1stThessalonians1

1^st Thessalonians:
Background:

In the city of Thessalonica we find the opponents of the gospel angry and willing to lie about the teachings and the goals of the church.  The epistles were designed mainly to address this problem of persecution and bring peace to the Thessalonian believers.  Paul warns that persecution by evil and faithless persons was inevitable.  Peace, if found, must be done so while experiencing persecution and suffering. 

Problem – today and then would be that we tend to focus on the experience of suffering and it becomes are whole world as bleak as it is.   – Quote NAC

1.      Paul admonishes them to look back to the beginning of their Christian experience and remember that they suffered for the kingdom of God.  Doing this was not a needless journey.

2.      Paul reminds them that their suffering was evidence of their genuineness of their faith.  It was a reflection of their true imitation of God’s people. 

3.      It would be well to look beyond the evil of the moment toward the ultimate end of the travails (a very difficult situation, or a situation in which you must work very hard) or their struggles. 

4.      They weren’t alone in it as he and his coworkers, indeed the entire Judean church suffered as well.

5.      They persevere not in their own strength alone but were supported by the apostles and by the power of God himself.

6.      They were assured that the evil ones who inflicting this suffering would suffer a just punishment.

The book of “Thessalonians” is about: ‘Eschatology and Endurance’.

The larger part of their teachings regarding eschatology was a part apparently provided to the church earlier (perhaps verbally), thus the writing do not provide complete systems of thought on the subject.

In this epistle much on the topic of eschatology is in a truncated in nature thus without other Bible studies added to this account would leave one blind to the positive purposes eschatological truths served I the 1^st century.  The day of the Lord promises a judgment against the evil they are experiencing at the present time. 
Study is necessary to understand ‘eschatology’ in reference to the dates and sequences of events to come for them and still are in advance of our present time.

It is not certain which letter was written first and thus it best not to assume that the eschatological material  is in some particular sequence.  It is important to realize that Paul would have taught them the foundation of truth and thing on the ‘end times’ while he was with them. 

The book of “Thessalonians” is about: Election and Faith”

The letters repeatedly assures the believers that:
1) God has chosen them 
2) evidence of their genuineness in their relationship with God is abundant  
3) their perseverance and God’s faithfulness guaranteed a sure future for them as participants in his kingdom.

Paul recognizes the importance of the human response to the gospel.   The gospel could encounter rejection rather than faith.  Those who reject the gospel are responsible for their own condemnation.  For these people, they choose to turn from idols and serve the ‘living and true God’ as shown in their imitation of the apostles and of the Lord.

This is the 2^nd missionary journey of Paul…  Silas (Silvanus) and Timothy accompany him.  Silas, a Hellenistic Jew and prominent member of the Jerusalem church and later was a scribe for Peter.  Timothy, a young man from Lystra (Asia Minor) and was spoken of as ‘Paul’s son in faith’ and protégé.  These three founded the church there and Timothy later checked on its well-being and brought back a positive report to Paul. 

1 Thessalonians 1:1-3(ESV)
1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.   2We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 
³remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 

1 Thessalonians 1:3(ESV) – Their Present Condition
³remembering before our God and Father your work (ergon) of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 

V. 3a – …constantly bearing in mind your work of faith..”   (1^st evidence of election.)

Paul was thankful in his prayers for these foundational spiritual qualities they have termed:  “work of faith”.  When a true saving belief in Jesus Christ occurs that is always a result in the mighty work of God that produces change in one’s nature or disposition.   
“A work of faith” is action representative of the transforming power of regeneration.  (2 Cor. 5:17)

The word “work” (ergon) in Greek refers to the deed, achievement, or function itself. 

Paul is confident of their ‘election’ because their faith, the authentic saving and sanctifying gift from God – was producing righteous deeds in their lives.  (Romans 3:20-21)

The NT also stresses the “active side of faith’ – salvation will necessarily produce holy conduct.  In no way does this mean on can earn salvation because of their good works, but rather that those works verify the reality of their faith.

V.3b – “and Labor of love”  (2nd evidence of election)

True Christians labor out of love toward their brothers and others in the world as we love our enemies. 

Labor (kopos) that denotes an arduous, wearing kind of toil, done to the point of exhaustion.   
UNLIKE: Work (ergon) focuses on the deed itself.   Kopos looks at the effort expended in accomplishing a particular deed. 

The noblest, most altruistic and selfless form of love (agape) motivates this kind of spiritual effort. 

V.3c – “and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ”  (3rd evidence of election)
 Rom. 5:1-2; Eph. 1:11; Col. 1:27 – Apostles taught this great hope…. Thus, Christians have a persevering anticipation of being with Christ in His glory.

Romans 5:1-2(ESV)
¹Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we^£ have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 
²Through him we have also obtained access by faith^£ into this grace in which we stand, and we^£ rejoice^£ in hope of the glory of God. 

Ephesians 1:11(ESV)
¹¹In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 

Colossians 1:27(ESV)
²⁷To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 

Authentic Christianity has always been defined by a loving Christ.  2 Cor. 5:14 “The love of Christ controls us” – (Gal. 5:6)    Therefore, if anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed.  (1 Cor. 16:22)   Thus, what was started as a “labor of love” marks their election.  

“Steadfastness” (hupomone) conveys the idea of endurance or perseverance; literally, it denotes the condition of staying under pressure. 

