Middletown transcript., 1916-07-08
INTERNATIONAL
SUNlGYSC[IO(N
LESSON
(By r. 0. SELLERS, Acting Director Of
the Sunday School Course in the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago.)
Copyright by Western Newspaper Union)
LESSON FOR JULY 9
THE THEssALoNIAN CHRISTIANS.

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 Pauls letters "a. D. 50-530.
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-
verts. The first is particularly cheer
full, positive and helpful exhortation.
I. Thanksgiving and Testimony Il:
100; 2:17-20). (1) SaIutation CID
The phrase, "the church of the Thes-
salonians which is in God" is nowhere
else used. Some think it 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. 2 and 81 (a)
For works of faith; (b) for their
labor of love-" and (c) their pa
tience" (endurance). 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;
l Pet 1:2; Eph. IA, 5; Rom. 8:29).
a. 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 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 (v. 81 and in their
case they had received the word with
Joy" in the midst Of afliction to the
end that they became examples (pat-
terms or types; literally, like the far
echoing notes Of a trumpet) ". y to
all that dwelt in the regions there
about. Their obedience, consistency
and missionary spirit wv. S-10) sound
ed forth everywhere and all that
needed to be done was to say, Behold
the church ofThessalonica!" (5) PauI'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, ~; (b) his faithful, i'm
partial teaching wv. 3-6), affectionate-
ly kind (7,8). unselfsh, 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) PauI'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 it urged Paul to greater prayer
wv. 11-13) on their behalf.
II. Ignorance IIIumined (4:13-18). |
Paul rebukes certain sins (4:1-12), ex-
horting them to godliness and to love
one another. He then touches upon !
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 Pauls 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? 1t 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 Testa-
nent. Those who mourned over de-
parted loved ones are not to sorrow
Is those who had no hope" Jesus
he risen. everlasting Savior and king, |
8 certainly coming again in his king
lom of glory, with shout. with the
voice of the archangel." Their sor-
'ow is not that of the world, for those
leparted are but sleeping" and will
come back with Jesus when he comes.
Together they who sleep and we who
ire alive shall be caught up "to meet
he Lord in the air." all to dwell to-
,ether forevermore with the Lord, in
me glorious company when his king
ION is fully come and his will is COM
lletely done on earth as we'll as in
heaven. Their bodies, risen from the
,rave and reunited to their souls in a
,lorif1ed condition, and we who re-
main, the whole church or body of
Christ caught up like Enoch of old
Heb. III or Eliiah-a glorious hope!
This is not alone Pauls word upon
his question, but this he says "by (or
NJ the Word of God" ". 49,. No
;onder, then, that we should comfort
ne another with these words" ".
81.
The Lord, who is now in heaven
Acts 1:9; Eph. 1;20), shall himself
from heaven; not his spirit,
ot great revival, army of angels, or
ocial reconstruction of society, but
escend himself, personally, visibly
nd bodily (Acts Ill; Jno. 14:3; Heb.
rs; Phil 1920, 2D.