1 THESSALONIANS Men's Bible Study
Soundcloud Audio from 1 THESSALONIANS Men's Bible Study
(JUNE 6th, 2014 to JULY 1st, 2014)
Notes from Men’s Bible Study on 1 THESSALONIANS
SPEAKERS:
- Richard D Eutsler, Sr.
- Steven Atherton
- Paul Muller
- Charles Hocker
- Richard D Eutsler, Jr.
- Phillip Walthall
- Scott Bishop
1 THESSALONIANS 1
- This letter’s beginning is different than all the other letters Paul wrote. What distinguishes it is that the church of the Thessalonians was one with God the Father and with the Lord Jesus Christ.
- The very next word written was grace to them. You can be one with God the Father and one with Jesus Christ and still are a sinner. So Paul, Sylvanus and Timotheus (in like authority as Paul) impart God’s grace to them.
- God gave us faith to believe on Him and serve Him. If we use that faith for anything else we’re robbers and thieves.
- This church, a Gentile church, got it.
- We (Paul, Sylvanus and Timotheus) give thanks – don’t we want the same? They made mention of them in prayer because of their faithful service to God.
- Work of faith – an action. We can talk about things but we need to walk in it ourselves.
- Labor of love – the agape love of God.
- Patience of hope – an unswerving devotion to the Gospel. Unshakeable. Can only be unshakeable when you know you’re a sinner so have that hope in the Gospel and in the Lord Jesus Christ and the sufficiency of the Gospel. Yourself and your behavior can be disappointing to you. Hope in God who says trust in me I will bring you through.
- Beloved – what made them beloved is they were faithful, patient in hope.
- Election of God – means they chose God above all else, they elected God.
- Not in word only – preaching the Gospel with power. Standing in that full assurance of faith and operated in the power of God. He wants us to walk in His power that people will know the Gospel is true.
- For your sake – what Paul, Timotheus and Sylvanus did was always for the sake of others. Are you willing to be all things to all men that you might by all means save some?
- Became followers of us and of the Lord – this is why they became one with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. No matter what others said they followed Paul, Sylvanus and Timotheus. John 17 – Jesus had the authority to save 11 men. It goes on to say anybody could be saved if they followed the 11 and those who have taken their place as time goes on. John 17: 20,“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word” – these are the ones He is praying for here.
- With joy of the Holy Ghost – it doesn’t matter what’s going on around you. When you are in the Lord you will be rejoicing because you’re fastened on Him and nothing around you can take it away.
- Do you want to be an example of love, faith, patience so people can look at you and know that God is real?
- It’s not about you it is about God.
- God does not have a plan for any of us. God has a plan that we can join and be part of.
- Need not speak anything – he had no correction for them, they were doing it right.
- True God – everything He says is true.
- To wait for His son from heaven – speaks of patience but also serving Him until he comes.
- It is his being raised from the dead that broke the curse and delivered us from the wrath to come.
- God’s covenant with Abraham – Abraham had to give his son but there was a replacement. God had to give his son but there was no replacement. Because He raised Jesus from the dead he has to raise us from the dead. This covenant predated the law. The law was another covenant given to children of disobedience – it was given because of transgression.
1 THESSALONIANS 2
- Our entrance – referring to Paul, Sylvanus and Timotheus – it was not in vain but powerful.
- This was Timothy’s first trip with Paul.
- The Jews came strongly against, got furious at them, ran them out of town, caused a ruckus with the officials.
- Out of this crucible of great contention this church was born.
- Not in uncleanness – building people up in pride and self esteem. An easy way to judge a false gospel is when a preacher tries to build up a people with pride.
- Allowed of God – God entrusted to them His Gospel. Same as in John 17 when Jesus did the same with the eleven.
- Jesus then expects people to hear them. Again like in John 17. Those who heard from the eleven became one with God.
- You see the same thing with Paul, Sylvanus and Timotheus. The people of Thessalonica received the Word from them and became one with God.
