QT 9/15/2024 1 Thess 4:10b-12, On mission

1 Thessalonians 4:10b–12 (ESV) —

10b But we urge you, brothers, to do this [Love] more and more, 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

 

NOTE: I think was gets forgotten in this verse is that we are still on mission, we are still taking the gospel to the ends of the world. We may not be missionaries in a foreign country, but we are missionaries wherever we are. Consequently, our witness is extremely important for the sake of the gospel. We are to evangelize but we have to have a witness that matches. Therefore, "to live quietly" means that we are not offensive in our passions. I think many American Christians are offensively political. It is good to vote and care for the country, but it can be offensive to our witness. We need to realize that acceptance of a political party has nothing to do with the gospel or believing. The enemy has used this to separate us from the mission field.

 

Mind your own affairs suggests that we can be too inquisitive into another's life. Let them share their story when they are ready. You need a relationship first before you can go deep with another.

 

Work with your hands suggests that we are not freeloaders. We don't use people, even taxpayers, to pay for our life. We need to earn our living, just as we need to earn a hearing.

 

The point of all that Paul is sharing is that we have a Christian walk that is genuinely beautiful and draws people to our savior.

 

PONDER:

1. Are there things that I am obnoxious about?
2. Does my life draw people or turn them off?

 

PRAYER: Father, give me grace to have a lifestyle that is a pleasing aroma and draws people to the savior.

QT 8 Oct 2020. 1 Thess 5:25, Brothers - pray for us

 

QT 1 Oct 19, 1 Thess 5:27, The entire bible is a complete and accurate book we need for life

1 Thessalonians 5:27 (ESV) — I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.

NOTE: I never noticed this verse before. The letter to the Thessalonians is one of the first letters Paul wrote. Galatians might precede it. In any case, Paul knew that the church needed to read his letters. I wonder if he also understood his ministry, to write the majority of the New Testament, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Not only were his letters read, there were copiously copied, like other first century letters that God guided. In fact, every book of the New Testament is a first century book with hundreds and thousands of copies by the fourth century. Consequently, it was not the council of Trent that decided what books were cannon, the Holy Spirit had already made that clear in the church by the tremendous number of copies. Books that were not included were not copied in any degree or were not written in the first century -- so much for the lost books of the bible -- there aren't any.

PRAYER: Father, thank you for the carefully preserved and accurate word of God. It is a miracle orchestrated by you through people. There is no doubt these books are the exact group of books/ letters we need for daily living. We all need to live under the charge above on a daily basis -- to read the letters.

QT 30 Sep 19, 1 Thess 5:14-15, Work is good because we were created / designed for work

1 Thessalonians 5:14–15 (ESV) — 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

NOTE: Paul gives instructions regarding the idle, the fainthearted, the weak, and then a general instruction that is applicable to all. The idle are the lazy, and I suppose the selfish. I say selfish because they do not want to give of their time to help others, or for that matter themselves. But you reply, that if they do not want to help themselves, how does that hurt others? Because we then have to take care of them and so that also is selfish. We are to admonish them. The Greek word means to warn, and is the same word used in another letter associated with discipline. The problem with idleness is not just the selfishness of the action, but the danger of the inaction. Work is a good thing, and we are created in the image of God to work. When we do not work, we destroy something of the fabric of our souls. We can't ignore the creation. It is essential to our well-being. Which is why evolution through random processes is such a danger, because it hides these essential facts of our soul.

PRAYER: Father, protect me from laziness. I want to work hard because I know it is good for my soul. I want to do the best I can so that I am a good witness for you. Now, as I take time for an extended two-week rest, help to truly rest and let go. I want to be recharged and ready to go when I return to work. Thank you for a job. Thank you for the people. Give me grace to be a good witness.

QT 27 Sep 19, 1 Thess 5:12-13, We abuse our Pastors

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 (ESV) — 12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

NOTE: I do think we esteem our leaders very highly, but I am not sure we do it for the right reasons or with the right motives. Throughout history, people have wanted to be associated with a Pastor, and to be considered a close friend of the Pastor, as if by some proximity, we too might be seen as spiritual. And then, we don't seem to realize the Pastor walks with God like any ordinary person. He struggles with sin, he struggles with anger, anxiety, and a whole host of issues -- just like us (to a degree -- everyone's struggles are different). It is possibly true that the Pastor may have a deeper walk with God, but that is the product of a "forced" intake of the word of God. If we showed the same discipline in quiet time, bible study, and prayer, we could have a similar close walk with God. Our jobs do not keep us from those disciplines. Our jobs give us greater opportunity to reach those who will never set foot in a church. And technically, the Pastor's job according to Eph 3 is NOT to do the ministry for us, but to train us up to do the ministry.

