This is a series on 1&2 Thessalonoans

Just a couple of days ago a friend asked if I would be publishing a new series that I am doing in the home group that I am responsible to and I said yes. What I did not say to her was if there is interest shown. the more interest, the more I will give of myself, so here is the first instalment:
First Thessalonians; a model for end times.

We are going to continue in these Pauline epistles with an eye to Bible prophecy and hence end time living. And I have decided with the help of the Lord to look at these two letters that the apostle wrote to the church at Thessalonica. Why Thessalonica? Because these epistles deal with the rapture perhaps more directly than any other of the epistles of Paul. If it seemed soon and imminent to the Apostle back over 2000 years ago then how much more imminent should it be to the church today?At least that is my observation. And I feel it is time for us as a home group or cell group to stir up once again your pure minds by way of remembering these things. How we even as saints of God need to be on our toes as far as living a godly life is concerned. I believe Satan is pulling all stops in his bombardment of the family, his attack on the church in trying to make it of no influence in society and in everyway possible to trip you and I from finishing the race. We will see as we read through and study both prayerfully and carefully these epistles to the Thessalonians the preparations we need to make in order to be ready when the trump of God sounds. In these two epistles to the church of the Thessalonians, we shall see the prophetic Word of God displayed as concerning the second coming of our Lord AND SAVIOR Jesus Christ, and how we can be prepared ourselves and encourage others to get ready for His soon return. This was an exemplary church there in Thessalonica and we would do well to emulate them in our day. So with your Bible opened to the first chapter and the first verse of the first epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians we will read the first 10 verses.(read 1 Thessalonians, 1-10. This church was founded by the Apostle Paul on his second missionary journey and it was not without persecution. It seems that every great work of God will go through a time of persecution. (Read Acts 17:1-10)There is a central underlying fact recorded in these pages and it is this future hope of the church of the living God in the fact of His returning to take His people home. Can you say amen?
We see here in these first 10 verses, firstly of course Paul’s greetings to the church of the Thessalonians which contains a blessing. Is it possible that we can pronounce a blessing upon another person and have GOD honor it? Does the apostle actually impart the blessing of the Lord when he says grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ? I believe the answer is yes. It’s a prayer I believe…a word of blessing.
And it is only real when it gives credit to God. Then he goes in verse 2 to commend them for their work of faith(notice the similarity to the words that James uses, remember James saying “faith without works”still in verse 2)and their labour of love, love for one another, love for other saints in other churches and love for the lost…how we need to show forth that kind of love that these Thessalonians had. We must show our families the love of Christ. We need to show our community that we love God. Along with faith and love is patience of hope. The hope that we have in our Lord Jesus Christ….in the sight of our God and Father. He says that we meaning himself along with Silvanus or Silas, probably one of these two names being the Greek version, the other I’m not sure of, and Timothy…we give thanks to God for all of you and we keep you in prayer always. Isn’t it comforting when you know that there is somebody remembering you in prayer, always? He says we know, “beloved brethren, your election, by God.” It isn’t hard to know when a congregation has a touch of God on it, is it? It has a lot to do with leadership, I think. I am thankful for His touch on Calvary Temple. There is an anointing here when we come together\ to gather in His name.
Verse 5,” For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power”, we sing the old chorus, “I know the power of God is just the same today.” Do we really believe that? Of course we do. why then do we not see healing like we should, miracles of Divine healings, miracles of supply,…”my brother needs a job, my children need new clothes and I don’t have any money
All kinds of needs and in many cases God is meeting these needs but we don’t hear of it like we should. God has not changed! He is still the Great Physician. He is still the Miracle worker!He is still the Savior of men.
Paul says “ and in the Holy Spirit…here is the key the source of that power, the Holy Spirit and in much assurance…(not by might (man’s might), not by power(earthly power) but by My power saith the LORD of Hosts!! And this glorious gospel was preached by men who had an encounter with the risen LORD. They knew Him face to face as it were in the Spirit. The church in Thessalonica knew what kind of men they were when they were among them. They saw the way they lived and worked when they were there…it wasn’t only what they said but it was how their lives were lived. And when someone leaves and moves on they leave a testimony, do they not? Whether we remember them fondly or otherwise.
They saw, they knew what kind of men they were. And as a result of this witness, the church became followers of Paul and his two companions. That’s what draws people when they see Jesus in us. It says “You became followers of us…and the Lord” That is the important thing…not only did you follow us, but you became followers of the Lord which is what Paul really wanted in the first place. And that is what I am praying that this little group may influence someone to come to our meetings on Tuesday evening and get saved! I am thankful for the folks who come here on Tuesday nights, there is a good spirit of fellowship and I believe it is love we have for one another. But there is room for many more and I hope we will see more as the days pass and more will be added to our numbers. We are reading verse 6. “you received the Word in much affliction…but he goes on to say,” with joy of the Holy Spirit. The apostles were beaten in Acts chapter five and they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for His name! How can persecution work against you when you count it as something worth rejoicing for. Read Acts chapter 5. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. So the early church fathers did not consider their own lives or their feelings where the gospel message was concerned. Satan tries to plant fear as well as doubts in our minds and thereby hinder our testimony But we already know that he is a liar. Back in 1st. Thessalonians ch. 1and verse 7, he said “you became examples, to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe” We need to be an example not only to the unsaved but also to those who are already saved. We need to exhort, rebuke, convince, encourage…just be an example and lift one another in the faith. That is why corporate prayer is so important, we encourage each other. It makes it easier to pray when we pray as a body.
Verse 8, “For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.” This is a church concerned about others, it is a missionary-minded church, unique even in Paul’s day, how much more unique is a church, a body of believers who have a heart for missions in our day. The Word of the Lord had gone out and their faith toward God had gone out. The word had gone out how that they had turned to God from idols and served Him and the word had gone out that we are to wait for His Son from heaven, the gospel is sent out in this verse number 10, it speaks of Jesus, His death, burial and resurrection and the fact that we wait for the rapture of the church. We are in that waiting room now. And the truth of a pre tribulation rapture is seen here in the 10th. Verse. “even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” Next week we will depart a little bit from this epistle to lay down the foundation for the teachings here concerning the rapture of the church.

Part one finished