The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1916-07-06
LESSON FOR JULY 8
The rHEssAlonlAN CHRISTIANS
| FS,S0lY


LESSON TEXT Thess s:17-2c: 4:1s-1s;
| 6:14-24
GOLDEN TExT-n we believe that
Jesus died and rose again. even SO them
also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will
God bring with him.-I Thess 4:14 r. V.
This epistle is probably one of the
earliest of Paul's letters "a. D. 1858 y.
Il links itself closely with the seven
teenth chapter of the Book Of Acts.
Driven from Berea, Paul goes to Ath-
ems and later to Corinth, while Tim
othy returns to Thessalonica and car
rfes a report to Paul at Corinth.
Whereupon. perhaps within six
months, Paul writes his epistle. A
study Of the two letters addressed to
this church teaches US how Paul adj
vised and instructed his Gentle con-
verts. The first is particularly cheer
full, positive and helpful exhortation.
!. Thanksgiving and Testimony q:
100; 2:17-2O). CD saIutation G:D
The phrase, "the church Of the Thes-
sa1onians which is in Ged" is nowhere
else used. Some think it to be unique
because Paul had 50 little to condemn
or to criticize. The deity Of Jesus
Christ and that grace and peace pro-
coed from God is clearly set forth.
(2) Thanksgiving. wv. 2 and 81 (a)
For works of filth; (b) for their
Tabor of love-" and (c) their pa
tience'' (endurance). That these
works were gin the sight of God" Is
evidence Of their genuineness, and
such spiritual. fruitage awakened
CD knowledge in Pau1's mind ". -.
They were elected" to salvation, holi-
ness and likeness to Jesus wv. SO;
I Pet 1:2; Eph. IA, 8; Rom. 1920.
~ Testimony wv. 6-10). Paul could
appeal to the known conduct of him
self and his friends to substantiate, to
prove, the standing of those candf-
dates for holiness who had been "elect-
ed" His words had not come to them
in mere exhortation and elcQuence but
ALSO in power" which governed their
conduct This was not to win ap-
plause. but in his own case he labored
for their sakes ". 81 and In their
case they had received the word with
Joy" in the midst Of affection to the
end that they became examples (pat.
terms or types; literally, nke-the far
echoing notes Of trumpet) ". y to
all that dwelt in the regions there
about. Their obedience, consistency
and missionary spirit wv. 800 sound
ed forth everywhere and all that
needed to be done was to say, Behold
the church of Thessalonica!" {6) Paui's
glory and Joy (2:17-2O). Paul sets
forth his character as a Christian
worker (2:1-16). (a) His physical
boldness wv. 1, p: (b) his faithful. i'm
partial teaching wv. 3-6), affectionate-
ly kind G,8), unselfish. working for
his own support ". 81, holy and con-
sistent (13-16). No one had anything
on him." and such a life dares to be
bold, though it is not free from per-
secution ". 15). co Paul's desire
(2:17-2O). He here sets forth why this
letter was written. Separated from
them by persecution, he desires to
return and supply the things they were
yet lacking and to see face to face
those whom he loved. Satan pre-
vented ". 49, doubtless using the bit
ter persecution stirred up against him.
He had therefore sent Timothy from
Berea to comfort them (3:15), who
had made such good report (3:1-1O)
that it urged Paul to greater prayer
wv. 11-13) on, their behalf.
II. Ignorance ,lIlumined (4:13-18).
Paul rebukes certain sins (4:1-12), ex-
horting them to godliness and to love
one another. He then touches upon a
doctrine which was one of his
strongest reasons for writing to these |
The imminent return
of Christ had been strongly empha-
sized, but In the months of Pau1's alb
sence Some of their number had died, |
died without seeing Christ's promised |
glory. Would those who remained |
have any advantage over the dead |
saints when Christ should come? It is
to set their thinking Alright that Paul
writes This he does by outlining the
great and blessed hope Of the church
in it's rapture" at Christ's coming.
This Is more clearly set forth here
than anywhere else in the New Tesla
ment. Those who mourned over de-
parted loved ones are not to sorrow
as those who had no hope" Jesus
the risen, everlasting Savior and king,
is certainly coming again in his king
dom of glory, with shout, with the
voice of the archangel." Their sor-
row is not that of the world, for those
departed are but sleeping and will
come back with Jesus when he comes.
Together they who sleep ana we who
are alive shall be caught up ito meet
the Lord in the air." all to dwell to
gather foreverraore with the Lord.