Hope (elpis) was firm because it was anchored in the unchangeable Lord Jesus Christ.  (Heb. 6:18-20)
The context indicates that the “two unchangeable things”areGod’s promise and His oath.  (v.17)

Steadfastness of those who have been given that hope fulfills Jesus’ promise in Matthew 24:13(ESV)  ¹³But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 

Paul associates the three Christian graces:    1) your work of faith, 2) labor of love,  3) patience of hope in our Lard Jesus Christ.    (Graces:  Faith, Love & Hope)

In the study of the Bible and in life itself, one finds other things that mirror the trinity, such as:

1.      The universe is divided into a trinity:  Time, space and matter

2.      Time is divided into three parts:  past, present, and future

3.      Space is divided into:  length, breadth, and height

4.      We are to pray to god with our whole spirit, soul and body.

In the above verse Paul gives the ABCs of graces in the Christian life: 

a.       the past is the work of faith

b.      the present is a labor of love 

c.       the future is the patience of hope.

Three nouns are:  faith, hope and love! How do we get these into reality of life and make them concrete instead of abstract qualities?

Paul shows us that from the ‘work of faith’, the ‘labor of love’ and the ‘patience of hope’, he gave the three steps in the lives of the Thessalonian believers.

1.      How ye turned to God from idols – the work of faith

2.      How their actions was to service the living and true god – the labor of love

3.      How they wait for his Son from heaven – the patience of hope.

Faith is the response of the soul of man to the Word of God and thus he walks by faith.   This is the work of God that we believe in Him.      
John 6:28-29 – ²⁸Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 
²⁹Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”  

By having the right faith, it will be made manifest in our lives, meaning it will reveal itself in the life that is lived.  The work of faith is the acting on God’s word.  Example: Luke 5:4-5 when Simon Peter was told to cast his net on the other side.    Luke 5:4-5(ESV)
⁴And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 
⁵And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 

 “at your word” – Peter took the word of God and acted upon it.   Thus we will do likewise.  When we act on what the Word of God says, your faith will be evident to the world.  That is the work of faith.  Faith is the connection between the believer and God.  It communicates His Word to your heart and you respond.  

The Thessalonians turned to God from idols.  Idolatry wasn’t repulsive to these people, but when they heard the Gospel, they believed God and they turned to God and thus automatically turning from their idols.

If you don’t love Him, you will find it nothing but tedium and labor to try to keep His commandments.  How great it is that we do love Him and then whatever we do for Him will be a labor of love.

The 3^rd thing was…    ESV & NASB:  “their steadfastness of hope”  –   another:  “their patience of hope” NKJV
One translation wrote:  ‘their patience of hope.”  Patience of hope with meaning to the word as:  (theabilityto continuedoingsomethingfora longtimewithoutlosinginterest, especiallysomethingdifficult…theabilityto waitfora longtimewithoutbecomingangryor upset)

1 Thessalonians 1:4-5(ESV)   The Impressions of the Missionaries
⁴For we know, brothers^£ loved by God, that he has chosen you, 
⁵because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 

V.4 – Various translations: 
NASB – “knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you;”
NIT “We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people.”
NKJV – “knowing, beloved brothers, your election by God,”
ESV – “For we know, brother loved by God, that he has chosen you,”

“Brethren” is a common word for the children of God in Christ.

Paul here was telling the brethren there that he was certain of God’s choice of them.  “Christians are the elect, chosen of God solely by His sovereign, loving purpose, apart from any human merit or wisdom.”  “God in eternity past sovereignly chose all believers to salvation, drawing them to Himself in time, by the work of the Holy Spirit.  (John 5:37&44; Rom 9:15-16, 1 Cor. 1:9; Eph. 1:4-6,11; 2 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 1:9…)  Quote: J. MacArthur  

John 15:16(ESV)
¹⁶You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 

 John 17:9(ESV)  – Ownership belongs to God – He made the choice. 
⁹I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 

“Man’s will participates in conversion in response to God’s promptings.  Thus true evangelism is a call to repent and believe. “ – Quote:  J. MacArthur   (1 Thess. 1:6 & 9)

1 Thessalonians 1:6(ESV)
⁶And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 

 1 Thessalonians 1:9(ESV)
⁹For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 

“Chosen” (eklogen) God’s sovereign choice of certain individuals that was made prior to Adam’s appearance on earth and it  including the Thessalonian believers.    
Ephesians 1:4 (ESV) ⁴  even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

This was the result of God’s Sovereign right as he made all things.  God made us and has the right to declare how we are to perform before Him.  We are given a choice of either submitting to Him or removal from His sight. The offer is a ‘take it or leave it’ one. 
John 7:37(ESV)   ³⁷On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 

 We choose Him or reject Him! 

The preaching had three Ingredients essential to the outworking of God’s elective purpose.

1.       “power” (dynamei) (The plural would be “dynamis” meaning miracles.   The verse speaks to the inward power which the speakers were filled with as they gave the message.  The speakers knew of God’s special involvement in the gospel and its presentation.

2.       2^nd of the spoken word, is a person, for the message came “with the Holy Spirit.”  The Holy Spirit was the person behind the power given to them to speak. 

3.       “with deep conviction”  that grew out of his special activity of the spoken word.    (Quote: J. MacArthur)