a “so-called” brother.

Ephesians 5:25,
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.”

Ephesians 5:28-33,
“So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.”

Neither a husband nor a wife should use one another for the fulfillment of their own passions only, i.e., their love for each other should willingly put the other person’s needs first; although clearly, in Scripture, the responsibility is on the husband to love and care for his wife, and for the wife to respect his leadership, for this is what God desires.

Even in church leadership we see that God has ordained qualifications for those who would servant-lead in the church of God, that they are to be known for godliness, not impurity and lust

(Timothy 3:2),
“An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife.” The phrase “husband of one wife” is actually rendered more correctly in the Greek as, “a one-woman man,” i.e., he only has eyes for his own wife, if he is married; if he isn’t married, he doesn’t have lustful wandering eyes, but treats sisters in Christ with respect and charity.

1Peter 3:7,
“husbands… live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker [as with a weaker vessel], since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.”

Men and women both are to respect the differences between male and female.

Genesis 1:27
“God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

Genesis 2:7
“Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”

Genesis 2:18
“Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.’”

Genesis 2:22-24
“The Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. The man said, ‘This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.’ For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.”

God made men to be stronger — physically, emotionally, and constitutionally — and clearly husbands have the responsibility to protect and provide for their wife, and to lead their families; although, in the present culture, those are words that would most likely bring strong opposition from many people.

In 1Thessalonians 4:6 b …
6  because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you.

Paul makes it clear that the ultimate judge and avenger concerning these sins of sexual immorality [fornication] is the Lord Himself, evidently Paul had previously warned them about the consequences.

Read 1Thessalonians 4:7-8…
7 For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. 8 So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.

God’s people are not to allow or condone incest, adultery, fornication, or any sexual promiscuity, nor misogyny (prejudice against females), misandry (prejudice against males), or any kind of sexually motivated belief or behavior, to be used in taking advantage of another believer.

Those who disobey this teaching and willfully commit sexual immorality are not rejecting man’s teaching, but that of God, who gives us the Holy Spirit so that we might live moral and holy lives, not immoral and unholy lives.

1Corinthians 6:18-20,
“Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”

God’s purpose in saving us out of the pagan world we live in, is to have a people of His very own who have been made holy because of Christ and set apart for the glory of God, that we might walk in a manner worthy of the calling of which we have become recipients, witnesses, and ambassadors of the gospel of salvation.

1Peter 2:9-12,
“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
Pastor Mike Hale

Bible Text: 1Thessalonians 3:11-13 | Pastor: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: 1 Thessalonians | May 3, 2020
1Thessalonians 3:11-13
Paul Prays for the Thessalonians
Pastor Mike Hale
 

Please turn to 1Thessalonians 3:11-13 and read through the passage.
11 Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you; 12 and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; 13 so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.

Last week, in 1Thessalonians 3:1-10, we read again of Paul’s love for the believers in Thessalonica, how he was concerned for them and really wanted to be with them, while at the same time Paul expressed his great joy to Timothy’s report, after returning from Thessalonica.

Read 1Thessalonians 3:10…
10 as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?

Paul says, “we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face.” Paul has the heart of a pastor who is longing to see his brothers and sisters in Christ. If you remember, Paul, Silas and Timothy had originally spent just a few weeks with the Thessalonians, proclaiming the gospel of Christ, many believed in and received Christ, Jew and Gentile.

(see Acts 17:1-4)
Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women.

Back to 1Thessalonians 3:11…
11 Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you;

Paul is praying here for God’s protection and provision so that he might return to Thessalonica to see the believers there, “Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you.”

Paul is writing to the church in Thessalonica, and yet in this portion of his letter he prays to God the Father and God the Son, with an emphasis on the unity that exists and has always existed between the Father and the Son; for they are equally sovereign and they always completely agree on everything.

And let us not forget that God the Holy Spirit is also in perfect harmony with the Father and the Son

(Romans 8:27),
“He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He [the Holy Spirit] intercedes for the saints [genuine believers and followers of Christ] according to the will of God.”

The Holy Spirit knows God’s will, and He is the One who actively intercedes for us, so that God’s will may be fulfilled in and through our lives.

The members of the Triune Godhead [a Tri-unity or Trinity], i.e., the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, are equally One, and yet they are three distinct persons.

This concept is difficult, if not impossible for the natural mind to conceive, but God’s Word is clear that there is only One Living and True God
(cf. Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-7; 1Corinthians 8:4; 2Corinthians 13:14).

The Doctrine of the Trinity is proved by Scripture
(cf. Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19; Ephesians 4:4-6; 1Peter 1:2; Jude 1:20-21).