We are to esteem our Pastors because their work is very hard. People with spiritual problems are the most difficult and painful job to tackle in the world. We are so selfish. We believe the Pastor is there for us, for when we have struggles, and that he is at our beck and call. That is not true. Jesus is there for us. He is the one we are to call upon.

PRAYER: Father, forgive us for how we abuse the Pastor and misuse the Pastor. Forgive us for not listening to the Pastor, and for expecting that he must listen to us. We are a sorry lot. We are dirty smelly sheep and we don't even realize it. Open our eyes. Help us to esteem and love our leaders because of their hard work, not because we want to use them.

QT 26 Sep 19, 1 Thess 5:8, Faith, love, and hope are the expressions of the armor of a believer

1 Thessalonians 5:8 (ESV) — But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

NOTE: In Ephesians 6 is the passage detailing the armor of God. I believe this letter predates that one and so this is an early embryonic version of the same idea. Roman soldiers must have been a normal course of life and so their clothing, their armor probably offered a lot of food for thought. In this passage, Paul only mentions two of the items, the breastplate and helmet, leaving off the shoes, sword, and shield. These items mentioned are the most focused on protecting the body. The shield might be similar except that a shield, when used properly, was a very effective offensive weapon. But the two Paul mentions here are very defensive and protective. They protect our heart and our mind, the two areas Satan is most interested in attacking. Paul also brings in the concepts of faith, love, and hope. If I was to stretch the analogy, faith and love (the breastplate) protect our heart, and hope (the helmet) protects our mind. So when I feel the attack of Satan in one of these areas, I need to exercise the particular protective action. If I find myself doubting, I must remember my hope. Jesus has promised to return. And he will return -- in the air, before the great judgment. I have that hope of eternal life. The enemy has nothing that can take away my future in the kingdom.

PRAYER: Father, thank you for the great hope I have in my salvation. There is nothing I can really lose. I need to exercise my armor though, not waiting for the attacks of Satan, but living a life of faith, love, and hope so that I am ready for the attack when it comes.

QT 25 Sep 19, 1 Thess 5:9, We will be physically saved from the wrath to come

1 Thessalonians 5:9 (ESV) — For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

NOTE: These verses continue the discussion on life and death for those who are in Christ, and the coming rapture that will resurrect both the living and the dead that are in Christ. But Paul makes it very clear that we are not destined to wrath. Why would he say that? Because Jesus' return is associated with the tribulation period, a time of wrath upon the whole world, and especially on the unbelieving Jewish nation. His point is that is not a part of a Christian's destiny. As a believer we will be raptured. Jesus will come and take us up with him. This is not the second coming which comes after the tribulation and the explosion of God's wrath upon the world. We are protected from that. The "salvation" mentioned here while related to our spiritual salvation is actually the physical salvation from experiencing the wrath of the tribulation.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you that I am saved, spiritually and in the future physically from the great tribulation. Your anger must be very great against the world. In every way possible we have sought to discredit your word and your creation. We are an incredibly stupid people. Forgive us. Have mercy. Open our eyes to your absolute truth about life and the world.

QT 24 Sep 19, 1 Thess 4:16-17, God is in control of the events unfolding on this planet

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (ESV) — 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And 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, and so we will always be with the Lord.

NOTE: This event is what is commonly referred to as the rapture. It also agrees with the earlier verse where Jesus's coming with his holy ones (angels) is mentioned. We see at least one angel here, the archangel, and use of the trumpet of God suggests a multitude of angels ready to accomplish their mission upon the signal. This event is not the second coming. Jesus does not return to earth. The passage makes it very clear that he meets the 'dead and alive in Christ' in the  clouds in the air. And then we transverse to heaven to await traveling to the earth again in the second coming and the marriage supper of the lamb which will occur approximately seven years later. Nowhere does it suggest that this event triggers the tribulation, although it may be very coincidental with the signing of the peace treaty between the Antichrist and Israel -- the treaty being the real trigger which starts the seven year tribulation period. The point is that we have a hope. We are not appointed to wrath, although we will suffer and be persecuted to our faith. We will not face God's judgment, but we will face human judgment for our faith. But we have a hope and a glorious future.

