8/14/2010 1st and 2nd Thessalonians Lesson Thes Thes. 4:1. 4: Review Review When, Where? When, Where? 1

Transcription

1 1 st st and 2 nd Thessalonians Lesson 5 1 Thes. 4: Review When, Where? 1

2 Review - Themes What are some major themes of the letters? Their faith appreciation and concern The Day of the Lord Sanctification exhortations unto holiness Guidance for a young church Review Some Lessons So Far Paul begins the letter boosting their spirit and instilling confidence. Do we do this with one another? Do we have faith, love, and hope that are active? Paul was a model of boldness. Are we bold in our approach with the gospel today? We should walk worthy of our calling. Live in a way that gives honor to our God. Let us be constant in prayer and thanksgiving to God. 2

3 Key Lessons The admonition given here is just as pertinent today: we should be excelling (abounding) in our walk with God. Don t be satisfied with where you are. Grow! Strive to do more to please God. Are we living lives of holiness? We have been separated unto God and should live like it. Fornication is sinful. Don t let the world s thinking become ours. Brotherly love is vital if we are to be successful as a church and individually. There is tremendous strength to be gained from it. 3

4 Why does this passage start with Finally then, brethren,? A change in the letter. First part - retrospective and historical Second part - prospective and exhortational Finally often used in the closing of epistles 2 Cor. 13:1; Eph. 6:10; Phil. 4:8; 2 Thes. 3:1; 2 Tim. 4:8 Connects with what has just been said They may be blameless at the Lord s coming (3:13) What are they urging and exhorting the Thessalonian brethren to do? (v. 1) urge and exhort - urgency and importance abound perisseuo to superabound; to excel. Going above and beyond the call of duty: 3:12; 4:1,10 No room for complacency in the kingdom of God No matter what we have attained, Christians must strive to excel ever more Lk. 17:10; Prov. 4:18 4

5 Define the word sanctification (v. 3) Sanctification hagiasmos purity, holiness, sanctification; separated to God Found three times in the passage, vv. 3, 4, 7 Calling them to holiness; to purity of life Live as though they are separated unto God and no longer a part of the world It matters how we live! Why do you think Paul found it necessary to speak to them about these things? (vv. 3-7) Culture was steeped in fornication Heathenism had made the crime trivial, jocular, rather smart, and even religious and right. (Whedon Whedon) Pervasive problem among the Gentiles Viewed with moral indifference Former lives - needed to put it behind them Prevalence of fornication had an influence 5

6 What does it mean to possess his own vessel (v. 4)? vessel (skeuos) One s own body (2 Cor. 4:7; 5:1; Acts 9:15; 2 Tim. 2:21; Rom. 9:21ff) One s wife (1 Pet. 3:7) Context favors one s own body We are to be holy; keep our bodies under control A faithful Christian must control his physical desires and conduct himself honorably 1 Cor. 9:27 V. 5 learn what it does not mean not in passion of lust letting strong desire rule our behavior What sets us apart from the Gentiles who are thus guided? Knowledge of God We must possess our vessel Do you bring your thoughts and intents into subjection? Prov. 23:7 We are set apart unto the Lord! Live like it! 6

7 How could one defraud his brother in this matter (v. 6)? Defrauding - most likely committing adultery with a brother s wife Husbands and wives joined in marriage belong exclusively to one another To lie with another man s wife is to cheat him of something that is rightfully and exclusively his A serious matter to the Lord - the avenger Fornication is not simply a sin against God and one s own body also a sin against others Our society s treatment of fornication Fornication is not stigmatized Rarely hear it called sin Expected and encouraged How many dress contributes to it Sex glamorized One is viewed as odd if not open to it (1 Pet. 4:4) Living with someone before marriage the norm 7

8 Affect on us? No doubt Hardly a movie or TV show any more w/o it Not only acceptable but preferable behavior Those with problems - an addiction Does it become more acceptable or tolerable? Do we blush less at the depiction of it? Sit through movies where it is openly displayed? Becoming desensitized; viewed as less heinous May be trapped by its deceitfulness Wake up to this danger! Discussion: Vv Starts out with But concerning brotherly love Contrasted with what has just been written No need for Paul to write about it Also, this brotherly love contrasts with the supposed love that may be attached to fornication: Genuine and selfless vs. empty and selfish 8

9 Discussion: Vv Two Greek words for love Philadelphia and Agapao Philadephia phileo warm, emotional love or attachment such as exists in a family adelphos brother; physically, from the same womb, but here spiritually, from the same birth of the spirit The warm, familial love between brothers in Christ; should characterize that relationship Agapao the love that seeks the best in another often at one s own expense Discussion: Vv Being encouraged to increase more and more Don t be satisfied; continue to perfect what you already share and enjoy Focusing on this will eliminate the sin of fornication and the covetous attitude This focus will also strengthen their relationship to each other Will make it easier to withstand the trials and temptations that they will face 9

10 Discussion: Vv Brethren adelphos Vine s: a brother, or near kinsman; in the plural, l a community based on identity or origin of life brethren found 23 times in these letters emphasizes a sharing they have with each other face the same challenges should draw on the strength th of this relationship should recognize not alone in the struggle Paul is concerned about their welfare in a very close and personal way; like the concern of a family member for a brother or sister. Discussion: Vv Additional admonitions in vv To strive to lead a quiet life To mind your own business To work with your own hands To walk properly toward non-christians All this, so that t you may lack nothing Some may have ceased working in anticipation of Christ s return Simple admonitions, but needed 10

11 Key Lessons The admonition given here is just as pertinent today: we should be excelling (abounding) in our walk with God. Don t be satisfied with where you are. Grow! Strive to do more to please God. Are we living lives of holiness? We have been separated unto God and should live like it. Fornication is sinful. Don t let the world s thinking become ours. Brotherly love is vital if we are to be successful as a church and individually. There is tremendous strength to be gained from it. 11