Divine Titles are applied to all three persons of the Godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit
(cf. Exodus 20:2; John 20:28; Acts 5:3-4).

Each Person of the Trinity is described in God’s Word, as being:

Eternal (c f. Romans 16:26; Revelation 22:13; Hebrews 9:14).
Holy (cf. Revelation 4:8; 15:4; Acts 3:14; 1John 2:20).
Omnipresent (cf. Jeremiah 23:24; Ephesians 1:23; Psalm 139:7).
Omnipotent (cf. Genesis 17:1; Revelation 1:8; Jeremiah 32:17; Hebrews 1:3).
Omniscient (cf. Acts 15:18; John 21:17; 1Corinthians 2:10-11).
Creator (cf. Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16; Job 33:4; Psalms 148:5; John 1:3)
Sanctifier (cf. Jude 1:1; Hebrews 2:11; 1Peter 1:2).
Source of Eternal Life (cf. Romans 6:23; John 10:28; Galatians 6:8).
Teacher (cf. Isaiah 48:17; 54:13; John 14:26; Galatians 1:12; 1John 2:20).
Source of Salvation (cf. 2Thessalonians 2:13-14; Titus 3:4-6; 1Peter 1:2).

Baptism is done in the name of the Trinity

(cf. Matthew 28:19),
“baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

Benediction is given naming each Person of the Trinity

(cf. 2Corinthians 13:14),
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.”

You can pray equally to either the Father or the Son, although there is no single verse where prayer is offered to Holy Spirit, but clearly prayers are made effectual by the Holy Spirit

(Ephesians 6:18),
“pray at all times in [through] the Spirit.”

The Lord taught His followers to pray

(Matthew 6:9)
“Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed [Holy] be Your name.’”

Some believe we must direct our Prayers to the Father only; but I assure you that you can pray to the Son [Jesus Christ] just as fervently, as Scripture declares.

John 14:13,
“Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

John 16:23,
“Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you.”

Acts 7:59,
“They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!”

1Corinthians 1:2,
“To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.”

Back to 1Thessalonians 3:12…
12 and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;

Paul’s desire for the Thessalonians, as he prays for them to the Father and the Son, is that God will increase their love for one another, and for all people, just as the love that Paul, Silas and Timothy have for them is increasing.

Paul exhorts them through prayer to increase their love for “all people,” speaking of those who are not yet believers, but also of those who persecute the believers, as they have already experienced

(see 1Thessalonians 2:14-16a).
14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, 15 who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men, 16 hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost.

Jesus commanded His disciples

(Matthew 5:44),
“love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”;

(Luke 6:27b-28),
“love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you”; and Paul reiterates this in

(Romans 12:14),
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”

The expression of God’s love [agape, noun] is the hallmark of true Christianity, and the verb form of this Divine love [agapao], as John MacArthur explains, “expresses the purest, noblest form of love, which is volitionally driven, not motivated by superficial appearance, emotional attraction, or sentimental relationship.” Let me simplify that by saying, true love from above is expressed as an act of will and intent to do what needs to be done, without consideration of the condition or merit of the recipient, e.g.,

John 3:16 says,
“God so love the world that He gave His One and Only Son.”

Romans 5:8 tells us,
“God demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Philippians 2:8 says
Jesus “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Romans 8:1,
“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

So, in 1Thessalonians 3:11,
11 Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you;

Paul is praying for God to get him back to see the believers in Thessalonica; in

1Thessalonians 3:12,
12 and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;

Paul is praying for the Lord to increase the love of the believers in Thessalonica for all people, just as Paul serves as an example to them by the way he loved them before they were saved, and now that they are believers.

Pauls heart motive in all of this is stated in

1Thessalonians 3:13,
“so that He [God] may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.”

I believe an “established heart without blame” is the heart of a righteous person, one who has been made holy, having been justified before God through personal faith in Jesus Christ: crucified, resurrected, coming again.

2Corinthians 5:21 declares, “He [God the Father] made Him [God the Son, Jesus Christ] who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

The good news is that Jesus is coming back, and when He returns to get us, He will be coming (1Thessalonians 3:13) “with all His saints. ” That is speaking about what is referred to as the rapture of the church, which we will be studying when we get to 1Thessalonians 4:13-18.

But for now, take a quick look at 1Thessalonians 4:14, 17…

This is talking about a future event when God’s Son will return in the air, bringing with Him all those who belong to Him by faith, who have already died.

Paul gives us some insight in

2Corinthians 5:6-8,
“knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord—for we walk by faith, not by sight—we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord” [absent from the body, present with the Lord].