- How could we become one with God and the Lord Jesus Christ if there were not apostles?
- There is only one Gospel that saves.
- They were willing to infuriate the Jews even to the loss of their lives that the Gospel would stand.
- Pleasing God – that is who they desired to please.
- Tried their hearts – and found them faithful.
- Paul leaned on Timothy for many situations like when he sent him to see the Thessalonians. Paul knew Timothy would minister just as he would.
- Flattering words – all the things people do to make people like them.
- If you are going to serve the Lord you have to tell the truth.
- Telling the truth is like lighting a candle. People who want the truth will come to the light. Others will flee and try to put it out while they are leaving.
- If you are looking for your glory, how can God use you?
- They did not seek glory or lord over them but were servants to the people.
- Gentle – like a parent’s love for a child. These were newborn believers, they made sure they had what they needed to grow.
- Most leaders set themselves up as dictators. Paul was the opposite. He was there to serve them, not make slaves of them.
- Ministers get frustrated, they minister to many but few hear. But when you come across someone that is eager and goes forward it refreshes you. With such a one you are pleased to do anything for, just like you would for a child. It was an extraordinary blessing to him.
- Paul spent the least time with the Thessalonians but they needed it the least because they were going forward.
- Labored night and day – referring to how active they were in ministering to the people the Gospel, guiding them. It has nothing to do with finances.
- Paul brings God as a witness. If his witness was not true God would deal with it.
- Chargeable – if they didn’t deliver the Gospel.
- Holily – completely engulfed with what he needed to do for them.
- Justly – fair, equitable.
- Unblameably – like Samuel when he asked the Israelites if he taken anything from them, done anything to them.
- Exhorted – trained them in the way they should go.
- Comforted – in the different things they had to go through.
- Charged – what they needed to do.
- Walk worthy of God – can only do by faith and love. Faith in the sufficiency of His blood and love, doing what is necessary for the other.
- A father wants his children to act a certain way, especially in public. When a child does that he is walking worthy of his father.
- Calling unto His kingdom – the here and now, the spirit realm. All of scripture shows people who walked in the Kingdom of God.
- When you prefer the things of His kingdom you glorify Him and then you share in that glory.
- Thank God without ceasing – the Thessalonians had moved Paul to that place. Why, because when they received the Word of God from them they received it as the very Word of God.
- How often we don’t see the word spoken unto us as the Word of God. These Thessalonians received it as though it was Jesus saying it and if Jesus had been standing there He would have said the same thing.
- As a consequence you can see the Word of God was working in these people, was effectual in them.
- Churches in Judea in Christ Jesus – you read about these churches in the first couple of chapters of the Book of Acts. They, like these Jews, were persecuted.
- Contrary to all men – why, because they thought they were better than others. The Jews were like many Christians today, looking down at people both outside of the church and those in the church.
- Taken from you in presence not in heart – in spirit. Paul was with them in his spirit.
- His hope, his joy, his crown of rejoicing – seeing their presence when Christ comes. To see them there the victory would have fully come.
- Jesus’ glory and joy – seeing the eleven going forward and doing it.
- The eleven’s glory and joy – when those they ministered to went forward and did it.
- God’s glory and joy – when Jesus went forth and did it.
1 THESSALONIANS 3
- No longer forbear – had been hindered in coming again so sent Timotheus.
- To stablish – make sound in the faith.
- Comfort them – when you’re going to walk in faith the world is going to come against you, try to pull you back.
- It is extraordinarily helpful to have someone who has gone through this before.
- Pride of oneself – thinking one is good because of the things that one does therefore deserving to go to heaven. This is the iniquity that causes God to turn His back on people.
- As ye know – you can tell someone, warn someone and it is important to do so. People generally do not hear and when it comes to pass they generally don’t understand. The Thessalonians knew.
- Sent to know your faith – Paul sent someone faithful, Timotheus, to know their faith.