PRAYER: Father, thank you for the truth of this passage and the reassurance it gives. Things will get worse in the world, but you are in control and at some point you will come and rapture us from the wrath to come. We wait in hope upon you.

QT 23 Sep 19, 1 Thess 4 :11-12, Work hard -- it builds my witness

1 Thessalonians 4:11–12 (ESV) — 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

NOTE: In other words, verse 12 suggests that being dependent on others financially is the opposite of a strong Christian witness. Paul is not saying welfare is bad, but that they we should avoid it if at all possible. Now there will come times when life puts a person in a situation that makes it almost unavoidable, but it should not be a pattern of our life. We should work and we should spend only what we earn. A good witness is characterized by being a good citizen and a helpful member of the community.

PRAYER: Father, help me to be seen by all as a positive contributor to my community, church, social circle, and work. Give me grace to stand up where I need to and to speak gently and respectfully. Give me grace to let things pass that aren't really that important as pertains to real life.

QT 20 Sep 19, 1 Thess 4:3-6, A sexual relationship is designed only for marriage

1 Thessalonians 4:3–6 (ESV) — 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 in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.

NOTE: I used to think that verse 6 was separate from verse 3, and adds a second definition for the will of God which is our sanctification (i.e., becoming more like Christ). But now I believe that 3-6 are saying the same thing--the whole group of verses are focused on sexual immorality. When we commit sexual immorality it has an effect on our brother (and grammatically our sister in Christ too). Our lust can wrong others. Not only does it do something spiritual to the relationship, it can create divisions and hurts. Relationships are not built on sexuality. Only one relationship, that of our spouse, is designed for sexuality. All other relationships are wronged. Verse 8 makes it clear that if you disregard this teaching, you are not disobeying man but God himself.

PRAYER: Father, I live in a world that vehemently opposes this idea and denies it truth. But the world does not believe it was designed and created but came about randomly and through chaos, therefore there are no "rules." Forgive us. Open our eyes to our sin. Convict us so that we repent.

QT 19 Sep 19, 1 Thess 3:13, We need to be prepared for Jesus coming with his mighty ones

1 Thessalonians 3:13 (ESV) — … so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

NOTE: I won't pretend to have a definitive answer for this verse, but in light of other verses the following view makes the most sense. The word for saints is hagios, meaning holy ones. It is used of mighty angels and it can be used for the saints. In this case, since the event refers to the rapture, it is better argued as angels, since the saints (living and dead) have not been resurrected. Additionally, OT saints, tribulation saints, and the unbelievers are all resurrected at different times in the period between the tribulation and the millennial kingdom. Jesus' coming at the rapture is a partial coming since he does not return to the earth, but rather meets us in the air. Believers alive in the Lord Jesus and those dead, both receive their new resurrected bodies and return with Jesus to the place prepared for them to wait the seven years, the bride preparation week (so to speak). When Jesus returns to earth, at the end of tribulation, we (the resurrected saints) will accompany him back, culminating in the final battle of Armageddon  (although Jesus will do all the work). So there are two points. One, we want our hearts blameless for the rapture. Two, the angels will accompany Jesus during the rapture.

PRAYER: Father, I realized I don't understand your word and I make mistakes. But the more I do understand it, the more it perfectly fits together. Thank you for the incredible accuracy and life-giving truth of the word of God.

QT 18 Sep 19, 1 Thess 3:8, The joy of seeing spiritual children grow

1 Thessalonians 3:8 (ESV) — For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.

NOTE: Paul cared deeply for the people he had led to the Lord and those he had discipled in the Lord. He loved them greatly. For him, real living was knowing that his spiritual children and adopted spiritual children were standing firm in their faith. That is my desire as well for those that I minister to. There is a sense of pride (in a good sense) when they involve themselves in ministry or when they share something that God is doing or changing in their life.

PRAYER: Father, thank you for the IDGs and the opportunity to be a part of the lives of three more men. I pray for them that you would challenge them, you would change them, you would reveal yourself to them. I pray these next 8-9 months can establish a new habit and course of life for them. Thank you for your goodness.

