May 25, 2016
Evening Service

I Thess. 2

 

            Greg’s last message from I Thess. Was vs’s 1-12, and it was concerning character.  We will finish this chapter this evening.

·         It’s believed that this letter was written between the years of 48 – 53AD.  Most of Paul’s letters were written somewhere between 48 – 63AD.  In that time period.

·         Silas was his main companion.  Timothy, and others are with him at times.

·         Paul had received a vision in chapter 16 of Acts concerning Macedonia.  In this country Paul visited Philippi, which was the chief city of Macedonia.  From there he went to Thessalonica.  Then traveled on to Berea, and from there to Athens, and then Corinth.  Shown all in the book of Acts.  The history of the early church, one of the very interesting books of our Bible.

Let’s begin:

1Th 2:1-12  For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:  (2)  But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.  (3)  For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:  (4)  But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.  (5)  For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:  (6)  Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.  (7)  But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:  (8)  So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.  (9)  For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.  (10)  Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:  (11)  As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,  (12)  That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

1Th 2:13-20  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 

·         Now we don’t know what amount of Scriptures they might have had.  According to Acts 17, Paul did go into a synagogue of the Jews, so they they may have had some parchments.

·         But they believed Paul was sent from God, and what he said was from God.

(14)  For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:  (15)  Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: 

(16)  Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. 

·         Look at Paul’s description of the Jews.  Not a very flattering description of God’s chosen people.  You can read more about how God used the Jews, to bring salvation to the gentiles, in the letter to the Romans, around chapters 7-8-9.

·         Remember, it was some of the foolish Jews that cried out crucify him, and then said, “let His blood be on our heads, and on our children’s heads.”  What a very careless statement.  AND IT HAS BEEN.  Just a short 37 years later Titus the Roman general came, and plundered Jerusalem, and the temple of God.

·         Think of how they have been treated down through history, in Germany, 6 million put to death, and even today they are a hated people by all those around them. 

·         But Paul says this; Rom 9:1-8  I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,  (2)  That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.  (3)  For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:  (4)  Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;  (5)  Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.  (6)  Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:  (7)  Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.  (8)  That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

·         Paul tells us so much, the children of the flesh, this is referring to the descendants of Ishmael, Abraham’s son by Hagar, but it is true with all people that live according to the flesh, and seek after the things of this world.  They are not the children of God. 

(17)  But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.  (18)  Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. 

·         When Paul speaks of satan hindering him, it could have been many things, but we must be careful and not give satan credit for too much power.  Satan is a tempter, liar, and a thief, he cannot make you do anything.  Christ in us is greater than the power of satan.  We miss the mark because we don’t try hard enough.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

(19)  For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?  (20)  For ye are our glory and joy.

·         The joy, and satisfaction, Paul is expressing concerning his preaching success among these people, and all people.  But he realizes he is only doing what he was called to do, and that was to preach the gospel that Jesus gave him to preach.

·         God giving us the ability to believe the Bible, and Paul’s writings compose a big part of this holy book.  So, it really behooves us to take time to study God’s Word, and praise Him for it.

 

Almighty God, thank you for your many blessings to Your church, and may we walk worthy of Your calling.   Amen