- The Thessalonians had been in a very dark place and when the light of the Gospel was brought to them they embraced it and saw it clearly for what it was. Also, it was very clear that there was going to be opposition to their decision. Great faith was born of this.
- Paul stood in the place where if you receive me you receive Christ, if you reject me you reject Christ. He was an angel of God – a messenger sent by God to them.
- Extraordinary blessing to a minister when a people receive and go forward in faith and love, gives them great joy and encouragement.
- Anyone can get to be like the Thessalonians. You just have to believe on the Lord Jesus, this is how you become one with Him, and then walk in love.
- Paul, Sylvanus and Timotheus were going through some tough scenarios. The fact that these people had gotten it was a great comfort.
- We live – because there is a people who received there is a reason for God to keep them around.
- We live – renewed and rejuvenated to continue to stand and fight if you stand fast and fight. Paul was at the point of giving up in which case the Lord would take him and his job be over.
- Exceedingly – he so desired to be returned to them that he might perfect that which was lacking in their faith. Isn’t that what you want the apostle to be praying for you?
- Make you to increase and abound – as much as they had done Paul wanted them to increase. In the same way Paul loved them he wanted them to love one another.
- Unblameable in holiness before God – a heart that is free of doubt and unbelief, a heart that trusts wholly in the Lord, wants to solely serve the Lord continuously.
- If we’re not in the world how can we bring people to God?
- When you recognize our ministry is whatever our day holds – work, taking care of children, etc. – then you look for ways to serve the Lord in that.
- To what end – to stablish their hearts unblameable so they would be ready for that day that is yet coming. He wants to see them, then he would know that they had made it, that his prayer had been answered.
1 THESSALONIANS 4
- Received of us – absolute – you see someone who knows who he is in Christ and takes that responsibility of faith without compromise or apology. He went forth in that authority.
- Every Christian can do likewise in true humility, love and meekness.
- Paul is begging and exhorting them. He’s told them how to do it and he is begging them to do it. He wants them to continue to press forward and abound more and more.
- If you’re going to walk pleasing God you’re going to have to walk by faith. If you are going to walk by faith you will have to confront fear.
- Fear and faith are diametrically opposed to one another. Fear is one of the tools of the devil.
- If you are not operating in faith, fear is present. You don’t have to stay there.
- Sanctification – being set apart for service to the Lord.
- Lust of concupiscence – strong desire – if it feels good do it. This is what guides a person who knows not God.
- No man defraud your brother in any matter – bringing them to account. If they do go beyond the Lord will avenge. Paul wanted them to understand upfront so that when they see it happen they would know what was happening, it would be clear to them.
- When you defraud your brother you are despising God. Your brother has been accepted by God.
- Uncleanness – our flesh is unclean.
- Holiness – called to walk after His Word and His Spirit.
- When God gives that Holy Spirit unto a believer – further confirmation that they have been received by God.
- When we are angry with our brother we need to understand we are in the wrong.
- The same grace God uses to accept us is the same grace that God uses to accept our brother. We are saying God is wrong, judging God, making ourselves to be god.
- Taught of God – the Lord should be with you teaching you how to walk in His love in all the situations you confront in your week. It should come with your everyday communication and fellowship with Jesus Christ.
- These people’s love extended beyond their fellowship unto all fellow believers.
- Being commended and then told don’t rest but press forward more and more.
- Doing your own business, not comparing yourselves with one another.
- Work, labor, do things that are profitable. In doing these things you are preaching the Gospel without words. It can open the door for the Words of the Gospel.
- It allows you to provide for your family, for others and to further the Gospel.
- Doesn’t want them to be ignorant, wants them to know.
- Sleep – those who died in Christ.
- By the Word of the Lord – Jesus stood before Paul and told him this, a direct revelation.
- When He comes – referring to the catching away.
- Meet the Lord in the air – the Lord does not come down to earth, this is not Armageddon but a specific event.