QT 17 Sep 19, 1 Thess 3:4, Affliction because of faith is coming

1 Thessalonians 3:4 (ESV) — 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.

NOTE: While this may be specific to the Thessalonians, other passages make it clear that it is the expected life for the believer. It may be more telling when we are not experiencing affliction -- that we do not have a witness that challenges people in their lifestyle. Overall, I do not experience affliction on the same scale as the Thessalonians or much of the first century church. While my nation has turned its back on God, promoted sinful behaviors and attitudes, it has not yet put me in danger of physical violence. There are some groups who are attacking believers for standing up for the gospel. These groups, while expressing free speech, are opposed to any speech with which they do not like. People, Christians, are being attacked for their faith in this country. It is here and it is growing in influence as a godless nation takes root.

PRAYER: Father, open the eyes of my nation to their wickedness. Convict us of our sin. Give Christians the boldness to stand up and to be a witness for the name of Jesus. May we not shrink back.

QT 16 Sep 19, 1 Thess 2:19, It's not about me, it's about others

1 Thessalonians 2:19 (ESV) — For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?

NOTE: People are the goal. If we are not making an impact on people, we are a noisy gong. We are loud but we don't really love others. Our ministry has to affect others. We grow in Christ, not for our own good, but for our own good to serve others. We grow in love not to be more loving, but we grow in love to be more loving to others. It is not about me or how I look -- that is the noisy, clanging gong of 1 Cor 13. The key is how is my life making an impact on others?

PRAYER: Father, forgive me when I only think about self. The idea of ministry is to minister. Give me a strong impact on all the people around me. Help me to truly love and care for others.

QT 12 Sep 18, 1 Thess 2:11-12, God has called us (he has accepted us)

1 Thessalonians 2:11–12 (ESV) — 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

NOTE: To Paul, those he was helping were like his children. He was deeply concerned with their choices and growth. He wanted them to succeed. He exhorted, but he also encouraged. He gave them a charge, a goal that was high and lofty, the kind of challenge that causes people to reach for the skies -- "walk in a manner worthy of God." How can anyone do that? We are so unworthy, and yet God himself has called us to His kingdom and to share in His glory. Yes, we are unworthy, but God wants us to come. Rather than fighting with God about our unworthiness, we need to accept his call and live in a manner worthy of him -- no matter how hard.

PRAYER: Father, I am unworthy. But, I believe you have still chosen to call me. I won't argue with you or dismiss myself -- you have accepted me. I want to live up to the challenge given me -- to walk in a manner worthy of the King of all ages and the ruler over all things.

QT 11 Sep 19, 1 Thess 2:1-2,8, The enemy will oppose us

1 Thessalonians 2:1–2, 8 (RSV) — 1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our visit to you was not in vain; 2 but though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the face of great opposition. … 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

NOTE: It was clear that Paul cared for people. They had a bad experience at Philippi, and maybe you begin to think about quitting. Also, there was opposition at Thessalonica. Most places Paul visited, he faced opposition. And why would we think that he would not, since he is entering enemy-held (Satan's) territory and freeing captives. Of course the enemy will fight. There will be opposition to the truth. It should not surprise us. But the opposition should not be a result of our abrasiveness but rather to the message. In fact, our life, especially in lifestyle-evangelism-settings should smooth the way for the gospel. Certainly Paul willingly gave to the people his very life, but he didn't always live around them long enough to do evangelism through relationships (exceptions being Ephesus and Rome). We can break down Satan's wall by love and care for those around us.

PRAYER: Father give me a good witness to those I work with and those I live near. Help me to show interest and care for them. Help me to pray for them. I especially think of my neighbors who are up in Oklahoma taking care of their sick daughter and the grandchildren. Heal her. Strengthen them. Cause them to seek you.

QT 10 Sep 19, 1 Thess 6:10, This life is not my reward

1 Thessalonians 1:10 (ESV) — … and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

NOTE: These new believers were waiting for Jesus' return. I think it is a good characteristic of all believers to be waiting for the son's return. Why? Because when we believe the return of the Lord is imminent, we live less for the things of the world and we live more for eternal things -- things that will last. My retirement home is not here, it is in heaven. I don't retire on earth to leisure. My earthly retirement is more opportunity to minister and serve. I am never above the things that are asked of me when I believe I am serving the Lord Jesus Christ. He is coming soon. I need to be fully engaged in his work.

