Learning from the Church at Thessalonica (Pt. II) I. Introduction. A. Reference to Series on The Pattern of the New Testament Church. 1. Has been about three weeks since last lesson. 2. Looking at individual congregations that we are told about in the New Testament. such as Corinth, Ephesus, and Philippi. 3. Examining their actions and pointing out their pattern. 4. So that we will know how we ought to conduct ourselves today in this congregation. B. Introduction to the church at Thessalonica. 1. Acts 17. 2. Paul enters the city and begins to preach in the synagogue on the Sabbath as was his custom. 3. Verse 4 points out the initial success that Paul had. And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas. 4. But, as you remember, in the next several verses the situation changes. a mob is raised, Christians are arrested, and Paul is run out of town. 5. Probably the most familiar verse to us about the city of Thessalonica is in verse 11, These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. not a good statement about Thessalonica. C. But the church at Thessalonica is a wonderful story. 1. We learn the bulk about them in Paul s two letters to them. 2. There are several great lessons we learn from them. 3. If we could imitate them, we would be doing very well. D. Review of part one. 1. Determination to serve God no matter what. 2. The church should set a good example for others. 3. Evangelism of the church. 4. The need for growth in the church. II. The need for love in the church. A. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12.
1. Concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you. 2. Why? for yourselves are taught by God to love one another. and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. 3. So then why is Paul writing about love? But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more. B. Points to make from this passage. 1. Loving our brethren is basic command of God. it should be natural to us. we shouldn t have to say anything about it. 2. We need to follow the example of the Thessalonians. they were doing a good job of loving their brethren. and notice it was not just the brethren in Thessalonica, but also all the brethren in Macedonia. this would include brethren from other congregations, such as Philippi. 3. We can always love more. love is one of those commands that we can never do enough. there s always more that we can do. C. Applying the example of love. there are many ways that we can apply the principle of love to our brethren. 1. We can show them hospitality. Romans 10:13, given to hospitality. Romans 10:10, in honor giving preference to one another. 2. We can share our emotions. Romans 12:15, rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 3. We can give of our time. Ephesians 5:16, redeeming the time. 4. We can help those we see in need. 1 John 3:17, whoever has this world s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 5. We can edify and encourage. Ephesians 4:29, Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 6. We can also admonish and correct when necessary. Hebrews 12:6, For whom the Lord loves He chastens. Do we love our brethren enough to chasten them?
7. We demonstrate our love through humility and exaltation. Philippians 2:3, in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. III. Members should respect and honor its rulers. A. In 1 Thessalonians 5:12, Paul mentions rulers in the church. 1. those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you. 2. Who are these people to whom Paul refers? 3. The only people who are mentioned in the New Testament that are given this type of authority in the church are elders. also known as pastors or bishops. 4. 1 Peter 5:1-3, The elders who are among you I exhort...shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. notice in that passage a reference to elders being shepherds or pastors. also notice that an overseer is a bishop. all three terms talking about the same man. 5. Back to 1 Thessalonians 5. Paul refers to the rulers in the church, the overseers, the shepherds. 6. He gives a short description of the jobs of these men. those who labor among you. being an elder is a lot of work. and are over you in the Lord. an elder has authority over the church. and admonish you. the main job of an elder is to watch out for our souls. Hebrews 13:17. sometimes that means admonishing those who err. 7. This is a vitally important role in the church. and we need men to work to fill these roles. B. But the passage in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 is not focused directly on the need for elders or even the job of elders. 1. The passage is focused on the actions and attitudes of the congregation toward these men who would serve as elders. 2. Look at verses 12-13, And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 3. This passage tells us how we should treat elders in the church.
with recognition for their work. with honor and love for what they do. with peace. 4. Two passages in Hebrews chapter 13 also help us understand how we ought to act toward elders. Hebrews 13:7, remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Hebrews 13:17, obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. IV. The church should hold fast to its traditions. A. The topic of traditions is sometimes a touchy subject. 1. Most people are traditional people. that is, most everyone has certain traditions that they like to observe. holidays would be a good example. 2. Traditions can sometimes cause problems in the church. churches have divided over traditions. 3. We, as a conservative Church of Christ, are probably seen by many as being too traditional. 4. What is the role of traditions in our service to God? B. Jesus sharply criticized the Pharisees for elevating their traditions to be equal with commands of God. 1. Matthew 15:6, Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. 2. Mark 7:8-9, For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men...you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. 3. The Pharisees were taking their traditions and actually elevating them above the law of God. 4. What the Pharisees were binding was not part of the law of God. 5. Therefore, these types of traditions should not be recognized as being required. C. But the Bible also talks about traditions which we must keep. 1. The Thessalonians are an example of this. 2. Look at 2 Thessalonians 2:15. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.
3. Later, in the third chapter, Paul tells the Thessalonians to withdraw from anyone who did not walk according to the tradition which he received from us. Vs. 6 4. From these passages, it is clear that Paul is teaching that there are some traditions which we must hold on to at all costs. D. What types of traditions is Paul talking about? 1. Notice in each of those verses the traditions that Paul mentions. 2:15, traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. 3:6, tradition which he received from us. 2. Paul tells them to hold on to the traditions which he taught them. 3. What did Paul teach them? look back to 1 Thessalonians 2:4, But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 4. Paul is telling them to hold on to the traditions which come from God. E. Applying the test for traditions. 1. Is the tradition a tradition of man or a tradition from God? 2. Can you find proof of the tradition in the word of God? 3. If yes, then we must hold on to it with everything we ve got. 4. If no, then we must not bind it on others. let me point out that all traditions of men are not bad traditions. it is simply that we must not elevate them to be on par with the traditions which come from God. V. Pattern of church discipline. A. 2 Thessalonians chapter three contains one of the most unpleasant topics in all of Scripture. 1. The topic of discipline. 2. We don t like to have to exercise discipline in the home. 3. We don t like to have to exercise discipline in the workplace. 4. Discipline is not enjoyable, but it is profitable. 5. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11 B. Examine the text of 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15. 1. Situation: for we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 2. The command: withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 3. Description of command: and if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him. Vs. 14
4. Purpose of command: that he may be ashamed (Vs. 14) and to cause them to repent and work in quietness and eat their own bread (Vs. 12). 5. Relationship after command is executed: yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. Vs. 15 C. Application of the Lesson. 1. When any one of us begins to walk disorderly and not according to the tradition of God, then the rest of us must exhort him to repent. 2. If he will not repent, we must withdraw from him, meaning that we must note that person and not keep company with him. 3. We take these actions so that the erring Christian will be ashamed and repent and come back to the fold. 4. After we have exercised this discipline, we must not forget about our erring brother but we must continue to admonish him. D. This is an area that we have to examine as a congregation. 1. We have been negligent in this area. 2. We also have been negligent in going to our brethren when we see them start to slip away. 3. We must address this situation to stay in line with the pattern. VI. Conclusion: Practical Application. A. Let us all decide to display our love for our brethren more consistently. B. Let us all resolve to honor and respect those who will serve as elders here in the future and encourage men to work toward this goal. C. Let us all vow to never let this church get away from the traditions of God. D. Let us all commit to apply tough love when it is necessary to attempt to bring an erring Christian back to the fold.