The Dermott news., 1916-07-06
LESSON FOR JULY g
THE THEssALoNlAN CHRISTIANS.

Jesus died and rose again, even so thcm also that are fallen asleep in Jesus wih God bring with him.-I Thess. S:i4 F. "
 This eplstle is probably one of tbe earliest of Paul's letters IA. D. 50-537l~ It links itself closely with the seven teenth chapter of the Book of Acts- Driven from Berca. Paul goes to Ath- ems and later to Corinth. while Tin othy returns to Thessalonica and car ries q report to Paul at Gorinth- Nhereupon, perhaps within siS months. Paul writes h{S cpis.ie. A. study of the two letters addressed ts this church teaches us how Paui dd- vised and instructed his Gentile con verts The first is a particularly cheer ful. positive and helpful eNhortation-
 |. Thanksgiving and Testimony (f- 1-90: 2.17209. GD Salutation u:1b The phrase the church of the Thef- salonians which IS in God" is nowhere else used Some think it to be unique because Paul had SO little to condemH or to criticize. The deity of Jesus Christ and that grace and peace pro tttu HUH tbi iH 'AttNi " NNA acs N--- t2) Thanksgiving tvv. ? and 3t (as For works of faith tbl for cleir Tabor of love- and Gel their pa tience" Cendurance1. That these works were in the sight of God" is evidence of their genuineness. and such spiritual fruitage awakened t3l knowedqe in Pauis mind (v. q \ l~ES ness and likeness to Jesus (vv. 6ss l Pet 2: Eph. 1:4. 5; Rom. S:2st- ca Testimony tvv. 610). Paul couA appeal to the known conduct of him self and his friends to substantiate. ts prove. the standing of those candi- dates for holiness who had been elect ed" His words had not come to them Tn mere eNhart9tion and eloquence but also in power which governed thcr conduct This was not to win ap plause. but in his own case he labored for their sakes tv. 5) and in their case they had received the word with Joy" in tho midst of aflictiou to the end that they became examples (paf- terus or types. literally. like tho far echoing notes of trumpet tv. D te all that dwelt in the regions thers- about. Their obedience. consistency and missionary spirit tvv. S10l sound ed forth everywhere and all thai needed to be done was 10 say. "Behosd the church otThcssalonica." (5l psurs glory and joy t2:l72el. Paul sets forth his character as Christian worker CLIO. tal His physical boldncss Cvv. l. 2l: tbl his faithful. i'm partial teaching (yv. 36l. affectionat~ ly kind G.Sl. unseltish. working fos his own support (v. 9). holy and con sistent Q3-16l No one had anything on him." and such l!fe dares to es bold. though 1t IS not free frcm per secution Cv 15l. (6) Pauls coSfrv (2,l7-20l. He here sets forth why this letter was written. Separated from them by persecution. he desires Co return and supply the things they wers yet lacking and to sec face to face those whom he loved. Satan pre- vented (v. lS) douhtless using the bit ter persecution stirred up against him He had therefore sent Timothy frors Rerea 10 comfort them t3:l5l. whe had made such a good report (3.f-10s that it urged Paul to greater prayer tyv. ll-1&) on their behalf.
 II. Ignorance lllumlned ts f3lS)- Paul rcbukcs certain sins H;1-l2l, eI- hortiug them to godliness and to 'ovs one another. I,e then touches upoA < doctrine which was one of his strongest reasons fer writing to these Thessalcnians. Tho imminent return of Christ had been strongly empha- sized. but in the months of Paui's ab 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 Comef II iS to set their thinking alright that PaE writes This he does by outliU!ng tho great and blessed hope of the church fin it's rapture" at Christ's coming This Is more clearly set forth here than anywhere else in the New Tests ment Those who mourned over de- parted loved ones arc not to sorrow as those who had no hope" JessEn the risen. everlasting Savior and ktnE- is certainly coming again in his king dom of glory, with shout. with tho voice of the archangel.' Their sor> row is not that of the world for thoss departed arc but sleeping and wfE como back with Jesus when he comes Together they who sleep and VIC whc are alive shall be caught mp to meet the Lord in the air all 10 dwell to- gather forevermore with tho Lord.
 Pauls description of the events of this second coming, this rapture or the church. has not yet been fulfilled. but he and tho disciples were not n1is- taken as to It's nearness, Its imnS nence.
 H. The Hope Of Church aod Stats B:l42A. The letter closes with moral exhortations with reference tS spiritual leaders. care of one another.