Philippians 1:21-23,
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better” [absent from the body, present with the Lord].

At the moment talked about in

1Thessalonians 4:17,
17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.

at Christ’s return, all those who belong to Him who are still alive on the earth will be joined with all those who belong to Him who have already died, so that all believers will receive their immortal and incorruptible bodies made for eternity in heaven.

The word “rapture” [from the Latin “raptus”] means, “to catch away,” “to seize,” “to snatch up.” This will be instantaneous, in fact Paul says it will happen, “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye”

(1Corinthians 15:52).
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

Back to 1Thessalonians 3:11-13…
11 Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you; 12 and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; 13 so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.

Paul’s desire is for all believers to be established and steadfast in their faith, belief, and practice, so that at the return of Christ they will be found blameless, ready to receive their reward from the Lord.

Revelation 22:12,
“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.”

On that last night Jesus spent with His disciples, He told them repeatedly that He was leaving to go to the Father but that He would come back to get them and take them to be where He was.

John 14:2-3, “I go to prepare a place for you… …I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”
John 14:12, “Truly, truly, I say to you… …I go to the Father.”
John 14:28, …”I go away, and I will come to you.’ …I go to the Father.”
John 16:10, “I go to the Father and you no longer see Me.”
John 16:28, “I came from the Father… …I am leaving the world to go the Father.”
John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

John 17:24, 26
24, “Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me.”
26, “I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

As Christians, we are born again by God’s Spirit, as children of God the Father, and servants of Jesus Christ who died for us, was buried, rose on the third day, ascended into heaven, and will return to take us to be with Him forever.

That is our destiny, that is God’s Truth! So, what should our daily response be to the COVID-19 world around us, and to all those who live on this planet?

Colossians 3:17, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. 23-24, …“do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”

1Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”
Amen! Come, Lord Jesus.
Pastor Mike Hale

Bible Text: 1Thessalonians 3:1-10 | Pastor: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: 1 Thessalonians | 04-26-2020
1Thessalonians 3:1-10
Picking Up Where We Left Off…
As we begin today, I am reminded that it has been five weeks since we were last in our study on 1Thessalonians, back on March 15. Since then I did a couple of sermons about trusting God and finding comfort in His Word, then it was Palm Sunday and then Easter Sunday, and then one more sermon on the Father of Mercies and God of All Comfort.

God is good, all the time; all the time, God is good. That is a very catchy truism, but we all know that God is not just, “good all the time,” He is exceedingly compassionate, kind, loving, merciful, faithful, and He will see us through this time of trouble, tribulation, and affliction, just as we are reminded in His Word ;

(Psalm 46:1), “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

These past five weeks, with the COVID-19 Pandemic, have been chaotic, confusing, and very disconcerting for all of us, e.g., mandates to shelter at home, the need for continual hand washing and/or hand sanitizer use, the wearing of masks when out in public, and the order for non-essential stores and businesses to
be put on operational hold.

Let’s turn our attention to 1Thessalonians 3:1-13

Paul is using the connecting word “therefore,” which links us to the last part of chapter 2; and since it has been five weeks since we were there, we will first revisit the last few verses of chapter 2, in order to get the context for what we just read in chapter 3.

See 1Thessalonians 2:17-20

“Having been taken away,” literally means, “to be orphaned,” “to be torn away from.” Paul felt like he had been ripped out of the arms of the believers in Thessalonica. He didn’t want to leave them.

Paul wanted to be with them, to see their faces, so he says in verse 18, “we wanted to come to you,” to know how you were doing.

Paul said “we” in verse 17 and “we” in verse 18 (meaning Paul, Timothy, Silas), but then he says, “I, Paul, [wanted to come to you] more than once.”

Paul sent Timothy back, but really, he wanted to go, to be with them, he loved them and would give his life for them, just as Jesus gave His life for all of us.

Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

Philippians 1:21-26, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.”

Why didn’t Paul go back to see them?

1Thessalonians 2:18, “Satan hindered us.”

More than once Paul had tried to return, but Satan had kept him from doing so. We don’t know exactly what happened or how he was held back, only God knows, but the believers continued to grow whether Paul was there or not.

Satan opposes God’s people, and especially those on the front lines of ministry, those who take a bold stance to proclaim the message of Christ: crucified, resurrected, and coming again.

In 1Thessalonians 2:19-20

Paul tells the believers in Thessalonica that they are his hope, joy, and crown of exultation [lit. the victor’s crown, the wreath that is placed on the head of the winning contestant in an olympic event]. But Paul is talking about an eternal reward, an eternal event, for he says:

“Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.”

What does Paul mean?

