The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1909-07-29
Paul's Teachings to
Thessalonicans
Sunday School Lesson for August 8, 1909
Specially Arranged for This Paper

der evil for evil unto any man; but ever
follow that which is good. "-Thes. 5-15.
TTME-This epistle was written prob
ably in A. ID. 81, or early in A. ID. So.
PLACE.-At Corinth during Paurs year
and a half work in that city.
Suggestion and Practical Thought.
| PauPs Letter of Consolation and
Wise Advice.-1. characteristics of
the First Epistle to the Thessalonians.
Note the facts in "The Lesson In Its
Setting" Review the circumstances
of the Thessalonian church as given
in Acts II. See lesson of this quar-
ter. Three missionaries had come
there froom Philippi, two of them
torn and bruised by a terrible flagel-
lation at Philippi. emerging from the
lowest dungeon of prison, their
whole aspect bespeaking their pow
erty, their sufferings, their earthly in
Significance. These poor prosecuted
wanderers supported themselves by
weaving black goats hair into tent
cloth. Here they preached a few
weeks, founded a church, and we're
driven away by persecution.
2. Paul longed to visit them again,
and made three vain attempts to do
so, from Berea, from Athens and from
Corinth. He felt their need of train
ing and of more knowledge of the
truth. of comfort, and of guidance.
3. Timothy had just come back
from Thessalonica, and had brought
report concerning the church, giving
favorable report in general. But
two facts were made known by him.
One was that they we're suffering Sc
we're prosecutions from both Jews and
Gentiles; the other that they were dis
couraged and troubled by the death Of
some before the second coming Of
the Lord Jesus.
4. The epistle is very personal and
Retrospective, breathing a spirit of af-
lection and of JOY.
8. II 1t seems strange that such a
letter could be written to a church
founded by Paul less than a year be-
fore, implying the wonderful matur-
ity of this infant church, when we
compare IT with the slow progress of
modern missions. we must remember
that the first church members were
Jews and religious proselytes, long
trained in the religion Of the true
God. Moreover, many of the Greeks
were cultivated and thoughtful peo-
pie, who through the Gospel had been
enlightened by the Holy Spirit.
A Lesson in Morals for the Build
ing Up of the Noblest Christian Life
v. 23. First, the ideal and aim. The
First sentences of the Lords Prayer
express the ideal of the whole prayer.
and, therefore, of all prayer and all
living. II is as necessary to have the
right goal of life as for sea captain
to know the port for which he is sail
ing.
And the very God of peace" Bet
ter as r. ". the God of peace himself,
the God who brings peace-the peace
with himself, through sins forgiven,
and nature in harmony with his;
peace in the soul. peace Of conscience,
the peace OF trust in God our Father.
"Sanctify you" Make you holy, pure,
free from sin and imperfection, from
every faint of evil. wholly" Unto
completeness, to full perfection, in de-
gree and in kind.
whole spirit and soul and body"
Every part of your nature, the spirit
that allies US to God, the highest
moral nature. And soul"
Second. On our way to this ideal we
have first as a means, the right treat
ment OF pastors and teachers Tvs. II.
49,. 1--WE beseech you" Because 1t is
SO important, and lies within your
choice and power ITO know them"
To understand their feelings and mo-
tives and self denials, and their desire
to help you, even when they "admon-
ish you" They hate to do 1t, but II
they love you they must do it at
times.
Esteem them very highly in love. "
The greatest force for building char
acter is to love and esteem good peo-
pie, such as are worthy to be pastors
and teachers. And show your esteem
and love in every possible way.
BE at peace with yourselves" BY
being so earnest in seeking the object
of Christian worship and teaching,
| ludL I'LL ulHtTtuCtS DclWtSu luClNiuu-
ais are Of little value compared with
the great purpose that binds all in
one.
We build character by service for
others ". 14). To this end Paul says,
I'VE exhort." Encourage, summon, in
spire by word and example.
Warn them that are unruly," like
disorderly soldiers, breaking from
their ranks. Such is the picture pre-
sented by the Greek word. Cause the
unruly to see the evil and danger of
their ways.
Comfort the feeble-minded." Bet
ter as in II. ", encourage the faint
hearted, the discouraged.
Support the weak" Pay especial
attention TO them. That is what your
strength is for.
While we are not to despise prophe-
syings we should ". 2D prove all
things" Apply the right test. Sep
arate the wheat from tares. Distin-
guish between genuine and counterfeit
| ..s,,. - truth Than ohold faof fhof