- Paul is making this revelation to the one church who kept His Word and loved one another. See Revelation 3 and the Church of Philadelphia. What was distinct about the Church of Philadelphia is they kept God’s Word and loved one another. This is the only church Paul recognizes meets the criteria of the Church of Philadelphia.
- What extraordinary faith it takes to meet Christ in the air. Only example we have is Elijah and he went up in a whirlwind, tornado.
- This is the mark Paul is exhorting them to press onto so that they will have the faith to meet Him in the air.
- Exhorting them to stand and exhort one another because they were under persecution from both the Jews and the Greeks who scoffed at their faith, much like today.
1 THESSALONIANS 5
- Know perfectly – Paul had ministered to them perfectly clearly and they had received the Word from Paul as it was, the Word of God.
- This was the only church Paul gave the revelation of the catching up to.
- Thief in the night – people are going to be caught unawares thinking they are all right.
- Peace and safety – the Lord isn’t saying this. Sudden travail will come upon them. This is the motto of those who love organizations like the United Nations. This will ultimately lead to the antichrist who will be embraced by ‘Christians’.
- Not in darkness but are children of the light – the Thessalonians walked in Jesus, the Light.
- You can only walk in Christ when you are in obedience to Him. You want to come to the light that your deeds may be manifest. You want to be in the center of that light where you can see clearly.
- Let us not sleep – one of the ways this manifests itself is Christians who are confident in their salvation but there is no evidence of it.
- Sleep – has to do with paying attention. The inference here is when a person is sleeping nothing is being done. If you’re awake things are getting done. If you are going through your day and nothing is happening, the Lord is not moving in your life – you are not witnessing, not talking about the Gospel, not praying for the sick, not rebuking demons.
- Watch – pay attention, recognizing you are in a war.
- Soberness eliminates presumption. You are mindful of the battle going on – alert, clear-headed.
- If we are not trying to follow God and copy Him there is something wrong with us.
- Putting on the breastplate of faith and love – this is body armor, it protects vital organs from harm. This is our faith and our hope.
- Love – faith only worketh by love, got to have the two together.
- Helmet – the hope of salvation – a hope is a thing that is not yet realized – you ain’t there until you’re there – on the day you die or the day you go to meet Him in the air. This will make you sober and make you watch because you realize you can lose it.
- Not appointed to wrath – God wants you to make it, that is why He died for you. The only way to make it is by Him. He cannot honor anything else. Here is where we get shed of these things so we can live with Him.
- Wake or sleep – refers to whether you are alive or dead.
- It is not God’s will that any of Adam’s seed by lost but He is not going to make you. You’ve got to do it. He’s given you everything to do it but it is up to you to do it. All of us have the ability to use our faith to serve God. It is a choice. We lack nothing to do what He says we are to do.
- Not render evil for evil to all – this includes men, women and children. What we do is never to be motivated by what others do to us but by what the Lord would have us do. It can never be about you – when it is you render what is rendered to you.
- Unto all – even to those who are without – this is what makes us different from the world.
- Rejoice evermore – a command, an act of your will in faith and love.
- Pray without ceasing – not to let anything stop you when you need to pray.
- In everything give thanks – notwithstanding what’s going on – give thanks for all things.
- Quench not the Spirit – the Spirit is that fire – Christians will put a wet blanket on a person on fire because they don’t want to do likewise.
- Prophesyings – be thankful, the Lord is giving you a head’s up.
- Prove all things – first by comparing it to the Word. Go to the Lord when you need to know what you are to do and He will establish to you what he wants.
- Hold fast that which is good – those things which are sound which you receive – don’t let them go, hang onto them.
- Sanctify you wholly – complete that work which He has begun.
- Blameless – preserved by the blood of Jesus Christ.
- Faithful – He is going to complete it if you let Him.
- Pray for us – we need your prayers, we are men just like you.
- Grace – that which they had need of. Had to stand in the hope of that salvation and need that grace to cover their sin.