PRAYER: Father, whatever happens here on earth. I am not living for this life. I thank you for supplying all I need. But my job is to minister to my co-workers, my neighbors, my friends, and the church body. I need to be engaged here because you are coming soon. There is not much time left to complete the work of the church.

QT 9 Sep 19, 1 Thess 1:3, We have a guaranteed future reality with Jesus

1 Thessalonians 1:3 (ESV) — … remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

NOTE: The word "work" is the Greek word, ergon, meaning your place of employment or duty. My job is to exercise faith and to live by faith. The word "labor" is the Greek word, ergos, meaning a beating or to cause trouble or toil. Loving others is difficult. Most people are not very lovable and are not very appreciative of love because we are all selfish to the core. Finally, our hope, elpis, is an expectation of fear in the literal sense, but in the Christian sense, it is an expectation of joy. I think the reason the word for fear is used is that fearful expectation is an impending doom that you don't think you can escape. You are sure it will happen and you are afraid. It is that same assurance but translated in a good sense for a Christian. We know that our hope is in Jesus Christ and he is coming back for us.

PRAYER: Thank you for the work that you have called me to. Give me grace to live my faith and to toil in love for all those around me. I know assuredly that my future with God is a guaranteed reality.

QT 11 Dec 14, 1 Thess 5:23, Saved, but also being saved

1 Thess 5:23 (ESV) Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

NOTE: Paul's final words to the Thessalonians, who are eagerly awaiting Jesus' return (arguably at the rapture), focus on the sanctification process. We are saved by faith, but we are being saved by obedience. In the first case, we are saved from Hell (justified when we place our faith in Jesus). In the second case, we are being saved from our sinful flesh--a sort of hell for some people. This process requires the surrender of our bodies, the renewal of our mind, an involvement in community (Christian fellowship), and life purpose (the witness of our lives to those who don't know Jesus). Too many people focus on only one aspect of our salvation, the justification by faith. But equally important is the sanctification of our whole spirit and soul and body. We are to grow to be like Jesus, that is why God does not take us home immediately upon justification. We have a purpose and we have a job. To ignore this aspect is to ignore the great salvation that has been given to us. Lord wake us up so that we do not remain lazy Christians.

QT 10 Dec 14, Rapture is a physical salvation into an eternal future

1 Thess 4:15 (ESV) For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

NOTE: There is a great debate on what this word wrath means--is it soteriological (salvation-oriented) or eschatological (future times-, tribulation-oriented)?. The Greek word is orge, pronounced or-gay' and Strong defines as "properly desire (as a reaching for or excitement of the mind), i.e. (by analogy,) violent passion." It is used more than three times of God toward man in only 3 books: Romans, Revelation, and 1 Thessalonians. In Revelation, it is used exclusively during the period of Tribulation. In 1 Thess, the emphasis is on protection from a coming wrath, and in Romans, the word could be used either of the coming wrath of God against mankind or his wrath against sin as a reason for our need for salvation. Romans has the largest number of uses. So, it is not clear. But in this passage in 1 Thess, it is most likely eschatological since that is the root of the discussion, i.e. has the Lord returned or not, and what about people who have already died? So, Paul could be saying that people who died don't have to worry because they are justified by Jesus death as much as those who are alive (this is the soteriological answer). But that doesn't make sense, surely they knew that. The most likely explanation, is that they were confused about the rapture (what happens if you are dead), and how does that relate to the coming tribulation period when God's wrath is exercised against all of mankind who has refused to believe. In that sense (eschatologically), Paul is saying that we will not need to worry about going through the tribulation but will be saved (physically) from that time. Part of our problem is not realizing that the word salvation is used in both spiritual and physical explanations. Verses that discuss salvation by works are referring to the daily walk (also called sanctification) and how we are saved from our sinful flesh by obedience and good works--we become more like Christ. Salvation is also used in a spiritual sense as in our justification when we put our faith in Jesus Christ for our salvation. There is no work involved, only faith. That salvation secures our eternity, our inheritance, and our standing with God (justification), and our future glorification (when we will be like him). The rapture saves us from physically going through the tribulation and brings about glorification (when we receive our new bodies and no longer have to fight against the sinful flesh). Praise God for our salvation--justification, sanctification, and glorification.