The Elbert County tribune., 1916-07-07
LESSON FOR JULY 9
THE THEssALoNIAN CHRISTIANS


also that are fallen asleep in Jesus viii
God bring with him.-I Thess. 4:14 II. ".
This epistle Is probably one of th'
earliest of Paul's letters "a d. 50-53D
1t 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
ries 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 ad
vised and instructed his Gentle con
yerts. The first is a particularly cheer
full, positive and helpful exhortation.
!. Thanksgiving and Testimony u:
100; 2:17-2G). "a SaIutation Q:D
The phrase, "the church of the Thes
salonians which is in God" ia nowhere
else used. Some think 1t to be unique
because Paul had so little to condemn
or to criticize. The deity of Jesus
Christ and that grace and peace pro
ceed from God is clearly set forth
(2) Thanksgiving wv. Q and 81 (a)
For works of faith; (b) for their
Tabor of love-" and (c) their pa
tience" (endrrance). That these
works were "in the sight OF God" is
evidence OF their genuineness. and
such spiritual fruitage awakened
(3) knowledge in Paul's mind ". ~.
They were elected" to salvation, holi-
ness and likeness to Jesus wv. SO;
Pet 1:2; Eph. IA. 8. Rom. S:29).
(4) Tectimony wv. 6-1o). Paul could
appeal to the known conduct of him
self and his friends to substantiate. to
prove. the standing of those candi.
dates for holiness who had been elect
ed" His words had not come to them
in mere exhortation and eloquence 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 affliction to the
end that they became examples (pat-
terms or types; literally. like the far
echoing notes of trumpet) ". y to
all that dwelt In the regions there
about. Their obedience. consistency
ed forth everywhere and all that
needed to be done was to say. Behold
the church ofThessalonica!" (5) Paul's
glory and Joy (2:17-20). Paul sets
forth his character as a Christian
worker (2:1-16). (a) His physical
boldness wv. 1,2); (b) his faithful, i'm
partial teaching wv. 3-6), affectionate-
ly kind (7.S). unselfish. working for
his own support ". 81. holy and con-
sistent (13-16). No one had anything
on him." and such life dares to be
bold. though It is not free from per-
secution ". 15). (6) Paul's desire
(2:17-20). 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 ". 1S) 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 a good report (3:1-10)
that 1t urged Paul to greater prayer
wv. 11-13) on their behalf.
/ IL. ignorance luuUlInSu Nf.lo-lot.
Paul rebukes certain sins (4:1-12). ex-
horting them to godlincss and to love
| one another He then touches upon
doctrine which was one of his
strongest reasons for writing to these
| Thessalonians. The imminent return
of Christ had been strongly empha-
sized. but in the months of Paul's alb
sence some of their number had died.
died without seeing Christ's promised
glory. Would those who remained
have any advantage over tho dead
to set their thinking Alright that Paul
writes This he does by outlining the
great and blessed hope of the church
| in its 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 nre 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 a 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 and we who
are alive shall be caught up ito meet
the Lord in the air. all to dwell to
gather forevermore with the Lord.
Pauls description of the events Of
this second coming. this rapture of
the church. has not yet been fulfilled.
but he and the disciples were not mis-
taken as to Its nearness. its immi
nerce.
III. The Hope Of Church and State
t5.1424). The letter closes with
moral exhortations with reference to