Context: From previous weeks (1 Thessalonians 3:1-3, 6-7):
- Paul was really concerned about the Church at Thessalonica and
- Sent Timothy to
- Establish the Thessalonian Church
- Comfort them concerning their faith
- Make sure none of them would give up because of persecution
- Sent Timothy to
- Timothy brought back good news, that comforted Paul, about the Thessalonians
- Their faith, love, good memories of Paul and team
What is Paul begging the Thessalonian assembly to do? (v1-8, Romans 12:2)
- As they have heard from Paul on how to walk and please God
- Do it more and more
- Why? (v3,6, 8)
- Because it is the will of God that they sanctify themselves
- Sanctify: To be set apart from the practices those around them
- Because Lord is the avenger
- Rejecting this call for sanctification is rejecting God – not man
- Because it is the will of God that they sanctify themselves
- How?
- Control our body – coz we know God
- Don’t take advantage of any brother or sister
- OK to take advantage of someone who is not your brother or sister?
- 1 Thessalonians 3:12
- OK to take advantage of someone who is not your brother or sister?
What does Paul exhort Thessalonian assembly to do more and more? (v9-12)
- That they continue to love one another more and more
- Didn’t Timothy bring back good news about their love? Didn’t Paul just testify that they loved all the believers who are in Macedonia? Isn’t that enough?
- Abound, in loving one another, more and more!
- Didn’t Timothy bring back good news about their love? Didn’t Paul just testify that they loved all the believers who are in Macedonia? Isn’t that enough?
- That they make their ambition to lead a quiet life
- That they may work with their own hands so that they don’t lack anything
- Is it possible, because of their confusion about the second coming, they started thinking they don’t need to work any more?
Why were Thessalonians grieving? How did Paul comfort them? (v13-18)
- Thessalonians were grieving because of people who died (fallen asleep)
- Paul calls out that he doesn’t want them to be ignorant. Meaning, tht just didn’t know what happens next
- It’s also possible that they may be focussed on second coming, so death was unexpected and shocking and they didn’t what happens after death
- Paul explains that those who died are not lost. In fact, they would be the first ones to be resurrected and will meet the Lord in the air, along with the ones who are still living
- Why? Because Jesus rose from the dead.
- Those who believe in Him will also be brought back to life
- Why? Because Jesus rose from the dead.
- This hope for life in Jesus and being with the Lord forever, is unique to believers
Conclusion:
- Abound in love, more and more
- John 15:17 “I command these things to you, that you may love one another.
Main Passage 1 Thessalonians 4 – World English Bible (WEB)
4 Finally then, brothers, we beg and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, that you abound more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality, 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body[a] in sanctification and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who don’t know God, 6 that no one should take advantage of and wrong a brother or sister in this matter; because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified. 7 For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification. 8 Therefore he who rejects this doesn’t reject man, but God, who has also given his Holy Spirit to you.
9 But concerning brotherly love, you have no need that one write to you. For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another, 10 for indeed you do it toward all the brothers who are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brothers, that you abound more and more; 11 and that you make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we instructed you; 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and may have need of nothing.
13 But we don’t want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don’t grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first, 17 then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Footnotes
- 4:4 literally, possess his own vessel
Notes / Cross References
1 Thessalonians 3:1-3 1 Therefore when we couldn’t stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in the Good News of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith, 3 that no one would be moved by these afflictions. For you know that we are appointed to this task.
1 Thessalonians 3:6-7 6 But when Timothy came just now to us from you, and brought us glad news of your faith and love, and that you have good memories of us always, longing to see us, even as we also long to see you, 7 for this cause, brothers, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith.
Romans 12:2 Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Matthew 22:36-40 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?”
37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”
Deuteronomy 6:5 You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.
Leviticus 19:18 “‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am Yahweh.