Well, when you and I get to glory, we aren’t going to have crowns on our heads, but our crowns will be the very presence of the people there who we had the joy to proclaim the message of Christ to, whether we planted the seed, or watered, or harvested, i.e., the people whose lives were influenced by our words, our example, and our prayers.

It is the Lord’s own recognition and reward that we seek, as Jesus says:

(Revelation 22:12), “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done,”

(Matthew 25:34), “Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

Paul’s greatest joy was his love for Christ, and then his love for those who belong to Christ.

Jesus said:

(John 13:35), “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Back to 1Thessalonians 3:1-4

Paul longed to be with the believers in Thessalonica, but it was just too dangerous for him to go, so he sent Timothy. Timothy was Paul’s dearest friend and his fellow missionary, and in fact, Paul had sent Timothy as his representative to several of the churches he had founded.

(cf. 1Corinthians 4:17; Philippians 2:19-23)

Paul considered Timothy a his son in the faith, his brother in the Lord and a fellow bond-servant of Jesus Christ.

(cf. 1Timothy 1:1-2; 2Timothy 1:1-2)

Paul is confident that Timothy would strengthen and encourage the believers’ faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Paul’s desire was for the believers in Thessalonica to grow stronger spiritually and not to be hindered or sidetracked by the afflictions and tribulations that happened to him, as he served Christ, and would eventually happen to all of them, just as he had earlier told them and would later write to Timothy:

(2Timothy 3:12), “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

Jesus told this to His disciples early in His ministry:

(Matthew 5:11-12), “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you”;

and then at the end of His ministry:

(John 15:18-19), “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.”

When Paul first arrived in Thessalonica, he had come from Philippi, where he and Silas had been jailed and beaten for proclaiming Christ

(cf. Acts 16:1-17:15);

in fact, Paul says in:

1Thessalonians 2:1-2, “For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain, but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.”

Paul’s sufferings on behalf of Christ were numerous

(see 2Corinthians 11:24-30),

and Paul knew and proclaimed that the believers in Thessalonica, along with all true believers, would indeed suffer for their faith.

Back to 1Thessalonians 3:5

Paul was concerned about the Thessalonians, so finally he sent Timothy to find our how they were doing, for Paul was fearful that perhaps Satan had deceived them or tempted them away from the truth of the gospel. Paul wanted to know that their belief in the Lord was real and that they were producing fruit, demonstrating their new lives in Christ.

See 1Thessalonians 3:6-8

Paul is elated, for Timothy has brought back a report to him in Corinth, and it is all good news; for the Thessalonians have a strong faith that is bearing the fruit of demonstrative love for the Lord.

Timothy also reported that the believers were thinking kindly of Paul and they longed to see him again. Paul suffered many trials and tribulations, yet he finds great comfort in the report from Timothy about the Thessalonians’ genuine faith.

Paul was pretty beat up physically and spiritually at this time, but the good news about the believers in Thessalonica standing firm in their faith, revived Paul, who is now feeling new life from Timothy’s report, and is now exhorting the believers in Thessalonica to stand firm in the Lord, just as Paul would later encourage the believers in Corinth.

(1Corinthians 15:58), “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”

See 1Thessalonians 3:9

Paul is saying that any thanksgiving for the spiritual growth and expressed faith of the believers in Thessalonica, must go to God. Paul says he doesn’t have the words to express his gratitude toward God for all the joy this report from Timothy has brought to him. Paul is so thankful, that he just doesn’t have an adequate response in return for the blessings he has received.

See 1Thessalonians 3:9-10

Paul is saying that he wishes he could be with them, face to face, up close and personal, in order to offer any instruction and/or encouragement they might need. But since he can’t, he is praying for them constantly and earnestly, to be brought fully to maturity in Christ, just as he would later pray for the believers in Ephesus.

(see Ephesians 1:15-21)

Paul is a bond-slave of Christ, giving his life in service to the Church, for the glory of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Paul deeply loves all those who belong to God through Christ, with a sincere and sacrificial love. He did not like being separated from his dear brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those who were new in their faith, for he was a caring and protective shepherd.

It is my sincere prayer that we, God’s children, brothers and sisters in Christ, belonging to the household of God, will seek to serve the Lord with the same passion, purpose, and priority expressed through the life and the words of Paul.

Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

Philippians 1:21-26, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.”

I genuinely understand Paul’s concerns and his deep love for the church. I pray that this message will encourage you toward love and good deeds.

I miss all of you, and I’m sure that you miss having fellowship with your brothers and sisters in the Lord. So, until we meet again, it is my persistent prayer that the love of God, and the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, be with you all. Amen.
Pastor Mike
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